Everything you need to know about Allergy

You must have heard people using this term very often. Common people use it to refer to a substance that causes a certain abnormal condition or response. For example:

• Sneezing when exposed to fragrance, pollen, or dust
• When some people take nuts, or a certain fruit in their diet, their mouth swells
• Some people get red, inflamed, itchy skin when they wear a certain type of jewelry such as nickel

In these examples, the allergens are fragrance, dust, pollen nickel, and nuts: these substances elicit allergic responses which are sneezing, inflamed and itchy skin, and swelling of the mouth. And the people having such conditions are said to be allergic or atopic.

But very few people know the biology of an allergy. More specifically, pathophysiology and biochemistry.

What is an allergy?

The immune system of your body is specialized to form antibodies against the agent that invades or intrudes the body. It can be a bacterium, virus, toxin, a chemical drug, or even a splinter. These anti-bodies serve to kill and destroy the invading agent. Otherwise, it may be harmful to the body. This is how the immune system works.

Sometimes, it so happens that the body perceives a substance as a foreign body and attacks for protection. But this substance is harmless and does not elicit such a response in other people. The allergic response is the same reaction but to the wrong substance and without control. Symptoms are variable in their severity.

What causes an allergy?

Always, it is the exposure to the antigen that stimulates the allergic response. Going deeper, the real cause that makes a person hypersensitive is unknown. But genetic predisposition has been observed.

What are the Symptoms of Allergies?

Symptoms depend on the type of allergy.

For food allergies, symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling fatigue

Pollens, dust mites, or pet dander are classic seasonal allergens. Hay fever has been most commonly observed. Its symptoms include:

• Puffy eyes
• Runny nose and eyes
• Clogged ears
• Fatigue and irritability
• Headaches
• Sore throat

Skin allergies largely result from contact with the allergen. And they may also be the consequence of some food allergen. In both cases, common skin allergies include:

• Eczema
• Rashes
• Dermatitis
• Itching

Anaphylaxis is a symptom of your allergy getting severe. You need medical attention in such a condition.

Allergy testing & diagnosis

Allergies are tested mainly by observation. But, most often there is a delay in the onset of the reaction after the exposure to the allergen. So, this may not work every time. Your doctor will point the allergen out by tracing back from an unusual object that you may have taken or contacted. An allergy test is then performed for the confirmation of the suspected allergen. Allergy test in Singapore is done through a few options. These options include:

• Skin Prick Test (SPT)
• Intradermal Skin Test
• Blood tests (Specific IgE)
• Patch test

Allergy treatment

Avoiding the allergen comes naturally. But in many allergies, it is not possible. For that medical treatment is suggested.

Medical Treatment

Medial treatment offers antihistamine, decongestant, and Mast Cell and Leukotriene inhibitor drugs to deal with allergy symptoms. These include:

• Anti-histamines
• Chlorpheniramine
• Fexofenadine
• Cetirizine
• Loratadine
• Diphenhydramine
• Decongestants
• Oxymetazoline
• Desloratadine
• Pseudoephedrine
• Corticosteroids
• Mometasone
• Fluticasone furoate
• Budesonide
• Ciclesonide
• Fluticasone
• Mast cell Stabilizers
• Cromolyn
• Nedocromil
• Lodoxamide
• Leukotriene Inhibitors

Leukotriene is one of the substances that are involved in the whole set up of an allergic response. Leukotriene inhibitors inhibit leukotrienes and thus relieve allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy

For allergies that cannot be avoided or for which drugs prove ineffective, immunotherapy is an option. Immunotherapy is the type of treatment where an atopic person is exposed to the allergen in gradually increasing amounts over time. This is the training of the body not to react to the substance.

Immunotherapy is done by:

Shots: You go through a series of injections with intervals of one or two weeks. This serves to introduce the allergen to your body.

Sublingual Immunotherapy: In this type, allergen-containing tablets are administered. For example, pollen extracts.

Biological medication: This involves targeting the reactions of the body only that are concerned with eliciting the allergic response.

Epinephrine Shot: An allergic response is uncontrolled. But sometimes it can become life-threatening. Such a condition is characterized by difficult breathing and swallowing. For such conditions, one or two epinephrine shots are life-saving.

Natural Allergy Remedies

• Avoid the allergen.
• Cleanse your nose regularly if your allergen is of environmental type
• Add to your diet items that detox your body
• Use prebiotics and probiotics
• Avoid stress. Stress hormones may also be involved in worsening your allergy.
• Use essential oils in your diet, hot beverages, or topically.
• Keep your house, workplace, and car clean.

Types of common allergies in Singapore

Every one in three Singaporeans is subject to some allergic conditions. Some of the most common allergies in Singapore are:

• Dust mites
• Shellfish
• Peanuts
• Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)

When should you consult an allergist?

You may need to consult an allergist not only for treatment and prescription but for diagnosis and confirmation as well. Even after prescription, medications may not prove helpful. Or allergy can simply get worse every time. To sum up, you should consider going to a food allergy test clinic if you experienced any of these:

• Chronic infections
• Difficult breathing
• Your daily activities are crippled
• Antihistamines and corticosteroids are not helping you
• You are developing severe and worsening symptoms of asthma

Key Takeaways

When you understand what causes an allergy to develop, it will be easier for you to manage and avoid it. The best way is to avoid the allergen. When it is not possible, you can also go for immunotherapy and medication.

Natural remedies are also a good option to take the allergy slowly and manage it better. You should seek the help and guidance of an allergist like Ear and Allergy Clinic Singapore for the proper diagnosis and the suggested treatment of your allergy. Especially, when it keeps getting worse and leads you to conditions such as anaphylaxis.