What is an Allergen?
The substance that causes an allergic response is known as an allergen. Allergens contain protein, and almost anything can be an allergen for someone.
The most common are house dust mites, pollen from trees and grasses, cats, dogs, insects such as wasps and bees, milk, eggs and peanuts.
Less common allergens include tree nuts, fruit and latex.
Protein is often regarded as just something that we eat. It is, in fact, an organic compound containing hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, which form an important part of living organisms. There are, however, some non-protein allergens which include penicillin and some other drugs. For these to cause an allergic response they need to be bound to a protein once they are in the body.
A person's immune system believes that the invading allergens are damaging and in response the body produces an antibody ("IgE") to attack them. This in turn leads to other cells (i.e. mast cells) to release further chemicals which together cause irritation, inflammation and the symptoms of an allergic response. Some of the conditions or diseases themselves have already been listed but it should be understood that all the mentioned diseases can be caused by factors other than allergy.
Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with the conditions:
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Sinus pain
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Nettle rash / hives
- Swelling
- Itchy eyes, ears, lips throat & palate (roof of mouth)
- Shortness of breath
- Sickness, vomiting, & diarrhoea
- Increase in secretions
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