Utakecare

Allergies may be largely due to genetic factors. If  the parents are allergic to substances, their children are also likely to be allergic and the allergy may be stronger in the children. It has been  observed that allergies have become more prevalent in the last few decades, especially  in urban areas. This may be due to the higher pollution levels and exposure to chemicals in urban area.

People in rural areas are less likely to suffer from allergies. Allergies are more common in affluent countries, where people live in a very clean environment and less exposed to parasites and other harmful pathogens. People in poor countries are exposed to pathogens in their daily life and so have a stronger immune system.

The only way to avoid getting an allergy is to avoid the allergen which causes the problem.  If a certain food ingredient is known to cause an allergy, it can be eliminated from the diet. However, this may not be possible for air borne allergens like dust, only exposure can be minimized.

An allergy is the undesirable response of the immune system when a person comes in contact with a foreign substance. The foreign substance is usually harmless and normally does not have any adverse effect on the most people. However, immune system of persons suffering from the allergy, will treat the foreign substance as harmful and trigger a response from the immune system.

More than 20% of the population in many countries suffers from allergies. The foreign substance causing the allergy is called an allergen. Pollen, dust mites, molds and some foodstuff are some common causes of allergy. Symptoms of an allergy depends on the allergen. Some symptoms of an allergy are:

1. Running nose

2. Redness and itching of eyes

3. Asthma, coughing and sneezing

4. Skin rashes.