Sneezing Fits
Allergic responses don't exactly fit into a mold. Maybe it's an itch from touching a wool blanket. Or perhaps a little sneezing fit after running through a dandelion field. In more serious situations, someone can actually die from an allergy to shell fish or a bee sting.
The Immune System and Allergies
Your body's immune system is designed to protect you from the outside world and the potential harms. Antibodies, white blood cells, and even your skin are all part of your immune system. You can also thank certain bacterium and chemicals your body produces; they can fight off near-invisible bad guys that cause inflammation in your organs or other disorders.
Allergies, however, are a disorder of your immune system. Also known as atopy, allergies are your body's reaction to allergens, small particles that cause your white blood cells to quickly form without real rhyme or reason. Your body is used to fighting off many diseases and infections without you knowing it because, over time, your cells learn to adapt and overcome.
With allergies, there is no immediate adaptation for your immune system. Your body just immediately reacts to whatever has prompted it. The complication with allergens is that they can be found in almost anything. Eggs, flowers, peanuts, shell fish- you name it, it can be an allergen to your body. The condition known as Aquagenic pruritus is an allergic response to water, a necessity of life!
The Allergic Response
For the more common allergens, allergic responses start with the nose. If someone was allergic to dust mites and they came in contact with his nose, your body immediately reacts by trying to fight the dust mites at their entry point. A rush of blood full of antibodies can surge to the nose. Mucus, the slimy liquid your body produces to get rid of foreign particles, starts to produce at seemingly lightning speed. Since all of this is running to your nose as if this was an emergency, you may start sneezing repeatedly. If this were the common cold, a runny and sneezy nose would be a sign of a virus on the way out. But since this an allergic reaction, your body feels there is no time to waste.
Other allergic responses, as mentioned earlier, can result in death. If the amount of the specific allergen is grossly overwhelming and your body is only sensitized to small amounts, it reacts almost too quickly for itself. This allergic response is known as anaphylactic shock. Your chest may tighten, airways lock up, and your blood pressure drops in order to keep the allergen from entering your body. If not immediately treated, death could happen. The good news is that recovery can be just as quick if you are prepared.
Fighting Allergies
Preparing for allergic responses and reactions is more about managing them than anything. When allergens come in contact with white blood cells, they release the actuating chemical known as histamine. So it's a good idea to have anti-histamine products if you know you will be in a situation where allergic responses can happen. Some people can actually desensitize themselves to specific allergens by small increments of exposure. Adrenaline is another anti-allergy tool. It's an instant shot of energy to the body which is important for people who go into anaphylactic shock. So if you know you have allergies and what it takes to regulate yourself, make sure you have what you need on you. You wouldn't want a simple sneeze to turn into something far worse.
Tags: your body, blood cells, white blood, white blood cells, your immune, your immune system