Allergies: What Are They?
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system is overly sensitive to harmless foreign substances. They can be triggered by plant pollen or certain foods. Various treatments are available for allergies.
At a Glance
In an allergy, harmless foreign substances (allergens) trigger an overly sensitive reaction from the immune system.
The most common allergic reactions occur in the respiratory system, skin, and mucous membranes.
The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary.
Some allergy triggers can be avoided, while others are quite difficult to avoid.
In Germany, approximately one in three people is affected by an allergic condition.
Note: The information in this article cannot replace a doctor’s consultation and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.
What is an Allergy?
In an allergy, harmless foreign substances (allergens) trigger an overly sensitive reaction from the body’s immune system. They can be triggered by plant pollen or certain foods.
Symptoms can vary greatly: Sometimes they are only mild, but other times they can be very stressful and severely limit the quality of life. A severe allergic reaction can even be life-threatening.
There are various ways to treat allergies. Some allergy triggers can be avoided, while others are quite difficult to avoid. Typical substances that can trigger allergies include:
- Pollen
- House dust mites
- Pets and livestock
- Insecticides
- Food
- Medications
- Contact allergens (e.g., metals or fragrances)
- Fungi
Important Information
Allergies are also defined as hypersensitivities. However, there are hypersensitivities that are not allergies. These include certain food intolerances, for example. Symptoms can be similar, so it’s important to clarify symptoms through a comprehensive medical examination. If symptoms are triggered by an allergic reaction, appropriate treatment can be applied.
How is an Allergy Recognized?
Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Breathing problems
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Skin rashes
- Swelling of mucous membranes
- Gastrointestinal problems
Often, the parts of the body that are in direct contact with the triggering substance (allergen) react.
On the following pages, you can find information about some specific allergies:
- More information about food allergies
- More information about contact allergies
- More information about medication allergies
- More information about hay fever
- More information about insecticide allergies
When Do Allergies Occur?
Many factors can increase the risk of allergies.
The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary. Experts refer to this hereditary tendency as “atopy.” Whether an allergy actually develops as a result of genetic predisposition depends on various environmental factors, among other things. Air pollution and cigarette smoke play a role here. These factors can promote allergies and secondary diseases such as asthma.
It is often said that a specific diet can prevent allergies. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim.
Dust mites or foods are generally not harmful to the body. However, if you have an allergy, they can cause symptoms.
This is because, in the case of an allergic reaction, the body’s immune system responds to certain harmless foreign proteins (allergens) as if they were pathogens or foreign objects. The immune system perceives them as harmful and tries to fight them. To do this, it produces antibodies, specifically IgE antibodies.
How Do Allergies Progress?
Most allergies begin in childhood and adolescence. They usually last a lifetime. However, some allergies diminish in adulthood.
Certain food allergies, such as those to milk or chicken eggs, may disappear completely, but peanut allergies usually do not. Therefore, whether an allergy will disappear later depends on the triggering factor.
In the case of an allergy, symptoms are usually mild at first. They may worsen over time. Other illnesses may also develop. For example, hay fever can change levels over the years.
Symptoms may then progress to the lower respiratory tract, leading to the development of asthma. Neurodermatitis can also be triggered by allergies.
Can Allergies Be Prevented?
Most of the time, allergies cannot be prevented. However, there are measures that can slightly reduce the risk. Children who are exclusively breastfed for the first four to six months of life develop slightly fewer allergies.
Cigarette smoke increases the risk of allergies. Therefore, children who grow up in smoke-free environments are less likely to develop allergies.
If your allergy risk is high, you should avoid getting a cat to prevent cat allergies. However, people without a high risk of allergies cannot prevent allergy development by avoiding pets.
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
After an initial consultation to clarify symptoms, living conditions, and medical history, a doctor can conduct specific allergy tests. These examinations are usually carried out by allergy specialists, including dermatologists, ENT doctors, pulmonologists, or pediatricians.
A prick test can determine if you have an allergic reaction to certain substances.
If an allergy is suspected, with symptoms appearing half a day to three days after contact with the triggering substance, a patch test can be applied. A patch containing the suspected allergen is placed on the back or forearm. If you are allergic, the skin reacts with redness, swelling, and itching.
Blood tests for antibodies or provocation tests may also be necessary. In a provocation test, the patient is exposed to various allergens to see if a reaction occurs.
How Are Allergies Treated?
The most effective method is to avoid contact with allergens. The success of this depends on the trigger. Avoiding certain foods or chemicals is usually easy, but avoiding pollen is nearly impossible. Those allergic to dust mites can at least reduce the load at home.
In some allergies, desensitization (specific immunotherapy) can help make the body less sensitive to allergens in the long term. In this therapy, affected individuals regularly receive small doses of the allergen, injected into the skin or placed under the tongue, similar to a vaccine.
Desensitization is primarily used for allergies to pollen, house dust mites, and insect venom. It lasts about three to five years.
There is no evidence that herbal or homeopathic remedies or acupuncture are effective against allergies.
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