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If you have allergic asthma, there’s one thing you can be sure of – you’re definitely not alone. Statistics compiled by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology show over 24 million Americans are diagnosed with asthma by an allergist or other health professional during their lifetime and more than 11 million Americans suffer an asthma attack each year.

Hay fever is a bit of a misnomer because it isn’t caused by hay itself, nor does it produce a fever. Hay fever, more appropriately allergic rhinitis, is caused by uncontrolled swelling of the inside of the nose due to an allergen. The most common allergens are trees, grass, weeds, mold spores, cat, dog and dust mites. Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy and may help make you less sensitive to environmental triggers that cause your allergy symptoms.

A food allergy occurs when the body mistakes a particular food protein as being potentially harmful to the body and responds with a full-on attack. Resulting food allergy symptoms can range from mild itching, swelling, rashes and hives to severe anaphylactic reactions that include wheezing, labored breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, blood pressure drop, unconsciousness and – rarely but possibly – death.

Hives and swelling are typical symptoms of food allergies. Hives are red, raised welts on the surface of the skin that often are very itchy and come and go. Also known as “urticaria,” hives affect nearly 20 percent of the population in the United States at some point in their lives and may be mild or severe in terms of itching and swelling. Rashes may be caused by contact dermatitis or contact with an ingredient to which you are allergic.