Allergies attack

I am of the opinion that spring in Bloomington is very beautiful. Unfortunately, it makes my eyes itch and water.

I am a sufferer of spring hay fever. Over the counter allergy medication can’t stop my symptoms.

So this year I decided to find out the cause of my seasonal ailments. I discovered allergic reactions occur when a hypersensitive immune system overreacts to generally harmless substances like pollen grains or dust particles when they enter the body.

Central to your immune system are the white blood cells, also known as leucocytes. Lymphocytes are a particular kind of leucocyte, and they are responsible for allergic reactions. Lymphocytes travel around your body identifying foreign invaders and will normally work together to attack bacteria and cells overcome by viruses. After lymphocytes identify foreign invaders, they will travel to the lymph nodes to trigger the production of bacteria and virus neutralizing proteins known as antibodies.

An allergy sufferer’s immune system has trouble distinguishing some harmless substances, known as allergens, from dangerous ones, due to a deficiency in their genetic code. Allergic reactions happen when the lymphocytes mistake the invasion of otherwise harmless allergens for dangerous substances, and trigger the production of large amounts of antibodies specific to the allergen to respond to the invasion.

The antibodies bind to body tissue cells known as mast cells causing the mast cells to build up a supply of chemicals to fight the allergen on next exposure.

When the allergen returns, it binds to the antibodies, causing the mast cells to release the chemicals and fight the invasion.

Histamines are among the chemicals that are released by the mast cells. Their release into the blood causes the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses associated with allergic reactions.

Many allergy medications use antihistamines that block histamines from building up on the mast cells.

Certain allergens, like those from bee stings and peanut butter, can cause very severe reactions.

The release of chemicals from the mast cells causes blood vessels to dilate, fluids to build up between the cells, and, in extreme cases, the throat to swell shut.

The result is anaphylactic shock, which can cause death if not treated with an injection of epinephrine, which opens up the airways again.

Luckily my seasonal allergies are just an annoyance and not a life-threatening condition. I encourage all hay fever sufferers to enjoy the spring wisely. When you come across a garden of flowers and grasses, look but don’t sniff.


E-mail: kslabosk@indiana.edu