06/11/2025
What Happens When Your Body Overreacts to Harmless Substances
Allergies and sensitivities are caused by an inappropriate reaction to harmless substances.
Have you ever had an allergic reaction and wondered why your body reacts so strongly to something that seems harmless? Well, allergies and sensitivities occur when the body mistakenly perceives harmless substances as harmful and reacts inappropriately. This reaction can occur when the body encounters an allergen through contact with the skin, inhalation, injection, or ingestion of the substance.
Interestingly, the word “allergy” comes from the Greek word “allos,” which means “other.” It was first coined in 1906 by an Austrian pediatrician named Clemens von Pirquet to describe an abnormal reaction in the body. Today, it is only used to refer to reactions involving the immune system.
While a “true allergy” is a reaction triggered by the immune system, there are a vast number of symptoms and conditions caused by sensitivities that may or may not involve the immune system. Many people believe they have allergies when they actually have undiagnosed food sensitivities or intolerances. In fact, fewer than 5% of the population has true allergies.
Traditional medical treatment for allergies typically includes total avoidance of the allergen, medications to reduce symptoms, or injections to desensitize the patient. However, a blood test that tests for IgE levels is the gold standard for traditional allergy testing. While this test can be helpful, some people may not show allergic symptoms even if their IgE level is high, or they may have symptoms to an item but not have an IgE response on the test.
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