Looking at the current data on allergies, it is noteworthy that their incidence is increasing; according to various sources, allergic diseases, which occur in one out of every five people in the world, are among the disease groups that are given global importance in terms of affecting people’s quality of life.
Considering the characteristics of our country, it can be said that pollen and dust allergies, insect bites and allergies related to various foods are common. In addition, allergic diseases such as angioedema, urticaria and atopic dermatitis (eczema) are also common.
The first step in the treatment of allergic diseases is to determine which factors the person has allergic reactions to and the type of allergic reactions. Afterwards, treatment can be initiated by specialized physicians, taking into account the general health status and lifestyle of the patient.
What is Allergy?
Allergies are excessive reactions of the immune system to a foreign substance such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander, or to a food that does not cause a reaction in most people.
Under normal circumstances, the immune system produces substances called antibodies to defend the body against harmful substances. In individuals with allergies, the immune system begins to produce antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even if it is not harmful. Therefore, when an individual comes into contact with an allergen, the reaction of the immune system can make the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive tract red and swollen.
The severity of allergies is different for each individual and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis. Allergies are a potentially life-threatening emergency. Although most types of allergies cannot be completely cured, there are treatments that can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Allergies can have many different symptoms, including itching, red eyes, sneezing, sneezing, runny nose, skin rash, which are not life-threatening but can cause discomfort and impair quality of life, as well as swelling of the walls of the airway, which can lead to life-threatening conditions such as inability to breathe.
What Causes Allergy?
Allergy begins when an individual’s immune system mistakenly recognizes a normally harmless substance as a dangerous invader. The immune system produces antibodies that are ready for the allergenic substance in question. When the individual is re-exposed to the allergen, these antibodies can release a series of immune system-specific chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms.
Common triggers of allergies include:
- Pollen
- Animal dander
- Allergens such as dust mites and airborne mold,
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
- Soya
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Certain foods such as eggs and milk,
- Insect stings such as bee, wasp or hornet stings. However, each individual has a different level of allergic reaction to each substance.
- Children with a family history of allergic diseases such as hay fever, hives, eczema and asthma are more likely to develop allergies.
What are the Complications of Allergy?
Even a single allergy increases the risk of developing various medical problems such as anaphylaxis, asthma or respiratory diseases due to allergies. People with severe allergies have an increased risk of anaphylaxis, a serious allergy-related reaction.
Foods, medicines and insect stings are among the most common triggers of anaphylaxis. People with allergies are more likely to develop asthma, an immune system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. In many cases, asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen in the environment and is called allergy-induced asthma or allergic asthma. People with hay fever or asthma are at higher risk of developing sinusitis, ear or lung infections.
How to prevent allergies?
Although the methods to be used to prevent allergic reactions vary depending on the type of allergy the individual has, there are several common methods that can be taken in common.
Avoiding known triggers:
Even if an individual’s allergy symptoms are being treated, it is important to try to avoid triggers. For example, people allergic to pollen should prefer to stay indoors with windows and doors closed during the spring when pollen levels are high. People who are allergic to dust mites should clean the house frequently, wash the bedding and dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Keeping a diary:
As the individual tries to determine what is causing or aggravating their allergic symptoms, it is helpful to keep a diary so that they can see their activities, what they eat, when symptoms occur and what helps to alleviate them. This can help the doctor and the individual identify triggers.
Wearing a medical alert bracelet:
People with a severe allergic reaction should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace with the relevant information on it. This will enable them to inform others that they have a serious allergy in the event of an allergic reaction that incapacitates them and prevents them from interacting with the environment.
What are the Symptoms and Types of Allergy?
Allergy symptoms due to substances can affect an individual’s respiratory tract, sinuses and nasal openings, skin and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range in severity from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Each type of allergy has its own symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, has symptoms and signs such as sneezing, discharge from the nose, eyes or palate, stuffy nose and watery, red or swollen eyes called conjunctivitis.
Food allergy has signs and symptoms such as tingling in the mouth, swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face, hives or anaphylaxis. A drug allergy can cause hives, skin itching and rashes, facial swelling, shortness of breath or anaphylaxis.
Allergies caused by insect or bee stings can cause a large area of swelling at the site of the sting, edema, itching or hives all over the body, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath, or anaphylaxis.
Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause itching, redness, scaling and peeling of the skin:
What is anaphylaxis?
Some types of allergies, including food allergies and allergies to insect stings, can trigger a sudden and severe reaction in the body known as anaphylaxis. A medical emergency that directly threatens human life, anaphylaxis can cause an individual to go into shock.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, severe shortness of breath, skin rash, dizziness, rapid and weak pulse, nausea and vomiting. Without proper intervention, anaphylaxis can lead to anaphylactic shock and death.
Individuals who think they have an allergic reaction and do not get enough benefit and relief from over-the-counter allergy medications should consult a doctor for allergy control. Individuals who show allergy symptoms after starting a new medication should contact their doctor immediately.
Individuals who have had a severe allergy attack or have shown signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past may need to see a doctor. The assessment, diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis is not a simple process, so it is probably best to see a doctor who specializes in allergy and immunology.
In the event of a severe allergic reaction, i.e. anaphylaxis, urgent medical attention should be sought. The 112 emergency number can provide quick access to medical help.
Allergy Testing and Diagnosis
To find out if a person has allergies, the doctor will first ask a variety of detailed questions about the problem and its symptoms. He or she will perform a physical examination and ask for a detailed diary to identify symptoms and possible triggers.
In the case of food allergy, the doctor will ask the individual to keep a detailed diary of the foods they eat and will ask if they have stopped eating suspected foods during the allergy assessment. Apart from these, there are a number of tests that the doctor may recommend. These tests may give false positive or false negative results.
The first test is a skin test. During this test, a healthcare professional will make small punctures in the skin of the individual, then drip micro amounts of protein liquids containing potential allergens onto the punctures, and mark the contents of the drops. Drops containing substances to which the individual is allergic will cause a localized lump on the body.
The second test is a blood test. The specific IgE (sIgE) blood test, commonly called a radioallergosorbent test or ImmunoCAP test, measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies known as immunoglobulin E and antibodies in the individual’s bloodstream.
In cases where the doctor suspects the problem is caused by something other than allergies, he or she may order other tests to help rule out other medical possibilities.
Allergy Treatment
The most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms is to avoid allergens. Depending on the individual’s allergy, medication can help reduce the immune system reaction and relieve symptoms. The doctor may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medication in the form of allergy pills or allergy syrup, or nasal sprays or eye drops.
For severe allergies that are not completely relieved by other treatments, the doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of purified allergen extracts, usually given over a period of several years. Another form of immunotherapy is a sublingual tablet that is placed under the tongue until completely dissolved. Sublingual medication is often used to treat some pollen allergies.
In case of a severe allergic reaction, it may be necessary to use an adrenaline syringe. Adrenaline can reduce allergic symptoms until you receive emergency treatment.
Lifestyle changes for allergies
Some allergy symptoms can improve with home treatment. Sinus congestion and hay fever symptoms are usually relieved after rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution.
Home allergy symptoms can be reduced by frequently washing bedding and stuffed and plush toys in hot water, keeping indoor humidity low, regularly using a vacuum cleaner with a fine filter such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and choosing to live on bare floors instead of indoor carpets. This can prevent exposure to both dust mites and pet dander. By using ventilation fans and dehumidifiers to reduce humidity in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, it is possible to avoid the symptoms of mold allergy.