Allergies

Since it is spring time we decided to bring you one of the greatest experiences in spring. Yes, allergies!

What are allergies and allergic reactions?

Well, our body is a perfect machine, and by being perfect it also has some imperfections, yes, that's right!

We have a system responsible for defending our bodies against environmental aggression. It's called the immune system and should protect us against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Sometimes, our immune system can react to inoffensive substances called allergens.

Allergens can be pollens, proteins or toxins found in food, house dust, drugs and venom.

This type of allergic reaction can also be called Type 1 hypersensitivity.

It's an exaggerated immune reaction to harmless soluble antigens. This reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies.

Symptoms:

• a runny nose or sneezing

• pain or tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead

• coughing, wheezing or breathlessness.

• itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)

• diarrhoea

• feeling or being sick

• swollen eyes, lips, mouth or throat

Treatment: antihistamines, H1 blocker for example

Fig 1 Antibodies involved in allergic reaction by OSMOSIS

Mechanism behind the reaction:

Fig 2 Schematic representation of the mechanisms behind allergic reaction

This type of hypersensitivity is immediate. Here are some examples:

1. Nasal allergic rhinitis or hay fever,

2. Ocular allergic conjunctivitis,

3. Dermatological hives, atopic eczema, or erythema

4. Soft tissue angioedema

5. Pulmonary reactions, such as allergic asthma or hypoxia

6. Systemic reaction, which is a life-threatening medical emergency, and also known as anaphylaxis.

References

Mechanism of type I allergic reactions. (2022, October 25). FutureLearn. https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/allergies/0/steps/68769

‌Allergies - Symptoms and causes. (2022). Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497#:~:text=When%20you%20have%20allergies%2C%20your,sinuses%2C%20airways%20or%20digestive%20system.

‌Allergies - Symptoms and Causes. (2020). Pennmedicine.org. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/allergies

What Are the Different Types of Allergies? (2020). Pharmacyplanet.com. https://www.pharmacyplanet.com/blog/post/what-are-the-different-types-of-allergies

‌Abbas, M., Moussa, M., & Akel, H. (2023, July 17). Type I Hypersensitivity Reaction. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560561/

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