Complete this form & iGuard will email you a free report checking your medications for side effects, treatment duplication & drug interactions. *Gender:- Male Female *Medication 1:- Acetaminophen Abilify Advil Allegra Alprazolam Aminophylline Amisulpride Amoxapine Amoxicillin Amphetamine Antipres Aspirin Atarax Atenolol Ativan Azelastine Azithromycin Beclazone Betaloc Biaxin Biocef Budesonide Bupropion BuSpar Caffeine Calcium Carbamazepine Carteolol Cefaclor Celebrex Celexa Cetirizine Chlorpheniramine Cinoxacin Ciprofloxacin Claritin Clindamycin Clozapine Cocaine Concerta Corgard Crestor Diphenhydramine Doryx Effexor Emgel Endep Enoxacin Escitalopram Eskalith Flixotide Fluanxol Fluphenazine Fluticasone Fluvoxamine Focalin Fortaz Gabapentin Gatifloxacin Haloperidol Ipratropium Iron Kerlone Klonopin Lamotrigine Levetiracetam Levofloxacin Linezolid Lipitor Loxitane Luvox Maxaquin Mesoridazine Methamphetamine Metipranolol Mevacor Moban Modafinil Monitan Montelukast Moxifloxacin Naprosyn Nardil Neomycin Niacin Ofloxacin Olanzapine Paracetamol Paroxetine Penicillin Pexeva Pindolol Pipotiazine Pirbuterol Pravachol Prednisolone Propranolol Prozac Relafen Remeron Rifampin Risperidone Rofecoxib Salbutamol Salmeterol Sarafem Serax Seroquel Sertraline Serzone Simvastatin Solarize Sotalol Sparfloxacin Streptomycin Sulfatrim Terfenadine Tetracycline Theophylline Thiothixene Thorazine Timolol Trandate Trazodone Triavil Trovafloxacin Valdecoxib Valium Valproic Vancomycin Yentreve Zafirlukast Zarontin Zebeta Zinc Ziprasidone Zosyn Zotepine Zyflo *Medication 2:- Acetaminophen Abilify Advil Allegra Alprazolam Aminophylline Amisulpride Amoxapine Amoxicillin Amphetamine Antipres Aspirin Atarax Atenolol Ativan Azelastine Azithromycin Beclazone Betaloc Biaxin Biocef Budesonide Bupropion BuSpar Caffeine Calcium Carbamazepine Carteolol Cefaclor Celebrex Celexa Cetirizine Chlorpheniramine Cinoxacin Ciprofloxacin Claritin Clindamycin Clozapine Cocaine Concerta Corgard Crestor Diphenhydramine Doryx Effexor Emgel Endep Enoxacin Escitalopram Eskalith Flixotide Fluanxol Fluphenazine Fluticasone Fluvoxamine Focalin Fortaz Gabapentin Gatifloxacin Haloperidol Ipratropium Iron Kerlone Klonopin Lamotrigine Levetiracetam Levofloxacin Linezolid Lipitor Loxitane Luvox Maxaquin Mesoridazine Methamphetamine Metipranolol Mevacor Moban Modafinil Monitan Montelukast Moxifloxacin Naprosyn Nardil Neomycin Niacin Ofloxacin Olanzapine Paracetamol Paroxetine Penicillin Pexeva Pindolol Pipotiazine Pirbuterol Pravachol Prednisolone Propranolol Prozac Relafen Remeron Rifampin Risperidone Rofecoxib Salbutamol Salmeterol Sarafem Serax Seroquel Sertraline Serzone Simvastatin Solarize Sotalol Sparfloxacin Streptomycin Sulfatrim Terfenadine Tetracycline Theophylline Thiothixene Thorazine Timolol Trandate Trazodone Triavil Trovafloxacin Valdecoxib Valium Valproic Vancomycin Yentreve Zafirlukast Zarontin Zebeta Zinc Ziprasidone Zosyn Zotepine Zyflo

Why do we get allergies?

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system identifies an allergen (usually a protein) as a dangerous threat. It releases IgE (an antibody) into the circulatory system to set off a chain reaction of chemical releases from other cells in order to destroy what it sees as the threat. This release of biological chemicals (including histamines) is what causes the symptoms of an allergic attack.

There are many different factors that play a role in our body’s development of allergies. Unfortunately, our family history plays a big part in the way our immune system views the things that get into our body. Genetic predisposition means that you are more likely to suffer from allergies than someone who is not predisposed. Scientists have discovered that genes found on chromosomes 5 and 11 are responsible for our predisposition to an allergy prone immune system. If allergies run in your family, chances are, you will suffer from them at some point in your life.  Evidence also suggests that males are more likely to suffer allergies, as are families with fewer children. Obesity can also put you at an increased risk of developing allergies, as can the diet your mother was on before you were born.

The environment in which we spend the first year of our life can influence our chances of developing allergies. Second hand smoke has been linked with allergies, in addition to antibiotics and the type of diet you are exposed to. Even the day you are born can be a factor. For example, if you are a spring baby, the exposure to the pollens in the air at that time of the year can cause a sensitisation reaction in your immune system and leave you with a high likely hood of developing hay fever.

Finally, your immune system won’t become sensitive to any particular allergen without the actual exposure to it. You cannot become allergic to peanuts if you have never actually eaten them at least once.

Read more in the Allergies Information Guide »