People suffering from a pollen allergy, should limit the number of pollen-forming plants in your garden or to position them as far away from the entrance, the other doors and windows. If possible, you can also select preferred female plants, which trap the pollen blowing up of male representatives of their kind, so that they can only to a lesser extent into the home.

In the presence of some species may experience increased asthma symptoms, however, other plants do not trigger allergic reactions. Pigweed, echinacea, elderberry, juniper, peony, poppy and privet include, for example, to species that can cause shortness of breath. It would be better instead, surround themselves with azaleas, begonias, bougainvillea, gladiolus, marigold, pansies, snapdragons and violets. And when spring flowers daffodils and tulips are way much better than crocuses, are allergic to their pollen, many patients.

For winter use no straw

In case of dust whirling in works such as the creation of new flowerbeds, transplanting or Bodenumgraben and especially when emptied containers containing leaves is recommended for allergy sufferers, a breathing mask or goggles. However, it also by frequent irrigation, the amount of allergens and molds to reduce the air, says Morr. Anyone who has an allergy to grass pollen, should be used for Winterizing the plants of course, no straw, but the charges preferred as cover with jute bags.

The concrete description of allergy was established in 1906 by a Viennese pediatrician Baron Clemens von Pirquet.

Symptoms

As a target organ of allergy is the body designated in which the allergic reaction to expire. Major target organs are the skin (with its Langerhans cells as outposts of the immune system “, so-called antigen presenting cells) and the respiratory tract as contact organs on the environment, see contact allergy, environmental allergens.

So can allergies expressed as:

* Respiratory diseases (such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), bronchial asthma)
* Skin disorders (such as various forms of urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis)

Shutter

Cause of allergies (allergens) can be grouped into five categories:

* Inhalation allergens (including pollen (mostly birch pollen), the house dust mite feces, skin flakes from animals, mold spores, saliva than Putzrück stand on animal skin scales, hair or bird feathers, solvent vapors)
* Contact allergens (including animal hair, flowers and pollen, formaldehyde in cosmetics, latex (gloves, erasers, condoms), additives in force, art and coating materials, metals (eg nickel)
* Insecticides (especially bee and wasp venom)
* Food allergens (milk, fish, fruits, grains, nuts)
* Medications, which act as allergens (including antibiotics such as penicillin)

From cross allergy is when the allergic reaction to a particular allergen triggers another transfer that is actually unrelated to the first allergen to do.

Evidence of allergy

There are three types of allergy tests to determine to which substances the patient responds:

* Skin tests
* Other provocation tests
* Blood tests

Skin tests

A skin test is considered the standard investigation for suspected that the patient is allergic to certain substances. It is a form of provocation tests: An allergen extract is placed on ways to put in contact with skin. This will in sensitized subjects released histamine, penetrates into the adjacent tissue and causes an inflammation there to her, the degree of allergic reaction off.

* The Reibetest is particularly sensitive in humans. The doctor rubs with the suspected substance in force on the inside of the forearm. In the case of positive response are redness or large wheals.
* When the scratch test allergen extracts on the Beugeseite and of the forearm with a lancet the skin 5-mm superficial angeritzt. In effect the extract into the skin.
* The most commonly used today is the prick method, in which the allergen solution to either the forearm or the back is given. Through the round will drop with a special needle about 1 mm into the skin razor. The test, however, can only organic allergens used.
* Similarly, the Intrakutantest applied; only that while the allergen extract with a fine needle into the skin is injected. This test, however, is more painful than the prick.
* In case of contact eczema involves the patch test. They are paving the allergens in question, and on the back or the upper arm of patients with adhesive. Since the slower contact allergy, the patch must be two to three days on the skin to stay. Then the result is read off.

Other provocation tests

For other provocation tests, the suspected allergen the patient is not on the skin, but in another form sent, for example as a solution to inhale or sprayed into the nose. Then measure the allergic reaction, such as swelling of the nasal mucosa by means of a so-called rhinomanometry or to the respiratory tract with a pulmonary function test.

The advantage of a provocation test is that the complaint can be triggered not only awareness in the blood tests. Since provocation test unexpectedly severe symptoms to life threatening anaphylactic shock may occur, an allergy doctor who has the necessary counterpart funds and equipment available should experience it.

Blood tests

* When RIST (radio-immuno-sorbent assay) is immunoglobulin E in the blood. However, since in principle all immunoglobulin antibodies, it is an allergy to the total immunoglobulin levels increased. The higher the sensitivity the higher the levels of immunoglobulin. With such a finding can only generally be an allergy, but not while the patient is allergic response.
* The RAST (Radio-Allergo-sorbent test) is more expensive and elaborate than the RIST investigation. It is suspected of being the cause of the allergic reaction, so specific immuno globulins, after a previous skin test are confirmed.

Symptom of allergies is an increased proportion of eosinophils in the blood.

Development of allergy

Where the basic readiness derives from an allergy to develop, is not fully understood. Be discussed include:

* Genetic factors (allergies are associated HLA – human Leucocyte antigen system). Variants are now available in more than 50 different genes demonstrated (including ADAM33, GPRA or IL1RN, which all play a role in allergic inflammation play)
* Under exposure of the immune system in early infancy with viral or bacterial pathogens, such as through excessive hygiene (surface disinfection)
* The number of allergic reactions mainly occurring immunoglobulin type E (IgE) were used originally to ward off now in the industrialized nations have become rare infections with parasites such as tape worms.
* Poor nutrition, in discussion, certain fatty acids, the high histamine levels in certain foods, and vitamin D, the immunosuppressive effect
* Particulate matter by the aggressiveness of the pollen and the receptiveness of the body to allergens increases
* Psychosomatic, but more as a secondary phenomenon in the Sense of a conditioning allergenic stimuli
* Increase in the pollen, for example, by global warming or as a stress response of trees to pollution
* Increase exposure of the mites through better insulation of houses
* Early changes in the intestinal flora caused by antibiotics and probiotics can be influenced
* Change the skin flora, for example through the introduction of diapers
* Kälteresistente bacteria in food, for example through the introduction of refrigerators
* Drugs such as paracetamol
* Cigarette smoke – smoking parents, the likelihood of allergy verachtfachen

Not completely refuted the irritation of the immune system through vaccinations. Because vaccination coverage in the New Länder to 1989 were significantly higher (near 100%), allergies, despite higher environmental burden (eg through Braunkohleverfeuerung) were virtually unknown, this explanation is not very cogent views. Meanwhile rebut several epidemiological studies, a relationship.

When an allergen, the first barrier (skin or mucous membranes) has been overcome by the immune system recognizes as foreign, are B-lymphocytes for production of the appropriate allergen antibody (Immunoglobulin type E) stimulated. This takes one to two days. This process is called the sensitization phase, because the organism is a further contact with these allergens in the immediate situation, the appropriate antibody to form. The antibody production at the first contact with an allergen triggers no symptoms.

The antibodies are formed on the surface of mast cells and are thus in a position to again expose to allergens to mast cells to bind.

As a consequence of the binding is the permeable membrane of mast cells and stored them in bubble pour from the histamine, which is an inflammatory cascade initiated to the well-known symptoms.

The causes for the increase of allergies in the population are still not fully elucidated. One theory is the “hygiene hypothesis, or jungle.” It says that in countries with high hygiene standards are many allergy patients, because those in early childhood when the immune system has been characterized, little contact with pathogens had. An allergy, according to this theory, a kind of substitute for action of the immune system, where the absence of true pathogens and harmless substances target an immune response. However, this is a mechanistic understanding of the complex immune regulation. Another theory is the “survival hypothesis”. Then survive today through improved living conditions of many children at the beginning of last century victim of the high infant mortality from respiratory infections would become. This would allow certain gene variants in the population have increased, which is now for some of the “civilization” diseases are responsible.

Clinical Assistants

The following classification by Coombs and Gell in 1963 is still smooth transitions when sick individual, classically, there are four types:

Anaphylaxis (the most common type): within seconds or minutes mediate cell-autonomous IgE antibodies, the release of various mediators such as histamine, but also prostaglandins and leukotrienes from mast cells and basophils granulocytes.

Typical diseases are the urticaria to allergic conjunctivitis, hay fever and that of allergic asthma, but also the Angioneurotic edema (Quincke’s edema =>> may be life-mucosal swelling), and anaphylactic shock reactions are immediate.

A somewhat delayed second reaction may occur up to six hours.

Type II, cytotoxic type

Within hours (up to twelve) are permanent cell antigens (ie, absorbed foreign substances such as certain medications, or transfused blood) immune complexes with endogenous, in the blood stream circling IgG antibodies, which activate cytotoxic killer cells and complement, then it comes to the destruction (lysis) the body’s own cells.

Typical problems: drug-induced lack of Gerinnungsplättchen (thrombocytopenia), hemolytic anemia after transfusion incident (rarely), complete loss of white blood cells (agranulocytosis) (rare).

Type III, immune complex or Arthus-type

Even within hours form here Clumps of antibodies and antigens, both cellular as well as constantly be free to swim in the blood can also complement is activated and leads to phagocytosis (recording) of the complexes by white blood cells, which in turn releasing enzymes, the tissue attack.

Typical disorders: allergic vascular inflammation (vasculitis), known as the Farmer-lung, serum disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Type IV, Spättyp, delayed type

After a half to three days to sensitized T lymphocytes Lymphokine free, what other white blood cells to the site of the allergen lure, whereupon there is an inflammation. Type IV is the only cell response

Typical disease / phenomena: contact allergy / dermatitis, rejection after transplantation, rash after taking drugs, but also the Tuberkulinreaktion cases of suspected tuberculosis, CFS or CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome)

Consequences and effects

A dangerous consequence is asleep while driving because of swelling of the nasal mucosa and associated insomnia or apnea during the night. Allergies are more often involved in accidents than people without allergies are. A causal role in this context also plays distraction by sneezing or glued eyes in the case of pollen allergies.

Therapy

Precaution

* The best prevention is the primary allergen waiting, which means the avoidance of contact with an allergen, but this is rarely possible. Classic examples of a possible waiting lists animal hair allergies and food allergies.
* Children who are exclusively fed were significantly less likely to suffer from allergies.
* As primary prophylaxis for newborns with increased risk of developing allergies to cancer, exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months or when breastfeeding obstacles diet with a hypoallergenic bottle-feeding is recommended. The protective effect was confirmed in clinical studies.
* Not yet conclusively assess the preventive effect of so-called “probiotics”, such as Lactobacillus bifidus. These natural intestinal bacteria are e.g. in probiotic yoghurts and now in baby foods contain. Finnish studies give a first indication that these products serve as a protection against the emergence of allergies could have.
* Hypo sensitization is an opportunity for secondary preventive treatment. By slowly increasing doses of the allergen to the subcutaneous injection or sublingual be, should the immune system to the allergen are used. The therapy is typically over three years.
* The avoidance of histamine rich foods during the critical days of the pollen may lead to an alleviation of the symptoms of lead.

Accompanying

* Psychosomatic procedures

Acute

Antiallergics be in the form of tablets, nasal or pulmonary spray and eye drops used. There are the following drug classes are used:

* Antihistamines
* Mastzellstabilisatoren
* Cortikoide (cortisone)
* Since 2005, in Germany the humanised monoclonal antibody omalizumab (Xolair ®) for the treatment of severe bronchial Astma admitted
* In severe cases of acute (anaphylactic shock) medical first aid is urgently needed.

Views

Active ingredient (brand name) Working status sources
CTY003-QbG10 immuno modulator (T-cell Th2 -> Th1 shift) Phase IIa trials successfully
TOLAMBA immuno modulator (T-cell Th2 -> Th1 shift) Phase-II/III-Studie successfully AIC immuno modulator (histamine reduction) Phase III trial runs

Overview of the most common allergic diseases

* Hay fever
* House dust allergy
* = Allergic urticaria hives
* Allergic asthma
* Insect venom allergy
* Allergic contact dermatitis
* Food allergies
* Drug Eruption
* Anaphylactic shock

Pseudo-term allergies and alienation’s

There are also Krankeitsbilder the same symptoms of allergy. They are described as pseudo-allergies.

Term alienations in esoteric and alternative medical literature on allergy allergies such as sugar and water and received allergy therapies are offered on the other hand. Allergies to water and sugar but they are by definition not possible because an allergy an unnecessary and excessive immune response to an allergen does. Water and sugar are not allergizing.

Allergy is an exaggerated response of the immune system to certain substances. the allergy is acquired Through repeated contact with allergens. It is often also allergic to the concept of hypersensitivity is used.

Substances, which have the ability to trigger an allergy, are called allergens. These may take a variety of substances. E.g. to plant material (e.g. grass pollen), animal products (e.g., bee venom), or even to metals (e.g. nickel) and chemicals.

Allergies are more and more frequently observed in childhood in recent years. One possible cause is the ever-increasing environmental pollution, but also changes in dietary habits, e.g. with an increased consumption of beverages or Medikamenten.Ursachen of allergies

Causes of allergies

The allergy is based on a defective and strong immune response of the immune system. The real task of the immune system is the defense against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. After inclusion of such pathogens in the body is in the course of infectious disease, such as for measles, to the formation of specific antibodies or immune cells against the relevant pathogens and thus to the development of immunity. In a later contact with the same pathogen, the ill person is not a second time, because the immune system to the first contact with the agent “remembers” and immediately with the production of specific antibodies or immune cells begins.