Allergic reactions consist of the body perceiving a substance (called an allergen) as harmful that it is not. Given this, an exaggerated immune response is activated to try to fight the agent.
The problem is that allergic reactions interfere significantly with everyday life. Depending on how intense it is, it can be a serious problem for the person who suffers it.
In addition, allergies can be classified into food, respiratory and skin, which denotes the variety of them. In this article we explain everything you need to know about each of them and which are the most common allergens.
Most common allergens
As we have noted, allergens are the substances that trigger allergic reactions. In a healthy person, this substance does not cause any problems. However, in those who present hypersensitivity, they do activate the immune system so that the body tries to defend itself from this supposed threat.
The incidence of allergic reactions has increased dramatically in recent years. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology , nearly 7.8 million children had respiratory allergies in 2012.
In addition, 50% of people who experience a fatal allergic reaction were not known to have any allergies prior to the event. Another study states that 50% of children are sensitive to at least one allergen.
However, this does not mean that all allergic reactions occur or are diagnosed in childhood. In fact, the problem is that in many cases the opposite happens. For example, in drug allergies.
The most common allergens are animal dander (such as cats and dogs), dust mites, and pollen. Also, foods such as nuts, shellfish, or certain fish are also on the list. Others less common are insect bites, such as bees or wasps, and some plants.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy