Introduction
Allergic reactions are an overreaction of the body’s immune system to specific substances, which are called allergens. Allergens are usually proteins, and can come from many different things such as pollens, foods, house dust, moulds or some medications. When the body encounters these substances, the immune system responds as if they were toxic, and launches an attack.
Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees. Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny nose. Allergies can also play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies can result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.
A variety of tests are now available to diagnose allergic conditions, which include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analysing the blood for the presence of allergen-specific molecules. There are many treatment options to combat allergies, which include immunotherapy, allergen avoidance and the use of medications. Specially designed bracelets are also readily available for people with allergies to wear, which provide information about their allergy in case of emergencies.