Allergy Basics

There are many types of allergies and allergic reactions. Get a basic overview of allergies, your immune system and why some people are more susceptible to allergies than others.

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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

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

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

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

By Nichole Bazemore

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

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

Learn how to control your allergy symptoms while traveling. No more sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose on your trips!

By Dr. Rob Danoff

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If you're one of the many sufferers of any eye allergy, you know how uncomfortable they can be. What don't you know about eye allergies that just may help?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Red food coloring can be from an artificial source or a natural source. Learn about red dye allergy symptoms in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Rarely, people are allergic to tobacco plants. Learn about cigarette allergy symptoms in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Nasal congestion is one symptom caused by an allergy. Find out how allergies cause nasal congestion from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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An avocado allergy is much like any other food allergy. Learn about avocado allergy symptoms in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms. Learn whether allergies can cause post-nasal drip in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic response. Learn whether anaphylaxis can cause inflammation in your joints in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

As if suffering from an allergy isn't bad enough, many people plagued by allergies also have to sort out lots of conflicting evidence and erroneous advice. To set the record straight, here are some of the most common myths about allergies.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers

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More often than not an allergy can be reversed by using alternative methods to combat the symptoms. See what we uncovered about the relationship between exercising and nasal allergies.

By Bobbie Hasselbring

Allergies and your immune system are closely related to one another. Find out how your immune system can make you more susceptible to contracting an allergy.

By Karen Serrano, MD

What you think might be an allergy could be a more serious medical condition. Find out what you can do if an allergy seems to be more than just an allergic reaction.

By Karen Serrano, MD

Allergies are so commonplace that we often do not stop to think of how they occur. Those watery eyes and runny noses happen because your body rejects otherwise harmless substances.

By Linnea Lundgren & Jeff Wald

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Why do some people suffer an allergic reaction to dog hair while others do not? The answer can be found in your genes. But there are other reasons why some people suffer allergic reactions.

By Linnea Lundgren

Allergies are the result of the immune system's mistaken response to a harmless substance like pollen, dust, or pet hair. The response can range from watery eyes to non-stop sneezing.

By Linnea Lundgren

If you've got allergies, you know the drill -- sneezing, wheezing, itching. Know why you get these symptoms? You may be surprised at the answer. Learn about the immune-system mix-up we call an "allergy."

By Steve Beach