From Kathleen MacNaughton, R.N.,
Your Guide to Asthma.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Definition: Inflammation is a protective reaction of your body to what is perceived as a threat to your health. It happens as a result of an interaction between mast cells, IgE and other substances.

The inflammatory response helps you fight infection and ward off other threats to your health. But when inflammation occurs unnecessarily in the respiratory system, asthma and allergies can be the result.

In the skin, inflammation is seen as redness, swelling, pain, and heat. In the lungs, inflammation can swell the airways, tighten the airway muscles, and increase the amount of mucus that the airways produce.

Learn more about what inflammation does to the airways

Source: Medline Plus