What Allergies Actually Are

An allergy is when your immune system overreacts to something that isn't actually dangerous, for example pollen, peanuts, or pet dander. These things are called allergens, and your body mistakes them for threats, like it would a vvirus or bacteria.

So, instead of ignoring the allergen, your immune system launches an attack, releasing chemicals like histamine, which causes symptoms like itching, swelling, and sneezing.

Common Allergens

• Pollen

• Dust mites

• Animal dander

• Certain foods like peanuts, shellfish, and eggs

• Insect stings

• Latex or medications

What's Actually Happening in Your Body?

When you're exposed to an allergen, your body produces a specific type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies attach to mast cells, which are found throughout the body, especially in tissues like the skin and lungs. When the allergen binds to IgE on these mast cells, it causes them to release histamine and other chemicals. Histamine increases blood flow and causes inflammation, leading to symptoms like itching, swelling, and mucus production.

This is why antihistamines work! Like the name suggests, they block the effects of histamine.

How Do Allergies Develop?

Allergies often run in families. However, environmental factors such as pollution, exposure to allergens in early life, and lifestyle choices can influence whether someone develops allergies. Interestingly, it's also possible to develop new allergies as an adult, even to substances that were previously tolerated by your body!

Mild vs. Severe Allergies

Allergies range from mild (like hay fever) to life-threatening (like anaphylaxis). That's why some people carry EpiPens, which deliver a dose of epinephrine (a natural occurring hormone produced by your adrenal glands, also called adrenaline) to stop a severe allergic reaction.

Treatments for Allergies:

• Epinephrine: for emergencies; can be administered through auto-injectors, nasal spray, epinephrine vials, pre-filled syringes, and a sublingual (under the tongue) form of administration is currently being reviewed in medical studies. Epinephrine opens airways by relaxing the muscles, causes the heart to pump faster, and constricting blood cells (increases blood pressure).

• Antihistamines: Blocks cells in the body from receiving histamine. Can come in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, pills, and liquids.

• Corticosterioids: Suppresses inflammation caused by allergies. Can come in the form of nasal sprays, eyedrops, pills, liquids, inhalers, and skin creams.

• Mast cell stabilizers: Blocks the realease of chemicals in the immune system that lead to allergic reactions. Can come in the form of nasal sprays and eye drops.

• Allergen and biological immunotherapy: Essentially trains the body's immune system to not react to specific allergens. Starts by exposing the body to small amounts of the allergen and slowly increasing the amount. Can be given in a series of injections, pills, and liquids.

• Decongestants: Used for quick & temporary relief of sinus and nasal congestion. Can come in the form of sprays, drops, pills, and liquids.

• Leukotriene inhibitors: Essentially blocks a chemical called leukotriene that contributes in causing allergy symptoms.

Why This Matters

Allergies affect millions of people, and not all allergies are obvious! Some develop later in life, some are inherited, and some change over time.

Understanding how allergies work isn't just useful, it's empowering. Especially if you live with them every day. 

Allergies can impact more than just physical health. Avoiding allergens may require some dietary restrictions or environmental changes, which can affect social activities and overall quality of life. Living with severe allergies can also cause anxiety and stress, especially due to the risk of serious reactions. Understanding allergies is the first step to managing them effectively. If you or someone you know experiences allergic reactions, talking to a healthcare professional can help identify triggers and find the right treatment. Staying informed empowers you to live a healthier, safer life.

Don't forget to wash your hands,

Dom <3

Learn More:

• Allergy & Asthma Network - What is Epinephrine?

• Mayo Clinic - Allergy medications: Know your options

• Allergy & Asthma Network: Epinephrine for Anaphylaxis: What Treatments are Available?

• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - Allergic Conditions

• Cleveland Clinic - Allergies

• Johns Hopkins Medicine - Allergies and the Immune System

• National Health Service - Allergies

• Cleveland Clinic - Histamine

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Defined