Doctors N Health Land

What causes allergies?

An allergy is the body’s response to a substance that is harmless to most people. The body reacts to the substance. The reaction makes the person have allergic symptoms.
Symptoms begin when a child comes into contact with something he is allergic to.

Some common allergens are:
Dust
Pollens (from trees and grasses)
Molds
Animal fur and saliva
Chemicals (found in household products, cosmetics, and jewelry)
Some foods, plants, and medicines
Insect stings
Some allergens are common only in certain seasons while others are found year round.

Who can get allergies?

Anyone can get allergies.
A child is more likely to have an allergy if a parent has an allergy.
If a child is allergic to one substance, he is likely to be allergic to others.
What are the symptoms of an allergy?
Reactions to allergies are different. Here are the most common allergies and their symptoms:

Asthma: Triggered by smoke, viral infections, dust, cold air, stress, and exercise. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest.
Hay Fever: Triggered by pollen. Symptoms include stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose, and red and swelling eyes.
Food allergy: Triggered most commonly by eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat, seafood, and tree nuts. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, cramps, and hives (red, itchy, blotchy rash).
Skin rashes and hives: Can be triggered by most allergens. Symptoms include red, itchy patches on the skin and sometimes, a bumpy, red rash.