An allergic reaction happens when your immune system becomes confused and tries to fight something that is harmless. Your immune system is the part of your body that protects you from enemies like germs that can make you sick. Special cells in your body recognize these enemies and start to fight them. Sometimes your immune system makes a mistake and thinks that something harmless like cat hair is an enemy. When your body begins to fight these things, you have an allergic reaction.
People can be allergic to many things.
Some are allergic to animals, and some are allergic to plants or certain foods. Doctors and scientists at Sick Kids are studying children with allergies to food and rubber. These researchers are trying to find out what causes allergies and what is the best way to help people with allergies. All rights reserved.