Spring Allergy and General Allergy Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Monday, February 8, 2021 1:00 PM

Sensitivity

Allergy is generally defined as the reaction of the human body with some substances or bodies that are classified by the immune system as foreign and harmful to the body, but in fact it is not so, and it does not cause a reaction The immune system of most people, and this reaction causes various symptoms and signs in the respiratory system, for example, or the digestive system, and many other symptoms that may appear on different organs and parts of the body. [1]


The mechanism of occurrence of allergies in the body

An allergic immune reaction begins in the body when T-cells differentiate into T-helper-2 cells of the allergen-causing substances, which in turn stimulate the B cells . -Cells), and stimulates the formation of allergen-specific IgE antibody (type E antibodies). When type E antibodies bind to the receptors on the surface of mast cells, basophils, and antigen presenting cells, the release of substances such as histamine is stimulatedHistamine, cytokines, and other substances that stimulate the initiation of hypersensitivity reactions in the body . The excretion of such substances leads to the occurrence of various symptoms in the different body systems that differ according to the body’s reaction to these substances. Such as stimulating the process of sneezing, redness and swelling of the eyes, difficulty breathing, itching or a rash on the skin , the occurrence of cramps in the abdomen, diarrhea and vomiting, and it may reach a sudden stop in the work of the circulatory or respiratory system. [2] [3]


Types of allergies

There are many types of allergies, including: [4]


Spring allergy

Pollen allergy, which occurs when the substance that stimulates the immune reaction is pollen spread in the air; Various trees and herbs produce it in the spring for pollination. As for its symptoms, it appears in people who are allergic to it, and that only when pollen grains reach the person's nose, it is worth noting that it is not related to the surrounding plants only, as pollen grains travel miles, and its symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose And the eyes, the tear of the eyes, and the appearance of black circles under them. [5]


Drugs Allergy

Or it is called adverse drug reactions , and it appears in people whose immune system classifies some drugs as invading bodies to the body, and this type of sensitivity is found in a small percentage of people, and it may cause skin symptoms such as human , or symptoms in the general body systems such as wheezing, swelling of the tongue or throat, and a drop in pressure, and it may extend to the most dangerous symptoms of which are anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock . [6]


Allergy to fungi, molds, and some animals and insects

This type of allergy is not related to a specific season or season, for example, spores of fungi such as household mold stimulate the immune reaction in some people, and exposure of some people to some substances that are collected and carried on animal hair such as dead cells, saliva, and urine may cause an immune reaction in the body, as well as The bites of some types of insects and their secretion of toxic substances in the body may stimulate the immune reaction, whose symptoms may appear in the form of symptoms similar to the common cold but extend for weeks or months, and may sometimes cause anaphylaxis, which requires rapid and direct medical action. [7] [8] [9]


There are other types of allergies such as food allergy, summer allergy, autumn allergy, winter allergy, and others. [4]


Allergy diagnosis

To determine the accurate diagnosis and the allergen, the following tests are performed: [10]

  • Percutaneous allergy examination: In this examination, various types of substances that may cause allergies are placed on a specific area by pricking it on the surface of the skin, and when a slight swelling appears, this is an indication that this substance is one of the substances that cause a person's allergy. It is worth noting that this examination is one of the most used allergy tests, as it does not cause much pain to the patient.
  • Immunoglobulin E blood test: This test is used when the skin test cannot be used, such as the presence of some skin conditions or the use of some drugs that make the use of the skin test unsafe or ineffective.
  • The risk test: The person inhales or swallows a very small amount of substances likely to cause allergies under the care of a specialist, and this type is usually used to diagnose food allergy or drug allergy.


Prevention and control of allergies

Controlling the allergy and preventing it depends on the type of allergy, and it is by avoiding the substances causing the allergies in the person or reducing contact with them in case it is difficult to avoid them. Which helped the symptoms improve is one of the ways that help the doctor identify the allergens and thus prevent them.

It is very important to keep the epinephrine injection prescribed by the attending physician at all times with the person at risk of anaphylaxis, in addition to the importance of wearing the alarm for people who have experienced a severe allergic reaction at any time in their lives to a necklace or bracelet, in order to inform other people of the presence of severe sensitivity. And it is dangerous if a reaction occurs that makes the affected person unable to communicate. [11]


People with allergies caused by pollen are advised to reduce their exposure to and go out of the house during the period of pollen spread in the air, use sun glasses or wear hats to cover the eyes and hair, and start taking allergy medications before the period of pollen spread so that these drugs can work more effectively It prevents the release of histamine and other allergens in the body, in addition to keeping the windows closed during the period of pollen spread and washing the bed with hot water and soap once a week. [12]


Allergy treatment

The allergy treatment journey consists of several steps. Avoidance of exposure to the allergen is one of the most important steps, and some medications may be used such as antihistamine , corticosteroids, montelukast, and other medicines in various forms such as eye drops and nasal sprays.

In some severe cases, immunotherapy is used. Where the doctor gives the patient small and repeated quantities of the allergen by injection over time periods that may extend to years, and in some cases the doctor gives the patient a dose of epinephrine and the patient keeps it, and uses it to control the acute symptoms until he is able to go to the emergency department . 

It is worth noting that the effect of pregnant women using some substances such as nutritional supplements, fish oil, prebiotics, and probiotics to prevent food allergies and eczema in their children is still being studied. [13] [14]


Allergy complications

Among the most important complications of an allergic immune reaction to the following body are:

  • Infection with asthma: , as the occurrence of asthma is most often triggered by exposure to an allergen. [15]
  • Alhumaiat nasal: as the inflammation of the membranes of the nose that accompanies allergies may cause the appearance of Alhumaiat , which , according to their size may lead to cause breathing problems or reduce the sense of smell when an infected person, may also lead to the creation of a blockage in the Sinusitis, which causes sinusitis. [16]
  • Sinusitis: Allergies contribute to congestion of the sinuses and the closure of their natural drainage of mucus and the formation of nasal polyps, which leads to retention and collection of mucus in them, and thus exposure to infection of sinuses, so it is recommended to wash the nostrils on a daily basis, and inhale water vapor to open the ducts and sinuses and prevent their blockage. [17] [16]
  • Otitis Media: This type of inflammation occurs as a result of allergies, as the sensitivity affects the functioning of the Eustachian tube, and fluid collects behind the eardrum and is exposed to inflammation. [16]


References

  1. Mayo Clinic Staff (2016-11-22), "Allergies" , Mayo Clinic , Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  2. Hiroyuki Fujita, Michael B Soyka, Mübeccel Akdis and others (2012-01-05), “Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy” , Clinical and Translational Allergy , Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  3. Becky Buelow, John M Routes, Francisco Talavera ( February 9, 2015 ), “Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions Clinical Presentation” , Medscape , Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  4. ^ A b "Allergies Guide , " , WebMD , Retrieved 2017-7-4.
  5. "How to Handle Your Spring Allergies" , webmd , Retrieved 2017-7-4.
  6. "Drug Allergy and Other Adverse Reactions to Drugs" , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , 10 October 2015, Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  7. "Mold Allergy" , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , 10 October 2015, Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  8. "Pet Allergy: Are You Allergic to Dogs or Cats?" , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , 10 October 2015, Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  9. "Insect Allergies" , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , October 01, 2015, Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  10. "ALLERGY TESTING" , American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology , Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  11. “Preventing Allergic Reactions and Controlling Allergies” , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , 2015-10, Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  12. "Pollen Allergy" , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , October 01, 2015, Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  13. “AAAAI ALLERGY AND ASTHMA DRUG GUIDE” , American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology , Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  14. Mayo Clinic Staff (2016-11-22), "Allergies" , Mayo Clinic , Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  15. Mayo Clinic Staff (2016-11-22), "Allergies" , Mayo Clinic , Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  16. ^ A b t "Allergic Rhinitis - Complications" , the National Health Service , 2016-02-15, 2017-06-17 Retrieved.
  17. "What to do about sinusitis" , Harvard Health Publications , 2016-07-26, Retrieved 2017-06-17.