It is important to understand how allergies develop in order to treat them successfully. There are four stages in the progression of allergies which are described below.

The first stage begins with exposure to an allergen or antigen (offending agents such as molecules of dust mite, pollen or cat hair and dander). By eliminating the offending agent from the environment, we can stop the reaction. For example, if a person is allergic to house dust or dust mite, eliminating or decreasing house dust significantly reduces the symptoms of allergy. The same protection is possible in the case of dog, cat, insect and food allergies. If prevention is not possible, the person may become immunized against the offending allergen through allergy treatment.

In the second stage, the allergen or antigen enters the immune system and affects the plasma cells producing immunoglobulin E. Researchers and scientists have not been able to uncover a drug effective enough to stop this stage and prevent the production of immunoglobulin E.

During the third stage of the event, the allergen becomes attached to the sensitized mast cell ( a certain type of cell found in connective and other body tissue) and releases chemical mediators like histamine. Fortunately, scientists and researchers have been able to find drugs that are able to stop allergies at this stage by stabilizing the mast cells so that histamines are not be released. Therefore, allergy symptoms are prevented. At this time, only one of these drugs is available in the United States but it's likely more will be available in the future.

If the process was not stopped in one of the above stages, the fourth stage occurs. Here the histamine is released and symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and itchy and red eyes appears. In this stage, antihistamines usually help neutralize the effects of histamine.

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