Fish oil: description and application
Eating a healthy supplement has been known for a long time. Previously, kindergartens used the practice of introducing a spoonful of essence into the children's diet every day (produced in liquid form in a darkened bottle). To date, such events have unfortunately been cancelled.
Omega 3 – made from fish liver. Most often, cod is a supplier of useful vitamins. The taste of the ingredient does not evoke admiring responses. Manufacturers made the only right decision to enclose the useful liquid in solid transparent packaging. The capsule is easier to swallow - it is small, round in size. When it enters the stomach, it dissolves.
The composition of Omega 3 is quite rich:
- Rich in vitamins A, E, D
- Has essential fatty acids
- Trace elements and nutrients (iron, magnesium, bromine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium).
The benefits of using the nutrient are great. Positively affects the brain. Brain vessels dilate, blood flow improves. Such moments effectively influence the child’s mental activity. Active kids become calmer, more diligent and more attentive. In younger children, fine motor skills that affect speech develop faster.
In adults, the drug restores cholesterol to normal, lowers sugar levels, lowers blood pressure, and rejuvenates the entire body.
When taking fish oil orally, you should carefully calculate the dosage, since a large amount can provoke a negative reaction of the body - an allergy.
Thus, all useful microelements can become dangerous to the body in an instant. You should not create an excess of vitamins.
Find out more about fish oil here.
Contraindications to the use of Omega 3
It is not recommended to take fish oil in any form on an empty stomach, as this can lead to disturbances in the digestive tract.
Fish oil is a very healthy product that provides many benefits. But it is also impossible to use it in unlimited quantities, since it also has a number of contraindications and restrictions that you need to be aware of before taking the drug. Such contraindications include:
- It is not recommended to take fish oil in any form on an empty stomach, as this can lead to disruption of the digestive tract;
- The product should not be used by people who have low blood pressure, since fish oil has a hypotonic effect;
- taking large amounts of fat reduces the absorption of vitamin E;
- after long-term use of Omega 3, a lack of tocopherol may occur in the body;
- people suffering from diabetes are advised to consume fat, since its effect on sugar has not yet been studied;
- You should consult your doctor if you are already taking any medications;
- There is no need to use the product for people with increased thyroid function;
- may provoke bleeding, so it is not recommended to take fat during menstruation or for those who have poor blood clotting.
Symptoms of an allergy to fish oil
An allergy to fish oil can arise from the ingestion of not only capsules with valuable liquid, but also from frequent consumption of fish dishes (soups, fried fish). This reaction occurs as a result of increased sensitivity to the proteins that make up fish. Nutrients are no longer perceived by the body as a source of strength and energy.
The causes of occurrence are the following:
- Individual characteristics of the child
- Fish intolerance in general
- The appearance of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
An allergic reaction can be acute or mild and slowly occurring. The first signs are caused by the appearance of symptoms:
- Nausea, bloating, pain, intestinal colic, diarrhea
- Redness and swelling of the eyes, conjunctivitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Skin rash
- Affects the respiratory system and can trigger the development of asthma.
If you do not try to cure the body and protect it from irritants, the disease will not recede and will not go away on its own. More serious complications arise – surges in blood pressure, headaches, and the appearance of a secondary infection.
At the first symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor for detailed advice and a correct diagnosis.
Causes of allergies
- The etiology of the disease has not been fully studied to date, but there is a certain relationship between place of residence and the frequency of allergic manifestations. Patients who consume seafood, fish oil and fish daily are most likely to suffer from allergies. In other words, they oversaturate the body with foreign protein and the body reacts negatively to this. In childhood, this reaction is associated with the immaturity of the immune system.
- It is important to have a hereditary predisposition when the disease is transmitted from parents to children.
- In addition, chronic diseases that the patient has sharply weaken the body’s protective functions, which makes it vulnerable to external and internal exposure to allergens.
As a rule, an acute allergic attack occurs with characteristic symptoms and is not difficult to clarify the diagnosis, but a number of diagnostic examinations are still necessary.
Allergy reaction to fish oil
Children, when an irritant enters the body, in most cases immediately react with profuse vomiting. This process occurs through the occurrence of negative changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to vomiting, loose stools may be present.
The allergy manifests itself in the form of difficulty breathing and dry nose. There is burning and itching on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Children experience increased body temperature, increased gas formation, and general weakness. Atopic rhinitis and a wet cough appear. The most dangerous manifestation is inflammation of the larynx (Quincke's edema), which can result in suffocation.
Along with rhinitis, redness of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids occur. There is a feeling of “sand in the eyes,” burning and dryness of the eyeball, and profuse lacrimation appears.
Most often in children, the reaction to an irritant manifests itself in the form of a skin rash. Urticaria, diathesis, eczema, various types of dermatitis, and hyperemia spread on the skin of the face and other delicate areas of the body. Sometimes thickening and swelling form in the affected areas of the skin. It happens that inflammation occurs in individual areas in the form of blisters, small blisters or papules filled with liquid.
What and how to treat
Therapy for this disease comes down to taking emergency measures when the first symptoms of an allergic reaction appear. You should choose one or more of these drugs:
- Antihistamines: tavegil, suprastin, claridol or lominal - 1 tablet per day for at least three days.
- Sorbents: Enterosgel. Take 1 teaspoon of the drug 3-4 times a day.
- Spray Vibrocil for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
- Remedies for relieving skin itching - Lorinden S, hydrocortisone ointment, Fenistil gel, Lokoid cream.
It is mandatory to remove the drug from the medicine cabinet, as well as limit dishes with fish. If a child is prescribed a drug by an orthopedist, you need to notify him of the child’s allergies. In some cases, fish oil in capsules, which is tasteless and odorless, helps to avoid unpleasant symptoms, as regards the contact form of the disease.
Diagnostics
If symptoms appear, it is recommended to immediately consult a specialist. It is possible to make a diagnosis yourself. To do this, it is recommended to keep a food diary, where your diet will be recorded and what products were used for food. Any reaction to the ingredient eaten should also be noted. Based on this method, the effect of fish oil on the body can be calculated.
For consultation and to find out the exact diagnosis, you need to contact an allergist. The appointment begins with recording complaints in the medical history, interviewing the patient, and examining the skin by the doctor. Afterwards, the doctor sends you for tests to the laboratory. It is recommended to conduct research for the presence of an allergen in the blood by taking a general blood test. In addition, skin tests are performed.
Based on the results obtained, an accurate diagnosis is made and effective treatment is prescribed. Therapy is primarily aimed at reducing symptoms and increasing immunity.
Treatment options
Allergies can be treated only under the supervision of a doctor and with his recommendations. Self-medication in this case is not only ineffective, but also dangerous. The patient will persistently treat the effects, but will not be able to get rid of the cause, because he does not know how. When treating childhood allergies, you should immediately contact an allergist and pediatrician.
It is important to be able to provide first aid to an allergy sufferer before doctors arrive during an exacerbation. If a person is choking, he needs to take a position in which his head will not sink and his tongue will not fall into his throat.
If the patient is dehydrated, you need to drink plenty of water. It is important to create an atmosphere of peace and quiet so that nothing irritates the allergy sufferer.
The fight against allergies begins with diagnosis. When the diagnosis is clarified and the true irritant is identified, a set of measures is selected. The very first is a diet that excludes the allergen and products identical to it. Allergies can be treated with physical therapy and drug therapy.
Main groups of drugs:
- Antihistamines are the first aid. They begin to be taken immediately after the disease is detected. Histamine blockers relieve swelling and inflammation, since this compound is responsible for a violent reaction to the allergen. The drugs have a number of contraindications; consultation with a doctor is necessary. There are forms available for children.
- Corticosteroids are taken only during acute attacks when there is a threat to life. However, hormones are strong drugs, they are addictive and negatively affect the overall hormonal levels and the liver, so they are prohibited for children. Adults are treated with hormones only under medical supervision.
- Sorbent substances should be given to the patient immediately if the condition worsens. These drugs will absorb irritant molecules, reduce the time of contact with them and remove them naturally.
- Local preparations for the treatment of skin wounds and ulcers, inflamed mucous membranes. The products have healing and disinfecting properties. Sprays, ointments, tablets and other medications are prescribed individually according to age.
Medicine does not deny the possibility of alternative treatment for allergies. Amateur medicine recipes are simple, safe, and suitable for all ages. They can treat allergies of various types.
The following folk remedies can be used against allergies:
- compresses from an aqueous solution of mumiyo against urticaria and eczema;
- baths with a decoction of string, even for newborns, against itching and redness;
- tea with sage and chamomile to strengthen the immune system;
- saline eye wash;
- calendula infusion for gargling.
Attention! Folk remedies themselves can cause allergies if a person reacts to grass pollen. It is important to consult a specialist before starting treatment. In addition, this option is only additional help, but not the basis of therapy.
Treatment of an allergic reaction
An integrated approach is used for treatment: medications, physiotherapy, and the use of traditional medicine. To prevent the negative release of inflamed papules from reoccurring, you should strictly follow the instructions of your doctor.
To treat an allergy to fish oil, it is advised to stop eating nutritional vitamins for a while and instead take fish days. If the child is breastfed, the mother should refrain from using the drug.
The following medications are prescribed:
- Antihistamines: Suprastin, Lomilan, Tavegil, Claridol
- For skin inflammations, it is more advisable to use antiallergic ointments: Fenistil gel, hydrocortisone ointment, Lokoid cream, Lorinden S
- For rhinitis, nasal drops are prescribed: Nazivin, Rhinorus, Tizin, Vibrocil spray
- When eye diseases appear: Cromohexal, Lecrolin, Dexamethasone
- Vomit should be stopped with sorbents: Enterosgel.
By following simple rules of treatment and prevention, it is possible to avoid relapses of allergy to fish oil. In addition, the correct dosage and not abusing fish foods will lead to the absence of irritants.
Important to remember
- Signs of an allergy to fish oil are a consequence of the child’s immune system reacting to fish proteins, which are accepted by the body as foreign.
- The symptoms are the same as for allergies to any food.
- Even with minor signs of the disease, consultation with an allergist is necessary.
See you in the next article!
How to determine in advance whether a person may be allergic to fish oil? Fish oil, or Omega 3, is a true natural medicine. There is a statement: everything that is healthy is either tasteless or expensive. In the case of fish oil, you can argue, because you can get it by eating seafood, and it’s delicious. This product is obtained from fatty fish. It is extremely useful for children, as well as pregnant women, people suffering from diabetes and hypertension. This is a whole storehouse of vitamins, including vital vitamin D. Once upon a time, fish oil was sold in its natural form. It is not very pleasant to taste, however, in terms of vitamin composition and the amount of saturated amino acids and antioxidants, it is one of the best drugs.
Causes of allergy to fish oil and its symptoms
The benefits of fish oil are obvious.
Science has proven that this is the prevention of diseases such as:
- atherosclerosis;
- rickets;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- Alzheimer's disease.
In addition, this product helps improve immunity.
Currently, many drugs containing fish oil are produced. Most often they are produced in the form of capsules, which help neutralize the unpleasant odor and taste of the product. The dosage varies depending on the age category of the patient: it can be intended for children, adults, and the elderly. However, despite these benefits, this product can cause illness. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict who will have a negative reaction.
Like any other allergy, it indicates a malfunction of the immune system. Fatty fish contains proteins, lipids, and complex proteins. They are the ones who cause the disease. Blood cells perceive protein as a foreign substance and cannot cope with it on their own. As a result, the body reacts negatively to this substance.
Allergy to fish oil occurs in approximately 10 percent of all cases.
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Factors influencing the occurrence of the disease:
- Increased sensitivity.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Poor tolerance to fish.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Presence of chronic diseases.
- Abuse of fish in the diet.
There are several types of hypersensitivity. The most common of these is fast acting sensitivity.
The symptoms are as follows:
- Itchy spots on the skin, possibly causing blisters in the future.
- Rash on various parts of the body.
- Swelling of the face and limbs.
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomit.
- Labored breathing.
In children in advanced cases, eczema or diathesis is observed. A runny nose and conjunctivitis are also possible. The disease manifests itself quickly enough and it is impossible not to notice its symptoms. In difficult cases, a person may additionally feel a headache and body temperature rises. All symptoms cause very unpleasant sensations to the victim. To prevent things from developing into angioedema or anaphylaxis, you should immediately take an antihistamine and call an ambulance.
In case of severe allergies, treatment is carried out with hormonal drugs, which are mostly administered by injection.
In such cases, the patient needs hospitalization and treatment should take place in a hospital setting.
Getting rid of allergies
You can find out that a reaction has occurred specifically to fish oil if you carefully monitor your diet. True, this is not a very fast and not the most reliable method. There is a more reliable method to find out which component the allergy occurred to, this is to take tests to identify the antigen.
Treatment of this disease will be successful if the product containing the antigen is completely excluded from the diet, and it is found in fish oil. If a person is prone to any allergic reactions, he needs to adhere to a certain diet. To avoid allergies in infants, the mother must carefully monitor her diet, and in the future, the complementary feeding of the baby. In any case, you need to stop taking fat and limit your consumption of fish dishes. Then you urgently need to seek help from a specialist. After the examination, the doctor will determine the severity of the disease and methods of treatment.
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Taking antihistamines should last at least 3 days, even if the symptoms are not too pronounced.
If you follow all the allergist’s recommendations, the disease will pass quickly and without any special consequences.
Restrictions on taking fish oil
It has long been known that the best treatment for a disease is its prevention.
Even if a person does not have such an allergy, you need to remember the following:
- There is no need to take this product on an empty stomach;
- it should not be used by people suffering from low blood pressure, since fish oil helps reduce it;
- fish oil affects blood clotting (bleeding may occur);
- There may be drug incompatibility with some types of medications. Therefore, before purchasing and taking fat capsules, you should consult your doctor;
- Omega-3 abuse can lead to hypervitaminosis, which causes considerable harm to the body. Eating fat can worsen the condition of a person who has an overactive thyroid gland.
When buying fish oil, you need to pay attention to ensure that it is not cloudy or has sediment. This product must be stored correctly.
It should be in a cool environment and not have direct contact with air.
For therapy to be successful, you cannot self-medicate. Compliance with certain rules, as well as the recommendations of an allergist, is half the success in treating the disease.
Allergies to fish oil (Omega-3) most often occur in residents of coastal areas, where fishing is highly developed and fish and seafood are staple foods.
The cause of the body's allergic reaction is the increased sensitivity of the immune system to fish protein molecules, when the system identifies them as foreign and tries with all its might to get rid of them. In addition, not only fish is an allergen, but also fat, including in capsules.
What in fish oil can cause a reaction - allergens
Fish oil capsules contain the following components:
- vitamin A (improves metabolism, is responsible for good vision);
- vitamin D (increases immunity, is responsible for the development and strengthening of bone tissue, transport of phosphorus to them);
- omega-3 – (can lower cholesterol levels in the blood, is responsible for the synthesis of hormones);
- antioxidants (produce a protective function).
The main allergen is fish protein, which will be part of the fat. This is the main cause of reaction in children and adults. Synthetic additives and other components in the capsules themselves can be irritants. Given the benefits of fat, it can be consumed in excessive quantities. This can also trigger an aggressive reaction.
In addition to an allergic reaction, intolerance to fish and its derivatives may occur. The symptoms resemble severe food poisoning. This is influenced by the amount of irritant consumed.
Fish oil - how to take and why? Home first aid kit.