For many people, springtime doesn’t just mean warmer weather and longer days. It also brings frequent sneezing, a stuffed-up nose or watery eyes. These symptoms are a result of seasonal allergies. In the spring, trees and grass release lots of pollen that, when inhaled, can trigger an allergic reaction. But pollen is far from the only allergen out there. People can be allergic to foods, pets, medicines and plenty of other substances.
Allergies happen when a person’s immune system overreacts to something harmless. The immune system’s job is to spot germs in the body and fight them off. But in someone with an allergy, the immune system mistakes a safe substance — such as pet dander or peanuts — for a major threat. The immune system mounts an attack against that apparent threat. The result is inflammation that can cause someone’s throat to swell, their skin to break out in a rash or their sinuses to get stuffed up.
A person’s chance of developing allergies may depend on both their genetics and their environment. About a quarter of U.S. adults have seasonal allergies, and nearly one in five U.S. kids do. Plus, almost 6 percent of both U.S. adults and kids have food allergies. To offer some relief, scientists are trying to find new ways to fight common allergies. For instance, a new cat food could neutralize the protein in felines that commonly triggers allergic reactions. And new toothpaste that contains small doses of peanut protein could help people build up a tolerance to this common allergen.
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