In order to successfully prevent allergies it is important to understand how they develop. We will briefly touch upon each stage in the progression of allergies.
The first stage of the development of an allergy begins with exposure to an allergen or antigen. Allergens include dust mites, pollen and other parts of plants, animal hair and dander. Environmental control can often stop the reaction at this stage. If you have symptoms, identification of your allergies is of prime importance. For example, if a person is allergic to house dust, decreasing the amount present may significantly reduce the symptoms or even eliminate them.
In the second stage, the allergen or antigen enters the immune system and affects the plasma cells producing immunoglobulin E.
In the third stage, the allergen becomes attached to the sensitized mast cell and releases histamines and causes other chemical mediators in the system to react. In cases of hay fever or allergic rhinitis, histamine causes engorgement of the blood vessels in the nose. There is an increase of mucus secretion and sneezing and itching due to the irritation of nerve endings.
The same mechanism affects patients with asthma and in this case leukotrien more than histamine causes constriction and spasm of the bronchial tissues in the lungs, inflammation of the mucosal lining and an increase in secretion of mucus from the mucus glands. The result includes wheezing, increased production of phlegm and coughing. In addition histamine is responsible for allergic diseases such as hives, eczema, food allergies, insect allergies and in some cases migraine headaches. Of interest to expecting mothers may be the possibility of eliminating or decreasing the chance of babies being born with milk allergy by placing mothers on a milk-free diet.
I hope this summary was helpful to explain the cause of allergies and asthma so that you will be able to understand how the allergy and asthma medications are able to reduce and treat symptoms.
Dr. Farhadian is a member of the American Academy and College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you have any questions please call H. Farhadian, M.D., Director of Valencia Allergy Medical Group at 661-259-6996.