Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

What causes allergic reactions in the body?

1. Histamines

2. Antibodies

3. Cytokines

4. Prostaglandins

The correct answer is: Histamines

The correct answer is histamines, as they play a pivotal role in triggering allergic reactions in the body. When an allergen enters the system, the immune response may involve the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to that allergen. Upon subsequent exposures, these antibodies bind to allergens and trigger mast cells and basophils to release histamines. Histamines are chemicals that lead to common allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, redness, and mucous production. They achieve this by dilating blood vessels and increasing their permeability, allowing fluids and immune cells to move to the site of exposure. This is what leads to the characteristic symptoms of allergies, such as runny nose, hives, and other forms of inflammation. Other choices, while related to the immune response, do not directly cause allergic reactions in the same manner. Antibodies are involved in identifying and neutralizing foreign objects but are not the immediate agents causing the allergic symptoms. Cytokines are signaling proteins that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation but are part of a broader response and not solely responsible for allergic reactions. Prostaglandins are lipid compounds that also play a role in inflammation and pain but do not specifically trigger the symptoms associated with allergies like