Another common type of allergy is food allergy. According to data of the World Allergy Organization , up to 520 million people suffer from it. The most common food allergens are nuts, seafood, citrus fruits, honey, and milk. Also, about 20% of people experienced allergic urticaria, up to 30% - with rhinitis, 10-20% - with allergies to drugs. nine0003

The most dangerous manifestation of an allergy is anaphylactic shock, a rapid and sharp increase in the body's sensitivity upon contact with an allergen. Its most pronounced symptoms are swelling and difficulty in breathing due to swelling of the larynx.

And if allergic rhinitis does not pose a serious threat to life, then anaphylaxis often causes death. Previously, Gazeta.Ru already wrote about several unusual cases of anaphylactic shock.

Thus, an eighteen-year-old boy from London, celebrating his birthday with a girl, died after eating fried chicken at a diner. Death from anaphylaxis overtook him in line for the Ferris wheel.

San Diego woman killed adherence to alternative medicine - a naturopath, to whom she complained of eczema, tried to cure her with turmeric infusion therapy.

When the formula was administered, the woman stopped responding and the worried naturopath called the doctors. They fought for the woman's life for almost a week, but they failed to save her. nine0003

And in Geneva, a man received a prison term for killing a neighbor with wasps. He wanted to remove the hornet's nest from the terrace, the disturbed wasps flew out of it and went to the neighboring house, where there was a married couple on the terrace. The woman remained alive after the bites, but her husband was less fortunate - he suffered from an allergy to insect bites and died from developed anaphylaxis two days later.

Men, on the other hand, may suffer from an allergic reaction to their own semen. At the very least, it is allergies that are considered the main cause of the syndrome of post-orgasmic malaise - a group of physical and cognitive symptoms that manifests itself after ejaculation, including impaired speech, memory problems, mood deterioration, decreased vision, headache, fever, sweating. nine0003

The allergic nature of the disease is indicated, in particular, by the fact that when subcutaneous injections of their own sperm in men suffering from this syndrome, an allergic reaction developed. And with regular injections, the men reported a reduction in symptoms.

The cause of an allergy is not always obvious. American researchers studied 70 cases of unexplained regular allergic reactions and found that some of them, apparently, were caused by the galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose molecule found in red meat. Usually, the reaction to food allergens appears within 5-30 minutes after eating the product, however, in the case of red meat, the allergy made itself felt only after 3-6 hours. nine0003

"An unusually long time between food intake and an allergic reaction is likely why galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose allergy is often misdiagnosed," the researchers said. —

If you have trouble breathing at night, you can't really blame the hamburger you ate for dinner."

Patients allergic to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose have been free of allergic reactions for several years after avoiding red meat. nine0003

Skin tests are used to diagnose allergies - several allergens are injected subcutaneously or applied to small scratches on the patient's skin, each of which is assigned a number corresponding to the allergen used.

A more accurate way is to determine the level of total and specific immunoglobulins E in the blood serum. The task of immunoglobulins is to fight toxins, viruses and bacteria. Normally, the level of IgE is quite low and by its growth it is possible to determine the presence of an allergic reaction to a particular substance and the degree of its severity. nine0003

It makes sense to have an allergy test at an early age. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that exposure to allergens in childhood predicts the development of allergic rhinitis and asthma in adolescence.

They tested 1034 children for allergic reactions to over 100 allergen molecules. It turned out that in this way it is possible to predict the development of respiratory allergies at a later age with an accuracy of 90%. The results will allow timely preventive measures to be taken, and will also be useful in the development of new methods of treating allergies in children. nine0003

The most reliable way to protect yourself from an allergic reaction is to avoid contact with the allergen. Antihistamines are used to relieve symptoms.

Also in recent years, the direction of immunotherapy has been actively developing. Treatment takes several years, during which the patient regularly receives increasing doses of the allergen. This leads to a decrease in the severity or even the complete disappearance of symptoms.

For example, recently the French biopharmaceutical company DBV Technologies spoke to about her progress in developing a peanut allergy patch.

After three years of patch use, 83% of study children aged 6-11 could eat a gram of peanuts without any allergic reaction. This is 10 times more than at the beginning of the study.

Older people also successfully responded to treatment, but the most pronounced progress was in children. Each patch contains the same protein as peanuts, and once applied to the skin, the protein comes into contact with the immune system. In this form, it does not enter the bloodstream and does not cause a sharp allergic reaction. nine0003

Another form of immunotherapy involves intravenous injections of anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies that bind free IgE and IgE on the surface of lymphocytes, which signals the destruction of IgE.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the proteins contained in mother's milk can protect the child from allergies.

Researchers gave female mice egg white for food, and when they had offspring, put the offspring of mice that did not receive egg white in the nursing female. After feeding, it turned out that not only the mouse’s own offspring, but also the mice fed by it from other females, are less susceptible to egg protein allergies. The most pronounced effect was observed if the female received protein both before pregnancy, and during it, and during feeding. nine0003

On the other hand, mice born to an egg-white-fed female but fed by another mouse were only marginally protected from allergies compared to controls.

Allergy: myths and reality

Allergy is considered a disease of the 21st century. Some allergic reactions can be read in the writings of doctors of the 1st century BC. Over the millennia, mankind has accumulated a certain amount of information about allergies, and sometimes we think that we already know everything about it. However, some of this knowledge is just myths, stories passed from mouth to mouth and not having any scientific basis. nine0003

Myths.

Myth #1.

"25% of people believe they have a food allergy."

Clinical studies show that only 6% of children and 2% of adults are allergic to certain foods.

Myth #2.

"Most allergic people react to sweets, tomatoes and strawberries."

An allergy can be to any product. For most adults, the main allergen is peanuts. In the United States, 100 people die every year from a generalized allergic reaction to peanuts. nine0003

Myth #3.

"Food allergies are not dangerous."

In the event of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema, the count goes on for minutes. If you do not provide emergency medical care, as a result of bronchospasm, when air stops flowing into the lungs, the prognosis for the patient may be unfavorable. If you or your child have a food allergy, you must have Dexamethasone in ampoules in the medicine cabinet. nine0003

How does a food allergy manifest itself?

The leading clinical manifestations of food allergies are:

skin changes - 50-70% (rash)

Gastrointestinal manifestations - 30-60% (abdominal pain, changes in stool)

Respiratory syndrome - 20-30% (cough, runny nose, shortness of breath).

Young children rarely have isolated forms of food allergies. In most cases, food allergies are multi-organ in nature. This manifests itself in the form of constipation, a rash in the perianal region, colic, abdominal pain, which leads to refusal to eat and, as a result, to weight loss and anemia. nine0003

Initial symptoms occur in the first weeks or even days of a child's life. Most often, these symptoms are not specific enough and do not have the nature of a particular pathology. These include: skin manifestations (redness, persistent diaper rash, rash). Gastrointestinal symptoms can be expressed by profuse regurgitation, colic, constipation. At least 10-15% of cases of infantile colic are associated with food allergies. Refusal to take the product or anxiety about eating can also indicate an allergic reaction. nine0003

What is an allergen?

Cause-significant allergens are foods containing protein.

Major allergens in young children around the world:

Cow's milk

The "big eight" allergens include: cow's milk, chicken egg, soy, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts, seafood and fish. It should be remembered that nuts include hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans. And peanuts belong to another group of plants - legumes. Other common allergens include: chocolate, strawberries, honey, animal and bird meat, cereals. However, their causal role increases with age. nine0003

So, the main allergens in children under 3 years old are chicken eggs and cow's milk protein.

The development of food allergies in breastfed children occurs due to excessive consumption by the mother during lactation of products containing cow's milk protein and chicken eggs, as well as products with a high allergenic potential. Allergens are found in breast milk 1-6 hours after consumption, regardless of whether the mother has an allergic disease. Normally, this is of physiological importance for the formation of food tolerance in a child. But if there is a genetic predisposition to allergies, this can lead to sensitization, i.e. the accumulation of antibodies to this allergen and subsequently lead to the appearance of clinical symptoms of allergy. nine0003

So, if one or both parents in the family suffer from allergic diseases, a lactating woman should adhere to a hypoallergenic diet throughout the entire lactation period.

chicken eggs, have high allergenicity, not only protein, but also some proteins contained in the yolk. However, about half of children with hen's egg allergy are able to tolerate small amounts of egg whites in highly cooked foods (bread, biscuits). And among children over 5 years old who had an allergy to a chicken egg, most have a tolerance to a boiled egg. An allergy to a chicken egg can be accompanied by a cross-allergic reaction to the eggs of other birds and to chicken meat. nine0003

So, boiled eggs are less likely to cause allergic reactions in preschool children. And young children who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat foods containing intensely heat-treated egg white in small quantities.

Measles and mumps vaccines may contain trace hen egg allergens due to the use of chick embryos. This must be taken into account when vaccinating against these infections. The presence of a generalized allergic reaction to a chicken egg is an absolute contraindication for the use of these vaccines. In other cases, in the absence of a history of generalized allergic reactions to a chicken egg, a child can be vaccinated. nine0003

So, when vaccinating a child, it is necessary to consult a vaccinologist.

True allergy to cow's milk protein most often occurs in the first year of life, and in further its prevalence decreases. Milk contains approximately 36 types of different proteins that can cause sensitization. The main allergens of milk practically do not lose their biological activity during boiling, pasteurization, ultra-high temperature treatment and drying. The milk of other animals, in particular goats, has pronounced allergenic properties. At the same time, goat's milk can cause both cross - allergic reaction in patients with food allergy to cow's milk protein, and be an independent allergen and cause severe allergic reactions. Far from cheap mixtures based on goat's milk, so widely advertised everywhere, are used only in Russia, they are not sold in other countries ... ..

What other allergens currently exist?

Often the cause of the occurrence or exacerbation of various allergic diseases can be soy or products containing soy protein . Children who receive soy-based formulas are more affected. There are 16 different allergens found in soy. In addition, soy contains phytoestrogens, which are considered as a possible factor in the obesity of modern people.

Peanuts (peanuts) is actively used in the food industry and belongs to the "hidden allergens". After roasting and boiling, the allergenic properties of peanuts increase. Peanut allergy is one of the most common types of food hypersensitivity, characterized by severe reactions, including anaphylactic shock. The presence of an allergy to peanuts is an unfavorable harbinger of the development of severe systemic diseases in the future. nine0003

Fish and seafood also cause the development of allergic reactions, including in young children. Marine fish are more allergenic than river fish. Some patients are allergic to only one type of fish, and they do not react to other varieties. But in terms of composition, the proteins of different fish species have an almost homologous structure, and this explains the presence of cross-allergic reactions to all types of fish in many patients. It is characteristic that the allergy to fish does not decrease with age. Allergenic protein in some fish species can turn into steam during heat treatment, which explains the appearance of inhalation manifestations of allergy in sensitized patients. People with a seafood allergy should follow the same precautions as those with a fish allergy. Indeed, even a small amount of mollusk can cause a violent allergic reaction, life-threatening, up to anaphylactic shock. nine0003

Animal meat. Allergic reactions to animal meat are rare. Most allergenic meat proteins lose their sensitizing ability after thermal and culinary processing.

What are cross-allergic reactions?

This is the development of an allergic reaction to various other foods, as well as the appearance of identical symptoms to food, pollen and epidermal allergens. This is due to the similarity of the structure (amino acid composition) of these allergens and is essential for patients with food allergies and hay fever, since these patients may develop cross-allergic reactions . For example, sagebrush pollen provokes a cross-allergic reaction to banana, avocado and melon. Birch pollen - for apple, pear, carrot, cherry, sweet cherry, dill, walnut, peach, plum, potato, spinach, peanut, celery, kiwi, cumin, coriander. Sunflower pollen - for sunflower oil, halva, mayonnaise, mustard. Down, feather - for meat and eggs of birds. Fungal allergens - for kefir, moldy cheeses, yeast dough products, kvass. nine0003

Thus, a hypoallergenic diet should be observed for nursing mothers with a burdened allergic history and children suffering from various types of allergic diseases. For the prevention of allergies, breastfeeding and the correct introduction of complementary foods to the child are very important.

What is a hypoallergenic diet?

This is a N 5 GA diet, from which products with increased sensitizing activity, containing artificial food additives (dyes, emulsifiers, preservatives), as well as dishes with the properties of non-specific gastrointestinal tract irritants, are excluded. This diet provides for gentle cooking, while the dishes are steamed, boiled or baked. The temperature of the dishes should be 20 degrees C. The calorie content of a hypoallergenic diet corresponds to the physiological need. nine0003

Excluded: broths, spicy, salty, fried foods, smoked meats, sausages, liver, fish, caviar, seafood, eggs, spicy and processed cheeses, ice cream, mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, pepper, from vegetables - radish, radish, sorrel, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, sauerkraut, pickled and pickled cucumbers, as well as melon, watermelon, mushrooms, nuts, berries and fruits of orange and red color (citrus fruits, strawberries, strawberries, raspberries, sea buckthorn, kiwi, pineapple, apricot, pomegranate, peach, grapes), refractory fats, margarine, carbonated fruit drinks, kvass, coffee, cocoa, kissels, honey, chocolate, caramel, marshmallows, marshmallows, cakes, muffins, fresh pastries, chewing gum. nine0003

Limited: semolina, pasta, whole milk, sour cream (provided only in dishes), cottage cheese, yogurt with fruit additives, butter, bread made from premium flour, chicken, early vegetables (subject to mandatory pre-soaking), carrots , turnips, beets, onions, garlic, cucumbers, fruit and berry salad - cherries, plums, black currants, bananas, lingonberries, cranberries, rose hips.

Recommended: various cereals, except for semolina, fermented milk drinks without fruit additives. mild cheeses, lean meat, specialized canned meat for baby food, vegetables - all types of cabbage, zucchini, squash, light pumpkin, parsley, dill, young green peas, fruits - green and white apples, pears, light varieties of cherries, plums , white currant, gooseberry. Juices from the listed fruits and berries (natural and canned for baby food) are given diluted by 1/3 with boiled water, tea without flavorings. Vegetable oil is allowed - olive, corn, sunflower, fructose, 2nd grade wheat bread or "Darnitsky", cereal bread, unsweetened corn rice sticks, simple drying.

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