So I know that in an anaphylaxis response we give Adrenaline or epinephrine for USA friends. My understanding is that we do this to counteract the body’s response to an allergen.
So we’re stopping our body overreacting and killing us.
So what’s actually dangerous about the allergen? Either now or way back when this response was ingrained into our DNA… like is it to avoid an upset stomach of a peanut? To stop nausea following a shellfish?
In: Biology
Nothing is dangerous about the allergen. However, your immune system misidentifies the proteins in the substance as a pathogen and triggers an immune response to ‘protect’ your body.
The immune response is what is dangerous – it massively overreacts and triggers swelling in the throat and lungs, resulting in suffocation.
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