Allergy (cont.)
Where are allergens?
Everywhere...
We have seen that allergens are special types of antigens that
cause allergic reactions. The symptoms and diseases that result
depend largely on the route of entry and level of exposure to the
allergens. The chemical structure of allergens affects the route of
exposure. Airborne pollens, for example, will have little effect on
the skin. They are easily inhaled and will thus cause more nasal and
lung symptoms and limited skin symptoms. When allergens are
swallowed or injected they may travel to other parts of the body and
provoke symptoms that are remote from their point of entry. For
example, allergens in foods may prompt the release of mediators in
the skin and cause hives.
We will assume that allergens are defined as: the source of the
allergy producing substance (for example, cat), the substance itself (cat
dander), or the specific proteins that provoke the immune response
(for example, Feld1). Feld1, from the Felis domesticus (the domesticated
cat), is the most important chemical allergen in cat dander.
Allergens may be inhaled, ingested (eaten or swallowed), applied
to the skin, or injected into the body either as a medication or
inadvertently by an insect sting.
In the Air We Breathe
Breathing can be hazardous if you are allergic. Aside from
oxygen, the air contains a wide variety of particles; some toxic,
some infectious, and some "innocuous," including allergens. The
usual diseases that result from airborne allergens are hay fever,
asthma, and conjunctivitis. The following allergens are usually
harmless, but can trigger allergic reactions when inhaled by
sensitized individuals.
- Pollens: trees, grasses, and/or weeds
- Dust mites
- Animal proteins: dander, skin, and/or urine
- Mold spores
- Insect parts: cockroaches
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