An acute allergic reaction is a pathology that manifests itself under the condition that an external stimulus acts on the human body, thereby causing hypersensitivity. It can be mild and severe.
Causes
The cause of an allergic reaction to the skin is an increased sensitivity (hypersensitivity) of the immune system to extraneous irritant substances. Such substances are called allergens (antigens). Irritants of this type are:
- Poisons of wasps, bees.
- Pollen of various species of plants and flowers, dust.
- Food (dairy products, eggs, various nuts).
- Medicines (antibiotics, diagnostic drugs, antipyretics).
- Pet hair (especially cat hair).
Once in the body, the pathogen affects cells associated with antibodies of the immunoglobulin class. As a result, they secrete a substance that damages body tissues. It is also worth noting that an acute allergic reaction occurs due to malfunctioning of the body's immune functions. The inability of the immune system to respond adequately to stimuli leads to the release of histamine. It causes itching, inflammation, swelling.
Types
Two types of allergic reactions are distinguished, which differ in their manifestation:
- Lungs. This type includes seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis, urticaria.
- Heavy. Among them are anaphylactic shock, generalized urticaria, acute laryngeal stenosis and others.
Symptoms
For each type of allergic reaction, individual symptoms are characteristic.
- Quincke's edema is manifested in the face, hands, scrotum, hairline of the patient's head, throat, stomach, intestines.
- In open areas of the skin appears in the form of an edematous tumor, in the throat causes suffocation, cough, hoarseness.
- Formations in the stomach or intestines are characterized by vomiting, colic in the intestine, and vomiting.
- Anaphylactic shock is manifested by a drop in pressure and stuffiness of the ears (with a moderate reaction).
- Also, with a severe reaction, an allergen can cause skin itching, swelling of the larynx, urticaria (manifested as itchy protruding blisters), abdominal pain, loss of consciousness.
- Generalized urticaria is supplemented by fever, severe itching, fever, arthralgia. It flows on the surface of the skin of the arms, back, neck, legs. It is characterized by large red blisters (similar to a nettle burn).
- Acute allergic conjunctivitis develops on the surface of the eye and surrounding tissues. The visual features of conjunctivitis are redness of the eye tissue, bursting capillaries around the eyeball. Accompanied by lacrimation, sensitivity to light, runny nose, headache, weakness.
- Allergic rhinitis is a disease of the nasal mucosa. It is usually an additional symptom of more serious allergies. Symptoms of an acute illness are disturbances in nasal breathing, copious discharge of mucus from the nose, temperature, and swelling of the mucosa.
Acute laryngeal edema
Acute laryngeal edema is a severe allergic reaction that is characterized by swelling of the tissues. It happens inflammatory and non-inflammatory. In this case, the lumen of the larynx becomes narrower. Swelling may be acute or chronic. A feeling of the presence of a foreign body appears in the throat, the voice changes and pains appear. The lumen of the larynx narrows, and it is dangerous to suffocate. More often, men from eighteen to thirty-five years old are ill. The reasons are different:
- Allergy - possible on animal hair, pollen, various foods and medicines.
- Sore throat - may occur in children with laryngitis, and in adults with phlegmon.
- Injuries - contact with a foreign body or chemical burns.
- Infections - measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever.
- Neoplasms - there may be tumors. Malignant and benign.
- Various purulent diseases, such as phlegmon and abscesses in the neck.
The most dangerous of the complications is stenosis of the larynx. It is fraught with suffocation. The patient takes a forced position to make it easier to breathe. If you suspect swelling, you should immediately call an ambulance, immediately go to the hospital and visit the otolaryngologist. He will conduct laryngoscopy without fail.
Quincke's edema
With this allergic reaction (ICD 10 - T78.3), the skin, subcutaneous fat, and mucous membrane swell. In this case, the urinary, nervous, digestive, respiratory systems are involved. Swelling begins suddenly. It develops in the lower layers of the skin and subcutaneous fat. It is very painful, but itching is absent. Usually passes in the period of about seventy-two hours with the right treatment. Edema begins to appear in contact with certain allergens. Regardless of the reasons, the level of histamine in the body rises. Quincke's edema is of two types:
- Acute - with unexpected contact.
- Acute relapsing, repeated in bouts for six months.
An allergic reaction to the skin is manifested as follows:
- There is pain, a burning sensation.
- The lesion site is asymmetric.
- The skin color becomes pale pink.
The hair part of the head, pharynx, hands, tongue, genitals, back of the feet are mainly affected. If the larynx swells, then the voice becomes hoarse, breathing is difficult, a sensation of suffocation appears.
In children, edema occurs in any part of the body and requires special attention. It is manifested by loss of consciousness, rashes like hives, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The larynx is often affected, which can cause choking and death.
First aid is an emergency call with a detailed description of the situation. It is necessary to stop the allergen from entering the body and give an antihistamine.
Hives
Nettle fever is an allergic reaction (ICD code 10 - T78.3), in which itchy blisters appear on the body that are unlike in size. In general, urticaria is symptomatic and is not an independent disease. It can manifest as allergic shock, bronchial asthma, from an autoimmune disease. Quite rarely, urticaria proceeds on its own, without symptoms.
According to the data, urticaria often affects women aged from adulthood to adulthood. According to studies, it was found that urticaria also appears due to hormonal disorders, which is typical for girls and women. To identify this disease, it is enough to examine a dermatologist who can easily make a correct diagnosis.
Factors that provoke urticaria are:
1. External:
- burning sun;
- severe cold;
- water;
- Vibration
- all kinds of allergens;
- allergic drug reactions;
- mechanical effects.
2. Internal:
- infectious diseases;
- immune disorders;
- malnutrition.
Urticaria Prevention
There are a number of instructions that you need to follow with hives:
- for hygienic use warm, but not hot water;
- when choosing soap, it is necessary to give preference to more gentle and softer;
- use a cotton towel after bath;
- Avoid the sun;
- aspirin is prohibited.
Anaphylactic shock
An allergic reaction (ICD 10 - T78.0) of the human body, such as anaphylactic shock, is an acute manifestation of an allergy to any external stimulus. Preferably, such symptoms occur when the allergen re-enters the weakened body, which cannot produce specific antibodies to combat it.
Anaphylaxis is incredibly dangerous due to the instant negative reaction of all vital human systems. Its development can last from a couple of seconds to several hours from the moment a person interacts with an irritant. If during this period the patient is not provided with timely and qualified medical care, this can lead to death literally an hour after the manifestation of this reaction.
It affects a person regardless of age. This allergic reaction in a child occurs no less than in adults.
This process occurs due to the fact that during the contact of the allergen with certain antibodies that are designed to protect the whole body, specific substances are produced - histamine, bradykinin and serotonin, which, in turn, affects the deterioration of blood circulation in the body, and also negative impact on all life systems of the affected person, including upset muscle, digestive and respiratory functions. This can lead to death of the patient.
Also, due to circulatory disorders, all internal organs begin to suffer from oxygen starvation, including the brain, which, in turn, can cause severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, and even stroke.
Acute Toxic Allergies
Acute allergic reactions are the development of the sensitivity of the body's immune systems to endogenous pathogens.
The exacerbation of an allergic reaction is indicated by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Formation of blisters accompanied by itching.
- The occurrence of laryngeal edema.
- The appearance of hypotension.
- Impaired respiratory function.
- Loss of consciousness.
What allergic reactions are there, other than those listed above? Nutritional, Lyell's syndrome, chemical, pollen.
Lyell's Syndrome
Lyell's syndrome is the appearance of toxic allergic reactions to medications. As a rule, this type of allergy is manifested due to infectious, viral and bacterial diseases. The main groups of medications that cause this reaction are antibiotics and sulfonamides.
Symptoms:
- The appearance of heat.
- The manifestation of intoxication of the body.
- Damage to the mucous membranes.
- The appearance of urticaria.
- The development of surface erosion.
- Symptoms of a blood clotting disorder appear.
Significantly affected due to intoxication of the body organs: heart, kidneys and liver. The treatment for this type of allergy is to stop the ingestion of dangerous allergic substances. It is also necessary to say that if this type of allergic reaction occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. To stop the toxic effects of toxins, heavy drinking and washing procedures are prescribed. Along with this, substances containing a sufficient number of enzymes are prescribed. Allergic rashes and erosions are lubricated with special ointments to accelerate the healing of the skin. If you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, consult a doctor immediately, since the development of acute manifestations with toxic reactions can lead to death.
Treatment
You can cure allergic reactions in the following ways.
- Bay leaf to the rescue! A decoction of leaves perfectly relieves itching and redness. If you want to "remove the skin" from the body, then it is better to take a bath, use oil or tincture of bay leaves.
- Shell - Goodbye Allergy Forever! You will need: white shell crushed in a coffee grinder; 2-3 drops of lemon juice. Dosage and administration: children from 14 years old and adults - 1 teaspoon 1 time per day. Children 6-12 months - a pinch on the tip of a knife. In 1-2 years - twice as much. 2-7 years - 1/2 tsp. Be sure to drink water! The course is from 1 to 6 months.
- "Chat" allergies. Ingredients: distilled water, vodka, white clay, anestezin (1 cube), baby powder, diphenhydramine (optional). All mix and process the skin.
- Black cumin - a blow to allergies! Black cumin oil is a reliable protection against seasonal sneezing. It must be used for inhalation.
- A series - forget about itching forever! Decoction from this plant must be treated skin or take baths with it.
- Wedge by wedge! For allergic reactions, it is advisable to add nettle to your diet. It will not only help get rid of itching, but also protect the immune system.
- Without chamomile - as without hands! For the treatment of dermatitis, steamed leaves should be applied to the skin.
- Kalinka against raspberries! With severe itching, it is recommended to insist on young shoots of red berries and eat inside.
- "Heavy artillery"! It will help with a running allergy. Mix: rose hip, centaury, St. John's wort, corn stigmas, dandelion root, horsetail. Put in a thermos and pour boiling water. Let it brew for 7 hours, strain and drink until dermatitis disappears.
- Soda is a universal assistant! You need to stir half a teaspoon of soda in water. Take on an empty stomach. After nothing there is 30 minutes. Soda solution for external use will enhance the effect.
If an acute allergic reaction occurs, you should immediately consult a specialist, namely, call an emergency ambulance. Then proceed with emergency care. It takes place in this sequence.
- Set the type of allergic reaction. Remove a possible irritant from the patient.
- If the patient has anaphylactic shock, it is necessary to give him a lying position (head below the legs), turn the head to the side, extend the lower jaw. If you have skills, inject epinephrine intravenously or intramuscularly. Dosage - no more than 1 ml. Then send the patient to the intensive care unit.
- If there is urticaria or Quincke's edema, then the patient is given enterosorbents, alkaline water, an enema is given.
If there is a tendency to an allergic reaction, the main thing is to protect yourself from the effects of the stimulus and to minimize any contact with it. Then the likelihood of pathology will be zero.