What happens during an allergic reaction?

Allergies are a pain in the derriere. You could simply be out there, munching on some peanut butter sandwiches (which by the way is still held up as one of ’em American classics), and suddenly your skin starts bubbling like bubble wrap. Or you get sneezy all over and snot’s streaming down your face…attractive.

Whatever it may be, allergies aren’t just annoying – they can also trigger some dangerous reactions! That’s why everyone should know what happens during an allergic reaction.

Recognize An Allergic Reaction Before It Wrinkles Your Face

Being able to identify when you’re experiencing an allergic reaction is crucial. And no, we don’t mean “when” as in that moment when it feels like those peanuts are attacking your insides – but the exact signs that would tell you for certain if it’s actually turning into something serious.

Here are some of those symptoms:

• Swollen tongue/throat
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Rash/hives/redness
• Tingling sensation in the mouth or lips (usually after eating)
• Stomach cramps accompanied by diarrhea/vomiting

Now imagine having ALL these happening at once while trying to enjoy a concert at Red Rocks with thousands of other people. Ugh!

Reaction Activation: Masters At Work

It might not have happened yet but let me tell ya champ, when allergens strike…they STRIKE!

But how does this even happen?

An allergic reaction occurs due to a response from our immune system acting super defensive about things such as pollen grains or animal dander around us

When encountering any supposedly “harmless” elements present outside/inside human bodies called allergens (see what I did there?) our body promptly goes into extreme-worry mode almost like someone came into your house uninvited! Being very territorial, our immune system prepares the troops {dum-dum-duudlelumdaii} to fight these potential intruders because it believes that they are hazardous.

In short: Your body treats allergens like burglars trying to steal its territory, and so it sends out troops (AKA white blood cells) to attack!

Check out what happens next:

White Blood Cells Get Ready To Rumble

You might have heard of IgE before – but no, this isn’t just a sick new rap duo.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is basically an antibody. Its job? Detecting foreign elements such as these unfamiliar allergens and cunningly identify them by attaching themselves both in groups or alone with their target antigen (look at us learnin’).

After registration, they discharge chemical messengers called mediators which can then travel through the body looking for targets to attach themselves too pushing the usual suspects…. histamine anyone?

These mediators include…

• Histamines
• Serotonin
• Leukotrienes

And when released from one mighty punch on a specific area causing widespread inflammation or irritation; leading up to symptoms ranging from mild itching and sneezes all the way up till difficulty breathing or death^^.

Don’t worry though, you won’t die making peanut butter sandwiches…hopefully^^^.

Thought Butterflies Are Light? Wait Till They Hit You…

Once IgEs activate defense mechanisms against allergens within white blood cells known as mast cells, mediator deployments begin right away. This process results in numerous reactions playing simultaneously throughout your body [1][2] mostly centered around expanding/dilating “scared” blood vessels attempting giving more space for incoming agents while also making walls thinner…. Ok about now things start getting technical..

Anyway,trying hard not bore ya, if an allergen touches skin all over, the result would be: hives. These nasty eruptions occur when increased blood vessels in your epidermal layer start leaking fluids into surrounding tissues caused by you guessed it histamine (also the reason Clara never invited me again after that seafood brunch).

If you’re lucky enough to have asthma feeling allergic,(sarcasm alert) extremely contracted airways can sometimes come along for the ride too leading up to choking breathes or even complete inability to take ‘em gulps and signal your eventual death!^^^

Bye-Bye Baby!

By Jove! That can’t sound right?!

Yes – unfortunately, people do die from allergic reactions =.(

Severe allergy reactions commonly known as anaphylaxis may lead to shock then further organ failure often resulting in death [3][4]. If you need any more reasons why we should always carry our EpiPens on us at all times? Just think of that clever Instagram username ya just came up with (@BryanTheHulksmasher)?

So folks always check food labels carefully beforehand and never hesitate asking a waiter sorry forgot about Noah/Linda there!! which might cause potentially fatal aftermath.

Time For Some Fun Factoids 🎉:

1. Food Allergies are impossible until ya first eat the offending dish at some point believing they trigger body defense repellant[5].
2. Wasps don’t carry pollen typically but their stings contain tiny foreign materials that make them aggressive toward IgE-weary bodies.
3. Kids say “I want my mommy!” during a reaction not primarily because she’s bespectacled(?!) but because kids’ entourage accompanied by anxieties escalate situations rapidly calling out familiar faces helping easy vibes settle down quickly.

Let’s Summarize This Itchy Mess

Allergic reactions occur when someone is highly defensive towards an essentially harmless item like airborne pollen, animal dander hives due to consumption of your favorite foods^^. This activates white blood cells which release dangerous mediator molecules including histamine and leukotrienes leading to widespread inflammation/irritation on a surface which makes its way around the body subsequently; if ignored or not acted upon more serious symptoms occur such as difficulty breathing or even worse – dying.

If this happens? Let’s just pray that you still have our EpiPen sur place because we don’t want to be caught between Aunt Edna’s only fruitcake-induced reaction episode and supposed-rescue offers again.

(Remember..)

• Always identify signs like swellings/rashes/hives/diarrhea/vomiting/stomach pains while consuming food/beverages
• Don’t hesitate! Call for emergency response service/provide aid immediately once recognized.
• Carry life-saving medication (EpiPens) all times when susceptible for anaphylaxis!
  Always remember: It’s always worth being cautious so unnecessary deaths can be avoided…while also keeping it funny 😉

(Learn more about allergies online without my “comedic help”)