Sneezes, Swelling, and Smart Defenses: The Science of Allergies
Ask A Biologist Podcast
Chapters
0:00
Intro
1:57
A brief introduction about the immune system
3:17
Viral Attack Comic
4:05
Why do some people get allergies and others don't?
5:30
How does our immune system know what's harmful?
6:52
Why some people "grow out of" allergies?
7:45
Immunotherapy
8:50
Do you have allergies? [nickel]
9:08
What got you interested in allergies?
10:48
Immune system and the brain
13:34
Behavior
16:06
Anxiety
21:43
The big questions
23:27
Toxins
24:28
Immune system is smarter than we think
25:08
What's the root cause - match and fire analogy
26:53
Immune system's hard job
29:07
People with allergies - advanced "Spidey senses"?
30:26
Three questions
30:36
When did you first know you wanted to be a scientist?
32:20
What would you be if you were not a biologist?
33:30
What advice do you have for future scientists?
35:10
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Ask A Biologist Podcast
Sneezes, Swelling, and Smart Defenses: The Science of Allergies
Oct 24, 2025
Episode 142
Dr. Biology Talks with immunologist Esther Borges Florsheim about allergies and our immune system
Why do peanuts, pollen, or pet dander make some of us sneeze or swell up—but not others? In this episode, Dr. Biology talks with immunologist Esther Borges Florsheim from Arizona State University to explore how allergies start, why they’re becoming more common, and what’s really going on when your immune system sounds the alarm.
From sniffles to “no peanuts, please,” get ready to learn how your body protects you—and sometimes overreacts—in surprising ways!
Read more: Toxic Response
Immune system comic book: Viral Attack
Read more: PLOSable science stories
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