Allergies Resource Center
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Allergies

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Allergies are reactions by your immune system to substances that are typically harmless but that your body mistakes as a threat. You might experience symptoms like sneezing, itching, rashes, or difficulty breathing when exposed to allergens. Allergy treatment varies depending on the allergen and severity of symptoms and can include medication, immunotherapy, and avoiding triggers. Identifying allergens, taking preventive measures, and carrying an emergency epinephrine shot with you at all times are crucial for managing allergies and avoiding potentially dangerous allergic reactions.

FAQ

What are common allergens?

Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, and certain foods, such as nuts, shellfish, wheat, eggs, soy, and dairy, among others.

Yes, allergies can appear at any point in life, though most people with allergies develop them in childhood.

Antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids are common medications to treat allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy works by desensitizing the immune system to allergens through exposure to the allergen in small doses. The dosage gradually increases over time, allowing your body to “get used to” the allergen so it no longer produces a reaction.

Meet Our Experts In Allergies
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Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
jon-stahlman-bio

Jon E. Stahlman, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jon E. Stahlman, MD, has been a practicing allergist for more than 25 years. He is currently the section chief of allergy and immunology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta's Scott...

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Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...

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Robert Jasmer, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Robert Jasmer, MD, is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine. He is in private practice in Burlingame, California, where he specializin...

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Jane Yoon Scott, MD

Medical Reviewer

Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowe...

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Waseem-Ahmed-bio

Waseem Ahmed, MD

Medical Reviewer

Waseem Ahmed, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and serves as Directo...

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Susan Bard, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sin...

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Stephen H. Kimura, MD

Medical Reviewer

Stephen Kimura, MD, is a board-certified allergist and immunologist. He's been in private practice in Pensacola, Florida, for the past 25 years with the Medical Center Clinic, a mu...

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Janet Renee, MS, RD

Medical Reviewer

Janet Renee, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist with over a decade of experience in clinical practice and health communications, specializing in weight management, spor...

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Ghazala O'Keefe, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Ghazala O'Keefe, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she also serves as the section director for uveitis and as ...
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Resources
  1. Allergies. Mayo Clinic. August 24, 2024.

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