China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Bioaerosol-Induced Hypersensitivity Diseases
Published in Harriet A. Burge, Bioaerosols, 2020
Cory E. Cookingham, William R. Solomon
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (also known as allergic rhinitis or, in its seasonal recurrent form, hay fever) is the most commonly encountered atopic condition and is characterized by paroxysmal sneezing, nasal blockage, rhinorrhea (runny nose), ocular tearing, and pruritus (itching) of the eyes, nose, and throat. Occasionally, constitutional symptoms of fatigue and “grippy” feelings may be present, especially where sleep loss or poor sleep quality results from nasal obstruction. However, when these vague complaints occur alone, they are not easily related to allergy. Symptoms may be perennial, seasonal, or associated with defined episodes of specific exposure. Physical signs may include darkening of the lower eyelids (“allergic shiners”), reddening of the eyes, puffy eyelids, and a pale, swollen nasal mucosa. Stained smears of nasal secretions typically reveal eosinophils (a white blood cell that selectively stains with the aniline dye eosin). Eosinophil numbers also may increase modestly in peripheral blood. Immediate skin reactivity to relevant environmental allergens is often positive. Serum IgE specific for these allergens may also be detected by in vitro tests (e.g., RAST, ELISA, etc.). In one study (Broder et al., 1974b) the disease was shown to go into remission in less than 10% of patients followed into adult life if allergen exposure continues unabated.
Hazard Identification of Indoor Air Pollutants
Published in Elizabeth L. Anderson, Roy E. Albert, RISK ASSESSMENT and INDOOR AIR QUALITY, 2019
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever are immunologically mediated diseases with lung symptomology (Samet et al. 1988). The acute form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis consists of fever, chills, cough, and dyspnea, while the chronic condition involves progressive dyspnea and lung function impairment. Fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, amoebae, and nematodes have been identified as culprits. Legionnaires’ disease is an acute bacterial infection resulting from indoor exposures to Legionella pneumophila (Samet et al. 1988). Rhinitis, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and asthma are some of the characteristic symptoms (EPA 1995b).
Aerobiology of Pollen and Pollen Antigens
Published in Christopher S. Cox, Christopher M. Wathes, Bioaerosols Handbook, 2020
Drugs against the symptoms of allergy have been improved to such an extent that the percentage of patients receiving immunotherapy lately has decreased. Antihistamines help in treating itching eyes and rhinitis, while sympatomimets are effective especially for nasal obstructions. Often an antihistamine and a sympatomimete are combined in the treatment. Chromoglicate is a safe drug even for children, but it has to be taken several times a day. Local steroids improve pollen rhinitis in 70–90% of cases.56
A comprehensive summary of disease variants implicated in metal allergy
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 2022
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic response of the nasal mucosa that occurs in 10–30% of the general population (Pawankar et al. 2013). The disease is characterized by the presence of immediate onset nasal congestion and itching, sneezing, and rhinorrhea following exposure to aeroallergens present in the air (Bousquet et al. 2020). Allergen-specific IgE molecules are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease, and similarly, allergic rhinitis often presents concurrently with asthma in many individuals; however, many individuals afflicted with rhinitis do not exhibit concomitant asthmatic responses. Other co-morbidities commonly implicated in cases of allergic rhinitis include allergic conjunctivitis, rhinosinusitis, and atopic dermatitis (Pawankar et al. 2013).