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Allergy is one of the most common diseases today. According to statistics, one in three Polish homes has an allergy sufferer. But that’s not all. It is estimated that in 2025 more than 50 percent of Europeans will suffer from allergies. Why is it like that? What are the types of allergies and can they be prevented?
An allergic reaction of the body occurs when the immune system, after contact with various types of substances, the so-called comes to the conclusion that they are dangerous for him. For reasons not yet fully understood, the reaction of the immune system is inappropriately exaggerated. It sends an army of antibodies to fight allergens and thus an inflammation is created in the body, which is called allergy.
Who gets allergies and why?
As a rule, allergies appear already in childhood and last for many years, very often even throughout life. However, this does not change the fact that allergy it can develop at virtually any age and affects both men and women equally. Importantly, people suffering from one allergy are much more likely to develop another one. Several factors are responsible for the increase in the incidence of this type of disease. According to one of the theories, the cause of allergies is a too sterile lifestyle, which leads to disorders in the immune system. This is how the body responds natural allergenssuch as pollen, animal dander or dust mites as catastrophic threats and starts a protective battle that manifests itself as an allergic reaction. Other causes of impaired immune system function are too many chemicals present both in today’s food and in everyday items, in clothes or cosmetics. Unfortunately chemical allergens cause sensitization that is difficult to control, because the number of possible allergens is so overwhelming that it is difficult to classify them, and thus to diagnose in individual people what exactly they are allergic to.
What types of allergies do we distinguish?
In general, allergies are divided according to the type of allergens, which can be inhalant, food and contact. In this way we come to a division into:
- inhalant allergies – are caused by allergens that enter the body through the respiratory route
- food allergies – allergens enter the body through food
- contact allergies (skin) – the allergic factor directly affects the skin of the allergic person
- cross-allergy – this is a reaction to inhalant, food or contact allergens with a similar organic structure
- drug allergies – hypersensitivity to certain drugs or their ingredients
- Insect venom allergies – a violent allergic reaction following a bite
Allergy symptoms
The most commonly associated allergic symptoms are hay fever, violent sneezing, watery eyes and shortness of breath. There is a reason for this, because this type of allergic reaction is characteristic of three types of allergy – inhalation, food and cross-allergy.Symptoms of food allergy and cross-allergy may also include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal cramps
- rash
With an inhalant allergy in addition to breathing problems, hay fever or swollen and red eyes, various types of skin changes, such as rashes or hives, can also occur. The most visible skin changes, however, appear with contact allergies. In the case of this type of allergic reaction, e.g. in small children, we most often deal with atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis.Changes in skin allergies are most often in the form of:
- rashes
- dry skin
- lumps on the skin
- peeling of the skin
- purulent leaks
- itching
Allergic symptoms may be stronger or milder. In some cases, however, there may be a very strong reaction to the allergen, referred to as anaphylactic shockwhich may be life threatening.
How to fight an allergy?
The most important thing in the fight against allergies is to determine its type and thus the source of allergens. In this way, we gain control over what threatens our body and we can eliminate substances harmful to us. In the case of skin allergies, it is extremely important to use appropriate and safe hypoallergenic cosmetics for daily hygiene and care of both the face and the whole body. There are whole lines of this type of care products, e.g. Biały Jeleń or Allerco, which not only do not irritate the skin, but also provide it with proper hydration and restore the balance of the damaged lipid layer. People prone to allergies should also give up traditional deodorants that contain harmful heavy metals , in favor of organic and natural agents in the form of e.g. alum-based crystal deodorants and non-allergenic creams and lotions (e.g. Absolute Organic).
Desensitization
In the case of accurately diagnosed allergens, it is also possible to carry out desensitization therapy, the so-called immunotherapies. Even children over 5 years of age can be subjected to it. Before it is performed, skin tests are carried out, which show which allergens cause an allergic reaction. Then the doctor begins to administer specific doses of allergens in the form of a vaccine. However, the full desensitization process takes several years – from three to five. Unfortunately, not everyone can undergo this type of treatment, because it only covers inhalant allergies and insect venom allergies. In addition, allergy sufferers who decide on immunotherapy must have a relatively efficient one immune system and should not undergo any bacterial or viral infections during this period, which are quite a serious contraindication to the entire therapy. Cardiovascular diseases can also be a problem in desensitization, but only the attending physician can decide whether the treatment is indicated. that in the future, doctors and scientists will develop effective ways to fight allergies. So far, in many cases these are incurable diseases, the symptoms of which are alleviated by various types antiallergic drugs and, of course, control of your environment to eliminate as many sensitizers as possible.