Understanding allergy

 

• Allergy is an immediate response of our body to anything foreign, usually of organic origin.
• It can be via inhalation, contact with skin and other surfaces, or by ingestion. 
• Technically, it is known as 'Type I Hypersensitivity reaction'.
• Commonly people are allergic to 

1. Pollens,
2. indoor dust from carpets, rugs, curtains, old shelves, accumulated dust in the corners etc., 
3. animal dander from cats, dogs, sheep, cows, buffaloes,  
4. insects like mosquito, moth, cockroaches, beetles, stings of wasps and honeybees, 
5. moulds that tend to grow over damp corners and walls of houses,
6. cloth fibres of cotton fabric, silk, and wool, etc.,
7. foods such as eggs, seafood, milk, brinjal, certain nuts etc.,
8. certain prescription medications like penicillin, sulfur drugs, pain killers etc.,
9. miscellaneous substances like hair dyes, cosmetics, illicit drugs etc.

• Although all of us are exposed to these on a regular basis, only some people develop an allergic response, which is determined by our genes and can be familial. This tendency of the body to develop allergic reactions is known as 'atopy'.
• The manifestations of this allergic response can be in the form of 

1. Allergic asthma with symptoms of breathlessness, wheezing, cough with sputum, and chest tightness
2. Allergic rhinitis with symptoms of repeated sneezing, running nose, itching of nose
3. Allergic dermatitis with wheals, rashes, hives on skin
4. Anaphylaxis reaction - a very rare, but life threating emergency with symptoms of swelling of lips, choking, fall in blood pressure and heart rate.

• These clinical manifestations frequently co-exist in the same individual.
• Symptoms are seen mostly only when the sensitized individual is exposed to these agents in the environment. But repeated exposures tend to cause permanent damage to airways and other tisssues, and can be debilitating if not treated adequately. 
• Because allergic tendency is determined by our genes, it is not curable. But there exist many therapies to control the symptoms and also to reduce the severity of the response.
• Identification of allergens can be done by maintaining a personal record whenever symptoms are seen. Specific blood tests and skin prick tests are available for confirmation of the particular allergen(s), on the prescription of a doctor.  
• Avoidance of allergens should be attempted wherever possible. Vaccuum cleaning of dusty corners and carpets, proper plumbing and plastering of walls to avoid seepage and mould growth, for those who are allergic to cloth fibres, synthetic non-allergic fabrics can be used, giving history of drug allergy to doctors and nurses, checking food labels to look for possible allergens, not having pets at home to which the person is allergic, are some of the measures.