• Question: Why can\'t our bodies produce antibodies against things we are allergic to, like hayfever for example?

    Asked by ruthimd to Betul, Bridget, Ceri-Wyn, Maria on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Bridget Waller

      Bridget Waller answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      Actually, we do have an immue response to the pollen that causes hayfever! That is why we react to it, because our body is trying to attack it. So, allergies are big overreactions to foreign substances. Our body is doign the right thing, but it hurts itself in the process!

    • Photo: Betul Arslan

      Betul Arslan answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      Actually if our bodies can’t do it naturally, with the modern medicine we can now ‘make’ our bodies produce antibodies. For example, although I have two cats I also have cat allergies. For that I have been into doctors office for about 6 months and got occasional shots to trigger my body into producing antibodies for cat allergies. This way my immune is improved and cats don’t bother me (luckily) and I will have to repeat this in 5 years to continue to have proper antibodies.

    • Photo: Maria Pawlowska

      Maria Pawlowska answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      They do Ruth! That’s why we get an allergy – the antibodies make the body react to the allergen (what makes you allergic). When you’re sick you cough and sneeze because your antibodies are trying to get rid of the bacteria that way. When you have an allergy antibodies prompt your body to get rid of. e.g pollen by sneezing etc.

    • Photo: Ceri-Wyn Thomas

      Ceri-Wyn Thomas answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      Our bodies do produce an allergen antibody- it’s called Immunoglobin E or IgE for short. However, we still suffer symptoms because that’s our body’s defense mechanism kicking in- our immune system produces the symptoms!

      I think food and chemical allergies are slightly different because they’re usually caused by people already having highly elevated levels of a particular protein or chemical in their bodies and ingesting any more can trigger an allergic response- however your body usually tries to eject these culprits rather than sending anitbodies after them, unless it’s an extreme case.

      I hope this helps a little

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