Allergies

Allergies are when an everyday substance triggers an autoimmune response. This response can cause a range of symptoms from sneezing to anaphylactic shock – an acute (occurring quickly) and life-threatening reaction.

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system issues a response to a typically harmless substance. When a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, enters the body, the immune system fights the invasion by releasing antibodies. Coughing, sneezing, vomiting and other biological mechanisms engage in clearing the invasion.