Allergies

An allergy occurs when foreign substances (allergens) that are actually harmless trigger an excessively sensitive reaction in the body’s immune system. Allergy triggers include plant pollen and certain types of food.

Allergy symptoms vary widely between individuals. In some cases, they are mild. In others, however, they can be very distressing and have a significant impact on quality of life. A severe allergic reaction can even be life-threatening.

Various treatment options are available for allergies. Sufferers can sidestep some triggers, but other substances are almost impossible to avoid. Typical substances that can trigger an allergy include:

• pollen
• house dust mites
• pets and farm animals
• insect stings
• foods
• medication
• contact allergens (e.g. metals or perfumes)
• mold

The typical symptoms of an allergic reaction are:

• rhinitis (sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose)
• coughing
• sneezing
• breathing difficulties
• watering eyes
• itching
• skin rashes
• swelling in the mucous membranes
• gastrointestinal problems

Usually, the allergic reaction occurs in the part of the body that has had direct contact with the triggering substance (allergen). 

You will find information about individual allergies on the following pages:

• more information about food allergies
• more information about contact allergies
• more information about drug allergies
• more information about hay fever
• more information about insect sting allergies

Several factors increase the risk of an allergy.

The tendency towards allergies is often genetically determined. Experts refers to this inherited tendency as “atopy”. Various environmental factors determine whether this genetic predisposition will actually cause an allergy to develop. These include exposure to air pollution or cigarette smoke. Such factors increase the likelihood of allergies and complications such as asthma.

It is often claimed that allergies can be avoided by following a certain diet. To date, however, no convincing evidence for this claim has been presented.

House dust mites or food are not normally harmful to the body. In individuals with allergies, however, they trigger symptoms.

The reason for this is that, when an allergic reaction occurs, the body’s immune system responds to certain foreign proteins (allergens) that are actually harmless in the same way that it would react to a disease-causing germ or other invading organism. The immune system identifies the allergens as harmful and attempts to fight them off. To do so, it creates antibodies, specifically IgE antibodies.

In Germany, approximately one third of the population will be diagnosed with an allergy at some stage of their lives. Around 20 to 25 percent of all children and adolescents have hay fever, asthma, or neurodermatitis. The number of people diagnosed with allergies has risen over the past 30 years.

Most allergies begin during childhood or adolescence and often last a lifetime. However, some allergies may improve during adulthood.

Certain food allergies, such as allergies to milk or chicken eggs, may even disappear – although peanut allergies do not normally resolve. In other words, the allergen determines the progression of the allergy.

When an allergy initially develops, the symptoms are often mild. However, they tend to worsen over time and may also cause other health complications. For example, if a person suffers from hay fever for many years, an “allergic march” may occur.

This term describes the progression of the allergy, whereby the symptoms also begin to affect the lower airways, causing asthma. Individuals with allergies are also more likely to have neurodermatitis.

In many cases, allergies cannot be prevented. However, certain measures can be taken that may reduce the risk to a certain extent. Children who are exclusively breast-fed during their first six months of life are less likely to develop allergies.

Cigarette smoke increases the risk of allergies. Therefore, non-smokers and children raised in a smoke-free environment are less likely to have allergies.

People who are at high risk of developing allergies should think twice about having a cat in their home in order to avoid a cat allergy.  However, a person without an elevated allergic risk cannot prevent developing an allergy by just abstaining from having pets.

After the initial consultation to clarify symptoms, living conditions, and medical history, the doctor can conduct specific allergy tests. The tests are offered by doctors specializing in allergology – usually dermatologists, ENT consultants, lung specialists, or pediatricians.

A skin prick test is used to detect whether an individual has an allergic reaction to specific substances.

An epicutaneous test, commonly known as a patch test, is suitable for detecting suspected allergies where the symptoms do not occur until 12 hours to three days after contact with the trigger. The suspected allergens are applied to a patch, which is then placed on the back or forearm. If the person has an allergy, the skin will react with redness, swelling, and itching.

A blood test for antibodies or a provocation test may also be necessary. In a provocation test, the patient is exposed to various allergens to determine whether a reaction occurs.

For more detailed information about allergies and allergy testing, see gesundheitsinformation.de.

The most effective method is to avoid contact with the allergens. However, the success of this approach depends on the trigger itself. Certain foods or chemical substances can often be successfully avoided ­– however, there is virtually no way for sufferers to shield themselves entirely from pollen. For those allergic to dust mites, the amount of dust they are exposed to in the home can at least be somewhat reduced.

Desensitization (also known as allergen-specific immunotherapy) may help people with certain allergies to become less sensitive to the allergen in the long term. As with a vaccination, patients undergoing this treatment receive regular low doses of the allergen either injected into the skin or administered as drops under the tongue.

Desensitization is largely used for allergies to pollen, dust mites, and insect stings. The duration of this treatment is three to five years.

There is as yet no evidence to prove that plant-based or homeopathic treatments or acupuncture help relieve allergies.

Details of severe allergies that entail the risk of a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction can be stored in the emergency data record on the electronic medical data card. 

Further information about anaphylactic reactions, visit gesundheitsinformation.de.

Current research is increasingly focusing on the interaction between the immune system and environmental influences. The results of this research will be used to formulate new methods for preventing and treating allergies.

For more detailed information about allergies and research, visit allergieinformationsdienst.de.