Definition and types of allergy
Allergy - hypersensitivity to foreign proteins (eg, cow's milk, pollen, animal secretion). The immune system treats them as harmful particles and produces antibodies against them. This, in turn, causes all sorts of allergy symptoms - hay fever, bronchial asthma, skin rashes. The allergy develops more often on a hereditary level (called atopy). There are several forms of allergy:
Food allergy - an allergy to certain nutrients, most often manifested in young children. Symptoms include: persistent colic, diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool, skin lesions (eg, red cheeks), runny nose. Most often the allergy is on chicken eggs, soy, beef, veal, fish, nuts, cocoa, chocolate, strawberries and citrus fruits. Rarely - on protein in grain (gluten). Nutritional allergy manifests itself in 90% of children and disappears by the end of the third year of life. Sometimes it persists in a person for the rest of his life.
Inhalation allergy is an allergy that goes into the body when inhaled. Allergic rhinitis (seasonal or perennial) manifests itself in the form of a watery rhinitis, often accompanied by conjunctivitis and itching in the eyes. Treatment consists mainly of avoiding contact with harmful allergens. If you have similar symptoms, apply anti-inflammatory and antihistamines. If you do not treat this type of allergy, it can go into asthma.
Skin allergy - the skin's sensitivity to contact with a substance such as metal, some cosmetics and powders.
Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema, pruritus) is a disease caused by hypersensitivity to food or volatile allergens. The disease manifests itself most often in the form of scaly rashes and redness on the skin. Most often affected by elbows, face, knees. It is necessary to avoid allergens, especially with external injuries (cuts, scratches) on the skin. In the period of intensive manifestation of the disease, you need to use creams or steroid ointments. For children older than 2 years, they can be replaced with newer non-steroidal creams. The child can also receive antihistamines in tablets.
Basic terms associated with allergies
Elimination of the diet is a complete withdrawal of foods that can cause allergies. If there are improvements - the diet is extended for a longer period of time. In the case of milk, it takes at least six months for treatment, and in the case of other allergens, even longer.
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cells. Their increased concentration in the blood and tissues may indicate an allergy.
Gluten - a protein in cereals (wheat, rye, barley), which can cause allergies. Until recently, products containing gluten (porridge, bread, pasta) were introduced to children at the end of infancy. But it turned out that contrary to expectations, it does not matter for the prevention of allergies. In accordance with the latest recommendations, gluten is introduced already for 6-7 months of the child's life. Attention! Allergy to gluten should not be confused with intolerance to gluten or celiac disease.
Histamine is a secret produced by the body when it comes to an allergen. This is the main mediator of allergic reactions, the end result can be digestive disorders, skin diseases, rhinitis, asthma. Antihistamines are the main weapon in the fight against the most common types of allergies.
Immunoglobin is an excess of antibodies circulating in the blood of allergy sufferers. A high level of it usually indicates an allergy, but does not yet say that the person is sick. He may just have a predisposition, but not get sick. The final result is known only after examination for specific allergens. This, however, requires specialized laboratory methods.
Desensitization - elimination of sensitivity to an allergen by means of vaccines. This is the method that is used especially for allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and mild forms of asthma. It involves increasing the dose of subcutaneous injections or drops inside (under the tongue). Sublingual vaccine is more simple and pleasant to use, but twice as expensive. Complete desensitizing treatment lasts four to five years.
Skin tests are conducted at the clinic to see that your child is allergic. A drop of each allergen is applied to the skin and after 15 minutes the doctor reads the results. If in some places there is redness and blisters, this means that under the influence of substances, histamine was separated. The allergist estimates the intensity of staining on a scale from 0 to 10. For a while, before you pass the test, you should consult an allergist and stop the treatment.
Anaphylactic shock is a strong form of generalized allergic reaction with a sharp drop in blood pressure. It is accompanied by cold sweat and fainting. Need immediate medical attention.
Treatment options for cutaneous, food allergies
The first is to avoid allergen. With any kind of allergy - skin, food - allergy treatment begins with the removal of the source. Sometimes, for example, avoid contact with a cat, do not walk to the meadow, to the park during the day, close the window in the apartment. But when the allergen is almost everywhere (for example, house dust mites) - there are problems. Then, as a rule, antihistamines are necessary. Allergists recommend drugs for inhalation (for example, salbutamol) and anti-inflammatory inhalation steroids (for example, pulmicort, budesonide, cortara). If you are allergic to one type of pollen, only a few weeks a year you need to take medicine. But, for example, with a strong allergy to dust mites medication should be taken continuously.
When medicines do not work, you need to think about desensitizing treatment. It involves the adoption of a series of subcutaneous injections containing allergens. Initially, an increased dose is administered every 7-14 days. In this case, the body adapts and learns to tolerate the substance that has already got into it. After 2-4 months, when the allergen reaches the appropriate level, the dose decreases. This continues, as a rule, once a month. The entire treatment period can last up to 5 years. For young children who are very afraid of needles, some desensitizing vaccines are also available in the form of drops administered under the tongue. Treatment can be given to children (older than 5 years) and adults (preferably up to 55 years). The effectiveness of treatment is individual. The cure for pollen allergy is about 80%, and for dust mites 60%.
Even if you manage to control the symptoms of an allergy, as a rule, it still exists. This disease is for life. However, it is very important not to miss the first signs of an allergy. The earlier we diagnose an allergy and start taking the medication, the better the result. Neglect of symptoms can be dangerous. For example, allergic edema of the larynx can lead to severe dyspnoea, hay fever can cause sinus and middle ear inflammation and ultimately lead to hearing loss. Many children, with ignoring the inhalation allergy, develop asthma over time.