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Can a person with allergies still have a reaction to broken down amino acid strands that make up the protein?

I am a senior in highschool, who is going to college to become a doctor. #doctors

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Yarek’s Answer

Yes, they can! Some vaccines work this way, with just bits of the pathogen included. Epitopes are the bits of protein (or occasionally, other molecules) that are recognized by the immune system, so as long as the amino acid chains re-fold into the same shape, they can be recognized by the immune system.
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Priyanka’s Answer

Yes, it’s possible for someone with allergies to have a reaction to broken-down amino acid strands, although it’s less common than reactions to whole proteins.

Proteins, including those in foods or medications, are made up of long chains of amino acids. When these proteins are broken down into smaller fragments, the immune system may still recognize some of those smaller pieces (peptides) as allergens. This is especially true if the person has a history of sensitivities or allergies to certain proteins.

For example, in cases of food allergies (like to peanuts, eggs, or milk), the immune system reacts to specific protein structures. Even if the protein is broken down into smaller pieces, the immune system might still "see" those smaller pieces as the allergenic molecule and trigger a reaction.

However, the extent of the reaction depends on various factors, including the size of the peptides and the individual’s immune system. In some cases, the breakdown makes the protein less recognizable to the immune system, reducing the likelihood of an allergic response.
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Mark’s Answer

Hello, Dahlia!

Yes, you can! Although it is rarer to have an allergic reaction from a normal allergy, it is found that you can still have an allergic reaction. Be careful with the labs involving those amino acid strands.

In some cases, even the protein has been broken down. . That's why some people with protein allergies still respond to hydrolyzed protein in processed foods. Where proteins are broken down into smaller components...

The severity of the reaction depends on the individual's immune system and the specific peptides involved.

I hope you found my information useful! Good luck on your career path!
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