Allergies are often called the plague of the 21st century. She takes third place in the ranking of "The most common diseases of mankind" according to the World Health Organization. According to these statistics, 10-20 percent of the world's population undergo allergic reactions annually.
Every day, millions of chemical elements surround a person, some of them are foreign to the body and can provoke an allergy. The main cause of negative reactions of the body is smells. Allergies to flowering, certain types of animals, food are the most common. It is impossible to accurately calculate the number of allergens, any substance can act as an irritant.
What is an allergy?
Allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to the ingestion of an allergen. Every day a person is forced to encounter a large number of chemical compounds and particles. After they enter the body, the process of recognizing the substance for the presence of danger begins. This mechanism helps protect against viruses, bacteria, and toxins. In the event of a threat, the body's immune forces are turned on for protection. If immunity is suppressed or there is a hereditary pathology, then a malfunction occurs and immune cells attack harmless substances that enter the body. This process causes allergic reactions.
Is there an allergy to odors?
Science knows non-specific types of allergies: to sunlight, to sweat, to cold, to smell. Doctors call the body’s reaction to odor-irritants "hypersensitivity." It is impossible to call this an allergy in the classical sense, since the pathology is caused not by smell, but by irritant particles entering the nasal mucosa. Therefore, a reaction to individual substances and objects, to cat's hair or detergent, is released.
Causes of Odor Allergy:
- genetic predisposition;
- problems in the endocrine system;
- serious brain injuries;
- depressive states and stress.
hay fever
Hay fever (or hay fever) is a type of allergy to flowering.
Symptoms in adults:
- Allergic rhinitis, expressed in regular sneezing, secretions of liquid mucus from the nasal cavity, swelling of the sinuses. When an infection is attached, sinusitis or sinusitis can develop.
- Conjunctivitis, characterized by the appearance of lacrimation, conjunctival redness, itchy skin around the eyes, photophobia, sensations of pain or pressure in the orbits.
- Rash on the skin (urticaria), itching, dermatitis.
- Swelling of the throat and shortness of breath. Can go into Quincke's edema, bronchitis, asthma.
- Symptoms of an allergy to flowering in adults can be accompanied by: general weakness and fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, headache, and a change in body temperature.
Course of the disease
Hay fever manifests itself during the flowering period and ends with it, that is, it is seasonal in nature. But there is one exception. People prone to allergic reactions should avoid foods such as herbal preparations, honey, alcohol, which insists on herbs. These foods may contain plant pollen, which is the main cause of pollen allergy symptoms.
Diagnosis of hay fever
At the first signs of hay fever, you should immediately contact a medical institution. And with Quincke's edema, you should immediately call an ambulance. If there is no threat to life, then you need to contact your doctor. After the examination, the specialist may appoint the patient to undergo additional studies to establish the nature of the allergy.
If there are symptoms of pollen allergy, tests are prescribed:
- clinical blood test (in the presence of an allergy in the blood there will be an increased level of eosinophils);
- analysis of secretions secreted by the nose;
- sputum analysis;
- analysis of discharge from the conjunctiva;
- a blood test to detect specific antibodies inherent in allergies in the blood;
- skin tests that are done to identify an allergen.
Pollinosis treatment
The entire diagnostic process is carried out under the supervision of an allergist. If there is an allergy, the specialist will choose the best method of treatment and prescribe drugs that can provide the best result in the fight against hay fever. To help fight allergies:
- antihistamines (Tavegil, Zodak, Zirtek, Fenistil);
- corticosteroids for inhalation (Pulmicort, Nazacort, Ingacort);
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
It will not be superfluous to visit an immunologist, since an allergic reaction is closely associated with defects in the immune system.
In addition to taking medications, the treatment of flower allergies requires a number of rules:
- Minimizing patient contact with pollen. To do this, during the flowering of herbs and plants, you should refuse to visit places with dense vegetation: greenhouses, flower beds, summer cottages, park areas, forests, etc.
- Regular wet cleaning, at least 2 times a day.
- Refusal of plants at home.
- An exception to the diet of products that can cause cross hay fever: honey, cereals (during flowering).
- Particularly difficult is the course of an allergy to birch pollen. This is due to the fact that allergies are caused not only by small pollen and the proteins contained in it. Each type of protein is capable of independently provoking an allergy, and when there are three of them, the disease can be difficult to tolerate and have unpleasant consequences, such as bronchitis or chronic asthma.
When treating such a complex allergic reaction, it is impossible to limit oneself to taking antihistamines alone. In addition, it is very difficult to limit contact with pollen, as it has a very small diameter and is able to soar in the air for long hours.
One of the most popular irritants of this type is the pollen of ordinary birch. An innovative method of treating allergies to birch pollen is hyposensitization. Its essence lies in the introduction of an allergen under the skin of the patient in small doses under the supervision of an allergist. Over time, the body develops addiction to the stimulus. The duration of treatment varies from 3 months to a year. Treatment begins at a time when the patient cannot come into contact with the allergen - in winter or late autumn.
Smoke allergy
The body's negative reaction to tobacco smoke is an allergy to the smell of cigarettes. The cause of the appearance are specific substances released during smoldering tobacco in a cigarette.
The main allergen is nicotine. In addition to it, allergies can cause:
- flavorings that make up cigarettes;
- chemical compounds used in tobacco processing;
- impregnation of cigarette paper.
The mechanism of allergy appearance is as follows: when inhaled tobacco smoke, all the membranes of the respiratory system are irritated. With further regular smoking, the mucous membranes slowly thin out, and the immune system of the respiratory tract suffers from constant “tobacco attacks”. As a result, the body's defenses react inadequately to cigarette smoke and an allergy appears.
Allergies to the smell of tobacco smoke affect both active and passive smokers. The latter have an acute reaction, while active smokers have less severe symptoms.
Allergy Symptoms:
- cough, swelling of the throat and respiratory tract, tickle in the nasopharynx;
- runny nose and nasal congestion;
- redness of the eyes and lacrimation;
- rash accompanied by itching.
These symptoms are not dangerous and are common among 90% of allergy sufferers. It is worth paying close attention to the following manifestations of allergies:
- Swelling of the larynx, which can provoke difficulty breathing, or stop it. This is characteristic of Quincke edema. In addition, the face and neck swell. When the first signs appear, you must immediately seek specialized help from an ambulance.
- Anaphylactic shock. Occurs immediately after inhalation of smoke. The patient complains of back pain, confusion, decreased heart rate. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required.
Allergy to perfume
An allergy to the smell of perfume is rare. Both men and women are equally affected.
The cause of the allergic reaction is a high level of human sensitivity to the individual components that make up the perfume composition. Perfume manufacturing companies are doing their best to create a fragrant aroma, but this does not always favorably affect the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. When perfume molecules get into the body, they can cause allergies in people who are predisposed to this disease.
The development of the disease occurs in two scenarios:
- Acute allergy It is accompanied by symptoms: swelling of the larynx, coughing and sneezing, rhinitis, burning on the mucous membranes, a rash on the skin and a rash.
- Slow development. In this case, the symptoms can be the same, but less pronounced. External manifestations of allergies will intensify with continued regular use of perfumes.
It is impossible to independently diagnose which of the components of perfumes is allergic. But it is worth remembering that more often an allergy appears on the sweet smell of tropical plants and astringent woody odors.
Treatment
When allergy symptoms appear, you should refuse to use perfume. If it is possible to wash off the product, then do it immediately. It is necessary to ventilate the room or go outside. Seek medical attention for help. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and vitamin therapy are used to treat perfume allergies .
Paint allergy
This is a specific type of allergy that affects a large number of people, regardless of gender and age. The smell of paint in the apartment is already unpleasant, and for allergy sufferers it is fraught with consequences.
Paint is a product of the chemical industry. It contains a spectrum of components that the immune system does not recognize correctly. As a result, a negative reaction is manifested.
Allergens that make up the paint:
- phenols;
- mercury;
- cadmium;
- lead;
- zinc white , etc.
The opinion that eco-paints do not cause allergies is erroneous. They emit less vapors into the air, but are also able to provoke an attack of pathology.
Allergy Symptoms:
- dizziness, headache;
- choking, swelling of the larynx and face;
- lacrimation and a feeling of pain in the eyes;
- itching, rashes, peeling, and eczema;
- fainting.
Treatment
When signs of allergy appear, it is worthwhile to stop contacting with the irritant, it is necessary to open the windows and ventilate.
When anaphylactic shock occurs, the patient should immediately call an ambulance team.
If possible, give an antihistamine.
Put the person on the bed so that in case of loss of consciousness he does not hit his head.
Caution should be exercised by people suffering from other forms of allergies, as they fall into the risk zone. In this category of people, an allergy to paint develops in 40% of cases.