Irritation facts for kids
Irritation is when your body reacts to something that bothers it. This can cause inflammation (like swelling or redness) or a painful feeling. It often happens because of an allergy or when cells get damaged. You might notice your skin or eyes turning red.
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What is Irritation?
Irritation is a common way your body tells you something is wrong. It's a signal that something is bothering your cells or tissues. This can be caused by many things, like chemicals, heat, or even tiny particles.
Allergies and Irritants
Sometimes, irritation is part of an allergic reaction. An allergen is something that causes an allergy, like pollen or certain foods. Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to something usually harmless.
An irritant is a bit different. It's something that causes a reaction in almost anyone, not just people with allergies. For example, strong soap might irritate anyone's skin, but only someone allergic to peanuts will react to them.
How Organisms React to Irritation
Even simple living things can react to irritation. For example, if something bothers an oyster, it can create a pearl. When a tiny grain of sand or another irritating object gets inside an oyster's shell, the oyster covers it with layers of a substance called calcium carbonate. This slowly builds up into a pearl. This process is just the oyster's way of dealing with something annoying inside its shell.
Scientists have also seen that tiny, single-celled creatures like amoebas will move away if they are poked. This shows that even the simplest living things can sense and react to something that irritates them. It seems that sensing irritation is a very basic ability shared by almost all living things.
Eye Irritation
Many people experience eye irritation, especially those who spend a lot of time working with computers or other office equipment. Your eyes might feel dry, itchy, or turn red. This can happen because of dry air, dust, or even certain chemicals in the air.
Sometimes, eye irritation is part of a bigger problem called Sick Building Syndrome. This is when people in a building feel unwell, with symptoms like headaches, tiredness, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and nose. It's often caused by poor air quality or certain substances released into the air inside the building.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Infant with blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) on the right eye
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How tobacco can affect your body
See also
In Spanish: Irritación para niños
