What Is An Allergy? Really!

     The first step in understanding, attacking or accepting severe food, drug and environmental allergies is to know exactly what we are dealing with.  Food allergies are the most common in my family so I will concentrate one that to begin with. 

                                      So what exactly is an allergy?

     Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, bee venom, pet dander or something ingested like food or drugs.  About 4% of adults have food allergies according to the National Institute of Allergy and InfectiousDiseases. The condition affects approximately 6 to 8% of children age 4 and younger.

     The immune system works to protect the body and creates food-specific antibodies. The antibodies are proteins that battle antigens, substances that are foreign or initially outside the body. The introduction of an antigen produces the immune response. Antibodies are created to destroy the antigen or counteract its effectiveness.

     The food that triggered that reaction is called an allergen. The antibodies are like an alarm system coded to detect the food regarded as harmful. The next time the person eats that food, the immune system discharges a large amount of histamine and chemicals. This process meant to protect the body against the allergen causes an allergic reaction that can affect the respiratory tract, digestive tract, skin, and cardiovascular system.

     During the initial exposure a chemical reaction occurs and many IgE antibodies are created. These attach to mast cells. These cells are located in tissue throughout the body, especially in areas such as the nose, throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. These are also the areas where allergic reactions occur.

     The antibodies are in place, and a reaction is triggered the next time the person eats the food regarded as harmful. As the allergen reacts with the IgE, the body releases histamine and other chemicals. Histamine is a chemical located in the body's cells. When released during an allergic reaction, histamine and other chemicals cause symptoms like inflammation.

     This all sounds so technical but as I continue in my attempt to understand allergies, hopefully it will all fall into place.