Insect Bites & Stings

Causes & Prevention

Allergic Reactions Are Complex And Can Be Dangerous

Unless your immune system has been compromised, the body fights back very effectively when a substance the body identifies as "foreign" enters.

These foreign substances are called antigens. When the body detects one, the immune system manufactures specific antibodies that attach to and neutralize the antigen; however, for those with allergies, a normally harmless substance such as grass pollen, peanuts, or wasp venom can cause an immune response that results in what we know as allergy symptoms.

Avoiding the most common causes of allergies is the first step in prevention

Because there are no cures for allergies, it is important to know the most common triggers for allergies caused by indoor and outdoor air, triggers for allergies involving the eyes and skin, for food and drug allergies, for insect, and latex allergies.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.