Coronavirus and allergies

Allergic pathologies are one of the most common diseases of non-infectious origin. They significantly worsen the quality of life, restrict the patient in certain actions (choice of food, medicines, outdoor activities, trips to nature, and so on). In addition, it is believed that allergies weaken the immune system, creating a predisposition to various infections, including infection with COVID-19. But how much higher is the risk of infection and its severe course in allergy sufferers, how should they behave during a pandemic, can they be vaccinated?

According to international statistics, up to 150 million people around the world suffer from allergic diseases to one degree or another.¹. Among the leading types of allergic diseases are atopic dermatitis and various forms of allergic eczema, hay fever (seasonal pollen allergy), year-round rhinitis, food allergies and bronchial asthma. In addition, among the population of the European part of the mainland over the past 20-30 years, allergic rhinitis has been detected several times more often, in almost every third adult. There are also trends towards an increase in the number of cases, and in 20 years, perhaps every second adult European or Russian will suffer from allergies.

It is a mistake to consider allergies as a childhood disease, it has already been determined that although some allergic pathologies start in childhood, hay fever, for example, can develop at a young and active age – from 18 to 25 years. But people of all ages suffer from allergic pathologies, although there is evidence that by old age the intensity of reactions may decrease due to the weakening of general immune processes.².

There is also a difference in the frequency of occurrence of certain allergic pathologies depending on the region. In the southern regions of the Russian Federation, where the flowering period begins earlier and the variety of plants is more extensive, the number of allergy sufferers is higher than the national average – leaders from the regions: Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov Regions. There is also a higher risk of developing allergies in regions with unfavorable ecology – Omsk, Samara, Chelyabinsk, Moscow³.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many allergy sufferers, especially those suffering from respiratory forms, are extremely concerned about whether they will be able to recognize a possible infection with a dangerous infection in time.

In many respects, the myth that COVID-19 is extremely difficult for allergy sufferers and can be confused with allergies is due to the fact that the peak waves of the epidemic occurred during the flowering season. Yes, in some ways the initial manifestations of allergies and respiratory viral infections are similar, but it is difficult to confuse allergies and the development of COVID-19, the doctor will immediately notice the difference in manifestations, since the symptoms are still different, moreover, significantly⁴.

Allergy and Coronavirus Symptoms: What’s the Difference?

Difficulties usually arise in the definition of respiratory allergies and COVID-19, although there are problems in terms of distinguishing between food allergies with digestive disorders, skin allergies with various rashes. This is due to the fact that both skin rashes and diarrheal syndrome have been described with COVID-19.

However, there are certain differences in the course of diseases. So, loss of taste and smell is not typical for allergies, and with COVID-19 this is quite common; with allergies, there is no pronounced shortness of breath against the background of fever, although an asthma attack may occur against the background of asthma, but usually there is no temperature, exhalation is difficult, there is a clear connection with the allergen. With allergies, a severe watery runny nose, lacrimation, burning, itching in the nose and on the eyelids are typical, which are very uncharacteristic symptoms for COVID-19.

In addition, according to the FMBA of the Russian Federation, people with allergies are less likely to suffer from coronavirus infection – in this category of people, especially with seasonal hay fever, the incidence is one of the lowest.⁵. Scientists attribute this fact to changes in the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, the oropharynx, abundant mucus secretion during an exacerbation of allergies, which simply flushes the virus from the upper respiratory tract, preventing it from infiltrating cells.

Do allergies get worse?

There is no evidence that people with allergies (hay fever, food reactions, skin pathologies, and even bronchial asthma) are more difficult to tolerate coronavirus infection. In addition, scientists suggest that taking steroids for respiratory allergies helps reduce the severity of the coronavirus and the risk of its dangerous inflammatory reactions. There is also an opinion that the immune mechanisms that provoke the severe course of COVID-19 are influenced in a certain way by antihistamines and basic therapy, which is constantly used by allergy sufferers.

Allergy after coronavirus

One of the rumors that has not been confirmed by scientists is the development of allergic reactions after suffering COVID-19. However, doctors say that there is no connection between this viral infection and the onset of allergies. But it is impossible to completely deny the possibility that the body will individually react to infection with the subsequent formation of an allergic mood. So, there are a number of studies that confirm the development of allergies to infectious agents – bacteria, fungi and viruses.⁶. Therefore, an allergy to the protein of the coronavirus is not excluded. But while no data has been found to support this theory, the history of the study of the virus is too small to draw conclusions. But it is impossible to completely exclude such a possibility.

Allergy: is it possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus

Another important question is whether they are vaccinated against coronavirus for allergies. According to experts, during the period of exacerbation of any form of allergy, vaccination is prohibited. This rule applies to any acute pathology. But as the remission of the disease occurs, all acute manifestations disappear, allergy sufferers need to be vaccinated⁷. Often, vaccination is carried out after treatment, against the background of basic therapy, which helps to eliminate all manifestations of the disease. In general, you can get vaccinated 3-4 weeks after the exacerbation disappears.

Allergy to coronavirus vaccine

Many allergy sufferers worry that they may develop an allergy to the coronavirus vaccine as well. Despite the fact that this situation was quite rare (there are only a few described cases), risks cannot be completely ruled out. To do this, after vaccination, patients are recommended to stay within the walls of a medical institution for 30 minutes, so that when the first signs of anaphylaxis appear, complete therapy can be carried out.

Prevention measures for allergies and COVID-19

Right now, the best defense is to stay at home. This will help both with hay fever and protect against coronavirus. But being at home does not mean that you need to give up the drugs, if the doctor has prescribed basic therapy for you, you must follow it.

The good news is that antihistamines are not only compatible with viral therapy, but are even indicated in the treatment of viral infections, including coronavirus: they reduce swelling and the risk of a cytokine storm (a malfunction of the immune system when it begins to attack the person himself).

You can’t self-stop medications such as intranasal corticosteroid sprays (what we colloquially call “nasal spray”). This is stated in a special appeal on the website of the European Association of Allergists. Previously, it has been suggested that corticosteroid sprays can suppress the immune system and thus “open the way” for viruses. But to date, these data have not been confirmed.

В обращении аллергологов отмечается, что отказ от применения этих препаратов может привести к тому, что человек будет усиленно чихать и, при возможном заражении коронавирусом, более интенсивно распространять SARS-CoV-2. Даже больше, врачи отмечают, что своевременный прием препаратов поможет исключить дополнительные визиты врача и проверку на коронавирус, поскольку аллергики могут просто спутать свои симптомы и приписать их коронавирусу, если откажутся от препаратов. Так что отсутствие такой путаницы поможет разгрузить медицинскую систему, а это сейчас особенно важно.

Allergy sufferers can and even need to take glucocorticosteroids, but under the strict supervision of a doctor! You can’t take drugs on your own, even if you were “prescribed” them before!

It is important to ensure a comfortable stay at home: daily wet cleaning, airing, but preferably with fine nets on the windows to trap dust and pollen, air conditioners must be cleaned and protective filters changed. And also have a supply of antihistamines and personal hygiene products for the mucous membranes of the respiratory system (nasal sprays with salt water).

Popular questions and answers

Sources:

1. Ernazarova Khurmatoi Khamroevna, Adylova Zilolakhon Ulmasovna Prevalence of allergic diseases in the world // International scientific review. 2017. No. 2 (33). https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/rasprostranenost-allergicheskih-zabolevaniy-v-mire
2. Allergic diseases // Medical Immunology. 2006. No. 2-3. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/allergicheskie-zabolevaniya
3. Dikareva T.V., Rumyantsev V.Yu. Cartographic analysis of the distribution of allergen plants in Russia. Bulletin of the Moscow University. Series 5. Geography. 2015. №6. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kartograficheskiy-analiz-rasprostraneniya-rasteniy-allergenov-v-rossii
4. Malinnikova Elena Yurievna New coronavirus infection. Today’s view of the pandemic of the XXI century // Infectious Diseases: News. Opinions. Education. 2020. No. 2 (33). https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/novaya-koronavirusnaya-infektsiya-segodnyashniy-vzglyad-na-pandemiyu-xxi-veka
5. Patients with allergies are less likely to get coronavirus infection. https://fmba.gov.ru/press-tsentr/novosti/detail/?ELEMENT_ID=44459
6. Tsarev S.V. Infection and Allergy: Relationship and Mutual Influence // RMJ. 2016. No 12. P. 800–803
7. Semenova N.V., Ashvits I.V., Putin A.V. VACCINE PREVENTION COVID-19 // Scientific Review. Medical Sciences. – 2021. – No. 2. – P. 52-56; https://science-medicine.ru/ru/article/view?id=1179