Allergy is a highly aberrant immune system response to non-harmful chemicals (allergens) in our environment. Our immune system produces a variety of responses in order to protect our bodies against alien and hazardous chemicals that enter our bodies through the mouth, nose, and skin. Immune system cells use these responses to remove dangerous chemicals or prevent them from entering the body. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are not ordinarily harmful to the body.

While skin and blood tests are used for diagnosis, immunotherapy (allergy vaccine treatment) subcutaneous (subcutaneous injection) sublingual (sublingual vaccination) is utilized on qualified patients in addition to preventive measures and drugs in treatment.

There could be a genetic component

Antigens are substances that cause the body to produce specific antibodies against itself. If this antigen causes an allergic reaction, it is referred to as an allergen. Allergens are typically harmless compounds for most people, but they induce allergic disorders in persons who are atopic, or predisposed to developing allergies. Allergic illnesses are chronic diseases caused by a mix of genetic susceptibility and environmental variables. They are not transmitted from person to person and are not diseased. The combination of genetic predisposition and environmental allergen causes the body to initially develop sensitivity. Because of this sensitivity, the immune system secretes an antibody known as IgE. This antibody travels through the bloodstream and binds to immune system cells. If the allergen re-enters the body, it promptly recognizes it and produces a violent reaction. Thousands of chemicals released by the immune system during this reaction cause an excessively strong allergic response in the organ affected by the allergen.

The most often encountered allergens   

• Grass and tree pollens

• House dust mites

• Pet skin or hair

• Fungus or mold spores

• Various foods (milk, eggs, soy, shellfish, fruit and dried fruits)

• Cockroaches

• Bee stings

• Some drugs

• Latex

• Chemical resins, rubber, nickel

What are the signs and symptoms of allergic disease?

Symptoms differ depending on the type and severity of the condition, as well as the patient's age and gender;

- In nasal and eye conjunctivitis, there is sneezing, itching in the nose, runny nose, nasal congestion in particular months of the year or throughout the year. Postnasal drip, sore throat, tearing in the eyes, redness and itching, fullness in the ears, rustling, itching, headache and earache, olfactory abnormality, loss of taste, and voice alteration are all possible symptoms. 

- Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest congestion. These complaints are quite common to come unexpectedly and in the form of crises, to improve spontaneously or with therapy after a while, to repeat, and to keep you awake at night.

- Itching, swelling, red-colored rashes, watering, crusting, skin thickness, and skin discoloration are all symptoms of skin allergies. 

- Complaints may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, growth retardation, weakness owing to anemia, pallor, and swelling of the eyes and legs. 

- Sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, congestion, pale skin, redness, itching and swelling, rashes, shortness of breath, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, fever, sweating, palpitation, heart rhythm disorder, bruising, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death may occur in angioneurotic edema and anaphylaxi.

The most common allergic reactions

Despite the fact that the processes that cause the allergy are generally the same, clinical difficulties arise based on the affected organ.

•    Skin urticaria
•    Angioedema (fluid accumulation in the lower layers of the skin, ie edema), usually in the face, eyelids, lips and genital area 
•    Redness and itching in the eyes
•    Itchy nose, nasal congestion or runny nose, and sneezing
•    Difficulty breathing in the lower respiratory tract, wheezing, cough
•    Palpitations in the cardiovascular system, low blood pressure
•    Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps in the gastrointestinal tract 
•    Somnolence on Nervous system, fainting

Although uncommon, these results of all systems might occur concurrently and are referred to as anaphylaxis. It is the most serious type of allergic reaction.

How is it identified? 

For diagnosis, skin tests (prick tests) and blood tests are used. The most frequent allergens are employed in the skin test, and the person's skin reaction is evaluated; in the blood test, the amount of the IgE antibody generated by the body in the blood is measured, and if there are allergic symptoms to a specific substance or substances, the specific IgE level is determined.

What are the tests used to identify allergies and asthma?

•    Respiratory function tests
•    Pulmonary function tests with medication
•    Helium diffusion pulmonary function tests
•    Allergy skin tests (Prick test)
•    Checking the allergen-specific IgE in the blood
•    Molecular allergy test

How is it treated?

Immunotherapy (allergy vaccine treatment) subcutaneous (subcutaneous injection) sublingual (sublingual vaccination) is used on appropriate patients in addition to preventative measures and drugs in treatment. The most crucial aspect of treatment is to avoid the elements that trigger allergies. However, this is insufficient. Medication should be used as well. Antihistamines are the most often used drugs in the treatment of allergies. These drugs work best for itching, discharge, and sneezing. Cortisones are another beneficial type of medicine following antihistamines. Vaccine on allergy treatment (immunotherapy) is administered by injecting the allergen (vaccine) beneath the skin, beginning with a low dose, in circumstances when avoiding the allergen is not possible and (or) there is a reaction to a single allergen rather than several allergens. By identifying this substance, the body is conditioned not to have an allergic reaction.

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