Allergies

An allergy is a reaction the body has to a particular food or substance. Allergies are very common. They're thought to affect more than one in four people in the world at some point in their lives.

They are particularly common in children. Some allergies go away as a child gets older, although many are lifelong. Adults can develop allergies to things they weren't previously allergic to.

Having an allergy can be a nuisance and affect your everyday activities, but most allergic reactions are mild and can be largely kept under control. Severe reactions can occasionally occur, but these are uncommon.

Common allergies

Substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens. The more common allergens include:

• grass and tree pollen - an allergy to these is known as hay fever(allergic rhinitis)
• dust mites
• animal dander (tiny flakes of skin or hair)
• food - particularly nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs and cow's milk
• insect bites and stings
• medication - including ibuprofen, aspirin, and certain antibiotics
• latex - used to make some gloves and condoms
• mold - these can release small particles into the air that you can breathe in
• household chemicals - including those in detergents and hair dyes

Most of these allergens are generally harmless to people who aren't allergic to them.

Hay fever symptoms usually start immediately after you’re exposed to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen) and can include:

• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Water or itchy eyes
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Sinus pressure and facial pain
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Decreased sense of smell or taste.

Your hay fever symptoms may start or worsen at a particular time of year, triggered by tree pollen grasses or weeds, which all bloom at different times. If you’re sensitive to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold or pet dander, you may have year-round symptoms. Many people have allergy symptoms all year long, but their symptoms get worse during certain times of the year.

Recommended natural treatment of allergies

Soya Bean (Glycine max)

Eat the prepared soya bean as a treatment for allergies in general.

Onion (Allium cepa)

Eat the onion raw as a treatment for allergies in general.