Allergic Disease
Fact 1
If both parents have allergies, the estimated risk of the child developing an allergy is 48%, and this risk can grow up to 70%.
Fact 2
Allergic diseases come as an immune response to a foreign protein called an allergen, causing a wide range of symptoms.
Fact 3
Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic illnesses, affecting 20 million people and nearly 5 million children globally.
What is allergic disease?
Allergic disease is an unpredictable condition that can develop at any age, and heredity plays a significant role. No one is spared, and anyone can experience an allergic reaction, regardless of age, gender, and nationality. In the past decade, we have witnessed a major increase in allergies caused by an IgE-dependent immunological response to an allergen.
As a result, a chain of events affects the body differently. When a person is prone to allergies, the first time they are exposed to an allergen, their body produces allergic antibodies. The main responsibility of antibodies is to identify an allergen and eliminate it from your system. A chemical known as histamine is released during this process, revealing allergy symptoms.
Allergic disease symptoms
Mild reactions are followed by local symptoms such as rash, itchiness, hives, watery eyes, runny nose, and hay fever.
The moderate reaction includes symptoms that quickly affect other bodily parts and include swelling, hives, itchiness, and difficult breathing.
A severe allergic reaction is also known as anaphylaxis. Although a rare condition, within minutes of exposure to the allergen it can be life-threatening. Factors like alcohol, heat, exercise, the amount of food eaten can influence the severity of anaphylaxis.
Types of allergic diseases
Allergic disorders include several types:
Allergic rhinitis (or more commonly hay fever) is the most common type of allergy, causing swelling and inflammation of the lining of your nose.
Dust mite allergy is another allergic disorder caused by dust mites, a tiny microorganism living in carpets, upholstery, mattresses, and pillows.
Let’s not forget animal dander, latex, food, insect stings, sun, and many others.
Allergic reaction treatment
While avoiding allergen might be a temporary solution, it doesn’t stop an allergic reaction entirely. That’s why you may have to resort to antihistamines and over-the-counter medication to treat the allergic disorder.
If the combination of avoidance and medication don’t provide desirable results, patients are advised to try allergy shots, regular injections over a period of time — generally around three to five years — to reduce or stop allergy attacks. This form of treatment is also called immunotherapy and has shown great results in patients with asthma and rhinitis.
