Our immune system mounts a formidable defense against an overwhelming variety of germs. When the immune system senses a foreign invader it immediately calls the white blood cells into action. They begin to produce chemicals known as antibodies to fight off the attack. The immune system is capable of producing a unique antibody to fight off each type of invader. As the immune system fights to overcome the invaders, it produces the symptoms that we recognize as a disease. For example, when fighting off a cold virus our immune system will generate coughs and sniffles.
In most children and adults, this process operates smoothly. Harmful attackers are annihilated and harmless invaders are ignored. However, in about twenty percent of all children, the immune system is over sensitive. It mistakes a harmless invader for a harmful one. So it reacts to pollen, dust, a food and a wide variety of benign substances. The response is the same as though the agent were harmful. The white blood cells begin to manufacture antibodies, producing the symptoms that signal disease such as sneezing or sniffles. Further, once the white blood cells have manufactured antibodies for a particular allergen, those antibodies linger in the body long after the allergen has disappeared. They remain alert and ready to manufacture additional antibodies in response to future attacks by the same allergen. They prepare the body for a quicker response and in some cases a more severe one. So once a child has developed an allergy to food, dust, pollen or whatever, future attacks can be worse. However, when the child reaches adulthood, attacks by most allergens tend to lessen in severity.
Depending on the type of allergen, the reactions occur in different parts of the body. Pollen and other airborne allergens usually focus on the eyes and throat causing hay fever. A child with hay fever may have a watery nasal discharge, nasal congestions, and cough or sneeze. When the allergen is pollen, attacks only occur during the time that the plant is pollinating. If the allergens cause a partial blockage of the passages to the lungs the resulting condition is called asthma. Asthma can occur on its own or as a reaction to a drug allergen such as penicillin or sulfa. When an allergic reaction occurs while a drug is being administered, it may be difficult to tell whether the reaction is a disease symptom or a response to the allergen.
Allergies to food and oral medicines usually produce problems in the digestive system. They can also cause headaches, difficulty in breathing, and hives. Some allergens only produce a reaction when they come in contact with the skin. Certain plants, drugs, cosmetics, metal alloys, and fabrics can produce hives or a rash upon touching the skin. Food allergies are difficult to identify as they display many symptoms. Also, a child can develop an allergic reaction to a food that they have been eating safely for months or years. The tests used to diagnose other allergies are not effective with foods. Children often outgrow food allergies.
There is no cure for allergies. The primary method of treatment is to identify and then avoid the allergen. Identification of an allergen can be very difficult and require many tests.
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