Allergy: I act to avoid complications: this is the watchword of the Asthma and Allergy association as part of the 8th National Allergy Day, which takes place today. The association has indeed noticed that the vast majority of people with allergies approach their disease with fatalism, even neglect. This is how they wait on average 7 years before deciding to go see a doctor. However, an allergy that is not properly treated can quickly get worse.
Concretely, a simple allergic rhinitis (sneezing or runny nose) can switch to potentially serious respiratory problems: 30% of untreated rhinitis progress to asthma.
Allergy: different symptoms that can co-exist
Allergy is defined as a hypersensitivity reaction of the body to a foreign element called an “allergen”. It all starts with an encounter with this allergen. The body learns to identify it and prepares antibodies against it. Upon subsequent contact between the antigen and these antibodies, a chemical reaction occurs in the cells that release chemical mediators (eg, histamine) responsible for the allergy.
The allergic reaction is then manifested by various symptoms: rhinitis, asthma, eczema, urticaria, food allergy, conjunctivitis, which can be present in isolation or follow one another over time, or even co-exist. With each contact, this state is repeated and after a while it becomes permanent: what was only a passing crisis becomes a disease.
As the first pollens have started to release into the atmosphere, it’s important to contact an allergist if you find that you have a stuffy nose, frequent sneezing, or itchy eyes. Because, as allergists remind us on Allergy Day, “we can live well with allergies if they are well treated”.