Polyvalent allergy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Spring and summer are the most colorful and long-awaited pores of the year. Nature awakens after the winter cold, the first leaves are blossoming on the trees, the first flowers blossom. The bulk of people are fond of this period. But for some, the arrival of this beautiful pore means the appearance of the first symptoms of an allergy. Allergic reactions can occur on almost any flowering plant or tree, on house dust and animal products, various foods, from citrus fruits to animal products, cosmetic ingredients and medicines, and even to sunlight and even frost. If a person suffers from manifestations of allergic reactions to several types of allergens, then this disease can be called a polyvalent allergy. In this article we will talk about the causes, symptoms, treatment of polyvalent allergies, as well as much more.
Causes of polyvalent allergy
Allergology - a branch of medicine, dealing with the study of the mechanisms of occurrence, methods of diagnosis and treatment of allergic manifestations. The mechanism of the immune system response to the allergen is quite complex and has not been fully studied so far. But every year medicine takes a huge step towards the goal, namely the development of a universal anti-allergic drug. In order to understand how drugs work to stop the manifestation of allergic reactions, one must have an idea of the stages of the immune response to an allergen. Clinical manifestations of polyvalent allergy arise from the passage of three stages, namely:
- immune stage - the first ingress of an allergen into the blood (and they can be anything) there is the formation of antibodies of immunoglobulins. This process is called sensitization. At the same time, data on the allergen are "recorded" by our body and in the future this substance will be determined as alien.
- pathochemical stage - occurs when the allergen is reintroduced. In this case, antibodies contribute to the development of potent substances in the body, which lead to clinical manifestations. One of the most important roles in the occurrence of an allergic reaction is played by the biologically active substance - histamine. With subsequent administration of allergens, the production of histamine increases, and, accordingly, clinical manifestations increase.
- The clinical stage is the stage at which clinical manifestations are manifested. Clinical manifestations can occur either almost immediately, or for several hours or even days. An example of clinical manifestations can be: itching of the skin, mucous membranes, lacrimation, rhinitis, shortness of breath, asthmatic attacks, urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.
Scientists are still puzzling in finding out the causes of polyvalent allergies. There are several theories on this subject, namely:
- predisposition by inheritance - polyvalent allergy is not a disease transmitted by inheritance, but there was an increased likelihood of its occurrence in a child if both parents suffer from it;
- weakening of immunity - polyvalent allergy is more common in people who suffered from frequent illnesses in childhood, the treatment of which was accompanied by the intake of a large number of antibiotics and other drugs, as well as those with weakened immunity;
- bad habits - the frequency of polyvalent allergy in smokers and alcohol users is much higher than in people leading a healthy lifestyle.
Symptoms of polyvalent allergy
The symptoms of polyvalent allergy are quite extensive. They depend on the action of a particular type of allergen on the body. For example, ragweed bloom causes clinical symptoms from the respiratory system, eating foods can cause urticaria and Quincke's edema, taking certain medications can cause anaphylactic shock. The rate of manifestation of the symptoms of polyvalent allergy may also be different. If the symptoms of an allergic reaction occur immediately or within 10 minutes, such an allergy can be attributed to an immediate reaction if within 3-5 hours, then to a delayed-type reaction, well, if the symptoms occur after 2-3 days, then this reaction delayed type. We will analyze the main symptoms of polyvalent allergy.
Symptoms from the respiratory system
The symptoms of polyvalent allergy from the respiratory system include: rhinitis, shortness of breath, bronchospasm, asthmatic allergic seizures. The above symptoms can occur on pollen, dust, animal products, certain foods, household chemicals, certain medicines, and others. Antiallergic drugs are used to stop allergic reactions.
Symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract
Most often, these symptoms occur after taking products that cause an allergic reaction or medications. Allergic manifestations include: diarrhea, vomiting, discomfort and abdominal pain.
Hives
Urticaria looks like a burn after the impact of nettle on the skin. Skin covers in the place of contact with the allergen turn red, swell and become covered with blisters filled with liquid. Hives can occur as a symptom when exposed to the skin of allergens such as household chemicals, certain plant species, certain types of medications. Symptoms of hives are easily removed with the help of antihistamines (tablets, ointments).
Edema Quincke
One of the dangerous symptoms of polyvalent allergy is Quincke's edema. It is especially dangerous if it spreads to the neck area. With a combination of an allergic reaction of an immediate type and Quincke's edema, death may occur as a result of breathing and subsequent asphyxiation. Therefore, if you suspect a swelling of Quincke, you need to immediately call an ambulance. This symptom can trigger the intake of certain medicines, food, as well as a strong impact of the inhaled allergen (pollen, dust, animal waste products).
Anaphylactic shock
The most dangerous symptom of polyvalent allergy is anaphylactic shock. It occurs most often due to the ingestion of the allergen. It can be both medicinal substances, and food stuffs. With anaphylactic shock, there is a sharp deterioration of the condition, shortness of breath, convulsions, loss of consciousness, a sharp decrease in pressure. If this condition is not provided with emergency medical care, then a lethal outcome is possible, therefore, if anaphylactic shock is suspected, an ambulance should be urgently called for.
Multivalent drug allergy
Recently, polyvalent drug allergy is very common. The presumable reason for this is the uncontrolled and incorrect use of medicines throughout life, bad ecology, bad habits, lack of a healthy lifestyle and much more. Polyvalent drug allergy is very dangerous, as sometimes in emergency situations it is not possible to check the sensitivity to that or another drug. This can lead to such severe consequences as Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Most often, an allergic reaction occurs in local anesthetics and some types of antibiotics, but more recently, hypersensitivity even to iodine and diamond green preparations has been observed more and more often.
Food polyvalent allergy
Polyvalent food allergy can be caused, both by a certain type of food, and by the chemicals that make up the product. The most common food products that cause an allergic reaction are:
- nuts - namely peanuts. Even a minimal amount of this product can cause such a serious consequence as anaphylactic shock;
- seafood - especially exotic. Shrimp, tropical fish, red caviar and other products may contain dyes, antibiotics and other harmful substances that can cause a polyvalent allergy;
- chicken eggs and meat-allergic reaction causes chicken protein, but it is noticed that if the patient is intolerant to chicken protein, chicken meat intolerance is most likely;
- strawberries and strawberries - to the surprise these products, or rather their bones can cause quite a strong allergy.
- citrus fruits, as well as exotic fruits - because of the absence of their growth in our latitudes, they can be quite a strong allergen;
- some types of cereals (semolina, corn, barley, rye) - due to the presence in them of a substance called gluten;
- honey is very useful, but also very allergenic, especially for patients with a polyvalent allergy due to the presence of a large amount of pollen in it.
Also, allergens in food can serve as dyes, preservatives, flavors and other chemical components.
Symptoms of polyvalent food allergies can be frustration, abdominal pain, itchy skin rash, Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Often, allergic children "outgrow" food allergy to adolescence, but there are times when a product remains an allergen for life.
Patients with a polyvalent food allergy should strictly monitor their diet, and especially read the composition of foods in order to avoid negative consequences.
Diagnosis of polyvalent allergy
Most often, patients with a polyvalent allergy make a list of allergens themselves, since it is quite difficult to conduct a complete examination to exclude all substances. But you need to learn as much as possible the substances that cause an immune reaction. How can this be done? There are two methods for determining allergens, namely: skin tests and a blood test for antibodies. For skin tests, a small amount of the allergen should be applied to the skin or under the skin. Waits for some time, after which the reaction should be visible (the presence of redness). Some allergens can not be applied to the skin, so they use a blood test for antibodies to them (IgG, IgE). The principle of this analysis is based on the determination in the blood of specific immunoglobulins. In the study of a general blood test for polyvalent allergies, a significant increase in eosinophils is detected (allergy markers). In all studies, antihistamines should be withdrawn.
Treatment of polyvalent allergy
Treatment of polyvalent allergy is complex. On the one hand, the patient, as far as possible, excludes the interaction of the allergen on the body, on the other hand the allergist prescribes the administration of special preparations aimed at blocking the receptors that throw out the biologically active substance - histamine. Antihistamines can differ according to the principle of action (some act instantly, but for a short time, others act long, but slowly). Accordingly, various antihistamines are used for various clinical manifestations. For example, with anaphylactic shock and edema, Quincke is prescribed fast-acting first-generation drugs, namely, diphenhydramine, pipolpene, suprastin, and others. They will quickly remove the clinical symptoms of allergies, but they have a lot of adverse reactions, which include inhibition of the central nervous system. Less adverse reactions have antihistamines of the second generation. Therefore, they can be prescribed for a long time. These include terfenadine, astemizole, loratadine, ceterisine and others. But these drugs also have a number of side effects, namely, toxic effects have been revealed in their application to the liver and kidneys, therefore it is contraindicated to persons with diseases of these organs. The newest and most advanced ones can be considered antihistamines of the third generation, which include the preparation telfast. It is a natural metabolite of second-generation drugs and has virtually no side effects.
Antihistamines are relatively contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. You can take them if their benefits for the mother will be more likely to harm the child. Take antihistamines should be strictly according to the doctor's prescription, before doing this, be sure to read the instructions.
In the sources of alternative medicine, you can find the treatment of polyvalent allergy with the help of medicinal herbs. Traditional allergists do not approve this approach, because sometimes the use of certain substances can exacerbate the severity of allergic reactions. But, nevertheless, tinctures from camomile chamomile, black elderberry, cornflower blue, altea root, datura, flowers of meadow meadow and others are actively used to combat polyvalent allergy with the help of alternative medicine. To combat skin manifestations of allergic reactions, honey, sunflower oil, onion and garlic juice, aloe leaves, peppermint and other products are used.
Prevention of polyvalent allergy
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as preventing the occurrence of polyvalent allergies. But there are factors that can aggravate the condition. Therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences, one should lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen immunity and naturally avoid contact with already known allergens. When providing medical care, it is necessary to warn the medical staff about the presence of allergies, to a particular drug, to carefully study the composition of the products when buying and with caution to consume new products.