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Inside An Allergic Reaction

by — Last updated: 2014-07-30 in Allergies

Table of Contents

Allergies are a very common medical problem. Many people around the world is allergic to either food, pollen, medications and even certain substances present in everyday products. But how do we develop an allergy? The blame falls onto the immune system.

Let me explain this with an example. I am sure you know at least someone that is allergic to seafood. Why does seafood allergy happen?

From a simple rash to anaphylactic shock

When someone allergic to seafood accidentally eats a shrimp, it will reach the gut and previously preformed IgE’s will attach to whatever region they recognize on any of the shrimp components, whether it’s a protein or a substance. This action starts the activation of mast cells, which release pro-inflammatory agents that induce the immune response.

The reaction can be very mild, just a simple rash on the skin. It can also be very intense though: the patient can experience a skin rash, followed by inflammation of the mucosa (lips, eyelids, tongue) and the eventual inflammation of the trachea. This last effect can eventually lead to the closing of the respiratory tract and breathing difficulties.

These last response is known as anaphylactic shock, which is the medical term for an extremely intense allergic reactions. These can be seen mainly when the patient is allergic to medications, for example, or to inimaginable things, such as the stain of a bee or certain substances present in nuts. 

Who would know that all this could happen in a matter of seconds? The immune response is very very fast. It is supposed to be, but in the case of allergic reactions this is not a good thing, because it means that, if the reaction is too intense, it can cause death in no time.

Is there a reason for developing allergies?

Why do we develop allergies? When we are exposed to the allergens for prolonged periods of time, we can develop an allergy. It is very common to develop certain allergies later in life. Allergies to medications, for example, can be presented after a chronic consumption of the drugs, specially when it comes to antibiotics.

The most common antibiotic allergy is to penicillin, but there can be several.

Allergic reactions vary depending on the type of allergen. For example, rhinitis an asthma are both allergic reactions caused by inhaled allergens; skin allergies can manifest as eczema, urticaria, or even the formation of ampules. Food allergies are mainly associated with gut related symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, but can also manifest on the skin and the respiratory tract.

Allergy treatment includes desensitization, which intends to reduce the reaction towards a certain allergen by putting the patient in contact with small doses of it.

However, the treatment that is used the most is based on medications that stop the inflammatory response caused by the allergen. These include antihistamines, corticosteroids, bronchodilators and epinephrine.

Regardless of the type of allergy and the allergic response, it is very important to inform doctors about them, if you are aware of them.

See Also: Seasonal Allergies: Allergens, Symptoms, And Treatment

Sometimes, allergic reactions can be harmless, but with time, they can get worse. Also, it is very common that allergic patients have more than one allergy, which is why sometimes it is very difficult to determine what is exactly causing the allergic reaction.

If you have allergies or suspect you do, you could see a specialist, who will perform specialized diagnostic tests that will help to determine the source of your allergy and hopefully, the right treatment for it.