What is Hypersensitivity - Understanding the Condition in Details

What is Allergy/Hypersensitivity?

The physical body is safeguarded against infectious foreign agents by immune system cells. These cells constitute the system of a body and supply immunity to the body against differing types of infectious diseases.

Sometimes these immune cells, however, are not able to distinguish between a foreign agent and a normal body cell. In state of confusion, the immune cells start killing everything in their path. This condition where the system acts abnormally and reacts to things that are mostly harmless to the physical body is understood as an allergy.

How do Allergies Happen?

Immune system of a body incites an allergic response when the body is exposed to allergens. This phenomenon is known as hypersensitivity. An allergen ranges from pollens, dust particles, pet hairs to chemicals, food products, and insects.

In case of an allergic reaction, the immune cells overreact to an allergen. The allergens are treated as invaders and the body tries to fight them off. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from something annoying as sneezing and itching to life-threatening conditions such as respiratory mechanism failure or multiple organ failure.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced by the immune system to protect the body. These antibodies can cause specific cells to release chemicals (histamine) into the bloodstream to defend against the allergen.

Allergic reactions can affect the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, and alimentary canal. Future exposure to an equivalent allergen can again trigger an allergic response, which may cause anaphylaxis.

However, over the counter medicines may be helpful in treating the disorder and the medicines are available in every online pharmacy in India.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Some people that have severe allergies may experience this potentially life-threatening reaction when exposed to an allergen. In severe cases, an anaphylatic reaction can lead to an anaphylatic shock, in which the patient needs immediate hospitalization and possible admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

What Things Cause Allergies?

Common Airborne Allergens

Allergies are caused by various organic and inorganic substances. Some of the foremost common substances that cause allergies are:

• v  Dust particles
• v  Insects
• v  Pollen
• v  Fungi
• v  Pet hair and skin
• v  certain food items
• v  Inorganic chemicals

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Allergies?

Allergy symptoms may vary from person to person. Allergic symptoms may be mild such as itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, and rashes or severe such as breathing difficulty, vomiting, drop in blood pressure, and fainting or passing out.

Symptoms for an allergic reaction also depends upon the type of allergen the body has been exposed to. Some of the most common symptoms based on the type of allergen are as follows:

• Airborne allergies
•  Sneezing
•  itchy nose and/or throat
•   stuffy nose
•   coughin

Food, Medicines, or Insect Allergies:

• v  Wheezing
• v  trouble breathing
• v  coughing
• v  hoarseness
• v  throat tightness
• v  stomach-ache
• v  vomiting
• v  diarrhoea
• v  itchy, watery, or swollen eyes
• v  hives
• v  swelling

How are Allergies Diagnosed?

If an individual believes that they'll have an allergy, they should immediately conduct their doctor so that their doctor is going to be ready to help them identify what's causing the reaction.

• The person should be ready to explain:
• Any symptoms they have noticed
• When and how often they occur
• What seems to cause them
• Any family history of allergies
• Whether or not other household members have a similar reaction
•  

What Tests are Recommended for Diagnosing Allergies?

Several types of test are recommended for diagnosing allergies. Some examples of allergy tests:

• Blood tests: These measure the levels of IgE antibodies to specific allergens in the immune system.
• Skin prick tests: A doctor will prick the skin with a little amount of a possible allergen. Any reaction on skin such as itching, redening, or swelling may have an allergy.
• Patch tests: To check for contact eczema, a doctor may tape a metal disc with a small amount of a suspected allergen to the person’s back. They will check for a skin reaction 48 hours later, then again after 2 days. 

Can Allergies be Treated with Medicines?

Avoiding the allergen can prevent allergies from happening, but this is not always possible. In these cases, medical treatment can help. Drugs won't cure an allergy, but they will help an individual manage the symptoms of a reaction.

Many treatments are available over the counter and on online pharmacy delivery apps.

Before employing a medication, however, an individual should speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Different medication options include:

1.  Antihistamines: They block the action of histamine.
2. Decongestants: These can help relieve a blocked nose.
3. Corticosteroids: These are available in the form of a pill, cream, nasal spray, or inhaler. They help reduce inflammation.
4. Immunotherapy: This will help an individual develop long-term tolerance. This can be done by increasing the dose of the allergen, either as a tablet or an injection, gradually.
5. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (antileukotrienes): These may help with some allergies if other treatments haven't worked. The drugs block a number of the chemicals that cause swelling.

These medicines the patient can buy medicines online India.

Conclusion

Allergies are often considered harmless but annoying ailments; however, they should be treated without any delay. Allergies if not treated on time can lead to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.

Once the symptoms of an allergy surfaces, the patient must consult a doctor immediately to avoid adverse effect in the future.