I have anaphylaxis via sesame & my only symptom (and of course the most dangerous) is my airways closing up, making it difficult to swallow anything for the next 24 hours. I understand that an allergic reaction is just the body releasing antibodies for a ‘non-threat’ but why does the body decide to close airways? This never happens when you are infected with a virus, so why does it occur during anaphylaxis?
In: Biology
Anaphylaxis is an over-reaction of your immune system caused by the activation of your antibodies.
This over reaction includes inflammation, which itself includes edema. Edema is a swelling that increases the blood flow in the affected region by dilating the blood vessels in order to flood the perceived threat with white blood cells and increase heat to disrupt microbes.
In anaphylaxis, this swelling is excessive and can block the airways, but also the esophagus and the mouth, and can also happen in the face, which is called angioedema.
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