An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from the miseries of allergies.

Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called allergens. There are all kinds of allergies: indoor/outdoor allergies (also called seasonal allergies), food and drug allergies, latex allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies and eye allergies.

Allergies are not only bothersome, but many have been linked to a variety of common and serious chronic respiratory illnesses (including sinusitis and asthma). However, with proper management and education from health care providers, allergies can be controlled.

The substances that cause allergic reactions in people are known as allergens. These allergens can enter our bodies through a variety of ways:

• Inhaled into the nose and the lungs. Examples are airborne pollens of certain trees, grasses and weeds; house dust that include dust mite particles, mold spores, animal dander and latex dust.

• Ingested by mouth. Frequent culprits include shrimp, peanuts and other nuts.

• Injected. Such as medications delivered by needle like penicillin or other injectable drugs, and venom from insect stings and bites.

• Absorbed through the skin. Plants such as poison ivy, sumac and oak and latex are examples.

“If you break out in hives when a bee stings you, or you sneeze every time you pet a cat, you know what some of your allergens are. But if the pattern is not so obvious, try keeping a record of when, where and under what circumstances your reactions occur. This can be as easy as jotting down notes on a calendar,” said Dr. Danielle Clark, family practice physician at Pella Medical Clinic. “If the pattern still isn’t clear, make an appointment with your doctor for help. We can help you make sense of your symptoms, and if needed, test for more specifics.”

Treatment

Good allergy treatment is based on your medical history and the severity of your symptoms. There are three treatment strategies:

Avoid Allergens

The best way to prevent allergy symptoms and minimize your need for allergy medicine is to avoid your allergens as much as possible and to eliminate the source of allergens from your home and other environments.