Allergies

Food, animal dander and the environment are all reasons that some people experience allergic reactions. Learn about the types of allergies and treatment options.

Topics to Explore

What are some common food allergies in children?

What causes poison ivy?

Nasal Allergies

Can lavender plants cause allergies?

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Can Pollen Allergies Make You Tired?

Spring is here and suddenly your allergies kick in and you feel tired and sleepy. Could pollen have something to do with it?

By Kathryn Whitbourne Allergies / Outdoor Allergies

The Science Behind the Pollen Count

Spring may be beautiful, but it's a tough time of year for anybody with allergies. That's why they rely on the daily pollen count for relief.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Mar 28, 2019 Allergies / Outdoor Allergies

Why There Is So Much Confusion About Who Has Food Allergies

A new study showed that about 10 percent of Americans who thought they had food allergies actually had food intolerance issues. So what's the difference?

By Dave Roos Jan 18, 2019 Food Allergies / Food Allergy Information

Will an EpiPen Still Work if It Freezes?

If you have to carry an EpiPen, you might leave one in your car. But what if it freezes during the colder months? Is it still good in case of emergency?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Nov 26, 2018 Allergies / Allergy Treatments

Why Severe Allergies Can Suddenly Pop Up in Adulthood

Your body never freaked out before when you were stung by a bee. And yet one day, you have an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting. What's the deal?

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 28, 2018 Allergies / Allergy Basics

Adult-onset Food Allergies Are More Prevalent Than Previously Believed

Nearly half of all U.S. adults who have food allergies developed at least one of them during adulthood.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 3, 2017 Food Allergies / Food Allergy Information

Your Hay Fever Could Make You Allergic to Some Fruits

It's called oral allergy syndrome, and it's caused when the immune system freaks out and overreacts to allergens.

By Shelley Danzy May 31, 2017 Food Allergies / Food Allergy Information

Can You Be Allergic to Your City?

If you're moving from one city to another, pack some extra tissues because it's true: Seasonal allergies can flare up when you relocate and are exposed to new allergens.

By John Perritano Mar 23, 2017 Allergies / Allergy Basics

Giving Babies Eggs and Peanuts Can Lessen Allergy Risk, Study Finds

Contradicting earlier advice, the study found that introducing these foods earlier is better.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Sep 30, 2016 Food Allergies / Peanut Allergies

Nothing to Sneeze at: Allergies May Affect the Brain

There may be more going on with your body than just itchy eyes and a runny nose when you're dealing with seasonal allergies, a small new study finds.

By Kate Kershner Aug 12, 2016 Allergies / Allergy Basics

Research Confirms Wheat Sensitivity That's Neither Celiac nor Allergic

People with non-celiac wheat sensitivity have a weakened intestinal barrier, which leads to a systemic immune response and a non-gluten protein may be to blame.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 10, 2016 Food Allergies / Wheat and Gluten Allergies

Goodbye to Allergies? Scientists Discover How to Trick Body's Immune System

New approach to treating allergies involves hiding allergen in friendly shell so immune system doesn't attack it.

By Nichole Bazemore May 3, 2016 Allergies / Allergy Treatments

Marked at Birth: Your Birth Month, Allergies and DNA Are Linked

Although scientists knew that birth season affected people's allergy risk, they didn’t know why this happened. A new study gets us one step closer.

By Nichole Bazemore Apr 8, 2016 Allergies / Allergy Basics

Blame That New Food Allergy on Your Transplant

A man inherited his sister's kiwifruit allergy after she donated some bone marrow cells to him, a study confirmed.

By Nichole Bazemore Mar 31, 2016 Food Allergies / Food Allergy Information

Now You See Them, Now You Don't: The Trouble With Allergies

The sixth-leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. remains maddeningly difficult to figure out.

By John Donovan Jan 26, 2016 Allergies / Allergy Basics

Is it possible to be allergic to water?

The human body requires water to thrive, so how could one possibly be allergic to H2O? Consider the strange case of one teen who broke out in hives after swimming.

By Laurie L. Dove Allergies / Skin Allergies

Is it possible to be allergic to your own blood?

With blood pumping through your body every second of the day, it seems unthinkable that this life-giving substance could be an allergen. For some people, it's not weird science — it's reality.

By Laurie L. Dove Allergies / Allergy Basics

Is it possible to make yourself allergic to something?

Allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes aren't any fun to deal with. Could you be causing your own pain with certain patterns of behavior?

By Laurie L. Dove Allergies / Allergy Basics

Is American wheat the cause of gluten sensitivity?

Is the American wheat industry to blame for the gluten-free craze? Don't believe the hype, gluten might not be the problem you think it is.

By Bambi Turner Food Allergies / Wheat and Gluten Allergies

Could washing dishes by hand lead to fewer allergies?

Sometimes life-threatening, sometimes just inconvenient, allergies won't ever win a popularity contest. While we can't eliminate them, we may be able to reduce them through a simple household trick: hand-washing the dishes!

By Karen Kirkpatrick Allergies / Allergy Treatments

Is wheat toxic?

Some people in the anti-wheat movement say that the grain has compounds in it that make it addictive. But is this true?

By Alison Cooper Food Allergies / Wheat and Gluten Allergies

5 Common Allergens

Can you identify household and common allergens? Recognize common allergens and learn how to deal with their side effects.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers Allergies / Allergy Basics

Fascinating Facts About 5 Common Household Allergens

Which allergies can your kids outgrow? Is there any such thing as a cat or dog that will not cause allergic reactions in sensitive people? Learn the answers to these questions and more fascinating facts about five common household allergens.

By Christine Lepisto Allergies / Indoor Allergies

6 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors with Allergies

Seasonal allergies doesn't have to mean sneezing, coughing and suffering when you're outside. Follow our six easy tips for enjoying the outdoors with allergies.

By Dr. Rob Danoff Allergies / Outdoor Allergies

3 Things Making Your Child's Allergies Worse (and How to Fix Them)

Pollens, dust mites, pet allergens ... do you know what is bothering your allergic child? See common allergens and how to reduce your child's exposure to them.

By Christine Lepisto Allergies / Allergy Basics