Allergy is a state of pathological sensitivity of the immune system to substances - allergens that do not pose a danger to the patient. The roots of this disease should be sought in the violation of immune activity, but the exact causes are not yet clear.
Allergy symptoms
- Nasal congestion, secretion of serous fluid, difficulty breathing;
- Tearing, redness of the eyes, symptoms of conjunctivitis;
- Spasms of the bronchi and swelling of the larynx, developing as part of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema;
- Skin manifestations: itching, acne, rashes, redness of the skin, burning, peeling, dry skin in places of dermatological manifestations
Allergy treatment
- First, it is necessary to isolate the patient from the substance that provokes an allergic reaction. This is called the barrier method in the treatment of allergies. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to implement it.
- Patients with allergies to dust need to carry out wet cleaning as often as possible. But the main thing is to remember that allergic reactions can occur due to excessive purity, which deprives our immunity of natural contact with external factors.
- Immunotherapy. This method involves the systematic introduction of the minimum dose of the allergen into the body. During this period, the patient's immunity gets used to the incoming allergen and stops the release of antibodies. This effect may persist for several years.
- Symptomatic therapy. It is carried out with the help of histamine blockers and corticosteroids. Allows you to remove the symptoms of allergic manifestations, but does not affect the disease itself.
Antihistamines
In our body, the hormone provocateur of allergic symptoms is histamine. When an allergen enters the body, it binds to antibodies. In the future, this complex affects the cells containing histamine and provokes its release. Antihistamines interfere with the binding of histamine to special receptors, which makes it impossible to develop its biological effect.
As a result of the action of these drugs, histamine receptors on the cells of the eyes, lungs, bronchi, skin, mucous membranes, nasopharynx bind to antihistamine substances that do not have the biological effects of histamine. This causes the elimination of allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines are classified by generation. First generation drugs are pioneers in this field. They have the most side effects and require high dosages.
First generation antihistamines
The association of these substances with histamine receptors is reversible. Therefore, first-generation antihistamines are used frequently and in large quantities. The body quickly develops tolerance to these drugs, so every 2-3 weeks the first generation drugs change.
Antihistamines have a depressing effect on the central nervous system, which manifests itself in a reduced reaction, lethargy, muscle weakness, and drowsiness. This effect is explained by the fact that these substances penetrate the brain, where they also bind to histamine receptors. Unlike receptors located in various tissues, histamine receptors in the brain have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Thanks to this mechanism, the normal rhythm of daytime wakefulness occurs.
Another disadvantage of antihistamines is their low selectivity for histamine receptors. This leads to the fact that in addition to H1 histamine receptors, they also bind to muscarine receptors. It causes nausea, heart palpitations and constipation, as well as affecting the optic nerve reduces visual acuity.
A large number of side effects and the need for frequent use with high dosages leads to the fact that the use of these drugs is gradually fading away, giving way to more and more modern drugs.
Diphenhydramine is one of the first antihistamines to be used to relieve allergy symptoms. It has a strong antihistamine effect that rivals its central nervous system depressant effects. Almost always, taking diphenhydramine causes drowsiness and lethargy. Also, a high affinity for muscarinic receptors causes a feeling of dryness in the mouth and urinary retention.
Chlorpyramine is the most common first-generation allergy drug. It has a good antihistamine effect. It does not cause such strong CNS depression as diphenhydramine. It is rapidly excreted without having time to accumulate in the blood serum, due to which it has a very low risk of overdose, suitable for long-term use.
Clemastine is as effective as demidrol, but it penetrates the brain worse, therefore it causes depression of the central nervous system to a lesser extent.
Second generation antihistamines
Being more modern drugs, they have fewer side effects than first-generation antihistamines. The active ingredients of second-generation antihistamines almost do not penetrate the brain, so their inhibitory effect on the central nervous system is much weaker. They have a higher specificity for H1 receptors and do not bind to muscarinic receptors, so they do not cause dry mouth, palpitations and urinary retention.
A significant drawback, which significantly limits the circle of people for use, is their ability to block the flow of potassium to the heart, which can disrupt its work.
Acrivastine is a drug with a strong antiallergic effect. At the same time, it practically does not cause a sedative effect.
Loratidine is the most popular drug for the treatment of allergies. It forms a strong bond with receptors, so it does not require frequent intake. Suitable even for the use of persons involved in driving vehicles. Unlike most second-generation antihistamines, it does not cause toxic effects on the heart.
Astemizol is the drug of choice for long-term treatment of allergies, the effect of which persists for 2-3 weeks. It is used to treat the chronic form of allergic reactions. Due to the slow development of the therapeutic effect, it is not used for emergency therapy for allergies. High risk of negative effects on the heart.
Third generation antihistamines
Today, this is the most modern type of antihistamines. They are modified formulas of the active ingredients of second-generation antihistamines. They do not have a depressing effect on the central nervous system, as a result of which they have no contraindications for drivers and other people involved in activities that require a high reaction rate.
In general, side effects of this group of drugs are very rare. This is one of the safest medicines for allergies. Their high degree of affinity with H1 receptors makes it possible to avoid the side effects characteristic of first-generation drugs (dry mouth, constipation, tachycardia). Antihistamines of the third generation do not have cardiotoxic effects. The only drawback is the excretion of third-generation antihistamines through the kidneys. For this reason, they are prescribed with caution by patients with impaired functioning of this organ, as well as by the elderly.
Fexofenadine is the safest antihistamine. Does not affect the heart, does not cause a depressant effect on the central nervous system. It has a high affinity for histamine receptors. Does not penetrate the brain.
Cetrizine is a highly effective modern drug. Not suitable for the rapid removal of acute manifestations of allergies, since its action takes place only 2 hours after ingestion. In patients with impaired renal function, this drug is usually used in lower dosages. An effective remedy for the treatment of long-term manifestations of allergies.
Alpha-agonists
These medicines are used during exacerbations of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (during the flowering of plants, in dry weather for allergy sufferers to dust, etc.). In no case should they be used for a long time, since there is a kind of dependence on these drops. So, with prolonged use, swelling of the nasal mucosa is possible, even without contact with the allergen. For this reason, alpha-agonists are used under the supervision of a doctor, as part of complex therapy aimed at combating allergic symptoms.
Corticosteroids are drugs that have a clear anti-inflammatory effect, resulting in the removal of allergy symptoms. For allergic manifestations, these drugs are used in injectable form, in short courses. Since cortisol drugs have a powerful effect on the body and can have a large number of side effects.
Injectable corticosteroids are potent drugs, so they are part of emergency therapy for such severe forms of allergic manifestations as angioedema and anaphylactic shock. Due to the anti-inflammatory effect, corticosteroids quickly eliminate the swelling of the larynx, thereby normalizing breathing.
In less severe forms of allergy, corticosteroids are used in short courses, from 3 to 5 days, in order to eliminate acute forms of allergy and normalize the patient's well-being.
Corticosteroids for allergies try not to prescribe for long-term use, this is due to the fact that they cause a disease such as adrenal insufficiency. The adrenal cortex in the body produces corticosteroid hormones that perform a number of vital functions. With the intake of synthetic hormones, the ability of the adrenal cortex to produce its own steroid hormones is significantly reduced. This leads to the development of such side effects as: decreased muscle tone, impaired water-salt metabolism, loss of appetite, which poses a high risk for the development of exhaustion, since adrenal insufficiency already develops weakness and exhaustion of the body.
After long courses, which are carried out with severe allergic diseases of a long course, in no case should the dosage be immediately reduced. The decrease in the amount of the administered drug occurs gradually.
Allergy medicines: ointments
Allergies are often accompanied by various dermatological manifestations. The patient notes the appearance of a bubble and blister-like formations containing serous fluids, burning and peeling, itching and redness of the skin. This causes not only aesthetic inconvenience, but can also cause severe pain and other uncomfortable manifestations at the sites of occurrence.
Allergy ointments contain topical corticosteroids and are used to relieve skin manifestations of allergies. They have a lower risk of side effects than injectable forms.
Nevertheless, as in the case of injectable corticosteroids, the use of ointments should be competent, since prolonged and uncontrolled use of these drugs can cause unwanted skin manifestations caused by a weakening of local immunity: acne, the development of infectious skin diseases, skin roughness.
This article is by no means a basis for self-treatment. Remember that the diagnosis and treatment of allergies is the prerogative of specialists. Self-medication of allergies is potentially hazardous to health.
