Question

Name an allergen and write the response of the human body when exposed to it.

Answer 1

• An allergen is a type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system fights off a perceived threat that, would otherwise be harmless to the body. Such reactions are called allergies.
• In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals through Immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses. Most humans mount significant Immunoglobulin E responses only as a defense against parasitic infections. However, some individuals may respond to many common environmental antigens.
• Allergens can be found in a variety of sources, such as dust mite excretion, pollen, pet dander or even royal jelly.
• Food allergies are not as common as food sensitivity, but some foods such as peanuts (a legume), nuts, seafood, and shellfish are the cause of serious allergies in many people. Another type of allergens is urushiol, a resin produced by poison ivy and poison oak, which causes the skin rash condition known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis by changing a skin cell's configuration so that it is no longer recognized by the immune system as part of the body.
• Various trees and wood products such as paper, cardboard, MDF, etc. can also cause mild to severe allergy symptoms through touch or inhalation of sawdust such as asthma and skin rash. In 1952, basidiospores were described as being possible airborne allergens and were linked to asthma in 1969.