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It comes when you least expect it and may result in symptoms that can range from mild to potentially fatal. An allergy is considered to be one of the most common illnesses in the world. In the United States, up to 50 million children and adults have some kind of allergy. Despite many studies conducted in the field of allergies, its exact origin is still unknown. Some scientists have linked the illness to heredity while others linked it to a compromised immune system. There are hundreds of foreign substances that can cause an allergic reaction. One thing is for sure, whether the allergy is caused by food, prescription drugs or chemicals, the human body reacts in the same way. To understand it better, allergy should be defined in the context of medicine. Typically, an allergic reaction is triggered by a foreign substance that for some reason has been classified by our body as harmful. Because of this, our immune systems produce an army of defenders called antibodies to get rid of these allergy-causing substances or allergens. These antibodies order the release of histamine, a hormone specifically designed by our body to combat the allergens. As the battle between these two rages on, we exhibit the classic symptoms of an allergy. You might be surprised at the many substances that trigger an allergic reaction. Airborne allergens include dust mites, pollen, molds and animal hairs. Many foods have been known to cause an allergy. The most common are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy and wheat. Other causes of an allergy are due to insect bites, antibiotics, laundry detergents, dyes, household cleaners and pesticides. You can expect the symptoms of an allergy to vary from person to person. Most airborne allergens cause sneezing, itchy nose, sore throat, nasal congestion and coughing. This may be because the allergen initially interacts with the respiratory system. On the other hand, a food allergy will cause an itchy mouth or throat, hives, rash, runny nose, and abdominal cramps. The severity of the allergic reaction to food will depend on the amount of food ingested and the person's level of sensitivity. Insect bites are known to cause swollen throat, hives, breathing difficulties, nausea and diarrhea. In some instances, a person can experience a severe allergic reaction and experience anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention. An anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock may cause a rapid drop in blood pressure, dizziness, unconsciousness, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The most common method of diagnosing an allergy is by performing a skin test. A small amount of allergen is injected on the skin and a positive result will produce a lump that looks like a mosquito bite. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the allergy itself but the reaction can be controlled, usually by an injectable epinephrine. Mild reactions, on the other hand, are easily controlled by anti-histamine medication. Having an allergy can be very inconvenient. If you have one, just make sure you avoid any contact with the substance you are allergic to. In many cases, the immune system adapts and no longer defends itself from a particular allergen, leaving you allergy-free. 

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