What Causes Allergies?
Allergies arise when your immune system overreacts to substances in the environment that should otherwise be harmless – allergens include food, drugs and environmental chemicals. Both genetics and environment play a part in whether someone develops allergies; if either parent has allergies themselves, there’s an increased chance they could pass them down to you as well.
Allergens cause allergic reactions when your immune system misidentifies them as foreign invaders and reacts accordingly. When allergens enter your body, they bind with special cells called mast cells that line the nose, eyes and digestive tract; these mast cells release chemicals such as histamines to cause allergy symptoms.
Airborne allergens such as pollen, mold spores and animal dander can be inhaled, while food allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish and wheat (children often outgrow their allergies by age 12); soy, corn and latex may also cause reactions in sensitive individuals; injection allergens include proteins found in animal poop/spit/body parts/venom as well as insect sting/bite reactions while chemical allergens include volatile organic compounds found perfume/cologne/household cleaners/industrial products that could trigger reactions.
To determine whether you’re allergic to certain foods, your doctor may ask that you avoid them for two or four weeks and then introduce them back gradually. He or she will check for signs of food allergy such as itchy skin and red, watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis). A severe food allergy could even trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions – something your physician will monitor closely during this process.
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