Allergy is a manifestation of the body’s immune response to external stimuli, which can be pollen, food or animal wool. The immune system, which protects the body from diseases, perceives some allergens as dangerous substances and begins to produce antibodies to neutralize them. As a result, when the body has contact with the allergen, there is an immune reaction that causes inflammation of the skin, nasal sinuses or respiratory tract.
Symptoms
Symptoms of allergy vary depending on its type, varying in severity.
Symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis:
- condition of nasal congestion;
- burning in the eyes;
- transparent discharge from the nose;
- Itching in the nose.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (skin disease):
- severe itchiness of the skin;
- redness of the skin;
- the presence of cracked dry rashes.
Symptoms of food allergy:
- sensation of tingling in the mouth;
- edema of the lips, tongue, whole face or larynx;
- urticaria;
- anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of an insect bite allergy:
- large swelling at the site of the bite;
- feeling itchy;
- urticaria;
- coughing, wheezing;
- anaphylaxis.
- Some allergens can cause severe body reaction, anaphylaxis. The reaction takes place in acute form, requiring immediate medical attention.
Symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis:
- loss of consciousness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- swelling of the respiratory tract, which prevents breathing;
- rash on the skin;
- accelerated pulse;
- severe shortness of breath.
Complications
Different types of allergies can cause the following complications:
- anaphylaxis (often associated with a food allergy, insect poisons);
- bronchial asthma (a systemic reaction that is associated with the process of breathing, often occurs after exposure to an external allergen);
- Atopic dermatitis, ear and lung infections (increased risk with an allergy to animals, mold, and allergic rhinitis);
- allergic fungal sinusitis, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Causes of the disease
- Violations in the work of the intestine (the risk of developing allergies is very high with dysbiosis, overeating, inflammation of the intestine since allergens fall into the bloodstream).
- Dysfunction of the liver (the protective function of the liver decreases (for example, hepatitis, cholecystitis, opisthorchiasis, and giardiasis) and it ceases to perform purification functions).
- Early transition to artificial feeding (for infants);
- Heredity (the disease is often transmitted from parents to children).
- Failure to observe the mother’s diet during pregnancy (eating allergens (chocolate, citrus, etc.)).
- Environmental factors.
Treatment
- Drug treatment (allows for some time to get rid of symptoms of allergy, reduce its manifestations). During treatment, corticosteroids (Apo-Prednisone), antihistamines (Alerid), enterosorbents, and others are used.
- Immunotherapy (vaccination that may reduce the patient’s hypersensitivity).
- Eliminating contact with allergens or limiting the dose of allergens (eg, air purifying with filters in the house).