Allergic reactions caused by hypersensitivity to certain substances called allergens; reaction begins when contact with skin, contact with the nose, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.

Allergic reactions are very common. Most of them occur shortly after exposure to the allergen.

Types of reactions

Many allergic reactions occur in a mild form, while others may be very severe and even life threatening. They may affect only a small area of ​​the skin, but can affect the entire body. The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock. Allergic reactions often observed in people, whose family history of allergies.

The first exposure to the allergen reaction is very weak, almost imperceptible, but subsequent exposure to the allergen can lead to more serious reactions. After a single exposure to the allergen will be enough, even a very limited exposure to start an allergic reaction.

The most severe allergic reaction begins within seconds or minutes after exposure to the allergen. However, some reactions begin only after a few hours; In very rare cases, reactions develop after 24 hours.

Anaphylaxis - a sudden and severe allergic reaction that begins within minutes after exposure to an allergen. Patients with this disorder requires urgent medical attention. Without treatment, the condition of the person in anaphylactic shock Anaphylaxis: a gun on sparrows   rapidly deteriorates and can lead to death within 15 minutes.

The most common allergens:

• Animal hair;
• Bee stings and / or other insect bites;
• Foods, especially nuts, fish and seafood;
• Drugs;
• Plants;
• Pollen.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of mild allergic reaction:

• Hives (most often - a rash on the face and neck);
• Itching;
• Stuffy nose and / or allergic rhinitis;
• Skin rash;
• Watery, bloodshot eyes.

Symptoms of moderate or severe allergic reaction:

• Cramping or pain in the abdomen Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms ;
• The discomfort and feeling of tightness in the chest;
• Diarrhea;
• Heavy breathing;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Dizziness or light-headedness;
• Fear or anxiety;
• Redness of the skin;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Palpitations;
• Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue;
• Weakness;
• Wheezing;
• Loss of consciousness.

First aid

When mild to moderate allergic reaction:

• Try to determine the allergen and prevent further contact with it. If an allergic reaction is caused by a bee sting, scrape the stinger from the skin with something firm (such as a fingernail or a plastic card). Do not use tweezers; sting pressure will cause that the body gets more venom.
• If a strong itch, use cold compresses OTC drugs hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone - a drug that could save the life of the patient .
• Monitor your condition; while worsening symptoms should see a doctor.
• If necessary, consult a doctor; he can write you a prescription drug - usually antihistamines. Often, however, with mild to moderate allergic reactions can be managed at home.

If a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

• Call an ambulance.
• Check the person's breathing. If he is not breathing or breathing very weak, give artificial respiration.
• Try to calm the person.
• If an allergic reaction is caused by a bee sting, scrape the stinger from the skin with something firm (such as a fingernail or a plastic card).
• If a person has a handy remedy for severe allergic reactions, help him take it. Avoid giving a man oral drugs if it is difficult to breathe.
• Take steps to prevent shock. Lift the feet of the patient 20-30 cm (put them on a pillow, for example) and cover it with a blanket or clothing. Do not do this if you suspect that the victim's head injury, neck, back or legs, or if he is in this position is uncomfortable. Do not place a pillow under the victim's head - it's bad when shortness of breath, and breathing in anaphylactic shock is almost always difficult.

Prevention of allergic reaction

Avoid triggers allergies; carefully read the labels of any products (like food, and, for example, cosmetics) that you buy.

If your child is allergic to certain foods, to include in his diet of new products not more than one per meal and only small portions - then you can immediately see if a new food causes an allergic reaction.

If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction, carry drugs in such cases - for example, diphenhydramine, or injectable epinephrine.

  Allergic rhinitis or hay fever - an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, characterized by cold symptoms: a violation of nasal breathing and nasal congestion, mucous secretions Mucus - what is the norm for a healthy woman   nose and sneezing. However, unlike the common cold, allergic rhinitis caused not by a virus, and allergy to domestic or external stimuli (allergens), including pollen, dust mites and animal dander.

Allergic rhinitis is very common - it occurs in one in five. Some people have allergic rhinitis symptoms persist throughout the year, others are seasonal and are deteriorating, usually in the spring, summer or fall.

Allergic rhinitis brings considerable discomfort and interfere with a normal life: work, study, rest. But do not put up with the annoying symptoms. Learn how to stay away from allergens, pick the right treatment - immediately and your life will change for the better.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis usually occur immediately after exposure to a specific substance that causes an allergic reaction (allergen), and include:

• nasal congestion and runny nose;
• itching and discharge from the eye;
• sneezing;
• cough;
• itchy nose or throat;
• inflammation (swelling and redness) of the nose sinuses;
• a feeling of pressure in the sinuses and facial pain;
• swelling of the eyes, blue skin under the eyes (so-called "allergic bruises");
• deterioration of the sense of smell and taste.

Symptoms of hay fever may occur or worsen in certain seasons, such as spring, when the trees are in bloom, or in the summer when the pollen produce grass and weeds. In the fall causes hay fever mostly weeds, most of all - ambrosia. Allergic rhinitis may be caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold, dandruff Dandruff: where it comes from, and what to do   animals or feathers. Because contact with these constant stimuli, the symptoms of rhinitis is maintained throughout the year. For many people, allergy symptoms occur throughout the year, but worse in a certain season.

Although allergic rhinitis may begin at any age, in most cases it occurs in childhood or adolescence. Over time, changing the course of an allergic reaction. Usually, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are disappearing slowly, often over decades.

How to distinguish allergic rhinitis from the cold

Signs and symptoms of these diseases may vary. Use this table to differentiate allergic rhinitis cold.

When you need to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if:

• suspect at allergic rhinitis;
• symptoms persist and interfere with a normal life;
• medicines for allergies does not help;
• medicines for allergies to help, but there are side effects;
• worsening symptoms of allergic rhinitis compared to other diseases such as nasal polyps, asthma or frequent sinus infections.

Many people - especially children - eventually you get used to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. But correctly chosen treatment can reduce symptoms. In some cases, treatment can help prevent more serious illness allergic nature, such as asthma or eczema.

Causes of allergic rhinitis

During the process of sensitization, the immune system mistakenly perceives an allergen (pollens, molds, dander, etc.) as "aggressor", and responds by releasing a chemical into the blood histamine. Histamine causes inflammation of the sinuses and the mucous membrane of the eye, causing a runny nose. Histamine promotes penetration of liquids into the nasal tissue, which results in redness, itching, and runny nose.

It triggers seasonal allergic rhinitis include:

• Pollen of flowering trees (spring);
• grass pollen (late spring and summer);
• pollen of weeds (fall);
• fungal spores and mold growth which is enhanced in the warmer months.

For year-round allergic rhinitis triggers include:

• dust mites and cockroaches;
• dander, fur and feathers of pets (cats, dogs, birds);
• disputes of internal and external mold and mildew.

Risk factors

The following factors increase the risk of allergic rhinitis:

• the presence of other allergies, or asthma;
• the presence of blood relative (such as a parent, brother or sister), allergies or asthma,
• male gender;
• passive smoking in the first year of life;
• medium with a high content of allergens, for example, work in the dog kennel.

Complications of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis may have serious consequences and cause such complications:

• reduced quality of life. Allergic rhinitis prevents to live a full life, reduces productivity. In many cases, the symptoms are so severe that the patient has to stay at home, missing work or school.
• sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams . Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are forced to wake up at night or cause insomnia.
• worsening of asthma. Patients with allergic rhinitis, asthmatic leads to deterioration of the symptoms of the underlying disease, such as coughs and wheezing.
• sinusitis. Prolonged nasal sinuses (sinusitis) in allergic rhinitis can lead to an increased risk of sinusitis - an infection or inflammation of the sinuses.
• ear infections. In children, allergic rhinitis often contributes to middle ear infections (otitis media).