Allergic reactions are caused by a hypersensitive immune system that reacts when it is exposed to a usually harmless substance. For example, if you’re allergic to peanuts and you eat a substance that has peanut extract in it your body will react against this harmless substance as though it were a bacterium, virus, or other harmful toxin. Most allergic reactions have the following symptoms and signs:

• Hives
• Headaches
• Itching, red and/or watery eyes
• Asthma like symptoms (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath)
• Sneezing, cold like symptoms
• Cramping and intestinal pain

Most Allergies can be treated with antihistamines, like Benadryl. These stop the asthma like reactions, and cold like symptoms. For some people it is very hard to avoid the substance they are allergic to. For these people a more expensive, but more permanent option is available. Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, are small doses of the allergen that are given to the patient and increased over time in order to develop an immunity to the allergen. They are almost 100% effective but usually require at least 5 years of monthly shots.

Most allergic reactions are easy to control and only require a pill or spray to make the victim feel better. In some cases however the person may go into anaphylactic shock, a life threatening condition.