What is an Allergic Reaction
Saturday, January 26th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The immune system triggers the release of histamine, which can cause widespread swelling of the tissues. In extreme cases it can cause anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction that causes swelling throughout the body, including the tissues of the lips and throat. This can result in difficulty in breathing or swallowing, ending in collapse and unconsciousness. The antidote is an injection of adrenaline, which reverses these symptoms.
“People with nut allergies most often react to peanuts as well as tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, macadamias, Brazil nuts and pistachios,” explains Jonathan Brostoff, Professor of Allergy and Environmental Health at King’s College, London. “Peanuts are actually pulses, which means some people with peanut allergy can’t tolerate peas, beans and lentils either.”
