| What exactly are allergies? Oh, we all know how | | | | the spaces to fill with fluids, causing all of the |
| allergies affect us. The itching, sneezing, watery | | | | traditional symptoms of allergies. |
| eyes, runny nose and other symptoms of allergies | | | | What is interesting is that even in our highly |
| often send us running for the Sudafed. But what is it | | | | developed society, we do not totally understand the |
| that causes allergies? | | | | process of allergies. Once someone has begun |
| Allergies are a result of the body's immune system. | | | | showing signs of an allergy to a particular substance, |
| What happens is the immune system targets a | | | | they will often exhibit allergies to similar substances. |
| non-harmful substance, like pollen and attacks it like it | | | | Another interesting thing about allergies is that they |
| is a malicious virus. An extremely sensitive immune | | | | can build up. Sometimes a person can have a mild |
| system can actually harm the organ in the body that | | | | reaction to a substance and later they will exhibit |
| it is thinking it is protecting when it goes overboard. | | | | even stronger symptoms. A severe reaction to an |
| Most doctors believe that allergies are triggered by a | | | | allergen is called anaphylactic shock, a condition where |
| protein in the allergen. The protein that the person is | | | | the body starts to shut down, after breaking out |
| allergic to causes the white blood cells in the body to | | | | into hives and swelling. If you are exhibiting an allergic |
| act as if the allergen is invading the body and they | | | | reaction accompanied by swelling or hives, go to the |
| go into attack mode. They produce a large quantity | | | | hospital right away. Anaphylactic shock can lead to |
| of antibodies that attach themselves to mast cells in | | | | death, by harming the brain, kidneys, or causing the |
| the body. These mast cells have histamines and | | | | brain to swell shut. To treat anaphylactic shock, you |
| when histamines enter the body in too high of | | | | will need an injection of epinephrine, but it must be |
| quantities, they cause problems. | | | | given quickly, before the body has a chance to have |
| Here is what happens. Let's look at ragweed, for | | | | serious damage. |
| example, since that is one of the most common | | | | If you think your child might be prone to allergies, |
| allergens. Ragweed pollen is inhaled, thus entering the | | | | you can take your child for tests. The most common |
| body. The antibodies that are bound to the mast cells | | | | way to test for allergies is through a scratch test. A |
| recognize the proteins in the ragweed pollen. Their | | | | scratch test is where a doctor applies a small bit of |
| reaction is to bond to those proteins, while staying | | | | an allergen to a scratch on the arm or back and then |
| with their mast cell. By binding to both places, the | | | | watches for swelling. This is not used often in small |
| antibody alerts the complement complex proteins. | | | | children, however, as it can actually trigger a reaction. |
| They come and destroy the bonded particle. When | | | | For small children, parents just need to watch for |
| the mast cell is destroyed, it releases histamine to | | | | signs of allergies and talk to the doctor if they have |
| the body. Histamines cause blood pressure to drop | | | | concerns. |
| and blood vessels to dilate. These symptoms cause | | | | |