Allergies are relatively common and both genetic and environmental factors may play a role in its development. Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, leading to a mistaken immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. It reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause any problems. But in a person with allergies, the immune response is oversensitive. When the system recognizes an allergen, it releases chemicals like histamines, which cause itching, swelling, mucus production, muscle spasms, hives, rash and other symptoms that vary from person to person.

This found that allergic children are easier prey than others to have more viruses and infections, especially of “upper airways, ear, throat, adenoids. It is more frequent, thus suffering from illnesses such as otitis, sinusitis or colds.

A person is born and he is allergic throughout life. Sometimes you are asleep and at some point in the life of the person appears. It’s constitutional and does not heal. This does not mean, however, that this character has to cause allergic problems permanently: it can have symptoms for several years and then disappear with appropriate treatment or spontaneously. The opposite is also possible that a child will grow up without showing allergic symptoms and that these occur when an adult. However, the majority of allergic diseases are manifested in childhood and adolescence.

Allergens
Common allergens include pollen, mold, pet dander and dust. They are also very common food allergies and medications. Similarly, allergic reactions can be caused by insect bites, jewelry, cosmetics and other substances.

Heredity
Parents play a key role. If one of the two (or 2) they are allergic, they should be particularly alert. When one parent is allergic, the child has a 40% chance to be. If both are, and the probability is 60%. And if given the circumstances (not very common) that father and mother have the same type of allergy, and that percentage rises to 80%.

That heredity is a major factor is indisputable. However, in our family has not allergic history does not put our children “safe.” The specialists are noting that allergic diseases affect more and more children.

Prevention to reduce symptoms
Especially if we are dealing with a respiratory allergy (hay fever, allergic ritnitis, etc) should develop a series of measures to prevent the establishment of symptomatology.

To avoid these allergies should remove the animals that cause it. To do this we must take into account the following guidelines:

- Wash sheets frequently at a temperature of 60 ° C
- Dry cleaning all fabrics of the house.
- Do not use feather beds. Replace the mattress before 10 years of use.
- Do not use too many rugs or upholstered furniture.