Allergic reaction

Allergy is a hypersensitivity caused by an overreaction of the body's immune system. This means that you react to one or more substances that other people can normally tolerate. At Capio Private Hospital, our doctors can help you diagnose and treat allergic diseases, so you can enjoy a life with less discomfort and more energy.

Types of allergic diseases

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What happens in the body in allergic diseases?

The type of allergy associated with hay fever, asthma, food allergy, insect sting allergy and drug allergy is called type 1 allergy or IgE antibody allergy. In this type of allergy, our immune system suddenly perceives commonly occurring substances, such as pollen grains or pet dander, as a potential danger to be combated. This causes the body to produce so-called allergy antibodies that are specifically directed against the substances in question, and these antibodies trigger an allergic reaction when exposed to the substances.

How do you detect allergies?

Allergy can be proven or disproven with an allergy test, which examines the presence of antibodies that a potential allergy will trigger in the patient. However, the test must always be interpreted in conjunction with your medical history, which is why our doctors always take a thorough look at your overall symptom picture before making a diagnosis.

Patient information

Treatment of allergic diseases

There are different types of treatment for allergic diseases. The right treatment will be determined based on your symptoms and will primarily revolve around minimizing exposure to the substance you are hypersensitive to.

However, in many cases it can be difficult or impossible to avoid the substances that trigger the allergic reaction. There are various medications that can help - both preventive and emergency medication.

Antihistamines as a medical supercategory are examples of medications that are often effective in reducing allergic reactions. Our doctors can help you find the treatment that's best for you.

Types of allergic diseases

Hay fever/all-season allergic rhinitis

Respiratory allergies can manifest as sneezing, runny nose (rhinorrhea) and nasal congestion, as well as itching, redness, tearing and eye irritation. The allergy can be a seasonal pollen allergy (hay fever), or it can occur continuously or for periods throughout the year as year-round allergic rhinitis (allergic rhinitis). Here, the allergy is most commonly to house dust mites and fur animals.

Year-round rhinitis also exists as a non-allergic disease that can easily be confused with allergies.

Both hay fever, allergic year-round rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis can often be effectively treated after a careful examination. The right treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are, how much they affect daily life and how often they occur.

Food allergy

Food allergies can cause symptoms of varying types and severity. These can be mild symptoms such as itching in the mouth and throat immediately after ingesting the food, or they can be general allergic reactions with hives, swelling or acute gastrointestinal symptoms. In the worst cases, food allergy can trigger a life-threatening acute reaction, known as anaphylaxis, which can lead to life-threatening respiratory distress or shock with a drop in blood pressure, fainting and circulatory collapse.

If food allergy is suspected, it is important to identify what can trigger dangerous reactions and what is not dangerous for the patient. Information and advice is the most important aspect of food allergy, as the allergy is often untreatable.

Investigation of complicated food allergy with provocation testing is usually only done in allergy clinics in hospitals where the right preparedness and precautions are in place.

Hives

Repeated outbreaks of hives can sometimes be triggered by food allergies. Chronic hives are most often not caused by allergies. Chronic hives are most effectively treated with preventative medication. In cases of recurrent acute hives, an investigation should be carried out to - if possible - find the cause of the allergic reaction so that information, advice and a treatment plan can be prescribed.

Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema, also known as childhood eczema and asthma eczema, is genetically (hereditary) linked to allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever/allergic rhinitis and food allergies, but the eczema disease itself is not caused by allergies. Therefore, adults with atopic eczema do not usually benefit from being tested for allergies.

Contact allergy

Contact allergy is a type of allergy called type 4 allergy. It is therefore not linked to type 1 allergies, which are discussed further up the page. The allergy manifests as eczema after skin contact with e.g. nickel or fragrances. The diagnosis is made using so-called patch tests performed by specialists.

Non-allergic hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity can also be of a non-allergic type, such as sensitivity to smoke or strong scents.

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