Which foods are most likely to cause allergy?   Eggs, cows milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are the most common foods causing allergic reactions, but almost any food or food additive has the potential to trigger an allergy. Foods most likely to cause anaphylaxis are peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish.  Keep in mind that, if you are allergic to a particular food, you might be allergic to related foods. For example, a person allergic to walnuts may also be allergic to pecans and persons allergic to shrimp may not tolerate crab and lobster. Likewise, a person allergic to peanuts may not tolerate one or two other members of the legume family such as soy, peas or certain beans.

ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES
Outdoor Allergens  -  More than 50 million  Americans suffer from Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever".  These seasonal allergies are triggered by airborne pollens and mold spores mainly in spring and fall.  During these times seasonal allergic rhinitis sufferers experience increased symptoms - sneezing, runny nose, itchiness in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, congestion and itchy red eyes depending on where they live in the country and the extent to which they are allergic.
Pollens -  Many trees, grasses and low-growing weeds have the pollens that trigger allergy symptoms.  In early spring the trees that can cause the symptoms are oak, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, sycamore, cypress maple and walnut.  In late spring and early summer pollinating grasses - including Timothy, Bermuda, orchard, red top and some blue grasses trigger symptoms.  Ragweed is the pollen mostly responsible for late summer and fall symptoms, but a number of other weeds can also trigger allergies, sagebrush, pigweed, Russian thistle and cockleweed.
Molds - Molds are microscopic fungi, their spores float in the air like pollens, but unlike pollens molds do not have a specific season but are affected by weather conditions such as rain, wind and temperature.  They can be found in soil, vegetation and rotting wood.  Molds can also be found indoors.
Indoor Allergens - Molds, mildew, animal dander, dust or feathers may cause such symptoms as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, coughing and wheezing.  Some people suffer sudden attacks that leave them breathless and gasping for air.  This is allergic asthma. 
Molds - indoor molds grow in warm, moist environments and often are found on basement walls and floors, window moldings, shower curtains and bathroom walls and fixtures.
Animal Dander - Cats and dogs are the most likely offenders, but any furry animal can carry these allergens.
Dust Mites - are the most common indoor allergens.  They live primarily in fabric, carpets, upholstery, bedding, draperies and prefer warm moist environments.

CHEMICAL AND FRAGRANCE SENSITIVITY
If you feel ill or have an asthmatic attack when around fragrances, cleaning products, plastics and other products that have odors you may be chemically sensitive.  Symptoms can range from headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulties to almost total incapacitation in serious cases. 
Chemical sensitivity is often the result of a reaction to known toxins.  Most things that cause chemical sensitivity reactions have some chemical in them. Perfumes, for example, can have as many as 4,000 different chemicals in them, a large percentage of which are made from petroleum and many of which have some level of toxicity.  Formaldehyde is used extensively in wood furniture manufacture and building construction and is very toxic (it is a significant ingredient in chipboard).  Carpets emit gasses from the backing glues, carpet padding and the carpet fibers themselves.

The first step to removing substances that cause chemical sensitivity attacks is to identify the sources.
The most common offenders that you should investigate are: Personal care products such as shampoos, hair sprays, gels, lotions, etc.  Laundry detergents and fabric softeners for clothes and bedding Cleansing products, furniture polishes, glass cleaners, etc. Furniture and household furnishings,  Carpets and Flooring materials.

If you have any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate, make an appointment with Dr. Bhardwaj. After identifying the cause of your allergic reaction Dr. Bhardwaj can, in nine out of ten cases, desensitize you to the offending problem.  He can offer advice on strengthening your immune system and improving your overall health and well-being.