Why do some of us sneeze and have a runny nose for days when trees and flowers start to blossom? Atomic Hands’ Board Secretary Sam Forshay explains how allergies work in our body in this first video of the allergies video series! #STEMvee #Allergies #Antibodies #ImmuneSystem
ID: Sam is wearing a black shirt, standing outside in front of a large green grass field and trees. At 00:34, an image of teal antibodies are shown attacking red foreign substances. At 04:09, a banner appears that says: BONUS: BLOOPER SCENE! while the camera films up to the sky to find a paper wasp nest hanging from the tree. A yellow circle and arrow points to it.
Transcript: Achoo! I’m allergic to pollen and now trees and flowers are blossoming! When I go outside, I always sneeze and have a runny nose for days! Well, it varies from body to body’s immune system, which produces small molecules called antibodies. When your antibodies encounter foreign substances (not originating from your body), it will identify the foreign substance as either harmless or harmful to the body. The immune system’s reaction to the “harmful substances” varies; Sometimes your body does not respond, other times the immune system’s reaction might inflame the skin (hives or rashes) or eyes (water eyes or itching), sinuses (swelling or runny), airways (difficulty in breathing), or the digestive system (stomach aches, throwing up, or constipation). Foreign substances can enter your body by inhaling spores or dust, ingesting food or medicine, or skin exposure. Most allergies can’t be cured permanently but the symptoms are treatable. Some of you guys might have no allergies at all! You might acquire new allergies later in life by exposure, family history, or because of a change in your immune system. Or you might have some allergies from childhood, some of which you might have overgrown. HOW do you outgrow allergies? You live for years, you might slowly lose certain allergies by constant exposure over time (cats, dogs, or grass for examples). Some of your allergies might be seasonal. You also might inherit some allergies from your biological parents, and your allergies can be passed along on to your biological children. Ahh! Achoo! I need more tissues! See you in the next video in our allergies video series!
