For 50 million Americans allergies are an obnoxious part of spring and summer and sometimes year-round. Some people suffer from basic allergies such as pet dander to pollen. Other people may suffer from food allergies, latex allergies, or insect stings. Whatever type of allergen you are susceptible to, you may be in that 20 percentile of adults and children who suffer from allergies.

What are allergies?

What are allergies exactly? Allergies are your body's reaction to a foreign substance called allergens. Allergens can include pollen, mold, dust mites, foods, latex, animal dander, and certain medications. The first time your body is exposed to an allergen, your immune system believes it is harmful to your body and reacts in an unpleasant manner to its host.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an allergic antibody, is a protein substance made by your immune system to fight the allergens. The IgE antibodies release inflammatory chemicals that cause the tissues to swell, therefore causing itching, engorgement of blood vessels, tightening of muscles surrounding the airways, and increased secretions. One of the antibodies released is called histamine.

Histamine is the reason your eyes water or itch and why you may be sneezing all the time. The histamine reacts to the allergen by attacking its hosts eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Each time you are exposed to the same allergen, your body will react in the same way.

For most people, the allergen is in the air, which will cause the reaction to occur in the eyes, nose and lungs. However, some allergens can be ingested, causing the allergic reaction to occur in the mouth, stomach, and intestines. An asthma attack is often caused by an allergen that is breathed into the lungs.

Some allergens cause your body to release more inflammatory chemicals that cause hives, shock, decreased blood pressure, and even loss of consciousness. An allergic reaction this severe is called anaphylaxis. People who experience anaphylaxis usually react to the allergen within minutes. You may have a friend or family member who must carry a medical shot around with them in case they are exposed to a particular allergen. Luckily, anaphylaxis reactions do not occur that often and modern medicine has been proven to treat symptoms immediately.

Unfortunately, allergies tend to develop from your family. They are passed down through your genes. A person doesn't inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies. Some people luck out and don't have allergies, while everyone else in their family may have allergies.

What are the Common Symptoms of allergies?

Allergy symptoms vary depending upon the person. Some symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Most people with mild allergies experience sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, running or stuffy nose, head congestion, and coughing. In fact, it may feel like you are experiencing a head cold. Most head colds will show up for about a week, and you will start to see the symptoms disappear. Allergies begin immediately following the exposure to the allergen and continue as long as you are exposed to the allergen.

Moderate allergy symptoms are allergies that are spread throughout different parts of the body. Itchiness of the skin and difficulty breathing are common symptoms associated with moderate allergies.

Those with severe allergies are usually under strict medication. These are the patients who experience anaphylaxis. These symptoms could result in hospitalization or death of the person with the allergy.

Common food allergy symptoms

Many people develop food allergy symptoms within minutes to an hour after eating. Difficulty breathing and swallowing are two of the most common symptoms, others include itching of the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Many people confuse gastrointestinal symptoms with food allergies.

Other people can experience hives or eczema from the food allergens as they enter the blood stream. Many people develop asthma as a result of food allergies. Most people also experience lightheadedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis (a sudden drop in blood pressure). Those who experience anaphylaxis need immediate medical attention as this can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Common Skin Allergies

Many people experience itchy skin that can be caused by dry skin or other factors that are not related to skin allergies. Skin allergies typically occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin deems as harmful to your body. Common symptoms include hives or rashes on your skin. For most people, the reaction occurs within 48 hours after the initial exposure. Other symptoms include: redness, swelling, blistering, and itching. Poison oak, ivy, and sumac are common perpetrators of skin allergies.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is common in young children and may continue into adulthood. Eczema occurs as a rash on the chest, cheeks, and scalp. Adults typically develop eczema in the skin folds of the elbows or knees.

Eczema is often red, flakes, oozes, blisters, and also has small bumps. This causes the person to scratch the rash, causing the rash to spread.

Urticaria (Hives) is another itchy rash that may occur at any age. This rash typically appears as raised red bumps of various shapes and sizes. It can be quite itchy for the individual and can cause swelling. If the rash begins to swell, it can be a serious condition that can be life threatening.

Contact dermatitis is another skin rash that is caused from skin irritation due to chemical or contact exposure. Most people who have contact dermatitis contracted it from cosmetics, hair dye, metal, medication, and dental materials. Poison ivy is a common perpetrator of contact dermatitis. Most often the rash is similar to eczema but it located in one place on your body.

Latex Allergens

This is one of the allergens that currently doesn't have a cure. The best treatment method is to avoid latex altogether. Rubber gloves are the main source of an allergic reaction. The glove powder residue is an airborne allergic reaction that causes people to develop symptoms of asthma. Skin rashes, hives, eye irritation, and itching of the skin are other common reactions.

Insect bites or stings

When bitten by a mosquito or stung by a bee, the insect usually leaves a sac of venom under the victim's skin. With a bee sting, you many also have a stinger left with the venom sac. Normal reactions to these bites include itching, swelling, redness, and pain around the venom sac. Never pull a stinger out of your skin as this will cause more venom to be released. Use your finger nail to gently scrape it out. Most people can treat an insect bite or sting with cream and antihistamine. For those who take a more serious reaction; such as a drop in blood pressure, wheezing or difficulty swallowing, swelling of the face, throat, or mouth; immediate medical attention may be required.

Pollen, Dust Mites, and Molds

Pollen, dust mites, and molds are airborne allergens that are commonly referred to as hay fever. For most people they experience sneezing, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes. Pollen is released by certain flowers and trees and is most common in the springtime. Most people with hay fever can treat their symptoms with over the counter allergy medications.

Dust mites are typically found within the walls of your own home. They are trapped in the fibers of your pillows, mattresses, carpet, and upholstery. Frequent dusting of your home or air purifiers can help reduce the dust mites. Some people can develop symptoms of asthma from dust mites. This is why some people have plastic covers over their furniture, as it helps to manage the release of dust mites into the air. Again, most people with allergies to dust mites treat them with allergy medications that can be found at the local drug store.

Molds also float in the air like dust mites and pollen. They are usually found in damp areas of the home, such as the bathroom, or basement. You can also find them outside in mulch piles, hay, and under mushrooms. Some people can ingest mold allergies by eating cheese processed with fungi. Those who suffer from mold allergies develop symptoms of sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, and watery eyes. Again, you can treat mold allergies with local antihistamines found at your local drug store.

Animal dander

If you have ever walked into a room and began sneezing instantly, you may notice a cat, dog, guinea pig, or other small animal in the room. The proteins secreted by oil glands in animal's skin cause allergic reactions in some people. The proteins are shed in dander and are also present in the animal's saliva. Sometimes the allergies to animals can take up to two years to develop and will not subside until months after ceasing contact with the animal. The allergy symptoms to animal dander are usually watery, itchy eyes, congestion, and sneezing. For most, removal of the animal is necessary or you can try taking medications such as decongestants or antihistamines.

There are several factors that lead to allergies in many people. If you think you may have allergies, contact your doctor immediately to discuss treatment methods.