What Are Allergies?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• Have you noticed that you may sneeze more in the spring?

That occurs because more substances in the air cause an immune response in your body called an allergy.

Your immune system usually functions to fight off invading germs and infections, but sometimes, it can be confused by substances like pollen, mold, insect stings, and medications.

These substances are called allergens because they cause symptoms like watering eyes, a running nose, and sneezing. Allergens are considered antigens, or foreign particles, in the immune system because they cause the immune response in the body.

When the body receives an allergen, it is met with specialized immune system cells identifying it as a foreign invader. These cells start producing antibodies, proteins the body uses to fight pathogens. These antibodies help recognize the allergen in the future and drive the response that leads to allergy symptoms.

Antibodies, shown above, attach to mast cells, also known as white blood cells, another immune system cell responsible for protecting the body. The antibodies can overwhelm the white blood cells, destroying them.

White blood cells release a chemical called histamine that leads to the loosening of blood vessels, causing allergy symptoms like itching, hives, and sneezing!

Notice how the mast cell releases the histamine in the image below. It then moves to different parts of the body, causing allergy symptoms.

Some people have more severe allergic responses and can experience anaphylaxis. This is a reaction that builds over an extended time, becoming worse with age.

The allergic reaction occurs quickly, sometimes within a few minutes. The individual can experience large patches of hives and have breathing issues. If untreated, it can cause organ damage due to a loss of oxygen.

Anaphylactic shock occurs when the breathing airway swells and becomes closed. This leads to total loss of oxygen and can result in death.

Allergies can be treated using daily medication, avoiding triggers, and epinephrine pens (Epi-pens). Treatment depends on the type and severity of the allergy.

Allergies can be very unpleasant, causing anything from daily irritation to more severe reactions.

All allergies are triggered by substances known as allergens found in our environment. These substances cause immune responses, leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.

In some people, these reactions can even lead to anaphylactic shock, where the airway closes up.

• What allergies do you have?
• How do your allergies impact your life?
• If you don't have any allergies, what do family members have?

Make a short list of some allergens irritating you.

Then, move to the Got It? section to learn more about the immune response in allergies.