Do you suffer from allergies? An allergy is defined as the over-sensitive response of the human body to harmless, foreign substances. Around 30% of the population suffer from allergies. The numbers are increasing but the reasons for this upward trend have not been conclusively explained. However, it is striking that the proportion of allergy sufferers in industrialised countries is significantly higher than in developing nations. It is therefore thought that high hygiene standards may play a part.
There are many different allergies. Some of the best-known are allergies to pollen (hay fever), animal fur and food. A wide range of different symptoms may occur depending on the type of allergy. The skin of allergy sufferers often feels dry, itchy and tight.
Pollen allergy (hay fever) is the most common form of allergy and here there is often a genetic predisposition. In hay fever the immune system reacts to the harmless pollen proteins. This leads to inflammation of the connective tissues of the eyes and the nasal mucous membranes.
