Dr. Asif Ali Imam

An allergy is a person’s response or hypersensitivity to something in the environment. Allergies occur when a person’s immune system responds abnormally to a typically harmless substance. Substances such as mould, pollen or dust, which trigger an abnormal reaction by the immune system, are known as allergens. Exposure to allergens results in the release of antibodies and inflammatory chemicals, including histamine (body’s natural allergic response compound) into the body. It is histamine which causes symptoms (such as itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.) due to allergies. Reactions to allergens are usually mild and manageable. Some common symptoms associated with allergies related to the eyes, ear, nose and throat include: