• Question: Why some people have allergic reactions? Is it has to be with something about the immune system?

    Asked by 454sysb37 to Carmen, Daniel, Laura, Noel, Steph on 11 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Carmen Denman

      Carmen Denman answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      454sysb37, great question! I have just answered a simliar question for Anjalo so have copied the answer here. Let me know if you need any more information.

      Allergies as we call them is an overreaction by our immune system to a substance or ‘allergen’ such as pollen, bee venom or pet hair — that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. Your immune system normally produces substances known as antibodies. Some antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause infection. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t! When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system’s reaction can inflame skin/nose/eyes/etc…and causes lots of discomfort, or even really severe allergies. Level of allergic reaction varies from person to person. Most people should be able to control allergic reaction with mild steroids, or other products available from doctors to ease symptoms.

      Cheers,
      Carmen

    • Photo: Noel Carter

      Noel Carter answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      The immune system has special cells called mast cells that produce histamine as part of a natural immune reaction. However, in the case of allergens the mast cells react too strongly and produce far too much histimine. In very serious cases called anaphylaxis it triggers mast cells throughout the body to produce histimine. Histimine makes the blood vessels relax and widen, if this happens throughout the body then you have a massive drop in blood pressure and your heart can stop.

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