
Common sites of allergic reaction include the nasal passages, which may produce a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing; the airways in the lungs, which may cause an asthma like reaction with congestion, wheezing, and breathing difficulty; and the skin, which may develop raised, itchy welts.
of the immune system that produce physical symptoms caused by contact with a substance that is normally harmless. Allergies occur when an antibody responds to a specific antigen.
do not produce a strong immune response in everyone exposed to them but can cause an immune response in those who are allergic to the antigen. Allergies occur when a person has a heightened sensitivity to an allergen that is ingested, breathed in, or touched. This sensitivity develops after the person has been repeatedly exposed to the allergen, a process called sensitization. Normally, the immune system can distinguish between the non-harmful substances that exist in the environment and the harmful substances that exist in the environment, such as viruses and bacteria that cause illness. When exposure to these harmful substances occurs, the immune system reacts appropriately by producing antibodies that target them for destruction. How Do Allergies Occur?
responds to a harmless substance, such as house dust, pollen mold, animal dander, certain foods, or certain medications. The resulting allergy is an altered reaction that occurs in the body’s immune system. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system attacks what is perceived to be a hostile invader by producing antibodies to defend the body against the invader.
IgE (immunoglobulin E) class of antibodies. The IgE antibody can be found on the surface of certain cells called mast cells and basophils. Allergens make contact with IgE antibodies, which triggers the allergy cells to release a series of chemicals called mediators. Histamine, the best of the mediators, may trigger an inflammatory response ranging from a mild runny nose and itchy, watery eyes to a severe life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. The mediators respond almost immediately, producing reactions shortly after a person has been exposed to an allergen. Why Do Allergies Occur? A certain type of white blood cell is attracted to the site of the reaction and intensifies the reaction, causing swelling or inflammation in the affected area. If an allergen gets into the bloodstream, the effects may be more far reaching. When this occurs, the allergen may cause symptoms in addition to those occurring at the site of the reaction. For example, a food allergen that is ingested may cause hives as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. What makes people develop allergies to certain substances is not understood completely. It is know that allergic reactions are initiated by repeated exposure to an allergen over time, ranging from a few weeks to several decades, in a process called sensitization. In some people, this involves production of memory cells that cause increased production of IgE antibodies on subsequent exposure. The immune system is then activated to attack the otherwise harmless substance each time exposure to the same allergen occurs. Who Is Most Vulnerable To Allergies? A very large number of people living in the United States have allergies. Allergies tend to run in families, and heredity is known to be at risk factor. When both parents have an allergy, the offspring are at high risk for acquiring allergies themselves, although the reactions may not be produced by the same allergens. Sensitivity has been known to occur in infancy, or the process many not begin until adulthood. Most allergies, particularly those caused by inhalation of an allergen, begin in childhood. Sometimes a child outgrows an allergy and another develops. This rarely occurs in adulthood. It is uncommon for a new allergy to develop after the age of 40 years. Adult allergies tend to persist, although symptoms may become less severe with age. Recent research suggests that as many as one in four Americans have a chronic allergy. One of the most common allergies is medically known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is also called hayfever. This is usually caused by a reaction to airborne allergens, such as pollen, and occurs on a seasonal basis when the pollens are abundant in the outdoor environment. Another type of airborne allergy, called perennial allergic rhinitis, is a response to indoor allergens, including pet dander, dust mites, and household molds. As many as 10 million Americans have allergies related to cats, dogs, birds, and other pets. Approximately 50 million American people experience allergic reactions to poison ivy each year, and about 2 million have had allergic reactions to insect stings. Food allergies are less common; although many children younger than 6 years have symptoms of foods allergies, only about half of this group have confirmed food allergies. A very small number of adults have allergies to food. What Are The Risk Factors? While hereditary factors may predispose a person to allergies, environment is what tends to set allergic reactions in motion. An environment that supplies continual exposure to high levels of a particular allergen, especially inhaled allergens during infancy and childhood, seems to make a person more likely to acquire allergies as some point in their life. Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Allergy Relief |
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