Allergy is an abnormal reaction or increased sensitivity to certain substances. The allergic individual produces symptoms when exposed to these substances, which are harmless to non-allergic people. The main reason for this is that allergic people make a special type of antibody called immunoglobin E (IgE), which can react with environmental substances in a harmful way. These substances which lead to secretion of IgE antibodies are called allergens.
The reaction between allergens and IgE antibodies causes the release of substances such as histamine, which produce allergic symptoms in the skin, nose, eyes, chest, etc. The most common allergens are animal dander, air pollutants, pollens (trees, grass, and weeds), house dust, house dust mites, moulds, some drugs, and many foods, especially fish, eggs, dairy, wheat and nuts. Bee and wasp stings may cause allergic reactions, with fatal results in rare cases. Additionally, feathers, wood, dyes, cosmetics, and perfumes may act as allergens.
A distinction needs to be made between anaphylactic shock and common allergy/intolerances. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency as it is a severe allergy, which causes constriction of the airways and shuts down the respiratory system, causing death. General allergies or intolerances are just the body’s way of over-reacting to a substance that is totally harmless. The allergen should be identified as soon as possible and avoided. In some cases, it is possible to de-sensitize the body to the allergen over a few months of treatment.
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