When springtime rolls around, many people start sneezing, itching and coughing. Eyes water and itch, noses run and misery abounds. TV and radio commercials for seasonal allergy medication multiply.

But, allergies don't only happen in springtime, and they are not all related to the weather. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases, and that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.

If you suffer from allergies, you are not alone!

• What is an allergy?
• How do I know if I have an allergy?
• Allergies vs. Colds
• How are allergies treated?

What is an allergy?

An allergic reaction is actually an overreaction by your body. When you have an allergy, your immune system goes crazy when it encounters a certain substance, because it mistakenly thinks that substance is dangerous to you. People have allergic reactions to food, environmental substances such as pollens, dust, animal dander and clothing fibers, and even to medications.

Allergic reactions can affect the respiratory system, the skin, and in extreme cases the heart and lungs. People with severe allergies can even die if they encounter the substance that causes their particular reaction.
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How do I know if I have an allergy?

Allergies are usually diagnosed and treated by medical specialists called allergists. An allergist can evaluate your symptoms and perform a skin or blood test to determine if you have allergies, and if so, what specific substances you are allergic to.
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Allergies vs. Colds

Allergy symptoms can seem to be just like cold symptoms, and vice versa. Colds, however, are caused by viruses, while allergies are reactions to substances that are not normally harmful.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, colds can include fever, aches and pains, along with symptoms similar to those caused by allergies such as a stuffy head. Colds should clear up within several days to a week, while allergies can be life-long.
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How are allergies treated?

Allergies can most easily be treated by avoiding the substance that causes the reaction. However, this is not always easy. Other treatments may involve taking medications, either orally or by injection, to help ease the symptoms. Your allergist may also recommend that you take a series of "allergy shots," the common term for allergen immunotherapy. Allergy shots can help desensitize your body to the allergy-triggering substance.

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