An allergy is the result of the body's immune system reacting to certain substances. Some of the most common allergies include hay fever, asthma, skin, and food allergies. What causes allergies is unknown. Some allergies run in families, but there are other factors as well.
Many substances are capable of causing an allergic reaction. The most common are pollen, mold, house dust, animal hair and dander, feathers, food, drugs, and insect stings. These allergens cause different kinds of allergic reactions. Pollen of trees, grasses, weeds, or molds cause hay fever. Symptoms of hay fever include: sneezing, itching and watery eyes, stuffy or running nose, and cough.
Your family physician or pediatrician can diagnose and treat many kinds of allergies or recommend an appropriate specialist.