What Causes Nasal Allergies?

Causes of Nasal Allergies

• Nasal Allergies are an exaggerated response of the immune system to usually harmless substances. During this reaction, the immune system cells release substances such as histamine and leukotrienes that cause the symptoms.
• You may inherit a tendency for allergic responses.
• It may take many exposures over a long period of time to develop an allergic response to a particular substance.
• Factors that may contribute to nasal allergies include: exposure to cigarette smoke, being a low-birth-weight baby, being a bottle-fed baby, being born during high-pollen seasons.

No one knows why some people are allergic to substances such as pollens or dust mites and others aren't. Many experts believe that people inherit sensitivity to one or more allergens, and most assume there are differences in people's immune systems that make them ultrasensitive. What is known is that anyone can develop nasal allergies at any age.

What Role Does the Immune System Play?

Every day, your body is exposed to millions of bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful microscopic invaders. Your body's immune system normally defends you from illness. It works hard to kill these invaders before they can harm you. Occasionally, a virus or other germ avoids recognition and destruction by your immune system, and you get sick. But unless something is seriously wrong with your immune system, your body usually wards off these attacks.

Sometimes, though, your body's defense system goes haywire. When you have nasal allergies and an allergen gets into your body, your immune system believes it is under attack, so it launches a defense. Your body releases a powerful chemical called histamine from cells called mast cells and basophils. Histamine is what makes your nose run and your eyes water. It makes you sneeze and wheeze. It may even cause breathing problems.

Next: Learn More About Your Immune System