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As civilization progressed, there were more and more problems related to various types of allergies. Some allergic problems – such as a mild case of hay fever – may not require any treatment. Sometimes allergies can be controlled by occasional over-the-counter medications. However, they can sometimes interfere with daily activities or reduce quality of life. Allergies can even be life threatening. Therefore, allergy sufferers should be under the constant care of an allergist. Who is an allergist?
Allergist – who is he?
An allergist is a doctor who specializes in allergic diseases, i.e. diseases caused by allergens – factors that trigger an allergic reaction.
An allergist is also a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases. The allergist is specially trained to recognize the triggers of asthma.
Allergy – what is it?
Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance – such as pollen, bee venom, or pet dander – or a food that doesn’t respond to most people.
The immune system produces substances known as antibodies. When you are allergic, your immune system produces antibodies that identify the allergen as harmful, even if it is not. When you come into contact with an allergen, an immune system reaction can cause inflammation of the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.
The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from mild irritation to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. Although most allergies cannot be cured, treatment can help relieve symptoms.
Also check: What are the most common allergens?
Allergy and asthma – in whom do they develop?
Asthma and allergies can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic factors. While it is true that asthma and allergies are more common in children, they can occur for the first time at any age. Sometimes allergy symptoms appear in childhood, disappear for many years, and then reappear in adulthood.
Although the exact genetic factors are not yet known, there is an inherited predisposition to asthma and allergies. Factors such as hormones, stress, cigarette smoke, perfumes, or other environmental irritants may also play a role in susceptible individuals.
See: What is contact allergy?
Allergy – types
Allergic reactions are divided into those caused by inhaled antigens, those caused by food allergens or contact allergens, and those caused by taking medications. Inhaled allergens are most often dust mites, pollen, mold and mold spores.
The most common food allergens include preservatives added to food products, lactose found in cow’s milk and its products, gluten, which is a component of many grain products, eggs, soy and nuts – the latter are among the strongest food allergens.
Contact allergens are most often metals, preservatives, fragrances, dyes and plastics. An allergic reaction in this case occurs due to the contact of the antigen with the skin.
The most common allergenic drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ketonal, ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid), antibiotics and drugs used to anesthetize the patient. An allergic reaction may manifest as runny nose and sneezing, watery and bloodshot eyes, difficulty breathing, nausea, skin changes, and in extreme cases may lead to anaphylactic shock.
See: Poles want to know more about anaphylactic shock
The most common allergic problems – an overview
An allergic reaction can occur anywhere in the body but usually occurs around the nose, eyes, lungs, stomach lining, sinuses, throat and skin. These are places where special cells of the immune system are stationed to fight allergens that are inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with the skin.
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allergic rhinitis is a general term that describes allergic reactions that occur in the nose. Symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy nose, eyes and / or palate.
When rhinitis is caused by pollen or mold outside in spring, summer or fall, the condition is often called “hay fever”. Conversely, when a runny nose occurs all year round, it can be caused by contact with house dust mites, pets, house molds, or allergens at school or in the workplace.
Bronchial asthma
Asthma symptoms occur when muscle contractions in the airways block the flow of air to the lungs and / or inflammation of the bronchial lining. Excess mucus can clog the airways. An asthma attack is characterized by difficulty or limited breathing, chest tightness, coughing and / or wheezing.
Sometimes a chronic cough is the only symptom. Asthma problems can cause only minor discomfort or can cause life-threatening attacks in which breathing stops altogether.
Atopic and contact dermatitis / urticaria / skin allergies
Atopic and contact dermatitis, eczema and hives are skin conditions that can be triggered by allergens and other irritants. Often the reaction can develop over hours or days as with poison ivy. The most common allergic causes of rash are medications, insect bites, food, pets, and chemicals used at home or at work. Emotional stress can make allergies worse.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a rare, potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects many parts of the body at the same time. Triggers can be an insect sting, food (such as peanuts), or medicine. Symptoms may include:
- vomiting or diarrhea
- a dangerous drop in blood pressure,
- reddening of the skin and / or hives,
- breathing difficulties,
- swelling of the throat and / or tongue
- loss of consciousness.
Often these symptoms appear without warning and worsen quickly.
At the first signs of an anaphylactic reaction, the victim must immediately go to the nearest emergency room or call 112.
Allergist – when to visit him?
If you feel that you are always sick, constantly coughing and sneezing and you have a runny nose, you should see an allergist. Often times, symptoms of asthma or allergies develop gradually over time.
Allergy sufferers may get used to common symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion or wheezing. With the help of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled, resulting in a significant improvement in your quality of life.
Effective allergy and asthma control requires planning, skill and patience. An allergist, with specialized training, can develop a treatment plan for your individual condition. The goal will be to enable you to lead a life that is as normal and symptom-free as possible.
See: Hypoallergenic bedding – what to pay attention to?
Allergist – what tests does he / she perform?
An allergist has a number of tools at his disposal to identify the causes and treat symptoms, and to help manage allergies or asthma.
Allergy tests – as part of diagnostics, an allergist performs various tests to confirm the presence of allergies and determine the type of allergens. These include allergen (allergy) tests in which a small amount of different allergens are placed under the skin (called a skin test) or applied to the skin on an adhesive patch (patch test). An allergist may also run blood tests to detect the antibodies your body produces in response to a specific allergen.
Provocation tests – these tests are intended to provoke an allergic reaction by directly exposing the patient to the allergen. Oral challenge tests involve eating small amounts of certain foods in slowly increasing amounts to see if they trigger food allergy symptoms.
Read: Winter babies are more likely to have food allergies
Allergist – how does it treat?
There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that allergists use to relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma. Belong to them:
- antihistamines that block histamine, a chemical that causes allergies
- mast cell stabilizers to prevent the release of histamine by the body,
- nasal steroid sprays to reduce nasal swelling
- inhaled and oral bronchodilators to help open up your airways
- oral corticosteroids to moderate the overall immune response
- epinephrine, used to treat life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment method that trains the body to be less sensitive to specific allergens. By administering gradually increasing doses of the allergen, immunotherapy can desensitize a person to the harmful substance.
Immunotherapy can be given as a series of allergic injections or a series of drops placed under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy). Sublingual immunotherapy is only available for ragweed, grass pollen, and mites. These pills are taken daily at home. However, the first dose is taken at the allergist’s office. Allergies disappear over time with immunotherapy.
Compared to allergy medications that mask your symptoms, immunotherapy is designed to weaken your immune response, so you don’t need medications.
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