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An allergy is an abnormal response by the body to a specific stimulus or allergen. These can be familiar, everyday substances such as house dust, pollen or animal fur, causing mild symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness or a rash. Hay fever, for instance, is an allergic response to pollens in the air and is most commonly experienced in the summer months.
Similarly, many people may suffer unpleasant allergic reactions after ingesting particular foods. Shellfish, nuts and eggs are often the culprits, and most sufferers quickly manage to identify those foods that cause the reaction and thereafter avoid them. Sometimes, casualty can also experience an allergic response to some drugs, such as penicillin, and medical practitioners will always bear this in mind when prescribing medication.
Although allergies can be extremely unpleasant and distressing for the sufferer, they will rarely necessitate first aid or emergency treatment. However, a casualty may occasionally
experience a severe and life-threatening reaction to an allergen. This is known as anaphylactic shock and requires urgent medical attention. This reaction can occur in response to bee or wasp stings or the ingestion of nuts or any food that causes allergy in the sufferer and can therefore be extremely difficult to diagnose
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