Know the main types of allergies and learn how to prevent them

THE allergy it is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to the body’s exposure to a series of substances. The clinical picture can be caused by food, medication, insects and animals.

The 8th of July, World Allergy Day, highlights the importance of diagnosis and treatment for the control and prevention of allergic crises.

Know the main causes of allergy and learn how to prevent yourself.

Respiratory allergies and rhinitis

Respiratory allergies can be caused by a number of factors, including dust mites, pet dander, mold and flower pollen.

“Usually, the animal’s fur is not what causes the allergy. They are proteins from the sweat, salivary and sebaceous glands that stick to the hair and, when the person breathes, reacts to these substances”, explains researcher Luisa Karla de Paula Arruda, coordinator of the Scientific Department of Allergens of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI). ).

To minimize the impact of respiratory allergies, it is necessary to adopt environmental control strategies such as placing waterproof covers on mattresses, avoiding mites, or restricting the movement of animals in the internal environments of the house – such as bedrooms.

According to the researcher at the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology, rhinitis is one of the most common allergic diseases. “We estimate that in Brazil around 30% of the population has rhinitis. Most, around 85% of cases, are allergic in origin. Some patients may have this condition due to viral infections and other causes”, says Luisa.

In general, allergic rhinitis is characterized by chronic and recurrent cases, mainly by exposure to mites present in dust, pollen, fungi, urine and saliva of animals such as dogs and cats.

The most common symptoms are swelling of the mucosa with nasal obstruction, runny nose, continuous sneezing and itching in the nose, throat and eyes. The diagnosis can be made by investigating the patient’s history, in addition to skin tests and blood tests.

According to experts, treatment is diverse and includes environmental control, drug use and immunotherapy. Rhinitis can be controlled by preventing contact with the causative agents.

Milk and seafood are among the causes of food allergy

Allergic reactions can also be caused by substances in food. Cow’s milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, shrimp and other seafood, as well as nuts and chestnuts are some of the main allergic agents for some people.

“Excluding what causes the reaction is one of the ways to prevent and treat it. For example, a person who had an allergic reaction to shrimp, if we prove that this was the cause, the exclusion diet will solve the problem”, explains Luisa.

Insect allergies

Although insect stings may not pose any health risk, some people may experience an allergic reaction shortly after coming into contact with the insects. Bees, wasps, wasps and ants can release harmful substances, which may indicate a need for medical attention.

The bee sting, for example, can present local or systemic manifestations. The simplest ones include sharp local pain, which tends to disappear on its own in a few minutes, leaving redness, itching and swelling.

The systemic picture presents itself as manifestations of a severe allergic reaction, with symptoms of rapid onset, 2 to 3 minutes after the bite. In addition to local reactions, symptoms such as headache, vertigo and chills, agitation, tightness in the chest, among other symptoms, may be present. In this case, the search for medical attention should be done immediately.

“For cases that we cannot avoid, such as insect bites, we have immunotherapy treatment, which are allergy vaccines. Today, there are subcutaneous and sublingual vaccines. The idea is to desensitize the person to that component”, says Luisa.

Attention to medicines

Self-medication, which consists of the use of medication without a prescription or guidance from a doctor or health professional, offers health risks, including the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Medications such as anti-inflammatories, pain relievers (aspirin, dipyrone, ibuprofen, diclofenac) and antibiotics (especially pelicillins) can cause reactions.

“Through the tests, we guide the patient on what he can or cannot take. Identifying the groups to which the drugs that cause the reactions belong is fundamental”, says Luisa.

Manifestations on the skin

In general, allergies can manifest skin symptoms such as hives, swelling and redness. However, skin allergies are also part of a specific group of these reactions.

“An example is atopic dermatitis, a skin allergy that has an impact on quality of life because it causes intense itching and can lead to the formation of lesions. It can be caused either by mites or food or by local bacterial infections”, says Luisa.

Another type of skin allergy is contact dermatitis, which can be caused by metals and chemicals in general, according to the specialist.

“It is common, for example, to be allergic to jewelry in the place in contact with the skin. It is usually caused by metals such as nickel and chromate. Various other chemicals can trigger reactions, such as makeup, personal care products, cosmetics, fabrics and rubber.”

How to prevent the development of allergy

According to professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) Fábio Castro, prevention includes the adoption of healthy habits from childhood, such as breastfeeding babies with breast milk, in addition to a balanced diet, physical activities and contact with nature throughout of life.

In general, discovery occurs after a first event of an allergic reaction. Experts recommend that in the face of the first manifestations, people seek medical attention so that the causes are investigated.

According to Fábio, the diagnosis is made from the investigation of the patient’s history, a stage in which his most recent activities are determined, such as frequented places and foods consumed before the reaction.

How to control allergy and increase quality of life

Treatment depends on the agent causing the allergic reaction and can be performed using different strategies, such as environmental control, immunotherapy (vaccines) and medication.

Experts avoid using the term “cure”, but claim that it is possible to achieve control of allergies. “Today we can offer symptom control so that the patient can have a normal life, without the allergy interfering with activities”, says Luisa.

According to Fábio, immunotherapy consists of the use of vaccines produced with the controlled use of the various substances that cause allergic reactions. The purpose of the method is to desensitize the patient to the type of material that causes the allergy, that is, to make the body get used to the substance.

Source: CNN Brasil

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