When we gone to a new place and suddenly we started sneezing wheezing for no explained reason , and when we went away our symptoms disappeared. Some of us are sensitive to some particles in the environment. The above mentioned reaction could be because of allergy to pollen, mites etc., Which are different in different places.
The exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens present in the environment is called allergy. The substances to which such an immune response is produced are called allergens. The antibodies produced to these are IgE type. Common example of allergens are mites in dust, pollens, animal dander etc. Symptoms of allergic reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, running nose and difficulty in breathing. Allergy is due to the release of chemical like histamine and secretion from the mast cells. For determining the cause of allergy, the patient is exposed to or injected with very small doses of possible allergens, and the reaction studied . The use of drugs like antihistamines, adrenaline and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy. Somehow, modern day life style has resulted in lowering of immunity and more sensitivity to allergens - more and more children in metro cities of India suffer from allergies and asthma due to sensitivity to the environment. This could be because of the protected environment provided early in life.
