Allergies disease

Allergies are health disorders in the form of immune system abnormalities. This condition is characterized by the excessive immune system reaction when exposed to certain substances from outside the body, which is actually not a harmful substance.

Allergies can occur due to various substances. The reaction of the body to allergies is also varied. The reaction can occur in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, skin, or other body parts. Allergies generally appear since childhood. But it is not uncommon for new allergic symptoms to emerge as adults.

Causes of allergies

Allergies are triggered by one type of antibodies in the body, called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Under normal circumstances, the antibodies play a role against an outside substance that can harm the body. But in allergy sufferers, IgE is also activated when exposed to substances that do not harm the body, such as cold air, eggs, nuts, and so on.

The mechanism that causes the hyperactivity of IgE is not known for sure. However, some of the following may cause a person to be more susceptible to allergies:

Have a history of allergic or asthma diseases in the family
Have asthma
Less exposed to sunlight
Born through Caesarean section

Allergies can occur due to any substance. However, some of the most common substances causing allergies are egg whites, marine fish, cow's milk, nuts, gluten (usually found in wheat flour), house dust mites, nuts, and latex materials.

Allergic Diagnosis

To ensure an allergic presence, the doctor will conduct a complete and thorough medical interview on the symptoms experienced, how often the symptoms occur, and the exposure experienced shortly before experiencing the symptoms. There will also be a physical examination to determine the form of allergies that occur.

To find out which substances cause allergies, a good and simple way is to observe allergic sufferers about sundries when symptoms occur. For example, if a person is always experiencing an in the skin after eating eggs, or swelling in the eyes after eating goat meat, then eggs and goat meat are substances that can trigger allergies in the person.

In addition to observation, there are several types of examination to know the substance of allergic agents, namely:

Specific IgE examination by taking blood samples.
The skin adequate test is done by a small part of the skin and exposes it to substances that are suspected to trigger allergies.
A patch test, performed by attaching substances suspected to cause allergies to the skin.

Allergy Symptoms

Allergic symptoms vary greatly. Symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Generally, symptoms arise depending on exposure to the allergic trigger substance.

If a person has an allergy to dust or flower pollen, the allergic symptoms are usually impaired by the respiratory tract. Some of the symptoms that arise include colds, nasal congestion, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, or unhealed cough.

Allergic symptoms can also be seen in the skin, which can be itchy skin, peeling or popping spots in the skin. Meanwhile, when allergies are caused by certain types of food, generally symptoms arise in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms can be vomiting, swollen tongue, swollen lips, Baal-felt lips, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or bloody bowel movements.

If allergies are triggered by insect bites, the symptoms that arise are swollen and flushed skin bumps in the skin, and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, or blood pressure down suddenly.

Allergic reactions can also be very severe and life-threatening. This condition is called anaphylactic. Anaphylaxis can occur a few minutes after exposure to certain substances, or several hours after exposure.

Anaphylaxis initially characterized by itching and heat in the whole body, lips or around swollen eyes, the tongue feels Baal and swelling, cough, and arsenal sound. Then followed by shortness of breath, decreased consciousness, and blood pressure to be very low. If not treated immediately, anaphylaxis can lead to death.

Allergy Treatment

The best way to cope with allergies is to avoid substances that cause allergies. For example, if someone is peanut allergy, then the person should not consume food containing nuts at all.

But sometimes, avoiding allergic trigger substances is not possible. For example, if someone is allergic to dust or flower powder. If allergic causes are difficult to control or inevitable, then there are medications that can be used to relieve allergic reactions. The drug is like antihistamines, decongestants, or corticosteroids.

In severe allergic conditions, treatment with immunotherapy is possible. Immunotherapy is a treatment by rehabilitating the immune system so as not to be overly sensitive to foreign substances that actually do not harm the body.

If an allergy occurs in the form of anaphylaxis, then a person needs to get an injection of 1:1000 adrenaline-filled drug as soon as possible and needs to be handled in the hospital