Atopic allergy

Atopic reactions are those that are characterized by local manifestations and are of the anaphylactic type. Such forms of diseases include allergic manifestations from bronchial asthma, urticaria, dermatitis or conjunctivitis.

Atopic allergies have a number of features compared to simple allergic reactions. Firstly, atopic reactions can occur regardless of the presence of antigens. The cause of occurrence and exacerbation can even be a change in temperature or an increased rate of radiation contamination. Secondly, atopic allergies can also occur when a factor causing allergic reactions enters the body, either through the respiratory tract or any other way.

In addition, such allergic reactions can occur immediately after the first contact with the allergen. The next feature is that atopic forms of allergy are also influenced by genetic predisposition. And the last but not least important factor is the almost complete absence of a latent period in such reactions.

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Causes of atopic allergies

The causes of atopic allergic reactions can be divided into three groups:

1. Human genetics – influences a person’s immediate predisposition to the development of a number of atopic allergies. Practice shows that in 50% of cases, atopic allergies occur in people whose relatives have already suffered from a similar disease.
2. Environmental factors – complement genetic predisposition. The influencing factors include constant contact with the allergen, physical activity, diets and sensitization. In addition, recently there has been a tendency to form small families with a small number of children. Accordingly, there is a lot of care – there are early cases of vaccination, use of antibiotics – children's bodies are simply not allowed to produce antigens on their own, which leads to a weakening of the body's self-healing functions and an increased likelihood of atopic allergies.
3. Local factors – these include physiological characteristics of the body and internal organs, in particular, adhesion molecules of the bronchial epithelium or skin.

Allergic reactions of atopic forms can occur for any of the above-mentioned reasons. And the more factors from the three possible groups are combined, the more complex the form of allergy can be. Allergens can be ordinary house dust, animals, plant pollen, waste products of small insects, etc., the main thing is to protect yourself from subsequent contacts with the allergen (if possible) and adhere to the correct treatment.

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Symptoms of atopic allergies

Symptoms of atopic allergy are similar to those of common allergic reactions. These include sneezing, rhinorrhea, and damage to the upper and lower respiratory tract. Itching of the skin or eyes may also be observed. Atopic allergic reactions are also characterized by swelling of the nasal conchae, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, and lichenification of the skin. Subsequently, these symptoms may cause anaphylaxis. Children, depending on the severity of the allergic condition, may develop an allergic face. This symptom is characterized by a narrow chin, a high arched palate, and an elongated upper jaw with a deep bite.

Symptoms of atopic allergy are noticeable immediately. The main thing is to find the allergen and try to minimize your exposure to it before consulting a doctor. Depending on the allergy, fever and headaches may also be observed. In any case, if the allergic condition significantly worsens your life, we advise you not to postpone a visit to the doctor for a long time.

Allergy and atopic dermatitis

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin are called atopic dermatitis. Such a disease is not infectious and the main reason for it is genetic predisposition. Atopic dermatitis manifests itself in the periodic appearance of a rash on various parts of the body with characteristic skin itching in these areas.

There are three forms of atopic dermatitis: diathesis, eczema and neurodermatitis.

Diathesis is a fairly common disease among infants (occurs in 50% of babies). Symptoms include small rashes and redness of the skin.

In adults, such rashes were long called neurodermatitis to emphasize the connection of the disease with disorders of the nervous system.

Eczema, in turn, is a skin disease characterized by an inflammatory process. During the inflammation process, the skin goes through stages from redness and blisters to crust formation. This disease requires the most thorough treatment.

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Diagnosis of atopic allergy

There are several ways to check whether allergic symptoms are atopic in nature. Atopic allergy diagnosis should be made in three main directions:

1. drawing up a general picture of the disease;
2. pathogenetic classification;
3. identification of the allergen.

It is the observance of all three stages that will allow us to obtain precise and clear data regarding atopic allergy and its condition. A thorough anamnesis will help for the first tracking of the first direction. The anamnesis is a kind of medical history that records attacks and their frequency, changes in symptoms, provoking factors and seasonality, if any, response to treatment and other data. The medical history will also include data on the presence of similar diseases in the family and genetic predisposition.

To refute or confirm the information obtained during the anamnesis and data on the atopic nature of the observed symptoms, a number of diagnostic tests are carried out. First of all, a general blood test is carried out to detect eosinophilia: 5-15% of eosinophils can already indicate the atopic nature of the allergic reaction. For the same purpose, an analysis of nasal secretion or saliva is also carried out.

If neither the anamnesis nor the general tests yielded results, specific tests may be performed. These include a skin test. The procedure involves subcutaneous or intradermal administration of a dose of antigen in order to identify the cause of the symptoms. Subcutaneous administration allows identifying a larger number of allergens than intradermal administration, although the latter method is more sensitive and provides a more probable assessment of the reaction to the allergen than subcutaneous administration. Specific tests are performed exclusively by specialist doctors and are not used at home. In general, it is possible to establish the atopic nature of the symptoms only on an outpatient basis.

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Treatment of atopic allergies

Like the treatment of simple allergic reactions, atopic allergy primarily involves constant monitoring of the environment and situation. If possible, contact with the allergen should be minimized. Taking into account typical allergens, a number of recommendations can be made for their neutralization. These include:

1. Frequent change of bed linen and use of pillows with synthetic filling;
2. Frequent wet cleaning to combat dust and insects;
3. Stabilization of humidity in rooms where the patient is most often and for the longest time;
4. Maintaining personal hygiene.

Such simple recommendations will significantly reduce the frequency of contact with the allergen, but will not cure the allergy. For complete treatment of the disease, it is possible to use a number of antihistamine, homeopathic and immunomodulatory agents.

The purpose of using antihistamines is to block histamine receptors. For this purpose, H2 blockers are used, which reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which has a positive effect on the treatment of allergic reactions.

Antihistamines are usually in the form of nasal or eye drops. The purpose and use depend on the degree of allergic reaction, the location of the rash, and the physiological characteristics of the human body. Azelastine is used to treat rhinitis. It is also suitable for treating eye infections along with ketotifen and emedastine. In general, antihistamines are divided into 1st and 2nd generation drugs. 1st generation drugs are sedatives and block cholinergic and serotonin receptors.

1st generation	2nd generation
Diphenhydramine (Diphenhydramine, Allergin) Clemastine (Tavegil) Doxylamine (Donormil) Chloropyramine (Supradin) Antazoline Mepyramine Chloropheniramine	Acrivastine (Semprex) Loratadine (Claritin) Astemizole (Gismanal) Oxatomide (Tenset) Mizolastine Ebastine (Kestin) Epinastine (Alesion)

The use of antihistamines is reduced to taking 1 tablet per day. Overdose of such drugs is terrible because of nausea, headaches and dizziness.

In addition, it is possible to use homeopathic preparations. It is important to know that homeopathy cannot be combined with antihistamines and other drugs! Treatment with homeopathic remedies lasts from 6 months and longer, but the healing effect is achieved completely by neutralizing the cause of the disease itself. The choice of a homeopathic remedy is strictly individual and depends on the human body and the specifics of the allergic reaction.

Overdosing on medications during the process of getting rid of allergies can cause the patient to develop a worsening of the disease and new symptoms, such as sneezing or nasal congestion. In severe cases, overdosing can be fatal.

This is why treatment of atopic allergies requires strict adherence to the medication regimen and following the doctor’s recommendations.

Prevention of atopic allergies

Prevention of atopic allergies involves several directions. Firstly, for people who have a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions, the first thing to do is to prevent sensitization and exclude from the daily diet a standard set of allergens (citrus fruits, milk, chocolate, sweets, etc.). Secondly, to monitor adequate treatment of existing allergic reactions, if any.

Potential means of preventing atopic allergies also include the maximum removal of existing and potential allergens from the diet; neutralization of dust sources present in the room; replacement of feather pillows with synthetic ones; monitoring possible mold foci in damp places (bath, sink) and preventing their appearance and development; avoiding contact with chemical irritants, as well as reducing your contact with animals to a minimum. All this will undoubtedly help prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions of an atopic nature. Monitor your environment and diet - this is the most effective thing that prevention of atopic allergies can offer.