In the modern world, an allergic reaction is not uncommon, but rather a common occurrence. The disease is manifested equally in both children and adults. In each individual case, the pathology may have different symptoms depending on the characteristics of the patient’s organism and on its genetic predisposition. We will study in our article the causes, signs and methods of treatment using the example of an allergy to seeds.
Causes
The effectiveness of treatment directly depends on whether the negatively affecting factors due to which the disease develops are correctly identified. Strong irritants are substances that are part of the seeds of food grains, that is, globulin and albumin cause allergies to seeds. Once in the human body, they provoke strong negative reactions that arise as an immune response to dangerous substances.
Risk factors
In addition, the development of an allergy to seeds is directly influenced by a person’s genetic predisposition, that is, with certain genes, the likelihood of hypersensitivity increases significantly. At risk are those people who suffer from the following pathologies:
- Diseases of the respiratory tract of an infectious nature (the development of pathogenic microorganisms in the respiratory system, which weaken the immune system).
- Failure of the gastrointestinal tract (inflammation of the intestine, dysbiosis, etc.).
Could there be an allergy to sunflower seeds and other crops? At risk are also those who abuse foods that contain a large number of different seeds. The risk of allergies is also quite high when the body is weakened due to bad habits, such as smoking and frequent drinking.
Diagnostics
All diagnostic tests for allergies to seeds are carried out only by a qualified allergist. It is forbidden to independently determine the type of allergen, which can only aggravate the condition of the victim.
In the process of diagnosis, the doctor studies the results of blood tests, as well as individual reactions of the patient. Please note that the effectiveness of the treatment of the disease directly depends on a correctly performed diagnosis and a correctly diagnosed diagnosis.
Among the variety of laboratory studies, several methods of examining adults and children are distinguished, according to the results of which it is possible to accurately determine the causative agent of allergies, the group of causative allergens, as well as irritants that cause a cross allergic reaction. The following types of tests are distinguished:
- Scratch and injection methods, i.e. skin tests.
- Analysis of specific IgE antibodies
- Provocative tests.
- Elimination or removal of an allergen from the diet (diet).
Will there always be an allergy?
If an allergy to sunflower seeds, that is, to seed proteins, was previously diagnosed, then the symptoms will almost always occur when eating cereal products. At the same time, situations were observed when the symptoms do not appear in all cases of contact with the allergen:
- If there is hypersensitivity not to seeds, but to chemical impurities that have fallen into cereals from fertilized soil.
- In the period of exacerbation, when allergic symptoms are observed for many food products. As the process subsides, the negative symptoms disappear.
- Due to cross-allergy, the patient may experience a reaction to the seeds.
Cross-stimuli are melons, potatoes, margarine, chamomile, honey, vegetable oil. Also, this list can be replenished with such cross allergens as sunflower pollen, dandelion and wormwood.
Could there be an allergy to sunflower and pumpkin seeds?
Cereal foods are a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, and also help to cure helminths. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds help alleviate the condition of a person who suffers from a severe allergic reaction to nuts. Natural products are part of many dietary supplements, and are also recommended by doctors to improve the condition of the skin and hair. But, despite the high beneficial and medicinal properties, pumpkin and sunflower seeds cause severe allergic reactions.
Allergy to pumpkin seeds is quite rare. To get rid of the disease, doctors recommend giving up the use of this product. In some cases, injections of adrenaline. Without fail, a patient with signs of hypersensitivity to cereals should contact an immunologist and an allergist.
Sesame Seed Allergy
According to medical statistics, an allergic reaction to sesame seeds is much more common than to other crops. This can be explained by the fact that such a product is much more often used by mankind in different areas of life (cooking, cosmetology, medicine).
Hypersensitivity to sesame seeds per se is seen as an adjunct to nut allergies. This can be explained by the fact that proteins that are present in nuts and sesame at the same time act as a cross stimulus. Allergies are accompanied by standard symptoms and require treatment in the form of antihistamines.
Cotton Seed Allergy
Hypersensitivity in allergy sufferers occurs due to contact with furniture upholstery and with lining materials, which contain processed seeds of coarse fiber varieties of cotton. Today, there are technologies due to which cotton seed is cleaned, but a completely positive reaction to protein with a high carbohydrate content is preserved. An interesting fact is that no irritants were detected in the seed oil. The clinical picture of allergy to cotton seeds is predominantly respiratory in nature.
Allergy to flax and its seeds
A culture such as flax is a strong allergen that can provoke severe allergic reactions. This is due to the fact that the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the culture are oxidized and converted to peroxides after heat treatment and under direct sunlight. It is these substances that negatively affect the body and contribute to poisoning. Flaxseed oil is also an allergic product. Hypersensitivity is manifested in the form of edema of the mucous membranes, dizziness and skin rashes, peeling.
How is the disease manifested?
Symptoms of an allergy to sunflower seeds and other cereal crops:
- From the intestines, stool disorder, nausea, increased gas formation can be observed, in children at a young age, redness appears in the genital area.
- On the part of the skin - dermatitis and eczema, the formation on the skin of itchy rashes, that is, urticaria.
- On the part of the respiratory function - lacrimation, cough, profuse discharge from the nose, shortness of breath, bronchospasm.
In severe cases, Quincke's edema may develop, as well as swelling of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, which causes suffocation. With an untimely response to the symptoms of the disease, a fatal outcome is possible.
First aid
In the case when the first signs of an allergy to seeds are noticed, it is worth rinsing the stomach quickly to the victim. To speed up the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, a cleansing enema is done. It is important to take anti-allergic drugs and sorbents, which will prevent the development of anaphylactic shock and asthma attacks. It is imperative to call an ambulance.
Drug treatment
Is it possible to have seeds for allergies when taking medications? It is not recommended to take irritant products, even if strong antihistamine therapy is carried out.
In drug treatment, drugs from the following pharmaceutical groups can be used:
- Of the antihistamines, Tsetrin, Tavegil, Zirtek, or Claritin are most often prescribed, which are taken for seven days.
- Local hormonal ointments are often prescribed, with which you can quickly eliminate inflammation.
- To strengthen the immune system, patients can use immunomodulators.
- Also, the doctor may recommend cleansing the body with enterosorbents in case of malfunctioning of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, Activated Carbon, Sorbex.
- If negative respiratory symptoms are observed, doctors may prescribe bronchodilators or nasal agents to patients.
Traditional medicine methods
Today, traditional medicine, as an option for full treatment, is considered controversial. Before using this or that means, it is mandatory to consult with your doctor.
Alternative medicine methods cannot be used as the main treatment for allergies, which in some situations can only worsen the patient's condition. However, in the form of auxiliary therapy, alternative methods of healing are considered effective.
According to allergy sufferers, the most effective methods of traditional medicine are:
- A decoction of raspberry roots, which is taken three times a day before meals. The course of treatment lasts 2-3 months.
- Lotions from decoction of a string, elecampane, oak bark, string, horsetail and hawthorn help relieve itching when treating areas on the skin.
- The shell of white boiled eggs is crushed into powder, after which it is taken with lemon juice. Dilute the mixture with purified water.
- A decoction of young cones and kidneys of spruce based on milk is taken 200 ml three times a day.
Store decoctions and infusions in enameled dishes in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight.
Preventative measures
According to patient reviews, in order to minimize the risk of developing an allergy to seeds, the symptoms of which can quickly worsen a person’s health, the use of products with seeds of sunflower, pumpkin, flax, cotton and sesame should be limited. With special care, pregnant and lactating women need to eat food with seeds, even if they have not previously been diagnosed with hypersensitivity to these products.
To strengthen the immune system, you should adhere to proper nutrition, as well as regularly visit the fresh air. To minimize the likelihood of an allergic reaction can regular doses of vitamin complexes.