Allergy | Cause, symptom, treatment

Allergy

Allergy is hypersensitive responses from the immune system to substances that either enter or come into contact with the body. These substances commonly include materials such as pet dander, pollen, or bee venom. Anything can an allergen if the immune system has an adverse reaction. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Allergy can be found in food, drinks, or the environment. Many allergens are harmless and do not affect most people.

If a person is allergic to a substance, such as pollen. Their immune system reacts to the substance as if it was foreign and harmful, and tries to destroy it. Research indicates that 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in the United States have allergies.

Allergy Symptoms

An allergic reaction typically triggers symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin. For some people, allergies can also trigger symptoms of asthma. In the most serious cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis) can occur. A number of different allergens are responsible for allergic reactions. The most common include:

·         Pollen

·         Dust

·         Food

·         Insect stings

·         Animal dander

·         Mold

·         Medications/Drugs

·         Latex

Common allergies

Substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens. The more common allergens include:

·         grass and tree pollen – an allergy to these is known as hay fever (allergic rhinitis)

·         dust mites

·         animal dander (tiny flakes of skin or hair)

·         food – particularly nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs and cow’s milk

·         insect bites and stings

·         medication – including ibuprofen, aspirin, and certain antibiotics

·         latex – used to make some gloves and condoms

·         mould – these can release small particles into the air that you can breathe in

·         household chemicals – including those in detergents and hair dyes

Most of these allergens are generally harmless to people who aren’t allergic to them.

What are the reason of allergy?

A particular antibody called immunoglobin (IgE) causes allergic reactions. Antibodies releases to combat foreign and potentially harmful substances in the body. IgE releases to destroy the allergen and causes the production of chemicals that trigger the allergic reaction. One of these chemicals is called histamine. Histamine causes tightening of the muscles in the airways and the walls of blood vessels. It also instructs the lining of the nose to produce more mucus.

What are the risk factors of this disease?

The following can be risk factors for developing allergies:

·         a family history of asthma or allergies

·         being a child

·         having asthma

·         not being exposed to enough sunlight

·         having a different allergy

·         birth by Caesarean section

How to Diagnose this disease?

The doctor will either recommend some tests to find out which allergen is causing symptoms or refer the patient to a specialist.

Below are some examples of allergy tests:

Blood test:

This measures the level of IgE antibodies released by the immune system. This test is sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test (RAST)

Skin prick test:

This is also known as puncture testing or prick testing. The skin pricks with a small amount of a possible allergen. If the skin reacts and becomes itchy, red, and swollen, it may mean an allergy is present.

Patch test:

A patch test can identify eczema. Special metal discs with very small amounts of a suspected allergen are taped onto the individual’s back. The doctor checks for a skin reaction 48 hours later, and then again after a couple of days.

What are the treatment of allergy?

Generally, antihistamine medications are the treatment of choice after the allergen is removed. Very severe reactions may require other therapy, such as oxygen for breathing difficulties or intravenous fluids and/or epinephrine to boost blood pressure in anaphylactic shock. Patients with very severe reactions usually require hospitalization.

Other treatments

Beside that, Immunotherapy is a treatment option for some allergy patients. There are two common types of immunotherapy. They are allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

Allergy shots

Allergy shots are included in the increases dosage allergy infection over time. In case of the allergens, the person consciously become sensitive. Allergy shots can do good for pollen, pets, dust, bee or other stinging insects, and some people with asthma, including allergies. Allergy shots usually do not work well for allergens such as food, medicines, feathers, or for hives and eczema.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)

SLIT is another way to treat certain allergies without injections. Allergic patients give small dosage of an allergens under the tongue. This exposure enhances tolerance to substances and reduces symptoms. SLIT is safe and effective for allergy and asthma treatment. SLIT tablets currently for dust mites, grasses and ragweed.

And Other treatment is medications, as a results of it’s medications you can easily recover of that disease.

Medications

Drugs can help treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction, but they will not cure the allergy. The majority of allergy medications are over-the-counter (OTC). Before taking a particular type of medication, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

Antihistamines:

These block the action of histamine. Caution recommendes, as some antihistamines are not suitable for children. And also it’s medicines works for reduce this disease, medicines are- Desloratadine ( Clarinex) is a medication taken by mouth. Azelastine nasal (Astelin) is a prescription nasal antihistamine spray and so on.

Decongestants:

These can help with a blocked nose in cases of hay fever, pet allergy, or dust allergy. Decongestants are short-term medications. It’s also Some examples of decongestants that are available over the counter – pseudoephedrine (Sudafed tablets or liquid), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal sprays, and some Visine eye drops.

Leukotrienereceptor antagonists, or anti-leukotrienes:

When other asthma treatments have not worked, anti-leukotrienes can block the effects of leukotrienes. These are the chemicals that cause swelling. The body releases leukotrienes during an allergic reaction. It reduces only medications with a doctor’s prescription and come as pills, chewable tablets, and oral granules.

Steroid sprays:

Applied to the inside lining of the nose, corticosteroid sprays help reduce nasal congestion. Here the medicines of nasal steroid are beclomethasone (Beconase, Qnasl, Qvar), ciclesonide (Alvesco, Omnaris, Zetonna), fluticasone furoate (Veramyst), and mometasone (Nasonex).

August 11, 2018 health