What are allergies?
by Bram Kelchtermans
1. Cure
1.1. No Cure
1.2. Relieve Allergy Symptoms
1.3. Avoid getting symptoms
2. Abnormal immune system reactions
2.1. To things that are typically harmless to most people
2.2. immune system mistakenly reacts on substances
2.3. Production of IgE antibodies to that allergen
2.3.1. Create certain cells
2.3.2. Chemicals into the bloodstream = histamine
3. Histamine
3.1. Acts on
3.1.1. Eyes
3.1.2. Nose
3.1.3. Throat
3.1.4. Lungs
3.1.5. Skin
3.1.6. Gastrointestinal tract
3.2. Causes the symptoms
3.3. Future exposere will trigger antibody response again
4. Symptoms
4.1. Itchy eyes
4.2. Running nose
4.3. Hives
5. Reactions
5.1. Can be mild (runny nose)
5.2. Can be severe (Difficulty breathing)
5.3. Sometimes multiple symptoms
5.4. rare cases: very severe (= anaphylaxis)
5.4.1. Signs are
5.4.1.1. Difficulty breathing
5.4.1.2. Difficulty swallowing
5.4.1.3. Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
5.4.1.4. Dizziness
5.4.1.5. Loss of consciousness
5.4.2. Occurs a couple of minutes after exposure to a triggering substance