Allergies

Description

When pollen is released into the air and enters the nasal tissues, our nonspecific immune defense system is alerted. The pollen allergens encounter the plasma cells in the nose, which respond by producing antibodies that attach to mast cells. These white blood cells contain the chemical histamine. As antibodies are produced, the mast cells release histamine. The results are a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes, all of which help remove the invading pollen. The effects of histamine can be so uncomfortable that people take antihistamine medication to make their allergies less severe.

Runtime

1 min

Subjects

Genre

Date of Publication

[2013], c2010

Database

Films on Demand

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