Causes Of Allergies, Their Diagnosis, And Treatment

Allergies are caused by disorders in our body immune system. The substances that cause allergies are termed as allergens. In fact, allergies could be classified as a type of hypersensitivity. When an allergic reaction occurs, white blood cells in the body, known as basophils and mast cells are excessively activated. This activity is induced and enhanced by an antibody, IgE. The result is normally a severe inflammatory response. However, other types of allergic reactions could also occur. In many persons, the allergic conditions are hereditary, with ethnicity and genetics playing a major role in passing this ailment to the offspring.

The general allergic reactions are eczema, hay fever, hives, asthma, food allergies, and venom reactions by bites from insects like bees and wasps. At times, even medications to treat an ailment could result in acute or even fatal allergic reactions. A typical example is the allergic reaction by several persons to injections like penicillin. However, the majority of allergies occur to airborne particles such as dust, smoke, or pollen. The heavy industrialization and huge increase in the use of automobiles and home appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators has aggravated the problem severly by polluting the atmospheric air that enters our body through our mouth, nose, ears, eyes and skin.

The symptoms of allergies are so obvious that it would normally be quite easy to diagnose them. However, as a precaution, the physician would conduct a few tests to diagnose the exact condition of the allergy. These tests include testing the skin of the patient for responses or reactions to known allergens, analyzing the patient's blood for the levels of IgE that is allergen-specific. The field of specializing in allergies in the medical profession is known as allergology.

The medications that are used to block the allergic action in our body by allergic mediators are termed as antagonistic drugs. These drugs prevent cell activation and inhibit the degranulation process of the cells. Medicines like Atarax, Clarinex, Zyrtec, Allegra, Allegra D, and Nasacort AQ are highly effective antagonistic drugs. Normally, antihistamines, decongestants, anti-cholinergics, mast cell stabilizers, anti-leukotrienes, and other medications like cortisone, hydrocortisone, epinephrine, and demamethasone are adminstered to cure allergic reactions.

Care should be taken to use only the medications that had been approved by the US FDA. In acute and chronic allergic disorders, doses of the allergens would be vaccinated into the body of the patient by increasing the vaccination dosage gradually. This treatment is medically known as hyposensitization or desensitization to build up immunity in the body. One critical factor in treating allergies is to avoid the exposure to the allergen that had caused the allergy. At times, it might be difficult to avoid air-borne and pollen allergies, but protection masks could help in reducing the risk. In the case of food allergies, strict avoidance of allergy causing substances is very important.

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