Seattle Health Blog

What is Allergy?

An allergy is an exaggerated response of our organism, when in contact with certain substances from outside. Substances capable of causing an allergic reaction are called allergens or simply allergens.

How do you get?

The immune response is of great importance but sometimes causes serious problems:

In organ transplants (kidney, heart, lung …) our immune system identifies the new organ as foreign and try to put in place to combat it, if not the rejection medications are given to reduce this response (called immunosuppressants).

Sometimes confuses the immune system components of our body with foreign elements and starts a reaction against them leading to the autoimmune diseases (many rheumatic conditions are the origin).

Sometimes it produces an immune response in the presence of harmless substances to the body, which are usually tolerated by it. This overreaction is called allergy and the substances are allergens that trigger. The potential allergens are very numerous and may contact us through various means:

The air we breathe: plant pollens, house dust, fungi, animal hair … Food: fish, eggs, nuts, … Drugs: penicillin, aspirin, … Insect stings, bites, … Skin contact: cosmetics, industrial products …

Symtomps

• Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, abdominal pain.
• Eyes: conjunctivitis (redness and itching).
• Nose: rhinitis (itchy and watery mucus secretion).
• Skin: urticaria (hives and itching) or eczema.
• Lung: asthma (bronchial obstruction).

Treatment And Recommendations

The cells that compose the immune system (macrophages and T cells and B) when in contact with a foreign substance to the (allergen or antigen) initiated a series of reactions that culminate in the formation of molecules called immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies that bind to the allergen and, through various mechanisms, get their destruction and disposal.

These immunoglobulins can be 5 different types: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE. IgE and, less frequently, IgG type 4 are those involved in type I allergic reaction characteristic of asthma and most allergies. People allergic to a substance (allergen) present on the surface of mast cells (blood cells) multiple IgE molecules capable of recognizing the presence of the substance.

This IgE was formed in previous contacts with the allergen that caused the sensitization to the same. That is, they formed the memory cells (memory B cells) which, upon contact with that allergen again, order the production of large amounts of specific IgE against that allergen. At the time the binding of IgE with the allergen (like a key and lock it were) will cause the release by the mast of a large number of substances (histamine, serotonin, bradykinin mediators known as …), Allergy They alone determine the manifestations of allergic reaction in different organs. Occur in the lung inflammation of the lining of the bronchial wall and contraction of the muscle fibers, resulting in an asthma attack.

Credit to: Dr. Gustavo Castillo