Millions of people suffer from allergies each year. Some experience more mild seasonal allergies, while some have more severe, life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis. Some common triggers of such a reaction include insect venoms, latex, foods and medications.

Your immune system produces antibodies that defend against foreign substances, including allergens. These antibodies may release chemicals that can cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes and a runny nose. Anaphylaxis occurs when your immune system severely overreacts to an allergen to the point of making your blood pressure drop suddenly, and your bronchial tubes narrow, causing difficulty breathing or even unconsciousness and death. An anaphylactic response could occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen such as the venom from a bee sting or an ingested peanut.

You can be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to an allergy emergency by knowing the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction and by carrying emergency medication with you. Perhaps the most critical thing you can do is to prevent exposure in the first place to life-threatening allergens.

Click here to quiz yourself on some common misconceptions about allergies.

Source: Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com