Good allergy treatment depends on your medical history, the results of your allergy tests, and whether your symptoms are mild or severe. There are many types of allergies and allergy symptoms. Your treatment will vary depending on the type of allergy and the severity of your symptoms. The treatment of allergy diseases will be shaped according to the type of your allergy. In this article, we have written about allergies and treatment methods in detail for you.
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What is an allergy?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein. Usually these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if you are allergic to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) overreacts to the presence of that protein in your body.
What is an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction is your body’s way of reacting to an allergen. If you have an allergy, the first time you encounter a certain allergen, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E ( IgE ). Your immune system produces antibodies to create IgE . Antibodies find allergens in your body and help remove them by transporting them to the mast cell (allergy cell) where they attach to a special receptor. This causes the allergy cell to release histamine. Histamine is what’s causing your allergy symptoms.
Who does the allergy affect?
Allergies can affect anyone. Genetic factors are also effective in the formation of allergies. If you have allergies in your family, you are more likely to develop allergies.
What are the most common allergies?
The most common allergies include:
certain foods
Food allergies develop when your body releases a particular antibody to a particular food. An allergic reaction occurs within minutes of eating the food, and the symptoms can be severe. Symptoms may include:
- itchy body,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Hives,
Swelling around your mouth, including your throat, tongue, or face.
IgE- mediated food allergy, symptoms may also include anaphylaxis. It can occur as any of the above symptoms or a combination of the above symptoms. It usually occurs within 30 minutes of eating a food you are allergic to.
The most common food allergies in adults and children are: Milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, fish.
Pets
It can develop against certain proteins in pet allergens, animal dander, dander, urine, and saliva.
dust mites
Dust mites are small, eight-legged relatives of spiders. They are too small to see with your eyes. They live in dust and fibers of household items such as pillows, mattresses, carpets and upholstery.
cockroaches
Cockroaches are reddish-brown insects. Proteins found in feces, saliva, eggs, and dead body parts can cause allergic reactions.
Molds
Molds are small fungi. It has spores that float in the air, such as pollen. Common mold allergies include Aspergillus , Cladosporium , and Alternaria .
pollen
Seasonal allergies involve pollen. Pollen is microspores from trees, grass or weeds that appear as a fine dust on surfaces or float in the air . Tree pollen usually appears in the spring, while weed pollen usually appears in the fall.
Medicines
Some drugs can cause an allergic reaction. Antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, drugs such as insulin can cause allergies.
Bees
Bee allergy is one of the allergies that can be extremely serious. Honey bees, hornets, wasps, yellow jacket bees can cause an allergic reaction.
What are allergy symptoms?
There are many manifestations of an allergic reaction. It is also possible to have one or more of these symptoms. The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people may develop symptoms of an extremely serious reaction called anaphylaxis. Allergy symptoms include:
- Hives,
- runny nose,
- nasal congestion,
- Sneeze,
- Cough,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- itchy eyes,
- watering eyes,
- itchy nose,
- difficulty in breathing,
- Grunt.
- Anyone with severe allergy symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
How are allergies diagnosed?
If you think you have allergies, don’t wait to see if your symptoms go away. Make an appointment with an allergist if your symptoms last longer than a week or two or tend to recur at certain times of the year. Allergists are doctors who specialize in allergies and are the most competent in diagnosing and treating allergies. Commonly in the diagnosis of allergies; skin puncture test, blood test, patch test are used.
What drugs can be used for allergies?
Depending on your allergy symptoms, your allergist may prescribe certain medications. These medications can make you more comfortable by reducing the severity of your symptoms. Medications used to treat allergies include:
antihistamines
Antihistamines block the histamine that triggers allergic swelling. They can soothe sneezing, itching, runny nose, and hives. It comes in the form of pills, liquids, dissolving tablets or nasal sprays .
nasal corticosteroids
Nasal corticosteroids are nasal sprays. They reduce swelling. The swelling causes nasal congestion, runny and itchy nose. They are the most effective drugs for nasal allergies.
mast cell stabilizers
Mast cell stabilizers prevent your body from releasing histamine. This can help with itchy, watery eyes or an itchy, runny nose. They are available as eye drops or nasal spray.
decongestants
Decongestants reduce congestion by shrinking swollen membranes in the nose. However, using these sprays for more than three days in a row may make the swelling and congestion in your nose worse. That’s why it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Corticosteroid creams or ointments
Corticosteroid creams or ointments relieve itching and stop the rash from spreading.
oral corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling and stop severe allergic reactions. These drugs can cause serious side effects. Therefore, you should be under the supervision of a doctor while using these drugs.
adrenaline auto injector
An adrenaline auto-injector is the most important medication to be given during a life-threatening anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). During allergic shock, this syringe should be used immediately.
Allergy vaccines, immunotherapy
If you can’t manage your allergy symptoms with medications and avoiding allergens, your allergist may recommend immunotherapy . Immunotherapy helps build a tolerance to allergens and helps relieve symptoms associated with allergen exposure. There are two common types of immunotherapy . These are allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy .
Allergy injections involve giving injections of allergens at an increasing dose over time. The person becomes less and less sensitive to this allergen. Allergy vaccines can work for people who are allergic to pollen, pets, dust, bees or other stinging insects, as well as asthma. Sublingual immunotherapy is another way to treat certain allergies without injections. Allergists give patients small doses of the allergen under the tongue. This exposure increases tolerance to the substance and reduces symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy is quite safe and effective for the treatment of nasal allergies and asthma.