The Basics About Allergies

Allergies are defined as immune malfunctions that occur when an individual's body is oversensitive to certain substances. These substances that cause allergies are called allergens. Allergies cause the body to produce excessive amounts of immunoglobulin E. This overproduction can result in inflammation, runny noses, itchy eyes or even shock or death, depending on how extreme an individual's allergies may be.

Common symptoms of allergies include redness and itchiness of the eyes, wheezing or other breathing problems, skin rashes or hives. Some people with severe allergies might even experience anaphylaxis or death in extreme exposure situations. There are many common allergies from which many people suffer. Animal dander (particularly from cats), pollen, dust mites and certain medications can all be causes of allergies. Some individuals are also allergic to certain foods or even whole food groups.

The most common way for doctors to identify a person's allergies is to conduct a skin test. Skin allergy tests are typically conducted on a person's back because of the large amount of surface area, and also because of the limited sensitivity experienced in that area of the body. Doctors make pricks in the patient's skin, and they introduce small amounts of substances that commonly cause allergies. The allergens are labeled, and within a thirty-minute period a reddening of the skin surrounding the allergens will occur if the patient is allergic to one or more of the substances.