When people hear the term “allergy” they begin thinking about various things that trigger those unpleasant symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes and a sore throat. What many don’t realize is the inaccuracy of this statement where the term allergy refers to an immune condition and the nasty symptom inducer is actually an allergen. One exists outside the body while the other occurs inside. It is through understanding exactly what an allergy is that can equip the sufferer in effectively managing their symptoms.
An allergy is a disorder of the immune system in response to a substance that enters the body either from being inhaled or consumed. A healthy immune system will recognize the new substance and trigger the appropriate chemicals to completely remove it. In an allergic person the immune system over reacts creating the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction. This substance is referred to as the allergen and the reaction is the allergy.
Inside the Immune System
The immune system is very complex and far from being completely understood, however researchers have begun to understand the sequence response to substances that enter the body. This response is made up from several cellular components and antibodies, each with their own function within the body. The components we are most interested in include mast cells, basophils and the antibody IgE.
- Basophils are white blood cells that mediate inflammatory reactions
- Mast cells contain the chemical histamine and once activated release the histamine causing the blood vessels to dilate.
- IgE is an antibody that attaches to the outside of basophils and mast cells Each of these components plays a specific role when an allergen is introduced to the immune system. In fact they work together in an almost poetic way as the allergic response begins.
The Allergic Response
As an allergen enters the body the immune system is activated and begins developing the appropriate IgE antibody to fight off the specific allergen. These antibodies then travel through the bloodstream until they locate mast cells and basophils they can attach to. This initial response rarely results in allergic symptoms. Rather the antibodies remain attached to the mast cells waiting for the next exposure.
On the second exposure the immune system creates more antibodies that follow the same path as the first, locating and attaching to mast cells and basophils. Once the new antibodies reach the mast cells they cause them to burst, releasing histamine and other chemicals into the blood stream. It is the release of these chemicals that result in the allergic reaction.
Allergic Reaction Part of Your Normal Immune Response
Everybody’s immune system is designed to develop antibodies when allergens enter the system. Their job is to fully eradicate those allergens and then shut back down. Unfortunately the allergic person has a hypersensitive immune response that fails to shut down. The release of histamines and other chemicals that result an allergic symptoms are all part of a natural response in the immune system gone awry.
As the chemicals stimulate inflammation and dilation of blood vessels varying degrees of symptoms can occur from a mild sneeze to a full blown asthma attack. While each person’s immune response varies a continued assault can lead to lasting immune dysfunction including diseases like arthritis, bronchitis, asthma, and sinusitis.
The good news is that clinicians agree the immune system is repairable no matter how damaged it is. There are several steps an allergic person can take to improve their immune response and lower their allergic symptoms including nutritional support, improving your diet, immune-therapy where appropriate, reducing stress, getting enough rest and exercise and environmental allergy control.
Building your defense against allergies only begins with understanding exactly what an allergy is and how it impacts your body. The next step is to take action with using what you’ve learned. We’ll continue in Part 2: Allergies and Your Diet.
About the Author:
Mikki Hogan is a long-term allergy sufferer and proud parent of 7 children. She lives on 2 acres in a quite rural neighborhood of North Carolina with her four youngest children and granddaughter. Living in a high allergy area with two daughters who suffer from allergies and asthma Mikki has mastered the art of allergy and sinus relief without over medicating.
You can visit Mikki and read more about allergies at The Allergy Spot
Twitter: billybites8
says:
This is a good post. I think I might be developing Allergies now, never had them before
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It is possible to develop allergies later in life. Many refer to a 7 year cycle where allergies can either begin or stop suddenly. I have not personally experienced a 7 year cycle, getting the luxury of living with my allergies all my life, however I have seen many develop them later on. I believe those who start developing allergies will have a quicker response to naturally eliminating them!
I suffer from allergies. Hayfever in the summer too, it can be a real nightmare! Thanks for a great read.
Twitter: LoveThatBug
says:
I’ve not heard of this 7 year cycle but as someone who suffers from psoriasis which has been worse the last few years that’s good to know that it might calm down again soon.
I shouldn’t complain because my psoriasis is just a few tiny areas on my face and some people have the whole of their body affected. Would have just preferred if my trigger spot could have been anywhere else – say my elbows (a common spot) or my back. Anywhere that isn’t in full public view.
You’re right, allergies all come down to a person’s immune system. It’s a complex subject but you’ve explained it very clearly.
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Twitter: selfishyayun
says:
talk about allergies, I wanted to ask you
in my country that so many developing tropical mosquitoes
and here almost all people use anti-mosquito drugs, there are mosquito coils and also anti-mosquito spray.
but why I got into trouble when using the anti-mosquito spray, my nose suddenly feels a bit watery and spicy. But it does not happen if using anti-mosquito coils. And the two anti-mosquito was made by the same producers. I am currently not using any anti-mosquito but I still want to know why it happened. What I’m allergic or something?
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Even though each are made by the same manufacturer different products use varying ingredients. You can look at the labels on each one and that might help you find what exactly it is that you are allergic too. Generally when we are allergic to things like sprays it’s only a single ingredient in the product that causes the reaction. This is why you are able to use the other two without a reaction. You made the right choice to not use the one you have a problem with.
Mikki Hogan recently posted..Allergy Armor Ultra Provides Allergy relief without Sacrificing Your Comfort
Twitter: usama795
says:
Such a nice article very useful thanks
Great post. I have the absolute WORST allergies! I hope it helps me out! It has sure helped me out, honey is a life saver.
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Hey Mikki,
Nice post.I just got informed what happens in my body when I eat Guava.I miss Guavas a lot as I have not found a cure for them.
Shivam Garg recently posted..CoolHandle Promo Code
Thanks Shivam, giving up things we love because of allergies is never fun. Sure do wish we could find a way to clean our systems and remove allergies all together, then we could eat what we want!
Mikki Hogan recently posted..Fight Seasonal Allergies With Effective and Inexpensive Alternative Solutions
Twitter: humble_observer
says:
Great explanation Mikki! I look forward to hearing more in Part 2.
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Glad you liked it! I’m working on the second now and hope it will be as helpful as this one has been.
Mikki Hogan recently posted..Fight Seasonal Allergies With Effective and Inexpensive Alternative Solutions
Twitter: spearwebdesign
says:
Hoping for some better allergy medicine in the future…
Nice post, helpful information. My allergies are getting pretty bad at the moment since its hayfeaver season in the UK. I have found eating a good diet and exercise helps a bit, also i take Benadryl (I think thats the spelling of it), that helps a bunch also.
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You are exactly right about eating a good diet and exercise! Glad to hear it is helping you a little bit. I have found that if I drink extra water during my bad allergy attacks it seems to reduce the symptoms too.
Mikki Hogan recently posted..Fight Seasonal Allergies With Effective and Inexpensive Alternative Solutions
Twitter: veryveryblessed
says:
This was very interesting. I learned something that I did not know regarding allergies. Right now seemingly many people are having allergy problems in my state. It seems allergy medicines are just the norm to take.
I found out lately that I’m allergic to citrus fruits. For months I suffered from dyshidrotic eczema in my left index finger. Tried every medication but to no avail. Even tried oxygen peroxide (researched on the web) and it controlled the problem but did not eliminate it. I’m a veggie and fruit person so it took me a while to uncover that the oranges & lemons were causing it.
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Food allergies can be one of the toughest to identify! My daughter has multiple food allergies we spent months trying to narrow down what was causing her reactions. At the time I didn’t even know that food allergies could cause the type of rash she was getting! I’m glad you have found out which food is causing your problem and can now reduce that symptom.
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Nice post. Really informative, will surely help me in writing future posts for my blog.
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I’m glad it can helpful for you and your site visitors Suhaib!
Mikki Hogan recently posted..Natural Allergy Relief with Therapeutic Gemstones Video
I am sure there is big correlation between our thgouhts and our illnesses. I am sure it has to do with allergies too. My belief is that we get sick on another level first and then it manifests on the physical level
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I’ve never experienced allergies myself, but i know people who got allergies later.
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Hey Miki,
I’m a long term sufferer from eczema and the cold weather just makes the eczema worse! It really annoys me when I start scratching and sometimes I just can’t help it. There are some creams available on the market that help it though fortunately but if only there was a cure for eczema!