Animation of How a Reaction Occurs

In most people with food allergies, the immune system, the part of the body that usually fights infection, makes tiny proteins called IgE antibodies.

The IgE antibodies are like antennae that can detect a particular food. For example, some may see peanut, others may see milk, etc. 

These food-specific IgE antibodies sit on cells called "mast cells" which are in the skin, lungs, gut and other parts of the body.

Mast cells are filled with chemicals that can trigger allergic symptoms. One of them is histamine. When someone with a food allergy eats the food they are allergic to, the proteins of that food attach to the IgE on the mast cell.

This causes the mast cell to release the mediators, sending histamine (and other chemicals and proteins, called “mediators”) throughout the body. The mediators cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, itching, trouble breathing, etc.

Animation of an Anaphylactic Reaction

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