Contact allergies

Contact allergy or its other more precise name contact-allergic dermatitis is a disease presented in the form of eczema, which arose as a result of skin contact with delayed-type allergens. But, there is also a contradiction here, which are directly related to allergens, namely, in medicine there are substances that can provoke an allergic process without having an allergic factor, that is, an allergen. The mechanism of action of such substances is called contact allergy. The process of this allergic reaction is carried out in the process of chemical damage to the skin.

Contact allergy has two forms of manifestation:

• photocontact dermatitis,
• contact urticaria.

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Causes of contact allergies

Let's look at the reasons why contact allergies may occur:

• Plant-based substances: tulips, chrysanthemums, primroses - have the most active allergens. The listed flowers contain components that can sensitize the skin upon contact;
• metals. Some women complain about the poor quality of costume jewelry, as wearing it causes various types of irritation on skin areas (where contact with the allergen occurred). For example, salts, nickel and chromium are among the most active allergenic factors. But bonding processes with chromium are very popular in production. As for nickel, it can be found anywhere, from heavy industry to household items, such as a crochet hook, wristwatches, hairpins or dentures. Beryllium, mercury, cobalt, copper, gold, platinum, uranium should also be included in this group;
• perfumes and cosmetics, or more precisely their components: stabilizers and preservatives;
• hair dye has a very high sensitizing activity, since it contains dinitrochlorobenzene;
• formalin, which is in demand in industry and medicine;
• natural (rosin, rubber, shellac) and artificial (resin, plastics, synthetic rubber) polymers. Contact allergies that arise on the basis of this group of allergens are most often of a professional nature, that is, a person working, for example, in a rubber plant can "catch" a contact allergy.

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Symptoms of contact allergy

As we said at the very beginning, contact allergy has two forms, which means that its symptoms also have several varieties, namely:

• Photocontact dermatitis has symptoms similar to allergic dermatitis,
• Contact urticaria is characterized by an urticarial rash on the skin.

In addition, symptoms may be acute dermatological in nature or manifest as contact eczema.

In the case of an aggravated condition, swelling appears on the affected areas of the skin, which does not have clear boundaries. Severe forms are characterized by wetting and vesiculation. In the most severe cases, large blisters may appear on the skin.

Contact allergy can become chronic. This happens to people who do not want or cannot avoid systematic contact with the allergen, for example, a person does not want to change a denture, or a job, and so on.

Contact allergy in children

Regarding children, it should be said that there are many factors that provoke the occurrence of contact allergies, for example, washing powder or indoor flowers. Many parents follow all sorts of rules, for example, do not have pets, do not buy Chinese toys made of low-quality plastic, systematically ventilate the rooms, but the children are still "speckled", why? How and for what reasons is contact allergy possible in children?

It is impossible to list all the factors because there are so many of them. But if a child suffers from this, it means that the allergen is present and, what's more, the child comes into contact with it. Even the smell of paint or mother's perfume can affect the child's body. During this period, the human body is most susceptible to the influence of various factors, especially if the child has scratches or other skin lesions on the body, through which the allergen's effect occurs in an enhanced mode.

So, if a child has a contact allergy, it is necessary to determine what provoked it, only then the natural skin process can be restored. Let's list possible allergens:

• hygiene products: shampoo, soap, washcloth, etc.
• household chemicals: washing powder, conditioners, etc.,
• aerosols, sprays, fragrances,
• pets, houseplants,
• dust,
• insect repellents, such as aerosols,
• acetone-containing substances: nail polish, acetone, paint, etc.,
• synthetic fabrics,
• a chain or cross around the neck.

This list can be continued indefinitely. A decoction of calendula flowers can temporarily soothe the skin, but an allergic reaction can only be eliminated by eliminating contact with the allergen.

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Contact lens allergy

An allergy to contact lenses is also a contact allergy. And it manifests itself as redness around the eyes, sometimes accompanied by itching.

Lenses made of high-quality material cannot provoke the appearance of such or similar reactions. Most often, an allergy occurs not to contact lenses, but to the solution for their care.

As for the treatment of an allergic reaction caused by wearing lenses, it is necessary to first make sure that it was the contact lenses that caused the allergy, and not, say, poplar fluff. Therefore, first of all, you should consult an ophthalmologist and an allergist.

Of course, the Internet is full of information on how to treat contact allergies at home. But we should not forget that it is distributed for informational purposes. Self-medication is completely inappropriate here, since it may turn out that the red skin around the eyes is not an allergy at all. In addition, eye drops are recommended as medications, for example, "Vizin". But, again, I would like to draw attention to the fact that "getting into" the eyes without medical advice is fraught with consequences.

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Diagnosis of contact allergy

Contact allergy, like other types of allergies, is an immunopathological disease, which means it requires a comprehensive examination with the involvement of related specialists: otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, immunologists. So, let's look at the types of skin tests:

• The prick test is the most popular way to identify an allergen,
• application tests "prick-test" - checks the skin reaction to any components that provoke contact allergies, from cosmetics to dental prostheses,
• blood tests for tolerance to certain components, for example, dentures.

Contact allergy is not a rare occurrence these days, so diagnostics are carried out in an accessible way, quickly and almost painlessly.

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Study of immune status

Contact allergy diagnostics includes methods of studying the immune status. In this case, IgA, IgM, IgG are monitored in the blood serum to determine the primary and secondary immunological disease, and of course, this is necessary to competently monitor the immunomodulatory treatment.

So, let's analyze the probable results:

• IgA, IgG - agamma-hypogammaglobulinemia of congenital type is present if the level of LgM is elevated - congenital hypogammaglobulinemia or the level of LgA is reduced - selective deficiency;
• if the examination results show that the levels of all immunoglobulins are elevated, then this indicates that chronic infectious processes, systemic diseases of connective tissue, chronic liver diseases, etc. are occurring;
• selective increase of LgA or LgG is a phenomenon characteristic of myeloma disease. In Berger's disease, selective increase of LgA is observed. A separate increase of LgM content may indicate macroglobulinemia.

In case of suspected myeloma disease or probability of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, as well as amyloidosis, electrophoretic diagnostics of urine and blood serum immunoglobulins are performed. This method of examination is also used in case of cryoglobulinemia, Bence-Jones, increased blood viscosity and certain lymphoproliferative diseases.

• high levels of urinary protein and LgA or LgG are a sign of myeloma disease,
• high urinary protein levels, but LgA and LgF remained at normal levels, then again there is a possibility of myeloma disease,
• macroglobulinemia with increased LgM,
• heavy chain diseases - high urinary LgG.

Immune system testing is often performed to detect autoantibodies using indirect immunofluorescence. This method is used to detect diseases with immune pathogenesis.

In fact, there are many ways to study the immune system. Unfortunately, a person without a medical education does not always understand what they mean. And this is normal, since, in addition to the names of diseases, there is a whole range of tests to determine a specific disease, examining the concentration of the components in the urine, blood and its serum. Why is all this done if the patient is sure that he has a contact allergy? Firstly, you cannot be 100% sure of the diagnosis without preliminary tests. Secondly, there are many causes and consequences of contact allergies, including antibodies.

Treatment of contact allergies

Contact allergy will not go away if the patient gets hooked on antiallergic drugs and does not eliminate the irritating factor from everyday life. First of all, it is necessary to completely eliminate the substance or object that is the allergen itself.

Once the allergen has been eliminated, we move on to the next step:

• acute inflammation and development of oozing are treated with cold compresses or with the addition of Burow's solution. Effective results can be achieved with the help of corticosteroid drugs, the course of their use lasts up to two weeks, 2 times a day;
• very severe reactions require a more intensive course of treatment with corticosteroids orally. Its duration is determined by the doctor, as possible side effects;
• Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve itching and swelling. These drugs include: Fenistil, Zyrtec, Zodiak, Erius, etc.

Traditional methods of treatment include both external and internal remedies.

For internal use, use a decoction of celery. For external treatment, the following methods are known: a decoction of St. John's wort, or calendula flowers, or celandine, or succession. Apple and cucumber juices relieve inflammation on the skin. Sour cream and kefir have the same properties.

But! It should be remembered that contact allergy caused by plant allergens is unlikely to be cured by folk methods. And, in general, in this regard, it is better to refrain from folk recipes, since the situation may worsen.

Prevention of contact allergies

Contact allergy, like any other, has no preventive measures. Why? Let's start with the fact that sometimes an allergic reaction to a particular element is inherited. In addition, an allergy can arise in an acquired way, that is, on the basis of professional activity (working with chemicals or metals, for example), as a result of frequent hair dyeing, wearing contact lenses or dentures, and so on. It is not realistic to avoid the influencing factor. To do this, you need to live locked up, and even then an allergic reaction to dust or household chemicals is not excluded. But, nevertheless, precautions never hurt.

So, regarding precautions:

• If you like to wear jewelry (especially tongue or belly button piercings), pay attention to the quality of the metal,
• timely medical examinations to identify a tendency to allergies,
• attention should be paid to the concentration of allergens that contain elements of plant origin, such as tulips,
• especially if there are small children in the house, it is necessary to control the cleanliness of the house and exclude artificial fragrances, such as air fresheners,
• carefully read the contents of cosmetics and household chemicals on the packaging,
• For gardening and vegetable gardening enthusiasts, some types of fertilizers with intensive concentrations of synthetic agents can cause allergies. For this reason, if it is not possible to exclude contact with such substances, you should wear rubber gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

Contact allergy is called contact allergy because there is physical contact of the skin with the allergen, so allergic processes can only be avoided by eliminating the allergen itself.