What is allergy?

Allergy is a physiological reaction that occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as damaging to the body.

Normally, the human body defends itself against harmful substances such as viruses or bacteria, but, sometimes, the defenses aggressively attack usually innocuous substances such as dust, mold, or pollen.

The immune system generates large amounts of the antibodies called immunoglobin E(IgE), a complex chemical weapon, to attack and destroy the supposed enemy. Each IgE antibody specifically targets a particular allergen the substance that causes the allergy. In this disease-fighting process, inflammatory chemicals such as histamines, cytokines, and leukotrienes are released or produced, and some unpleasant, and, in extreme cases, life-threatening, symptoms may be experienced by an allergy-prone person.

What are allergic reactions?

An allergic reaction may occur anywhere in the body in the skin, eyes, lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs laces where immune system cells are located to fight off invaders that are inhaled, swallowed, or come in contact with the skin. Reactions may result in the following:

• rhinitis - nasal stuffiness, sneezing, nasal itching, nasal discharge, itching in ears or roof of mouth.
  
• allergic conjunctivitis - red, itchy, watery eyes.
  
• atopic dermatitis - red, itchy, dry skin.
  
• urticaria - hives or itchy welts.
  
• contact dermatitis - itchy rash.
  
• asthma - airway problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing.
  
  

Although hundreds of ordinary substances may trigger allergic reactions, the most common triggers, called allergens, include the following:

• Pollens
  
• Molds
  
• household dust, dust mites and their waste
  
• animal protein (dander, urine, oil from skin)
  
• industrial chemicals
  
• foods
  
• medicines
  
• feathers
  
• insect stings
  
• cockroaches and their waste
  
  

Allergies can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Generally, allergies are more common in children, however, a first-time occurrence can happen at any age, or recur after many years of remission.

There is a tendency for allergies to occur in families, although the exact genetic factors that cause it are not yet understood. In susceptible people, factors such as hormones, stress, smoke, perfume, or other environmental irritants may also play a role. Often, the symptoms of allergies develop gradually over a period of time.

Allergy sufferers may become so accustomed to chronic symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or wheezing, that they do not consider their symptoms to be unusual. Yet, with the help of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled and quality of life greatly improved.

How is allergy diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, your child's physician may use the following:

• skin test-a method of measuring the child's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Using diluted solutions of these allergens, the physician either injects your child with the solutions, or applies them to a small scratch or puncture. Reactions appear as small red areas on the skin. A reaction to the skin test does not always mean that your child is actually allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction.
  
• blood test-used to measure the child's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. One common blood test is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test).
  
  

• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
  
• extent of the disease
  
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
  
• expectations for the course of the disease
  
• your opinion or preference