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Peanut Allergy > The Allergic Reaction
The Allergic Reaction
In this Article:
An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune system response to things that are normally harmless to most people. When one is allergic to something, the immune system incorrectly identifies this substance as harmful to one's body. (Substances which cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, medicines, plant pollen, or dust, are called allergens.)
In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system produces immunoglobulin E antibodies. When the IgE antibodies make contact with the allergens, they attach onto it and release chemicals such as histamine into the bloodstream. The histamine causes such allergic reactions as a runny nose, tearing eyes, sore throat, diarrhea, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing and swelling.
Allergic reactions can be mild, like sneezing or coughing. They can also be severe, such as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is characterized by difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or other parts of the body, dizziness or loss of consciousness. This usually occurs within minutes after contact with the allergen but can take up to 4 hours. These kind of allergic reactions are rare and can be treated successfully if treated correctly.
If the allergen is breathed in, such as flower pollen the reaction usually occurs in the nose, and eyes. If the allergen is eaten, such as peanuts, then the reaction is usually in the mouth, tongue, throat and/or the intestinal tract. If the allergen touches the skin, such as poison ivy, the allergic reaction is usually swelling or itching.
Histamines, along with other similar chemicals, are known as mediators and are generally responsible for many of those physiological reactions we associate with an allergic reaction such as itching and itchy eyes, rashes, hives, sneezing, nausea, and a runny nose. They can also induce much more serious reactions including difficulty breathing (constriction of the airway), a dilation of blood vessels, and of course, anaphylactic shock.
Allergic Reaction Resources
The Allergic Reaction
In this Article:
An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune system response to things that are normally harmless to most people. When one is allergic to something, the immune system incorrectly identifies this substance as harmful to one's body. (Substances which cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, medicines, plant pollen, or dust, are called allergens.)
In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system produces immunoglobulin E antibodies. When the IgE antibodies make contact with the allergens, they attach onto it and release chemicals such as histamine into the bloodstream. The histamine causes such allergic reactions as a runny nose, tearing eyes, sore throat, diarrhea, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing and swelling.
Allergic reactions can be mild, like sneezing or coughing. They can also be severe, such as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is characterized by difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or other parts of the body, dizziness or loss of consciousness. This usually occurs within minutes after contact with the allergen but can take up to 4 hours. These kind of allergic reactions are rare and can be treated successfully if treated correctly.
If the allergen is breathed in, such as flower pollen the reaction usually occurs in the nose, and eyes. If the allergen is eaten, such as peanuts, then the reaction is usually in the mouth, tongue, throat and/or the intestinal tract. If the allergen touches the skin, such as poison ivy, the allergic reaction is usually swelling or itching.
Histamines, along with other similar chemicals, are known as mediators and are generally responsible for many of those physiological reactions we associate with an allergic reaction such as itching and itchy eyes, rashes, hives, sneezing, nausea, and a runny nose. They can also induce much more serious reactions including difficulty breathing (constriction of the airway), a dilation of blood vessels, and of course, anaphylactic shock.
Allergic Reaction Resources
Peanut Allergy Resources
