Allergies are caused by a hypersensitive immune system. The immune system of a person with an allergy picks out something that would potentially not cause any harm to an individual and attack it.  They attack it by producing antibodies. These antibodies cause the release of a chemical into the bloodstream called ‘histamine’. It is histamine, which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction on the skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract.

People can be allergic to a number of things including, certain types of food (such as dairy products, eggs, peanuts, wheat and seafood), insect bites (these reactions can sometimes be very severe), medicines (like penicillin or antibiotics), chemicals (such as ones found in cosmetics and detergents which can cause hives), and airborne particles (these are the most common, they include pollen, dust mites, mould spores) and animal dander (flakes of skin and saliva from animals).

Links and Resources

    An allergy is an abnormal reaction to protein substances, which are found all around us. When a person with an allergy is exposed to these substances or allergens, the body prepares to fight back. more »
  • allergy-ireland

    The centre is a newly established private allergy clinic in Dublin providing investigation and treatment for both adults and children with allergic... more »

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