Allergies can develop at any age and can
be influenced by heredity. Allergic symptoms are caused by the
detection of allergens (pollen, animal dander, dust, mold, etc.) These
alergens are non-threatening to msot people and can be found almost
verywhere, yet in some peeople they can trigger a severe immune system
response. The primary cause of allergic reactions is an antibody
called Immunoglobulin E (lgE) that is produced to remove allergens from
the bloodstream and body tissues. IgE antibodies attach to the mast
cells in the body to prepare for future allergens that enter the body.
These mast cells release mediators which are chemicals that typically
cause allergic reactions like coughing, wheezing, sneezing, runny nose,
swelling of the skin, etc.
