Allergy is no doubt one of the most common disease conditions the world over.
The prevalence is not confined to a particular world region, continent or Nation.
In certain persons exposure to certain agents initiates altered reaction of the tissues, but similar amount of the particular agents are innocuous to others.
In such situation, the persons is allergic to the particular agent or antigen.
Therefore allergy is the tissue reactions of certain persons to ordinarily innocuous agent(s).
Allergies are of the immediate and the delayed types.
In the immediate type, specific substances stimulate specific antibodies within the sensitive person.
On exposure to the stimuli, sessile antibodies which are usually free in the blood or attached to tissue cells interacts with the antigens to stimulate active enzymes or start changes in the balance between existing enzymes and their inhibitors.
These changes in turn result in releasing of some pharmacologically active substances such as G2 - α globulin, Histamine from mast cells and other slow reacting substances (SRS- A).
The release of these active substances results in such manifestations as gastrointestinal disturbances, Asthma, serum sickness and Hay Fever.
In the delayed form of allergy though specific as the immediate form, antibodies seem not involved rather the mediators are somewhat obscure.
Good example of the delayed type is contact dermatitis and.
Hence, the action of antibodies in the immediate type forms the basis for differentiation between the two forms of allergy.
Classification of Allergens (Exciting agents) include the following: 1.
Inhalant - These are airborne allergens.
They show their symptoms in the respiratory tract.
They include Perfumes, fungi, dust of various kinds, pollens, Vapor, Auto emissions, Cosmetics etc.
2.
Foods - some foods or its contents stimulates allergic conditions.
They include Milk, wheat, strawberry, nuts, chocolate etc 3.
Drugs and Biological - Drugs or its constituents are often major causes of allergic reactions.
Absolute care should be taken in drug usage because all drugs are capable of initiating allergic reactions.
4.
Infectious agents - In this category are Viruses, bacteria and parasites.
5.
Contact - generally these occur when the body comes in close proximity with the stimulant.
They show their symptoms in the skin and mucous membrane.
Industrial chemicals, Plants, flowers, rubber, metals, insecticides, and furs are in this category.
6.
Physical agents - Allergic reactions mainly occurs in the skin and the respiratory tract.
Pressure and Radiations such as light, cold and Heat.
Treatment Treatment of allergy chiefly depends on the nature of the allergen.
However the treatment may adopt any of the following methods: Avoidance, desensitization, Use of antihistamines, hormone therapy, and symptomatic therapy.
The prevalence is not confined to a particular world region, continent or Nation.
In certain persons exposure to certain agents initiates altered reaction of the tissues, but similar amount of the particular agents are innocuous to others.
In such situation, the persons is allergic to the particular agent or antigen.
Therefore allergy is the tissue reactions of certain persons to ordinarily innocuous agent(s).
Allergies are of the immediate and the delayed types.
In the immediate type, specific substances stimulate specific antibodies within the sensitive person.
On exposure to the stimuli, sessile antibodies which are usually free in the blood or attached to tissue cells interacts with the antigens to stimulate active enzymes or start changes in the balance between existing enzymes and their inhibitors.
These changes in turn result in releasing of some pharmacologically active substances such as G2 - α globulin, Histamine from mast cells and other slow reacting substances (SRS- A).
The release of these active substances results in such manifestations as gastrointestinal disturbances, Asthma, serum sickness and Hay Fever.
In the delayed form of allergy though specific as the immediate form, antibodies seem not involved rather the mediators are somewhat obscure.
Good example of the delayed type is contact dermatitis and.
Hence, the action of antibodies in the immediate type forms the basis for differentiation between the two forms of allergy.
Classification of Allergens (Exciting agents) include the following: 1.
Inhalant - These are airborne allergens.
They show their symptoms in the respiratory tract.
They include Perfumes, fungi, dust of various kinds, pollens, Vapor, Auto emissions, Cosmetics etc.
2.
Foods - some foods or its contents stimulates allergic conditions.
They include Milk, wheat, strawberry, nuts, chocolate etc 3.
Drugs and Biological - Drugs or its constituents are often major causes of allergic reactions.
Absolute care should be taken in drug usage because all drugs are capable of initiating allergic reactions.
4.
Infectious agents - In this category are Viruses, bacteria and parasites.
5.
Contact - generally these occur when the body comes in close proximity with the stimulant.
They show their symptoms in the skin and mucous membrane.
Industrial chemicals, Plants, flowers, rubber, metals, insecticides, and furs are in this category.
6.
Physical agents - Allergic reactions mainly occurs in the skin and the respiratory tract.
Pressure and Radiations such as light, cold and Heat.
Treatment Treatment of allergy chiefly depends on the nature of the allergen.
However the treatment may adopt any of the following methods: Avoidance, desensitization, Use of antihistamines, hormone therapy, and symptomatic therapy.