LALLERGIES, AN INCREASINGLY FREQUENT PROBLEM

Allergic diseases increase every year and everything indicates that this trend is going to continue, since milder winters, the greenhouse effect in cities and environmental pollution help increase the atmospheric concentration of pollens and the number of insects and fungi. Spring allergy is the term used when allergic reactions occur in the spring, with pollen being one of the most frequent groups of allergens.

WE ARE SURROUNDED BY ALLERGENS!!

Allergens are ubiquitous substances in the environment that are harmless to most people but trigger a reaction (allergic reaction) in people sensitized to them. There are many different allergens:

• Inhaled allergens, which cause respiratory allergies. Plant pollens, house dust mites, animal hair and professional allergens (flours, wood…)
• Foods such as cow’s milk, egg white, seafood, fish and nuts. They cause gastrointestinal disorders, and also hives or even asthma.
• Some drugs.
• Substances such as detergents, certain metals (nickel, chromium) or latex can cause allergic or contact dermatitis.
• Other: insect poisons… inoculated when you the insect bites you.

The best way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid direct contact with allergens, although this is not always possible.

ALLERGIES LIMIT YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE, REBEL AGAINST THEM!

The first time a person comes into contact with an allergen, he or she becomes sensitised to it and produces a number of specific antibodies (immunoglobulin E, IgE) against the antigens of that allergen. When contact with the allergen reoccurs, cellular chemical mediators with allergic and inflammatory properties are released: histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, interleukins… The release of all these mediators causes different symptoms depending on the area affected: rhinitis and conjunctivitis that occur with sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, red eyes…; asthma, cough, glottis oedema, atopic dermatitis, hives, abdominal pain, diarrhoea… These annoying and uncomfortable symptoms are a limitation and a decrease in quality of life.