Cross-Reactivity

Cross-reactivity occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance because it resembles a different substance it has encountered before. For example, if you're allergic to certain pollen, your immune system might also react to similar proteins in certain fruits or vegetables, causing allergic reactions. This happens because your immune system's antibodies recognize and bind to similar molecular structures across different substances. Cross-reactivity can explain why some allergies overlap and is important for understanding allergic responses and diagnosing sensitivities accurately.