Understanding Allergies and Immune Responses

Allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly reacts to harmless substances as threats, leading to symptoms like hives or swelling. This response is largely due to the release of chemicals such as histamine, which is also the target of antihistamines like Benadryl. There is a distinction between allergies and autoimmune responses, as allergies are triggered by external substances, whereas autoimmune reactions occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. The increasing prevalence of allergies highlights the importance of understanding these immune responses and how they can vary from person to person.