Hypoallergenic Products
An allergy is the body's response to a foreign protein. Usually, these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if there is an allergy to a particular protein, the immune system overreacts to its presence in the body. An allergic reaction is the body's response to an allergen. If there is an allergy, when a particular allergen is first encountered, the body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE). The immune system produces antibodies to create IgE. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells (allergy cells) that live in the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal mucosal membranes that connect from the mouth to the anus. The antibodies find allergens in the body and help remove them by taking them to the mast cell, where they bind to a special receptor. This causes the allergy cell to release histamine. Histamine causes your allergy symptoms. The term ''hypoallergenic'' refers to the formulation of the product that minimizes the risk of an allergic reaction. The formulation of the product does not contain any of the common compounds that can cause allergies.