eli5: why do humans have allergies (hay fever, pollen, etc)
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The body’s immune system thinks that something harmless is actually a dangerous germ and tries to attack it. As with any war, there is some collateral damage, which is why you feel yucky or might even die, depending on the allergy.
The immune system needs “practice”, especially at a young age, at recognizing bad stuff. It is believed that immune systems that don’t get enough practice are more likely to “freak out” at harmless stuff.
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