Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes, or airways, of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. Symptoms include frequent coughing—especially at night, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, pain, or pressure. More...

As many as 5 percent of children under 15 years old have been diagnosed with asthma. There are no good tests that can predict which children will grow out of asthma. But with proper understanding, good medical care, and monitoring, you can keep asthma under control. More...

Feeling itchy? Dry, itchy skin and/or a red, scaly rash could be atopic dermatitis, a condition also known as eczema. There's no cure, but effective ways to treat it range from simple oatmeal baths and moisturizers to steroids and antihistamines. Whatever you do--don't scratch! More...

Under usual circumstances, the body deploys the immune system to fight off foreign invaders like parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Allergic reactions to food occur when the immune system misidentifies a harmless foreign substance and reacts as if it poses a threat. More...

The country's most common allergy, hay fever is an allergic response to pollen, the male component of the plant reproductive system. Symptoms are seasonal and may include sneezing, watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, and a bluish shadow under the eyes. More...