IT MAY not be a major concern of the public, but it should not be neglected as it can possibly endanger one’s life.
An allergy is an immune system disorder triggered by allergens, the substances in the environment that initiate the production of an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), said Professor Donnie Ramos, assistant dean of the College of Science who specializes in immunology or the study of the body’s immune responses.
“All allergic patients are characterized by the production of IgE,” he added.
The immune system recognizes the allergen and will start to produce IgE at an elevated level which will result in the manifestation of symptoms like skin rashes, itching and redness of the eyes, and difficulty in breathing.
Claire Pasoquin, a physician of the UST Health Service, told the Varsitarian that students who are seeking medical assistance often reported to have allergic reactions brought by the changes in weather.
“Some students seek for consultation because they are allergic to insects, pollens, or some other substances from the environment,” Pasoquin said.
Meanwhile, Ramos said house dust mites (HDMs), which are minute and parasitic organisms often feeding on skin flakes of humans, are the usual causes of allergy in tropical countries.
“[HDMs] are airborne and are normally found in beddings, pillows, and carpets,” Ramos said, adding that the fecal matter coming from HDMs contains proteins allergenic for humans.
He also corrected the wrong notion that animal hair causes allergy, as the real cause is the secretion, also known as “pet danders,” of the house pets.
Allergens can also be found in food or latex which contains certain proteins that trigger the immune responses of the body. Over-the-counter medicines could also cause allergic reactions.
Ramos also emphasized that genetics plays a significant role in studying the causes of allergies, depending on an individual’s genes.
“Other persons carry certain polymorphisms (characteristics) of genes that are different from the others,” he said. “There are [certain] genes that will predispose someone to become allergic. So only those persons having those genes will eventually suffer from the allergy.”
A gene is the most basic unit of inheritance in every living organism. It facilitates the coding of necessary proteins that would determine the physical characteristics of the organism.
Allergic rhinitis is the most common kind of allergy, caused by excessive mucus production in the nostrils that leads to runny nose, while the second prevalent form is asthma in which affected individuals experience difficulty in breathing, and sometimes wheezing.
Dermatitis or eczema is the third common form of allergy distinguished by rashes which give an itchy sensation on the skin.
“In asthma, [the] overproduction of mucus is at the upper (nose and pharynx) and lower respiratory tract (trachea and lungs), while rhinitis is more on the upper respiratory tract only,” Ramos said.
Aside from these common allergies, there are other forms like conjunctivitis in the eyes caused by irritations from dust, pollen, and chemical ingredients present in contact lenses.
Modern trends and treatments
While antihistamines are common drugs taken by allergic people, Ramos said it would only conceal the symptoms instead of treating the allergy itself. In addition, steroids and injectable are given only for chronic and serious cases.
“In severe cases, the doctor gives the patient steroidal medicines that block the inflammation of the lungs, the respiratory tract, and inflammation of the skin,” he said.
Ramos added that there is still a chance for a person to become immune to allergens. However, he warned people that continuously exposing oneself to the same allergen without proper physician administration is harmful.
“It is not recommended because it is highly dangerous. In doing that, there is a possibility that the person will suffer from anaphylaxis,” he said.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic condition that could result in death of the person because of organ failure.
Ramos noted that desensitization, also called immunotherapy, is a more effective treatment because it makes use of the same principle as exposing an individual in certain doses of allergens until normal IgG are produced by the immune system, although this technique takes several years.
Meanwhile, Pasoquin said new medical practices are done to see if an infant has an allergy.
“[There are] blood tests in which the blood serum is reacted with a number of allergens and based on the results, doctors would know if the child has an allergy,” she said.
Another common procedure done by physicians to diagnose an allergic patient is the “In vivo skin prick test.”
“During in vivo skin prick testing, a physician will get an allergen source that will be used to prick the skin of the patient and if rashes occur, that is an indication that the patient is allergic to the allergen,” Ramos said.
