Allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions in the world. They can be described as a medical condition that occurs due to the hypersensitivity of the immune system to some triggers in the environment. Some of the things that could trigger allergy include dust, smoke, stress, chemicals food, and so on. There are different types of allergy. Examples of these include food allergies, seasonal allergies, anaphylaxis and so on. Some of the signs and symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, redness of the eyes, shortness of breath, swelling in the throat and so on. Materials that induces allergic reactions are known as allergens. Some of the common allergens include pollen, dust, food, metal dust, insect bites, drugs and so on. An allergy occurs as a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Allergy is usually diagnosed by allergists. They do this based on the history of the patient, the signs and symptoms presented, and also go a step further by performing a test on the patient. One of the most common tests is the prick test. They might also introduce the patient to different allergens, to know the exact one the individual is allergic to. One of the ways to be safe is to avoid exposure to the allergens. It’s important to seek the assistance of an immunologist or an allergist, should you suspect that you or your child has developed an allergy to something. Severe cases of allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a severe case of allergy. This medical condition is life-threatening, and can lead to death, if not promptly and well-managed. Allergies are mostly treated by administering medications. The first line of therapy for the treatment of allergy is corticosteroids. Antihistamines can also be used for allergy prophylaxis. Epinephrine is used for the severe cases of allergy, and also for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Stem cell therapy and exosomes have become one of the ways of treating allergies. Autologous stem cells are used for this purpose.
Signs and Symptoms of Allergy
The signs and symptoms of allergy depend on the kind of substance involved. Allergy can affect the airways, sinuses, the skin and the digestive system. Allergic presentations usually vary from mild, moderate to severe. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of allergy;
- Food allergy: This type of allergy occurs due to the consumption of some certain type of food. Some of the common food that triggers allergic reactions are peanuts, wheat, gluten and so on. They can lead to signs and symptoms such as;
- Swelling of the airways
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Swelling of the face
- Tingling sensation in the mouth
- Anaphylaxis
- Hay fever: This is also known as allergic rhinitis, and people affected by this allergy usually present with the following symptoms;
- A runny nose
- Coughing
- Redness of the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Itching of the nose, eyes and the roof of the mouth.
- Insect allergy: This occurs as a result of insect bites. Examples of insect bites could be a bee sting, soldier ants, mites and so on. Some of the signs and symptoms caused by this bites include are;
- Swelling of the affected part of the body
- Itching or hives, especially at the site of the bite
- Sneezing
- Tightening of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Anaphylaxis
- Atopic dermatitis: This is a condition that makes the skin red and itchy. It is also known as eczema. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis;
- Itching of the skin
- Redness of the skin
- Flakes on the skin
- Drug allergy: This is the condition in which the body reacts abnormally, after the consumption of a medication. Some of the medications that cause allergy include antibiotics, cancer drugs and so on. Some of the signs and symptoms of drug allergies are;
- Itching of the skin
- Hives
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the face
- Wheezing
- Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis: This is the severe type of allergy. Any type of allergy can develop into anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening condition, that should be treated immediately. The signs and symptoms are equally serious. They include;
- Syncope: This can also be referred to as loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Hypotension: Patients usually experience a rapid drop in their blood pressure
- Shock: This is the condition in which the patient experiences a reduction in the blood pressure, and also the failure of some of the organs of the patient. The patient might die if this is not promptly managed.
- Confusion and lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weak pulse
What Are the Causes of Allergies?
An allergy occurs when the immune system sees a harmless substance as a harmful substance. The immune system then proceeds to attack the substance, eventually leading to an immune reaction. The immune system would release antibodies to attack and damage the substance. In addition, biologically active substances such as histamine are also released into the bloodstream when this occurs. Some of the common allergens include;
- food substances such as peanuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs
- Air allergens- pollen, perfumes, metal dust, smoke, mold
- Medications- penicillin, and cancer drugs
- Latex- leather, metallic chains, bracelets.
What Are The Complications Of Allergy
- Anaphylaxis: Any type of allergy can develop into anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening condition, that should be treated immediately. The signs and symptoms are equally serious. Physicians treat this disease by administering epinephrine.
- Asthma: It has been observed that a vast majority of people affected by allergy, eventually end up having asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory reaction that affects the airways and breathing. This can be triggered by substances such as dust, smoke, food, and even stress.
- Infection of the pulmonary system and the ears: People with allergies have a high chance of having respiratory infections and also ear infections.
How Is Allergy Currently Treated?
- Avoid exposing yourself to allergens: This is the most important way to prevent allergies
- Medications: There are some over-the-counter drugs that are useful for the treatment of allergies. Some of the drugs include corticosteroids, antihistamines and epinephrine.
Stem Cell Therapy And Allergy
Adult autologous stem cells can be extracted from the bone marrow, and then cultured and processed in the laboratory. These cells are then given to the patient intravenously, where they can repair cells that might have been destroyed due to allergies.
References
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