Allergy: symptoms and treatment

An allergy is your body’s reaction to a substance it considers a harmful “invader”. For example, contact with what is normally considered harmless, such as pollen, can trigger an immune system (body’s defense) response. Substances that cause these reactions are called allergens.

What is an allergy?

An allergic reaction (or as they often say – just an allergy) is the body’s reaction to an allergen. Upon contact with it, a chain of biochemical events occurs that leads to an allergic reaction.

The first time an allergy-prone person is exposed to a particular allergen (food, drug, pollen), the body reacts by producing allergic or reaginic (IgE) antibodies. The job of these antibodies is to find offending molecules in the bloodstream and tissues and direct them to the body’s mast cells (a special type of white blood cell) for destruction. When mast cells break down allergens, a chemical called histamine is released into the blood. A large amount of histamine in the tissues of the body provokes acute inflammation, causes itching, increases the permeability of blood vessels, increases the secretion of mucus and causes bronchospasm (contraction of the muscles surrounding the airways).

Types of allergies

People can be allergic to a wide variety of substances. But the most common are pollen and dust mites. Other airborne allergens include mold and animal dander.

Pollen

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as pollinosis or hay fever, is an allergic response to pollen. The reaction causes inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa and epithelial tissues of the eye (conjunctivitis).

Symptoms include sneezing, difficulty breathing through the nose (feeling full) and itchy, watery eyes.

Варианты лечения включают безрецептурные и рецептурные антигистаминные препараты, анти-лейкотриены, назальные стероиды и назальный кромолин. У некоторых людей могут быть симптомы аллергической астмы (одышка, одышка, стеснение в груди), вызванные воздействием пыльцы. Проявления поллиноза можно существенно уменьшить, избегая пыльцы, оставаясь в помещении, когда количество пыльцы в воздухе высокое, закрывая окна и используя кондиционер. Иммунотерапия («уколы от аллергии») также помогают в лечении аллергии на пыльцу.

dust mites

Это крошечные организмы, которые живут в пыли и в волокнах мягкой мебели и подушек, матрасов, ковров, портьер. Пылевые клещи особенно любят теплые, влажные места.

Symptoms of allergy to dust mites are similar to hay fever. To manage dust mite allergies, dust mite covers (airtight plastic or polyurethane) can be used over pillows, mattresses, and furniture. In addition, you need to remove the carpet from the floor and walls or vacuum it often with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

Лечение может включать лекарства для контроля выделения слизи из глаз носа, подавления симптомов со стороны грудной клетки. Иммунотерапия может быть рекомендована людям, симптомы которых недостаточно контролируются с помощью методов элиминации аллергенов и лекарств.

Mold

These are parasitic, tiny fungi (such as Penicillium) with spores that circulate in the air, similar to pollen. Mold is a common allergy trigger. It can be found indoors in damp places like basements or bathrooms, outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under mushrooms. Mold spores peak in hot and humid weather.

Treatment may include medications to control symptoms. Immunotherapy may be recommended for people whose symptoms are not adequately controlled or who cannot tolerate medications.

Animal dandruff

Allergic reactions can be caused by proteins secreted by the sweat glands in the animal’s skin, dander, and (to a lesser extent) proteins in the animal’s saliva.

Allergy prevention measures do not work if the pet is not removed from the home. If separation is not an option, secondary measures include keeping the pet out of the bedroom, using HEPA filtered air purifiers, and bathing the pet (cat or dog) frequently.

Treatment may include medications to control symptoms.

Allergy reactions

There are also other allergens.

Latex

У некоторых людей может развиться аллергия на латекс после повторного контакта с ним. Резиновые перчатки, медицинские или для домашней уборки, являются основным источником этого типа реакции.

People who are allergic to latex may experience skin rashes, hives, tearing and eye irritation, wheezing, and itchy skin. Allergic reactions to latex can be mild, in the form of skin redness and itching. More serious reactions may occur if mucous membranes are exposed, such as during surgery, dental or gynecological examinations.

Treatment of latex reactions begins with the removal of the hazardous product. If you are allergic to latex, it is important to wear a bracelet that states this fact. All procedures must be carried out in a “latex-free” form. There is no cure for latex allergy, so the best treatment for this condition is prevention.

Certain Products

A food allergy develops when the body produces specific antibodies to a particular food or food ingredients. The reaction occurs within minutes of eating, and symptoms can be severe. In adults, the most common food allergens are shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. In children, they include milk, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts.

Food allergy symptoms include itching, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and swelling around the mouth. The only treatment is to avoid foods that cause allergy symptoms. If a food allergy develops, your doctor may prescribe injectable epinephrine (epinephrine) to carry with you at all times. This is necessary in case of accidental consumption of foods that cause anaphylaxis.

Реакция на яды жалящих насекомых

При укусе жалящее насекомое вводит в кожу яд, содержащий белки. Допустимой реакцией считается жжение и небольшой отек в месте укуса, краснота и болезненность. У аллергиков отек быстро распространяется на большую часть тела, формирует общие симптомы вплоть до шока.

In shock, immediate help is important – injections of epinephrine and calling an ambulance. Anyone who has had reactions to bee stings should be seen by an allergist who confirms that they are allergic. Immunotherapy is recommended when allergy to the poison is confirmed. This will help reduce the chance that the bite will cause a serious reaction.

Allergy treatment

If you think you have an allergy, don’t wait for all your symptoms to go away. If allergic manifestations and unpleasant symptoms last longer than a week or two or periodically return, make an appointment with a specialist – an allergist-immunologist.

Diagnostics

The doctor will have a conversation with the patient, find out all the complaints and possible triggers that are suspected and prescribe a series of confirmatory tests.

An allergy skin test can be used to identify the allergens that cause allergy symptoms. The test is done by pricking the skin, applying an allergen extract to the scratches, and then checking the skin’s reaction. This test can only be carried out outside the period of exacerbation, and the reactions are not always accurate.

If a skin test cannot be performed, an ELISA blood test may be ordered. This test is not as sensitive as a skin test. It evaluates the amount of antibodies produced by the immune system against a particular allergen. Higher levels of certain antibodies can identify certain allergies. But the most indicative results will be in the acute period of reactions.

Modern treatments

Although allergen contact dissociation is an important treatment approach, it usually does not completely stop the allergic reaction. And it is not always possible to completely remove the allergen from your life.

It is not uncommon for allergy symptoms to be treated with various drugs, such as antihistamines, decongestant sprays or tablets, or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Nasal sprays containing low doses of topical steroids, cromolyn sodium, and topical nasal antihistamines may also be used to treat allergy symptoms.

Medications that reduce the symptoms of allergic asthma include:

• inhaled bronchodilators;
• inhaled steroids;
• oral bronchodilators (theophylline);
• oral antileukotrienes;
• injectables, including antibodies such as omalizumab.

Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) or oral immunotherapy for allergies is recommended for symptoms that are not adequately controlled with a combination of allergen dissociation measures and regular use of medication. These shots have been shown to be effective in groups of patients with allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma.

Another treatment option for allergies is saline irrigation using a sinus rinse kit. These mouthwash kits are available over the counter or can be made at home.

Чтобы провести промывание носа, смешайте половину чайной ложки не йодированной соли с половиной чайной ложки пищевой соды в 250 мл дистиллированной или кипяченой воды. Эта смесь смывает аллергены и уменьшает тяжесть воспаления и отека слизистых.

Prevention of allergies at home

Allergies cannot be completely cured—it is a lifelong condition—but symptoms can be controlled with a combination of preventive measures and medications, as well as allergen immunotherapy in the right cases.

Popular questions and answers

We discussed the treatment of various types of allergies with general practitioner, endoscopist, head of the organizational and methodological office Lidia Golubenko.