What primes a patient for an anaphylactic reaction?

Sensitization is the process that primes a patient for an anaphylactic reaction. It occurs when an individual is first exposed to an allergen, leading their immune system to recognize that substance as a threat. During this initial encounter, the body produces specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which attach to mast cells and basophils, making them sensitive to future encounters with the same allergen.

Upon subsequent exposure to the same allergen, these sensitized immune cells release a variety of chemicals, including histamine, which then leads to the symptoms associated with anaphylaxis, such as swelling, difficulty breathing, and shock. Therefore, without the initial sensitization, the body would not mount a significant anaphylactic response upon later exposure to the allergen. This process is critical for understanding how allergies develop and why certain individuals have severe reactions after multiple exposures.