All About Allergy

All About Allergy

Allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance. These substances are called allergens. Allergies can be caused by different allergens and allergies can affect different systems in the body. Allergies affect a large part of the society. Allergies can be caused by pollen, mites, dust, animals, medicines, foods and fungi. What is an Allergy? The immune system recognises and destroys bacteria, viruses and other elements that may pose a risk to humans, thus protecting against disease and keeping people healthy. Allergy occurs as a result of the immune system perceiving substances that are actually harmless to the body as enemies and reacting to them. These normally harmless substances are called allergens. Pollen, house dust, mites, animal hair, medicines and some foods can cause allergies. What are the causes of allergy? Allergy can be caused by genetics and environmental factors such as air pollution, changes in eating habits, climate change and occupational exposure (such as bakers, hairdressers, painters). What are the symptoms of allergy? Allergy symptoms and severity may vary depending on the genetic structure of the patient, the type and intensity of the allergen. Symptoms seen depending on allergens are listed as follows;

• Runny nose, itching, sneezing
• Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath
• Itching and redness of the skin (hives)
• Swelling around the lips and eyes (angioedema)
• Itching, redness, watering of the eyes
• Itching of the lips, mouth and throat
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur.
• Symptoms may be mild or severe, such as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Depending on allergy; diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact dermatitis, urticaria, drug allergies, eye allergies, insect allergies can be seen.

What are the types of allergens? Various substances can be recognised as allergens in the body.

• Inhalant allergens (Inhaled allergens )
• House dust mites, pollen, pet allergens, cockroaches, fungal spores.
• Food allergens Milk, eggs, nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts), wheat, soya, fish, shellfish,
• insect poisons, bee venom, drugs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants (drugs for epilepsy))
• painkillers (aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), monoclonal antibodies.

Contact allergens It can be grouped as nickel, cobalt, potassium dichromate, other, latex. How is allergy diagnosed? Diagnostic procedures in allergic diseases require experience and must be performed by allergy and immunology specialists. The diagnosis of allergic diseases is made by allergy specialists specific to the disease. Firstly, the patient's complaints are evaluated, physical examination is performed and appropriate tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis of suspected allergic disease. What are the diagnostic tests used in allergy? Many methods can be used in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. These include Skin tests with allergens (prick tests, intradermal, patch) Allergen-specific IgE in serum Provocation tests Basophil activation tests Lymphocyte transformation tests. How to do an allergy test? The most common skin tests are prick tests. A drop of a suspected allergenic substance is applied to the skin of the forearm and then contact is made with the skin using a small lancet. The prick test is a practical and painless test that gives results within 15 minutes. It can be repeated if a new allergy is suspected or to check for existing allergies. Patch tests are applied as a patch on the back. These tests are performed for allergic contact dermatitis caused by various products that come into contact with the skin, such as metals, cosmetics and topical medicines (ointments or creams). In case of suspected allergy to bee venoms or medicines, or if the prick tests are negative, the next step is to perform intradermal tests. These involve the administration of a small amount of diluted allergen under the skin with a small needle. It is important to remember that there is a risk of a generalised reaction with this type of procedure, so it should only be performed by experienced professionals and in a hospital setting. These tests are slightly more painful but can be performed at any age depending on individual tolerance. In addition, blood tests can be performed that can measure the presence of specific antibodies more precisely. How to treat allergies? The first and most effective measure is to avoid contact with the allergen. There are highly effective medications for the treatment of symptoms. These include antihistamines, topical corticosteroids, nasal and inhaled corticosteroids. It is important that all these treatments are applied regularly. It is possible to control the symptoms with regular medication. While controlling the disease, it is aimed to use the lowest dose that can only affect the desired organ and provide maximum effect in order to prevent the side effects of the drugs. When these rules are followed, the possibility of side effects is almost eliminated. In severe cases, a number of different treatments such as new biological agents and allergen immunotherapy can also be used. Compliance with these treatments and follow-up after treatment must be performed by an allergy and immunology specialist. Prevention methods should be considered at every stage of the disease What is an allergy shot? In some cases where allergic reactions affect daily life, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended. Allergy injection is a treatment in which the person is gradually exposed to the allergen in question in order to force the immune system to adapt. This will prevent an allergic reaction to subsequent exposures to the allergen that occur in everyday life. It is currently used effectively and safely in respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and mild allergic asthma and in the treatment of venom (bee) allergy. Vaccine treatment requires special experience and should be performed by an allergy and immunology specialist. The treatment protocol is not fixed. It varies according to each patient and allergy. Immunotherapy is not risk-free: allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, may occur because the patient comes into contact with the allergen to which he or she is sensitive. Therefore, hospital observation is required for one hour after vaccination.