What causes hypersensitivity reactions?
Rather than calling a reaction to a food or a chemical “an allergy,” we prefer to view it as a “temporary hypersensitivity reaction.” A “hypersensitivity reaction” is a catch-all phrase for a wide variety of responses to substances that trigger adverse reactions. When the body encounters certain substances, it can react by making antibodies or releasing chemicals called histamines. When histamines and other substances are released into the body’s system, they can trigger an inflammatory process, thus initiating uncomfortable reactions. Common foods that can elicit reactions are chocolate, shellfish, wheat, dairy products, strawberries, eggs and sulfites. Common environmental substances that can elicit reactions are home cleaning agents, perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, gasoline, grasses, molds, cigarette smoke and more. What are the reactions? The inflammatory reaction can affect the tissue and organs, mainly the skin, mucous membranes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Common hypersensitiv
