Fighting back, naturally

Many people have experienced allergic bouts, from itchy skin to incessant sneezing, but what are they?

Common allergens are pollen, moulds, dust mites, animal dander, certain foods and medications, cigarette smoke and latex.

Allergies can trigger an asthma attack, in which you may experience a feeling of tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing and wheezing.

An allergic reaction is the process your body goes through when it senses the presence of an allergen. The allergen may be ingested as food or medication, inhaled through the mouth or nose, or may come in contact with the skin.

There are a host of alternative allergy-control measures, including the Buteyko breathing method and homeopathic medicines.