UNDERSTANDING ALLERGIES
Allergies are a form of immune system reaction to something that is considered dangerous even though it is not. It can be any substance that enters or comes into contact with the body.
Allergens or substances that trigger allergies only affect the person who has the allergy. In others, the allergen will not trigger an immune reaction. Some types of substances that can cause allergic reactions include insect bites, dust mites, animal dander, drugs, certain foods, and pollen.
When the body first encounters an allergen, the body will produce antibodies because it perceives it as something harmful. If the body comes into contact with the same allergen again, the body will increase the number of antibodies against that type of allergen. This triggers the release of chemical compounds in the body and causes allergy symptoms.
SYMPTOMS THAT APPEAR WHEN ALLERGIES
There are some common allergy symptoms, including:
- Sneeze.
- Coughs.
- Hard to breathe.
- Rash on the skin.
- Runny nose.
- Swelling occurs in parts of the body that come into contact with the allergen, such as the face, mouth and tongue.
- Itchy and red eyes.
- Watery eyes.
The severity of allergies also varies for each person, some experience a mild allergic reaction and some are severe to fatal which is called anaphylaxis. If you have anaphylaxis, you need emergency medical attention.
The most effective way to prevent allergies is to avoid yourself from the triggering substance or allergen. But if allergy symptoms already appear, there are some anti-allergic drugs that can help.
ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Allergy symptoms that we experience generally depend on the type of allergen. For example, allergy symptoms due to food will cause symptoms in the mouth or digestive system, while dust allergies will cause symptoms in the respiratory system. The following is a detailed explanation.
Allergies Due To Insect Bites Or Stings
In addition to swelling at the bitten part, this type of allergy can cause itching all over the body, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Allergies Due To Substances From The Air
If you have an allergy to airborne substances such as dust, pollen or dust mites, the main symptom you will usually experience is sneezing. These symptoms can progress to a runny or stuffy nose that triggers breathing difficulties. Itching of the nose, red, watery, and swollen eyes may also appear.
Food Allergies
Allergies to certain foods can cause a tingling or itching sensation in the mouth. Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes, throat, or face may also occur. In addition, this allergy can also cause itchy and red rashes on the skin, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Drug Allergy
Medications can also cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include itching of the skin, rash, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis.
In addition to the causes above, allergies can also appear when the skin is touched by certain substances. For example soap, shampoo, perfume, hair dye, and jewelry. This type of allergy will cause a type of inflammation of the skin known as contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis causes itching, redness, and scaly rashes.
If you have experienced the above symptoms, you should find out the cause so that you can discuss it with your doctor so that your allergy can be treated.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Allergies can sometimes cause a severe and fatal reaction, namely anaphylaxis. This reaction will generally occur throughout the body and spread very quickly. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Severe shortness of breath.
- Fainting due to low blood pressure.
- Nausea.
- Rash on the skin.
- The pulse is fast, but weak.
Patients with anaphylaxis require emergency medical treatment. Anaphylactic reactions can be treated with injections or the drug epinephrine.
CAUSES OF ALLERGIES
Allergenic substances or allergens are usually harmless and do not cause allergic symptoms in other people. Some types of allergens that can commonly cause allergies include:
- Insect bites, such as bee stings.
- Certain foods, such as shellfish, nuts, crab, shrimp and milk.
- Substances in the air, such as animal dander, dust mites or pollen.
- Medications, eg penicillin antibiotics.
- Allergens that come into direct contact with the skin, such as chemicals in perfumes, soaps, shampoos or latex materials.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body's immune system reacts to an allergen that it perceives as harmful, even though it's not. Because of this, an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) is formed. When contact between the body and the allergen occurs again, the body will produce more IgE. Then IgE will trigger the release of natural chemicals such as histamine that cause allergy symptoms.
A person's risk for experiencing allergies can also increase due to heredity and environmental factors. If your father or mother has certain allergies, you are also at high risk of having allergies, although the types of allergies are not always the same.
Environmental factors can also affect the risk of allergies. Research shows that the longer and more often a person is exposed to certain allergens, the higher the risk of having allergies. For example, a child who grows up in a smoking family may later become allergic to cigarette smoke.
ALLERGY DIAGNOSIS
In the early stages, the doctor will ask for details of your symptoms, frequency and time of occurrence, and the triggers for allergies you are experiencing. The doctor will also examine the part of the body affected by the allergy. If your allergen is not known with certainty through initial examination, the doctor will usually recommend several tests for further evaluation.
Test on Skin
In the skin prick test, the patient's skin will be dripped with a common allergen solution and then pricked gently and slowly with a needle to see the reaction. If the patient is allergic to the substance, red, itchy bumps will appear on the skin within 10-15 minutes.
This skin prick test is usually used to check for allergies to certain foods and medications, airborne allergens, and insect venom. This test is safe and can be used on everyone.
In addition to a skin prick test, a patch test can also be done. In a patch test, one type of allergen will be placed in a certain place, such as a plaster, then placed on the skin for two days while monitoring the skin reaction. Patch tests are used to evaluate contact dermatitis.
Blood Test
The type of blood test used is radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) which measure levels of certain types of IgE in the blood. A blood test may be recommended in conjunction with or in place of a skin prick test.
In addition to seeing a doctor, you can also evaluate the allergy triggers that you or your child are experiencing by paying attention to the type of food consumed and the allergic reaction it causes to the body.
ALLERGY TREATMENT
In addition to treating allergies by avoiding the allergen, allergy medical treatment is also available to control the symptoms that arise. The types of drugs commonly used to treat allergies are:
Antihistamines
This drug works by blocking the effects of histamine compounds that cause various allergy symptoms such as shortness of breath, watery eyes and runny nose. Antihistamines can be used as tablets, creams, liquids, eye drops, or nasal sprays. But you should be careful when buying eye drops or nasal sprays because not all of them are suitable for use by people of all ages.
Corticosteroid spray
This drug is effective for treating inflammation that occurs in the nasal wall and respiratory tract, especially a stuffy nose. The side effects are also rarely felt by users because only a little is absorbed by the body.
Decongestants
In addition to tablets and capsules, this drug is also available in the form of drops or nasal spray. Decongestants are useful for helping relieve nasal congestion. But it is recommended not to use it in the long term.
Leukotriene blockers
Leukotriene is a compound that can cause swelling of the respiratory tract during an allergic reaction. The function of this drug is to inhibit the effects of leukotrienes and can be used in tablet form. Examples of leukotriene inhibitors are monteleukast and zafirlukast.
Treatment For Anaphylaxis
If your allergies have the potential to cause an anaphylactic attack, you are advised to always carry a doctor-prescribed epinephrine injection with you. You can also wear an allergy bracelet or necklace if possible so that if anaphylaxis occurs, those around you will know the cause and act as quickly as possible.
ALLERGY PREVENTION
Allergy prevention depends on the allergen. The most effective way to prevent allergies is to avoid triggers. But not all sources of allergies can be avoided as easily as dust mites, pets, or food. The following suggestions can help prevent allergies.
- Wear covered clothing or apply insect repellent lotion when traveling.
- Use a mask when leaving the house.
- Clean the house regularly, especially rooms that are often used, such as bedrooms and living rooms, to avoid dust mites.
- Avoid using a feather duster as it can spread allergens.
- Wipe the surface of the furniture with a clean cloth dampened with water or cleaning fluid.
- Open a window or door for smoother air circulation so the room doesn't feel damp.
- Placing pets outdoors or in one particular room only.
- Bathe pets once a week.
- Clean pet cages regularly.
- Take note of the types of foods that are likely to be a source of allergies so that they can be avoided.
- Always read packaging labels to find out the ingredients used before buying food.
- Inquire about the ingredients used in detail before ordering them at the restaurant.
- Cleaning the kitchen to avoid mildew, especially the dishwasher and washing clothes.
- Do not dry clothes in the house.
Anaphylaxis Prevention
Be wary of yourself if you have anaphylaxis because if the allergy flares up and is not treated as soon as possible, you risk losing consciousness or even death. You are advised to always carry two doses of epinephrine injections so that they can be used immediately if an anaphylactic attack occurs.