What could be causing an allergy? What doctors say about antihistamines. Allergy symptoms in adults

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 is possible to varying degrees heaviness with active release of histamine.

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. If the body is hypersensitive, foods, animal hair, plant pollen, cosmetical tools 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, the skin appears, with many diseases the body itches, compression of the larynx is observed during severe swelling, is developing.

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. The periods of remission are characterized practically complete absence signs of allergies, during exacerbations the patient’s condition worsens and appearance(the eyelids swell, a rash is noticeable, ulcers, crusts, weeping appear on the 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. Response to 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 the smallest amount of allergen causes severe reaction. In case of true allergies, they can only be relieved 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. Production occurs IgG antibodies and IgM, 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 form, cause 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 digestive tract, respiratory tract, on mucous membranes, in the sinuses, eyes. Depending on the degree of sensitization of the body, the strength of the immune system, age and general condition The patient may experience mild, moderate and severe reactions, up to and including anaphylactic shock. How longer body comes into 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 membranes 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 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, work is disrupted of cardio-vascular system, respiratory center, likely death.

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 it is indicated for quick removal danger signs;
  • to remove harmful substances and allergens from the body;
  • non-hormonal and hormonal for rashes varying degrees heaviness;
  • compositions for external use with antihistamine effect;
  • sedatives. With severe itching, rash, and chronic allergies, irritability, insomnia, and mental balance are disturbed. Herbal infusions and sedatives normalize the state of the nervous system;
  • with the development of anaphylactic shock, generalized urticaria, angioedema, you cannot do without the help of doctors. Severe reactions threaten the lives of patients of all ages;
  • compression of the larynx with severe swelling leads to asphyxia, impaired functioning of the body during anaphylaxis increases the risk of death;
  • acute reactions most often occur with the bites of bees, hornets, wasps (especially in the area of ​​the eyes, face, tongue), food and drug allergies;
  • If signs of anaphylactic shock or angioedema appear, it is important to call an ambulance without delay. An antihistamine tablet, which a person should receive before doctors arrive, reduces the risk of dangerous complications.

  Allergy is a multifaceted concept. Poor environment, frequent stress, poor quality products, high mental, psycho-emotional, physical exercise reduce immunity, weaken the body. It is important to know what an allergy is, how it occurs, what signs indicate the development of dangerous reactions, so as not to get confused, to act competently, without panic. You should always keep the drug Suprastin at home, which quickly relieves acute signs. Be healthy!

  Learn more about what allergies are and why the disease occurs after watching the following video:

Allergies nowadays mean many diseases that, in principle, cannot be of an allergic nature. Without understanding the nature and cause of the disease, people take various drugs, temporarily removing symptoms, but they return again and again after stopping the medicine. In addition, resistance may develop to the medications taken and, when taking them is justified, the drug may not have the desired effect.

In order to get rid of allergies once and for all and distinguish them from other diseases, we suggest that you read this article and, if you find similar symptoms, contact the GMS Clinic Center for Allergy and Immunology.

Allergy is a disease characterized by increased sensitivity of the body to certain influences. environment, so-called allergens, and manifested by a response of the immune system in the form various symptoms diseases.

An allergic reaction refers to type 1 hypersensitivity reactions, which develops in response to the entry of an allergen into the body. In this case, antibodies are produced - immunoglobulins E for specific proteins. The reaction that develops during the production of immunoglobulins is called allergic, and appears only when the body is hypersensitized.

Due to the fact that sensitivity to different immunoglobulins manifests itself to varying degrees, allergies can occur mild symptoms, or have serious consequences for the entire body.

Allergic diseases can develop in people regardless of age and gender, manifesting themselves as temporary symptoms that will disappear after the allergen disappears, or manifesting itself in acute form. Since the main reasons for the development of allergies can be considered various factors - allergens, let's talk about them in more detail.

All allergens can be divided into two main types:

1. Exoallergens - factors external environment, giving impetus to the development of an allergic reaction;
2. Endoallergens are factors in the internal environment of the body that accompany the development of an allergic reaction.

Although all people are susceptible to allergic reactions, some suffer from them much more than others. This is due to the fact that the sensitivity of the body is influenced not only by the immunoglobulins produced in response to the allergen, but also genetic predisposition. Thus, in many cases of allergy diagnosis, GMS Clinic specialists consider family history to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Recently, doctors are increasingly noticing that allergic reactions occur due to excessive adherence to hygiene rules. The immune system does not receive the necessary load, the body's resistance decreases, and, as a result, sensitivity to the most common allergens increases. In addition, frequent consumption of chemical products can cause an increase in allergic reactions.

Allergy symptoms

Allergy symptoms can appear both during initial exposure to allergens and after prolonged exposure to the body and reaching a critical concentration. The first most often occurs in children whose bodies are poorly adapted to environmental factors and are sensitive to any unusual influences. The second type is more common in adults, and the more stable the immune system is, the longer the response to the allergen will develop.

Like any other disease, all allergy symptoms can be divided into several types. The first type includes typical symptoms which patients most often call allergies:

• hives;
• cough;
• sneezing;
• swelling;
• pain in the eyes;
• nasal congestion.

Atypical symptoms include anaphylactic shock, loss of consciousness, disorientation and others. They appear much less frequently than typical ones, and only in cases of hypersensitization of the body or when constant action allergen.

Besides, everything allergic symptoms can be classified in another way - depending on the organ system from which the reaction occurs.

1. From the respiratory system- most often, symptoms accompanying respiratory allergies: attacks of dry cough, bronchospasms, irritation of the mucous surface. Distinctive feature irritation of the mucous membrane is the inability to inhale - that is, when trying to inhale, the mucous membrane becomes so irritated that a spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and trachea occurs;
2. From the gastrointestinal tract symptoms consistent with food and drug allergies are observed: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration. Symptoms disappear a few hours after the allergen is eliminated;
3. From the circulatory system: changes in the blood picture are possible, which are caused by the reaction of the immune system to the allergen. Most often, changes concern the number and shape of leukocytes, because it is these blood cells that are responsible for immune reaction body;
4. Skin reactions to allergens are known to almost everyone: redness, hives, rashes, eczema in more severe cases- all this indicates pathogenic processes in the body. Most often it is skin symptoms appear first, and only then the disease affects other organs.

It is worth considering that typical symptoms may be signs of another disease, and antihistamines in this case, they will not help not only cure the disease, but also simply get rid of the symptoms. In this case, it is necessary to undergo diagnostic tests that will give an accurate answer as to the cause of the symptoms. GMS Clinic laboratory is ready to provide everything the necessary conditions to undergo diagnostics as soon as possible.

In children in early age The body is sensitive to all types of allergies, and symptoms can appear even when exposed to seemingly ordinary factors. If symptoms continue to appear frequently as your child grows up, consult a doctor to help prevent serious problems with allergies in the future.

Types of allergies

1. Food allergies - individual food intolerance;
2. Drug allergy- hypersensitivity to components modern drugs;
3. Respiratory allergies - increased sensitivity epithelial tissue lungs to environmental allergens.

Food allergies

90% of people have some type of food allergy: intake specific product even in the smallest amount causes allergies. Highly allergenic foods can be identified - reactions to which occur most often (sweets, chicken eggs, citrus fruits), and individual allergens that cause a response in exceptional cases.

Interestingly, the formation of food allergies most often occurs during pregnancy if the young mother abuses allergenic products. It manifests itself at any age with urticaria, Quincke's edema, eczema and neurodermatitis. More are possible severe symptoms, both from the intestinal tract and changes in the blood picture.

For diagnosis, skin tests and food diaries are used, in laboratory conditions - provocative tests that cause the body's immune response to the introduction of a particular allergen.

Drug therapy food allergies are used extremely rarely and only to eliminate symptoms. An effective method of control can only be considered the complete exclusion of allergens from the diet and the selection of a special diet.

Drug allergy

Increasingly, a response to the administration of various groups of drugs occurs in children. Most often develops together with food allergies, forming in the pathogenesis cross reactions for various combinations of foods and medications.

The clinical picture and symptoms vary depending on the strength of the allergen: from urticaria, nausea and slight changes in the blood picture to anaphylactic shock. Diagnosis of drug allergies is not carried out, since the consequences of such tests can be life-threatening.

Treatment is carried out symptomatically when a reaction occurs in the body, and in the future the allergen enters the body. As a preventive measure, GMS Clinic specialists advise carefully justifying any medication use, avoiding the abuse of drugs that can cause allergic reactions.

Respiratory allergies

This type of allergy is called a reaction to dust, pollen, and strong odors. Symptoms appear exclusively in the respiratory system. It develops due to the interaction of exogenous and endogenous allergens, less often - under the influence of infectious factors. The severity of symptoms depends on the sensitivity and irritability of the respiratory system, as well as the depth of exposure to the allergen.

To the clinical picture respiratory allergies include the so-called pre-asthma conditions: rhinitis, laryngitis, rhinosinusitis, tracheitis. Coupled with constant exposure to the allergen, they can give impetus to the irreversible development of bronchial asthma.

Diagnosis is made based on careful examination clinical picture diseases, studying family history, determining allergenic factors in living conditions. During the period of exacerbation it is carried out clinical diagnosis dominant allergens to further limit their influence.

Analysis for various types of allergies at GMS Clinic

If you have noticed it in yourself or one of your family members possible symptoms allergies, contact GMS Clinic for tests and further laboratory diagnostics. Depending on the symptoms manifested, specialists will select the most informative tests that can determine the type of allergy and the cause of the development of the immune response.

After receiving the results, GMS Clinic specialists will be able to choose the most optimal diet, drug support immunity and will give recommendations on how to avoid recurrence of an allergic reaction.

We know how to quickly cope with the disease and have already for a long time We help our patients return to normal life no allergies. If you are tired of the constant manifestation of symptoms, come to GMS Clinic, we know how to help.

On our website you can learn more about the principles of allergy treatment, read about how to get rid of hives and cure allergies in children, and also learn about how to overcome the most common type of disease -

Allergy, as some doctors believe, is not a disease. Allergies are the result of a malfunction of the immune system. However, its symptoms require special treatment. Therefore, among the list of modern immune diseases, allergy as a disease is especially highlighted.

Just a few decades ago, this disease was talked about only as a manifestation of symptoms. Now even children know about allergies. This is all due to progress, which leads our way of life to pollute not only the planet, but also everyone living on it. Our body is simply not equipped to process those synthetic compounds that it is forced to receive from food, water and air. The result of this is that a third of the world's population are allergic to one degree or another.

What is an allergy

This is an incorrect or inadequate immune response to substances that are safe for most people. These substances become allergens for humans, i.e. the immune system considers them dangerous to health and begins to produce a lot of histamine, which usually fights viruses and pathogenic bacteria. The immune system mistakenly protects us from things that do not harm us, affecting our own tissues and disrupting body systems. This in turn causes painful symptoms, i.e. allergic reaction.

Allergy is such an individual disease for each patient that it has its own allergen. For example, this is not just tree pollen, but pollen from alder or birch. And at the same time, the symptoms of each patient with alder pollen can be individual. Truly a mysterious disease.

Causes of allergies

• Excessive cleanliness. The human immune system is aimed at fighting pathogenic viruses, bacteria and other substances. Due to excessive sterility, it “loses its skills” and mistakenly “attacks” healthy cells. Therefore, allergies are called a disease of overly clean people.
• Environment promotes the development of the allergy mechanism. Increase in various chemical compounds, weakens the adequate action of the human immune system.
• Heredity . Scientists believe that the disease is more often transmitted through the maternal line.
• Artificial feeding of children infancy
• Upper respiratory tract infections , intestinal microflora disorders
• Stress
• Constant contact with strong allergens
• Presence of endocrine diseases

And yet, the true cause of allergies in humans is products with high content squirrel , both animal and plant origin. These are meat, milk, eggs and dairy products, vegetable protein - legumes, soy. From an excess of protein, the body is “slagged”, since it is not able to completely utilize toxins and waste after processing proteins. He sort of packages them and stores them inside the body. When an allergen appears, the process of lysis in cells (self-digestion) begins and, thus, all these toxins enter the intracellular space and blood. And here the reaction of antigens is activated (a large amount of histamine is released) not only to toxins, but also to excess protein compounds, i.e. an allergy occurs.

Allergens

Similar allergic reaction The body is characterized by a certain type of allergy. We list the main symptoms characteristic of different types of allergies:

• Food allergies for food. Proteins are considered the main allergens. Although recently, not only protein, but also fruits and various food additives also affect the occurrence of an allergic reaction. Diarrhea sometimes begins, constipation, vomiting, nausea, colic, pain and cramps in the abdomen. Weakness, dizziness, cold sweat. Bradycardia and hypotension. Swelling of the face and tongue. Cramps. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock is possible.
• Skin allergies for food, medicine, chemistry, pollen, synthetic materials, animal hair, sun and cold. Redness and rash, peeling, itching and dry skin occur, first covering the cheeks, then the elbows, the hollows under the knees, then the skin behind the ears, the abdomen and the folds of the groin. Sometimes a rash, blisters, and swelling appear on it. Scratching can cause dermatitis, eczema or hives to spread throughout the body.
• Respiratory allergies for plant pollen, dust, fungal spores, gases, chemicals. There is a dry cough, sneezing, itching of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, mucus secretion, lacrimation, and suffocation. Allergic rhinitis (seasonal - due to pollen, permanent - due to house dust). Sinusitis, bronchial asthma, sometimes pneumonia.
• Allergy to the eyes occurs in response to gases, pollen, dust, infections. Dryness and burning of the mucous membranes of the eyes, constant lacrimation, redness of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids appear. Conjunctivitis.
• Allergy to medications . Itching and redness of the skin occurs most often on both extremities, arms and legs, and mucous membranes. Chills, sudden appearance of cold sweat, weakness and convulsions are possible. Dry mouth. Quincke's edema. Anaphylactic shock.
• Allergy to insect bites : bees, wasps, mosquitoes, ants and others. Weakness occurs and decreases arterial pressure, swelling of the throat. Up to anaphylactic shock
• Infectious allergy for viruses, bacteria, microorganisms. Causes the development of general malaise and weakness. Asthmatic manifestations are possible.

Diagnosis of allergies

Despite the fact that allergies are accompanied by vivid symptoms, it is impossible to accurately confirm the diagnosis of the disease, since similar manifestations are inherent in other diseases.

Today, the main methods for diagnosing the presence of allergies and identifying the allergen are the following methods:

First aid for allergies

1. Remove allergen
2. When bitten by an insect, it will pull out the sting
3. Rinse the area of ​​contact with the allergen thoroughly with running water.
4. Apply cold to the site of the allergic reaction
5. Take an antihistamine (Diazolin, Tavegil)

If your condition worsens, call an ambulance. Over the phone, you should be given first aid recommendations, according to allergy symptoms, which you must follow before the doctor arrives.

Allergy treatment

The main thing in the treatment of allergies is eliminating contact with the allergen . This alone is enough to continue healthy life. But this is not always possible. In this case, resort to drug treatment, which will suppress the body's immune response. Usually this antihistamines . In difficult cases, corticosteroids are prescribed.

Very effective in the early stages of the disease during remission ASIT– allergen-specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization). This is a long-term treatment method and consists in the fact that the patient is given an allergen in small doses under the supervision of a doctor. Gradually, the body learns to respond adequately to the cause of the allergy.

• sufficient consumption of clean water
• nasal rinsing
• gargling
• intake of sorbents
• Saline solution - drip
• Plasmapheresis – hardware purification of blood plasma

Also, during the period of allergy manifestation, symptomatic treatment is carried out, aimed at improving the general condition.

Non-traditional methods of treatment: herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture sometimes give positive results. In herbal treatment, cleansing herbs are used: calendula, chamomile, dandelion root, string, rose hips, dill seeds. Herbal treatment is not carried out for allergies to pollen. Baking soda is also used.

My opinion is that the cause of an inadequate reaction of the immune system and the occurrence of allergies is the excessive consumption of proteins by a person. Therefore, all you need to do to treat allergies is to give up high-protein foods and adhere to the principles of a healthy diet.

Allergy complications

Allergies can lead to more complex diseases, which, in a chain, have harmful influence on many human organs and systems. But the most unpredictable thing is anaphylactic shock And Quincke's edema which can be fatal.

Also complications of allergies are:

• Bronchial asthma
• Chronic rhinitis
• Psoriasis
• Atopic dermatitis

Allergy prevention

The basic principles of preventing allergies are avoiding contact with the allergen and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes balanced diet, vital and physical activity, positive attitude.

As for prevention in preparation for seasonal allergies:

• Strengthen your immunity
• Carry out cleansing activities, both your home and your own body
• Strengthen your nervous system
• Find out more about how your allergen affects your health.
• Do everything to avoid contact with the allergen
• Consume protein in moderation, or it is better to avoid it altogether for a while. Who knows, you might like being a vegetarian.
• Keep antihistamines nearby
• Write down what product, substance, or medicine you are allergic to, and put this note in the documents that you always carry with you. Always tell your doctor and medical staff that you have allergies.

In conclusion, I would like to say that allergies also have a downside. In allergy sufferers, immunoglobulin antibodies are more active than in healthy people and therefore they are more able to resist cancer. Cancer cells They are based on a protein structure. Immunoglobulin is a protein and it binds to proteins in other cells and triggers the process of self-destruction. It turns out that allergies are not so useless...

Be healthy!

© M. Antonova

I have never had a pronounced congenital allergy to anything. Once, when I was six years old, I got all over me because I ate too much strawberries - that’s all I can tell you about my allergic reactions. Some of my friends had allergic reactions to the flowering of certain plants (poplar fluff) already in adulthood, and for some the allergies stopped bothering them after 13 years.

Why does this happen, how to protect yourself from it, is it possible to avoid it and what to do if it is hereditary?

Allergy (ancient Greek ἄλλος - other, other, alien + ἔργον - impact) is the hypersensitivity of the body's immune system upon repeated exposure to an allergen on an organism previously sensitized by this allergen.

How allergies occur is still unclear

Scientists have not yet come to a common denominator and cannot say exactly where allergies come from, but the number of people suffering from one form or another is growing. Allergens include: latex, gold, pollen (especially ragweed, amaranth and cockleweed), penicillin, insect venom, peanuts, papaya, jellyfish stings, perfume, eggs, house mite feces, pecans, salmon, beef and nickel.

As soon as these substances start a chain reaction, your body sends its response with a fairly wide range of reactions - from an annoying rash to fatal outcome. A rash appears, lips swell, chills may begin, a stuffy nose and a burning sensation in the eyes. Food allergies can cause vomiting or diarrhea. For a very unlucky minority, allergies can result in a potentially fatal reaction known as anaphylactic shock.

There are medications, but none of them can cure allergies forever. Antihistamines relieve symptoms, but also cause drowsiness and other unpleasant side effects. There are drugs that really save lives, but they need to be taken for a very long time, and some types of allergies can only be treated using integrated methods, that is, one medication option is clearly not enough.

Scientists will be able to find a medicine that will rid us of allergies once and for all only if they understand the main causes of this disease. But so far they have only partially deciphered this process.

Allergy is not a biological mistake, but our defense

It is this fundamental question that concerns Ruslana Medzhitova, a scientist who has made several fundamental discoveries related to the immune system over the past 20 years and has received several major awards, including a 4 million euro Else Kröner Fresenius Award.

Medzhitov is currently studying a question that could revolutionize immunology: why do we suffer from allergies? No one has an exact answer to this question yet.

Medzhitov believes that this is wrong and that allergies are not just a biological mistake.

Allergy is a defense against harmful chemicals. Protection that helped our ancestors for tens of millions of years and still helps us today.

He admits that his theory is quite controversial, but he is confident that history will prove him right.

But sometimes our immune system harms us

The healers of the ancient world knew a lot about allergies. Three thousand years ago Chinese doctors described an “allergic plant” that caused a runny nose in the fall.

There is also evidence that egyptian pharaoh Menes died from a wasp sting in 2641 BC.

What is food for one is poison for another.

Lucretius,
Roman philosopher

And only a little over 100 years ago, scientists realized that such different symptoms may be the heads of one hydra.

Researchers have discovered that many diseases are caused by bacteria and pathogens, and our immune system fights these invaders with an army of cells that can release deadly chemicals and highly targeted antibodies.

It has also been found that, in addition to protection, the immune system can cause harm.

At the beginning of the 20th century, French scientists Charles Richet(Charles Richet) and Paul Portier(Paul Portier) studied the effect of toxins on the body. They injected small doses of sea anemone venom into dogs and then waited a few more weeks before administering the next dose. As a result, the dogs suffered anaphylactic shock and died. Instead of protecting the animals, the immune system made them more sensitive to this poison.

Other researchers have noticed that some medications caused a rash and other symptoms. And this sensitivity developed progressively - a reaction inverse to protection from infectious diseases, which is provided to the body by antibodies.

Austrian doctor Clemens von Pirquet(Clemens von Pirquet) was studying whether the body can change the body's response to incoming substances. He coined the word “allergy” to describe this work, combining the Greek words alos (others) and ergon (work).

For the immune system, the allergic process is an understandable thing

In subsequent decades, scientists discovered that the molecular steps of these reactions were remarkably similar. The process started when the allergen appeared on the surface of the body - skin, eyes, nasal passage, throat, Airways or intestines. These surfaces are filled with immune cells that act as border guards.

When the “border guard” encounters an allergen, it absorbs and destroys the uninvited guests, and then supplements its surface with fragments of the substance. The cell then localizes some lymphatic tissue, and these fragments are passed on to other immune cells, which produce special antibodies known as immunoglobulin E or IgE.

These antibodies will cause a response if they encounter the allergen again. The reaction begins immediately after the antibodies activate components of the immune system - mast cells, which trigger a barrage of chemicals.

Some of these substances can catch nerves, causing itching and coughing. Sometimes mucus begins to be produced, and exposure to these substances in the respiratory tract can cause breathing problems.

This picture has been painted by scientists over the last century, but it only answers the question “How?”, but does not explain at all why we suffer from allergies. And this is surprising, since the answer to this question is quite clear for most parts of the immune system.

Our ancestors were exposed to pathogenic organisms, and natural selection left mutations that helped them repel these attacks. And these mutations are still accumulating so that we can give a worthy rebuff.

Seeing how natural selection could create allergies was the hardest part. A strong allergic reaction to the most harmless things was hardly part of the survival system of our ancestors.

Allergies can also be quite strangely selective.

Not all people are prone to allergies, and only some substances are allergens. Sometimes people develop allergies when they are already quite an adult, and sometimes childhood allergies disappear without a trace (we say “outgrown”).

For decades, no one could really understand why IgE was needed in the first place. He showed no special abilities that could stop a virus or bacteria. It's more like we evolved to have one special kind antibodies caused us huge problems.

The first clue came to us in 1964.

During his internship, Medzhitov studied the theory of worms, but after 10 years he began to have doubts. According to him, this theory made no sense, so he began developing his own.

He was mainly thinking about how our bodies perceive the world around us. We can recognize photon patterns with our eyes and air vibration patterns with our ears.

According to Medzhitov's theory, the immune system is another pattern recognition system that recognizes molecular signatures instead of light and sound.

Medzhitov found confirmation of his theory in the work Charles Janeway(Charles Janeway), an immunologist at Yale University (1989).

Advanced immune system and overreaction to invaders

At the same time, Janeway believed that antibodies had one big drawback: it took several days for the immune system to develop its response to the aggressive actions of a new invader. He suggested that the immune system may have another line of defense that works faster. Perhaps it could use pattern recognition to detect bacteria and viruses faster and begin eliminating the problem faster.

After Medzhitov contacted Janeway, scientists began working on the problem together. They soon discovered a new class of sensors on the surface certain types immune cells.

When faced with invaders, the sensor wraps around the intruder and sets off a chemical alarm that helps other immune cells find and kill the pathogens. This was a fast and accurate way to recognize and eliminate bacterial invaders.

So they discovered new receptors, now known as toll-like receptors, which showed a new dimension in immune defense and which were proclaimed as a fundamental principle of immunology. It also helped solve a medical problem.

Infections sometimes lead to catastrophic inflammation throughout the body - sepsis. In the United States alone, this affects millions of people every year. Half of them die.

For years, scientists have believed that bacterial toxins can cause the immune system to malfunction, but sepsis is just an exaggerated immune defense response against bacteria and other invaders. Instead of acting locally, it activates a line of defense throughout the body. Septic shock- the result of these defense mechanisms being activated much more strongly than the situation actually requires. The result is death.

Home body alarm system that gets rid of allergens

Despite the fact that Medzhitov initially did not engage in science in order to treat people, his discoveries allow doctors to take a fresh look at the mechanisms that trigger sepsis, and thus find appropriate treatment that will be aimed at eliminating real reason This disease is an overreaction of toll-like receptors.

The more Medzhitov thought about allergens, the less important their structure seemed to him. Perhaps what connects them is not their structure, but their actions?

We know that allergens often cause physical damage. They tear open cells, irritate membranes, tear proteins to shreds. Perhaps allergens cause so much harm that we need to protect ourselves from them?

When you think about all the major allergy symptoms - stuffy red nose, tears, sneezing, coughing, itching, diarrhea and vomiting - they all have one common denominator. They are all like an explosion! Allergies are a strategy for ridding the body of allergens!

It turned out that this idea has been floating on the surface of various theories for a long time, but each time it is drowned again and again. Back in 1991, evolutionary biologist Margie Profe(Margie Profet) claimed that the allergies were fighting toxins. But immunologists rejected the idea, perhaps because Profe was an outsider.

Medzhitov, with two of his students Noah Palm and Rachel Rosenstein, published his theory in Nature in 2012. Then he started testing it. First, he tested the connection between the damage and allergies.

Medzhitov and his colleagues injected mice with PLA2, an allergen found in bee venom (it breaks cell membranes). As Medzhitov predicted, the immune system did not respond specifically to PLA2 at all. It was only when PLA2 damaged exposed cells that the body began producing IgE.

Another of Medzhitov's proposals was that these antibodies would protect the mice rather than just make them sick. To test this, he and his colleagues gave a second injection of PLA2, but this time the dose was much higher.

And if the animals had practically no reaction to the first dose, then after the second the body temperature rose sharply, even to the point of death. But some mice, for reasons that are not entirely clear, developed a certain allergic reaction, and their body remembered and reduced exposure to PLA2.

On the other side of the country, another scientist was doing an experiment that ended up further confirming Medzhitov’s theory.

Stephen Galli, chairman of the department of pathology at Stanford University, has spent years studying mast cells, mysterious immune cells that can kill people in an allergic reaction. He theorized that these mast cells might actually help the body. For example, in 2006, he and his colleagues discovered that mast cells destroy a toxin found in snake venom.

This discovery made Galli think the same thing Medzhitov was thinking - that allergies might actually be a defense.

Galli and his colleagues conducted the same experiments with mice and bee venom. And when they injected mice that had never before been exposed to this type of poison with IgE antibodies, it turned out that their bodies received the same protection from a potentially lethal dose of poison as the bodies of mice exposed to this toxin.

Until now, despite all the experiments, many questions remain unanswered. How exactly does damage caused by bee venom lead to a protective IgE response and how did IgE protect the mice? These are exactly the questions that Medzhitov and his team are currently working on. In their opinion, the main problem is mast cells and the mechanism of their work.

Jamie Cullen(Jaime Cullen) studied how IgE antibodies latch onto mast cells and cause them to become sensitive or (in some cases) hypersensitive to allergens.

Medzhitov predicted that this experiment would show that allergen detection works like a home alarm system. In order to understand that a thief has broken into your house, it is not at all necessary to see his face - a broken window will tell you about it. Damage caused by the allergen awakens the immune system, which collects molecules in the immediate vicinity and produces antibodies to them. Now the offender has been identified and next time it will be much easier to deal with him.

Allergies seem much more logical from an evolutionary point of view when viewed as home system alarms. Toxic chemicals, regardless of their source (poisonous animals or plants), have long been a threat to human health. Allergies were supposed to protect our ancestors by flushing these substances out of the body. And the discomfort that our ancestors felt as a result of all this may have forced them to move to safer places.

Allergies have more advantages than disadvantages

Like many adaptive mechanisms, allergies are not perfect. It reduces our chances of dying from toxins, but it still doesn't eliminate the risk completely. Sometimes, due to too strong a reaction, an allergy can kill, as has already been the case in experiments on dogs and mice. But still, the benefits of allergies outweigh the disadvantages.

This balance has shifted with the advent of new synthetic substances. They expose us to a wider range of compounds that can potentially cause damage and cause an allergic reaction. Our ancestors could avoid allergies by simply walking to the other side of the forest, but we can't get rid of some substances so easily.

Over the next few years, Medzhitov hopes to convince skeptics with results from other experiments. And this may lead to a revolution in the way we think about allergies. And he will start with a pollen allergy. Medzhitov does not hope for a quick victory for his theory. For now, he is simply happy that he manages to change people’s attitudes towards allergic reactions and they stop perceiving it as a disease.

You sneeze, and that's good, because that way you protect yourself. Evolution doesn't care at all how you feel.

Allergy is familiar to almost every person, but what it really is, what symptoms will indicate the progression of the body’s inadequate response to a specific irritant, how to provide first aid and how treatment should be carried out is known only to a few.

Meanwhile, allergies are considered one of the most common diseases in the world - 85% of the entire population of our planet have suffered an allergic reaction to one degree or another.

General information about allergies

Allergy – this is the body’s increased sensitivity to any irritant. Such provoking substances can be those that are inside the human body, and those with which there is contact. The body of people prone to allergies perceives absolutely safe/familiar substances as dangerous, foreign and begins to produce antibodies against them. Moreover, to everyone irritant an “individual” allergen is produced - that is, an allergy to tulip pollen, animal hair and/or milk can manifest itself in different ways.

There is still no treatment for allergies as such. Modern medicine is constantly conducting various studies and looking for ways to solve this problem, but there are no tangible results yet. What you can do at the moment:

• by identifying the allergen;
• take which can relieve the symptoms of the disease in question;
• limit contact with the identified allergen as much as possible.

Causes of allergies

It is impossible to single out any one reason for the development of allergies - there are many predisposing factors that can provoke the condition in question. TO these include:

• street, book and/or home;
• fungal and mold spores;
• pollen of any plants;
• (the most common allergens include milk, eggs, fish and seafood, some fruits and nuts);
• insect bites;
• cleaning and detergents;
• any chemicals - paints, gasoline, varnishes, solvents, etc.;
• animal hair;
• some medications;
• latex.

Very often allergies are hereditary disease- By at least, medicine knows cases where the presence of allergies in parents necessarily affects the health of their children.

Types of allergies and symptoms

The presence of any specific symptoms depends on what particular form of the disease in question is present in a person.

Respiratory allergies

It develops against the background of allergens entering the body through the respiratory tract. Symptoms of this type of allergic reaction will be the following:

Note:and (rhinitis) are considered the main symptoms of respiratory allergies.

Dermatosis

Accompanied by pronounced manifestations on the skin - rashes, irritation. Symptoms include:

• redness of the skin - it can be localized and appear only in immediate areas, and can also be frontal;
• the skin becomes dry, flaky and itchy;
• rashes appear and quickly spread, simulating;
• Blistering and intense swelling may be present.

Allergic conjunctivitis

In this case, the body’s inadequate response to any irritant will be manifested by a deterioration in eye health. Symptoms of this type of allergy will be:

• increased lacrimation;
• swelling around the eyes.

Enteropathy

This is an allergic reaction of the body, which is manifested by a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, enteropathy develops due to food and medications. Symptoms of this type of allergy will be:

• (diarrhea);
• pain in the intestinal area of ​​varying intensity (intestinal).

Note:It is precisely with enteropathy that it can develop - the lips and tongue swell, the person begins to choke.

Anaphylactic shock

This is the most dangerous manifestation of allergies, which always develops rapidly. In just a few seconds the patient develops:

• intense;
• convulsive syndrome;
• involuntary urination and defecation;
• pronounced rash all over the body;

Note:If a person has the above symptoms, then you need to immediately call an ambulance, or take the patient yourself to medical institution. , as a rule, ends in death in the absence of qualified medical care.

It is worth noting that allergy symptoms are very often confused with symptoms colds– , . But it is quite easy to distinguish allergies from allergies - firstly, with allergies, the body temperature remains within normal limits, and secondly, a runny nose with allergies is never characterized by thick, greenish-yellow mucous discharge.

How a specific allergen is detected

If allergic symptoms appear, but the specific irritant is not known, then you will need to seek help from specialists. In addition to making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will refer the patient to specific examinations that will help identify the true allergen. As part of such surveys, the following are carried out:

1. Skin tests. The advantage of this examination method is the simplicity of the procedure, speed of obtaining results and low cost. Some facts about the skin test:

At positive reaction Redness, itching and swelling appear at the site of application of the allergen.

Note:2 days before the scheduled date skin tests the patient is prohibited from taking any antihistamine medications, as this may lead to false results.

1. . Blood is drawn from a vein, which is then sent to the laboratory for testing. The results will be ready in 10-14 days.

Doctors note that this type of examination cannot give a complete answer to the question about the reasons for the development of allergies.

1. Skin tests. This examination is carried out for dermatoses - conditions in which allergies manifest themselves on the skin. This method can determine the body's reaction to:

• formaldehyde;
• chromium;
• benzocaine;
• neomycin;
• lanolin;
• corticosteroids;
• epoxy resins;
• rosin.

1. Provocative tests. This examination is considered the only one that gives a 100% correct answer to the question of what irritant triggered the development of allergies. Provocative tests are carried out only in a specialized department under the supervision of a group of doctors. A possible allergen is introduced into the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, under the tongue, into the nasal cavity.

First aid for allergies

If signs of an allergy appear, you need to provide the patient with first aid. The best option You should immediately consult a doctor, but if this is not possible, then you should perform the following manipulations:

If within 20-30 minutes the patient’s condition has not improved, and even more so if it has worsened, then an ambulance should be called immediately.

In some cases, they may develop severe symptoms allergic reaction:

• suffocation;
• and uncontrollable vomiting;
• increased heart rate and breathing rate;
• swelling of the whole body, including the pharynx;
• general weakness;
• a growing feeling of anxiety;

And the above symptoms indicate that the patient is at risk of death - it is necessary to take Urgent measures to stabilize his condition. Intensive care measures include:

• if the patient is conscious, then he is given any antihistamines to drink, it is better to use them for this purpose;
• the patient must be put to bed, his clothes taken off, his head turned to the side;
• if breathing or heartbeat stops, you need to do it urgently artificial respiration and, but only if there is certain knowledge.

Allergy treatment

The allergic reaction has complex mechanism development, so treatment will be selected by doctors strictly individually and only after examining the patient. The most commonly prescribed medications are antihistamines, immunotherapy, and steroid sprays for allergic rhinitis (runny nose) or decongestants may be used.

In addition, the patient must take care of his own health - avoid contact with the allergen, regularly carry out maintenance therapy, promptly treat inflammatory/infectious/viral diseases so that it works fully. Do not forget that there is an allergy to medications, and in this case you will need to know specific remedies in order to exclude them when treating any diseases.

Allergy is a complex disease that requires control both from the patient and from the outside. medical workers. Only accurate knowledge of the specific allergen that provokes the development of the disease in question, carrying out timely treatment can normalize health and improve the life of the patient.