The human body has an amazing capacity to defend itself against harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, etc. The feat is accomplished primarily by an elaborate defense system (the Immune System). It seeks out and destroys the invaders by rallying its defenses that include many chemicals and other cellular products. Sometimes the defense system makes a mistake and begins to fight harmless substances like pollens, cat or dog dander, etc. When those substances come in contact with our eyes, nose, lungs or skin, a misdirected defense system is activated. And in the process, a lot of chemicals (like the widely known histamine) are produced causing the vexing symptoms of allergic diseases. In a nutshell, during an ALLERGIC DISEASE process, our immune system fights extra hard against an enemy that does not exist and our body becomes the unwilling battleground.
Hundreds of ordinary substances can trigger an allergic reaction. However, the most common and important triggers are pollens (from trees, grasses and weeds), household dust, molds, pets and foods. Other triggers include medicines and insect stings. In medical language these triggers are called “ALLERGENS”. When the allergens are inhaled, ingested or come in contact with the skin, the immune system fights to stave them off. That is why allergic reactions commonly affect the nose/sinuses, eyes, lungs, stomach (gastro-intestinal tract) and skin. However, it should be remembered that allergies can affect any part of the body and sometimes can affect the whole body in severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.
Hay Fever or Allergic Rhinitis is the most common allergic disease. This affects the nose, sinuses, eyes and ears. Symptoms include congestion, itching, sneezing, runny nose, etc. When caused by pollens, hay fever can show a seasonal pattern. Year round hay fever is usually caused by house dust, household pets and indoor molds. Asthma occurs when an allergic reaction occurs in the air tubes (bronchi). Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and cough. It is a serious disease and can be life threatening. Allergies may also cause various kinds of skin reactions like eczema, hives, and skin rash. Most common causes of skin allergies include foods, medications, and insect stings.
Anaphylaxis is less common, but very serious and potentially fatal. In anaphylaxis, multiple body systems are affected at the same time. Most common triggers are foods (such as peanuts), medications (such as penicillin), and insect stings (such as bee sting).
If you are experiencing allergies or allergic reactions such as asthma symptoms, hay fever, a persistent cough, eczema, or chronic or recurrent sinusitis, you should make an appointment with an allergist. Allergists are physicians who have completed training in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. Following that training, Allergists participate in 2-3 years of intensive training to learn more about allergic diseases. They are trained to properly interpret the history and test results for making proper diagnosis of allergic diseases and are experts in providing allergen immunotherapy (Allergy injections).
To learn more about allergy and asthma, call 573-629-3450.
By: Mohammad Aktaruzzaman, M.D.
Hannibal Regional Medical Group