BLOG 540 ALLERGIES

The immune system can become hypersensitive to certain foreign substances. The immune system produces antibodies and when a person has allergies, the immune system makes antibodies that identify an allergen as harmful (even though it isn’t). Then when the person meets that allergen, the immune system creates a reaction that can inflame the skin, sinuses, or digestive system. There are so many types of allergies, it’s hard to think a person might not have at least one of them.

1. Pollen allergies: More than 25 million Americans are allergic to grass, trees, or weeds.
2. Winter allergies: During this time of year, mold and dust mites are more present because people increase their amount of time spent indoors.
3. Dust mites: These are not visible, but they create a lot of trouble.
4. Hay fever: A person is allergic to pollen grains which can either be a seasonal problem for someone or year-round.
5. Dog allergy: Even though between 37-47% of Americans have a dog, many people are allergic.
6. Cat allergy: These allergies are twice as common compared to dogs, and about 10% of Americans have a cat.
7. Poison oak, poison ivy, and sumac: The sap of these plants can result in an itchy rash once exposed to the skin.
8. Nickel allergy: Some people have a reaction to contact with this metal, such as wearing earrings made of nickel.
9. Insect stings: Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can wreak havoc.
10. Wheat allergy: This is hard because it is in so many different items.
11. Egg allergy: This is more common in kids than adults.
12. Milk allergy: Some people must avoid any type of food that contains milk.
13. Fish allergy: A person may not be allergic to all types of fish, but it might be safer to avoid the other types if allergic to one.
14. Casein allergy: This is a protein in milk. This protein is associated with whey products.
15. Shellfish: This can cause a lot of problems for a person so if allergic to one, it is best to avoid all.
16. Soy allergy: Soybeans should be avoided, so that means tofu and any of these products.

Sometimes a person must find out the hard way that they are allergic to an item. Sometimes it takes the process of elimination to figure out what is causing a reaction. Children are often tested to help avoid future problems and the use of an EpiPen. It isn’t always easy to avoid these triggers, but over time a person knows what they can and cannot tolerate and live life allergy suffering free.