THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

When the human immune system is healthy, it is able distinguish between the body’s own cells and those that are foreign.  Whenever the immune system encounters an unfamiliar organism, it goes into attack mode.  Things that trigger immune responses are called antigens.  Antigens are toxins or foreign substances that cause the immune system to respond with the production of antibodies.  These antibodies circulate throughout the body to destroy the antigens.  Antibodies are single-minded.  Each type attacks only one type of antigen.  Problems arise when the immune system mistakenly identifies a commonly harmless substance for a harmful one.  The immune system overreacts by producing antibodies and tissue-swelling histamines, causing what is commonly known as an allergic reaction.  

P.S.  There is a genetic factor to allergies that indicates that children of parents with allergies are more likely to develop allergies.

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