Research About The Immune System Problems of Clinical Significance "Allergy"
Research About The Immune System Problems of Clinical Significance "Allergy"
Research About The Immune System Problems of Clinical Significance "Allergy"
I. Description
Allergies arise when the immune system responds to a foreign material or food
that usually causes no reaction in most people, such as pollen, bee, or pet dust.
Antibodies are substances produced by your immune system. When you have allergies
the immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly mark a harmless allergen as
harmful. Your immune system's reaction to the allergen will inflame your
skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system when you come into contact with it.
Allergies vary in severity from person to person and can range from mild discomfort
anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal emergency. Although most allergies cannot be healed,
there are treatments available.
An allergy is a sensitivity to a specific substance which causes a negative
bodily reaction, such as sneezing, wheezing, itching or difficulty breathing. These
stimuli act as antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of
inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. Allergies may be innate or
acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. Common symptoms include sneezing,
itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms can be severe.
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a substance it views as a harmful
“invader.” For example, coming into contact with what is normally a harmless
substance, such as pollen, might cause your immune system (your body’s defense
system) to react. Substances that cause these reactions are called allergens. If you are
prone to allergies, the first time you’re exposed to a specific allergen (such as pollen),
your body responds by producing allergic (IgE) antibodies. The job of these antibodies
is to find the allergens and help remove them from your system. As a result, a chemical
called histamine is released and causes symptoms of allergies. Most allergies are
inherited, which means they are passed on to children by their parents. People inherit a
tendency to be allergic, although not to any specific allergen. If your child develops an
allergy, it is very likely that you or your partner has allergies.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from mild to severe. If you
become exposed to an allergen for the first time, your symptoms may be mild. These
symptoms may get worse if you repeatedly come into contact with the allergen.
Allergy symptoms are classified as mild, moderate or severe:
Mild reactions include local symptoms (affecting a specific area of your body) such
as a rash or hives, itchiness, watery/red eyes, hay fever and runny nose. Mild
reactions do not spread to other parts of your body.
Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of your body.
Symptoms may include itchiness, hives, and/or swelling and trouble breathing.
A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a rare, life-threatening
emergency in which your body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the
whole body. Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of your eyes or face.
Within minutes, more serious symptoms appear, including throat swelling (which
could cause problems with swallowing and breathing), abdominal
pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hives and swelling (angioedema). You may also
have mental confusion or dizziness, since anaphylaxis may cause a drop in blood
pressure.
IV Possible Treatment
Although avoiding the allergen is an important treatment approach, it usually
doesn’t completely end the allergic reaction. Medications such as antihistamines
(e.g., Allegra, Zyrtec), decongestants (eg, Sudafed, Contact), or a combination of over-
the-counter and prescription medications, are used to treat your allergy symptoms.
Nasal sprays such as topical nasal steroids (e.g., Flonase, Nasonex), cromolyn sodium,
and topical nasal antihistamines also can be used to treat allergy symptoms.