Allergies: signs and symptoms

Allergy has general and individual signs. Perhaps, the species diversity of clinical manifestations of allergy is explained by the spread of the disease itself, the scale of which is becoming truly threatening. The disease of the 21st century today affects every fifth inhabitant of our planet, at least, this is what statistics say. Among the most common signs of an allergic reaction, allergic rhinitis and itching, skin dermatitis caused by an allergen are in the lead. Next on the list are shortness of breath, allergic cough, bronchospasms. The most threatening are those symptoms that lead to anaphylactic shock, which poses a threat not only to health, but also to human life.

It should be noted that the etiology of allergies has not yet been clarified, although the medical scientific world names environmental problems, unwise nutrition, changes in the mechanisms of the immune system and many others among the causes. However, there is no single etiological theory that all allergists in the world would agree with. Therefore, the disease is gaining momentum, and its symptoms are constantly changing and are often polymorphic. Unlike many other diseases of the century that have obvious clinical manifestations, allergies show signs in any tissues, organs and systems. Dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, even headaches - this is a far from complete list of allergy manifestations.

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Specific reactions in allergies

Allergy symptoms manifest in the form of specific reactions, which in turn are conventionally divided into types - immediate reaction and delayed type. Several groups are considered symptoms:

• The reaginic type of reaction is typical for rhinitis of allergic etiology, as well as for atopic bronchial asthma. These symptoms and diseases are provoked by pollen of flowering plants, food components and dust, both household and industrial. The reaction occurs 24-48 hours after contact with the allergen.
• Immediate reactions, clearly manifested and quickly arising as a response of the immune system to an antigen. These are all types of allergic dermatitis, itching, hyperemia. Such a reaction is considered haptenic, that is, immune. The reaction occurs 10-15 minutes after contact with the allergen.
• Cytotoxic reactions. Such reactions are characterized by the fact that the antigens are not penetrating allergens, but the body's cells. The causes of cellular self-destruction can be the breakdown products of viruses, bacterial toxins, transfusion of donor blood, mismatch of the Rh factors of the child and mother, and also medicinal substances. The immune system reacts to altered cells by producing immunoglobulins IgG and IgM, which combine with the affected cells, destroying them completely.
• Immune complex type of reaction, when CICs are formed – circulating immune complexes. This type of allergic reaction leads to food allergies, serum sickness, drug allergies, alveolitis, and sometimes autoallergic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Allergy symptoms are demonstrated both clearly, clinically, and quite latent, when a runny nose is explained by a common cold and only after two weeks its true origin is revealed.

Clinical variants of allergy

Clinical variants of allergy look like this:

• Pollinosis or hay fever, which is usually seasonal in nature;
• Rhinitis;
• Toxicoderma;
• Hives;
• Conjunctivitis of allergic etiology;
• Serum sickness;
• Enteropathy;
• Quincke's edema;
• Hemolytic crises;
• Allergic dermatitis;
• Thrombocypenia;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Anaphylactic shock.

Allergy symptoms are so diverse that in clinical practice it is difficult for a doctor to differentiate the type of allergic disease, and therefore prescribe adequate therapy. In such cases, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, which is necessary to clarify the diagnosis. Polysymptomatology has become a characteristic feature of allergies in recent decades. If pollinosis was previously accompanied by typical rashes, urticaria, then modern hay fever, in addition to the above symptoms, is manifested by a runny nose, watery eyes, and dermatitis.

Particular attention should be paid to dangerous signs that pose a serious threat to the health and life of an allergy sufferer. These are bronchial asthma, Quincke's edema, thrombocytopenia and anaphylactic shock. Quincke's edema often develops in the face, but can expand to the occipital part of the spine, and therefore provoke suffocation. Thrombocytopenia causes hemorrhages, both external and internal. BA (bronchial asthma) is an inflammation of the respiratory tract of allergic etiology. Bronchospasms, attacks that accompany BA, are also life-threatening for the patient and can lead to tragic consequences. Anaphylaxis is rightfully considered the most dangerous sign. It sometimes begins with itching, then shortness of breath quickly develops. Pain in the epigastric region is possible. Anaphylactic shock develops rapidly and passes into the stage of suffocation in just a few minutes.

Allergy symptoms are grouped by the following body zones, organs and systems:

• Respiratory reaction – shortness of breath, feeling of tightness in the chest, cough;
• Skin reaction – hyperemia, swelling, itching, possible formation of blisters, increased sweating;
• Gastrointestinal tract reaction – upset stomach, diarrhea, possibly with blood, vomiting, nausea;
• Nasal reaction – swelling of the nasal mucosa, runny nose;
• Eye reaction – lacrimation, redness of the eyes, itching, swelling of the eyelids;
• Reaction of the face, head area - swelling of the face, lips, tongue, headache also often occurs.

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