Allergy

The human body is attacked every second by viruses, fungi, bacteria and other less dangerous substances penetrating into its "holy of holies" together with every breath, a sip of water and food. With these foreign agents, the immune system is fighting.

The problem is that sometimes the body reacts to completely harmless substances, like antigens, and produces too much antibodies to fight them.

Antigen and antibody combine with basophils and mast cells. And these complexes flow through the bloodstream into the organs (skin, nose, lungs, stomach), settling in them. Once the allergen enters the body repeatedly, basophils and mast cells begin to synthesize histamine, a chemical substance designed to fight the allergen.

Under the influence of histamine:

• The spasm of smooth muscles of blood vessels, bronchi, stomach and intestine begins;
• The capillaries expand, as a result of which the blood pressure decreases;
• Edema appears;
• Blood condenses.

Develops an allergic reaction.

Factors that provoke allergies incredibly much, here are just the most popular of them:

• Pollen ;
• Animal hair ;
• Bites of mosquitoes , bees and wasps , bedbugs ;
• Products such as milk and eggs ;
• Cosmetics, in particular shellac and gel-varnish ;
• Building materials ;
• Dust ;
• Cold ;
• Sunlight ;
• Latex .

You can try to find out for yourself what you are allergic to , but it's better to pass special tests .

The manifestation of an allergy depends on the type of allergen and the place of its contact with a certain part of the human body. It can be: urticaria , dermatitis , runny nose , conjunctivitis , cough , allergic asthma , Quincke's edema , anaphylactic shock .

Details and photos of different types of reactions ..

Treatment consists of the following stages:

1. The first and most important thing is to eliminate contact with the allergen. Many ignore this point, and completely vain. If you delay with the solution of the problem, you can greatly aggravate the situation, simple diathesis can turn into eczema, the usual hives turn into anaphylactic shock.
2. If the reaction is severe, for example, difficulty breathing or fast-growing swelling, you should call an ambulance.
3. The third item is known to everyone - antihistamines , they are sold without a prescription and are effective. Preparations of the first generation act quickly, but they can not be abused. The third and fourth generation of tablets - the effect is not so pronounced, but a minimum of side effects and a long reception is possible. In rhinitis appoint sprays , with conjunctivitis - drops .
4. Further - stronger preparations - glucocorticosteroids or GCS. For dermatitis, urticaria and various eruptions use GCS in the form of ointment . When systemic reactions are put intramuscularly (such as prednisolone or betamethasone ). Prescribe these drugs can only be a doctor, they are quite effective, but they have many contraindications and their misuse can do more harm than good.
5. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) and autolymphocytotherapy (ALT) are relatively new methods of treatment. Concluded in the gradual introduction of an allergen to adapt the immune system and normalize the reaction. These methods, unlike others, eliminate the cause of the disease and not the symptoms.
6. Diet and a healthy lifestyle are important factors, Food can be both the main reason and simply a "trigger" that provokes a reaction.

Of course, each type of reaction has its own treatment characteristics. As well as for special conditions, such as pregnancy . All of them are described below: