AllergyAllergy is caused by an improper reaction Allergy is caused by an improper reaction

of our immune system to certain factors.of our immune system to certain factors.

There are two basic types of hypersensitiveness:There are two basic types of hypersensitiveness:-early type (which develops after a few minutes -early type (which develops after a few minutes when you come into contact with an allergen)when you come into contact with an allergen)

-late type (which becomes visible after one or two -late type (which becomes visible after one or two days when you come into contact with an days when you come into contact with an

allergen).allergen).

Allergies have genetic background, they Allergies have genetic background, they often run in families. If both parents are allergic to often run in families. If both parents are allergic to

something, there is a 65% possibility that their something, there is a 65% possibility that their children will be allergic as well.children will be allergic as well.

Types of Types of allergies:allergies: food allergy

inhalator allergy

injection allergy

contact allergy

FFood allergyood allergy

People who are allergic to food products have to know which ofPeople who are allergic to food products have to know which of tthem they should cut outhem they should cut out from their diet and still how to follow a sensiblefrom their diet and still how to follow a sensible diet.diet.

Allergic symptoms:Allergic symptoms:–on the skin: rash, itching and swelling of the face ( especially lips),on the skin: rash, itching and swelling of the face ( especially lips),–from the digestive system: itching of your mouth, nausea, vomiting, from the digestive system: itching of your mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomachstomach upsets, diarrhea,upsets, diarrhea,–from the breathing system difficulties in breathing, asthma fits.from the breathing system difficulties in breathing, asthma fits.

Allergies are quite common, 25% of people are allergic. Every ten Allergies are quite common, 25% of people are allergic. Every ten years twice as many peopleyears twice as many people become allergic and the list of allergens is become allergic and the list of allergens is getting longer.getting longer.

What are we allergic to?

• eggs (especially their whites)eggs (especially their whites)• cows milk (this type of allergy is popular with small cows milk (this type of allergy is popular with small

babies)babies)• ppeanutseanuts• soya beaussoya beaus• fruit (strawberries, apples, peaches and citrus fruit)fruit (strawberries, apples, peaches and citrus fruit)• vegetables (carrot, celery)vegetables (carrot, celery)• spices (laurel leaves)spices (laurel leaves)• fish and shellfishfish and shellfish• pulsespulses• ffood toxinsood toxins ( (contamination of foodcontamination of food, , food additives and food additives and

preservativespreservatives))

Allergens included in food Allergens included in food substances and some pollen are substances and some pollen are

similar to each other. That is why a similar to each other. That is why a patient allergic to certain pollen can patient allergic to certain pollen can

develop an allergic reaction after develop an allergic reaction after eating some food products, not related eating some food products, not related

to the plant that he is allergic to.to the plant that he is allergic to.

DIAGNOSTIC TEST:

Diagnostic test:Diagnostic test:-the antigen is put on the shoulder or the back of thethe antigen is put on the shoulder or the back of the

patientpatient (the skin must be grazed before it),(the skin must be grazed before it),-injection of the solution.injection of the solution.

The result of the test is checked afterThe result of the test is checked after 15 15 minutes.minutes.

Checking the level of IgE : in allergic diseases the Checking the level of IgE : in allergic diseases the concentration of IgE in the blood serum rises.concentration of IgE in the blood serum rises.

TreatmentTreatment

The best method of treatment is to avoidThe best method of treatment is to avoid allergens. It is allergens. It is not always possible so it isnot always possible so it is sometimes necessary to use sometimes necessary to use pharmacotherapy.pharmacotherapy. Some patients must under go Some patients must under go immunotherapy.immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy: the rule of this therapy is toImmunotherapy: the rule of this therapy is to give the patient a give the patient a dose of the antigen which isdose of the antigen which is bigger and bigger every time.bigger and bigger every time.PPharmacotherapy: it is purpose to softenharmacotherapy: it is purpose to soften allergic symptoms.allergic symptoms.