Allergy is a broad term which means excessive immune response of the body towards the foreign substance that is not typically harmful to your body. Allergies are common and do not have life threatening complications for most people. Most allergies are manageable with avoidance of allergen or irritant, medications and life style changes.

Allergic rhinitis : Allergic rhinitis is when your body over reacts to your environment. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis often mimics like cold and includes following – Sneezing – early morning continuous sneezing for 25 – 30 times or sneezing at any time with runny nose, watery, itchy eyes. Other minor associated symptoms can be cough, headache and weakness. It can be seasonal or remain year long, if it is year-long then the causes can be any of the allergens like Pet dander, Molds, Dust mites, etc. Basic precautions to be taken includes that the contact with allergens shall be avoided as much as possible.

Food Allergy : Food allergy is usually seen as some sort of reaction every time the triggred food is taken. Most common being Glutein (wheat) allergy and Casein (Milk and milk products) allergy. Others can also have allergies from Eggs, Peanuts, Fish, etc. Whenever any of the items comes in intake symptoms of allergic reactions may involve –
* In Skin – Pale or blue colouration of skin, Hives.
* In Gastrointestinal tract – Vomiting, Cramps,
* In Cardiovascular system – Weak pulse, Circulatory collapse in worst condition.
* In Respiratory tract – Shortness of breath, Repetitive cough, Wheezing.

Most food related symptoms occur within two hours of ingestion, often they start within a minutes. In some very rare cases the reaction may be delayed by 6 hours as seen in children who develop eczema as a skin symptom of food allergy. Another type of delayed food allergy is “Food protein induces entero-colitis syndrome” often abbreviated as FPIES. This is severe reaction occurring after 6 hours of consuming milk, certain grains, or any food article in young infants who are exposed to these for the first time in life after weaning. It causes repetitive vomiting and severe dehydration.

Eye Allergy : Nothing is more irritating than the feeling that there is something in your eye. But, your eyes have noting and they are red and watery; then you may have eye allergies. Major symptoms are itching, burning, redness of eye with clear watery discharge. Basic precaution includes wearing glasses as much as possible.

Skin Allergy : Skin allergy can be of following types : -
* Dermatitis – it appears quickly, often immediately on coming into contact with the irritant.
* Hives – These are red bumps or raised area of skin developing after coming in contact with irritant. In case if one itches it may lead to bleeding.
* Eczema – It is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red rashes and itches. It develops slowly but remain persistent.