Tobacco smoke allergy

Everyone knows about the dangers of cigarette smoke today, the media never tire of publishing threatening statistics, but the number of smokers is not decreasing. The list of smoking risks, complications and pathologies up to cancer is long, and relatively recently it began to include allergy to tobacco smoke.

The results of studies on the composition of cigarette smoke are shocking; it contains the following toxic components:

• More than 4000 harmful chemical compounds, 40 of which cause cancer.
• Alkaloids – nicotine, anabasine, ornicotine.
• Carcinogens – cadmium, nickel, arsenic, benzene, catechol and about 40 other components.
• Hydrogen cyanide (hydrogen cyanide).
• Nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, acrolein, formaldehyde.
• Radioactive components – polonium, bismuth, lead.

The list of toxic substances can be long, all of them have a pathological effect on the organs and systems of a person, both the smoker himself and his environment, that is, passive "consumers" of cigarette smoke. In addition to the fact that smoking destroys the body, it is one of the factors polluting the environment, air, the consequence of which is an allergy to tobacco smoke.

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Causes of Tobacco Smoke Allergy

The smoke itself does not contain a protein capable of causing a true allergy. Rather, the smallest particles of exhaled components are irritants and activators of an existing allergic predisposition. This is especially true for asthmatics, who are generally sensitive to the quality of the surrounding air. In addition, both the smoker and his environment are subject to additional stress on the immune system, accordingly, any allergen will cause a more intense immune response than in a non-smoker or a person who does not inhale cigarette smoke.

Causes of allergy to tobacco smoke are a typical delayed-type allergic reaction that develops gradually, over time after contact (often constant) with the allergen. During the period of "acquaintance" with the trigger factor, a number of specific reactions occur in the immune system and a titer of immunoglobulins (antibodies) is formed, designed to "surround" the antigen, to combine with it into a complex for removal.

It should be noted that nicotine and other harmful substances contained in the cigarette itself or in the smoke are not capable of causing a primary immediate allergy, since their molecular weight is small and freely passes through the barrier of immune cell receptors. However, some components, such as flavorings or resins, can provoke a true allergic reaction.

The causes of allergy to tobacco smoke are not fully understood, today it is believed that it is a reaction to a physical irritant, the same as to the smell of plants, perfumes or chemicals. Most often, smokers themselves suffer from this type of allergy, since the mucous membranes of their bronchopulmonary system, nasopharynx are damaged, the cilia of the bronchial tree, which help to neutralize and remove harmful substances, are practically destroyed by nicotine. It is with this reason that an acute reaction of sensitive, "naked" receptors of the mucous membrane is associated, manifested in the form of a cough or allergic rhinitis.

Passive smokers may also be at risk of developing an allergy to cigarette smoke, but more likely due to an underlying allergy predisposition.

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Symptoms of Tobacco Smoke Allergy

Sensitivity to cigarette smoke may not appear immediately, since the allergic reaction develops in a delayed manner, like any so-called “false” allergy.

Symptoms of tobacco smoke allergy may include:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose, congestion.
• Pain in the throat, irritation.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Occasional dry cough.
• Itching of the skin.
• Reflex sneezing.
• Increased lacrimation.
• Swelling.
• Shortness of breath, up to an asthma attack.
• Rarely - anaphylactic shock.

Most often, the symptoms develop slowly, but if you have a previous allergy, tobacco smoke can accelerate the "chain" of symptoms and cause a serious condition that requires emergency medical care. Also, constant contact with cigarette smoke can be a factor that aggravates the condition of people suffering from bronchial asthma, in which case the symptoms of an allergy to tobacco smoke correspond to the standard clinical picture of bronchial asthma.

Smoke is most dangerous for small children, who may react to it atypically, they develop all the signs of ARVI, respiratory manifestations that do not have an objective viral or infectious cause. The child's throat may become red and sore, as with tonsillitis, he begins to cough, mucous discharge appears from the nose, less thick than with a cold. Quite often, parents try to cure a supposedly cold disease on their own, but the symptoms do not disappear, which already indicates an allergic nature of the disease. A doctor, most likely an allergist, should differentiate the signs and determine the treatment path in such cases.

Diagnosis of tobacco smoke allergy

How can you find out what is causing an allergic reaction – cigarette smoke or another triggering substance?

All questions that involve the diagnosis of allergy to tobacco smoke are the prerogative of the attending physician or allergist. It is the doctor who determines the list of diagnostic measures, which may include the following methods and techniques:

• Anamnesis of life and disease, clarification of symptoms.
• ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is usually ordered but is not able to provide a complete diagnostic picture.
• Skin allergy tests are shown, which in the initial period work by the method of excluding certain suspected antigens.

There is no separate, standard procedure for diagnosing an allergy to tobacco smoke, just as there is no determination of the provoking factor for any other type of pseudo-allergy.

As a rule, quitting smoking, neutralizing indoor smoke and avoiding places where it is present quickly helps to remove the main symptoms. Thus, a kind of tobacco elimination helps to establish the reality of intolerance to cigarette smoke.

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Treatment of tobacco smoke allergy

The primary symptoms of an allergic reaction are relieved by standard methods:

• Antiallergic drugs – the latest generation of antihistamines, either once or in a course if the allergy has been present for a long time.
• Symptomatic adjunctive therapy in cases where symptoms manifest as dermatoses, which is rare.

Treatment of allergy to tobacco smoke, if it is really only intolerance to the effects of smoking, is quite simple: you just need to get rid of cigarettes and not go to places where people smoke. Of course, in modern society this is quite difficult to do, especially if a person does not live in European countries. Most countries have already introduced strict bans on smoking in public places more than ten years ago, thus protecting possible passive exposure to smoke.

In addition to the fact that it is necessary to quit smoking as quickly as possible and poison the surrounding air, putting your family and friends at risk of illness, you can begin to strengthen the immune system and remove toxic products from the body.

Treatment of allergies to tobacco and cigarette smoke can be carried out using the following methods, previously discussed with an allergist:

• Immunity is strengthened by bee products, if there is no allergy to honey. A course of pollen and honeycombs helps well. Two months of "honey" treatment is enough to increase the body's resistance.
• Vitamin therapy should be remembered. Daily use of vitamin C in the dose recommended by the doctor can not only awaken the immune system's defenses, but also strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The course of treatment with vitamin C should not exceed 2 months.
• Decoctions of expectorant herbs are very helpful - coltsfoot, linden, thyme. A herbal collection consisting of chamomile, rose hips, linden flowers, in a proportion of 1/1/2 should be taken for at least 3 months according to the scheme: 50 ml three times a day after meals (after 40-60 minutes). Method of preparation: a tablespoon of the collection is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes and boiled over low heat for another 10 minutes. The resulting decoction is filtered, divided into 3 parts. A fresh remedy should be prepared daily and drunk warm.

Basic therapy, treatment of allergy to cigarette smoke is prescribed by a doctor, as well as for other types of allergic reactions. Self-medication and experiments with the use of folk recipes can worsen the symptoms and provoke serious complications.

Prevention of allergy to tobacco smoke

There is only one way to prevent it: you need to give up smoking and immediately leave the area where smokers are present. Prevention of allergy to tobacco smoke consists of paying close attention to your own health and categorically refusing to be near smoke, even just once.

All other methods suggested by many sources, in our opinion, are half measures. All kinds of smoke neutralizers, fumigation of the room with essential oils, fans and air conditioners, supposedly capable of eliminating smoke, are, in fact, self-deception. It should be remembered that there is no harmless level of so-called secondary smoke, no ventilation can completely clean the air, room, household items, clothes from the smallest particles of cigarette smoke, they can remain there for months, provoking allergic reactions.

Prevention of allergy to tobacco smoke is a zone that is 100% free of smoking for six months, this should be remembered, especially if there are children in the house.