ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Allergies

What is allergies?

4 May 2021

The immune system’s reaction in the presence of a foreign  substance that in many people does not cause a response but that in certain cases is identified as aggressive in nature, such as chemicals, pet hair, food components, drugs, insect bites, dust mites, among others.

When they come into contact with your body’s defenses, they generate antibodies to fight the allergen or harmful substance, so your immune system will produce skin irritation or rash, facial, hands and feet swelling, digestive and respiratory problems. 

The intensity of an allergic condition varies depending on the person, since there may be mild manifestations such as skin burning up to anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. 

Allergies are incurable in a high percentage, so it is important to try to prevent them once the allergens are known. In case of episodes, the treatment is to control the symptoms through drugs. 

Signs and symptoms Allergies

Drug allergy:

  • Urticaria.
  • Skin rash. 
  • Swelling in the face and limbs.
  • Respiratory problems.
  • Anaphylaxis.

Food allergy:

  • Urticaria.
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
  • Numbness of the mouth.
  • Anaphylaxis.

Insect toxin allergy:

  • Edema. 
  • Urticaria.
  • Cough attacks.
  • Anaphylaxis.

Hay fever:

  • Heavy nasal discharge.
  • Sneezing
  • Tingling in the nose and eyes.
  • Eye irritation. 

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that puts the patient’s life at risk, so it is necessary to act immediately upon its appearance, the most frequent symptoms being:

  • Fainting.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Significant decrease in blood pressure.
  • Inability to breath.
  • Skin rash.
  • Rapid pulse and difficulty identifying it. 

In the Pulmonary Physiology and Inhalation Therapy Department we guarantee you the best care in respiratory ailments provided by highly trained medical personnel.

Thanks to an adequate clinical assessment and state-of-the-art equipment in pulmonary function tests, metabolic monitor, and video bronchoscopy, we offer you a timely and accurate diagnosis of your lung function. In addition, we have the most advanced mechanical ventilator system (52 mechanical ventilators).

Diagnosis and treatment Allergies

Services:

  • Biopsies.
  • Calorimetry at rest.
  • Alveolar-capillary CO diffusion capacity.
  • Pre-bronchodilator spirometry.
  • Post-bronchodilator spirometry.
  • Video-bronchoscopy tests.
  • Cardiopulmonary tests in exercise.
  • Removal of foreign bodies.
  • Bronchial sampling.
  • Complete lung volumes.

Related centers and departments Allergies

Pulmonary Physiology And Inhalation Therapy
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • mayoclinic.org
  • nhlbi.nih.gov
  • fesemi.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Gutiérrez-de Anda KV, Juárez-Martínez LA, Juárez-Avendaño G, et al. Las alergias como blanco de interés en la era de la inmunoterapia. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2019;57(6):379-386.
  • Ortega MJA, Huerta HRE. Diagnóstico de alergia a alimentos. Alerg Asma Inmunol Pediatr. 2020;29(1):31-36. doi:10.35366/93323. 
  • Herrera BO, Paneque RI, Rodríguez CJS, et al. Sensibilidad cutánea a hongos ambientales y estudio de la micobiota nasal de pacientes con alergias respiratoria. Invest Medicoquir. 2019;11(2):.
  • Acuña-Cantillo L, Mendoza-Meza DL, Garavito G, et al. Producción y evaluación inmunoquímica de extractos alergénicos del ácaro del polvo doméstico Blomia tropicalis (Acari: Echymyopodidae). TIP Rev Esp Cienc Quim Biol. 2018;21(Suppl: 1):46-53.

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