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Step 1
A food that someone is allergic to is eaten. -
Step 2
An IgE antibody forms to defend your body from the allergen, even though it isn't doing damage. It thinks the allergen is harmful so it attacks it any time it enters your body in the future. -
Step 3
The person eats a food containing the allergen or has it enter their body somehow. -
Step 4
The body releases large amounts of histamines that seek out the allergen. -
Step 5
Irritation and swelling happen in certain parts of the body. -
Step 6
An allergic reaction happens; it can be as serious as swelling in the throat and low blood pressure (anaphylactic shock), or just a few bumps and rashes.
