Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to harmless substances by producing antibodies. The first exposure causes the body to produce IgE antibodies that stick to basophil cells, and the second exposure triggers those cells to release histamine, causing allergy symptoms. Common types of allergies include allergic rhinitis (sneezing and stuffy nose), asthma (restricted airways), atopic dermatitis (skin irritation), and food allergies which are treated by eliminating the offending foods like milk, eggs, chicken, and peanuts from the diet.
