Content
Allergy is an actual problem of modern mankind. About 85% of the world's population suffer to some extent from its manifestations. At its core, an allergic reaction is an acute immune response of the body to contact with a certain substance, which, for some reason, the immune system has identified as hostile. Manifestations of an allergic reaction can be very diverse: skin rash, itching, swelling, cough, rhinitis, lacrimation, etc. The severity of allergy symptoms also varies from the complete absence of external manifestations (latent allergy) to Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. But not everything is so hopeless - an allergy, the treatment of which is chosen correctly, can be controlled and allows you to live a full life!
Allergy Treatment Methods
Each allergic reaction is unique, but the unifying factor of all allergies is the principle of their occurrence. After the allergen enters the body, histamines are released into the blood - biologically active substances that cause all the known symptoms of allergies.
The choice of treatment method is carried out only by an allergist, self-treatment in this matter is unacceptable!
Before making a decision on the most appropriate therapy, the doctor considers many aspects (hereditary predisposition, medical history, severity of reaction, working and living conditions, and much more), but the key is to accurately identify the allergen for subsequent exclusion of contact with it. a blood test for allergens without fail . After studying the totality of all factors, the doctor can prescribe an adequate and most effective treatment regimen.
There are several methods of treating allergies that can be used in combination:
- drug therapy;
- immunotropic therapy;
- non-drug therapy.
Treatment of allergies with non-traditional and folk methods is not considered in this article, due to its inefficiency and a certain risk to the patient's health.
Drug therapy for allergies
The essence of drug therapy is reduced to the relief of an allergic reaction, the neutralization of histamines, and the removal of symptoms. For these purposes, there is a huge variety of pharmacological preparations, classified according to the principle of action and method of application:
- Antihistamines . This group of drugs (Suprastin, Dimedrol, Tavegil, Claritin, Zirtek, Diazolin, Pipolfen, Fenkarol, etc.) is aimed at blocking the production of histamine and reducing its concentration in blood. Systemic treatment of allergies is carried out with the use of antihistamines.
- Decongestants . The drugs of this group ("Pseudoephedrine", "Xylometazoline", "Oxymetazoline") have a pronounced vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory local effect and are used for allergic reactions accompanied by rhinitis, nasal congestion. Available in the form of drops or nasal spray.
- Leukotriene inhibitors . Leukotrienes - produced by the body as a result of an acute immune response, cause swelling and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The leukotriene inhibitor is the substance montelukast (the drug "Singulair"), often used in the treatment of such complications of allergies as asthma.
- Steroid sprays . The drug of this class ("Nasonex", "Nazarel", "Beklazon", "Avamys", etc.) are hormone-containing nasal sprays that can relieve allergy symptoms such as swelling and inflammation in the nasal cavity.
- Enterosorbents . The function of enterosorbents ("Enterosgel", "Polysorb", "Laktofiltrum", "Smecta", etc.) is to remove allergens, toxins, waste products of pathological microflora from the gastrointestinal tract, which can aggravate the course of an allergic reaction. The drugs of this group have a high adsorption capacity, do not enter into metabolic processes, are not absorbed into the blood, which makes their use absolutely safe and justified.
Immunotropic therapy
Currently, there are two methods of immunotropic therapy:
- Specific immunotherapy (SIT).
- Autolymphocytotherapy.
Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Specific immunotherapy (SIT)
Treatment of allergies by the method of specific immunotherapy is possible only in cases where the allergen is accurately identified. SIT is the repeated introduction into the body of ever-increasing doses of the allergen. This principle allows you to achieve a gradual decrease in the sensitivity of the immune system to this substance. The downside of SIT is the high risk of severe allergic reactions and the impossibility of conducting therapy for several allergens at once.
Autolymphocytotherapy
The essence of autolymphocytotherapy is the repeated introduction into the body of the patient's own lymphocytes, previously processed by a special method. Such a "training" of one's own immunity allows one to achieve a significant decrease in the degree of the immune response to provoking substances. However, this method does not give a 100% result.
Non-pharmacological treatment of allergies
Non-drug treatment of allergies consists in the use of:
- hypoallergenic diet. Compliance with a hypoallergenic diet is a mandatory aspect in the treatment of any type of allergy, its duration and degree of restriction depend on each specific case;
- physiotherapy . It is used only at the stage of remission and in the recovery period. Includes such physiotherapy as: electrophoresis, darsonvalization, halotherapy (salt mine);
- physiotherapy exercises . It is used to improve the drainage function of the bronchi, includes massage and breathing exercises.
Prevention
The essence of preventive measures is always reduced to the exclusion of patient contact with the allergen. That is, the patient is forced to control his allergy always and everywhere. Of course, not with every type of allergy, it is possible to completely prevent contact with a provocative substance, and not everyone succeeds in this.
For example, with pollinosis ( reaction to pollen ), during the flowering period it is very difficult to avoid contact with the allergen. Patients in this situation are advised to minimize going outside. In case of food allergies, follow all the instructions of the allergist-nutritionist and strictly adhere to the diet. If you are allergic to household dust - remove carpets, feather pillows, treat furniture with insecticides, daily wet cleaning of the room, etc.
However, a well-chosen treatment regimen, timely intake of medications, adherence to a hypoallergenic diet and other prescriptions of an allergist are the path leading to the possibility of living without allergies!
