The immune system is a complex organ of recognition and defense, on whose integrity an individual’s health depends.
Occasionally, alterations in its functions lead to diseases, including allergic diseases.
Why do allergic diseases occur?
Allergic diseases, also called hypersensitivity diseases, are caused by an overreaction of the patient’s immune system to various substances in the environment.
The agents that trigger these diseases are called allergens and can come from a variety of sources (pollens, foods, medicines, etc.).
Allergic diseases develop in genetically predisposed individuals who, after being sensitised by an allergen and coming into contact with it again, develop symptoms in different organs.
Various cells are involved in the allergic reaction, mainly mast cells, basophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils.
The triggering of an allergic reaction involves the release of inflammatory mediators contained in these cells, which are immediately and later responsible for the symptoms suffered by patients. The production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is characteristic.
Mechanism of action of allergic disease
During the sensitization process, a person’s body forms specific antibodies to any foreign substance that enters the body. There are several types of antibodies or immunoglobulins: IgA, IgG, IgG, IgD and IgE. The most common allergy is due to the fact that the body forms IgE against a particular allergen, while non-allergic individuals use other defense mechanisms.
On the first occasion the level of this IgE is low, or the amount of allergen is small, and the person is apparently tolerating the allergen well. However, if contact with the allergen is prolonged, the IgE level rises until it reaches a certain level at which contact with the allergen triggers the release of various components from mast cells and eosinophils leading to allergy symptoms.
The fact that there has to be more than one contact with the allergen or prolonged exposure over time can give a false sense of not having allergy, because when the amount of allergen is already higher, symptoms are triggered.
- Treatment of respiratory allergic diseases involves environmental control measures, pharmacological/symptomatic treatment and immunotherapy.
- Immunotherapy is the only etiological treatment that modifies the course of allergic disease and can prevent the onset of bronchial asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Bibliography
- https://www.fbbva.es/alergia/los-responsables-de-la-rinoconjuntivitis-y-el-asma-alergicas/alergia-por-polenes-que-son-y-como-evitarlos/
- https://seicap.es/alergia/tratamientos/vacunas-de-la-alergia%EF%BF%BC/
