Allergy signs and symptoms

Allergy is a phenomenon of pathological exaggeration of the immune response, particularly the inflammatory reaction, in the face of an antigen generally foreign to the body-it is more specifically referred to as an allergen in the case of allergy. This is a form of hypersensitivity. Treatments that make the body tolerant to the offending substance are called "desensitization".

There are family predispositions-this is called "atopic" terrain. This can be an aggravating factor in certain subjects and the function of allergies developed. Allergy is popularly presented as a multifaceted disease, 1 since a first allergy often announces a more general allergic terrain.

The branch of medicine that studies allergies is allergology. The specialists in this disease are allergists.

Epidemiology

In a large and growing number of industrialized countries, allergy is a real emerging social phenomenon. In 1980, 10% of the population suffered in 1999 more than 30% 2, the most alarmist predictions rise up to 50% by 20253 in the industrialized countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Many experts believe that the issue of cross-allergies and the effects of low doses and product cocktails should be further explored, which is complicated by the complexity of the interactions between allergens and living organisms4.

The evolution is officially followed in France by the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network, a member organization of the "European EPI Network" itself with its own site5. 20 to 25% of the general population in France, suffers from an allergic disease.

Signs and symptoms

Among the commonly known reactions of the general public: eczema, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, asthma attacks, food allergies.

Anaphylactic shock remains the most serious manifestation with Quincke's edema.

Respiratory allergies

They are mainly manifested by allergic rhinitis, with stuffy nose, itching, runny nose, frequent sneezing, loss of smell ... There are two types of rhinitis:

    allergic rhinitis called "persistent": beyond four days and four weeks per year. It is due to allergens that are found in our environment
    allergic rhinitis called "intermittent": less than four days a week or four weeks a year. It is mainly related to pollens arriving in spring6.

The results :

    sleeping troubles
    mood disorders
    concentration problems
    disturbances of professional, family or social life6.

Respiratory allergies can also manifest themselves through asthma, with choking and wheezing. These allergies are mainly due to respiratory contact with "allergens" such as pollens, house dust mites, molds, animals.

Symptoms of allergic asthma:

    difficulty breathing
    shortness of breath after exercise or laughter
    wheezing
    a feeling of choking (tightness in the chest)
    a dry and irritating cough6.

Allergic conjunctivitis is also a form of respiratory allergy. It can be caused by pollen, certain products such as eye drops, dust, etc. It is not contagious. This allergic manifestation is often associated with others (rhinitis or asthma). The allergens involved are mites, animal hair or feathers, colorful flowers or bulb plants, some cosmetics6.

Respiratory allergies affect one in four French people, a figure that has been steadily increasing for 30 years