Allergens can be found anywhere, yet only people who have an abnormal immune response to the allergen are technically considered allergic to that trigger.
Hundreds of ordinary substances could be considered allergens, yet some are more commonly associated with allergies than others.
The most common triggers are insect stings, food, medications, pollen, animal dander, mold, and dust mites.
Symptoms may mimic a cold, but there are some ways to determine if you are suffering from a cold or from allergies.
Treatment is different for each as are the causes so determining your condition will help you move forward.
With a cold you will often have a cough, sneezing, a sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose.
These symptoms will often last three to fourteen days and can easily be treated with antihistamines, decongestants, and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines.
Allergies, on the other hand, are often accompanied by a stuffy or runny nose and itchy, watery eyes along with sneezing.
Treatments for allergies include decongestants and antihistamines along with nasal steroids.
Yet, colds can only be prevented through frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with cold sufferers.
Depending on your allergen, you may be able to avoid symptoms by removing the allergen from your environment altogether.
Common allergens can often be removed from your environment which allows you to avoid the onset of symptoms.
Yet, this is not always possible, especially if your allergen is airborne.
Thankfully, many environmental allergens are seasonal so symptoms can be managed through over the counter medications or prescription drugs.
Also, insect populations can be controlled, but not eliminated so a consultation with your physician will allow you to determine what needs to be done to minimize your risk.
 Check into foundations and academies which often provide resources to help educate you on ways to reduce your exposure to allergens that produce symptoms.
As you can see there are many types of allergies and many triggers that cause symptoms.
Using the various methods available, you can control your symptoms if not eliminate them altogether.
Yet, this should only be done with medical advice as some allergies may be life threatening, especially those that induce asthma or anaphylaxis.
By reducing known allergens, you can live a full life while enjoying everyday activities.
Your success will depend on knowing what types of allergies you suffer from and what triggers them.
By learning this information, you can often keep your suffering to a minimum.