• Question: why do we get allergic to things

    Asked by Superman to Chloe, Irene, Pierre, NULL, Uday on 17 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Chloe Huseyin

      Chloe Huseyin answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      Allergies occur when your own immune system reacts to an allergen.

      When your immune system mistakes a normally harmless substance for a dangerous invader your immune system then produces antibodies that remain on the alert for that particular allergen. When you’re exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release a number of immune system chemicals, such as histamine, that cause our allergy symptoms.

    • Photo: Irene Regan

      Irene Regan answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      Great Q:)

      An allergy is your immune system’s reaction to certain plants, animals, foods, insect bites, or other things.

      Your immune system protects you from diseases by fighting germs like bacteria and viruses, but when you have allergies, it overreacts and tries to “fight” ordinary things like grass, pollen, or certain foods.

      This causes the sneezing, itching, and other reactions that you get with allergies.

      The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through your genes(from your Mum and dad!).
      However, just because a parent or sibling has allergies doesn’t mean you will definitely get them, too.
      A person usually doesn’t inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies.

Comments