Final answer:
An allergy is when the body's immune system responds improperly to a usually harmless substance, known as an allergen, leading to symptoms like itching and sneezing. These reactions can be inherited and are more common in children. Autoimmune diseases, while more severe, similarly involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Allergies Explained
An allergy is a condition caused by the immune system mistakenly identifying harmless substances—known as allergens—as dangerous. This leads to an exaggerated inflammatory response within the body. Allergens can be a variety of substances, including pollen, mold, animal dander, and certain foods such as peanuts. Familiar symptoms of allergies from airborne substances like pollen include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes.
One critical aspect of allergies is that they can be inherited. Therefore, if parents suffer from allergies, there's a higher chance their children will too. Additionally, allergies are generally more prevalent in children, but many outgrow these sensitivities as they reach adulthood.
Autoimmune diseases are a related but more severe condition where the immune system attacks the body's own cells. Unlike allergies, which typically just involve uncomfortable symptoms, autoimmune diseases can lead to significant damage and often require treatment with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory medications.