WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIES AND WHY DO I HAVE THEM?

The immune system produces an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to protect against allergens. IgE tells the immune cells to produce chemicals to fight foreign invaders (the allergens). The immune system develops immunological memories to respond faster to foreign invaders. People with allergies have higher IgE levels that increase immunological memory and cause an overreaction to allergens that causes allergy symptoms. Allergies can develop at any age, and genetics are a big factor. A child who has one parent with allergies has a 30 to 50% chance of developing them, which increases to 60 to 80% if both parents have allergies. Exposure to new allergens and changes in the immune system also play a large role in allergy development.  

P.S. Immunological memory is what makes vaccines work the way they do, by creating a faster response to a harmful, foreign substance (a virus).

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