As you know, your immune system guards your body against harmful bacteria and viruses. In certain cases, your immune system will also defend against substances that normally don’t pose a threat to our body. Yes, you guessed—these substances are allergens and when your body responds to them, it causes an allergic reaction.
You can inhale, eat, and touch allergens that cause a reaction. Doctors can also use allergens to diagnose allergies and can even inject them into your body as a form of treatment. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that as many as 50 million people in the United States suffer from some type of allergic disease.
It isn’t clear why some people experience allergies, but they appear to run in families and can be inherited. So, if you have a close family member who has allergies, you are at greater risk to develop allergies. The most important thing when it comes to allergies is to know the symptoms, so check them out!
