Symptoms, Causes, & Signs Of Allergies
An allergy occurs when the body overreacts to the things which don’t typically cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens and the body overreacts to the allergens which causes the symptoms of allergies. The most common allergens include pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Most allergies occur in the spring, typically late April and May, and are often due to tree pollen. Allergies that occur in the fall, late August to the first hard frost, are often due to ragweed. Mold is a common cause of allergies and is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, damp basements, and window moldings. It may also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, compost piles, and leaf piles. This allergy is typically worse during humid or rainy weather.
Other causes of allergies may be found in proteins in the skin, saliva, and urine of animals such as cats and dogs. These allergens are known as animal dander and anyone may be exposed to dander when handling an animal or from house dust which contains dander. Many allergens, including dust mites, are in dust. Dust mites are tiny living creatures found in mattresses, bedding, carpeting and furniture. Dust mites live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust. While someone may inherit the tendency to develop allergies, they may never actually have symptoms. Allergies are not necessarily inherited and it is unclear what determines which substances will trigger a reaction in an allergic person.
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When an allergen comes in contact with the body it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction to persons who are allergic to it. When someone reacts to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, they are having an allergic reaction and may be referred to as allergic or atopic. Allergies can develop at any age, even before someone is born. They commonly occur in children, but may occur for the first time in adulthood. Asthma may persist in adults while nasal allergies tend to decline in old age.
The parts of the body which are more prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Although the various allergic reactions may appear to be different, they all result from an exaggerated immune system response to foreign substances in sensitive people. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is the most common of the allergic reactions and refers to seasonal nasal symptoms that are due to pollens. Year round or perennial allergic rhinitis is typically due to indoor allergens. It may also be caused by pollen. Symptoms result from the inflammation of the tissues that line the inside of the nose after allergens are inhaled. Areas close to the nose, including ears, sinuses, and throat may also be involved. The most common symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, nasal itching, itchy ears and throat and post nasal drip.
