Allergies

“What is food to one man is bitter poison to others.”   Lucretius, first century A.D.

An allergy is the unusual response of the immune system to a sometimes-unknown substance perceived as unsafe, while in other individuals probably the same substance would go unnoticed.  Allergies have existed since antiquity, but it was only in the early 1800s that we find a detailed description of hay fever.  It just looks as though allergies don’t seem to want to go away any time soon. 

These substances, called allergens, vary.  They could be nuts, pollen, insect venom, pet dander, certain foods, dust, chemicals, medicine, mold, or plants.

When the body detects these harmful substances, it reacts by creating antibodies and showing symptoms such as inflammation of the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system issues; body aches, rashes, urticaria, sneezing, excess nasal discharge, cough, postnasal drip, breathing difficulties, itchiness, watery/red or swollen eyes, diarrhea and vomiting, wheezing or difficulty breathing.  All these symptoms can seriously disrupt an individual’s quality of life.

In extreme cases the individual might require urgent hospitalization when anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) raises its ugly head.  Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include loss of consciousness, a drop in blood pressure, severe shortness of breath, lightheadedness, rapid or weak pulse, swollen lips, tongue or throat, nausea and vomiting.

According to the CDC, in the last 12 months as many as 19.5 million adults in the US have suffered hay fever in the United States alone and as many as 5.2 million individuals under the age of 18.  Also, it shows that only 7 million of these individuals have visited their physician to diagnose and treat their allergies.

What is for sure, is that allergies are mean, could be deadly and need to be carefully prevented and monitored when they happen.