ALLERGIES
                     ALLERGIES
Introduction
Allergies are your body’s reaction to normally harmless 
substances. Allergy symptoms range from mild to life-
threatening. Treatments include antihistamines, decongestants, 
nasal steroids, asthma medicines and immunotherapy.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What are 
allergies?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein. Usually, 
these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if you have 
an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system 
(immune system) overreacts to its presence in your body.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What is an allergic 
reaction?
An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to an allergen.
If you have allergies, the first time you encounter a specific 
allergen, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE). 
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How common are 
allergies?
Allergies are very common.
More than 50 million people in the United States have an 
allergic reaction each year. They’re the sixth-leading cause 
of long-term illness in the United States.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Who do allergies 
affect?
Allergies can affect anyone.
You’re more likely to have or develop allergies if 
your biological parents have allergies.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Common allergies
1. Itching all over your body (generalized pruritus)
2. Itching in just one certain part of your body (localized 
pruritus).
3. Nausea and vomiting
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Inhalants
1. Inhalant allergies are airborne substances that you 
inhale (breathe in). They include allergens that may 
affect you throughout the year (perennial allergens) 
and seasonal allergens.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Medications
1. Certain medications can cause an allergic 
reaction. The medicines may be herbal, over-
the-counter (OTC) or prescription.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How are allergies 
diagnosed?
1. If you think you have allergies, don’t wait to see if your 
symptoms go away. If your symptoms last longer than a 
week or two or tend to come back during certain times of 
the year, make an appointment with an allergist.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
THANK YOU