Allergies and asthma are a growing problem in today's health issues. At our current rate, 2 million people a year are visiting the emergency room at hospitals for asthma and allergen related issues. You may be one of these people.

But the question in the back of your mind just keeps wondering, 'Why, why? What is this thing?'

Here's your answer: an allergen is, in most cases, is a protein. The problem is that when this protein enters your system (your body) it is incorrectly identified. Your body makes a mistake and confuses he allergen entering your body as harmful. And what do white blood cells do when something dangerous enters your body?

They attack it. They throw all the energy they can into it. In very bad scenarios, the force of the attack causes inflammation, rashes, itching, failure of major organs, hypertension, coma, and even death.

Now, how does your body recognize an allergen? In a very basic way. At least, compared to everything else your body does.

The shape. Just the shape of the allergen when it enters your system determines whether or not it will be attacked.

Allergens are like locks. The white blood cells (or IgE antibodies) are the keys.

Keep in mind: allergens are not normally harmful to your health. It is just a communication error in how your body sees the intruder.

Let's say the allergen in question (a dust mite or pet dander) normally appears as a square. And because of this, your body attacks all square shaped allergens entering your body, confusing them for an actual virus.

Well, if the allergen entered your system as a circle... Your body would ignore it. Almost like a bar-code scan. When your little antibody scanner comes over and the "disguised" allergen doesn't register as harmful, they just pass it up.

I hope this helps you in understanding. After all, knowledge is power. Once you understand what's causing your problem, it's easier to find a remedy!