Mast cells are important for how our bodies react to certain allergies. These reactions are often found in conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis (which is when your nose gets stuffy or runny due to allergies).

Here's how mast cells help in these situations:

• Activation: When you first come in contact with an allergen (something that causes an allergy, like pollen or dust), your body produces a type of antibody called IgE. This IgE sticks to mast cells in your body.

• Degranulation: The next time you encounter the same allergen, it attaches to the IgE on the mast cells. This triggers the mast cells to release substances like histamines.

• Symptoms: When histamines are released, they can cause your blood vessels to widen, make them more "leaky," and narrow your airways. This is what leads to common allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, or asthma attacks.

Knowing how mast cells work is very important for creating treatments. Medicines like antihistamines and special antibodies that target IgE can help people feel better and manage their allergies more effectively.