Allergy Season
It’s Spring! Yay! Blosson, flowers, warmer weather, baby birds, and…allergies. As a PhD immunologist, I am well-poised to explain–but not to cure–them. Here’s some more really cool science. At least, I think so.
Worms vs Germs
Our immune system recognizes two basic categories of invaders: parasites (worms) and germs (bacteria, viruses, protists). Here in the West, we don’t usually have the kind of worms that live inside us, but if you lived in the tropics, it would be a different story.
Anyway, our immune system treats worms differently than it does germs. That’s partly because worms are HUGE compared to germs. Even bigger than our cells. They can’t be eaten, so they’re bombed with chemical weapons like histamine. Seriously!
Although it’s off-topic here, I know you’re curious about what the immune system does with germs. Briefly, it may eat them, cripple them, or even blow up where they’re hiding. It does not mess around!
What Does That Have to Do with Allergies?
In immune system “eyes,” allergens resemble parasites. They’re often as big as cells, if not bigger. They may have equipment for dissolving cells–e.g., dust mites digest dust.
Interestingly, the two arms of the immune system suppress each other. So, if you’re exposed to lots of worms or allergens, then you may not be as good at fighting off germs. And, if you’re exposed to a lot of germs, you may not get as many allergies. That’s the theory anyway.
Recently, my five-year-old grandson helped me put manure on the vegetable garden and then forgot himself and got covered in it. So, is he now protected from allergies?