Did you know that allergies are more common in the United States compared to other countries in the world? Atomic Hands’ Board Secretary Sam Forshay explains how our bodies are triggered by allergens in this second video of the allergies video series! #STEMvee #Allergies #Antibodies #ImmuneSystem
ID: Sam is wearing a black shirt, standing outside in front of a brick building and a large tree.
Transcript: Did you know that allergies are more common in the United States compared to other countries in the world? Some of the most common allergies are dust, animal dander (skin cells from fur or feathers), bee stings, grass cuttings, pollen, some medications, and latex materials. To trigger our immune system into reacting, we must be exposed to the allergen. The common exposures are breathing the same air (spores and cells), skin contact, and eating or drinking. That’s why sometimes a person with a severe peanut allergy can have a life threatening reaction to a food object that came from a place where peanuts might be used in food production. The allergen can “catch a ride” on other objects (normally airborne allergens). But!!! I know I have tested negative in my allergen test with my doctor for dust. So why did I sneeze so much when I cleaned my dusty room? Your body might have an automatic response when something irritating enters your airways. Your nasal passages have many hairs (that are covered with mucus) to protect your lungs from debris, pollen, and dust. When something irritates your nose hairs, you might sneeze! Like a long strand of grass tickling your nose! Sometimes you might have a cross reactivity allergen! What does that mean? For example, you are allergic to birch pollen. That pollen has a similar protein that appears in some apples. You might have an allergic reaction to apples! This might also happen with tree nuts and some fruit and vegetables as well. Or shellfishes and cockroaches. If you notice you are having regular allergic reactions to a substance, you can check with your doctor and take an allergy test. Achoo! I better go and take a shower to wash the pollen off! See you in our next video!
