Allergies
Allergies
Allergies (pronunciation: /ˈælərdʒi/) are a type of immune system response that occurs when the body reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment. These substances, known as allergens, can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander. The term "allergy" is derived from the Greek words allos, meaning "other", and ergon, meaning "work".
Types of Allergies
There are several types of allergies, including:
- Food Allergies: These occur when the immune system overreacts to a specific food or a substance in food.
- Drug Allergies: These are an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a medication.
- Insect Allergies: These occur when the immune system overreacts to the venom of insects.
- Pet Allergies: These are an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal's skin cells, urine, or saliva.
- Pollen Allergies: Also known as hay fever, these are an allergic response to certain types of pollen.
Symptoms
Symptoms of allergies can vary from mild to severe and can include:
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of allergies typically involves a detailed medical history, physical examination, and potentially allergy testing. Tests can include skin prick tests, blood tests, and patch tests.
Treatment
Treatment for allergies can include avoiding known allergens, medications to reduce symptoms, and immunotherapy.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Allergies
- Wikipedia's article - Allergies
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