Allergies are one of our common health concerns. Many of us have experienced more misery this summer with the cool, wet weather. And of course, Dallas is an area with a lot of allergens in the air we breathe.

So just what constitutes an allergy and what should be done about it?

An allergic response, or hypersensitivity, is a reaction to an allergen or substance that triggers the immune system to release chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause the body to react to the allergen.

Common symptoms include rashes (including hives), itching, runny nose, sneezing, headache or cough. Severe symptoms may be difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock that could result in death.

Fortunately, most allergies just cause the individual to be miserable for a few days until the allergen has disappeared. Allergies may be associated with asthma in both children and adults and create the most common cause of childhood asthma.

What can precipitate an allergic response?

Allergens can be foods or things in the environment. Common food allergies include eggs, peanuts, milk, soy, tree nuts, wheat, shellfish, strawberries and corn. Environmental allergens include pollen (all kinds), grass, dust, pet dander, chemicals, wool, detergents, insect bites, wasp/bee stings and other contact substances. A person who is allergic to one substance may or may not be allergic to others.

What should a person do about an allergy?

Today there are many medications that can be helpful in preventing an allergic response or alleviating symptoms. Some of these are available over-the-counter while others must be prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner. It is advisable to consult your health-care provider instead of beginning self-medication.

The other major intervention is to avoid the culprit. If someone is allergic to grass, let someone else mow the yard. I am sensitive to dust; therefore, when it is time to clean the dorm on our mission trip to El Paso, I find something else to do while the students sweep and mop. A good website for information is www.webmd.com.

Food allergies can pose a challenging problem in meal preparation. Some people are allergic to soy, wheat or corn. Many children are severely allergic to peanuts.

Have you read labels in the grocery store—the fine print? These products are contained in many foods that most people would not think about. Be sure to read labels carefully. Corn is probably one of the most-used products. High fructose corn syrup is a commonly used sweeter in many foods. Soy protein is added to many foods such as baked goods, cereals, crackers, infant formulas, Asian food and even canned tuna, sauces and soups.

Finally, if your child has an allergy, be sure to tell the child’s teachers and children’s workers (Sunday School teachers, choir leaders and missions leaders) at Wilshire. They need to know, because they may plan snacks for the children.

No one wants to cause problems for those with allergies. Even Southwest Airlines serves pretzels instead of peanuts these days.