Numerous things can cause a runny nose or rashes to suddenly appear on the skin but determining if these conditions are the result of an allergic reaction requires a professional diagnosis. Amongst the most common and successful methods used to test for allergies are skin tests. Allergy testing procedures inject or scratch a small quantity of the potential allergen, such as pollen extract, solution containing animal dander proteins and others under the skin.

Two factors come into play with all allergic reactions. These are the allergen and the person who is sensitive to it. An allergen is any substance that causes an allergic reaction in an individual. To understand some of the common causes of allergic reactions, a little simple science is all that is needed.

Although there are number of different treatments available for allergies, most if not all only treat the symptoms and not the root cause of the problem. Well-known antihistamines such as Benadryl a.k.a. diphenhydramine, Claritin also called loratadine together with decongestant sprays such as Nasonex, are available by prescription or over the counter and do a good job in providing relief for allergy sufferers.

An allergy is the result of an overreaction by the body's immune system in the presence of an allergen. However, how does that work, exactly? Knowing how the immune system responds to allergies will help you to  understand what is happening when you suffer that runny nose, itchy rash or stomach upset.

When attempting to keep the allergen level in your bedroom at a low level, there are a number of areas you need to look at. Few households can expect to maintain a totally allergen-free home, but it is possible to push it lower than the threshold of the most sensitive family members.

It has been estimated that out of a population of three hundred million, almost two percent of adults and six percent of children in the US suffer from some type of food allergy. According to data from the Mayo clinic, that translates into six million adults and eighteen million children who are allergic to various elements hiding away in regular foods that we all consume on a daily basis.