Allergies in adults

An allergic reaction is your body's way of reacting to an "invader". When the body senses an antigen or foreign substance, the immune system is triggered. The main function of your immune system is to protect you from harmful agents like toxins and bacteria. Its overreaction to a harmless allergen is known as hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction.

Everyone is prone to get allergies. Children can easily develop allergic reactions because their immune system is not yet fully developed. Adults, although their immune system is at full capacity already, can still get allergies. The mechanism of allergies is the same for all people although the reaction itself can be triggered by anything such as dust, house mites, pollen, peanuts, etc. In addition, the reaction of the body is also dependent on the status of the immune system. Since everyone's immune system is unique, the reactions are also unique for each one. The type of reaction depends on the person but is, most of the time, unpredictable.

This medical condition is so pervasive that it accounts for more than 17 million visits to the doctor alone in the United States. More than half of these allergies are seasonal in nature while food allergies account for 30,000 emergency room visits.