Some negative reactions of the body are not very pleasant in principle and are always untimely. But the manifestations of allergy to tobacco smoke generally seem injustice. Passive smokers suffer not on a whim. This is an unpleasant consequence for those people who do not suffer from such a habit, but due to circumstances are forced to inhale nicotine-saturated air. Many often do not think that by smoking tobacco they destroy not only their own he alth, but also significantly worsen the quality of life of others.
Say, my he alth. So I will make the decision myself. However, this process releases harmful chemical components that affect the functioning of internal organs, including those who do not suffer from bad habits. Today we will talk about the reasons for the development of allergic reactions to tobacco smoke, and about what help can be provided to patients.
Causes of occurrence
Cigarettes contain not only directlytobacco, but also a mixture of various resins and flavors. Under the influence of high temperatures, these substances decompose and release carcinogens into the environment, which, in turn, are deposited not only in the bronchi of a smoker, but also in the organs of those who, against their will, become a passive accomplice in this process. Children are also allergic to tobacco smoke.
Harmful Substances
A lit cigarette releases more than 4,000 tons of gas into the environment. various chemical compounds, and 80 of them are considered carcinogens. Tobacco molecules have a very small mass, due to this they remain in the air for a long time. This is especially true for enclosed spaces. About where people smoke, you can immediately recognize by the characteristic smell. But the unpleasant corrosive amber is not so scary. The main danger is the suspension of smoke remaining in the air. As a result, an allergic reaction to tobacco can develop even if no one smokes nearby, it is enough to inhale the air saturated with nicotine. The manifestations of this disease make themselves felt when the human immune system perceives the components of cigarette smoke as foreign bodies. As a result, antibodies are produced in response, which cause unpleasant symptoms.
Human immune cells perceive harmful substances as an infection and react to it accordingly: they try to prevent it from entering the body and neutralize it. Carcinogens have a negative effect on the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, making them susceptible to the penetration of other allergens. Therefore, cigarettescause not only a real reaction to tobacco, but also influence its manifestations on other external and internal stimuli.
For people with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases who have suffered long-term respiratory pathologies, allergic manifestations to tobacco smoke are characteristic. Most often, young children suffer from this, since their immune system is not yet at full capacity, the constant inhalation of harmful substances provokes chronic rhinitis and manifestations of bronchial asthma in them.
Signs of allergic reactions
Allergies can cause minor changes in a person's he alth, and can affect the functioning of the whole organism as a whole. The most common reactions to cigarettes include:
- sneezing, runny nose, persistent nasal congestion;
- conjunctivitis (more common in passive smokers), in which corrosive smoke irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, causing redness and tearing;
- irritation and swelling of the larynx and lungs.
As a result, the first symptoms of an allergy to tobacco smoke in non-smokers are manifested by a sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, and then shortness of breath and suffocation may occur. If the source is not eliminated and such a condition is not treated, then bronchial asthma develops, which is considered the most unfavorable course. Doctors have long noted that young children are 5 times more likely to suffer from this disease if they live in families where their parents smoke.
Tobacco smoke and children
Often, babies are allergic totobacco smoke. It is dangerous for young children, as it affects the development of respiratory diseases, and later asthma. Constantly reddened throat, sneezing, watery eyes - all this can be a manifestation of sensitivity to carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Such symptoms should alert parents and force them to show the child to an allergist. It is clear that treating a baby for a cold in this case is completely useless.
Distinguishing an allergy is quite simple: a few days after being in smoke-free rooms or outdoors, all symptoms disappear. How does tobacco smoke allergy manifest itself? To answer the question, you need to familiarize yourself with the main symptoms.
Symptoms
If a person has a true allergy to cigarette smoke, then the symptoms of the disease develop immediately after inhalation and manifest as a sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, itching of open areas of the body, and severe headache attacks.
It is not uncommon for a person to be in a room with people who smoke a significant part of the time. Of course, this worsens the state of he alth, there are constant headaches, respiratory manifestations of a chronic nature. Very often, these he alth problems are attributed to a decrease in immunity and fatigue (especially if the manifestations are not very pronounced: a little stuffy nose, not much tickle in the throat, sometimes I sneeze), not correlating them with allergic reactions.
You can understand the reason, for example, byoutdoor vacation. In the changed conditions, the state of he alth gradually improves and returns to normal. In 2-3 weeks, the lungs of a passive smoker are cleared of carcinogens, which leads to the disappearance of symptoms of an allergy to tobacco smoke.
Diagnosis and treatment
For an accurate and correct diagnosis, you need to visit an allergist. The specialist will prescribe special tests, the results of which will tell you exactly which substances are dangerous for you, and what you should try to avoid. Also a reliable fact is the improvement of well-being when changing the situation and eliminating the influence of passive smoking. In a person suffering from this bad habit, the signs of allergy to tobacco smoke gradually disappear after he refuses it.
Treatment methods
The most effective, and in fact the only method of treatment - the absence of tobacco smoke surrounded by a passive smoker. That is, it is necessary to nullify contacts with people who have a bad habit, as well as the time spent with them in the same room. You should stay as far away as possible from public places where smoking is allowed.
Also, when allergy symptoms appear, take an antihistamine tablet. For mild discomfort, a single dose will suffice. If the symptoms do not go away and worsen, then you should consult a doctor. The occurrence of allergies affects the formation of toxins, which reduces the protective reaction of the immune system. ToTo prevent this, doctors advise taking preventive courses of treatment.
We found out if there can be an allergy to tobacco smoke. The answer here is unambiguous - of course. This phenomenon is quite common. Therefore, it is necessary to know which treatment to apply.
Standard therapy
Typically, the standard treatment regimen is as follows:
- First, taking an enterosorbent to neutralize toxic substances and remove them from the body.
- The next step is immune stimulation. Immunomodulators, vitamins, general he alth measures, diet are prescribed. Also here, the intake of bee products (perga, pollen, honeycombs, propolis) can help increase the body's defenses.
- At the last stage, symptomatic therapy is used. That is, a runny nose is treated with vasoconstrictor drops, conjunctive manifestations - with the help of ointment and eye washing, a rash is stopped with appropriate means, etc.
Features of therapy
Smokers are shown a course of decoctions of herbs that have expectorant properties: coltsfoot, thyme, linden. They remove sputum with carcinogens and do not allow it to be absorbed into the organs.
It should be noted that vitamin C in this treatment must be supplied to the body in sufficient quantities in the form of nutritional supplements and fruits. People should exclude the influence of the components of nicotine, since already manifested, such a disease will haunt you all your life. Allergy Signsfor tobacco smoke should be recognized in a timely manner. The sooner this happens, the sooner you can get rid of this unpleasant disease.
Once again about the dangers of smoking
It's even somehow indecent to talk about the dangers of smoking: so much has been said, shown, and so on. But, nevertheless, we recall once again that cigarette smoke harms not only the person who suffers from addiction, but also affects the he alth and well-being of people around him, including children. At present, a ban on smoking in public places has been introduced in our country, which makes life much easier and allows you to freely visit various establishments without fear of getting an attack. We looked at the symptoms of tobacco smoke allergy in children and adults.
