Allergies

What Are Allergies?

Allergies, or allergic conditions are when your immune system reacts to a foreign or common substance in a way that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. Your immune system produces antibodies. With allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify something as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you come into contact with it, your immune system reacts in a way that can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system. The severity of such reactions vary from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency. While most allergies can’t be cured, treatments can help relieve the symptoms.

My Experience

During my training I rotated through the Allergy Clinic at Red Cross Children’s Hospital Cape Town. I developed a keen interest in allergic conditions and have treated many complicated allergies successfully since then.