What Is An Allergy?
Quite simply, an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance which normally causes no reaction at all. Practically any substance can become an allergen, or allergy-causing nuisance. Things like house dust, pollens, molds, or even a pet -things that most people consider harmless - can make the allergic person too ill to function normally, forcing him to miss work, school and other important activities.

Instead of quietly ignoring the allergen, the immune system of the allergic person reacts abnormally. The immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies are of the immunoglobulin E type and when they come in contact with their target allergen all sorts of symptoms are produced. These symptoms range from the itchy, watery eyes of hayfever, the breathing difficulty of asthma, the itchy and inflamed skin of hives or eczema, or the dangerous fall in blood pressure and breathing problems after bee stings.

Although most allergies make their first appearance before age 20, they can develop in any person at any age, and they are virtually never outgrown. While specific allergies are not inherited, your chances of having an allergy are greatly increased if members of your family are allergic. The most common allergens are to dust, molds, pollens, animal danders, drugs, and insect venoms.

It is estimated that nearly 35,000,000 people in the United States suffer allergy symptoms each year.

Click on a link below for more information:

• Do You Have Any Of These Symptoms?
• Fast, Accurate and Painless Allergy Testing
• 4 Proven Steps To Allergy Relief
• About Our Allergy Doctors
• Allergy Seasons & Dust