$Unique_ID{BRK01329} $Pretitle{} $Title{About Allergies} $Subject{allergies causes types circulatory system immune system pollen mold spore house dust mites animal dander eaten inhaled skin allergy allergens sneezes sniffles watery eyes stuffed-up head eczema hives intestinal diarrhea cramps vomiting anaphylaxis immunology allergic immunity fungus spores mite sneeze sniffle} $Volume{G-7,U-0} $Log{ The Process of an Allergic Reaction*0001201.scf Histamine Release Causes Allergy Symptoms*0001202.scf The Function of IgG in an Allergic Reaction*0001203.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. About Allergies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: Though I have nursed my allergies for years, and probably spent more on medications than vacations, I still am not sure what this miserable condition is all about. Could you turn your special talent for explaining about disease to this, and tell me about it so that at last I will understand it all? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: That's quite an order, but I'll try. The best one sentence definition of allergy is that it's an overreaction of the body's immune system to something that it probably shouldn't have reacted to in the first place. The immune system is normally great at learning to identify potential dangers, such as bacteria and viruses, and then remembering them and attacking them the next time they show up. In a person with allergies, the immune system over reacts and starts attacking things like pollen, mold spore, house dust, mites, animal dander, or certain substances that are eaten, inhaled or touch the skin. These "allergy causers" are called allergens. In the case of an inhaled allergen, antibodies react to the allergen's presence and attach to the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract and start attacking. The antibody destroys the allergen, but also wrecks havoc on the surrounding tissue, resulting in sneezes, sniffles, watery eyes, and a stuffed-up head. An allergic response in the skin may appear as eczema or hives, while one in the intestinal system may show up as diarrhea, cramps, or vomiting. Allergic responses can vary in intensity from mild sniffles all the way to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening situation, intense reaction. Anaphylaxis is most often caused by allergies to insect venom, penicillin, or certain foods such as fish, peanuts or eggs. I've simplified things a bit for you, but the field of immunology is one of the most exciting in medicine, and research in this area may soon produce answers to a great many important medical questions. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.