When you react adversely to an environmental substance such as pollen , food or dust, you have an allergy but you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Allergies affect approximately 40 million people in the United States. Ideally, the immune system creates antibodies that fight infections but an allergic person's body also produces antibodies against certain substances. Not all allergies are inherited but if you have a family history of allergies, your chance of becoming allergic is greater.
Allergies can begin at any age, although many develop during childhood.
In a few cases, allergies disappear on their own. Studies report that allergic children whose symptoms go untreated sometimes develop more serious symptoms later in life such as learning disorders, emotional problems, emphysema or asthma . Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to avoid these problems. There are two tests primarily used to diagnose allergies. The first is the traditional skin prick test.