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Airborne allergy is a group of undesirable clinical symptoms that affect various organs, including the skin. These symptoms are caused by an immune reaction after contact with an airborne allergen. The frequency of this allergy varies depending on the disease entity.
Airborne allergy – definition
Airborne allergy is a group of adverse clinical symptoms affecting various organs, including the skin, resulting from immune reactions following contact with an airborne allergen.
Causes of airborne allergy
They play a major role in the development of clinical changes mechanisms related to type I immune response (immediate anaphylactic reaction). As a result of this reaction, the antigen (airborne allergen) is combined with specific IgE antibodies on the surface of the mast cell. This leads to the release of histamine and other mediators of the inflammatory process.
T cells and eosinophils are also activated. In addition, the presence of a high affinity receptor for IgE on dendritic cells, including Langerhans cells (Fc (etha) RI), is responsible for the development of chronic eczema, which is a clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis (-> atopic dermatitis).
The most common airborne allergens are:
- house dust and mites contained in it,
- pollen of plants (grasses, weeds, trees),
- animal dander,
- animal epidermis,
- molds.
Previously, airborne allergy was referred to, mainly by pulmonologists, as inhalation allergy. However, this name did not take into account the immunological processes taking place in the skin under the influence of contact with airborne allergens.
Airborne allergy and its symptoms
Clinical symptoms in the course of airborne allergy most often concern:
- skin: new onset or worsening of atopic dermatitis, oral allergy syndrome, angioedema;
- respiratory system: oral allergy syndrome, allergic rhinitis, IgE-dependent asthma, angioedema;
- organs of vision: allergic conjunctivitis.
Diagnostics in airborne allergy
In the diagnosis of airborne allergy, skin prick tests and determination of the levels of total and antigen-specific IgE antibodies in the serum are used. However, detailed diagnosis depends on the disease caused by airborne allergens.
Local symptomatic treatment airborne allergies are: proper care, use of glucocorticosteroids, taking calcineurin inhibitors. Whereas general treatment consists in taking antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, anti-itching and sedative preparations. Moreover, in patients with well-documented airborne allergy, specific immunotherapy is the treatment of choice.
For additional information on cutaneous manifestation of IgE-mediated allergy see -> atopic dermatitis.
Lit.:[1] Poljacki M., Jovanović M., Matić M.: Immunologic response in patients with atopic dermatitis. Med Pregl 1996, 49(7-8); 305-7. [2] Singh A.B., Kumar P.: Aeroallergens in clinical practice of allergy in India. An overview. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2003, 10(2); 131-6. [3] Spieksma F.T.: Aerobiology of inhalatory allergen carriers. Allergol Immunopathol 1995, 23(1); 20-3.
Source: A. Kaszuba, Z. Adamski: “Lexicon of dermatology”; XNUMXst edition, Czelej Publishing House