Allergies are caused when the body’s immune system mistakenly reacts to a harmless foreign substance. The immune system works to eliminate the foreign substance from the body by releasing proteins called Immunoglobins. During allergic responses, the levels of Immunoglobin E increase. This in turn leads to an increase in the levels of histamine in the body. The result is an allergy.
The symptoms of an allergy range from mild to very severe and life threatening. Allergy symptoms usually affect the eyes, nose, skin, lungs and stomach.
Mild allergy symptoms include: itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, rashes, nasal and chest congestion.
Moderate allergy symptoms include: breathing difficulty, itching all over the body. People with asthma may have breathing trouble and cough.
Severe allergy symptoms can result in anaphylaxis. It is a life threatening condition which occurs when a person develops a serious allergic response to something. This condition can be fatal if not treated immediately, and it is characterized by flushing, itching, hives, cramps, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion and anxiety. Sometimes there can be a sudden drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Allergens like insect venom, peanuts, eggs, seeds, drugs like penicillin etc are usually associated with anaphylaxis. |
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