Causes and symptoms of Allergy

What is allergy?

An allergy refers to an overstated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances.  These foreign substances are usually considered by the body as harmless.  Allergy-producing substances in the body are called "allergens". Pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods are some of the examples of allergens. These substances are foreign to the body and thus cause allergy. It depends upon individual to individual. Basically, the foreign substance is not acceptable by the body and the immune system reacts by itself to defend. Hence, the allergy reaction is seen in the body.

Causes of allergy

There are two major causes of allergy. One is the host and the other is environmental conditions or factors.

Host- heredity, gender, race, and age are the prime factors under the host category. Heredity being is the most important and major factor behind the allergy.

Environmental conditions- Variations in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes are some of the major factors connected with the cause of allergy.

There are different allergens of food which causes allergy. For example egg allergy, wheat allergy, peanut allergy, allergy by cow’s milk, goat’s milk or sheep etc. Some people are allergic to dairy products and thus can’t even drink milk. Click here for food allergy (ppt) presentation Some allergic reactions are also caused by medicines like aspirin and antibiotics. Share more information on allergy through Allergy PPT or making informative presentation slides. 

Signs and symptoms of allergy

Allergens such as dust or pollen are airborne particles. There symptoms arise in areas in contact with air, such as eyes, nose and lungs.

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, causes irritation of the nose, sneezing, and itching and redness of the eyes.

Inhaled allergens can also lead to asthmatic symptoms, caused by narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction) and increased production of mucus in the lungs, shortness of breath (dyspnea), coughing and wheezing.

There are many types of allergies and with different signs and symptoms in different people. 

The symptoms differ because the immune system differs from individual to individual. 

Preventive measures in allergy

Those who know that they are sensitive and their body catches allergies very soon should avoid contact with the person suffering from allergy. It can also be done in some cases like cold, sneezing etc. but the allergies which occur by food in that case the food is to be avoided and one should monitor what he/she eats.