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Allergy-related symptoms can occur after you are around mold, certain animals or animal hair, dust, and other substances. These substances are usually found indoors and do not cause symptoms for most people.
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Allergies are relatively common. They are caused by an over-sensitive immune response . The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. Allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and, in most people, do not cause an immune response.
When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen, histamine and other chemicals are released as part of the immune response. This causes itching and swelling , mucus production, and in serious cases, hives and rashes , as well as other symptoms.
Symptoms vary in severity from person to person. Most environmental allergens contact the skin or eyes, or are inhaled. Therefore, most symptoms affect the skin, eyes, or the breathing passages.
You may develop an allergic reaction to particles in the indoor or outdoor environment that leads to hay fever-like symptoms. Common allergy triggers include:
A few people develop allergy-like symptoms to other irritants in the environment, including smoke, fumes from industries or cleaning products, tobacco, powder, and laundry detergents.
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