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Allergic Rhinosinusitis
Published in Raymond W Clarke, Diseases of the Ear, Nose & Throat in Children, 2023
AR is an inflammatory condition caused by the cellular response to an allergen to which the child has earlier been exposed. It is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) which binds to receptor cells – ‘mast cells’ – in the host. The nasal mucosa is especially sensitive but the pharynx, the oral cavity and particularly the conjunctival mucosa are frequently involved, such that the term AR is now best thought of as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Degranulation of these cells releases a variety of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotriene C4 and others which cause swelling, oedema and hypersensitivity of the mucosa. The typical allergens at play in children are the house dust mite, grass and tree pollens, moulds and spores, and animal (pet) dander. There is a strong genetic component to the aetiology of AR. It is more common in western populations and, while the exact reasons for this are unknown, smaller family size, earlier exposure to environmental pollutants and reduced exposure to community infections may be some of the factors at play.
Fenugreek in Management of Immunological, Infectious, and Malignant Disorders
Published in Dilip Ghosh, Prasad Thakurdesai, Fenugreek, 2022
Rohini Pujari, Prasad Thakurdesai
Allergy is an immunity-associated disease resulting from sensitization and hypersensitive immune response to harmless substances in the environment called allergens. Asthma is one of the allergic, severe, chronic, progressive, and inflammatory bronchial diseases. Allergic asthma involves the symptoms such as dyspnea (shortness of breath) and wheezing (high-pitched whistling sound), resulting from increased bronchial hyperreactivity to a variety of allergenic and non-allergenic stimuli (Bosnjak et al. 2011). Many patients with chronic allergic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma seek complementary alternative medicine to attain better control of symptoms due to limitations of existing options (Amaral-Machado et al. 2020; Hussain et al. 2017; Koshak 2019).
Monographs of Topical Drugs that Have Caused Contact Allergy/Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published in Anton C. de Groot, Monographs in Contact Allergy, 2021
Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the active sympathomimetic hormone from the adrenal medulla. It stimulates both the α- and β-adrenergic systems, causes systemic vasoconstriction and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the heart, and dilates bronchi and cerebral vessels. Epinephrine injections are used in the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I) including anaphylaxis to insects, allergen immunotherapy, foods, drugs, diagnostic testing substances (e.g. radiocontrast media) and other allergens, as well as idiopathic or exercise-induced anaphylaxis. This agent is also used in hay fever, rhinitis, acute sinusitis, bronchial asthmatic paroxysms, syncope due to complete heart block or carotid sinus hypersensitivity, serum sickness, urticaria, angioedema, for resuscitation in cardiac arrest following anesthetic accidents, in simple (open-angle) glaucoma, for relaxation of uterine musculature and to inhibit uterine contractions. Epinephrine can also be utilized to prolong the action of local anesthetics, for the maintenance of mydriasis during intraocular surgery and as a hemostatic agent. In addition, epinephrine is used as an over-the- counter agent for the intermittent symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath.
Allergen immunotherapy: progress and future outlook
Published in Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, 2023
Lara Šošić, Marta Paolucci, Stephan Flory, Fadi Jebbawi, Thomas M. Kündig, Pål Johansen
Allergies are a group of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to otherwise innocuous environmental compounds [1]. The allergens are mostly proteins and typically contained in various natural sources, such as plant pollen, animal dander, dust mites, foods, fungi, and insect venoms. Allergies can manifest with a wide range of symptoms in various organs, and the symptoms can be anything from just tedious or annoying to life-threatening. Accordingly, the type of treatment varies from case to case. A majority of all allergy patients are self-treated with symptom-relieving medicines, while allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative treatment option. This review will aim to give an overview of the state-of-the-art allergy management, including the use of new biologics and the application of biomarkers and a special emphasis and discussion on current research trends in the field of AIT.
Childhood blood eosinophils and symptoms of allergic disorders: a cross-sectional study in Southern China
Published in Annals of Medicine, 2022
Xiangqing Hou, Wenting Luo, Hui Gan, Tianhao Chen, Baoqing Sun
The prevalence of allergic diseases in China’s rural and urban children has risen steadily in the past few decades that brings huge economic and health burdens [1,2]. It has been revealed that asthma [3], allergic rhinitis [4] and atopic dermatitis [5] are the most common inflammatory disorders which are strongly associated with allergic sensitization and subsequent many complications, for instance, cancer [6]. Therefore, some effective allergy prevention strategies, such as avoidance of contact with specific allergens or exposure to ambient air pollutants [7, 8], have been suggested in daily life. Although primary prevention strategies play an essential role in the prevention of allergic diseases, clinical administration and treatment are still a big challenge for well-trained physicians because of the serious and complex features of allergies [9]. Therefore, the identification of a measurement biomarker that can reflect the risks of various subtypes of allergic-related diseases may be beneficial for improved diagnosis and potential immunotherapy approaches to allergy. A prospective cohort study [10] suggested that age was associated with the progress of atopic diseases and allergic sensitization, moreover, untimely diagnosis and incomplete treatment for acute allergies during childhood would result in chronic diseases in adults, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis [11, 12]. Therefore, childhood is the critical period for clinical administration of various subtypes of allergic diseases.
Protocols for Managing Food Allergies in Elementary and Secondary Schools
Published in Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, 2022
Katherine Heideman, Cathlin Buckingham Poronsky
The current standard for treating food allergy is to avoid the allergen, treat a mild reaction with antihistamine and observation and, for symptoms of severe allergy or anaphylaxis, administer an intramuscular injection of epinephrine, preferably using an autoinjectable device (AAAAI, 2020a). In 2013, the CDC developed a voluntary guideline for managing food allergies in schools (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Division of Population Health, 2013). Some states and school districts have developed guidelines or policies to address food allergies and procedures for responding to life-threatening allergic reactions to food. Several professional organizations have also developed guidelines. Table 1 summarizes the guidelines presented here.