Allergy Basics

by Linnea Lundgren and Jeff Wald, MD

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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Lundgren, Linnea, and Jeff Wald.  "Allergy Basics."  02 May 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/how-allergies-work.htm>  20 August 2008.

Inside this Article

  1. Introduction: What Causes Allergic Reactions?
  2. What Makes Some People Susceptible to Allergies?
  3. Allergic Rhinitis: Introduction, Grass Pollen
  1. Allergic Rhinitis: Weed Pollen
  2. Allergic Rhinitis: Mold Spores and Dust Mites
  3. Allergic Rhinitis: Cockroaches and Pet Allergies
  4. See more »
    1. Allergic Asthma
    2. Skin Allergies
    3. Food Allergies
    4. Drug and Workplace Allergies
    5. Allergic Reactions to Insect Bites and Stings
    6. See all Allergies articles
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Whether it's runny, itchy or stuffed, your nose knows what's bothering it. But do you know what's wrong with your nasal passages? Understanding allergies isn't difficult, but it is the first step toward building a healthy alliance with your nose, eyes, lungs, and sinuses.

Did You Know?
Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.

In this article, we will look at some of the causes of allergies as well as some of the symptoms of allergies. We will then go into greater detail, exploring topics like why some people are more susceptible to allergies and the different types of common allergies. By the time we're done, you're sure to understand how allergies work!

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies are the result of the immune system's mistaken response to a harmless substance. Normally, the immune system stands guard and defends your body against intruders that can be dangerous to your health, such as viruses and bacteria. When it does its job well, your immune system keeps you from getting sick every time an ill-intentioned germ finds its way into your body.

Understanding AutoImmune Disorders
Common allergies are an immune system overreaction, not an autoimmune disorder. The two can be easily confused.

An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system goes bonkers by attacking the body's tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is an example. 

In some people, however, the immune system has difficulty distinguishing between the good guys (or, at least, the neutral guys) and the bad guys. Like a nervous rookie, it sees danger everywhere and overreacts. A hyperreactive immune system pulls out all the stops for substances that won't do you any actual harm, such as dust, pollen, and animal dander. These innocuous substances are called allergens.

When people who have allergies encounter an allergen, their immune system produces antibodies, called IgE antibodies, that are specific to that substance -- ragweed, for instance, or cat dander.

Thousands of these antibodies bind to the surface of special cells in body tissue called mast cells, which then lie in wait for your next exposure to that specific allergen. While they are waiting, these mast cells absorb many different chemicals from the blood that will aid in the body's defense; they store these chemicals in tiny granules. When you're reexposed to the allergen, the allergen binds to the IgE antibodies on the surface of the mast cells, causing the mast cells to release the chemicals. One of the chemicals, histamine, is probably familiar to you. It is one of the biggest players in the allergic response system and causes many of the reactions, such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes, that we describe as allergies.

Most anti-allergy medications block the histamine from binding to its receptor and are called antihistamines. The allergic reaction can have both an early and a late phase. Typically the early phase may start within a few minutes of exposure, while the late phase may start several hours after the initial exposure. The early phase is caused by the release of those chemicals stored in the granules in the mast cells. The late phase reaction is caused by other inflammatory cells recruited into the area.

Allergies and Housework
You're off the definition mark if you declare, "I am allergic to housework!" Instead you should say, "I have an aversion to housework." Aversion means a strong dislike. However, the former may be accurate if you suffer from dust-mite and mold-spore allergies. Cleaning house stirs up such allergens, potentially causing an allergic reaction that can certainly give you an aversion you didn't have to begin with!

Allergic Symptoms

The body's first line of defense against invaders includes the nose, mouth, eyes, lungs, and stomach. When the immune system reacts to an allergen, these body parts become battlegrounds.

Signs of the battle can include one or more of the following: runny nose; sneezing; watery, swollen, or red eyes; nasal congestion; sinus inflammation and pressure; hives; rashes; itchy eyes; itchy nose; wheezing; shortness of breath; a tight feeling in the chest; difficulty breathing; coughing; diarrhea; nausea; headache; fatigue; and a general feeling of misery.

It's ironic that the immune system, designed to protect you from illness, produces symptoms that make you feel sick when it overreacts to mundane substances. But that's the nature of the allergic response. The symptoms are the unfortunate result of the immune system's overperformance. It's a perfect example of the old saying that sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

In the next section, we will answer a question you may have asked before: What makes certain people susceptible to allergies while others get away with nary a sneeze?
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Inside this Article

  1. Introduction: What Causes Allergic Reactions?
  2. What Makes Some People Susceptible to Allergies?
  3. Allergic Rhinitis: Introduction, Grass Pollen
  4. Allergic Rhinitis: Weed Pollen
  5. Allergic Rhinitis: Mold Spores and Dust Mites
  6. Allergic Rhinitis: Cockroaches and Pet Allergies
  1. Allergic Asthma
  2. Skin Allergies
  3. Food Allergies
  4. Drug and Workplace Allergies
  5. Allergic Reactions to Insect Bites and Stings
  6. See all Allergies articles

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