How is an allergic response the same as a normal inflammation response

An allergy is a histamine reaction to a substance, usually a protein. This reaction can (usually) include inflammation. Inflammation is the reddening of an area of the body, usually accompanied by swelling, caused by increased blood flow to the area. Inflammation is part of the body's healing and defense mechanism.
An infection is a response to an infectious organism. This organism is causing a disease. It can be localized (such as a boil) or systemic. Most "infections" are caused by bacteria. Some infections can be accompanied by inflammation; If you have an allergy, you would take an anti-histamine, either OTC or by prescription. If you have an infection, and it is caused by a bacteria, you would take an antibiotic. If it is caused by a fungus, you would need an antifungal compound or drug. If it is caused by a virus, there is little medicine can do for you.

Answer:

it provides an alternative energy pathway for the reaction to proceed.

explanation:

a catalyst is a substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction but is not consumed during the course of the reaction.

catalysts increase the rate of reaction without being used up. they do this by lowering the activation energy needed. with a catalyst, more collisions result in a reaction, so the rate of reaction increases. different reactions need different catalysts.

a catalyst works by providing an alternative reaction pathway to the reaction product. the rate of the reaction is increased as this alternative route has a lower activation energy than the reaction route not mediated by the catalyst.