What is Allergy.
Allergy is an abnormal response of the body’s defense mechanism to an external substance – a substance which the body foresees as a damaging force. This substance may have entered the body through inhalation or ingestion or by injection or it may just have had skin contact.
Cause of Allergy.
Allergic reactions or allergy symptoms may manifest as simple skin rash or can come as an anaphylactic shock due to injection of drugs like Penicillin. An anaphylactic shock can be life threatening and is to be treated on an emergency basis.
Our body is equipped with an auto immune defense mechanism, which reacts to defend the body from harm which may be caused by some substance with which the body has come in contact with. This defensive reaction by the body is called an antigen antibody reaction. Antigen means the external agent and antibodies are the immunoglobins released by the body mechanism to protect itself from the antigen. This reaction triggers release of certain chemicals, of which histamine is the main component.
This antigen antibody reaction may manifest itself in some people in various ways by producing signs and symptoms of allergy. Note that not all people develop manifestations to this reaction.
Causes of Allergy.
It is said that anything under the sun can cause allergy, including the sun itself. Therefore, sometimes it can be difficult to know the source which has caused the allergic reaction. However, the patient from his pre allergic circumstances, himself may be in a position to determine the causative agent. He should try and identify anything, he has come in contact with or eaten out of routine, which could have caused the allergic reaction.
There are, however, certain common known allergens which can cause allergy. They are:
- Skin contact with pollen dust, animal hair and dander, fur, certain weeds on a farm.
- Inhalation of certain incense aromas or smoke, or pollen released by weeds into the air.
- Certain people react to cold climates while some to hot climates.
- Stings from insects , specially bees.
- Extreme emotions.
- Ingestion of drugs like antibiotics and aspirin.
- Eating of certain foods, specially sea foods like shell fish, crabs and lobster, peanuts, eggs etc.
Below is a allergy chart showing common agents that cause allergy.
( click to enlarge)
Next:
Your action step.
If you feel this article could be useful, do share it on social media and pass a comment below.
Medic On WebRelated posts:
