Which type of immune cell is primarily involved in the allergic response?

The immune cell primarily involved in the allergic response is basophils. Basophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the body's response to allergens. When an allergen enters the body, basophils release histamine and other inflammatory mediators, which contribute to the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, itching, and redness. This release of histamine is part of the body's attempt to mobilize an immune response against what it mistakenly perceives as a harmful threat.

Basophils are less abundant than other white blood cells, but their role in mediating allergic reactions is significant, as they can enhance the activity of other immune cells and perpetuate inflammation. This makes them key players in the development of allergic conditions, such as asthma, hay fever, and anaphylaxis.

While B cells do produce antibodies that are crucial in allergic responses, particularly in the production of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that binds to allergens and triggers basophils and mast cells, the direct involvement of basophils in the immediate response to allergens makes them the primary cells in this context. Eosinophils also play a role in allergic and inflammatory processes, especially in chronic responses, but it's basoph