Common Forms of Allergies

An allergy occurs when your body over reacts to things that don’t normally cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens and your body’s over reaction to them are what causes allergy symptoms.

No one really knows why someone develops allergy. Studies have shown that allergy may be hereditary or genetic. Others say that allergy is just something that develops over time and disappears, also over time. But one thing is certain, there are certain specific factors found in the environment that can trigger the body to develop allergy symptoms.

The most common form of allergies is caused by pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Allergy symptoms caused by these allergens often occur in the spring (late April and May) and may also occur late in the summer (late May to mid-July). Ragweed allergens may also cause allergy symptoms in the fall (late August to the first frost).

Another common form of allergies, in direct contrast to airborne pollen, is caused molds that are inhaled or by contact through the skin. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles, and leaf litter. Allergy symptoms caused by molds become worse during humid and rainy weather.

Another common form of allergies is related to pets, particularly through exposure to animal dander. Animal dander contain proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets, such as cats and dogs. You can develop allergy symptoms from handling an animal or from coming into contact with house dust, containing dander.

Various more allergens are contained in dust. One of them is dust mites, which are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. These mites live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust, and coming into contact with them may result in allergy symptoms.

Food allergies are a common form of allergies.  Each year hundreds of people die from food allergy and other allergies. Over 30,000 receive life-saving treatment in emergency rooms due to food-induced anaphylaxis. Out of all allergies, food allergy has got to be one of the most common, with an estimated 11 million people in the United States alone suffering from food allergies. The condition develops when the body’s immune system becomes misdirected. As a result, it suddenly sees and believes that harmless food proteins are, in fact, "harmful," prompting them to attack.  Specific allergies to peanuts, wheat, dairy products, shellfish and others are forms of food allergies.

Skin allergies can result from contact with various allergens that cause physical changes, like rashes, hives or redness, to the skin. Different types of allergens include latex, cosmetics, poison ivy and ragweed. Ragweed can also be a cause of inhaled skin allergies, as well as, pollen, house dust, dust mites, mold, animal dander, feathers, grasses, trees, and shrubs.

How to Control Allergy Symptoms?

Unless you live in a vacuum, it is extremely difficult to avoid allergens all together. But with a little management and control, you can reduce the occurrence of allergy symptoms caused by these allergens.

Keeping clean is always the first step in controlling allergy symptoms. Before bedtime, it is advisable to shower or bathe to wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and skin. You can also reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently cleaning those places where mold often accumulates.