Allergy treatment RF website

Allergies are becoming increasingly common among seemingly healthy populations. In some cases, it proceeds rather sluggishly, expressed only by tears and a seasonal runny nose or sneezing upon contact with an irritant. In others it can take on fatal forms and even lead to death. Acquired allergies are no less dangerous than congenital ones, and sometimes carry even more serious consequences.

Acquired allergies often occur against the background of hormonal imbalances, stomach diseases and other disorders of the immune system. As a result, the body may be exposed to much more severe allergens. The answer to the question of whether it is possible to acquire an allergy is clear from scientists - if the body’s functions are impaired, even at 70 years old it can appear.

Allergy treatment RF website

Hay fever - an allergic reaction to pollen

With the departure of winter, snow and the arrival of warmth and sun, you can feel the approach of the upcoming summer and the long-awaited vacation. But, unfortunately, the pollen season of plants is coming, that is, the time interval during which there is an accumulation of pollen grains of seed plants in the air. Climatic and geographical features of the Russian...

Features of vaccination of children with allergic diseases

Pediatric appointment

We are often asked, what is your profile? And, formally, understanding that we are primarily interested in specialization, we proudly answer: “Allergists are immunologists.” And this is true, the clinic specializes in cases that require special attention.

The main symptoms of acquired allergies

Often acquired allergies can manifest themselves with the following symptoms:

unpleasant and regular itching in the nose;
itching sensation in the eyes and eyelids;
tears, redness, inability to look normally, as well as conjunctivitis;
an incomprehensible runny nose that cannot be treated for a week or more;
severe bouts of sneezing;
More serious signs of an acute reaction may include swelling of the hands and face, heavy breathing;
skin rashes that itch.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take tests for immune markers, since some symptoms can be caused by simple stress and overwork.

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Diagnosis and treatment of allergies, bronchial asthma, skin diseases. Cosmetology

Allergology Immunology

Treatment and prevention: bronchial asthma, allergic skin diseases, Quincke's edema and urticaria, allergic rhinitis, etc.

Dermatology

Treatment and prevention of skin diseases; laser destruction – removal of skin tumors (papillomas, warts, nevi, condylomas) without pain and scars.

Cosmetology

Skin rejuvenation procedures. peeling, biocomplementary skin therapy, Viscoderm Skinko rejuvenating complexes, biorevitalization and other procedures

Dermato-oncology

Diagnosis of skin tumors, dermatoscopy. Dermatoscopy and siascopy. Laser radiosurgery, surgical removal of tumors

Otolaryngologist

Treatment of the nasal cavity and its sinuses, larynx and pharynx, structures of the hearing aid, neoplasms of the ENT organs. Treatment of sinusitis without puncture (Yamik catheter)

Laboratory

Biochemical and clinical tests of blood and urine, analysis of hormones, tumor markers, allergy diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, tests for various infections

All the knowledge and experience of competent specialists is at your disposal

In our clinic, we always use only reliable and effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods, recognized in Europe and the USA and tested through special controlled medical studies in many developed countries of the world.

Highly qualified doctors

Including candidates and doctors of science. Only necessary appointments!

Fair price for admission

No extra charges. The cost of the appointment includes not only an examination and medical history, but also the appointment of recommendations.

Non-hospital atmosphere

Individual approach. Attentive, highly qualified doctors, experienced nurses.

A complex approach

Allergist, dermatologist and ENT working together

Allergy treatment

The most accurate diagnosis and modern therapy of allergic diseases, skin diseases and ENT organs in children and adults

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Operation Clean Hands from the University of Michigan

One American primary school teacher, Jaralee Annice Metcalf, shared her experience. Her post went viral, with more than 100 thousand shares in three weeks. So, the teacher wanted to explain to the children that they need to wash their hands. But it was important for her that the children themselves come to this conclusion. The experiment took...

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Children's Department of the National Clinical Clinical Center of Allergology and Immunology

Popular about allergology

Smolkin Yuri Solomonovich

Scientific director, chief consultant and chief physician of the National Clinical Clinical Center of Allergology and Immunology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology of the State Educational Institution IPK FMBA of Russia. Vice-President of the Association of Children's Allergists and Immunologists of Russia.

Reviews about the clinic

Huge gratitude! Previously, before contacting the center, my son was hospitalized 4 times a year by ambulance in hospitals (he has severe allergies), Yuri Solomonovich competently advised us what tests to take, selected the right diet and what measures to take when plants bloom, etc., etc. I really like the professional help for me and both my sons. The procedural nurses do everything competently and painlessly. Everyone at the reception is very polite and responsive.

Acquired allergy

Many people in our country suffer from a variety of allergic reactions.
Very often they doom themselves to unnecessary suffering simply by not knowing how to effectively overcome the body’s allergic reactions. Next, we will consider effective methods of treating this insidious disease. It should be understood that there are two main types of allergies: congenital and acquired. If the first type is genetically determined, that is, inherited from parents or close relatives, then the second type can occur secondarily, from time to time. The cause of an acquired allergic reaction is most often a disruption of the functioning of internal organs.

In congenital allergies, as a rule, the skin, bronchi and nasopharynx are affected. As a rule, this disease occurs in the form of hay fever, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis.

Acquired allergies are often associated with inflammatory bowel syndrome, caused by an excess of opportunistic microflora (streptococci, staphylococci, Klebsiella, etc.) in the intestines.

Very rarely, allergies appear as a result of the absence of special enzymes involved in the digestive process, or the presence of birth defects.

First of all, you need to understand the fact that absolutely all traditional methods of treatment aimed at eliminating allergic reactions are treatment of consequences. Unfortunately, allergy symptoms can even be deadly.

Traditional methods of treatment act quickly enough and relieve a person of all symptoms, but we should not forget that in order to eliminate allergies, it is also necessary to take care of restoring the immune system. Only an integrated approach will solve the problem once and for all.

When the first signs of an allergy appear, it is necessary to contact specialists who, through special tests, will determine what exactly caused such a reaction and select medications that will normalize the patient’s condition.

Traditional medicine offers two main methods used to treat allergies: pathogenetic and symptomatic.

The pathogenetic method is a specific immunotherapy. Such treatment, the meaning of which is to treat what made a person ill, must be carried out under the constant supervision of qualified specialists. Self-medication can end in failure, even death.

The symptomatic method involves taking antihistamines, the action of which is based on blocking the histamine receptor.

As soon as it stops reacting to the allergen, the reaction immediately stops. Such crude and quick intervention can sometimes save a person’s life.

Popular antihistamines: suprastin, diphenhydramine, ketotifen, kestin, claritin, zyrtec, etc.

Portal about immunity and related diseases. Here you will find useful information about symptoms, prevention and methods of correcting immunodeficiency conditions

Allergies are becoming increasingly common among seemingly healthy populations.

In some cases, it proceeds rather sluggishly, expressed only by tears and a seasonal runny nose or sneezing upon contact with an irritant.

In others it can take on fatal forms and even lead to death. Acquired allergies are no less dangerous than congenital ones, and sometimes carry even more serious consequences.

The main symptoms of acquired allergies

Often acquired allergies can manifest themselves with the following symptoms:

unpleasant and regular itching in the nose;
itching sensation in the eyes and eyelids;
tears, redness, inability to look normally, as well as conjunctivitis;
an incomprehensible runny nose that cannot be treated for a week or more;
severe bouts of sneezing;
More serious signs of an acute reaction may include swelling of the hands and face, heavy breathing;
skin rashes that itch.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take tests for immune markers, since some symptoms can be caused by simple stress and overwork.

Allergy diagnosis

Acquired allergies to cats and dogs, as well as other fur-covered pets, are very common. It is inferior only to congenital allergies to certain types of foods - milk, citrus fruits. At any age, allergies can develop to several main components:

Milk contains more than 2 dozen different allergens. By the way, this type of allergic reaction is often congenital. But determining whether an allergy is congenital or acquired is very simple in this case. Few children ever come into contact with milk...

Allergies to animals - dogs and cats - can occur very often, as well as to food products. This usually happens, as in other cases of acquiring allergies, due to weakened immunity, disruption of the intestines and other internal organs. Symptoms can be caused not only by fur, but also by other animal secretions.

Reactions to alcohol are less common, but the consequences can be the most dangerous due to prolonged use of low-quality drinks. Allergy to the sun is more common in pale people, as well as in patients with diabetes, cirrhosis, excess weight, and excessive use of solariums.

Allergies to plants can be the most insidious, since many representatives of the flora are often mixed in one room. However, people do not always pay attention to unpleasant symptoms or take a long time to identify the cause. But it could be the simplest myrtle or another plant that can exude essential oils or pollen.

Treatment of acquired allergies

Often allergies are associated not only with external irritants and physical illnesses, but also with a psychological state. When a person is “out of place”, something constantly dissatisfied him, the body can react in this way to unpleasant conditions.

If an examination was carried out, but no allergies to cats or other factors were identified, then you can contact a psychotherapist. In other cases, a doctor will help you fight allergies. In case of severe symptoms, medications are prescribed, and the allergen is necessarily eliminated from the surrounding area.

Treatment of acquired allergies, which have been and gone, must be carried out diligently and comprehensively. It is this type of reaction of the human body that is often able to return again and again, producing even greater consequences and each time increasing its “strength”.

Very often people suffer from various ailments, but they are indifferent to allergies. Why is that? Many people believe that allergic reactions are not so important, just take a pill and the symptoms will disappear. Is it so?

Acquired allergy, its symptoms

Experts distinguish between two types of allergies: acquired and congenital. It should be clarified that congenital is transmitted genetically if there were people in the family up to the third generation who suffered from this disease. The second type is much more difficult. Acquired allergies tend to return after a certain time, and the reason for this is disruption of the functioning of internal organs.

Most often, allergies occur due to an inflammatory process in the intestines caused by dysbiosis. If you have an allergy, you may experience the following symptoms:

Frequent itching in the nose
Frequent and unexplained bouts of sneezing
A runny nose that lasts more than a week
Itchy eyelids
Eye redness and watery eyes
Difficulty breathing and swelling in the face and hands
Various skin rashes accompanied by itching

Important! If you have symptoms that indicate an allergy, you should immediately consult a doctor to find out exactly what caused the reaction.

By visiting a doctor and passing all the necessary tests, you can hope for the right treatment. The main allergens are:

Cow's milk
Dust
Dog and cat fur
Alcohol
Sun
Various indoor plants

An allergy to cow's milk can occur in both infants and adults. The sensitivity of the immune system to this product increases, thereby causing an allergic reaction.

Important! Milk contains about 25 allergens. In 90% of cases, children under 3 years old suffer from a reaction to milk.

Dust allergies are one of the most common. Dust settles on almost all household items in the room. Therefore, anything can cause an allergy.

Allergies to dog and cat fur are also very common. Dogs and cats are quite powerful allergens for humans. Allergies can be caused not only by fur, but also by saliva, possibly even dead skin cells.

Alcohol allergies are rare, but the consequences can be fatal. It appears in people who drink low-quality alcoholic drinks for a long time, which use additives, flavors and colorings.

Allergy to the sun occurs most often in people with fair skin, those with diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, those who are overweight, and in people who often visit solariums.

Allergies to indoor plants are quite common, since many people, creating an atmosphere of nature in their home, do not pay attention to the body’s reaction to these plants. The cause of allergies is pollen, which is carried in the air during the flowering period.

Important! These are the most striking and common examples of acquired allergies. The human body can react to anything if the immune system is weakened and there are problems with the intestines.

Treatment and prevention

Allergies need to be dealt with immediately after they are discovered. There are many medications that relieve symptoms within minutes. However, in order for it to work well, you should trust the doctor’s prescriptions. In addition, you need to adhere to some rules that will help reduce the impact of allergens on the body:

The living space (apartment, house) must be clean
Ventilate rooms several times a day
Carry out wet cleaning daily
Clean carpets and sofas from animal hair (if any)
Avoid spices, spicy foods, partly meat and dishes that contain a lot of dyes

If you have a food allergy, you need to reduce your consumption of seafood (crabs, crayfish, squid), cow's milk, and sea fish (pike perch, cod). And also give up citrus fruits (orange, lemon, tangerine), nuts, chocolate and legumes.

Acquired allergies can be easily treated; you only need to contact an allergist and immunologist for help after the first symptoms.

12/17/2016 An important food product is milk. This product is especially important for children and young […]

Source: https://stop-allergies.ru/priobretennaya-allergiya/

What does an Allergist do?

An allergist is engaged in identifying specific allergens that cause certain forms of allergies, conducts research to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment - both specific (immunotherapy) and nonspecific (use of medications, physiotherapy, etc.). The allergist gives recommendations on preventive treatment for allergies, describes the diet, prohibited and permitted foods in a certain season, and rules of conduct to reduce the risk of relapse.

What diseases do people consult an allergist for?

seasonal diseases in the form of allergic rhinitis, hay fever, conjunctivitis, asthma attacks resulting from contact with pollen (pollen from trees - birch, alder, oak, maple, pollen from grasses - timothy, fescue, ragweed, wormwood, etc.);
year-round allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis, provoked by contact with book and house dust, house dust mites, animal hair, bird feathers;
bronchial asthma;
allergic reactions to food products (milk, fish, eggs, fruits, nuts, seafood);
allergies to medications;
allergic reactions to insect bites;
atopic dermatitis;
allergic reactions with attacks of difficulty breathing and suffocation and prolonged cough.
cold allergy or cold urticaria is an allergic reaction of the body caused by cold (cold air or water). It usually appears on exposed parts of the body, as with other types of allergies - swelling, dilation of blood vessels, redness of the skin, itching, rashes like urticaria.

In most cases, an allergist is consulted when there is damage to the respiratory or digestive system, skin, or mucous membranes (nose, eyes, tongue). It is necessary to consult a doctor not only in the case of the primary development of allergic reactions with the presence of acute manifestations, but also in the case of long-term allergies. The doctor will conduct allergy tests, identify the allergen, prescribe therapy to remove it from the body, immunotherapy (forming insensitivity to the allergen), and correct the body’s reaction, which will help avoid exacerbations and attacks during the exacerbation season.

What symptoms should you contact an allergist for:

skin rashes after eating, taking medications, or when any plants bloom;
attacks of suffocation upon contact with various substances, dry cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing;
redness, itching, burning of the eyes upon contact with pollen, dust;
runny nose upon contact with allergens;
digestive disorders, especially in combination with skin or other manifestations, when taking certain products;
swelling on the face, neck, body upon contact with certain substances.

You can contact an allergist without current complaints, to treat and prevent seasonal exacerbations of various types of allergies, to develop methods for preventing exacerbations of asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis. Outside the acute stage, the doctor can conduct a series of studies to identify causally significant allergens and, based on these data, develop a course of preventive treatment and diet.

Allergy diagnosis

dust;
milk;
wool;
alcohol;
antibiotics;
Sun;
plants.

Allergies to animals - dogs and cats - can occur very often, as well as to food products. This usually happens, as in other cases of acquiring allergies, due to weakened immunity, disruption of the intestines and other internal organs. Symptoms can be caused not only by fur, but also by other animal secretions.

For you: Features and diagnosis of post-vaccination allergies

Why do you need to get tested? What do they show?

In his work, an allergist uses data from laboratory tests, since it is impossible to accurately establish a diagnosis only on the basis of complaints and manifestations.

Clinical manifestations may be similar to inflammatory processes, infectious diseases and toxic reactions. Meanwhile, an allergy is a “failure” in the immune system, an inadequate strong reaction to substances familiar to the body.

There are several types of allergic reactions - immediate, delayed, and pseudo-allergic. These manifestations may have similar external manifestations, but the essence of their treatment will be completely different. In order to accurately identify the type of allergic reaction and choose the right treatment, the allergist, in addition to general tests, sometimes has to prescribe some specific tests for each type of pathology:

immunogram identifying various types of disorders in the immune system;
analysis of stool for the degree of digestion, the presence of changes in the microbial flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics;
bacterial culture and PCR diagnostics, serological studies to exclude viral, microbial and fungal infections, including hidden ones;
determination of the level of specific immunoglobulins for suspected allergens by blood serum analysis, the analysis is carried out for different panels of allergens (pollen, epidermal, household, food, fungal);
conducting allergy tests with food allergens using panels of the most common substances, etc.

Symptoms

Symptoms of allergic reactions are quite individual and depend on the route of entry of the allergen and the severity of the body's reaction. The most common ones include:

Redness of the eyes;
Tearing;
Nasal congestion;
Excessive discharge of mucus from the nose (rhinorrhea);
Dyspnea;
Attacks of suffocation;
Episodes of bronchospasm;
Congestion in the ears;
Rash and itching on the skin of various types and locations.

Treatment of allergies in sanatoriums

Unfavorable ecology, a high content of allergens in food, cosmetics, and household chemicals lead to the fact that the prevalence of allergic diseases is constantly increasing.

Allergens are found everywhere:

in plant pollen (bird cherry, poplar, ragweed, wormwood, etc.);
in wool, feathers, down of domestic animals, as well as in their food;
in cosmetics, perfumes;
in household chemicals, disinfectants;
in food products (chocolate, honey, nuts, milk, chicken);
in house dust;
in medicines.

Indications for allergy treatment in sanatoriums include atopic dermatitis, eczema, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, hay fever, urticaria, bronchial asthma, as well as a history of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock.

Components used for the complex treatment of allergic diseases in the sanatorium:

hypoallergenic food;
climatotherapy;
treatment in salt mines, pressure chambers;
blood laser, plasmapheresis;
physiotherapeutic procedures (magnetic therapy, ultraviolet radiation in suberythemal doses).

Vacationers recommend

Features of treatment of acquired allergies

An allergic reaction develops in response to the body’s interaction with a provoking factor, an allergen. It can be absolutely any substance. However, the entry of even a very aggressive agent into the body of a healthy person does not cause the development of an allergic reaction.

In order for it to start, sensitization of the body is necessary.

Despite the widespread prevalence of the disease, the causes of allergies are very little studied. Conventionally, a distinction is made between its congenital and acquired forms. Congenital allergies are spoken of when a genetic factor in its development is clearly visible.

The presence of allergies in one of the parents means that 40% of children may suffer from this pathology. If both parents suffer from this disease, then up to 80% of patients may be allergic. In order to more effectively combat acquired allergies, it is necessary to find out the reasons for its development.

Factors contributing to the development of acquired allergies

Factors that most often predispose to the development of acquired allergies:

existing concomitant pathology from other organs and systems, especially from the gastrointestinal tract;
use in everyday life of a large number of chemically synthesized products (detergents, aerosols, fragrances, varnishes, etc.);
consumption of foods with non-natural ingredients in the diet, such as dyes, flavor enhancers, preservatives;
professional activity in chemical and pharmaceutical production;
dustiness of cities.

In some cases, the patient develops an allergic reaction already at the first encounter with the allergen, in others, a response occurs after some time, when the concentration of the allergen in the body reaches a certain value.

Thus, it is quite difficult to find out whether an allergy is acquired, or whether the mechanisms of its development were laid down at birth.

Allergy is an individual disease. People react differently to the same allergen. In some it causes the development of hay fever, in others - urticaria. For acquired allergies, the most typical form is food, medicinal, although pollen is also very widespread.

Principles of allergy treatment

The principles of treatment for acquired allergies are the same as for the congenital form and include the following:

Elimination of allergen;
Prescribing medications;
Conducting specific immunotherapy;
Preventive actions.

Once the allergen is identified, the most effective treatment is to eliminate it. If we are talking about a food product, medicine, household chemicals or pet hair, then these measures are quite realistic.

It is much more difficult in the case of pollen allergies, when it is not possible to carry out climatotherapy, that is, change your place of residence.

In these cases, the only effective way to help the patient is to prescribe medications.

Among the drugs used in the treatment of any type of allergy, antihistamines come to the fore. These can be tablets such as

cetrin,
loratadine,
zyrtec,
suprastin.

With the development of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, eye or nasal drops Allergodil, Histimet are used. Fenistil gel is used to treat skin manifestations.

In severe cases of the disease, they resort to prescribing corticosteroid drugs. Due to quite serious side effects, they try to prescribe them in short courses.

However, topical corticosteroids beclomethasone and fluticasone are used quite widely, since they do not have such disadvantages and are quite effective, especially for pollen allergies. Lokoid and Triderm ointments are used as preparations for external treatment.

In case of food allergies, the use of sorbents, medicines that attract harmful substances and immune complexes circulating in the body with their surface has become of great importance. Enterosgel, Polysorb, activated carbon are drugs that can quickly improve the patient’s condition with this form of allergy.

The most effective method in the fight against allergies today is specific immunotherapy. It consists of taking small doses of the allergen for a long time, thus developing the body’s addiction.

Its most important disadvantage is the duration of treatment from 3 to 5 years and the impossibility of such treatment during an exacerbation, so as not to cause an even greater deterioration in well-being.

Complete treatment of acquired allergies is impossible without preventive measures. Based on the factors leading to the development of this type of allergy, they should include the following:

Following a hypoallergenic diet;
Sanitation of foci of chronic infection;
Treatment of concomitant pathologies;
Carrying out general strengthening activities.

Compliance with these requirements will help avoid the development of an allergic reaction, as well as reduce the number and duration of exacerbations of the disease.

It is easier for a person with a strong immune system and no serious concomitant pathology to resist the action of an allergen.

Allergy treatment is a long process. However, the joint efforts of the patient and the allergist will certainly lead to results in the fight against this disease.

Gaevaya Natalya

Sources: medscape.com, mdlinx.com, health.harvard.edu.

How the body can react to the vaccine.

As a result, a similar disease occurs.

Differences between immediate and delayed type allergies.

Symptoms and treatment of accumulative allergies.

Source: https://roddom32.ru/zabolevaniya/vidy/priobretennaya.html

Allergies: treatment in a sanatorium – prices 2020

In children, the use of allergen specific therapy (ASIT) is effective. This is a treatment method where the child is given antigens that cause sensitization. The mechanism of action of the method is based on changing the type of reaction of the body to the allergen. The effect of ASIT lasts for several years.

Treatment in a specialized sanatorium involves revising your lifestyle and developing skills aimed at reducing allergic manifestations. This includes giving up bad habits, excluding allergic foods from the diet, carrying out frequent wet cleaning, using hypoallergenic cosmetics, using a humidifier at home, and using a protective mask when in contact with an allergen.

Vacationers are explained how to prevent an allergy attack and relieve an attack that has already developed on their own at home. Allergy patients are recommended to undergo preventive treatment in a specialized sanatorium 1-2 times a year. This will help reduce the frequency of exacerbations of allergic diseases, increase the duration of remission, and ease the course of attacks.

ALLERGY.RF

Brief information about food allergies

More than 500 million people on the planet suffer from allergy to some food product. Food allergies are estimated to affect 4 to 6 percent of children and at least 4 percent of adults. This is a very serious indicator that is difficult to ignore. Food allergies are most common in infants and children, but they can occur at any age. Allergies can develop even to foods that you have consumed for many years. And after a while, she will present you with an unpleasant surprise.

Symptoms of food allergies. Our body's immune system keeps us healthy and fights external infections. However, sometimes, unfortunately, she is mistaken and takes for danger something that in fact is not a danger. Accordingly, food allergies occur in cases where our body’s immune system recognizes food as dangerous.

The complex mechanisms of the immune response are not fully understood. However, with the highest degree of probability it can be assumed that if someone in your family suffers from food allergies, other family members (relatives by blood) are also susceptible to allergies to the same foods.

Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe. It is important to remember that the body’s reaction to the same foods is not always the same. In some cases, allergies can manifest themselves very easily. In others, it will manifest itself in a much more severe form.

The most severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis , is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can impair breathing, cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, and affect the heart rate. Anaphylaxis can begin to develop literally within a few minutes after contact with an allergen contained in food. If you suspect that you or your loved ones are developing anaphylaxis, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Allergies can be caused by any food. But 90 percent of all allergic reactions are caused by just eight types of food:

Eggs;
Milk;
Peanut;
Hazelnuts;
Fish;
Shellfish;
Wheat;
Soy.

Sesame seeds and some of the mustard seeds (the main ingredient in mustard) can also cause food allergies and are considered the most common allergen in some countries.

Food allergies can appear on the skin, stomach and intestines, and can affect the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract. The most obvious signs of a food allergy:

Vomiting and/or stomach cramps;
Hives;
Shortness of breath;
Wheezing;
Continuous cough;
Fainting or vascular insufficiency;
Consolidation and swelling of the larynx, problems with swallowing, wheezing;
swelling of the tongue, affecting the ability to speak or breathe;
Weak pulse;
Pale or blue skin color;
Dizziness or feeling weak.
Anaphylaxis , a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and cause fainting.

Most food allergy symptoms appear within a couple of hours after eating. In some cases, food allergies begin almost immediately within minutes. And very rarely, allergies can appear after four to six hours or more. Delayed food allergies occur in some children who develop eczema during this time. Sometimes delayed allergies occur in people with a rare red meat allergy caused by the bite of the Ixodid tick (Amblyomma).

Another type of delayed food allergy is associated with food protein-induced gastrointestinal enterocolitis syndrome. This is a severe reaction that occurs two to six hours after consuming milk, soy, some grains, and some other foods. This allergy most often occurs in babies who are exposed to these foods for the first time.

Food allergies are not always a death sentence. It is not at all necessary to give up the idea of eating foods that you like, but which cause allergy symptoms. Some people experience itching in the mouth and throat after eating raw fruits or vegetables. This may indicate an allergy to pollen, not the food itself. The fact is that the immune system recognizes pollen as an antigen and directs an allergic reaction to it. But the allergen can be destroyed by heating. Therefore, if you treat fruits or vegetables with boiling water (don’t boil them, just pour them over with boiling water from a kettle), this can be a solution to the problem.

Allergic Triggers Once a food allergy has been diagnosed, the most effective treatment is, of course, to eliminate offending foods from the diet. The most common foods that cause allergies in children are:

Milk;
Eggs;
Peanut

As children get older, they may outgrow their allergic reactions to milk and eggs. The peanut or tree nut allergy will likely persist.

The most common food allergens in adults are:

Fruit and vegetable pollen (oral allergy syndrome, which can be combated by pouring boiling water over fruits and vegetables);
Peanuts and tree nuts;
Fish and seafood

People who are allergic to a certain type of food may also be allergic to similar foods. For example, an allergy to shrimp can occur when eating crab or lobster. An allergy to peanuts, which is not actually a nut and is a legume, can occur when legumes are consumed. Tree nut allergies can occur when eating almonds, walnuts and cashews.

It is imperative to study the patterns of cross food allergies in each specific case. An allergist will help you cope with this task. It is very difficult to independently understand whether you have cross-reactions to food products. But if you, together with an allergist, find out the patterns of food allergies that affect you personally, then you can safely eat those foods that your immune system will not accept as hostile.

Diagnosing Food Allergies Food allergies typically cause some kind of reaction every time the allergen is consumed. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and even the same person will experience the same symptoms. Allergic reactions to food can affect the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. It is impossible to predict how severe the next reaction may be. Every patient with a food allergy should be carefully assessed for the risk of developing anaphylaxis.

Although food allergies can develop at any age, they are most common in children. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, make an appointment with an allergist. It will help determine whether your child actually has a food allergy or something else.

It will be a little easier for your allergist to make a diagnosis if you can correctly answer a series of questions about your medical history and symptoms:

What and how much you (or your child) ate before the allergy appeared;
How long it took for symptoms to develop;
What symptoms did you (or your child) experience and how long did they last?

After the conversation, the allergist can prescribe skin tests and a blood test, which will show whether specific immunoglobulins E (antibodies to allergens present on certain products) are present in your skin. Skin allergy tests are done for no more than 20 minutes. A liquid containing a small amount of the food allergen is placed on the skin of the arm or back. Your skin is pierced with a small, sterile probe, allowing fluid to penetrate under the skin. It doesn't hurt, but it may be uncomfortable. The test is considered positive if blisters (resembling a bump from a mosquito bite) develop at the site where the allergen was placed. As a control, you will also receive a shot of a liquid that does not contain the allergen (placebo). Blood tests are less accurate than skin tests. They measure the amount of IgE antibodies to a specific food. Results are usually ready within a week.

An allergist uses the results to make a diagnosis. However, positive tests, in fact, do not always confirm the presence of allergies. Research needs to be continued further. But negative tests make it possible to exclude one or another type of allergy. Be patient. After complete research, you will be able to eat your favorite foods without fear and in any quantity.

The Village Guide 19 myths about allergies - and debunking them

And also a list of medications that don't work

People still believe in allergies to sweets, vitamins, poplar fluff, gluten and lactose, and also in Suprastin, which was invented almost 70 years ago, as the most effective medicine. Especially for The Village, medical journalist Daniil Davydov and allergist-immunologist Olga Zhogoleva sorted out all the fictions and myths about allergies. But you don’t need to believe them - we provide all the necessary links to international research.

Text: Daniil Davydov, Kirill Rukov

Quick jump to myths

Allergy sufferers often get sick because they have weak immunity.

It is not true. Resistance to real infections in an allergic person may be the same as in ordinary people - allergies and anti-infective protection are not directly related.

The immune system of allergy sufferers is not weak - it is simply not properly trained. It’s more logical to compare allergies to shooting sparrows from a cannon: the immune system really makes mistakes (more details in the footnote on the left), but this does not mean that it will not resist real diseases poorly.

How does an allergic reaction occur?

Classic allergies are similar to “friend fire” in the army - friendly fire

read scientific explanation

The gunners are T-lymphocytes. Usually their task is to see and recognize the enemy (for example, harmful bacteria and viruses), but in case of allergies, these lymphocytes are mistaken and also declare civilians - harmless proteins - as targets. Now these proteins are also enemies, allergens for them. T-lymphocytes transmit information about new enemies to their fellow snipers, and they put a black mark on the allergen - IgE (immunoglobulin-E). It attaches to harmless particles on one side, and on the other clings to “bombers” - special “mast cells” in our skin and mucous membranes. They are called this because there are many different active chemicals inside these cells. Having seen an allergen, they carpet bomb the entire city - they release the substance histamine, which usually causes a cascade of reactions in the tissues, such as itching, swelling and rash. The same thing normally happens with histamine when you have a cold, but with allergies this reaction is precisely a mistake.

Allergy sufferers are only born

Nothing like this. For example, food allergy symptoms can appear at any age and occur for the first time in about 4% of adults. Moreover, an allergy can also develop to those foods that you have eaten without problems for years (for example, if you are allergic to birch, a person may eventually develop an allergy to apples and nuts).

Allergy itself has a genetic predisposition. It’s just that such a predisposition may or may not manifest itself (this is studied by the science of epigenetics). If your parents had allergies, you are more likely to get the disease. But allergies can start even if all your relatives are healthy.

There are already fourth and fifth generations of drugs,

but Suprastin is still the best medicine

To begin with, there are only two generations of anti-allergy medications, antihistamines, that can relieve acute symptoms. The other generations are a marketing ploy.

To make it more convenient, we have divided the drugs into subgroups - the same active substance may have different trade names, even if there is no fundamental difference between these drugs:

First generation

Causes severe drowsiness, many side effects

see list of medications

Medicine in a pharmacy

Chloropyramine

Diphenhydramine

Clemastine

Mebhydrolin

Dimetindene*

*Dimetindene is an exception; it does not cause a significant sedative effect

These are the very first drugs (30-40s of synthesis), thanks to which humanity learned to control the hormone histamine - the main allergic bouncer that causes swelling, itching, rash, lacrimation and other striking symptoms. All first-generation drugs are still used in Russia, but experts abroad use them less and less, precisely because of side effects. “Tavegil” and “Suprastin” are one of the few antihistamines that are produced in injection form, so ambulances always carry ampoules with them.

The main problem with the first generation of drugs is that they penetrate the brain, causing severe drowsiness (or sedation). Diphenhydramine has even become notorious as a legal drug among teenagers. They can also inhibit the respiratory center in the brain (in very severe cases this can even cause respiratory arrest - sleep apnea), reduce concentration, thicken mucus in the bronchi (therefore the first generation of drugs is contraindicated in bronchial asthma), worsen the quality of sleep, reducing called the REM phase (as a result, a person does not get enough sleep).

Separately about “Suprastin”: this is a very old Hungarian drug, the leader in popularity in Russia to this day. The active ingredient is chloropyramine. It also causes severe drowsiness, and it should not be taken by asthmatics because of the risk of thickening the mucus in the bronchi. At the same time, for 70 years, Suprastin has not been approved for sale in the United States, and the WHO does not mention it in its recommendations. Pharmaceuticals in Russia are similar to memes or catchphrases from Soviet films - the popularity of drugs depends on how often they are quoted and what families are used to treating. Therefore, The Village compared the popularity of anti-allergy products in Russia by the frequency of search queries on Google. It turned out that “Suprastin” is searched almost only in the countries of the former USSR. All over the world, its place has long been taken by antihistamines of the next, second generation.

Everything you need to know about allergies

Allergy is a specific protective reaction of the body, which differs from the normal reaction in the severity of its manifestations, developing in response to the entry into the body of irritants to which it is hypersensitive.

Allergies can be caused by food products, pollen (the proteins and other structures it contains), mites, dust, and exposure to household chemicals. When an allergic reaction develops, many body functions are disrupted, which significantly reduces a person’s quality of life.

An allergic reaction, depending on the time of occurrence of manifestations, can be seasonal or year-round.

Seasonal is an allergy that develops during a certain period of the year, which usually coincides with the flowering of certain plant species to which an individual is hypersensitive.

Thus, with seasonal allergies, the allergen circulates in the air only during a certain period of time. Taking these features into account, here are some tips to avoid or reduce the manifestations of an allergic reaction.

Tip #1

: to reduce the severity of allergies to flowering, it is necessary to check the periods of vital activity of certain plants and prepare in advance for the peak concentration of irritating agents in the air. For the convenience of people suffering from allergies, many websites have been created that reflect the flowering schedules of trees, weeds, as well as the degree of increase in the concentration of their pollen in the air depending on weather conditions. For example, on average, birch dusting lasts about 20 days1, with peak dusting occurring on days 3-4. Weather conditions also affect the duration of pollen stay in the environment - frequent rains increase the pollen period, drought - reduces it.

Tip #2

: during the period of active flowering of significant allergens, it is necessary to reduce the time spent outdoors; it is best to cancel ventilation indoors for this period in order to avoid the entry of flying pollen into the premises. In this situation, air conditioners are set to recirculation mode; it is necessary to change their filters more frequently than in a normal season and thoroughly clean them. When visiting the street, it is recommended to use a medical mask, not forgetting that changing it regularly (every 3-4 hours) allows for more thorough barrier protection. Indoors, more frequent wet cleaning will help remove infiltrated allergens in a timely manner. After visiting the street, you can resort to washing to reduce the risk of developing an allergic reaction to the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, mechanically removing allergens from the skin.

Tip #3

: to reduce the volatility of pollen, you can resort to humidifying the air in the room with special devices (air humidifiers, some of which have the function of purifying the air from particles circulating in it) or simply placing vessels with water around the room, hanging wet fabrics. NB! However, this advice is not relevant in cases of allergy to domestic mites.

Tip #4

: take care in advance about purchasing and taking antihistamines that ease the course of an allergic reaction, which are included in the treatment regimen for allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis2. Give preference to those drugs that do not cause drowsiness and do not affect your usual lifestyle. In order not to forget about taking the medicine, choose one that has a single dose and the effect lasts a day, which will significantly simplify compliance with the doctor’s prescriptions.

An allergy is a year-round allergy, the symptoms of which can develop at any time of the year. It develops indoors and is caused by house dust mites, animal hair, and mold fungi. To help properly organize the life of a person with year-round allergies, we offer some tips:

Tip #1

: in a room where a person with year-round allergies is located, it is necessary to regularly carry out ventilation and wet cleaning, avoid the use of carpets and wool products.

Tip #2:

We must not forget that the allergen lies not only in the fur itself and the sebaceous glands of the pet, but is also contained in the saliva with which the pet actively lubricates the fur during frequent cleaning of the skin. If you have a pet that is the source of an allergic reaction, it is recommended to stop contact with it; places where he frequently stays must be thoroughly cleaned with detergents at least once a week; carry out wet cleaning daily; Clean carpets in contact with animals weekly. If it is not possible to completely stop contact with the allergy-causing organism, then daily bathing of the animal and thorough cleansing of its fur is recommended.

Tip #3

: use of air purifiers and steam evaporators, refusal to clean with a vacuum cleaner, as the latter can provoke the spread of fine suspended allergens in the room.

Tip #4

: in cases of allergies to house dust, in addition to regular frequent wet cleaning of the premises, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations: it is advisable to choose upholstered furniture with a coating that is easy to clean, or purchase removable furniture covers that ensure regular washing. Pillows, blankets, poufs should be stuffed with synthetic materials: holofiber, padding polyester, foam rubber, fibertech, whose structure makes it much easier to care for these products. For example, holofiber can be washed in a washing machine without consequences or damage to the product. Books must be stored in closed cabinets; they must be cleaned wet weekly

Tip #5

: refuse carpets with thick pile, heavy curtains, if this is not possible, give preference to products made from synthetic materials. Avoid having carpets and curtains in the bedroom. Currently, there are many objects for window decoration using materials that minimally accumulate dust - for example, Roman blinds. It is recommended to change mattresses and pillows every 1-2 years.