Household allergies

Allergies in everyday life can occur to any substance, but most often they occur on household dust, which is the real enemy of allergy sufferers. House dust almost always contains a lot of various allergens, in response to the introduction of which into the body, an allergic reaction occurs. Allergy is an increased sensitivity of the body to various substances (allergens). At the first contact with an allergen, the body is sensitized - a change and an increase in sensitivity to this allergen. Upon repeated ingestion of this allergen into a sensitized organism, an allergic reaction occurs - the body produces antibodies that, sticking together with the allergen (in case of an allergic reaction, it is called an antigen), remove it from the body. 

Allergic reactions can be different, from skin rashes to anaphylactic shock.

Household allergens

The main role among them is played by house dust. It is a complex allergen in its composition, which includes dust particles (from clothes, bed linen, etc.), fungus (in damp rooms), particles of domestic insects (bedbugs, mites). These allergens most often cause allergic respiratory diseases - dust allergies. People who are sensitized to one insect usually have a reaction to allergens from other insects of this family.

Recently, antigens from various types of daphnia have become very important, since the latter are widely used for feeding aquarium fish and cause allergic respiratory diseases.

Household allergy to household dust

The most active principle of dust is microscopic mites. Up to fifty species of mites can be found in house dust, and up to several thousand mites can be found in 1 g of house dust. House dust also contains bacteria (for example, staphylococci), mold and other fungi, etc.

With dust allergies, allergic reactions of an immediate type occur more often, which occur with the formation of antibodies called reagins belonging to the class of immunoglobulins E (IgE). When reagins are combined with the corresponding allergen (antigen), mediators (for example, histamine) are released from these cells, which cause an allergic reaction 15-20 minutes after contact with the allergen.

Allergic reactions of the immediate type that occur when inhaling house dust manifest themselves in the form of bronchial asthma, hives, Angioedema, allergic runny nose, conjunctivitis. Delayed allergic reactions such as dermatitis and eczema are less common. In the development of these diseases, the hereditary imperfection of the immune system is of great importance - an increased ability to respond with allergies to external factors. This condition is called atopy.

Dust allergy is characterized by a year-round course, sometimes in summer there is an improvement associated with a minimum concentration of the allergen in the air. Exacerbation is possible in September-October due to the breeding season of dust mites.

Dust allergy is characterized by clear remissions (conditions beyond exacerbations) upon cessation of contact with the allergen. The addition of chronic respiratory diseases and bacterial allergies is rare.

Diagnosis of household allergies

The diagnosis of household allergies was previously established using allergic diagnostic skin tests that identify household allergens. However, such tests can give false positive and false negative results. In addition, they are contraindicated in children under 5 years of age and can cause severe allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock. Therefore, skin testing is possible only in specialized medical institutions and under the supervision of an allergist, without exacerbation of the disease.

Blood tests for the detection of antibodies to allergens – specific immunoglobulins E - are more accurate. This analysis can be done at any age, regardless of the presence or absence of an exacerbation of an allergic disease. In the OLYMP laboratory branches, you can be tested for all household and animal allergens, the main of which are dust, mites, poultry, cats, dogs, rodents, fish food, etc. Thanks to the IMMULITE 2000 XPI automatic analyzer (Siemens, USA) the test for specific immunoglobulins E is performed quickly and is absolutely safe for health!

Treatment of household allergies

The treatment of household allergies, first of all, consists in stopping contact with house dust and animals. If complete exclusion of such contact is impossible, then year-round specific (allergen causing allergy) hyposensitization is carried out - reducing the sensitivity of the body to the allergen by subcutaneous administration of allergen extracts in gradually increasing doses, which relieves the allergic mood of the body in relation to a specific allergen.

Household allergies require careful isolation from the allergen, which can be achieved by changing living conditions and maintaining order in the apartment.