Understanding Allergies: Symptoms, Reactions, And Preventive Measures

AllergyMeaning of Allergy and allergensAllergy was conceptually introduced in 1906 by the Viennese pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet. He observed that some of his patients showed hypersensitivity towards normal harmless substances like pollen, dust, or some foods. All the different forms of hypersensitivities were categorized as allergies, and all were supposed to be caused due to improper activation of the immune system.Allergies are several conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of one's immune system to something in the environment that generally causes no adverse effects to most other people. Allergens are substances that cause allergies. People show allergic reactions to different types of allergens like dust, pollen, spores, food and certain clothes.Signs and symptoms of allergiesTo protect our body from allergens, our immune system generates immunoglobulin proteins that are specific to the allergen. This first binds with the allergen and then to the white blood cells present in the blood. This binding triggers the release of an inflammatory chemical called histamine. Histamine shows allergic symptoms like inflammation, skin rash and constriction of the bronchioles in asthma. Food allergens like wheat, milk, nuts, and seafood show symptoms of upset stomach, vomiting, itching and red rashes on the skin. Seasonal Allergies