So what is an allergic reaction?
An allergy is caused by an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to substances that in most cases are not harmful at all.
Common triggers of respiratory allergies include pollen, house dust mites and animal dander.
Exposure can lead to a range of symptoms, including allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the upper respiratory tract), conjunctivitis (itching, watery eyes) and allergic asthma (inflammation of the lower respiratory tract).
These symptoms can worsen over time if they are not treated properly. Allergic rhinitis is considered one of the major risk factors for developing asthma.
Almost half of all allergy sufferers are children
The prevalence of respiratory allergic diseases has increased in recent decades and is still increasing. Worldwide, an estimated 400-500 million people suffer from allergic rhinitis, 40% of whom are children. In addition, 62% of patients have poor or only partial control of the symptoms. (Read more here)
Loss of millions of working days
For many people, their respiratory allergy has a significant impact on their quality of life. Due to poor sleep, difficulty concentrating or shortness of breath, this can lead to the loss of millions of school hours and working days.
However, there are several treatment options, including symptom suppressing drugs and allergy immunotherapy. When symptomatic medication is used, the action of histamine is blocked, which reduces the symptoms.
Examples of this type of medication are antihistamines, bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Antihistamines block the action of histamine, bronchodilators dilate the lower respiratory tract and corticosteroids fight inflammation.
Immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of the allergy, the immune system, and is intended to reduce hypersensitivity to a particular allergen, thus reducing allergic symptoms.
Who's at risk?
Global industrialisation and changes in lifestyles have had a major impact on the development of respiratory allergies.
Research shows that people develop an allergy due to both genetic and environmental factors. Usually an allergy occurs in several family members. However, it is also possible that someone develops an airway allergy, without it having occurred in the family before.
Airway allergy is a progressive disorder
Anyone can develop an allergy during their lifetime, but they are most common during childhood and adolescence. An allergy can become more severe over time.
Allergy experts have long suspected a link between respiratory allergies and the development of asthma, since about 80% of patients with asthma also have allergic rhinitis; and 40% of patients with allergic rhinitis also have lower respiratory tract symptoms.
You can read more about allergies on Health News Rss.