what is an allergy - #22706
I am really confused about what is an allergy and how it affects people. Just last week, my son ate some peanuts at a friend's birthday party and he started breaking out in hives and couldn't stop itching. We rushed him to the ER, and the doctor said it was a classic allergic reaction. But, like, I thought allergies were just sneezing or a runny nose? Now I’m worried every time he might eat something new. The doctor mentioned something about how the immune system can sometimes react inappropriately to normally harmless substances, like food or pollen, but I still don’t get it. Is an allergy the same for everyone? I mean, my sister has a hay fever allergy which just makes her sneeze, but my son could end up in serious trouble if exposed to nuts! Is it chronic? Can allergies just suddenly form out of nowhere? What is an allergy that allows such different reactions? Does age play a part? Should we start carrying an epipen everywhere? I feel so lost and just want to understand what is an allergy so I can protect him better.
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