What is allergy?

Allergies are your body’s reaction to a normally harmless substance such as pollen, molds, animal dander, latex, certain foods and insect stings. Allergy symptoms range from mild – rash or hives, itchiness, runny nose, watery/red eyes  to life-threatening.

A woman scratches an inflamed patch of skin on her back, highlighting a common allergic reaction.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Allergy symptoms are classified as mild, moderate or severe:

• Mild reactions include local symptoms (affecting a specific area of your body) such as a skin rash or hives ,  itchiness, watery/red eyes, hay fever and runny nose. 

• Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of your body. Symptoms may include itchiness, hives, and/or swelling and trouble breathing.

• A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which your body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of your eyes or face. Within minutes, more serious symptoms appear, including throat swelling (which could cause problems with swallowing and breathing), abdominal pain , cramps , vomiting , diarrhoea , hives and swelling (angioodema ) . You may also have mental confusion or dizziness since anaphylaxis may cause a drop in blood pressure.

What causes allergies?

Anything that you come into contact with that your body views as a “harmful invader” can be a cause of an allergy. Normally harmless substances that are common causes of allergies include pollen, animal dander, mold, dust, foods, insect venom and latex .

How are allergies diagnosed?

Allergy skin testing is used to identify the allergens that are causing your allergy symptoms. The test is performed by pricking your skin with an extract of an allergen, and then checking your skin’s reaction. It’s not at all painfull and can be done from 5 years of age . 

If a skin test can’t be performed, blood work may be obtained. This test is not as sensitive as a skin test.

How are allergies treated?

Although avoiding the allergen is an important treatment approach, it usually doesn’t completely end the allergic reaction.

Medications  such as decongestants , Nasal sprays also can be used to treat allergy symptoms.

Oral Immunotherapy (“allergy shot therapy”) is a very effective and easy way to treat allergies .