Allergies: types and forms

Allergy has various types and forms. Considering that over the past decades allergic diseases have become a real threat to human health, an epidemic, the variety of forms and clinical symptoms knows no bounds.

Conventionally, allergists divide this disease into three large categories, which in turn are divided into types and subtypes.

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Drug allergy

Drug allergy, the types of which have been studied quite well. This type is so called because the main provocateur of an allergic reaction is medication. Drug allergy has developed so rapidly over the last century that sometimes scientists already doubt the advisability of developing new and more advanced forms and types of medications. The immune system reacts to them just as violently, with the same intensity and speed with which they appear on the pharmaceutical market.

The pathogenesis of drug allergy is directly related to the mechanism of the immune system's response to complete antigens or haptens - incomplete antigens. Any of the antigens combines with protein and forms CIC - circulating immune complexes. They, in turn, provoke allergic pathologies, quite serious ones, such as, for example, bronchial asthma. The main role is played by the allergenic activity of the drug, to a lesser extent, its dose and method of administration (orally, externally, by injection). Antibiotics of all classes and generations have especially distinguished themselves in terms of provoking allergic reactions. Reactions to medications are often group, cross-reactive, they depend on the chemical composition and pharmacodynamics of the drug.

Drug allergy is observed even in newborn babies if the mother suffered from allergies during pregnancy or had constant contact with a drug that causes a periodic allergic reaction. The clinical picture of drug allergy cannot be unified, as it depends on the severity of the disease. If the body is affected by several types of allergens (this can be a combination of food and drug antigens), then the symptoms are clearly manifested and are fraught with serious consequences, including anaphylactic shock. Diagnostics includes collecting anamnesis, laboratory tests in vitro, but skin tests are not recommended. Preventive measures consist of the doctor's careful attention to anamnestic information. If allergic manifestations are present in the past, drug therapy should be carefully planned and selected, taking into account possible risks. Also, all patients should be informed about possible side effects after taking medications and how to neutralize them.

Atopic allergy

Allergies come in many different forms and manifest themselves not only as a runny nose or shortness of breath, but also dermally, that is, on the skin.

Atopic allergic dermatitis is a sluggish chronic disease accompanied by periodic exacerbations. The etiology of many subtypes of allergic dermatoses has not been fully studied, but almost all atopic dermatitis is usually provoked by an external allergic antigen. Dermatitis can start in early childhood, it is most often called exudative-catarrhal diathesis, less often eczema and neurodermatitis. Pediatricians explain allergic dermatitis in children by heredity, and indeed statistics partially confirm this opinion. If the parents have had even isolated cases of allergic reactions, then most likely the child will have a corresponding immune reaction to allergic antigens. Up to 80% of children inherit allergies if both parents are allergic. In addition to the hereditary version, there are also environmental factors. Any risk factors, such as smoking of the expectant mother, alcohol consumption and other unhealthy habits can subsequently have a detrimental effect on the health of the baby. Also, risk factors for the development of allergic dermatitis in children can be infectious, viral diseases of parents and various pathologies accompanying the period of pregnancy. Drug therapy during pregnancy increases the risk factors for the development of allergies in children many times over, in addition, seemingly insignificant violations of the mother's diet and composition can seriously affect the allergic status of the child, who, while in the womb, is exposed to the invasion of food allergens. As a rule, in such cases, the baby suffers not only from atopic dermatitis, but also from the enteral form of allergy.

In adults, allergies, the types of which can be classified as atopic dermatitis, can be caused by the following reasons:

• Plant pollen and consumption of berries, fruits (especially stone fruits);
• Chlorinated water;
• Cosmetics, creams, household chemicals;
• Linen, including bedding, clothing made of synthetic materials;
• Products containing down, feathers, carpets;
• Dust of all types – household, industrial, natural;
• Contact with animals, including domestic animals;
• Helminthiasis, giardia.

Atopic dermatitis is difficult and time-consuming to treat, but if you strictly follow your doctor’s recommendations, the disease can be controlled and its manifestations can be minimized.

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Respiratory types of allergies

Allergy does not exclude respiratory types. These are allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever, urticaria. The most severe consequence of chronic respiratory allergy is bronchial asthma. Respiratory types can be permanent or seasonal. Seasonal allergy is directly related to the time of year and the antigen that causes it is easier to identify. This is, as a rule, pollen of flowering plants, grasses. Permanent respiratory allergy is more difficult to diagnose and treat. Therefore, at the first symptoms of respiratory allergy, which are extremely similar to the classic symptoms of respiratory diseases, but do not respond to standard treatment, you should consult an allergist.

Food allergies

Includes food allergies, which manifest themselves with symptoms similar to other types of allergies. Swelling, nausea, suffocation, epigastric pain, hyperemia, dermatitis, bowel disorder - this is an incomplete list of signs of reactions to a food allergen. The only way to differentiate this type of allergy is skin tests, a RAST test (radioallergosorbent test) or an immunoenzyme. Food intolerance is treated primarily by eliminating the products that provoke the reaction, following a specific diet and taking a course of antihistamines as prescribed by a doctor.

Allergy types demonstrate various, often allergy is cross-allergy, connecting several types - food together with respiratory. In any case, differential diagnostics is the work of an allergist, as well as drawing up a plan of therapeutic measures. Self-medication for any type of allergy is unacceptable, since it is fraught with health-threatening, and sometimes life-threatening consequences.

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