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Home → Health Topics → Allergy

Allergy
Also called: Hypersensitivity

An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something

that does not bother most other people. People who have
allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing.
Substances that often cause reactions are

Pollen
Dust mites
Mold spores
Pet dander
Food
Insect stings
Medicines

Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's

defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is
responding to a false alarm. Genes and the environment
probably both play a role.

Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms such as a runny

nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, or asthma. Allergies
can range from minor to severe. Anaphylaxis is a severe
reaction that can be life-threatening. Doctors use skin and
blood tests to diagnose allergies. Treatments include
medicines, allergy shots, and avoiding the substances that
cause the reactions.

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Allergic Reactions
(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Also in Spanish

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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic reactions

Allergic rhinitis - self-care

Allergic rhinitis - what to ask your doctor - adult

Allergic rhinitis - what to ask your doctor - child

Allergic vasculitis

Allergies

Allergies

Allergies, asthma, and dust

Allergies, asthma, and molds

Show More

Related Health Topics

Anaphylaxis

Asthma

Drug Reactions

Food Allergy

Hay Fever

Hives

Indoor Air Pollution

Latex Allergy

Sinusitis

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Allergy is

the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on

Allergy

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

What Triggers Seasonal Allergies?

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U.S. National Library of Medicine

8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health

Page last updated on 17 August 2020

Topic last reviewed: 16 May 2018