About
Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide. Allergy symptoms range from making living your day-to-day life less comfortable to putting you at risk for a serious medical event.
According to the leading experts in allergy, an allergic reaction begins in the immune system. Our immune system protects us from invading organisms that can cause illness. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader. This substance is called an allergen. The immune system overreacts to the allergen by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release histamine and other chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.
Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions can be found through specific symptoms coming from the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin. Allergies are also one of the trigger symptoms leading to asthma. In severe cases, allergies can lead to the life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
The most common allergens that lead to allergic reactions include:
Pollen
Dust
Food
Insect stings
Animal dander
Mold
Medications/Drugs
Latex
Allergy Diagnosis
Allergists assist you and your family with assessing whether your symptoms warrant an allergy diagnosis. An allergist has advanced training and experience to properly diagnose your condition and prescribe an allergy treatment and management plan to help you feel better and live better.