Understanding Allergies
Allergy types and allergy causes
Your body protects you from things that may make you sick like bacteria and viruses. But if you have allergies, this defense system works overtime. It protects you from things that don't bother most people. These things are called allergens or allergy triggers.
When you breathe in allergens, your nose releases substances to help fight the allergen. This affects the lining of your nose. It can make your nose stuffy, itchy, or runny. Sometimes that allergen causes you to sneeze. Your eyes may also become itchy, red, or watery.
What are the types of allergies?
- If you have seasonal allergies (or "hay fever"), your symptoms may occur or get worse during certain seasons. Doctors call this condition seasonal allergic rhinitis. Common triggers include grass, tree, and weed pollens.
- If you have year-round allergies, your symptoms may be triggered by indoor allergens. Allergy triggers may include dust mites (bugs so small that you can't see them), mold, cockroaches, or animal dander. Doctors call this condition year-round or perennial allergic rhinitis.
How do I know if I have allergies?
Your doctor may suspect that you have allergies based on:
- Your symptoms and when you have them
- If you or your family members have a history of allergies
- In skin tests, also called prick or puncture tests, a doctor injects small amounts of allergen under your skin. Then, your doctor waits to see if you have a temporary skin reaction to the substance (like a red, itchy bump where the allergen was placed).
- A blood test is another way of looking for an allergy to a substance.