WHAT IS A SENSITIZER AND HOW IT WORKS
A sensitizer is also known as an allergen. Sometimes it is a smaller protein and sometimes a sugar substance or carbohydrate that can, even in small concentrations, induce immune responses on an excessive scale in an individual who is genetically predisposed that way. This way allergy can be perceived as a heritable trait. However, not all people are genetically predisposed to react to sensitizers with an allergy antibody immune response.
Allergens that are present in the air are known as aeroallergens. The aeroallergen enters via the mucous membranes of the lungs, throat, nose and eyes, and thereby makes contact with the immune system. On interacting with the immune system’s allergic arm, a chain of biochemical reactions is set in motion and immediate symptoms result right away. By the term immediate we mean that symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, wheezing etc. will start within fifteen to twenty minutes.
When a person suffers from a particular allergy he or she also becomes susceptible to other allergies from other things too. The sensitizers causing these allergies can be many indoor items in your house like mold and mildew, dust particles, particles from pet, biological organisms from furnishings and carpets, and also chemical smoke from agents of cleansing.
Sensitizers found out of doors are insect bites, pollen, and polluted air causing smog and dust, and odorous vapors. There are some foods that can also cause allergies, like eggs, nuts, fish and milk. Most of the allergies are not as dangerous as life taking, but a few can cause a rise in the blood pressure of the person, or choke the person to death. It is difficult to completely cure allergies but they can definitely be treated.
A variety of sensitizers can cause skin allergies like reaction from foods, insect bites, drugs, pollen, light, heat, cold and emotional problems. The symptoms of allergies of the skin are coming out of hives or urticaria. Here the skin bursts into puffy, red and itchy boils that can last for just a few minutes or persist for a few days. Angioedema is another problem where there is a deep puffiness surrounding the eyes and lips, which may also affect the feet and the hands also.
There are some sensitizers that can, without even allergy antibodies, can cause the allergy cells to directly release histamine. We refer to these substances as nonspecific reacting materials or irritants.
Next>>Long-term Effects from Allergic Reactions