Anatomy 101: What Happens When You Have Allergies?

You know the symptoms—sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose. Read on to find out what’s behind them.

Airborne allergy symptoms are caused by a reaction your body has to something in the air. This happens in four steps:

1. You breathe in an allergy trigger, called an allergen. Allergens can be found indoors, or outdoors during specific times of the year like the spring or fall.



2. Your body mistakes this allergen as harmful and makes antibodies to protect you.



3. The antibodies attach to mast cells. Whenever you’re exposed to the allergen, the antibodies cause the mast cells to release chemicals into your blood to fight off the allergen.



4. The chemicals cause allergy symptoms like sneezing, as your body tries to get rid of the allergen.

Commom Allergy Triggers 

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold and mildew
• Pets (oil and dander from their skin)
• Cockroach droppings

If you have allergy symptoms, talk to your doctor today.

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