The term "allergy" refers to an altered response of the body to repeated contact with a specific trigger.Allergic diseases have become widespread, especially recently.It is believed that nearly half of the world's population suffers from some type of allergy.Its manifestations can be found in people of all ages.
What causes allergies?
Heredity is of great importance in the formation of allergic diseases, but it is important to understand that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but such characteristics of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
A rash, severe itching and bronchodilator spasms are considered the most common signs of a parasite allergy.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pregnancy pathology in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor diet.
- Frequent respiratory diseases.
- The presence of foci of chronic infection in the body.
- From the digestive system: biliary dyskinesia, reflux and also helminthiasis.
So to the question: "Can worms cause and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
Which parasites cause allergic reactions?Many helminths have been shown to manifest in this respect, including roundworms, roundworms, and echinococci.
What's going on?
The negative effect of parasites is due both to their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and to their effect on the immune system.In the acute phase of the parasitic infestation ─ the first two weeks ─ the body reacts to the parasite non-specifically.in the future, the response of the organism may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and the intensity of the invasion.
Worm wastes and toxins cause activation of immune cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and formation of immune complexes.
Right in the place of the worms, they cause mechanical damage and cause a local inflammatory reaction through the attachment organs: hooks, suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci - helminth larvae, located in the internal organs, can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disturbed due to the fact that the helminth uses the nutrients of the host.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with absorption.
Allergies are caused by toxic parasite waste, which has a depressing effect on the human immune system.
Parasites have a suppressive effect on the immune system, releasing enzymes that break down antibodies or disrupt the interaction of immune cells.Immunosuppression, in turn, leads to chronicity of the process and even more intense weakening of the body.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in every possible way.For example, some worms use the phenomenon of antigenic mimicry, when they have antigens on their surface similar to the antigens of the infected organism.The immune system then stops detecting the presence of foreign genetic material.It can also cause the immune system to attack their body, causing the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological data
In the acute phase, the reaction of the immune system dominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction).It develops immediately after contact with the antigen.
The first contact with worms leads to the production of IgE by B lymphocytes.These immunoglobulins have a high affinity for receptors found on the surface of mast cells and basophils.The latter contain a large amount of granules with histamine - one of the main mediators of allergic reactions - and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.Immunoglobulins E attach to the surface of mast cells and basophils, sensitizing them.This happens not only at the point of invasion (in the case of helminths, in the intestines), but, thanks to the entry of antibodies into the general blood circulation, throughout the body.
At the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of tissues and basophilic cells occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
Among the main resulting biological effects are the following:
- Smooth muscle contraction.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cell damage.
With the rapid entry of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following is possible:
- Skin itching.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The effect of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.As helminthiasis progresses to the chronic stage, the worms change their antigenic structure.Not only IgE is produced, but also a large number of other classes of immunoglobulins, which mediate other types of body reactions, including the immune complex response - in which damage is caused to the body's cells by immune complexes circulating in the blood.The same mechanism may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Events
Signs of allergies, in addition to symptoms that are characteristic of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- Blood tests showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological study: increased IgE and other immunoglobulins.
- Pulmonary system: cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchospasm.
- Digestive organs: abdominal pain, indigestion.
- Enlarged spleen and liver
Diagnostics
If you have allergies or autoimmune diseases, you should keep in mind that this may be due to helminth infestation.For the correct diagnosis, a well-taken allergy history is important, as well as the following:
- Coprocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of feces.
- Serological studies looking for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasite allergens (for example, Kasoni intradermal test for the diagnosis of echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of the parasite can completely eliminate the allergic disease or alleviate its course.
So, if the cause of the allergy is helminths, antiparasitic treatment is very important.It is part of elimination therapy - it eliminates the allergen from the body.Exacerbation of the disease is interrupted, transferred to remission and maintained with the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta fighters.
- Membrane stabilizers.
Exactly which products are needed and in what dosages depends on the type of allergy and its severity.
At the same time, it is important to correct the accompanying changes in the body that accompany parasitism: hypo- and vitamin deficiency, anemia and others, as well as to follow a hypoallergenic diet.The latter consists in the exclusion of highly allergic foods: milk, eggs, smoked meats, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc. The characteristics of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of the allergy.
The prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infestation will be, first of all, the prevention of helminthiasis infection, its detection and treatment.