Signs and symptoms of allergies

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Signs and symptoms of allergies

When an allergic person comes in contact with an allergen, an allergic reaction does not occur immediately. The immune system gradually increases sensitivity to the substance.

Over time, the body acquires a specific high sensitivity - a process called sensitization.

Sensitization can last from a few days to several years. In most cases, the sensitization process is not completed and the patient develops some symptoms, but a complete allergic reaction is not observed.

When the immune system is exposed to an allergen, inflammation and irritability occur. Signs and symptoms depend on the type of allergen. Allergic reactions can occur in the intestines (digestive system), skin, sinuses, airways, eyes, and nasal passages.

Symptoms of dust and dust allergy include:

• Nasal congestion;
• Itching of the eyes;
• Itching in the nose;
• Rhinitis;
• Swelling of the eyes;
• Aging of the eyes;
• Cough.

Symptoms of skin allergies, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis):

• Skin peeling;
• Itching;
• Dry skin;
• Red rash on the skin.

Allergies to food (food) have different reactions:

• Return;
• Swelling of the tongue;
• Irritation in the mouth;
• Swelling of the lips;
• Swelling of the face;
• Swelling of the throat;
• Stomach cramps;
• Respiratory disorders;
• Rectal bleeding (children rarely);
• Diarrhea;
• Anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock) is a very serious, often life-threatening allergic reaction.

Allergy to insect bites has the following symptoms:

• The hissing of the voice;
• Swelling of the bite site;
• A sharp drop in blood pressure;
• Itchy skin;
• Dizziness;
• Cough;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Anxiety;
• Anaphylaxis.

Allergy to drugs can have the following symptoms:

• The hissing of the voice;
• Swelling of the tongue;
• Swelling of the lips;
• Swelling of the face;
• Skin rash;
• Itching;
• Symptoms of anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic reaction that begins quickly. Anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening and should be considered as emergency medical care.

This type of allergic reaction reflects several different symptoms that can appear minutes after the allergen exposure. If the allergen is directly exposed to the blood, the onset of an allergic reaction is usually 5 to 30 minutes. The reaction to a food allergen takes longer.

Anaphylaxis - requires urgent medical attention.

Manifestation of anaphylactic shock in the skin and mucous membranes

All parts of the body, redness and itching are observed. Damaged tissue also swells (angioedema). Some may experience skin irritation sensations. Swelling of the tongue and throat is observed in about 20% of cases. If the skin has a strange blue color, it may be a sign of hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

In some patients, nasal congestion may occur. Inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) covering the front of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids may occur.

Respiratory changes during anaphylaxis

• Difficulty breathing;
• Whistling during breathing due to spasms of the bronchi;
• Stridor is a strong trembling sound when breathing;
• Choking of the voice;
• Odinophagia - pain when swallowing;
• Cough;

Cardiovascular changes

Coronary artery spasm is a sudden (temporary) contraction of a muscle in the artery wall due to histamine-releasing cells in the heart. This can lead to myocardial infarction, dysrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) or heart attack.

Low blood pressure can cause your heart rate to increase. Dizziness occurs due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Some may lose consciousness. In some cases, the only sign of anaphylaxis may be low blood pressure.

Changes in the gastrointestinal tract

• Abdominal seizures;
• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• Loss of urinary control;
• Stomach ache.

Causes of allergy development

Human immunity responds to an allergen as a pathogen (external harmful substance) and tries to destroy it as a foreign bacterium, virus, fungus, or toxin.

However, the allergen is not harmful. It's just that the immune system has become very sensitive to this substance.

When the immune system is exposed to an allergen, it is a type of antibody to destroy the allergen immunoglobulin E (IgE) releases. It produces chemicals in the body that cause an allergic reaction.

One of these chemicals is called histamine. Histamine causes muscle contraction, including in the walls of blood vessels and in the airways. Histamine also helps in the secretion of mucus from the nose.

A person with allergies blames the allergen for the allergy symptoms - a friend’s pet, plant dust, or dust mites. However, they are wrong. The problem is not in the allergen, but in the immune system of the allergic person.

Risk factors for the development of allergies

In medicine, risk factors are understood as factors that worsen the condition of a disease or patient. This danger can come from what a person does. For example, smoking is a risk factor for lung disease.

Below are some of the risk factors associated with allergies:

• In the family asthma having a person with asthma - if your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents had asthma, you are also at risk of developing allergies;
• Having a person with allergies in the family - if a close relative is allergic, you are more likely to develop an allergy.
• Allergies are more common in children than in adults. On the plus side, many children lose allergies as they get older.
• Presence of asthma - People with asthma are more likely to develop allergies;
• Insufficient exposure to sunlight - Scientists from the European Center for Environmental Protection and Human Health and researchers from various Australian centers have found that children living in areas with low levels of sunlight have higher rates of allergy development.

The most common allergen

allergen - a substance that causes an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals.

Animal allergies:

• Dust fleas are their feces;
• Wool;
• Fur;
• Bran;
• Fel d1 is a protein found in the sebaceous and salivary glands of cats;

Medical allergens

• Penicillin;
• Salicylates are salts of salicylic acid, usually found in aspirin;
• Sulfanamides.

Among the food products

• Oats;
• Celery;
• Pumpkin;
• Bean;

Insects

• Poisonous insects;
• Fly;
• Bees;
• Ants
• Flea;

Diagnosis of allergies

There are several ways to diagnose allergies. The doctor asks the patient questions about the origin of the allergy, when it occurs, the symptoms of the allergy. Other family members are also asked if they have allergies.

There are a number of tests for allergies. Here are some examples:

Blood test- Measures the level of IgE antibodies released by the immune system. This test is sometimes referred to as the radioallerger sorbent test (RAST).

Skin piercing test also known as testing before taking various antibiotics. The skin is scratched with the tip of a syringe and a little less allergen is applied to the area. If there is a skin reaction - itching, redness and swelling may indicate the presence of an allergy

Patch test - Used in patients with dermatitis (eczema). The suspected allergen was attached to the belt in special metal discs in the required amount. The doctor will check the skin reaction after 48 hours.