Allergies are not a creation of our modern world. There is documented evidence of allergy sufferance throughout ancient Greek and Roman history. As far as the modern era of medicine is concerned, the study and documentation of allergies goes back to the early 19th century. It was in 1819 that Dr. John Bostok completed his study and presented evidential proof of Hay fever.
Scientific skin testing for allergies began in 1869 when doctors placed pollen into small cuts made in the skin. The patients were monitored with their reactions meticulously documented. In the 21st century this form of testing is still being undertaken.
Understanding Allergies
The allergy experts at Samitivej Hospital’s Allergy Center are acutely aware of the complexities of understanding and dealing with allergies. They understand the importance of the historical data that is now available on the subject. This information gives invaluable indicators as to how allergy trending shifts demographically.
They are also very aware of the many other factors that can have a bearing on allergy trends. Such as lifestyle, technology, socio-economic factors, and even topography, which can all have an influence on a person’s likelihood to become allergic, and to what degree.
Does Everyone Get Allergies?
Although, globally, the number of people with an allergy sufferance is now in the hundreds of millions, the majority of people still remain allergy free. Being allergic tends to be inherited from one or both parents, although the specific allergy a person suffers does not necessarily correlate to that of a parent. If a parent has an allergy an offspring has between a 30%-50% likelihood of being allergic.
The 5 Most Common Allergies
There are some extremely obscure allergies, such as aquagenic urticaria, an allergy to water. Vibratory urticaria, an allergic reaction to vibrations. Seminal plasma hypersensitivity, an allergy towards the male semen. Polymorphic light eruption, or PLE, which is an allergic reaction to sunlight. However, such allergies and many others are, thankfully, rare. The vast majority of allergy sufferers are allergic to one or more of the 5 common types.
Pollen Allergy
Pollen is bar far the most common allergy trigger throughout the world. Pollen is made up of fine yellowish particles, whose specific purpose is to fertilize other plants. These particles are carried through the air by wind, animals, birds and insects. The minute particles are breathed in and remain in the nose and throat which can result in the person’s body reacting to their presence.
Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy is on the increase in children, up to around 3%, and is the most common food allergy amongst juveniles. It is also the second most common food allergy in adults. Peanut allergy should not be confused with allergies towards other nuts. Peanuts are not in fact nuts; they are legumes which grow beneath the surface of the ground.
Tree Nut Allergy
Nut allergies are common in children and adults and fewer than 10% of those with this form of sufferance will grow out of it. Nut allergies are thought to affect around 2% of the world’s population with vastly varying levels of reaction. Pistachio, pecan, hazelnut, almond, walnut and cashew are the most common triggers for those with nut allergies. Although, strictly speaking the cashew is not a nut, botanically it is classified as a seed.
Shellfish Allergy
A person with shellfish allergy is highly unlikely to ever grow out of it. The shellfish allergies fall into 2 groups. The first being the crustaceans; shrimp, prawns, lobster and crab. The second group is the Mollusks and bivalves, these include oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, sea snails, as well as octopus and squid.
Allergic reactions to shellfish vary greatly from being very mild, such as a blocked nose or a rash to being very sever requiring immediate medical assistance. The allergic reaction experienced by some is caused by particular proteins that are to be found in marine creatures, they being; myosin, sarcoplasmic and troponin.
Animal Dander Allergy
Just as humans are constantly shedding skin cells, so are most animals. These microscopic particles of skin are known as dander. A person with this form of allergy may not have to come into contact with an animal to experience a reaction. Many people keep pets in their homes. Animal dander will be present on furniture, bedding, clothes, in fact, most likely on all surfaces throughout the home.
But animal allergies are not confined to the dander from skin, fur and feather. There are proteins in the feces, urine and saliva of some animals that can also cause an allergic reaction. Just as with other allergies, allergic responses can vary from being nothing more than an annoying irritation to being extremely sever and life threatening.
Allergy Testing and Treatment
There are several methods of testing for allergies, along with treatment options. At the Allergy Center a thorough assessment will be undertaken of every patient prior to any testing or treatment. All aspects of a client’s lifestyle, both business and leisure, will be looked at, along with the person’s dietary habits. With this information the allergy team can specifically target the testing and subsequent treatment.
Skin Testing Methodology
Skin testing for allergies, as previously mentioned, dates back to 1896 and is still used today. It is simple, quick and non-evasive. Sometimes referred to as a puncture, prick or scratch test, this method would usually be used to test for allergies to pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mites and certain food types. The skin test gives Samitivej’s allergy experts almost immediate results via allergic reactions.
Allergy Blood Testing
Testing a person’s blood gives the Allergy Center team valuable information relating to a person’s antibodies and responses to allergens. One of the tests is called an IgE test which measures the total number of antibodies in the person’s blood. The other blood test is the specific IgE test. This test monitors the level of antibody response to individual allergens.
Drug Desensitization
Many people have allergic reactions to certain drugs, allergic reactions to penicillin being the most common. Drug desensitization is where the drug to which a patient is allergic is intravenously administered in small doses incrementally. Not only can a patient’s allergic response be monitored, but it is also done to induce a temporary tolerance to the otherwise rejected drug. Drug desensitization can, if required be done over just a few hours, but is more usually done over several days, or even weeks.
Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy Immunotherapy is where the allergist will administer regular injections over a period of time, up to 5 years. These shots are designed to reduce the regularity and severity of allergic attack, and in some cases stop them entirely. Each of the shots will contain a very small amount of the clients trigger substance.
Immunotherapy is generally used for those who suffer from breathing issues during their allergy attacks. This will often be caused by allergic reactions within the household, house dust, mites, pet dander and mold. But Immunotherapy is also highly effective as a treatment for pollen allergies and snake venoms.
Samitivej Hospital’s Allergy Center is staffed by highly trained professionals that combine well versed test and treatment methods with modern techniques and technology to administer the finest care available to anyone with allergy issues. As an establishment dedicated to the relief of allergy misery, the Samitivej Hospital Allergy Center stands well above the rest.
