Allergies

Allergies, or allergic diseases, are conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to food or substances in the environment. The body can react to allergens in a number of ways and symptoms can include sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing and rashes. A severe allergic reaction can result in anaphylaxis shock. Medicines such as antihistamines can be used to stop a reaction from occurring. Common allergies include: pollen, dust, nuts, animal dander and medicine.

Hay fever linked to exposure to pollution before and after birth

Babies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis, a condition that includes hay fever, if they are exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter before and after birth.
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Researchers to explore link between coronavirus lockdown and allergies

The research project will involve 1,000 babies born in Ireland at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Feel-good Friday: three positive news from the world of science and tech - 1 May 2020

In this week's good news, hangover cures, coal-free energy and beetles that help with hay fever.
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Peanut allergies: sleep good, exercise bad

The ‘threshold of reactivity’ – the amount of peanut needed to trigger a reaction – can be affected by both, study finds.
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Tiny doses of peanut protein offers hope to allergy sufferers

A tiny dose of peanut protein under the tongue can offer safe and substantial protection against the allergy, scientists say.
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Do other animals get allergies?

Woof-choo! Our pets can suffer from hayfever too, especially if they spend most of their time inside.
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What causes eczema?

Although not fully understood, the answer could lie in its genetic link to both asthma and food allergies.
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What causes allergies in some people?

Everything from hay fever to peanut allergies can make life a misery for those who suffer from them, but the reason we get them isn’t as simple as it first seems.
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Can you be allergic to a smell?

Even if you are allergic to peanuts, the smell of peanut butter won’t set off a reaction.
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An end to cat allergies?

If the sight of a fluffy kitten playing with a toy reduces you to tears, you’re probably not alone. If your tears are the result of an involuntary allergic reaction, however, soon you may be in luck.
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Why are nut allergies so common?

From dietary habits to genetics... to moisturiser? Here, we dig into the theories behind why nut allergies are so common.
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Could hygiene obsession cause allergies?

Is the modern world's obsession with hygiene responsible for a global allergy epidemic? Dan Cossins investigates.
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Do allergies, such as hay fever, follow cycles?

It might seem like hay fever follows a seven-year cycle, but that's more to do with humans' love of patterns.
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Do animals suffer from hayfever?

Our sneezy reaction to pollen is thanks to our 'adaptive immunity', but do animals share this allergy?
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Could I be allergic to water?

An affliction which seems to affect teenagers disproportionately.
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