What is an allergy?

 An allergy is the malfunction of your immune system, where your immune cells, including your T cells and B cells, recognise a part of your body called an allergen as dangerous, or "foreign," and release chemicals called histamines to fight or prevent the damage it can cause. Allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction are called allergens. The condition of being allergic to something or being "allergic to something" is called "hypersensitivity." What are the different types of allergic reactions? At the mildest, allergies are generally caused by food allergies. These allergies affect the mucous membranes in your eyes, nose, mouth, or throat, and the skin and eyes. Common food allergens include tree nuts, milk, wheat, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, and peanuts. As the condition progresses, it can be triggered by environmental allergens, such as dust, mould spores, pet dander, pollen, or air pollution. In these cases, the body is unable to tolerate the substance that is causing the reaction, and the immune system reacts accordingly. Common environmental allergens include cockroaches, dust, and dander. What causes allergies? Allergies are caused by a response to allergens, such as food, medications, and dust. In most cases, the immune system is primed by constant exposure to allergens, or by the presence of specific proteins called allergens. The resulting immune response causes the formation of antibodies, which are also known as allergens. An allergen is defined as any substance that the immune system is not tolerant of. In the case of food allergies, food proteins act as allergens. The immune system reacts to these foreign proteins in the gut, leading to an allergic reaction. How common are allergies? About 50 to 80 per cent of Canadians have some type of allergy. What can you do about allergies? The best thing you can do is identify your triggers, and get rid of them. Once you’ve gotten rid of the allergen, you’ll need to educate yourself on what to do if you get allergies again. What are some common medications that can cause allergies? Some common medications that can trigger allergies include Drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, and inflammation. This includes: Ibuprofen Cortisone and other corticosteroids Antibiotics What are some food allergies? Peanuts Tree nuts Soy Milk Shellfish Egg Fish Wheat Sesame What are some environmental allergies? Mould spores Air pollution Mildew Dust mites Pollen Pet dander Can allergies be prevented? While you can’t prevent allergies, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk. Some of these are: Wash your hands frequently. Use a child-safe moisturiser, such as emollient, to prevent the skin from cracking. Do not share food. Wear a protective, waterproof mask when cleaning. Carry an EpiPen with you at all times. What is food sensitization? Food sensitization refers to the body's immune system reacting to proteins in food, even if a person has never been allergic to a food or eaten that food before. This type of reaction does not lead to symptoms, so it is not harmful. However, this type of reaction can cause food sensitization, which is a risk factor for an allergy. What can you do to prevent food sensitization? Your diet should include a healthy combination of plant foods (such as fruits and vegetables) and protein sources (such as meat, poultry, and fish). It’s also important to eat plenty of omega-3 fats, such as flaxseeds, walnuts, and fish. What are the symptoms of an allergy? Allergies can have different symptoms, which include: Hives Skin rash Sneezing Itchy, watery eyes Itchy, red, or swollen lips Itchy nose Itchy throat Sore throat Burning eyes What is chronic allergic rhinitis? Chronic allergic rhinitis is the result of an ongoing reaction to allergens. This usually means allergens that are environmental, such as molds or animal dander. Symptoms include: Sneezing Itchy, watery eyes Itchy, red, or swollen lips Itchy nose Itchy throat Sore throat Burning eyes What is asthma? Asthma is characterized by a wheezing sound and difficulty breathing. Asthma is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways, which narrows and tightens the tubes. Why are some people more susceptible to asthma? Some people are more susceptible to asthma than others. There are several factors that can make you more susceptible to asthma, including A family history of asthma A genetic predisposition to asthma Exposure to cigarette smoke Lack of exercise Lack of prenatal care A diet high in animal fat and sugar A low consumption of fruits and vegetables A family history of allergies Maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy What is hay fever? Hay fever is commonly referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is characterized by itchy, watery eyes and runny nose, triggered by the presence of pollen in the air. What is atopic dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis is often referred to as eczema. It is a skin disorder that typically begins during childhood, and is chronic in nature. It is characterized by skin that is dry and itchy. The skin can also crack, become thickened, and be scaly. In some cases, the inflammation can become systemic. What is eczema? Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that usually begins in childhood. It is often classified as mild, moderate, or severe. In the mild form, the condition is typically dry, and itchy. In the moderate form, skin inflammation is more pronounced, and in the severe form, the inflammation and skin may become red, scaly, and swollen. What is eczema herpeticum? Eczema herpeticum is a skin condition that usually occurs when a person

As a parent and an allergist, what I am seeing is a dramatic rise in the severity of allergy and asthma and a corresponding increase in anaphylaxis. Many of these cases involve children with multiple triggers. For example, many children have both peanut allergies and cow’s milk allergies, as well as eczema or food allergies. I feel that there is a big component of our environment and our food supply that is directly causing these allergies. In this country, the vast majority of people are eating an industrialized diet. This is a food that is not the “traditional” diet. The foods that people are eating are heavily processed and include dairy and grains. This is the foundation that leads to many food allergies and food intolerances and is the basis of most allergic diseases. You can be eating a perfectly clean diet (with no allergies) and not be getting nutrition from your food. I see that people are becoming extremely allergic