ALLERGY
The Domain Of Allergy
Intricate. Complex. Profound.
The prevalence of allergic diseases like rhinitis, asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, anaphylaxis, dermatitis, angioedema, urticaria (hives) are on the rise globally, both in developed nations and developing nations.
The World Allergy Organization estimates that around 30-40% of the global population in current times is affected by one form of allergic disease or the other.
Allergy Basics
In simple terms, an allergy is when your body's immune system reacts to something it sees as harmful, even though it's not really harmful in reality.
These things that trigger allergies are called allergens.
Common allergens include pollen, pet dander, certain foods (Peanuts, prawns etc.), dust mites and certain medications.
When you have an allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies the allergen as a threat and releases a chemical called histamine to protect you.
Histamine can cause various symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, hives (red itchy bumps on the skin) or even more severe reactions like difficulty breathing & loss of consciousness. Allergies can vary in severity. Some people may have mild symptoms that are bothersome but not dangerous, while others may have more severe reactions that require immediate medical attention. Allergies can be diagnosed by a doctor through a medical history, physical examination and an allergy test.
