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Allergy refers to an abnormal response to common substances such as house dust, pollen and food. These substances are known as allergens. Allergic diseases include asthma, eczema, hay fever, urticaria and food allergy. Allergies usually occur in patients with a family history of these or similar conditions.
Causes of Allergy
Many substances in the environment can cause allergy. These include house dust, hair from pets and various foods. The body produces an excess of a special type of immunoglobulin called lgE in patients with allergy. Clinical symptoms of allergy are seen when there is an allergic breakthrough. This depends on the level of exposure to allergen and the presence of viral infections.
Environmental Factors that contribute to Allergy
These factors include increased temperature, decreased ventilation, carpeting, passive smoking and poor health care. Large amounts of indoor allergens are also responsible for increasing the incidence of bronchial Asthma. House Dust, industrial pollutants and exhausts are also important allergens.
Childhood Allergy
Allergic conditions in childhood such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma, which are characterized by high levels of IgE, occur in children who are born to parents with allergic diseases. As these children grow they usually "get out" of the allergy.
Food Allergens
Certain substances in food may cause allergic responses in susceptible individuals. These allergens include proteins from milk, eggs, and pulses. Certain fish and other seafood may also act as potent allergens.
Cotton and Asthma
People who work in a dusty climate like cotton mills are more prone to attacks of bronchial hyperreactivity. The dust from cotton along with pollutants in the factory is potent allergen. Among cotton mill workers, a special form of respiratory illness known as Byssinosis is commonly noticed. This illness usually presents with fever, tightness of chest and cough.
How allergic diseases are treated
Allergic diseases are commonly treated with antihistaminic and anti-asthmatic drugs.
What are Inhalers?
These are special devices designed to deliver drugs directly into the respiratory tract. Inhalers are used to deliver bronchodilators as well as steroids.
What is the role of inhaled steroids in the management of Bronchial Asthma?
Inhaled steroids are useful in the management of bronchial asthma since they are delivered directly to the site of inflammation. Thus the dose of steroids required is much less than what is required when oral steroids are used. Secondly inhaled steroids are poorly absorbed and therefore the risk of steroid induced side effects is less.
Modern treatment of acute severe asthma
Acute asthma is treated as medical emergency. The advent of Nebulizers has revolutionized the treatment of this condition. These are devices that deliver aerosolized anti-asthmatic agents such as bronchodilators or steroids along with fluids. The patient is treated with adequate amounts of oxygen fluids along with judicious use of Nebulizers.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a special form of therapy for allergic diseases. The substances that cause allergy are first identified by skin tests. Small quantities of the offending substance are then introduced into body through the skin. For example, house dust that is normally inhaled is injected into the skin. By this treatment the ongoing allergic process is reversed and the patient has good relief. This is an internationally accepted form of treatment of allergic disorders but requires expert supervision and prolonged treatment.
When is Immunotherapy Indicated?
lmmunotherapy is indicated in patients who have high lgE antibody to clinically relevant antigens and whose allergy symptoms warrant the time and reason of allergen Immunotherapy.
When is Immunotherapy Effective?
Immunotherapy is effective for patients with allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis allergic asthma and stinging insect hypersensitivity especially when other forms of treatment have not been successful. . Steroids are life saving drugs. They are very effective in the treatment of allergy and asthma. When they are used in aerosol form they are safe and free of major side effects.
What is Parthenium?
Parthenium is a weed, which grows widely in several parts of the country especially in South India. This weed is commonly seen in cities, which have a cooler climate such as Bangalore and Coimbatore. Parts of this plant are potent allergens and can provoke bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and occasionally urticaria.
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