Allergic Cascade

People can be allergic to many different allergens, though the reaction to each of these will vary according to the allergen itself. However, when your body is allergic to one substance it may also react against similar substances (such as apples if you are allergic to specific types of tree). This is a ‘cross-reaction’ which occurs due to the fact that similar allergens may be produced by many different plants. So, in these cases, your body has an attack against an agent that is otherwise harmless to you. The sequence of chemical interactions in this kind of attack is known as ‘allergic cascade’.

The Phases of Allergic Reaction

Exposure to allergens that are similar to ones you may be allergic to will lead to chemical reactions that produce the symptoms of allergy. This is the early phase of the allergic reaction and can occur extremely quickly after contact with the allergen.

Later phases of the allergic reaction will occur in around half of all cases of exposure. This happens hours after the exposure (on average 4-6 hours) and leads to tissues in the body becoming swollen and red. When this late phase has been experienced repeatedly, it will make you more sensitive to future exposures to the allergen.

Consequences of Allergic Cascade

There are several changes that occur in the body after contact to allergens. Itching will occur due to the fact that ‘histamine’ is injected into the body and this irritates the nerve endings in the skin. The response to the allergen should fade within 90 minutes, though the late phase reactions may last up to a day.