What You Don't Know About Allergies Can Make You Sick

Your body's immune system will respond to normally harmless substances that cause it irritation. The result of this action is called an allergy. One of the most troubling problems a person can endure, it can take time to determine the cause of the allergy and the proper treatment. Allergies are very common, even becoming the topic of conversation among friends.

Allergic symptoms can appear at any age. Sensitivity to allergies is passed from generation to generation in some families. Boys are more often the victim of this problem than girls but allergies are common in children whose parents are allergy sufferers.

Allergy symptoms are longer lasting than those of the common cold. A cold may last for seven to ten days but the allergies are around for a much longer time. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, a congested and runny nose, itching eyes and nose as well as puffy reddened eyes. Constant coughing is a symptom of a form of asthma which can develop from severe allergies.

Foods are a source of allergic reactions in many people, especially children. Children are most likely to experience food allergies and sometime grow out of the problem with age but others may suffer food allergies all their life. Food allergies can be very life threatening in severe cases.

There are eight types of foods that are responsible for 90 percent of all the food allergy problems. Soy products, dairy products and peanut products are the most common types of food allergies in children. Children often grow out of the problem as they get older.

Some people have life threatening reactions after eating or drinking trigger foods. These foods are not tolerated by the body's immune system and are attacked. These antibodies are so severe that the person is made very ill and must seek medical attention right away. These attacks must be avoided by being aware of the foods you eat and drink and carefully staying away from those trigger foods.