Allergic reaction – causes, symptoms & therapy

An allergic reaction is a defensive response by the immune system elicited by one or more external triggers. Usually, otherwise harmless substances that occur in the environment or in food act as triggers.

An unusually strong reaction of the body’s own defenses leads to various symptoms, which can sometimes be very severe and, in the worst case, endanger the life of the person affected. Allergic reactions often require medical treatment, which mostly relieves the symptoms.

causes

The causes of an allergic reaction are so-called allergens . These are substances that often occur naturally in the environment or in food and do not cause any reactions in most people. In some cases, allergies are present from birth; in these cases there is a genetic predisposition for the allergic reactions.If allergies develop later, the causes can lie in environmental pollution and certain toxins, which enter the organism via food or clothing and lead to the corresponding reactions there.

Recently, there has also been an increasing number of discussions about the extent to which stress can trigger allergic reactions. Since severe and long-term stress can weaken the immune system, it is quite possible that this promotes the development of allergic reactions.

When to the doctor?

With an allergic reaction of the body, it is advisable to consult a doctor at the first signs. Hay fever, watery eyes or shortness of breath should be evaluated and examined by a doctor. If stomach pain , diarrhea or nausea occur repeatedly , a doctor should be consulted as there may be a food intolerance. Itching and skin changes such as redness or swelling should also be reported to a doctor.

In exceptional cases, avoiding the situation is sufficient. This is possible, for example, with an animal hair allergy. Nevertheless, an allergy test should always be carried out in order to obtain sufficient information about all irritating substances. If left untreated, severe cases can lead to anaphylactic shock. Since there is danger to life, an ambulance must be called. There is an acute reaction of the immune system. This is characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure and the risk of multi- organ failure . There is swelling of the larynx. This threatens a blockage of the airways and death by suffocation. Until the arrival of the emergency doctor, the person concerned must be provided with first aid measures.

If the allergic reaction occurs after taking medication, a doctor must be consulted. In addition to the drug intolerance, there are also problems with the effectiveness of the ingredients, so that the underlying disease must be treated in an alternative way.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• skin rash

• swelling

• itching

• difficulty breathing

• Sniffles

• Fever

• gas

• nausea

The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary greatly depending on the trigger and the area of ​​the body affected. If the skin is primarily affected, the reaction manifests itself, for example, in the form of rashes, swelling and itching. The respiratory tract in particular often reacts to the specific allergens.

In what is known as hay fever , the mucous membranes swell and flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, fever and difficulty breathing occur. In the worst case, asthma can develop in this way, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Allergic reactions of the gastrointestinal tract with flatulence, pain and nausea are also possible. Mild allergic reactions often go away on their own. In more severe cases, medical treatment should be given so as not to endanger the patient’s health.

Diagnose

An allergic reaction can be diagnosed quite quickly by the treating doctor if the person concerned can make statements about which substances are responsible for the respective reaction. If this is not possible or if the exact trigger has yet to be determined, an allergy test (also called prick test) is carried out.

With this, various allergens are placed on or directly under the skin to find out which substance causes reactions. If the respiratory tract is affected by the allergy, so-called provocation tests are carried out in which various substances are inhaled with medical intention. In this way it can be determined which allergen is responsible for the symptoms.

complications

There are a number of allergic reactions, ranging from comparatively harmless contact eczema to narrowing of the airways and the resulting shortness of breath. Mild allergy symptoms can heal without further medical complications. Swelling, redness, eczema , a severe runny nose or watery eyes are annoying, but they disappear as soon as contact with the allergen is broken and the body has had time to heal. This can take days to weeks. If you have contact eczema on the skin, it is advisable not to scratch or rub it, as this can lead to wound healing disorders.

On the other hand, serious complications are likely if there are allergic reactions such as swollen airways and shortness of breath or even a shock reaction of the body. Fortunately, such violent allergic reactions are rare, but they can occur in the event of unfavorable contact with an allergen or severe forms of allergy. Affected allergy sufferers can best protect themselves from complications and symptoms by making sure they always have their Epi-Pen with them. If they cannot be helped, such severe allergic symptoms can lead to unconsciousness, cessation of breathing, cardiovascular disorders up to circulatory collapse and, in the worst case, death of the patient.

treatment and therapy

If it is determined that a patient is showing an allergic reaction and is therefore suffering from an allergy, appropriate therapy is initiated. These are initially symptomatic treatments that alleviate the symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause. Drugs are usually administered to reduce the body’s violent reaction and thus the symptoms.

These are often preparations containing cortisone , as these are able to quickly and reliably reduce the allergic reaction. Because cortisone often has undesirable side effects, it should not be taken over a longer period of time and only under strict medical supervision. If the allergic reaction itself has been eliminated, it is important to avoid the allergy trigger in the future in order to prevent further comparable reactions.In the case of triggers such as food or animal hair, it is comparatively easy to avoid contact. On the other hand, allergies to certain flower pollen or house dust mites make it very difficult to avoid the trigger. For this reason, a so-called hyposensitization can take place in consultation with the treating allergist. With this, the patient is gradually given higher and higher doses of the allergen until the body is desensitized and, as a result, allergic reactions no longer occur.

prevention

Allergic reactions can be prevented by avoiding known allergy-causing substances. However, allergy sufferers should always carry medication with them to take in an emergency to mitigate a severe reaction.

If there is no allergy yet, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient outdoor exercise is the best way to prevent it. Since allergies often occur spontaneously, there is no guarantee of this.