1. Allergy Allergy is caused by an improper reaction of our immune system to certain factors. There are two basic types of hypersensitiveness: -early type (which develops after a few minutes when you come into contact with an allergen) -late type (which becomes visible after one or two days when you come into contact with an allergen). Allergies have genetic background, they often run in families. If both parents are allergic to something, there is a 65% possibility that their children will be allergic as well.

2. Types of allergies: food allergy inhalator allergy injection allergy contact allergy

3. Food allergy People who are allergic to food products have to know which of them they should cut out from their diet and still how to follow a sensible diet. Allergic symptoms: –on the skin: rash, itching and swelling of the face ( especially lips), –from the digestive system: itching of your mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach upsets, diarrhea, –from the breathing system difficulties in breathing, asthma fits. Allergies are quite common, 25% of people are allergic. Every ten years twice as many people become allergic and the list of allergens is getting longer.

4. What are we allergic to? eggs (especially their whites) eggs (especially their whites) cows milk (this type of allergy is popular with small babies) cows milk (this type of allergy is popular with small babies) peanuts peanuts soya beaus soya beaus fruit (strawberries, apples, peaches and citrus fruit) fruit (strawberries, apples, peaches and citrus fruit) vegetables (carrot, celery) vegetables (carrot, celery) spices (laurel leaves) spices (laurel leaves) fish and shellfish fish and shellfish pulses pulses food toxins (contamination of food, food additives and preservatives) food toxins (contamination of food, food additives and preservatives)

5. Allergens included in food substances and some pollen are similar to each other. That is why a patient allergic to certain pollen can develop an allergic reaction after eating some food products, not related to the plant that he is allergic to.

6. DIAGNOSTIC TEST: Diagnostic test: -the antigen is put on the shoulder or the back of the patient (the skin must be grazed before it), -injection of the solution. The result of the test is checked after 15 minutes. Checking the level of IgE : in allergic diseases the concentration of IgE in the blood serum rises.

7. Treatment The best method of treatment is to avoid allergens. It is not always possible so it is sometimes necessary to use pharmacotherapy. Some patients must under go immunotherapy. Immunotherapy: the rule of this therapy is to give the patient a dose of the antigen which is bigger and bigger every time. Pharmacotherapy: it is purpose to soften allergic symptoms.