An allergy is an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substance or substances. These sensitizing substances, called allergens, may be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with the skin. When an allergen is absorbed into the body it triggers white blood cells to produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to mast cells causing release of potent chemical mediators such as histamine, causing typical allergic symptoms. A person who has allergies doesn’t have a poor …showed first 75 words of 1753 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1753 total…Notes” Providence Journal 30 September 1999 Online. Available http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?Did=000000045452041&Fmt=3&Deli=1&Mtd=1&Idx=90&Sid=1&RQT=309 11 October 1999 “Learn About Allergies” Claritin.com 8 October 1999 Online. Available http://www.allergy-relief.com/learn/index.php3 8 October 1999 “National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases” 9 October 1999 Online. Available http://web.fie.com/htdoc/fed/nih/ali/any/menu/any/aliindex.htm 11 October 1999 “The Allergy Center: Your Online Allergy Information Resource” 11 October 1999 Online. Available http://www.onlineallergycenter.com 11 October 1999