Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Allergens

What happens in the body?

If an allergic person is exposed to allergens, the body's immune system gets ready to fight them. White blood cells (B-lymphocytes) produce an antidote (antibody) against the allergen. The antibody sticks to the surface of the allergy cells. Now the body is ready to fight back the next time it is exposed to the allergen. This process of exposure to an allergen is called sensitisation.

After this change, there is an allergic reaction every time the body is exposed to the allergen. The allergen sticks to the antibodies on the surface of the allergy cells. This coupling causes the granula (little stores in the allergy cells) to release a series of chemicals called mediators, which cause the sneezing, runny nose, itching and other symptoms of an allergic reaction. Probably the best known of these mediators is histamine.

 

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