Allergy
What is an allergy?
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to exposure to certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in nonallergic people. In allergic individuals, the body recognizes the foreign substance and one arm of the immune system generates a response.
Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mites, molds, animal proteins, foods, and even medications. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. When an allergic individual comes in contact with an allergen, the immune system mounts a response through the IgE antibody. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Allergy facts:
Approximately 10% to 30% of individuals in the industrialized world are affected by allergic conditions, and this number is increasing.
Who is at risk for allergies and why?Allergies can develop at any age, and the initial exposure or sensitization period may even begin in the womb. Individuals can also outgrow allergies over time. Whereas many children outgrow food allergies, nasal or environmental allergies are something that individuals often grow into over time, often into young adulthood.
Why, you may ask, are some people "sensitive" to certain allergens while most are not? Why do allergic persons produce more IgE than those who are nonallergic? Although we certainly do not fully understand why one person develops allergies and another does not, we know there are several risk factors for allergic conditions. Family history, or genetics, plays a large role, with a higher risk for allergies if parents or siblings have allergies. There are numerous other risk factors for developing allergic conditions. Children born via Cesarean section have a higher risk of allergy as compared to children who are delivered vaginally. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of allergy. Boys are more likely to be allergic than girls. Exposures to antigens, use of antibiotics, and numerous other factors, some of which are not yet known, also contribute to the development of allergies. This complicated process continues to be an area of medical research.
What are common allergic conditions and what are allergy symptoms and signs?The parts of the body that are prone to allergic symptoms include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Although the various allergic diseases may appear different, they all result from an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances in sensitive individuals. The following are brief descriptions of common allergic disorders.
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to exposure to certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in nonallergic people. In allergic individuals, the body recognizes the foreign substance and one arm of the immune system generates a response.
Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mites, molds, animal proteins, foods, and even medications. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. When an allergic individual comes in contact with an allergen, the immune system mounts a response through the IgE antibody. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Allergy facts:
Approximately 10% to 30% of individuals in the industrialized world are affected by allergic conditions, and this number is increasing.
- Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects roughly 20% of Americans. Between prescription costs, physician visits, and missed days of work/school, the economic burden of allergic disease exceeds $3 billion annually.
- Asthma affects roughly 8% to 10% of Americans. The estimated health costs for asthma exceed approximately $20 billion annually.
- The prevalence of allergic conditions has increased significantly over the last two decades and continues to rise.
Who is at risk for allergies and why?Allergies can develop at any age, and the initial exposure or sensitization period may even begin in the womb. Individuals can also outgrow allergies over time. Whereas many children outgrow food allergies, nasal or environmental allergies are something that individuals often grow into over time, often into young adulthood.
Why, you may ask, are some people "sensitive" to certain allergens while most are not? Why do allergic persons produce more IgE than those who are nonallergic? Although we certainly do not fully understand why one person develops allergies and another does not, we know there are several risk factors for allergic conditions. Family history, or genetics, plays a large role, with a higher risk for allergies if parents or siblings have allergies. There are numerous other risk factors for developing allergic conditions. Children born via Cesarean section have a higher risk of allergy as compared to children who are delivered vaginally. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of allergy. Boys are more likely to be allergic than girls. Exposures to antigens, use of antibiotics, and numerous other factors, some of which are not yet known, also contribute to the development of allergies. This complicated process continues to be an area of medical research.
What are common allergic conditions and what are allergy symptoms and signs?The parts of the body that are prone to allergic symptoms include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Although the various allergic diseases may appear different, they all result from an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances in sensitive individuals. The following are brief descriptions of common allergic disorders.