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What is Allergy: Description, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors, Treatment

[Last updated: Thursday, 19 November 2009, 12:43 -08:00]
What is Allergy: Description, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors, Treatment Have Egg Allergy? You May Still Be Candidate for Flu Vaccines, Says Allergist

As flu season got underway this fall, Dr. Catherine Monteleone, an allergist, noticed that her office started to receive an unusually high number of calls…


Causes of Allergies

Allergies to specific allergens are not inherited, however, the tendency to develop an allergy is inherited.

Allergies are an overreaction of the body’s immune system to specific substances that it misidentifies as harmful. This overreaction of the body’s immune system is known as an allergic reaction and the substances that cause it are called allergens.

Potential allergens can be anything from dust mites and pollen to insect stings, fragrances, and foods such as shellfish and peanuts. Whatever the allergen, allergic reaction symptoms can be miserable, ranging from a runny nose and watery eyes to breathing problems, diarrhea, hives, and even death.

Allergens and Your Body
Your body’s immune system is a collection of cells and organs that work individually and collectively to protect your body

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About Allergy
Types Of Allergies
What Is Allergy?
Allergy Symptoms
Diagnosing Allergies
Causes of Allergies
Who Is At Risk?
Allergies, Cold, or Flu?
Allergies
Sinusitis
Eczema
Hives or urticaria
Allergies During Pregnancy
Treating Allergies
Allergy treatments
Allergy definitions
Treatment for anaphylaxis
Glossary of terms
Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)
Contents

Allergy triggers
What are the main allergy triggers?; Drug allergies; Pets and allergy control; Food intolerance

What happens to my body?
How mast cells work; Asthma; Hay fever; Trouble with my nose?

Prevention
Keeping your home clear; How Allergy-Safe Is Your Home?

Allergies in the News
Allergic to Latex?; Allergies and eating out; Peanut allergy

Tree pollens
Tree pollens and allergies; Tree and grass pollens in South Africa

Kids and allergies
A cold or an allergy?; Is heredity a risk factor

Allergy glossary
Glossary of terms; How to Recognize Allergy Symptoms; Frequently Asked Questions About Allergies ;

How healthy is your home?
How healthy is your home?; Get the ay-Tissuesss out of your life

  Related Articles from our Encyclopedia
Food allergy
Latex Allergy
Allergen
Pet allergies
Nasal allergies
Allergic rhinitis
Allergies and genetics
Allergic conjunctivitis
Drug allergies
Allergic vasculitis
Allergic dermatitis
Hay Fever
Asthma
Anaphylaxis
Eczema
   [advanced search]   



Allergies Health Center

  Articles & Resources

  About Allergy

  Causes of Allergies

  Common Myths

  Types Of Allergies

  Allergy Symptoms

  Diagnosing Allergies

  Allergy Treatment

  Questions About Allergies

  Common Allergy Medications

» » »


Essentials

Decongestants: One way to relieve allergy symptoms

Epinephrine: Treatment for anaphylaxis

Hives and angioedema

Antihistamines: One form of allergy relief

Allergies During Pregnancy

Allergy Medications: Questions To Ask Your Pharmacist

Treating Allergies During Pregnancy

» » »

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