Now polyvalent allergy has become widespread. What it is? This is a condition when one person can have several allergenic factors at the same time. Many do not even suspect that they have unusual reactions to foods, drugs, chemicals. How does this disease appear?
Definition
Polyvalent allergy is an increased sensitivity of the body to several types of allergens at the same time. Triggers can be either similar in origin or chemical structure, or different from each other.
If a person comes into contact with several foreign antigens at the same time, then in response to such an action, a complex of active substances is produced in the body that provoke stereotypical reactions of tissues and fluids. As a rule, with a polyvalent allergy, several organ systems are affected at once.
Reasons
Why does someone develop a polyvalent allergy, while someone does not? The opinions of scientists have not yet agreed on one option, so there are several options, each of which has the right to exist.
The genetic theory leads in terms of the number of followers. It is based on the fact that allergic reactions are determined from the moment of birth and are associated with the sequence of nucleotides we received from our parents. Supporting this theory is the fact that children whose parents have allergies are also more prone to hyperreactivity.
The second hypothesis states that the occurrence of allergies is associated with insufficient or pathological functioning of the immune system. Many people with hypersensitivity are prone to chronic infections, often take antibiotics or hormonal drugs, and do not get out of hospitals at all.
Finally, the third theory is that the appearance of allergies is associated with the use of alcohol and smoking. These are, of course, bad habits, and there is no benefit from them to the body, but evidence that this is what provokes hyperreactivity has not yet been found either.
Children may develop polyvalent allergies due to early introduction of complementary foods or full formula feeding. In addition, helminths play an important role. They stimulate the immune system and promote allergies.
As a rule, there is no one reason why hypersensitivity appeared. It's always a combination of factors.
Pathogenesis
Polyvalent allergy does not develop suddenly and in one day. What a person takes for an unforeseen reaction of his body is actually a long-planned operation of your immune system. Whatever the trigger factor, any reactionhypersensitivity goes through three stages of development:
- The first stage: acquaintance with the antigen. The body encounters a foreign chemical compound for the first time, be it pollen, perfume, medicine, or microorganism. There is a process of learning and memorization, as well as the production of immunoglobulins E, which are responsible for the reactivity of the body.
- Second stage: cytochemistry. Upon repeated contact with the allergen, activation of IgE located on mast cells occurs, and active substances such as histamine, serotonin, interleukins and others are released into the blood in large quantities.
- Third stage: onset of symptoms. As a result of exposure to the body of a "cocktail" of chemically active substances, a person may experience bronchospasm, swelling, itching, skin redness and rashes, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and much more.
Polyvalent allergies also develop. The third level of the process in the case of this disease can be delayed, take bizarre or mixed forms, but it still remains a stereotypical reaction of the body to the invasion of foreign components.
Symptoms
Above, we briefly described how polyvalent allergy manifests itself. Symptoms may appear immediately after contact with the allergen, or be delayed in time. It depends on the dose and exposure (that is, the duration of exposure) of the trigger factor and individual characteristics. So, for example, dust and pollen cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and after swallowing a piece of peanutgeneralized edema develops.
On the part of the respiratory system with polyvalent allergies, symptoms such as rhinitis, shortness of breath, spasm of the muscles of the bronchi, asthmatic attacks may occur. It suddenly becomes difficult for a person to breathe, he gasps for air, begins to cough, maybe even cry. If the patient knows about his illness, then he always has a pocket inhaler with a fast-acting medicine. The ability to quickly help yourself has saved the lives of many allergy sufferers. As a rule, allergens in this case will be volatile substances: dust, pollen, wool, perfumes and other aerosols, medicines.
From the side of the intestine after eating allergenic foods, dyspeptic symptoms are observed. The patient may attribute stool disorders, nausea and vomiting to poor-quality food or irregular nutrition, but over time, if the attacks are regular, there is no doubt about their nature.
Urticaria
Polyvalent allergy (ICD-10 code T78.4 assigned to it) can manifest itself in the form of rashes on the skin and mucous membranes. In this case, the mechanism of allergen entry is fundamentally unimportant, but a much more intense reaction develops with direct contact, such as washing hands, cleaning rooms, picking flowers and fruits. Often, food or chemical allergens cause hives: alcohol, antiplatelet agents, disinfectants, decorative cosmetics, and the like.
Clinically, this type of polyvalent allergy appears in the form of reddening of the skin like a burn, swelling and the appearance ofsmall bubbles with transparent contents. In some cases, itching joins. Urticaria symptoms are easily relieved with antihistamine ointments, sprays and tablets (if the rash is very common). No changes remain on the skin, but once it appears, this type of allergy likes to recur and harass patients.
Quincke's edema
Polyvalent allergy in contact with a large amount of the allergen can manifest itself as swelling of the tissues of the neck, or Quincke's edema. Sometimes, in case of insect bites in the face and mouth or food allergies, a large dose is not necessary. The mucous and subcutaneous tissue of the upper respiratory tract and neck organs is well vascularized, so the pathological agent quickly spreads throughout the area.
As a rule, Quincke's edema is an allergic reaction of an immediate type and can be fatal to a person even at the first contact with the allergen. Due to edema, a false croup occurs - a narrowing of the lumen of the larynx - and, as a result, a violation of the air flow and respiratory arrest. If the patient is not provided with urgent care, then the chances of a favorable outcome will drop sharply. That is why every doctor has a resuscitation kit at hand: Adrenaline, Ephedrine, Prednisolone and Eufillin. These are first aid drugs for angioedema.
Anaphylactic shock
The most dangerous condition for allergy sufferers is anaphylactic shock. Most often it occurs whenoral intake of allergens: food or drugs. The amount of the substance is not important, since to start the reaction immediately, such as the smallest particle, it is enough to start massive degranulation of mast cells.
The symptom of this condition is a sharp drop in blood pressure, accompanied by loss of consciousness or coma, labored, shallow, rare breathing, convulsions and pallor. A man who felt great just a second ago is now dying in front of frightened passers-by. With the development of such a scenario, you should immediately call an ambulance and, if necessary, take urgent measures yourself (if you know how, of course).
It is important for a doctor to be able to distinguish anaphylactic shock from massive PE (pulmonary embolism), acute heart attack, stroke and other conditions accompanied by sudden collaptoid syndrome.
Polyvalent drug allergy
Recently, cases of allergic reactions to medicinal substances have become more frequent in clinical practice. More often for one, less often for several at the same time. Experts believe that uncontrolled medication and regular self-medication led to this situation.
At the first sign of OZ (acute respiratory disease), people do not go to the doctor, but go to the pharmacy, where they buy strong antibiotics or antivirals. Then they are taken according to their own chosen scheme. This exacerbates the already existing resistance of microorganisms to treatment.and provokes the development of allergic reactions.
Another reason is the painful, even pathological desire of modern man for cleanliness. Everywhere you can find antibacterial soaps, wipes and sprays. It is, of course, good that there are such tools, but it is appropriate to use them in hospitals and other similar institutions, but not at home. By not allowing the body to come into contact with microbes, we reduce its immune abilities and provoke the development of allergies.
Pyobacteriophage is a multicomponent vaccine aimed at minimizing the consequences after bacterial infections of staphylococcal and streptococcal nature. Allergy to polyvalent pyobacteriophage can occur if the dose of the drug is not observed or individual intolerance, but, as a rule, such cases are quite rare. Most often, drug allergies develop to antibiotics, local and general anesthetics, latex, preparations containing essential oils.
Food allergy
Polyvalent food allergy can be caused by some kind of food, or by substances that this food is processed in factories or in the field. There is a list of the most common food allergens:
- In the first place, of course, nuts. Even small, trace amounts of this product can cause Quincke's edema and anaphylaxis. Therefore, manufacturers must indicate such information on the packaging.
- Seafood, especially those that are not found in our latitudes. These includecrustaceans, shrimp, red caviar.
- Eggs. Chicken protein can cause a rather violent allergic reaction, so some mothers carefully introduce this product into the child's diet and, as a rule, start with the yolk.
- Strawberries and other red fruits cause hives-like rashes and face swelling in children.
- Any exotic fruits, especially citrus fruits. Substances contained in the seeds and peel of such fruits can be strong allergens.
- Grains made from wheat: semolina, oatmeal, pearl barley and others. They contain gluten, which is harmful to people with celiac disease (a genetic bowel disease).
- Completes our top honey. This is certainly a useful and essential product, but if a person is already allergic to pollen, then honey and its derivatives will also be.
Polyvalent food allergy can appear in both a small child and an adult. Typically, children outgrow food allergies and may not even be aware of them for a long time.
Diagnosis
Polyvalent allergy (ICD-10 code above) is diagnosed quite simply, but also difficult at the same time. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is impossible to conduct a survey on absolutely all allergens. This is quite expensive and often pointless. Doctors recommend that before such a procedure, you yourself make a list of suspected trigger factors and check only them.
There are two waysallergen definitions. The first is skin tests. Suspensions of allergens in strong dilution are applied to the inner side of the forearm with small strokes. Some (short) time later, the doctor checks the site of application. If there is redness or swelling, then this is a likely allergen.
The second method is the determination of antibodies in the blood. This is a painstaking and lengthy method that requires significant material costs. But it also gives more accurate results. It is resorted to only if it is required to determine the level of reactivity to an already known allergen.
Treatment
Is a polyvalent allergy treatable? Treatment, of course, is available, but it is long and cumbersome. First of all, the effect of the allergen on the body is excluded. You will have to part with pets, change pillows, often do wet cleaning and ventilate the premises. Follow a diet, refuse to take certain drugs and use cosmetics.
In emergencies, antihistamines are used. They block the receptors that capture histamine and prevent it from interacting with body tissues. This quickly eliminates the symptoms, but such drugs also have an abundance of side effects, so such therapy is resorted to only when necessary.
Prevention
Polyvalent allergy (you already know the ICD code) can develop in a seemingly he althy person, so it is difficult to prepare or avoid it. Doctors advise to adhere to a proper lifestyle, avoid exotic foods in food,be sure to conduct allergy tests before taking new drugs and at the slightest sign of illness, consult a doctor, and not try to be treated on your own.
