What is an allergy and what to do about it

What is an allergy

An allergy is an inadequate reaction of the body to a substance that is safe for most people. Due to mutations, some allergy genes makeDisorders of the Immune System / The Johns Hopkins University immune system to constantly be on high alert. It normally produces antibodies to protect the body from outsiders, but when allergic, it mistakenly reacts to something as innocent as plant pollen or pet dander.

Perhaps that is why the disease is more often arisesAllergies/NHS those whose relatives are also sensitive to certain substances, and those who have eczema, asthma and other diseases.

The number of people with allergies is increasing every year. The reasons for this are unclear, but one of the main theories is that it is "retribution for civilization". People live in a cleaner environment than past generations. The immune system encounters less microbes, therefore it reacts to safe substances.

Can allergies be life threatening?

In different people, the manifestations differ in strength: from very mild reactions to life-threatening. Severe forms are rare, however, from 1999 to 2009 in the US 2229 people

diedL. Ma, T.M. Danoff, L. Borish. Case Fatality and Population Mortality Associated with Anaphylaxis in the United States / The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology from anaphylaxis - an extreme manifestation of allergies.

What can be allergic to

Substances that cause a reaction are called allergens. For each person, these will be some kind of provocateurs, but in general, several frequently encountered groups can be distinguished among people.

Air allergens

This large group includesAllergies / Mayo Clinic anything that is airborne.

• pollen, such as birch or lilac;
• animal dander;
• mold;
• dust mites.

Food

90% reactions causeWhy and How To Start an Elimination Diet / Cleveland Clinic:

• eggs;
• fish;
• milk;
• peanut;
• seafood;
• soy;
• nuts, in particular pecans, almonds and walnuts;
• wheat.

But in the remaining 10% of cases, allergies may arise for any products: honey, tomatoes and others.

Medications

While any medication can cause an allergy, it is most common arisesDrug Allergy / Mayo Clinic on the:

• antibiotics, such as penicillin;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, eg ibuprofen, paracetamol, naproxen;
• chemotherapeutic agents;
• medicines for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Insect bites

Usually the reaction happensStinging Insect Allergy on the bites of stinging insects: bees, wasps, hornets, bumblebees and some species ants.

What are the symptoms of an allergy

signs ariseAllergies/NHS within minutes of encountering the allergen. Usually this:

• runny or stuffy nose;
• sneezing
• eye redness and watery eyes;
• cough;
• itchy rash;
• worsening of the course of asthma or eczema, if they were before.

Mild symptoms can usually be relieved on their own, but there are manifestations that requireAllergy Overview / Cleveland Clinic urgent medical attention - they talk about the development of life-threatening anaphylaxis:

• trouble breathing or swallowing;
• abdominal pain;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• convulsions;
• hives;
• angioedema: rapidly increasing edema of the skin, mucous membranes and subcutaneous fatty tissue;
• confusion;
• paleness and stickiness of the skin;
• dizziness and loss of consciousness.

How to Diagnose an Allergy

If you suspect an allergy, you do not need to wait until the symptoms go away on their own - as soon as possible contactAllergies / Mayo Clinic to an allergist-immunologist. To determine specific allergens, the doctor will prescribe a special study: a skin test or a blood test for class E immunoglobulins (IgE).

Skin test carry outAllergy Testing / Cleveland Clinic out of exacerbation. To do this, the doctor scratches the skin on the back or forearm in several places, applies different allergens to each and signs them. After 15 minutes, he evaluates the reaction. If some place is reddened and swollen, then this is considered a positive reaction. By the same principle, you can check contact allergies: then the patches with the substance are glued to the skin for a while.

Blood analysis Immunoglobulin E can be performed during an exacerbation, but it is more likely to show a false positive result with a skin test.

Your doctor may also recommend that you keep a food diary for at least 4 weeks and write down all the foods, cosmetics and other substances that you have encountered and the reaction to them.

How to treat an exacerbation of allergies

One of the most important principles is excludeAllergies/NHS contact with an allergen. But this measure usually does not immediately help to cope with the symptoms. To alleviate the condition, the doctor prescribes antihistamines based on, for example, chloropyramine, clemastine or cetirizine. They can also be included in eye drops.

For allergic rhinitis, doctors prescribe topical corticosteroids in a spray. For example, based on mometasone. In addition, it is advised to rinse the nose with saline when stuffy, to wash away some of the airborne allergens.

Special pens with adrenaline and epinephrine are sold abroad, which a person prone to anaphylaxis should carry with him. But in Russia they are not yet registered. But in the medical offices of organizations, schools, kindergartens, as well as in beauty salons, dental clinics and other institutions, there should be an anti-shock first aid kit. Therefore, you can call their employees for help. But then see a doctor anyway.

Can allergies be cured?

No, allergies stay with a person for life. But the intensity of manifestations can change at different times. Symptoms can be controlled with prophylaxis and medication. Sometimes you need spendAllergies/NHS specific immune therapy - to make an "allergy shot". This means that the doctor will regularly inject extracts of purified allergens for some time. See an allergist-immunologist to see if this is right for you.

Also, in order to decreaseAllergies / Mayo Clinic the likelihood of exacerbations, you can follow a few more rules:

• Limit product use and cosmeticsthat cause you to exacerbate.
• Reduce exposure to airborne agents such as dust mites and pet dander by washing bedding and stuffed animals more frequently in hot water, keep humidity low, replace carpets with hard floors, use vacuum cleaner with fine filter regularly (HEPA).
• When reacting to mold, you need to use dehumidifiers or fans to reduce the humidity in the apartment, especially in the bathroom and kitchen, and also monitor pipe leaks.