Skin Allergies.

Skin allergies are one of the most common causes of conditions of the skin. They are typically caused by a problematic immune system which becomes hypersensitive after being exposed to a certain substance which it views as "harmful" even though it isn’t. As a result, the next time these substances enter the body, the immune system releases vast amounts of antibodies, supposedly to combat these "harmful" substances, but in the process cause adverse reaction in other cells of the body.
The substances are called allergens and they can be anything from pollen breathed through the air, dust mites that thrive in carpets and furniture surfaces. They are also encountered in pets, especially dogs and cats. With respect to skin allergies, they usually occur when skin comes into contact with skincare products containing allergens, cosmetics, perfumes, etc. A latex allergy, for example, is often developed by medical professionals like doctors, nurses, dentists or aides.
How do skin allergies work?When the immune system encounters a substance that can potentially cause disease, it produces antibodies called IgG or immunoglobulin G and IgM or immunoglobulin M. With the production of these antibodies, the immune system now becomes sensitized and able to neutralize the substance, helping you to recover from the disease after a few days.
As time goes, your now sensitized immune system is ready to produce large amounts of antibodies rapidly the next time it encounters the same substance. This rapid production of antibodies makes you able to recover from the disease quickly, so that it’s possible you won’t even suffer any symptoms.
With skin allergies, on the other hand, the situation is a little different. When an allergen – for instance, a cosmetic ingredient – comes into contact with your skin for the first time, your immune system will also produce antibodies, only this time, instead of IgG and IgM, it produces IgE or immunoglobulin E.
The IgE will also bind itself with the cosmetic allergen and does the same thing it did with any normally harmful substance, prompting the sensitization process. Without this sensitization, no skin allergies occur.
Because the immune system has already been sensitized to the cosmetic allergen, the next time you get exposed to it, your body mass produces IgE, which then attach themselves to the allergens, and eventually the mast cells. The mast cells are a type of cell containing many chemicals that can cause inflammation, foremost among them is histamine. The IgE causes the mast cells to release these chemicals to surrounding tissue, causing inflammation, redness (erythema), and itching (pruritis) in the surface of the skin. The reaction that is seen on the skin surface is called a wheal or a hive and is considered as one of the common symptoms of skin allergies.
There are three main types of skin allergies: food allergy, contact dermatitis, and atopy or allegic inhaled dermatitis. Skin allergies can be caused by an allergic reaction to ingredients or preservatives in food, such as horse meat, beef, pork, eggs, fish, chicken, corn, soy, preservatives and dyes, dairy products, poultry products, etc.
Contact dermatitis is a type of skin allergies caused by allergens coming into direct contact with the skin. Common among these allergen types are poison ivy and ragweed. Ragweed can also be a cause of inhaled skin allergies, as well as, pollen, house dust, dust mites, mold, animal dander, feathers, grasses, trees, and shrubs.

Common allergies.

As we look at the calender we can see that Spring is just around the corner. By now many of us are starting to suffer from some of the annoying symptoms of common allergies. Some are caused by seasonal conditions while others may result fro foods and and chemical sensitivities. Below are listed some of the common causes for these annoying symptoms.

First, hay fever, did you know that about 37 million people suffer from this annoying condition. This condition is most prevalent during spring and summer when people react most to the germination of trees, grass and ragweed. These allergens tend to fill the air with microscopic particles.These substances enter the body and combine with immune cells known as immunoglobulins. Then they undergo chemical reactions, ending in the release of histamines. The then cause an allergic reaction that results in seneezing, coughing, itching and obstruction to the nose. If these symptoms are left untreated over time these symptoms can result in more serious conditions such as asthma.

Secondly, food allergies, sometimes food allergies are very obvious and easy to diagnose, such as in the case with strawberries. The individual eats them and then gets hives. This type 1 or a fixed allergic response because it occurs each time the strawberries are eaten. Other food allergies are more difficult to analyze because the symptoms todo not occur right away. They can occur hours or days later. Also the reaction one receives may change with the age of the patient, the season or the stress an individual may be feeling. Sometimes they even move from one organ system to another. Many of the complaints that are heard by family doctors are believed to be caused by allergies. Most general doctors don't understand this and do not realize that complaints of depression, headaches, joint and muscle pains and abdominal pain can be a ressult of allergies.

Third, chemical sensitivities, can be a result of substances in the environment. Such as dust and mold found around the home and the fumes from photocopy machines at work. Often the residue of pesticides on foods can cause big problems to an allergic person. In our world today people are routinely exposed to thousands of such toxins. Resulting in a diminished capacity in the immune system of dealing with these toxins. Eventually a person can become so ill from these irritants that they can become nonfunctional.