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Allergy Diagnostic

What is an allergy?

An allergy is generally understood as an overwhelming defense response of the immune system to certain, normally harmless, environmental substances (allergens). There are 4 forms of allergic reactions. The antibody crucial for a type I reaction is immunoglobulin E (sIgE). The symptoms of an allergy can be mild to severe and in some cases even acute life-threatening. Reddening and itchy skin, runny nose and watery eyes, cough and       shortage of breath – as different as the individual forms of allergy are, the cause is presumably often the same: a mostly inherited and from environmental factor influenced over-sensitivity – an “atopy”. Various organs can be affected. Depending on the present allergy, the symptoms occur either seasonally, approximately at the time of the corresponding pollen flight, or all-year, e.g. with allergy to house dust mites.

For people suffering from allergy, it is important to know which of the 4 possible allergic reaction forms is based and which health consequences can result from it. The correct early diagnosis by an expert will allow an appropriate therapy. Therapy is not only about controlling the symptoms themselves but also about preventing a moderate to long-term deterioration of the symptoms. Among other things, due to the close relationship between the individual allergy forms, it is very important to treat allergic reactions as early and consistently as possible. In the case of allergic rhinitis, for example, it may be possible to reduce the risk of developing asthma later. In addition, a treatment can sometimes prevent subsequent diseases of a non-allergic nature: for example, the scratched, inflamed skin of an untreated neurodermitis offers an especially good attack surface for bacteria, skin fungi or viruses, which can cause skin infections.

Allergies should not be treated single-handedly but on the instructions of an allergologist. He has the expertise necessary for a reliable diagnosis and the selection of adequate therapy.

Allergies are caused by allergens (antigens) against which the deficient immune response is directed. The allergens causing type I hypersensitivity reactions are mostly proteins derived from the natural environment e.g. plant pollen, animal hair, food, mites and insect venoms. It is known that allergens consist of carbohydrates and proteins. All allergens are in a certain size range. On the one hand, they are complex enough to cause violent reactions, but on the other hand are also small enough to penetrate into the organism through the skin, mucous membranes, airways or intestines.

Types of allergies

One differentiates between four different allergy types:

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    Type I-Reaction or reaction of the immediate type:

    The type I allergy is also called allergy of the immediate type and is the most frequent allergy form. Within seconds or minutes, cell-associated IgE antibodies mediate after repeated contact with the allergen the release of various mediators such as histamine, but also prostaglandins and leukotrienes from the basophilic granulocytes and mast cells.

    Typical activators: Pollen, animal hair, mites, foods, e.g. Fish, chicken egg white, nuts.

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    Type II- Reaction or cytotoxic reaction

    In this type of reaction, the defense mechanisms are directed against antigens, which have become part of body-borne cells. This type of reaction is also referred to as cytotoxic or cell-damaging, since not only the cell with the allergen but also the surrounding tissue is destroyed. Allergies of this type are less common. Examples of type II allergies are e.g. the drug-induced thrombopenia, haemolytic anemia after transfusion interruption or allergic agranulocytosis.

    Typical Activators: Drugs

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    Type III-Reaction or Immune complex formation

    The type III allergy is also called immune complex type. Immune complexes of antibodies and antigens, which can circulate freely in the blood, are formed within hours. As in Type II, the complement system is activated, which causes phagocytosis of the complexes by leukocytes, which in turn release cytotoxic enzymes. Examples of the type III allergy are allergic vascular inflammations (vasculitides), the so-called farmer’s lung and the serum disease.

    Typical Activators: various molds, dusts

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    Type IV-Reaction or reactions of the delayed type, contact allergy

    In the type IV allergy or allergy of the delayed type, sensitized T-lymphocytes release lymphokines after hours to days, which attract further leukocytes to the site of the allergen, whereupon there an inflammation occurs. It is the only cell-mediated reaction. Examples of the type IV allergy are the allergic contact dermatitis, graft rejection and the tuberculin reaction.

    Typical activators: Ions of metals such as nickel, chromium and cobalt, substances in household chemicals or personal care products

The cause of allergic diseases is still not clarified. However, an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases has been observed in industrialized countries in recent decades. There are different hypotheses which factors can be responsible for the increase of allergic reactions. The influence of the genetic factor is documented, this means Children whose parents, one or both, have an allergy, have an increased allergy risk. Other factors may include increased hygienic measures, the decline in infectious diseases, rising environmental pollution, smoking, stress, altered dietary habits and altered individual lifestyles. However, a clear clarification is still missing today.

  • Allergy Diagnostic
    • ARTHUS
    • ALFA
    • EAST
    • REAST
    • Molecular Allergy Diagnostics
    • IgG / IgG4
  • Autoimmune Diagnostic
    • ELISA
    • Autoimmune Lateral Flow Assay
  • Microbiology
  • About Us
    • Events
    • Publications
    • Contact
    • Impressum
  • de
  • en
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  • Allergy Diagnostic
    • ARTHUS
    • ALFA
    • EAST
    • REAST
    • Molecular Allergy Diagnostics
    • IgG / IgG4
  • Autoimmune Diagnostic
    • ELISA
    • Autoimmune Lateral Flow Assay
  • Microbiology
  • About Us
    • Events
    • Publications
    • Contact
    • Impressum
  • de
  • en
Dr. Fooke Laboratorien