Anaphylaxis is when your immune system literally ‘explodes’! There are special cells within the body called mast cells that are full of little granules of ‘histamine’. When anaphylaxis occurs, these mast cells explode and release all that histamine really fast into the blood stream. This massive dose of histamine causes shock – constriction of the throat, difficulty breathing etc.
Anaphylaxis is an extreme form of allergy. So with hayfever for example, you might take ‘ANTI-histamine’ tablets to counteract the histamine that has been released from the mast cells. With anaphylaxis however, an anti-histamine is just not strong enough and often adrenaline is needed.
Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction which occurs in multiple systems in the body at the same time.
It occurs when the body becomes sensitized to a particular allergen and mounts an inappropriate immune response to something that is actually harmless (eg peanuts or milk).
The first time a person is exposed to an allegen there is usually no immune reponse, but this first exposure causes some people to become sensitized to the allergen – this is because these people produce excess amounts of a special class of antibody that causes allergic reactions. This class of antibody (called igE antobodies) are released into the blood and bind to cells called mast cells. When igE antibodies bind to the mast cells they cause them to break down and release HISTAMINE. It’s the increase in histamine that causes the classic allergic symptoms (runny nose, shortness of breath). In the case of anaphylaxis – the person has a whole lot of igE antobodies that recognize the allegen they are sensitized to – so that any time the person is exposed to the allergen again, they experience a massive and rapid immune reponse which is so severe it can lead to death if not treated immediately. Anti-histamines don’t cut it when treating anaphylaxis, cos they don’t work fast enough – so people with severe allergies have to carry an epi-pen which contains a dose of steroids
(which work rapidly against inflammation and help open the airways.
The immune system is certainly pretty amazing – but when it goes wrong it can cause quite a few problems!
Hi vetro66,
Anaphylaxis is when your immune system literally ‘explodes’! There are special cells within the body called mast cells that are full of little granules of ‘histamine’. When anaphylaxis occurs, these mast cells explode and release all that histamine really fast into the blood stream. This massive dose of histamine causes shock – constriction of the throat, difficulty breathing etc.
Anaphylaxis is an extreme form of allergy. So with hayfever for example, you might take ‘ANTI-histamine’ tablets to counteract the histamine that has been released from the mast cells. With anaphylaxis however, an anti-histamine is just not strong enough and often adrenaline is needed.
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Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction which occurs in multiple systems in the body at the same time.
It occurs when the body becomes sensitized to a particular allergen and mounts an inappropriate immune response to something that is actually harmless (eg peanuts or milk).
The first time a person is exposed to an allegen there is usually no immune reponse, but this first exposure causes some people to become sensitized to the allergen – this is because these people produce excess amounts of a special class of antibody that causes allergic reactions. This class of antibody (called igE antobodies) are released into the blood and bind to cells called mast cells. When igE antibodies bind to the mast cells they cause them to break down and release HISTAMINE. It’s the increase in histamine that causes the classic allergic symptoms (runny nose, shortness of breath). In the case of anaphylaxis – the person has a whole lot of igE antobodies that recognize the allegen they are sensitized to – so that any time the person is exposed to the allergen again, they experience a massive and rapid immune reponse which is so severe it can lead to death if not treated immediately. Anti-histamines don’t cut it when treating anaphylaxis, cos they don’t work fast enough – so people with severe allergies have to carry an epi-pen which contains a dose of steroids
(which work rapidly against inflammation and help open the airways.
The immune system is certainly pretty amazing – but when it goes wrong it can cause quite a few problems!
Bev 🙂
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