Allergic diseases, which are very common today, continue to increase day by day. While some allergic problems can be overcome with a runny nose in spring, such as a mild hay fever, without the need for any treatment or with very little medication, some allergies can lead to life-threatening allergic shock. Your allergies can be controlled with the use of medications containing antihistamines or decongestants, but as allergies progress, they can affect your daily activities and reduce your quality of life. Most importantly, allergies can threaten your life.
By controlling the allergens that cause your allergic disease, you gain control of your life. You need to get help from an allergist to find a solution for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.
DOES AN ALLERGIST (ALLERGIST) TREAT ALLERGIC DISEASES AND ASTHMA?
Allergists diagnose asthma and other allergic diseases. They are doctors trained in its treatment. Allergists have received special training to perform tests used to detect allergens that cause asthma and other allergic diseases. They become experts by obtaining all kinds of medical information on the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases.
In order to become an allergist in our country, it is mandatory to receive education in the department of internal medicine, pediatrics, chest diseases or dermatology, and then pass the allergy diseases upper specialization exam and complete the 3rd degree. They are required to receive training in the allergy department, which is a minor branch above their main branch, for a period of one year. You can be sure that allergy specialists, whose diplomas are approved by the Ministry of Health, have all the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat allergic diseases.
WHAT IS ALLERGY?
Our immune system protects us against viruses and bacteria. It works perfectly, but sometimes it overreacts to substances in the external environment, which we call allergens.
With the genetic predisposition that allergy carries, our immune system has an extremely exaggerated and harmful defense against the normally harmless substance or substances in our environment, called allergens. It can be defined as a reaction. immune system As a result of the excessive response of the skin, many chemical products are formed, and the excess of chemical products causes undesirable reactions on the skin, which may range from itching to allergic shock.
CAUSES OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS?
There are hundreds of ordinary substances called "allergens" that can trigger allergic reactions. The most common ones include plant pollens, moulds, house dust (dust mites), cockroaches, pets, industrial chemicals, foods, medications, feathers and insect stings.
WHO DEVELOPS ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA?
Asthma and allergic diseases can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic factors. Although asthma and food allergies seem to be more common in children, they can occur for the first time at any age. Sometimes allergy symptoms begin in childhood, disappear for many years, and may begin again in adult life.
Although the exact genetic factors are not yet understood, there is a hereditary tendency to develop asthma and allergic diseases. In sensitive people, hormones, stress, smoke, perfume or other environmental chemicals may also play a role in the emergence of allergies.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIC DISEASES?
Allergy cells that play a role in the emergence of allergic complaints are all over the body. available. Therefore, an allergic reaction can occur anywhere in the body, but allergic complaints are generally more common in organs that are in more frequent contact with allergens. The most common allergic symptoms are seen in the nose, eyes, lungs, stomach, sinuses, throat and skin. The reason for this depends on the reaction of the immune system cells, especially where they come into contact with allergens, such as the airway, digestive system or skin.
Main allergic diseases: Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Allergic Conjunctivitis, It is seen as Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), Urticaria (Hives), Contact dermatitis, Food Allergy, Drug Allergies, Insect Allergies, Occupational Allergies, Anaphylaxis (Allergic Shock).
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Allergic rhinitis is a general term used to describe allergic reactions such as itching, discharge and congestion that occur in the nose due to an allergic reaction. Allergic ri We can say that the symptoms seen in the nt are sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itching, and often accompanied by itching in the eyes and / or inside the mouth. If these symptoms are caused by pollens or outdoor allergens in the spring, summer, or fall, the condition is often referred to as "hay fever." When it happens year-round, it can be caused by exposure to dust mites at school or work, pets, mold in indoor spaces, or other allergens we come into contact with year-round. It should not be forgotten that allergic rhinitis can turn into allergic asthma over time.
Asthma
Asthma symptoms occur due to spasm in the muscles in the airway, blocking the air in the lungs and damage to the cells lining the bronchi. Excess mucus can block the airways. An asthma attack is characterized by respiratory distress, chest tightness, coughing and/or wheezing. Sometimes a chronic cough is the only symptom. Asthma symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening attacks where breathing stops. It has been shown that the biggest cause of asthma is allergies. That is why it is of great importance for people with asthma to be evaluated by allergists.
Atopic and Contact Dermatitis / Urticaria (Hives) / Skin Allergies
Atopic and contact dermatitis, eczema and urticaria are caused by allergens and other skin allergies. These are skin disorders that can be caused by irritating substances. Often, reactions may take hours or days to develop, as in contact dermatitis, or may occur within minutes, as in urticaria. The most common allergic causes of rashes are medications, insect stings, foods, animals, and chemicals used at home or at work. Skin allergies can be aggravated by emotional stress.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the most serious allergic reaction. It is a rare, potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects many parts of the body simultaneously. The most common triggers may be insect stings such as bees, foods such as peanuts, or a medication such as penicillin. Symptoms may quickly include:
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
A dangerous drop in blood pressure hypotension
Skin rash and urticarial rash
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of the throat and/or tongue
Loss of consciousness.
These symptoms often occur rapidly after onset. it gets worse. At the first sign of an anaphylactic reaction, one should immediately go to the nearest Emergency Department or use the adrenaline auto-injector he/she has been carrying with him/her before.
Food / Drug / Bee Allergy
In the earliest period of life The food allergies we encounter can cause problems such as urticaria, eczema or allergic shock. Likewise, medications are among the most common causes of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in the following years. Since food, drug and bee allergies can cause very serious allergic reactions, it is necessary to seek help from allergists.
Effectively controlling asthma and other allergic diseases requires planning, skill and patience. Allergists can create a treatment plan for your personal condition with the expert training they have received on this subject. The goal is to ensure that you live as normal and symptom-free a life as possible.
An allergist examination may include:
Allergy testing: An allergist usually performs tests to determine which allergens are at play.
Prevention education: The most effective approach to treating asthma or other allergies is to avoid the factors that trigger the condition in the first place. Even when it is not possible to get rid of allergens completely, reducing your exposure may help you use less medication and have fewer complaints.
Medication prescriptions: A number of new and effective medications are available to treat both asthma and allergies. It organizes the use of these drugs in the most appropriate way for you
Allergy vaccines (Immunotherapy): It organizes it as subcutaneous or sublingual tablets in a way that suits you.
Allergy vaccines are given weekly and then monthly, which causes allergy problems. By giving allergens to the patient, your allergic problems may decrease and disappear over time. It would be appropriate to have allergy vaccines administered under the supervision of an allergist.
There may be many different situations that require you to see an allergist. If you have complaints such as:
Chronic sinus infections, middle ear infections, etc. or if you have infections such as pharyngitis, persistent nasal congestion or difficulty breathing.
If you have hay fever or a persistent cough outside of a few months of the year.
Antihistamines and other medications can control your allergy symptoms. If the medication does not help you or if you have side effects such as fatigue, increased appetite and drowsiness.
If your asthma or other allergic diseases affect your ability to continue your daily activities.
If your asthma or allergies reduce the quality of your life
If you have severe asthma symptoms and frequent asthma attacks.
If you have abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea attacks
If you have swelling, itching or rashes on the skin
If serious allergic reactions occur after medication, food or insect stings.
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