Allergies are one of the most common health conditions in our modern society.  There are
thousands of allergen triggers that can add fuel to the fire of an allergy.  Allergies come
in different shapes and sizes and affect individuals in many different ways.

What is an allergy?  An allergy occurs when your body has an adverse reaction to a
foreign substance.  Allergies can erupt as a skin inflammation, sinus congestion, and
respiratory symptoms.  Your body believes that a certain substance you have come in
contact with is harmful.  It perceives this as an allergy and forms histamines against the
unknown substance.

An allergy can be the result of different triggers.  One example of an allergy is an allergy
to food.  A food allergy can be suspected when one consumes a food that quickly results
in gas, bloating, and diarrhea.  A food allergy can be more severe with swelling of the
face, lips, and throat.  This type of swelling closes the airway and can send a person into
anaphylactic shock.  This type of shock can be fatal.

Another type of allergy involves your nasal passages.  This can be referred to as seasonal
allergies.  When the pollen or mold count in your environment increases, your nasal
allergy acts up.  Nasal allergies consist of itchy red eyes and a runny nose.  This type of
allergy is often accompanied by sneezing and wheezing as well.

Another type of allergy involves your skin.  When you are allergic to something your
skin can form hives and become inflamed.  For some people, the inflammation is a
chronic condition known as eczema.  You can also have contact dermatitis.  Your skin
has formed an allergy to certain fabrics in your clothing.

Nickel and wool are common offenders in contact dermatitis.  Avoid wearing costume
jewelry that contains nickel.  Wash clothes thoroughly in a hypoallergenic laundry
detergent such as Dreft.

You can also form an allergy to skin and environmental irritants.  These irritants are the
potent chemicals that are found in cleaning products.  If a skin irritant is the major reason
for your allergy then eliminating the use of that chemical can greatly benefit your
situation.  If eliminating the chemical is not possible then you can wear safety gear such
as latex gloves.

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