What could you be allergic to? Allergy. Causes of development and symptoms Can there be an allergy from

Various types of allergies are observed in almost half of people living in large cities. The prevalence of this disease among rural residents is much lower. But this is recorded data based on patient visits to doctors.

According to doctors' forecasts, there are many more people with allergies in the world - it's just that some allergic reactions are mild and do not cause serious discomfort, so people do not seek medical help.

The first descriptions of such a disease are found in the works of ancient healers of the 5th century BC. Back then, allergies were extremely rare.

In recent decades, the number of patients has been constantly growing. There are several reasons for this: weakened immunity, an increase in the amount of toxic substances that are used everywhere, a desire for sterility and a minimal pathogenic load on the immune system.

As a result, he becomes too “suspicious” and sees the enemy in familiar and everyday substances - even those that do not pose a potential danger.

What is an allergy and why does it occur?

This is the individual sensitivity of the human body, or more precisely, its immune system, to a certain irritant substance. The immune system perceives this substance as a serious threat.

Normally, the immune system “monitors” bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that enter the body in order to neutralize or destroy them in time, preventing disease.

Allergy is a “false alarm” of the immune system, which is based on the erroneous perception of an allergen substance. When faced with an irritant, it perceives a certain substance as a pathogen and responds by releasing histamine. Histamine itself provokes the appearance of symptoms characteristic of allergies. The nature of the symptoms themselves depends on the type of allergen, the location of its entry and the degree of individual sensitivity.

The cause of allergies is not increased vigilance of the immune system, but a malfunction in its functioning. This failure can be caused by a single factor or a combination of them:

Weakening of the immune system, which occurs in the presence of chronic diseases and helminthic infestations.
Heredity. If one parent has any allergy, even a mild one, this gives a 30% chance that this disease will manifest itself in the baby. If both parents have manifestations of this disease to one degree or another, the likelihood that the child will be born with allergies increases to almost 70%.
A genetic failure that causes the immune system to not work correctly.
Violation of the composition of intestinal microflora.
Formation of immunity in conditions of increased cleanliness. Without encountering pathogens, it “trains” on surrounding substances.
Contact with a large amount of “chemistry”, as a result of which the body perceives any new substance as a potential threat.

An allergen (a substance to which an atypical reaction develops) can be anything: from house dust to food and even medications.

Most allergens are protein in nature (they contain protein components or form amino acids when entering the human body). But some have nothing to do with amino acids: sunlight (one of the common causes of dermatitis), water, low temperatures.

The most common allergens are:

plant pollen;
dust and its components;
fungal spores;
medicines;
food products;
fragments of pet saliva.

Allergies can be congenital or acquired.

How does an allergic reaction develop?

Patients are often surprised that they have come into contact with an allergen more than once, and everything was fine, but suddenly an allergy developed. Its symptoms do not appear immediately: only when the body has already encountered the allergen and “remembered” the mechanism of reaction to it.

An allergic reaction can be divided into 3 stages:

Sensitization. This is the body’s first contact with an allergen, when a reaction has not yet been developed, but the immune system begins to perceive the substance as potentially dangerous.
The second time you encounter an allergen, the body begins to react to it. Mast cells, which are an important component of the immune system, are damaged. Histamine is released into the blood, which provokes swelling of the mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels and other changes in the body.
At this stage, the allergy becomes noticeable, its symptoms appear - skin, respiratory. During this period, the patient's body requires additional medical assistance to stop the progression of the atypical reaction.

Symptoms and signs of allergies

The manifestation of signs of the disease depends on the route of entry of the irritant into the allergic person’s body and on the substance itself. Those that are inhaled usually cause respiratory symptoms (related to the respiratory system).

Food can cause both digestive upset and respiratory or skin allergies.

Allergy symptoms:

Swelling and irritation, non-infectious inflammation of the nasal mucosa, difficulty breathing through the nose, secretion of large amounts of mucus - allergic rhinitis.
Sneezing. It differs from a regular cold in frequency: a person with an allergy can sneeze 10 or more times in a row.
The cough is also repeated and dry.
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest.
Redness of the skin, rash, itching. May be localized or spread throughout the body.
Redness and swelling of the mucous membranes of the eye, lacrimation.
Swelling of the lips, tongue, larynx. These symptoms are the most dangerous because they can be harbingers of anaphylactic shock.
Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Food allergies often cause inflammation of the stomach and intestinal mucosa.
Anaphylactic shock is a reaction of the entire body, a systemic failure that can lead to the death of a person in just a few minutes. It can only be stopped with an emergency injection of fast-acting antihistamines.

Anaphylactic shock is characterized by:

severe swelling of the larynx, mouth, tongue;
difficulty breathing, swallowing and speaking;
the presence of a rash on any part of the skin;
heart rhythm disturbance;
a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
nausea, vomiting;
abdominal pain;
weakness and dizziness;
loss of consciousness;
suffocation.

Signs of anaphylaxis may appear all together or partially, depending on the type of allergen and its quantity.

You need to act quickly so as not to endanger the patient's life. Such allergies are often caused by nuts, seafood, and some aerosol allergens of chemical origin.

There are four of them:

Anaphylactic type, or immediate reaction. This allergy develops within minutes of exposure to an allergen. In children, it progresses faster due to the increased activity and “picky” nature of the unstable immune system. Develops when inhaling air containing allergens. The most striking manifestations are asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, anaphylactic shock. This type of reaction is associated with the production of a large amount of histamine, which causes a sharp dilation of blood vessels, muscle contraction, swelling of the mucous membrane and the production of large volumes of mucus in order to protect the body from re-invasion of the irritant.
Cytolytic, in which the body starts the process of destruction and destruction of its own cells. Such allergies are often caused by medications, especially potent ones. Types of allergies: thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Immunocomplex appears a few hours after interaction with the allergen. Immunoglobulins associated with particles of the allergen itself accumulate on the inner walls of blood vessels, complicating blood flow and causing inflammation. As a result, dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and immune complex glomerulonephritis develop.
Late hypersensitization. Unlike previous types, lymphocyte cells take part in the formation of this reaction. The reaction itself occurs a day after the allergen enters the body. In this case, the irritant substance can be third-party substances and those that are formed in the body after contact with the allergen. This group includes various dermatitis, allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, rhinitis, and asthma.

Types of allergies

Some appear upon contact with a minimal amount of allergen, while others require a large amount of irritant to develop. Allergies to chocolate, citrus fruits and alcohol occur when consuming large amounts of the product at a time.

A few grams do not cause any visible reaction. If the patient is allergic to nuts, especially peanuts, the allergy manifests itself even when consuming products with microscopic doses of the allergen.

Idiosyncratic or pseudoallergic reactions occur to those allergens that do not affect the immune system itself. These include allergies to the sun, air, high or low temperatures.

A description of the most common types of allergies is presented in the table.

Often people experience signs of allergies when in contact with another person - a relative, partner, colleague. Many people wonder whether a person can be allergic, or is it just self-hypnosis?

A person may have an allergy.

More precisely, the allergen in this case is:

Perfumes, deodorants and cosmetics, often with strong scents, that have been worn by another person.
Pieces of skin and hair.
Biological fluids.
Fragments of pet saliva on clothing.

Allergy to sperm is one of the common causes of incompatibility between partners and spouses. It can provoke various unpleasant sensations in a woman - from mild itching and redness of the mucous membranes to severe urticaria and even anaphylaxis. Allergy to sperm is also one of the causes of infertility.

An allergy can manifest itself when interacting with another person’s saliva (kissing, sharing utensils) or skin. These types of allergies are quite rare, but they do exist.

Video

How often can you hear the phrase from friends, relatives and colleagues: “I have an exacerbation of allergies again!” Parents also complain that babies do not tolerate milk or medications well, and react acutely to animal fur. Often people habitually use the names of antihistamines and competently talk about the symptoms of angioedema, urticaria, and atopic dermatitis.

Why do many children and adults face such a scourge as allergies? What kind of illness is this? What is the reason for the increase in the number of patients suffering from manifestations of acute and chronic allergic diseases? What diagnostic and treatment methods are effective for various types of negative reactions? The answers are in the article.

Development mechanism

An allergy is a specific reaction of the body to substances of various kinds with the production of antibodies. An immune response occurs when fighting a foreign protein. During the first interaction with an inappropriate substance, a negative reaction does not develop; upon repeated contact with the irritant, a response of varying severity with an active release of histamine is possible.

A characteristic feature is individual sensitivity with a tendency to allergies. The role of the aggressor is played by substances that are completely safe for healthy people. When the body is hypersensitive, foods, animal hair, plant pollen, and cosmetics become dangerous irritants.

After contact with a foreign protein, certain processes occur in the body:

mast cells migrate;
there is a powerful release of histamine;
the release of inflammatory mediators increases capillary permeability;
spasms of smooth muscles develop in the bronchi, blood vessels, and stomach, skin receptors are irritated;
the level of immunoglobulins increases;
Antibodies are actively produced to fight antigens;
the combination of lgE with mast cells and the allergen forms complexes that penetrate into various organs and tissues with the bloodstream;
pressure decreases, swelling develops, it appears on the skin, with many diseases the body itches, compression of the larynx is observed with severe swelling, and develops.

Could it be and how does the disease manifest itself? We have the answer!

General rules and effective methods for treating allergies on the palms of a child are described on the page.

Provoking factors

Main allergens:

medications: B vitamins, NSAIDs, sulfonamides, analgesics;
:, bright fruits and vegetables. Drinks with dyes and preservatives often cause allergic reactions;
severe nervous shock, frequent, prolonged stress;
, fungal spores;
saliva, dry particles of the epidermis (allergy to cats and dogs develops);
down, feathers from pillows, blankets;
library and ;
foreign proteins in vaccines or donated blood;
synthetic fabrics;
poison (from stinging insect bites);
cosmetical tools;
production factors, constant contact with oils, alkalis, disinfectant solutions, acids;
poplar fluff, alders, milkweed, quinoa;
Low quality;
, powder, .

Allergic reactions are:

spicy. The signs are clearly expressed, severe swelling develops, many dangerous reactions appear, intoxication of the body is noticeable, there is a threat to life;
chronic. Periods of remission are characterized by an almost complete absence of signs of allergy; during exacerbations, the patient’s condition and appearance worsen (the eyelids swell, a rash is visible, ulcers, crusts, weeping appear on scratched areas, the area of the nasolabial triangle turns red), the symptoms cause discomfort.

Signs of allergy that concern the patient:

over several minutes, hours or days, with proper therapy and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations, relapses do not develop;
seasonally. The body reacts violently to the flowering of some plants. , and bother patients from May to early autumn;
all year round. Negative symptoms develop upon contact with household irritants that an adult or child encounters daily. Main allergens: house dust, saliva, dander, animal hair.

There are two types of allergies in children and adults:

true. The response to a foreign protein affects the immune system, the level of immunoglobulins increases markedly. A powerful release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators provokes pronounced symptoms. Even a minimal amount of allergen causes an acute reaction. With true allergies, they are only able to relieve negative symptoms;
. The body's response is much like an immune response, but mast cells are not involved in fighting the irritant. The main cause of false allergies is excessive consumption of certain types of food, which increases the load on the digestive tract and liver. Most often, signs of a false food allergy are caused by eggs, citrus fruits, chocolate, and honey. Bloating, nausea, stomach pain appear, a small red rash is noticeable on the skin, a headache, and diarrhea. For the development of pseudo-allergy, one condition is required: a large amount of food eaten in a short period.

Classification of reactions by type of allergen:

respiratory;
physical;
food;
mechanical;
natural.

Classification by development mechanism:

cell-mediated. T-lymphocytes are affected, contact dermatitis develops;
reagin, anaphylactic. Basophils and mastocytes are affected, and the IgE level increases. Clinical manifestations: bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, urticaria, ;
immunocomplex. A complex of antibodies lgM and lgG is produced, fever and serum-like syndrome develop;
cytotoxic. Macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, NK are involved. IgG and lgM antibodies are produced, nephritis, cytopenia, and hemolytic anemia develop.

Allergic diseases

Unfortunately, the list of diseases that develop against the background of increased sensitization of the body includes more than a dozen items. Pathologies occur in acute and chronic forms, causing discomfort seasonally or throughout the year.

Common allergic diseases:

generalized urticaria;
allergic rhinitis;
medicinal and;
acute laryngeal stenosis;
allergic conjunctivitis.

On a note! With a contact type of allergy, it is easy to determine the place where the irritating substance has penetrated. Against the background of the action of respiratory allergens, medications, and certain products, negative signs affect many parts of the body.

Symptoms

How does an allergy manifest itself? Upon contact with an allergen, signs appear not only on the skin, but also in the digestive tract, respiratory tract, mucous membranes, sinuses, and eyes. Depending on the degree of sensitization of the body, the strength of the immune system, age and general condition of the patient, mild, moderate and severe reactions are possible, up to anaphylactic shock. The longer the body is in contact with an irritant, the higher the risk of a pronounced form of allergy.

Main signs and symptoms of allergies:

swelling, itching in the nose, sneezing, burning, discomfort in the nasopharynx, mucous liquid discharge from the nasal passages;
swelling in the area of the face, throat, eyelids, lips, tongue (angioedema);
signs of skin allergies: rashes on the face and body, blisters of different sizes and colors, redness of the epidermis, swelling of tissues, weeping, peeling, burning, the appearance of ulcers when the blisters are opened;
hyperemia, conjunctiva, redness, swelling of the eyelids, active lacrimation, dry sclera, sensation of a foreign body in the eyes, vision problems;
numbness or tingling of the tongue, palms, mouth area;
diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, nausea, pain in the abdominal area;
(sputum is not produced), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, bronchospasm, risk of suffocation, chest tightness;
headaches with nasal congestion.

With anaphylactic shock, there is a threat to life, the following symptoms develop (all or most):

swelling of the throat and oral cavity;
active itching of the body, noticeable redness of the tissues;
the pulse is difficult to palpate;
a rash suddenly appears;
difficulty speaking, swallowing;
there is a feeling of constriction in the chest, it is difficult to breathe;
blood pressure drops sharply;
dizziness appears, the person loses consciousness;
sudden weakness;
If assistance is not provided, the functioning of the cardiovascular system and respiratory center is disrupted, and death is likely.

Diagnostics

If any type of allergy is suspected, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out:

blood test to determine the level of immunoglobulins;
: scarification and prick tests, applications with application of an irritant to the skin;
the immunoblotting method is used to compare the results of a blood test with, mixed and
Treatment methods

The main groups of drugs for the treatment of allergies:
- antihistamine tablets for allergies to suppress the inflammation process. Children are prescribed syrups and drops, adults - tablets. In severe forms, they are indicated for the rapid removal of dangerous signs;
- to remove harmful substances and allergens from the body;
- non-hormonal and hormonal for rashes of varying severity;
- compositions for external use with antihistamine effect;
- sedatives. With severe itching, rash, and chronic allergies, irritability, insomnia, and mental balance are disturbed. Herbal decoctions and sedatives normalize the state of the nervous system;

An allergy is the body's reaction to any irritating substance, due to which a person may develop various symptoms and complications from the disease. The allergen itself can be dust, pollen during flowering, medicine, food and much more.

Before looking at the signs of allergies in adults, which can be quite different, it is important to note that according to scientists, allergens can be not only external, but also internal. Such substances are formed in the body itself. They are called endoallergens and are protein compounds.

Thus, in the presence of congenital endoallergens, a person may suffer from severe forms of allergies from the first days after birth. The characteristic signs of allergies in adults will help to distinguish this disease from other pathological conditions.

Only when an allergy develops will a person suffer from severe itching of the skin or tearing that occurs immediately after contact with the allergen. Also, a characteristic sign of an allergic reaction is that all its symptoms appear very quickly (sometimes the reaction occurs after 1-2 minutes). Other diseases cannot begin to manifest themselves at lightning speed.

The most common signs of allergies can be identified:

rash;
nausea;
swelling;
rhinitis;
tearfulness;
redness of the eyes.

The main symptoms of human hypersensitivity due to allergies depend on the specific allergen, which can cause an undesirable reaction in the body. Thus, if the skin is sensitive, at the slightest contact with an allergen, a person may experience a rash, redness and irritation.

In the case of a food allergy, the patient can easily develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and other digestive disorders. Signs of allergies in adults are highly individual. They are caused by a specific type of allergy.

It is important to know that allergies as a separate disease are becoming more common every year. This is justified by a sharp decline in environmental living conditions, an increase in the use of various chemicals that can cause undesirable reactions, as well as the unsatisfactory quality of food products.

Thus, today more than 80% of all people on the planet suffer from various types of allergies, which indicates the widespread prevalence of this disease. The allergy itself can be of several types.

The most common types of this disease are:

Reaction to mold.
For gluten.
For food.
For medications.
On the fur of cats or dogs, which are accompanied by nasal congestion, rash on the face and other signs.
For dust and pollen.
In the sun and cold.
For latex.
For insect bites.
To various chemicals (this happens especially often in children).

The first signs of allergies in adults: manifestations in the body

It is important to know that the first signs of allergies in adults may not always be pronounced. This largely depends on the specific allergen that caused the rash or other reactions in the body (photos of different symptoms of these reactions can be viewed on Internet resources). Manifestations of allergies that affect the respiratory system can be caused by various reasons.

In this condition, the first signs of allergies in adults will manifest themselves in the form of choking, coughing or a feeling of pressure in the chest.

When allergic rhinitis develops, a person will develop frequent sneezing, coughing, severe itching in the nose and eyes, and wheezing in the lungs. There is also often a profuse discharge of mucus from the nose, which is not eliminated after using regular nasal drops. Skin manifestations of allergies (occur to cat fur or flowering plants in the spring) usually occur in the form of dermatosis or urticaria. In this condition, the first signs of allergies in adults will appear in the form of severe itching of the skin, peeling and redness of the epidermis.

In more advanced cases, a person may experience a rash, skin blisters, eczema and swelling. Manifestations of eye allergies usually occur in the form of conjunctivitis, which is accompanied by severe itching of the eyes, swelling of the mucous membrane and increased tearing. These phenomena are combined with nasal congestion.

Gastrointestinal symptoms of an allergic reaction usually include the following:

Diarrhea.
Nausea.
Vomit.
Loss of appetite.
Pallor.

Very often, bronchial asthma becomes a sign of an allergy. It is accompanied by a feeling of suffocation, coughing, swelling of the larynx and shortness of breath. One of the most dangerous signs of allergies is Quincke's edema. It is accompanied by blurred vision, the appearance of characteristic blisters on the skin and itching.

If left untreated, this condition progresses to swelling of the larynx and suffocation. Anaphylactic shock is rightfully considered the most dangerous and severe manifestation of allergies. It can occur within a few minutes after contact with the allergen, while it may take more than one hour to eliminate it with medication.

You can understand that a person is experiencing anaphylactic shock by the following characteristic signs:

Feeling of lack of air.
Cramps.
Loss of consciousness.
Vomit.
The appearance of a rash.

If a person experiences these symptoms, they should immediately call an ambulance.

Symptoms of food allergies, to cats and other allergens in adults

One of the most common allergies is food allergy. The body’s reaction to gluten, which is found in cereals (wheat, oats, barley and other cereals), is considered especially dangerous.

Typical symptoms of a food allergy to gluten in adults include the following:

An allergy to citrus fruits usually develops when the human immune system is disrupted.

Symptoms of a food allergy to citrus fruits in adults include:

Swelling of the ear cavity and hearing loss.
Tearfulness and runny nose.
Redness of the eyes.
Rhinitis.

Allergies to seafood usually develop due to intolerance to the protein contained in such products. Symptoms of food allergies in adults in this case will manifest themselves in the form of choking, headache, vomiting, itchy skin and swelling of the tongue. Signs of an allergy to cats in adults are very characteristic. They appear when a person comes into direct contact with an animal or its fur.

And they manifest themselves in the form of a rash, hives, watery eyes, itchy skin and constant sneezing. There is also coughing, wheezing and nasal congestion. It is important to note that signs of allergy to cats in adults depend on the severity of the effect of such an allergen on the body and the general neglect of the disease. This type of allergy can be eliminated with medications.

You can use folk remedies only after your doctor’s permission. Dust allergies are usually characterized by acute rhinitis, cough, nasal congestion and watery eyes. In this condition, a person will need the correct selection of medications and a course of treatment under the supervision of a doctor. The reaction to an insect bite can manifest itself in the form of laryngeal edema, suffocation and angioedema. There is also a rash and itchy skin.

Treatment of allergic reactions has the following principles of therapy:

Limiting contact with the allergen.
Reception of sorbents.
Taking antihistamines to relieve allergies. This could be Pentatop, Loratadine, Zyrtec, Suprastin or Tavegil. They will eliminate signs of allergies and normalize the patient’s condition.
Taking hormonal drugs.
Use of steroid drops and sprays for the nose and eyes (Nazarel, Avamis, etc.).

Treatment must be supervised by a doctor.

The inner surface of the nose is covered with a huge number of small vessels. When an allergen or antigen enters the nasal cavity, the vessels of the nasal mucosa dilate and blood flow increases, this is a kind of defense system of the immune system. A large influx of blood causes swelling of the mucous membrane and provokes copious mucus secretion. Decongestants act on the walls of mucosal vessels, causing them to narrow, which reduces blood flow and reduces swelling.

These drugs are not recommended for children under 12 years of age, as well as nursing mothers and people with hypertension. It is also not recommended to use these drugs for more than 5-7 days, since with prolonged use they can cause a backlash and increase swelling of the nasal mucosa.

These drugs may also cause side effects such as dry mouth, headaches, and weakness. Very rarely, they can cause hallucinations or an anaphylactic reaction.

You should consult your doctor before starting to use these medications.

Leukotriene inhibitors(Montelukast (Singulair) are chemicals that block reactions caused by leukotrienes (leukotrienes are substances released by the body during an allergic reaction and cause inflammation and swelling of the airways). Most often used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors can be used together with other medications, since no interactions with them have been found.Adverse reactions are extremely rare and can manifest themselves in the form of a headache, earache, or sore throat.

Steroid sprays(Beclomethasone (Beconas, Beclazon), Flucatisone (Nazarel, Flixonase, Avamis), Mometasone (Momat, Nasonex, Asmanex)) - these drugs are essentially hormonal drugs. Their action is to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, thereby reducing the symptoms of allergic reactions, namely nasal congestion. The absorption of these drugs is minimal so that all possible adverse reactions disappear, however, with long-term use of these drugs, in rare cases, such adverse reactions as nosebleeds or sore throat are possible. Before using these medications, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Hyposensitization(immunotherapy) - In addition to avoiding contact with allergens and drug treatment, there is such a treatment method as: immunotherapy. This method involves the gradual, long-term introduction of gradually increasing amounts of allergens into your body, which will lead to a decrease in the sensitivity of your body to a given allergen.

This procedure involves the administration of small doses of the allergen in the form of a subcutaneous injection. Initially, you will be given injections at intervals of a week or less, while the dose of the allergen will be constantly increased, this regimen will be followed until a “maintenance dose” is reached, this is the dose at which there is a pronounced effect of reducing the usual allergic reaction. However, once this “maintenance dose” is reached, it will need to be administered every few weeks for at least another 2-2.5 years. This treatment method is usually prescribed when a person has a severe form of allergy that does not respond well to conventional treatment, as well as for certain types of allergies, such as allergies to bee stings, wasp stings. This type of treatment should only be carried out in a specialized medical institution under the supervision of a group of specialists, since this method of treatment can provoke a severe allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis(Anaphylactic shock)

This is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. People most often affected by anaphylaxis are:

Respiratory tract (provokes spasms and pulmonary edema)
Act of breathing (breathing disorder, shortness of breath)
Blood circulation (lowering blood pressure)

The mechanism of development of anaphylaxis is the same as that of an allergic reaction, only the manifestation of anaphylaxis is tens of times more pronounced than with ordinary, even quite strong allergic reactions.

Causes of anaphylaxis

The causes are generally similar to common allergic reactions, but it is worth highlighting the causes that most often cause anaphylactic reactions:

Insect bites
Certain types of food
Some types of medications
Contrast agents used in diagnostic medical studies

Insect bites– despite the fact that the bite of any insect can cause an anaphylactic reaction, bee and wasp stings are the cause of anaphylactic shock in the vast majority. According to statistics, only 1 in 100 people have an allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting, and only a very small number of people have an allergic reaction that develops into anaphylaxis.

Food– Peanuts are the main cause of anaphylactic reactions among foods. However, there are a number of other foods that can cause anaphylaxis:

Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and Brazil nuts
Milk
Shellfish and crab meat

The following products are the least likely to cause an anaphylactic reaction:

Bananas, grapes and strawberries

Medications – there are a number of medications that can trigger the development of anaphylactic reactions:

Antibiotics (most often from the penicillin series ( penicillin, ampicillin, bicilin))
Anesthetics (substances used during operations, intravenous anesthetics Thiopental, Ketamine, Propofol and inhalational anesthetics Sevovlurane, Desflurane, Halothane)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (drugs used in the treatment of hypertension Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril)

People taking any drugs from the above groups, except angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, may cause an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis at the first dose, which will manifest itself within a short time after taking the medication, from several minutes to several hours.
An allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock can be triggered by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs, even if the patient has been using these drugs for several years.

However, the risk of any allergic reactions when taking any of the above drugs is very low and cannot be compared with the positive medical effects achieved in the treatment of various diseases.
Eg:

The risk of developing anaphylaxis when taking penicillin is approximately 1 in 5,000
When using anesthetics 1 in 10,000
When using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 1 in 1500
When using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors 1 in 3000

Contrast agents- these are special chemicals that are administered intravenously and are used for a detailed examination of any part of the body or the vessels of any organ. Contrast agents are used in diagnostic medicine most often in studies such as computed tomography, angiography and x-ray examination.

The risk of developing an anaphylactic reaction when using contrast agents is approximately 1 in 10,000.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

The time at which any symptoms appear depends on the route the allergen enters your body, so an allergen ingested through food can trigger symptoms from a few minutes to several hours, while an insect bite or injection can trigger symptoms within anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the reaction; in some people they may be mild itching and swelling, and in some they can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include the following:

Red rash with severe itching
Swelling in the eye area, swelling of the lips and limbs
Narrowing, swelling and spasms of the airways that can cause difficulty breathing
Feeling of a lump in the throat
Nausea and vomiting
Metallic taste in the mouth
Feeling of fear
A sudden drop in blood pressure, which can lead to severe weakness, dizziness and loss of consciousness

Diagnosis of anaphylaxis

At this stage of medical development, it is not possible to determine in advance whether you will develop anaphylaxis. The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is made already during the onset of an anaphylactic reaction based on symptoms, or after the reaction has occurred. Monitoring the development of all symptoms is also not possible, since in most cases they lead to a sharp deterioration in health and can lead to death, so it is necessary to immediately begin treatment at the first signs of this disease.

After the occurrence and treatment of an anaphylactic reaction, studies are carried out aimed at detecting the allergen that caused this reaction. If this is your first manifestation of anaphylaxis and allergies in general, you will be prescribed a range of tests used to make an allergy diagnosis, including some of the following specific tests:

Skin tests
Blood test for IgE
Skin or patch tests (Patch-testing)
Provocative tests

The main goal of the study after an anaphylactic reaction is to detect the allergen that caused this reaction, also depending on the severity of the reaction to detect the allergen, it is necessary to use the safest possible test to in order to avoid a repeat reaction. The safest test is:

Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) This study allows you to determine the allergen that caused an anaphylactic reaction in the following way: a small amount of blood is taken from the patient, then small amounts of suspected allergens are placed in this blood; if a reaction occurs, namely the release of a large number of antibodies, the identified allergen is considered the cause of the reaction.

Treatment of anaphylactic shock

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate qualified medical attention.

If you notice any of the symptoms in yourself or someone else, you must immediately call an ambulance.

If you notice a possible cause for the development of symptoms, such as a bee sting site with a protruding sting, it is necessary to remove it.

If you, as an allergy sufferer or a survivor of anaphylactic shock, or a victim, have adrenaline auto-injectors, you must immediately administer a dose of the drug intramuscularly. These autoinjectors include:

EpiPen
Anapen
Jext

If any of them is available, one dose must be administered immediately (one dose = one injector). It should be injected into the thigh muscle on the dorsal lateral surface; injection into adipose tissue should be avoided as then no effect will follow. It is necessary to carefully read the instructions before use to ensure correct administration. After administration, it is necessary to fix the injector within 10 seconds in the same position in which the drug was administered. For most people, the condition should improve within a few minutes after administering the drug; if this does not happen, you will need to re-administer another dose of the drug if you have another auto-injector.

If a person is unconscious, it is necessary to turn him on his side, bending the leg on which he lies at the knee and placing the hand on which he lies under his head. This way he will be protected from vomit entering the respiratory tract. If a person is not breathing or has no pulse, resuscitation measures must be carried out, but only if you know how to do this, resuscitation measures are carried out until breathing and a pulse appear or until the ambulance team arrives.

Treatment in a hospital will be carried out with drugs similar to those used in the treatment of allergies.

Typically, the patient can be discharged from the hospital 2-3 days after anaphylaxis.
If you know allergens that can cause you an allergic reaction or even that can cause anaphylactic shock, you should avoid contact with them as much as possible.

How long does an allergy last?

In general, allergies as a disease can last a lifetime. In this case, allergy means hypersensitivity of the patient’s body to certain substances. Since such sensitivity is an individual characteristic of the body, it persists for a very long time, and the body will always react with the appearance of corresponding symptoms upon repeated contact with the allergen. Sometimes allergies can occur only in childhood or during periods of serious disturbances in the functioning of the immune system. Then it goes away within a few years, but the risk of a reaction upon repeated contact in the future still remains. Sometimes, with age, the intensity of the manifestations of the disease simply decreases, although the body’s increased sensitivity still remains.

If by allergy we mean its symptoms and manifestations, then their duration is very difficult to predict, since this is influenced by many different factors. The functioning of the immune system and the pathological mechanisms underlying allergic reactions are not fully understood. Therefore, no specialist can give a guarantee when the manifestations of the disease will disappear.

The duration of an allergic reaction is influenced by the following factors:

Contact with an allergen. Everyone knows that an allergic reaction occurs due to contact of the body with a specific substance - an allergen. The first contact in life does not cause an allergic reaction, since the body “gets to know” and recognizes the foreign substance. However, repeated contact leads to the appearance of pathological changes, since the body already has a set of necessary antibodies ( substances that react with the allergen). The longer the contact with the allergen, the longer the symptoms will be. For example, an allergy to pollen will last the entire flowering period of a certain plant if a person is constantly outdoors. If you try to spend more time at home, away from forests and fields, then contact with the allergen will be minimal, and the symptoms will disappear faster.
Allergy form. Allergic reactions after contact with an allergen can take various forms. Each of these forms has a certain duration. For example, hives can last from a few hours to several weeks. Watery eyes, coughing and irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are usually caused by the allergen and disappear within a few days after stopping contact with it. An attack of bronchial asthma caused by allergens can last several minutes ( less than hours) after termination of contact. Angioedema ( Quincke's edema) occurs upon contact with an allergen and is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. After the start of treatment, it stops increasing, but completely resolves only after a few days ( sometimes hours). Anaphylactic shock is the most severe but short-lived allergic reaction of the body. Vasodilation, drop in blood pressure and breathing difficulties do not last long, but without medical attention they can lead to the death of the patient.
Treatment effectiveness. The duration of the allergy manifestation largely depends on what drugs are used to treat the disease. The most rapid effect is observed from glucocorticoid drugs ( prednisolone, dexamethasone, etc.). That is why they are used for severe allergic reactions that threaten the patient’s life. Antihistamines act somewhat slower ( suprastin, erolin, clemastine). The effect of these drugs is weaker, and allergy symptoms will disappear gradually. But more often, antihistamines are prescribed for allergies, since glucocorticoids are similar in action to a number of hormones, which is why they can cause serious side effects. The sooner treatment is started, the faster it will be possible to eliminate allergy symptoms.
Immune system status. A number of diseases of the thyroid, adrenal glands and other endocrine glands ( endocrine glands), as well as some pathologies of the immune system can affect the duration of allergy manifestations. When they occur, systemic disorders are observed that enhance the body’s immune response to various substances. Treatment of such pathologies will also lead to the disappearance of allergic manifestations.

To get rid of allergies faster, you should first consult an allergist. Only a specialist in this field can identify the specific allergen or allergens and prescribe the most effective treatment. Self-medication for allergies not only leads to a longer course of the disease, but also does not make it possible to avoid repeated contact with the allergen. After all, the patient can only guess what he is allergic to, but does not know for sure. Only a visit to the doctor and a special test will help determine which substance you should be wary of.

How quickly does an allergy appear?

There are several stages in the development of an allergic reaction, each of which is characterized by certain processes in the body. Upon first contact with the allergen ( a substance to which the body is pathologically sensitive) symptoms usually do not appear. The allergy itself occurs after repeated ( second and all subsequent) contact with an allergen. The time of onset of symptoms is very difficult to predict, since it depends on many different factors.

Upon repeated contact with an allergen, the body begins to release special substances, class E immunoglobulins ( IgE). They affect several types of cells scattered throughout the body, destroying their membrane. As a result, so-called mediator substances are released, the most important of which is histamine. Under the influence of histamine, the permeability of the vascular walls is disrupted, and some of the fluid leaves the dilated capillaries into the intercellular space. This causes swelling. Histamine also stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle in the bronchi, which can cause breathing difficulties. This whole chain takes some time. Nowadays, there are 4 types of allergic reactions. In three of them, all biochemical processes occur quickly. In one, a so-called delayed-type immune reaction occurs.

The rate of occurrence of various manifestations of allergies is influenced by the following factors:

Type of allergic reaction.There are 4 types of allergic reactions. Usually immediate reactions predominate.
Allergen quantity. This dependence is not always visible. Sometimes even a small amount of an allergen causes certain symptoms to appear almost instantly. For example, when a wasp stings ( if a person is allergic to their poison) almost immediately there is severe pain, redness, severe swelling, and sometimes rash and itching. In general, however, it is fair to say that the more allergen that enters the body, the faster symptoms will appear.
Type of contact with allergen. This factor is very important, since different tissues of the body have different numbers of immunocompetent cells that recognize the allergen. If such a substance comes into contact with the skin, for example, itching or redness will appear after a longer time. Inhalation of pollen, dust, exhaust gases ( contact of the allergen with the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract) can almost instantly cause an attack of bronchial asthma or rapidly increasing swelling of the mucous membrane. When an allergen is introduced into the blood ( for example, contrast in some diagnostic procedures) anaphylactic shock also develops very quickly.
Clinical form of allergy. Each of the possible allergy symptoms is a consequence of exposure to mediators. But it takes different times for symptoms to appear. For example, redness of the skin is due to the dilation of capillaries, which can occur very quickly. The smooth muscles of the bronchi also contract rapidly, causing an asthma attack. But swelling occurs due to the gradual seepage of fluid through the walls of blood vessels. It takes more time to develop. Food allergies usually do not appear immediately. This is due to the digestion of food and the release of the allergen ( it is usually a component of the product) takes time.
Individual characteristics of the body. Each body has a different number of cells, mediators and receptors that take part in an allergic reaction. Therefore, exposure to the same allergen in the same doses in different patients can cause the appearance of different symptoms and at different intervals.

Thus, it is very difficult to predict when the first allergy symptoms will appear. Most often we are talking about minutes or, less often, hours. When a large dose of an allergen is administered intravenously ( contrast, antibiotic, other medications) the reaction develops almost instantly. Sometimes it takes several days for an allergic reaction to develop. This most often applies to skin manifestations of food allergies.

What can't you eat if you have allergies?

Nutrition and proper diet are the most important component of treatment for food allergies. However, even if you are allergic to substances that do not enter the body with food, proper nutrition is of a certain importance. The fact is that most people suffering from allergies have a hereditary predisposition to this disease and certain individual characteristics in the functioning of the immune system. Because of this, there is a high chance that their body is hypersensitive to several different allergens ( substances that provoke manifestations of the disease). Following a diet allows you to avoid eating foods that are potentially strong allergens.

For patients with any form of allergy, it is advisable to exclude the following foods from their diet:

Most seafood. Seafood contains a very large amount of various microelements and vitamins. This explains their benefits for most people. However, it should be remembered that contact with new substances puts a strain on the immune system, and for people with allergies, there is an additional risk of exacerbation of the disease. You should limit your consumption of fish ( especially sea), and it is better to avoid caviar and seaweed completely.
Dairy products. They should be consumed in moderation. Fresh milk and homemade fermented milk products should be completely abandoned. They contain a large amount of natural proteins, which are potential allergens. Factory-made dairy products go through several stages of processing, during which some of the proteins are destroyed. The risk of allergies remains, but is significantly reduced.
Canned foods. Most industrial canned food is prepared with the addition of a large number of food additives. They are necessary to preserve the taste of products, extend shelf life and other commercial purposes. These additives are harmless to a healthy person, but they are potentially strong allergens.
Some fruits and berries. A fairly common option is an allergy to strawberries, sea buckthorn, melon, and pineapples. Sometimes it manifests itself even when eating dishes made from these products ( compotes, jams, etc.). Citrus fruits are very strong potential allergens ( oranges, etc.). In this case, it will be regarded as a full-fledged food allergy. However, even for people, say, with allergies to bee stings or pollen, consuming these products is undesirable due to the burden on the immune system.
Products with a large number of nutritional additives. A number of products already include a wide range of different chemical food additives in their production technology. These include sweetened carbonated drinks, marmalade, chocolate, and chewing gum. All of them contain a large number of dyes, which themselves can be allergens. Sometimes sweeteners and dyes are found even in improperly prepared dried fruits.
Honey. Honey is a fairly common allergen, so it should be consumed with caution. You need to be equally wary of nuts and mushrooms. These products contain many unique substances that the body rarely comes into contact with. The risk of developing an allergy to such substances is much higher.

It would seem that the diet of patients with allergic diseases should be quite meager. However, this is not entirely true. The above products are not strictly prohibited. Patients should just carefully monitor their condition after consuming them and not eat them often or in large quantities. It is recommended to follow a more strict diet with the complete exclusion of this number of products during exacerbations of allergies ( especially after angioedema, anaphylactic shock and other dangerous forms of the disease). This will be a kind of precautionary measure.

If you have a food allergy, you need to completely exclude those foods that contain a specific allergen. For example, if a patient is allergic to strawberries, they should not eat strawberry ice cream or drink fruit tea with strawberry leaves or flowers. You need to be very careful to avoid contact with even small amounts of the allergen. In this case, we are talking specifically about pathological sensitivity to a previously known substance. Modern treatments can help gradually get rid of this problem ( for example, using immunotherapy). But for preventive purposes, the diet should still be followed. More precise instructions regarding permitted products for a particular patient can only be given by an allergist after all the necessary tests have been carried out.

Do allergies happen during pregnancy?

Allergic reactions in pregnant women are quite common. In principle, allergies rarely appear for the first time after conception. Usually women already know about their problem and notify their doctor about it. With timely intervention, diagnosis and treatment of allergic reactions during pregnancy are completely safe for both mother and fetus. Moreover, if the mother is allergic to any drugs that are used to eliminate serious problems, treatment may well be continued. They will simply add additional medications to the course that eliminate the manifestations of such allergies. In each individual case, doctors determine separately how to manage the patient. There are no uniform standards due to the wide variety of forms of the disease and the different conditions of patients.

In pregnant women, allergies can take the following forms:

Bronchial asthma. This disease may be of an allergic nature. It usually occurs when an allergen is inhaled, but can also be a consequence of skin or food contact. The cause of the disease and the main problem is spasm of smooth muscles in the walls of the bronchioles ( small air passages in the lungs). Because of this, breathing difficulties arise, which in severe cases can result in the death of the patient. In case of pregnancy, prolonged breath holding is also dangerous for the fetus.
Hives. Represents a skin allergic reaction. Most often it occurs in pregnant women in the last trimester. Itchy rashes appear on the stomach, less often on the limbs, which cause a lot of discomfort. This form of allergy is usually easily relieved with antihistamines and does not pose a serious threat to the mother or fetus.
Angioedema ( Quincke's edema). It occurs mainly in women with a hereditary predisposition to this disease. Edema can be localized in almost any part of the body where there is a lot of subcutaneous tissue. The most dangerous swelling is in the upper respiratory tract, as it can lead to respiratory arrest and hypoxic damage to the fetus. In general, this form of allergy in pregnant women is quite rare.
Rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a very common problem in pregnant women. This form is especially common in the 2nd – 3rd trimester. Rhinitis is caused by allergen contact with the nasal mucosa. As a result, swelling occurs, fluid begins to leak from the dilated capillaries, and nasal discharge appears. At the same time, breathing difficulties arise.

Thus, some forms of allergies in pregnant women can be dangerous for the fetus. That is why it is recommended to consult a doctor for medical help at the first manifestations of the disease. If the patient knows that she has an allergy, then it is possible to prescribe certain medications prophylactically to prevent an exacerbation of the disease. Of course, it is necessary to avoid contact with known allergens at all costs. If contact does occur, the focus is on adequate and prompt medical treatment.

Options for drug treatment of exacerbations in various forms of allergies in pregnant women

Allergy form	Recommended drugs and treatment
*Bronchial asthma*	Inhalation forms of beclomethasone, epinephrine, terbutaline, theophylline. In severe cases of the disease - prednisone ( first daily, and after the main symptoms are relieved - every other day), methylprednisolone extended ( prolonged) actions.
*Rhinitis*	Diphenhydramine ( diphenhydramine), chlorpheniramine, beclomethasone intranasally ( baconase and its analogues).
*Bacterial complications of rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis* (including purulent forms)	Antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial complications - ampicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefaclor. Ideally, an antibiogram is done to select the most effective drug and the most effective course. However, antibiotics are started even before the results are received ( then, if necessary, the drug is changed). Beclomethasone is indicated locally ( baconase) to eliminate an allergic reaction.
*Angioedema*	Subcutaneous epinephrine ( urgently), restoration of airway patency if swelling of the mucous membrane of the throat is observed.
*Hives*	Diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, tripelenamine. In more severe cases, ephedrine and terbutaline. For prolonged periods, prednisone may be prescribed.

A very important point in the management of pregnant women with allergies is childbirth itself. The fact is that in order to successfully carry out this procedure ( or caesarean section, if planned in a particular case) you will need to administer a large number of drugs ( including anesthesia if necessary). Therefore, it is important to notify the anesthesiologist about previous use of anti-allergy medications. This will allow you to optimally select drugs and doses, eliminating the risk of adverse reactions and complications.

The most severe type of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. It manifests itself as serious circulatory disorders. Due to the rapid expansion of capillaries, blood pressure decreases. At the same time, breathing problems may occur. This creates a serious threat to the fetus, since it does not receive enough blood and, accordingly, oxygen. According to statistics, anaphylaxis in pregnant women is most often caused by the administration of any pharmacological drug. This is quite natural, since at different stages of pregnancy a woman receives a significant amount of different medications.

Anaphylaxis in pregnant women is most often caused by the following medications:

penicillin;
oxytocin;
fentanyl;
dextran;
cefotetan;
phytomenadione.

Treatment of anaphylactic shock in pregnant women is practically no different from that in other patients. To restore blood flow and quickly eliminate the threat, epinephrine must be administered. It will narrow the capillaries, dilate the bronchioles and increase the pressure. If anaphylaxis occurs in the third trimester, the possibility of a cesarean section should be considered. This will avoid danger to the fetus.

Why are allergies dangerous?

In most cases, patients with allergies do not see their disease as particularly dangerous. This is due to the fact that severe cases of allergies that actually threaten the health or life of the patient are extremely rare. However, the danger should not be ignored. Evidence shows that people who have suffered from hay fever or eczema for years may develop anaphylactic shock ( the most severe type of allergic reaction) upon new contact with the same allergen. It is quite difficult to explain this phenomenon, since the mechanism of development of allergic reactions has not yet been fully studied.

rash;
skin redness;
peeling of the skin;
nasal discharge;
burning in the eyes;
redness of the eyes;
dry eyes;
tearfulness;
sore throat;
dry mouth;
dry cough;
sneezing.

All these symptoms in themselves do not pose a serious threat to the patient's health. They are associated with local destruction of mast cells, mastocytes and other cells involved in the development of an allergic reaction. A special mediator is released from them - histamine, which causes local damage to neighboring cells and corresponding symptoms. However, in severe cases, allergies also affect the functioning of the cardiovascular or respiratory system. Then the disease becomes much more serious.

The most dangerous forms of allergic reactions are:

Bronchial asthma. Bronchial asthma is a disease in which the small bronchi in the lungs narrow. Often this occurs precisely after contact with allergens, if the patient has hypersensitivity. An asthma attack is a very serious and dangerous condition as it affects breathing. Air does not enter the lungs in sufficient quantities, and the person may suffocate.
Angioedema ( Quincke's edema) . With this disease, the entry of allergens into the body causes swelling of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. In principle, swelling can develop in almost any part of the body, but most often it is localized on the face. A life-threatening form of Quincke's edema is localized near the windpipe. In this case, due to swelling, the airways will close, and the patient may die.
Anaphylactic shock. This form of allergic reaction is considered the most dangerous, as various organs and systems are affected. The greatest significance in the development of shock is the sharp expansion of small capillaries and a drop in blood pressure. At the same time, breathing problems may occur. Anaphylactic shock often ends in the death of the patient.

In addition, allergies are dangerous due to bacterial complications. For example, with eczema or rhinitis ( inflammation in the nasal mucosa) local protective barriers weaken. Therefore, microbes that have entered the allergy-damaged cells at this moment receive favorable soil for reproduction and development. Allergic rhinitis can develop into sinusitis or sinusitis with the accumulation of pus in the maxillary sinuses. Skin manifestations of allergies can be complicated by purulent dermatitis. This course of the disease occurs especially often if the patient has itching. In the process of scratching, it further damages the skin and introduces new portions of microbes.

What to do if your child has allergies?

Allergic reactions in children, for a number of reasons, occur much more often than in adults. Most often we are talking about food allergies, but almost all forms of this disease can be found even in early childhood. Before starting treatment for a child with allergies, it is necessary to determine the specific allergen to which the patient’s body is sensitive. To do this, contact an allergist. In some cases, it turns out that the child does not have allergies, but is intolerant to some food. Such pathologies develop according to a different mechanism ( we are talking about a lack of certain enzymes), and their treatment is carried out by pediatricians and gastroenterologists. If an allergy is confirmed, treatment is prescribed taking into account all age-related characteristics.

A special approach to treating allergies in a child is necessary for the following reasons:

young children are not able to complain about subjective symptoms ( pain, burning in the eyes, itching);
a child’s immune system is different from the immune system of adults, so the risk of allergies to new foods is higher;
Due to their curiosity, children often come into contact with various allergens in the house and on the street, so it is difficult to determine what exactly the child is allergic to;
Some strong allergy suppressants can cause serious side effects in children.

In general, however, allergic reactions in children involve the same mechanisms as in adults. Therefore, priority should be given to the same drugs in appropriate dosages. The main criterion when calculating the dose in this case will be the child’s weight, and not his age.

Of the medications used in the treatment of allergies, preference is given to antihistamines. They block receptors for the main allergy mediator, histamine. As a result, this substance is released, but does not have a pathogenic effect on the tissue, so the symptoms of the disease disappear.

The most common antihistamines are:

suprastin ( chloropyramine);
tavegil ( clemastine);
diphenhydramine ( diphenhydramine);
diazolin ( mebhydrolin);
fenkarol ( quifenadine hydrochloride);
pipolfen ( promethazine);
arolin ( loratadine).

These drugs are prescribed mainly for allergic reactions that do not threaten the child’s life. They gradually eliminate urticaria, dermatitis ( skin inflammation), itchy, watery eyes or sore throat caused by an allergic reaction. However, in case of serious allergic reactions that pose a threat to life, it is necessary to use other means with a stronger and faster effect.

In emergency situations ( Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock, bronchial asthma attack) urgent administration of corticosteroids is necessary ( prednisolone, beclomethasone, etc.). Drugs in this group have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. The effect of their use comes much faster. Also, to maintain the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, it is necessary to administer adrenaline or its analogues ( epinephrine). This will dilate the bronchi and restore breathing during an asthma attack, and increase blood pressure ( important for anaphylactic shock).

With any allergies in children, it is important to remember that the child’s body is more sensitive in many ways than an adult. Therefore, even ordinary manifestations of allergies cannot be ignored ( watery eyes, sneezing, rash). You should immediately consult a doctor who will confirm the diagnosis, give appropriate preventive recommendations and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Self-medication is always dangerous. The growing body's response to an allergen can change with age, and the risk of developing dangerous forms of allergy if not treated correctly is very high.

What are some folk remedies for allergies?

Folk remedies for allergies should be selected depending on the location of the symptoms of this disease. There are a number of medicinal plants that can partly affect the immune system as a whole, reducing the symptoms of allergies. Another group of agents can interrupt the pathological process at the local level. These include ointments and compresses for skin manifestations.

Of the folk remedies that affect the immune system as a whole, the following are most often used:

Mumiyo. 1 g mummy dissolves in 1 liter of hot water ( high-quality product dissolves even in warm water quickly and without sediment). The solution is cooled to room temperature ( 1 – 1.5 hours) and taken orally once a day. It is advisable to take the product in the first hour after waking up. The course lasts 2 – 3 weeks. Single dose for adults – 100 ml. Shilajit solution can also be used to treat allergies in children. Then the dose is reduced to 50 - 70 ml ( depending on body weight). This remedy is not recommended for children under one year of age.
Peppermint. 10 g of dry peppermint leaves are poured with half a glass of boiling water. Infusion lasts 30 - 40 minutes in a dark place. The product is taken three times a day, 1 tablespoon for several weeks ( if the allergy does not go away for a long time).
Calendula officinalis. 10 g of dried flowers are poured into a glass of boiling water. Infusion lasts 60 – 90 minutes. The infusion is taken twice a day, 1 tablespoon.
Swamp duckweed. The plant is collected, washed well, dried and ground into a fine powder. This powder should be taken 1 teaspoon three times a day, washed down with plenty of boiled water ( 1 – 2 glasses).
Dandelion root. Freshly picked dandelion roots are well scalded with boiling water and ground ( or rub) into a homogeneous paste. Pour 1 tablespoon of this slurry into 1 glass of boiling water and mix thoroughly. The mixture is drunk, shaking before use, 1 glass per day in three doses ( one third of a glass morning, afternoon and evening). The course can last 1 – 2 months if necessary.
Celery root. 2 tablespoons of crushed root should be poured into 200 ml of cold water ( approximately 4 - 8 degrees, temperature in the refrigerator). Infusion lasts 2 – 3 hours. During this period, you should avoid direct sunlight on the infusion. After this, the infusion is taken 50–100 ml three times a day, half an hour before meals.

The above remedies are not always effective. The fact is that there are several different types of allergic reactions. There is no universal remedy that suppresses all these types. Therefore, you should try several treatment regimens to determine the most effective treatment.

As a rule, these recipes relieve symptoms such as allergic rhinitis ( for allergies to pollen), conjunctivitis ( inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes), asthma attacks. For skin manifestations of allergies, preference should be given to local treatment methods. The most common are compresses, lotions and baths based on medicinal plants.

For skin manifestations of allergies, the following folk remedies best help:

Dill juice. The juice is best squeezed from young shoots ( in the old ones there is less of it, and more dill will be needed). After squeezing out approximately 1 - 2 tablespoons of juice, they are diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 2. Gauze is moistened in the resulting mixture, which is then used as a compress. You need to do it 1 - 2 times a day for 10 - 15 minutes.
Mumiyo. Shilajit can also be used as a lotion for skin allergies. It is diluted in a concentration of 1 to 100 ( 1 g of substance per 100 g of warm water). Clean gauze or a handkerchief is generously moistened with the solution and the affected area of skin is covered. The procedure is done once a day, and it lasts until the compress begins to dry out. The course of treatment lasts 15–20 procedures.
Pansies. Prepare a concentrated infusion of 5 - 6 tablespoons of dried flowers and 1 liter of boiling water. Infusion lasts 2 – 3 hours. After this, the mixture is shaken, the petals are filtered and poured into a warm bath. Baths should be taken every 1 to 2 days for several weeks.
Nettle. Mash freshly picked nettle flowers into a paste and pour boiling water over them ( 2 – 3 tablespoons per glass of water). When the infusion has cooled to room temperature, moisten gauze in it and apply lotions to the area of allergic eczema, itching or rash.
Hop cones. A quarter cup of crushed green hop cones is poured with a glass of boiling water. The resulting mixture is mixed well and left for at least 2 hours. After this, gauze is soaked in the infusion and compresses are applied to the affected area. The procedure is repeated twice a day.

The use of these remedies in many patients gradually eliminates itching, redness of the skin, and eczema. On average, for a noticeable effect you need to carry out 3–4 procedures, and then until the end of the course the goal is to consolidate the result. However, treatment with folk remedies for allergies has a number of tangible disadvantages. It is because of them that self-medication can be dangerous or ineffective.

The disadvantages of treating allergies with folk remedies are:

Nonspecific action of herbs. Not a single medicinal plant can compare in strength and speed of effect with modern pharmacological drugs. Therefore, treatment with folk remedies, as a rule, lasts longer, and the chances of success are less.
Risk of new allergic reactions. A person who is allergic to something is usually predisposed to other allergies due to the way the immune system works. Therefore, treatment with folk remedies can lead to contact with new allergens that the patient’s body cannot tolerate. Then the manifestations of allergies will only worsen.
Masking symptoms. Many of the above folk remedies do not affect the mechanism of allergy development, but only its external manifestations. Thus, the state of health when taking them can only improve externally.

Based on all this, we can conclude that folk remedies are not the best choice in the fight against allergies. With this disease, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the specific allergen that the body cannot tolerate. After this, at the request of the patient, the specialist himself can recommend any remedies based on the action of medicinal herbs, which are the safest in this particular case.

Is there a human allergy?

In the classical sense, an allergy is an acute response of the immune system to the body’s contact with any foreign substance. In humans, as a certain biological species, the structure of tissues is very similar. Therefore, there cannot be allergic reactions to the hair, saliva, tears and other biological components of another person. The immune system simply will not detect the foreign material, and the allergic reaction will not start. However, in medical practice, allergies in very sensitive patients may regularly appear when communicating with the same person. However, this has a slightly different explanation.

Each person comes into contact with a very large number of potential allergens. At the same time, the carrier himself does not suspect that he is a carrier of allergens, since his body does not have increased sensitivity to these components. However, for a patient with an allergy, even a tiny amount of a foreign substance is enough to cause severe symptoms of the disease. Most often, such cases are mistaken for “human allergies.” The patient cannot figure out what exactly he is allergic to, and therefore blames the carrier.

Most often, sensitivity to the following allergens is mistaken for human allergies:

Cosmetics. Cosmetical tools ( even on a natural basis) are strong potential allergens. Contact with lipstick, inhalation of perfume, or tiny particles of powder can be taken as an allergy to a person. Of course, during everyday contact these substances enter the environment in negligible quantities. But the problem is that for people with specific hypersensitivity, even this is enough.
Industrial dust. Some people who work in manufacturing are carriers of specific allergens. The smallest particles of dust settle on the skin, clothes, linger in the hair, and are inhaled by the lungs. After work, a person, coming into contact with his friends, can transfer dust particles to them. If you are allergic to its components, it may cause a rash, redness of the skin, watery eyes and other typical symptoms.
Animal fur. The problem of “human allergies” is well known to people with allergies to pets ( cats or dogs). Owners usually have a small amount of their pet's hair or saliva on their clothes. If you are allergic ( person with allergies) comes into contact with the owner, a small amount of the allergen may come into contact with him.
Medications. Not many people think about what happens in the human body after taking any medications. Having fulfilled their therapeutic function, they are usually metabolized by the body ( bind or split) and are output. They are mainly excreted in urine or feces. But a certain amount of components can be released during breathing, with sweat, tears, sperm or secretions of the vaginal glands. Then contact with these biological fluids is dangerous for a person with an allergy to the medications used. In these cases, it is very difficult to detect the allergen. It is misleading if the patient believes that the rash occurred after, say, contact with the sweat of another person. Indeed, it is easier to mistake this for a human allergy than to trace the path of a specific allergen.

There are other options when a very specific person is a carrier of a specific allergen. Even an allergist is not always able to understand the situation. In these cases, it is important to temporarily stop contact with the “suspect” ( so as not to provoke new manifestations of the disease) and still contact a specialist. An extensive skin test with a large number of different allergens usually helps to identify what exactly the patient is sensitive to. After this, you need to talk in detail with the potential carrier to find out where the allergen could have come from. Changing your perfume or stopping any medications usually solves the problem of “human allergies.”

In rare cases, human allergies can occur in some mental disorders. Then symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or watery eyes are not caused by contact with any allergen, but by a certain “psychological incompatibility.” At the same time, manifestations of the disease sometimes appear even when a person is mentioned, when physical contact with him is excluded. In these cases, we are not talking about allergies, but about mental disorders.

Is there an allergy to alcohol?

There is a common misconception that some people are allergic to alcohol. This is not entirely true, since ethyl alcohol itself, which is meant by alcohol, has a very simple molecular structure and practically cannot become an allergen. Thus, allergies to alcohol, as such, practically do not exist. However, cases of allergies to alcoholic beverages are not uncommon. However, here it is not ethyl alcohol that acts as an allergen, but other substances.

Typically, an allergic reaction to alcoholic beverages is explained as follows:

Ethyl alcohol is an excellent solvent. Many substances that are insoluble in water dissolve easily and without residue in alcohol. Therefore, any alcoholic drink contains a very large amount of dissolved substances.
A small amount of allergen sufficient to trigger a reaction. The amount of allergen is not critical for the development of an allergic reaction. In other words, even negligible impurities of any substance in alcohol can cause an allergy. Of course, the more allergen enters the body, the stronger and faster the reaction will appear. But in practice, even very small doses of an allergen sometimes cause anaphylactic shock - the most severe form of an allergic reaction that threatens the patient’s life.
Low quality control. High-quality alcoholic products always indicate the composition of the drink and the number of ingredients. However, currently the production and sale of alcohol is a very profitable business. Therefore, a significant proportion of products on the market may contain some kind of impurity that is not listed on the label. A person may be allergic to these unknown components. Then it is very difficult to determine the allergen. Alcoholic drinks produced at home are even more dangerous for people with allergies, since the composition is simply not carefully controlled.
Incorrect storage conditions. As mentioned above, alcohol is a good solvent, and only a small amount of the substance is needed to develop an allergy. If an alcoholic drink is stored incorrectly for a long time ( Usually we are talking about plastic bottles), some components of the material from which the container is made may get into it. Few buyers know that plastic packaging also has an expiration date and must also be certified. Low-quality plastic or plastic that has expired begins to gradually deteriorate, and complex chemical compounds gradually pass into the contents of the vessel in the form of a solution.
Drinking alcohol internally. Allergies can occur through various types of contact with an allergen. When it comes to drinking alcoholic beverages, the allergen enters the gastrointestinal tract. This contributes to the development of a more intense and faster allergic reaction than if the allergen came into contact with, say, the skin.

In recent years, cases of allergies to various alcoholic beverages have become more frequent. People with hereditary predisposition or allergies to other substances should be very careful when choosing drinks. It is advisable to exclude those products that contain various natural flavors or additives. As a rule, components such as almonds, some fruits, and barley gluten in beer are strong potential allergens.

Patients may experience the following manifestations of allergies to alcoholic beverages:

attack of bronchial asthma;
redness of the skin ( spots);
hives;
angioedema ( Quincke's edema);
anaphylactic shock;
eczema.

Some doctors note that alcohol may not itself lead to allergic reactions, but rather stimulate their occurrence. According to one theory, in a number of patients, after drinking alcohol, the permeability of the intestinal walls increases. Because of this, more microbes can enter the blood ( or their components), which normally inhabit the human intestine. These microbial components themselves have a certain allergenic potential.

You should consult a doctor if there are any signs of an allergic reaction after drinking alcohol. The fact is that in this case we are often talking about a bad habit ( alcoholism), which is a drug problem, and about allergies that can pose a threat to the health and life of the patient. Therefore, the allergist should, if possible, identify the specific allergen and notify the patient about his sensitivity to this component. The patient will definitely be advised to undergo a course of treatment for alcoholism ( if such a problem exists). Even if in the future he drinks drinks that do not contain the detected allergen, the very influence of alcohol will only aggravate the situation, further disrupting the functioning of the immune system.

Can you die from allergies?

Allergic reactions are an increased response of the immune system to contact with any foreign body. This activates a number of different cells in the human body. It is very difficult to predict the manifestations of an allergic reaction in advance. Often they come down to fairly “harmless” local symptoms. However, in some cases, the increased immune response can affect vital systems of the body. In these cases, there is a risk of death of the patient.

Most often, allergies manifest themselves with the following symptoms:

runny nose with “watery” nasal discharge;
the appearance of spots or rashes on the skin;
dry cough;
inflammation of the mucous membranes.

All these manifestations can seriously worsen the patient’s quality of life, but they are not life-threatening. In this case, there is a local release of a special substance from the cells - histamine ( as well as a number of other, less active substances). They cause local expansion of capillaries, increased permeability of their walls, spasm of smooth muscles and other pathological reactions.

In some patients the reaction is more severe. Biological mediators released during allergies disrupt the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Symptoms typical of ordinary allergies simply do not have time to develop, as much more dangerous disorders come to the fore. This condition is called anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis.

Anaphylactic shock is the most severe form of allergy and without special treatment can lead to the death of the patient within 10 to 15 minutes. According to statistics, the probability of death without first aid reaches 15–20%. Death during anaphylactic shock occurs due to the rapid expansion of capillaries, a drop in blood pressure, and, as a consequence, a cessation of oxygen supply to tissues. In addition, a spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi often occurs, which causes the airways to narrow and the patient practically stops breathing.

The main distinguishing features of anaphylactic shock from ordinary allergies are:

rapid spread of redness or swelling at the site of contact with the allergen;
breathing problems ( noisy breathing, shortness of breath);
drop in blood pressure ( disappearance of pulse);
loss of consciousness;
sharp paleness of the skin, sometimes blueness of the fingertips.

All these symptoms are not typical for a local allergic reaction. If possible, the patient is given assistance on the spot ( if necessary medications are available) or urgently call an ambulance for hospitalization. Otherwise, anaphylactic shock can be fatal.

Another dangerous form of allergy is Quincke's edema. With it, the same mechanisms lead to rapidly increasing swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. Swelling may appear in various parts of the body ( on eyelids, lips, genitals). This reaction in rare cases can also lead to the death of the patient. This happens mainly in children when the swelling spreads to the mucous membrane of the larynx. The swollen mucous membrane closes the airway, and the patient simply suffocates.

Are there any allergies to medications?

Allergic reactions to medications are a fairly common problem in the modern world. Almost 10% of all side effects from various drugs are allergic in nature. This high frequency is also facilitated by the fact that nowadays people receive a large amount of pharmacological products from childhood. Because of this, there is a higher chance that the body will develop pathological sensitivity to certain components of the drugs.

Allergies to medications are considered a very dangerous phenomenon. It often takes serious forms ( Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis), threatening the patient's life. If contact occurs at home, there is a risk of death. In medical institutions, the risk is less, since any department must have a special first aid kit for anaphylactic shock.

The danger of allergies to medications is due to the following reasons:

many medications are administered intravenously in large quantities;
modern medications have a high-molecular structure and a strong potential for provoking allergic reactions;
patients who are allergic to a certain drug are already sick ( because the drug is prescribed for a disease), therefore they suffer an allergic reaction even more severely;
frequency of anaphylactic shock ( the most dangerous form of allergy) higher than with allergies to other substances;
many doctors neglect special tests for drug tolerance and immediately administer large doses of drugs to patients;
It can be difficult to neutralize the effect of some drugs and completely remove them from the body in a short period of time;
Much of today's pharmaceutical products come from the so-called black market and may therefore contain various impurities ( which cause allergic reactions);
It is difficult to immediately diagnose an allergy to a drug, since it can give other side effects of a non-allergic nature;
sometimes patients are forced to take medications to which they are allergic, simply because there are no effective analogues against the underlying disease.

According to modern research, it is believed that the risk of developing hypersensitivity to a particular drug after its first use is on average 2 - 3%. However, it is not the same for different pharmacological groups. The fact is that some medications contain natural components or high molecular weight compounds. They have a higher potential to trigger allergies. Other drugs have a relatively simple chemical composition. This makes them safer.
);

local anesthetics ( lidocaine, novocaine, etc.).

Many other drugs can also cause allergic reactions, but much less frequently. Sometimes even drugs with low molecular weight can cause allergies due to the impurities they contain.

Manifestations of drug allergies can be very diverse. Immediate reactions include anaphylactic shock, acute urticaria or angioedema ( Quincke's edema), which may appear within the first minutes after administration of the drug. Within 3 days after contact, so-called accelerated reactions may occur. Their manifestations range from a minor rash or spots on the body to a fever with severe general condition. The latter is more common if the drug is taken regularly. There are also cases of delayed reactions that develop only a few days after administration of the drug.

The severity of allergy symptoms to medications is very difficult to predict. It is also almost impossible to predict in advance a patient's sensitivity to a particular drug. The fact is that some drugs do not detect their allergic activity in reactions in vitro with the patient’s blood. Intradermal tests can also be false negative. This is due to the influence of many different factors ( both external and internal).

The likelihood of an allergy and the severity of its manifestations may depend on the following factors:

patient's age;
patient's gender;
genetic factors ( hereditary predisposition to allergies in general);
accompanying illnesses;
social factors ( place of work - doctors or pharmacists are more likely to come into contact with drugs, and the likelihood of developing specific sensitivities is higher);
simultaneous use of several medications;
duration of first contact with a certain medication;
quality of medicine ( largely depends on the manufacturer);
shelf life of the drug;
method of drug administration ( on the skin, subcutaneously, orally, intramuscularly, intravenously);
drug dose ( does not play a decisive role);
metabolism of the drug in the body ( how quickly and by what organs it is normally excreted).

The best way to avoid drug allergies is good health. The less sick a person is, the less often he comes into contact with various medications, and the less likely he is to develop allergies. Additionally, before using a potentially dangerous drug ( especially serum and other drugs containing complete antigens) a special skin test is performed, which most often allows one to suspect an allergy. Small doses are administered fractionally intradermally and subcutaneously. In case of hypersensitivity, the patient will experience severe swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site. If the patient knows that he is allergic to certain drugs, he must notify the doctor about this before starting treatment. Sometimes patients, not hearing a familiar name, are not worried about this. However, there are many analogues of drugs with different trade names. They can cause serious allergic reactions. Only a qualified doctor or pharmacist can figure out which drugs are best to prescribe.

Are there allergies to water, air, sun?

Allergic reactions by their nature are a consequence of activation of the immune system. They are triggered by contact of certain substances ( allergens) with specific receptors in the skin, mucous membranes or blood ( depending on how the allergen entered the body). Therefore, there cannot be an allergic reaction to the sun, for example. Sunlight is a stream of waves of a certain spectrum and is not associated with the transfer of matter. We can talk about allergic reactions to water or air conditionally. The fact is that allergens, as a rule, are substances that are quite complex in their chemical composition. Molecules of water or gases from the atmospheric air cannot cause allergic reactions. However, both air and water usually contain a large number of different impurities, which cause allergic reactions.

Over the past decades, several reports have been made of cases of allergies specifically to water molecules. However, most experts question their reliability. Perhaps the researchers simply could not isolate the impurity that causes the allergy. Be that as it may, there are very few such cases, so there is still no reliable information on them. More often we are talking about allergies to substances dissolved in water. In city water supplies this is usually chlorine or its compounds. The composition of well, spring, or river water depends on the specific geographic area. There are, for example, areas with a high content of fluorine and other chemical elements. People who are allergic to these substances will experience symptoms of illness after contact with ordinary water. At the same time, contact with water in other geographical areas will not cause such a reaction.

An allergy to impurities in water usually manifests itself with the following symptoms:

dry skin;
peeling of the skin;
dermatitis ( skin inflammation);
the appearance of red spots on the skin;
the appearance of a rash or blisters;
digestive disorders ( if the water was drunk);
swelling of the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx ( rarely).

An allergy to air is simply impossible, since it is necessary for breathing and a person with such a disease would not survive. In this case, we are talking about any specific air or the impurities contained in it. It is their exposure that usually causes allergic reactions. Additionally, some people are very sensitive to dry or cold air. Exposure to it can cause allergy-like symptoms in them.

Allergic reactions to air are usually explained by the following mechanisms:

Impurities in the air. Gases, dust, pollen or other substances that are often present in the air are the most common cause of such allergies. They get on the mucous membrane of the nose, larynx, respiratory tract, skin, and mucous membrane of the eyes. Most often, the patient's eyes become red and watery, a cough, sore throat, and nasal discharge appear. In severe cases, there is also swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx and an attack of bronchial asthma.
Dry air. Dry air cannot cause an allergic reaction in the generally accepted sense. Most often, such air simply causes dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat, nose, and eyes. The fact is that normally ( at humidity 60 – 80%) cells of the mucous membranes secrete special substances that protect tissues from the effects of harmful impurities in the air. Due to dry air, these substances are released in smaller quantities, and irritation occurs. It can also manifest itself as a cough and sore throat. Patients often complain of dry eyes, a feeling of a foreign body in the eye, and redness.
Cold air. Allergies to cold air exist, although there is no specific allergen that triggers the reaction. It’s just that in some people, exposure to cold air causes the release of histamine from special cells in the tissues. This substance is the main mediator in allergic reactions and causes all the symptoms of the disease. Allergy to cold air is a very rare disease. People suffering from it usually have allergies to other substances. Often they also have some kind of hormonal, nervous or infectious diseases. In other words, there are third-party factors that explain such a non-standard reaction of the body to cold.

Sun allergy is often called photodermatitis. With it, the patient's skin is too sensitive to the sun's rays, so various pathological changes appear. By and large, talking specifically about an allergic reaction in this case is not entirely correct due to the absence of an allergen. But histamine can be released under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, and the symptoms of photodermatitis sometimes closely resemble the skin manifestations of allergies.

Increased sensitivity to sunlight may manifest itself in the following ways:

the appearance of a rash;
rapid redness of the skin;
thickening of the skin ( its coarsening, roughness);
peeling;
rapid appearance of pigmentation ( tan, which is usually unevenly distributed in patches).

Such reactions to sunlight usually occur in people with serious congenital diseases ( then this is an individual feature of the body due to a lack or excess of any cells or substances). Photodermatitis can also appear in people with diseases of the endocrine or immune system.

Thus, allergies to water, air or sunlight, by and large, do not exist. More precisely, exposure to these factors under certain conditions can cause symptoms similar to allergies. However, these manifestations do not cause severe attacks of asthma, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema and other life-threatening situations. If there is a severe allergic reaction to water or air, it is most likely due to the impurities they contain.

Are allergies inherited?

It is currently believed that the characteristics of the immune system that predispose to the development of allergic reactions are genetically determined. This means that certain people have special proteins, receptors or other molecules ( more precisely - an excess of certain cells or molecules), responsible for the development of immune reactions. Like all substances in the body, these molecules are a product of the implementation of genetic information from chromosomes. Thus, a certain predisposition to allergies can indeed be inherited.

Numerous studies conducted around the world show in practice the importance of hereditary factors. Parents who are allergic to anything have a very high chance of having a child with similar immune system characteristics. However, it should be noted that the correspondence of allergens is not always observed. In other words, both parents and children will suffer from allergies, but one of the parents may have it, for example, to pollen, and the child may have it to milk proteins. Hereditary transmission of hypersensitivity to any one substance over several generations is quite rare. This is because in addition to genetic predisposition, other factors also play a significant role.

The following factors may predispose to the development of allergies:

artificial ( not breastfeeding) feeding in childhood;
early contact in childhood with strong allergens;
frequent contact with strong chemical irritants ( strong detergents, industrial toxins, etc.);
life in developed countries ( It has been statistically shown that natives of third world countries are significantly less likely to suffer from allergies and autoimmune diseases);
the presence of endocrine diseases.

Under the influence of these external factors, allergies can appear even in people who do not have a hereditary predisposition. In people with congenital defects of the immune system, they will lead to more severe and frequent manifestations of the disease.

Despite the fact that the occurrence of allergies is influenced by hereditary factors, it is almost impossible to predict it in advance. Often parents with allergies give birth to children without this disease. Currently, there are no special genetic tests that can determine whether the disease is inherited. However, there are recommendations prescribing what to do in case of allergies in a child.

If a child shows signs of an allergy to something, and his parents also suffer from this disease, the situation should be approached with the utmost seriousness. The fact is that a child can be hypersensitive to a number of different substances. In addition, there is a risk of an extremely strong immune system response called anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening. Therefore, at the first suspicion of an allergy, you should consult an allergist. He can perform specific tests on the most common allergens. This will allow you to promptly identify the child’s hypersensitivity to certain substances and avoid contact with them in the future.

What allergies are and how they manifest themselves are known to almost every person who has had to deal with this problem throughout their life. In order to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and get rid of them forever, you need to know exactly what caused the development of allergic reactions. Allergies, its causes, treatment, symptoms and features need to be studied by everyone. So, allergy is usually understood as a special reaction of the immune system, as a result of which the integrity of the tissues of the human body is violated.

Most often, symptoms do not take long to appear. A person becomes ill within a few hours. Elementary signs appear in the form of various skin rashes, tearing, and discharge from the nasal passages. Swelling, blistering and increased body temperature may often occur. In fact, this is not the entire list of negative effects on the human body. This is why you need to be very careful when the first symptoms of an allergic reaction appear.

The causes of an allergic reaction are quite varied. It can occur depending on the etiology of its occurrence. Treatment should be carried out only under the strict supervision of a specialist. Any independent manifestations can only worsen a person’s general well-being.

So why do allergies appear? The standard reason for the manifestation of an inadequate reaction of the human body is the consumption of the wrong foods, as well as failure to adhere to the correct daily routine. Very often, an allergy can manifest itself after a person has become very nervous or has suffered a severe shock (bad news, etc.).

How to recognize an allergy?

How to recognize an allergy? It’s hard not to notice such a reaction of the body. The first sign is sudden sneezing or watery eyes. A change in skin color or a small rash may also indicate that something is wrong with the body.

Quite often, a similar reaction occurs in a person after he has been in close contact with any chemical substance. It is to this that the body reacts so suddenly. This is not strange, he is trying to protect himself from an unknown component from the outside.

Each person's reaction to a stimulus can be very diverse. First of all, it depends on his immune system. As has long been established, an allergic reaction can be inherited. That is why parents who suffer from unpleasant symptoms for a long time should take care in advance to ensure that their baby does not have to face such trouble.

Common causes of an allergic reaction:

Proteins of foreign origin (they can be contained in vaccines and plasma).
The presence of a large amount of dust (in the house, on the street or from books).
If there are plants in the house, their pollen can also cause unpleasant symptoms.
Fungal spores or mold.
Medicines (very often people are allergic to penicillin).
Food products (milk, eggs, soy, wheat, various fruits and seafood).
Insect or animal bite.
Pet fur.
The presence of a domestic tick, namely its excretion.
Latex.
Household chemicals.

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Manifesting symptoms

Since today allergies can come in a wide variety of forms, their symptoms can also manifest themselves in different ways. Very often, unpleasant symptoms can be confused with another disease, which is quite common in medical practice.

Respiratory allergies are very common.

This reaction occurs when an irritant penetrates through the respiratory system. These include dust, gas, pollen. In another way they can be called aeroallergens. Typically, the following symptoms may result from exposure to these substances:

Sudden sneezing from a person.
The nose is very itchy.
Copious nasal discharge.
Cough.
The presence of wheezing in the lungs.
Sudden suffocation occurs.

The consequence of this process may be the development of bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.

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Allergy options

Dermatic type of allergy.

It can be instantly noticed on the skin. They may change color and become very itchy. The causes of this reaction may be poor nutrition, cosmetics, household chemicals, aeroallergens and medications. Its main features appear as follows:

change in skin color (more often it becomes red);
severe itching;
the upper layer of the epidermis begins to peel off;
the skin is overdried, it seems to be very tight;
small rashes that are somewhat similar to eczema;
the appearance of blisters;
swelling in different parts of the body.
Allergic conjunctivitis.

The organs of vision can also be damaged as a result of irritants. In this case, you need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

both eyes are very hot and burning;
constant production of tears;
Swelling may occur in the eyes and eyelids.
Enteropathy.

A common type of allergy that develops as a result of ingesting a food product. The stomach, in turn, does not respond very adequately to the stimulus, and this can cause the following symptoms:

severe nausea;
vomit;
the appearance of diarrhea;
sometimes severe constipation occurs;
severe swelling of the lips and tongue;
acute pain in the intestines.

Development of anaphylactic shock.

In medicine, this type of allergy is considered the most dangerous. After all, it can develop in just a couple of seconds and last for several hours. In order to properly assist the patient, it is necessary to know how anaphylactic shock manifests itself. Its symptoms are as follows:

severe shortness of breath appears;
severe cramps of the limbs and whole body;
the person may lose consciousness;
A small rash may appear on the body;
Emptying of the bladder may occur involuntarily;
presence of nausea and vomiting;
defecation.

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How to relieve allergy symptoms?

How to relieve allergy symptoms? If a mild form of allergy develops, helping the affected person is quite simple. First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause and eliminate it immediately. If these are products, then you need to refuse them, if they are animals, then you should give them to one of your relatives. To prevent symptoms from tormenting a person too much, it is necessary to give him medications that help reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms. These medications can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Medicinal herbs, nasal rinsing and the use of dry nettle will be very effective. If you have a severe runny nose, it is recommended to eat spicy food.

If we consider methods of treating allergies, the safest and most reliable way to treat an allergic reaction is the use of traditional methods of treatment. Firstly, they are not contraindicated, and secondly, they do not cause any complications to human health.

You can use various herbal decoctions and infusions. They are recommended to be taken both internally and to rinse the nose with them.

In addition to folk remedies, it is worth highlighting drug relief from unpleasant symptoms. It is advisable to use them in more severe and advanced cases.

What is an allergy and why does it occur?

How does an allergic reaction develop?

Symptoms and signs of allergies

Types of allergies

Video

Development mechanism

Provoking factors

Allergic diseases

Symptoms

Diagnostics

Treatment methods

The first signs of allergies in adults: manifestations in the body

Symptoms of food allergies, to cats and other allergens in adults

Anaphylaxis(Anaphylactic shock)

Causes of anaphylaxis

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

Diagnosis of anaphylaxis

Treatment of anaphylactic shock

How long does an allergy last?

How quickly does an allergy appear?

What can't you eat if you have allergies?

Do allergies happen during pregnancy?

Why are allergies dangerous?

What to do if your child has allergies?

What are some folk remedies for allergies?

Is there a human allergy?

Is there an allergy to alcohol?

Can you die from allergies?

Are there any allergies to medications?

Are there allergies to water, air, sun?

Are allergies inherited?

How to recognize an allergy?

Manifesting symptoms

Allergy options

How to relieve allergy symptoms?