.Allergies are one of the most common conditions on the planet. Everyone knows what they are, and many people have at least one of them. In fact, many allergy-sufferers take it as a matter of course and never feel the need to see a doctor about it. But there are some out there whose allergies are a little more serious than a few sniffles during pollen season.

WHAT ARE ALLERGIES?

Simply put, allergies are an overreaction by your immune system to something in your environment. While antibodies produced by the immune system are invaluable when it comes to protecting us from dangers, allergies occur when the immune system produces antibodies to innocuous things like animal dander or pollen. In an effort to protect us from the perceived threat, the antibodies trigger reactions ranging from irritations like congestion or rashes all the way up to life-threatening emergencies like anaphylaxis.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ALLERGIES

The symptoms of allergies vary depending on the type of allergies. Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is normally characterized by sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itching or swelling of the mucus membranes around the mouth, nose, and eyes. Contact with allergens like foods or cosmetic products can cause tingling, itching, and skin problems like hives or peeling and flaking skin, while ingesting food or drugs that you’re allergic to can lead to severe swelling, which is particularly dangerous if it occurs in the throat. Extreme reactions to food, insect venom, or medication can even lead to anaphylactic shock, which can be deadly.

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