Allergy and in-laws are alike. Though bearable, they make our lives miserable. Manifesting in forms of sneeze, wheeze, cough, tears, rash and headache, it interferes with our normal living. In its most severe form allergy reveals as Anaphylactic shock, which is a medical emergency Dr. Neelima Mishra, Internal Consultant explains, “Our immune system is equipped to fight foreign invaders. In an instance of allergy, immune system goes in overdrive on a false alarm. On identifying a non-toxic substance—allergens, which differs from person to person, it stimulates white blood cells to overreact. This hyper activity of the immune system harms the body more than the invader itself.” Pull

Change of season is accompanied by raw noses, embarassing grunts and scratchy throats. But if the symptoms linger longer, you got to worry if its cold or allergy? To begin with common cold is caught by viruses and has symptoms like scratchy throat, running nose and watery eyes, which will surface two to three days after the person has been exposed to the virus. Common cold gets well all by itself after seven to eight days. Seasonal changes give rise to allergic rhinitis—the most common form of allergy, which may impersonate symptoms of common cold but is different from it. In case you are wondering why allergy can make your life miserable, the explanation is that in an instance of