Important Facts About Allergy

Allergy is a term that defines an abnormal reaction that people manifest when they make contact with dust, animal hair and pollen. In addition, the allergy can be provoked be foods, drugs and many other substances, such as latex. In fact, allergy represents a type I hypersensitivity reaction to certain substances. This means that immunoglobulin E over stimulates the mast cells and the basophiles, fact that eventually leads to an inflammatory reaction. The symptoms that appear range from swelling nose to anaphylactic shock. In consequence, allergy must be treated as soon as the symptoms are discovered. Asthma is a chronic health condition that is usually associated to various types of allergy. According to some studies, around 60 percent of the allergic people contract asthma.

Nose, eyes and skin usually get inflamed when a person has allergy. Furthermore, pain in the ears is sometimes present. Although it is not a typical symptom, headache appears as a result of drug allergies. Respiration is performed with difficulty because the bronchia get constricted. In some cases, when anaphylaxis is installed, the digestive system, the circulatory system and the respiratory system are affected. In this situation, it is imperative to treat the allergy quickly, as it can lead to hypotension and eventually to coma and death. The proper treatment resumes to injections of epinephrine.

The diagnosis can be performed in several ways. The tests provide certain results and indicate the exact cause of the allergy. The most effective test is the skin prick test, because the results are very precise, when compared to the other tests. In addition, it is very easy to be done and has a low cost. The skin of the patient is pricked and then marked with a special ink.

Before applying the ink, this must be tested, too, as it can provoke an allergic reaction. Next, allergens, which are also known as substances that may produce allergy, are either injected under the skin or put on the areas that have been scratched. The allergic reaction becomes visible in approximately 30 minutes. As soon as the reaction is observed, a steroid cream is placed on the scratched area in order to relieve the symptoms. The second way to diagnose allergy is to perform a blood test. The main goal is to determine the total immunoglobulin E count. Colometric and radiometric immunoassays are used for measuring the quantity of immunoglobulin that is found in the serum.

The treatment is various and depends on the severity of the symptoms. In some cases immunotherapy provides the best results. Antibodies that neutralize immunoglobulin E are injected. Other such treatments that are based on enzymes and beta-glucuronidase tend to become more popular.

Chemotherapy represents another possible treatment for allergy. In fact, this method refers to the use of certain drugs that prevent or counteract the action of the allergens. Antihistamines, epinephrine, cortisone and theophyline are some of the drugs that proved to be effective in the treatment of allergy. Other treatments are based on herbs, homeopathy and kinesiology. The effectiveness of such alternative treatments is still doubtful, because there is not sufficient scientific evidence to sustain it.