Allergies

Allergies are an over reaction of the immune system to a normally non toxic and harmless substance. When the body encounters an allergen, a trigger that causes allergy like pollen, animal dander, certain foods items etc, an allergic person's immune system raises its alert level and proceeds to contain the allergen – thinking it is some kind of a virus or a disease causing substance or germ.

 

Allergies cause many types of immune system responses. Skin rashes, burning eyes, runny nose, respiratory congestion, head aches and others. Since allergies are responses to a substance that the immune systems considers harmful, they can be controlled by simply avoiding or getting rid of that substance. For example, if one is allergic to nuts, simply avoiding eating nuts or coming in contact with nuts can keep the allergy away.

 

A normal person's body does not react to substances that are not harmful to it. Why some people become allergic is not known. Since it is an overreaction by the immune system, one factor that may cause allergies is a weak immune system. A healthy diet and exercise can go a long way in making the immune system strong.

 

Allergies can also be caused due to stress which is known to weaken the immune system.

 

Allergies and the resultant symptoms can be divided into two broad categories:

 

a) Allergy due to environmental substances

b) Food Allergies