Sensitivity
Allergy is generally defined as the interaction of the human body with certain substances or bodies that are classified by the Immune System as alien and harmful to the body, but in fact it is not, and does not stimulate interaction The immune system in most people, and this reaction to the emergence of symptoms and signs of various respiratory system, for example, or the digestive system, and many other symptoms that may appear on different organs and parts of the body.
Mechanism of allergies in the body
The immune reaction of the body begins when the T-cells mutate into the T-helper-2 cells of the allergens, which in turn stimulate B cells (B: -Cells) and stimulates the formation of allergy-specific IgE Antibody (E) antibodies. When E-antibodies bind to metastases, Basophils and Antigen Presenting Cells, substances such as histamine are stimulated, Cytokines, and other substances that stimulate the initiation of hypersensitivity reactions. The secretion of such substances leads to a variety of symptoms in the body’s various organs, which vary according to the body’s interaction with these substances, such as stimulation of sneezing, redness and swelling of the eyes, difficulty in breathing, itching or rashes in the skin, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and esophagus, Sudden stop in the work of the circulatory system or respiratory system.
Types of allergies
There are many types of allergies including:
Spring Allergy
Pollen Allergy is a pollen-induced allergen that occurs when the immune-stimulating substance is pollinated in the air; it is produced by various trees and herbs in the spring for pollination. As for the symptoms, they appear in people who are allergic to them, and only when the pollen arrives to the nose of the person, it is worth mentioning that it is not only about the surrounding plants, the grain of the vaccine is miles, and symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, and itching in the nose Eyes, eyes and the appearance of black circles beneath them.
Drug Allergy
Known as Adverse Reactions to Drugs, and appear in people whose immune system classifies some drugs as body gas. This type of allergies is found in a small percentage of people and may cause skin symptoms such as diarrhea, Hives, or symptoms in the body’s general organs such as wheezing, swelling of the tongue or throat, and drop in pressure, and may extend to the most serious symptoms, namely the epilepsy or the shock of sensitivity (English: Anaphylaxis).
Allergy to fungus, mold, some animals and insects
This type of allergies is not associated with a particular season or season. For example, fungus spores, such as domestic mold, stimulate the immune reaction of some people. Some people’s exposure to certain substances, such as dead cells, saliva, and urine, may cause an immune reaction in the body. Bites of some types of insects and their secretion of toxic substances in the body may stimulate the immune response, which may show symptoms similar to colds, but may last for weeks or months, and sometimes cause epilepsy, which requires rapid and direct medical action.
There are other types of allergies such as food allergies, summer allergies, autumn allergies, winter allergies and others.
Diagnosis of allergies
To determine the exact diagnosis and allergen, the following tests are performed:
- Checking allergy by the skin: In this examination, multiple types of substances that can cause allergies to a particular area are placed by pricking them on the surface of the skin. When a slight swelling occurs, this indicates that this substance is a sensitive substance in the person. It should be noted that this examination is one of the most sensitive tests used, as it does not cause great pain to the patient.
- Immunoglobulin E in the blood: (IgE Blood Test) This test is used when a skin test can not be used, such as the presence of certain skin conditions or the use of certain drugs that make the use of skin screening unsafe or ineffective.
- Risk screening: Test a person swallows or swallows a very small amount of potentially allergenic substances under the care of a specialist. This type is usually used to diagnose food allergies or drug allergies.
Prevention and control of allergies
The control of allergies and their prevention depends on the type of sensitivity, and by avoiding the allergens of the person or reduce the friction in the case of difficult to avoid, and is the writing and writing all things that the person in addition to the codification of the food dealt with documenting the time of the occurrence of symptoms and things Which helped to improve the symptoms of ways to help the doctor to identify allergens and thus prevention.
It is very important to keep the epinephrine injection prescribed by the treating physician at all times with the person exposed to the epilepsy, as well as the importance of wearing people who have been exposed at any time of their lives to a very allergic reaction to a warning necklace or bracelet, And serious in the event of a reaction that makes the injured person unable to communicate.
People with allergies from pollen are advised to reduce their exposure to and exit from home during the pollen period in the air, use sun glasses or wear hats to cover eyes and hair, and start taking allergy drugs before the spread of pollen to enable these drugs to work more effectively, It prevents the secretion of histamine and other allergens in the body, in addition to keeping the windows closed during the time of pollen and washing the bed with hot water and soap once a week.
Allergy treatment
The treatment of allergic reactions is a number of steps. Avoidance of exposure to allergenic substances is one of the most important steps. Some medications, such as antihistamine, corticosteroids, montelukast and other drugs such as eye droplets and sprays the nose.
In some incurable cases, immunotherapy is used. The doctor gives the patient small, repeated amounts of the allergenic substance by injection at time intervals that may last for years. In some cases, the doctor gives the patient a dose of epinephrine and keeps the patient, Until he was able to go to the emergency department.
The use of pregnant women, such as dietary supplements, fish oil, prebiotics, and probiotics to prevent food allergies and eczema in their children is still under study.
Complications of allergy
One of the most important complications of the immune response to the body:
- Asthma: Asthma is often triggered by exposure to an allergen.
- Nasal Nerves: Nasal polyps. Inflammation of the nasal membranes associated with allergies can cause the appearance of these follicles, which by their size may lead to breathing problems or decrease the sense of smell in the affected person, and may lead to obstruction of the sinuses. Causes sinusitis.
- Sinusitis: Allergy contributes to sinus congestion, closure of the normal mucus and nasopharyngeal mucus, resulting in the retention and accumulation of mucus in them, and thus the infection of sinusitis, so it is recommended to wash nose openings on a daily basis, and inhalation of water vapor to open channels and sinuses and prevent clogging.
- Inflammation of the middle ear: (Otitis Media) This type of inflammation occurs as a result of allergies, where the sensitivity affects the work of the channel Estacus or so called (Eustachian Tube), and collect fluid behind the eardrum and exposed to inflammation.