As a result, the immune system reacts by making a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to defend against the allergen. This reaction leads to allergy symptoms.
Allergens may be naturally occurring or of synthetic origin and include pollen, mold spores, dust, lint, animal dander, insect debris, foods, blood serum, and drugs.
Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance that gets inside the body. These substances are known as allergens. They include pollen, bee venom and pet dander. Allergies also can happen due to certain foods and medicines that don't cause reactions in most people.
Allergies are your immune system’s overreaction to foreign substances. When you touch, inhale or eat something you’re allergic to, your body thinks it’s harmful and reacts to try to get rid of it. This can cause minor reactions like itching, sniffling and sneezing.
Skin prick test: Small amounts of an allergen are pricked, brushed, or scratched against your skin to see if there’s an allergic reaction.
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, helps build your tolerance to allergens, reducing or eliminating symptoms. It works by the patient being given a gradually increasing amount of the allergen on a regular schedule, until a maintenance level is reached.