1. Allergy The basis of allergy Common symptoms Some common allergens
Treatments

2. The basis of allergy Immunological reaction
Antibody immunoglobulin E or IgE
B-cells or plasma cells
Allergen
Mast cells
Histamine and cytokines

3. four types of histamine receptors:
H1, H2, H3 and H4
H1-histamine receptors
smooth muscle, endothelium and central nervous system tissue
mainly responsible for allergic reactions

4. Effects of histamine release
Decreased blood flow
Increased cell membrane permeability  swelling
White blood cells migrate to the inflammation site
Inflammation reaction
redness
swelling
pain
heat
itching

5. Why is there IgE? IgE belongs to the immune system’s ”heavy machinery”
Original function: attacking parasites, worms, fleas etc.
”Hygiene hypothesis”
Modern people lead a cleaner life
No longer exposure to parasites and other pathogens
IgE attacks harmless antigens
Exposure to pathogens in early childhood may prevent the development of allergies

6. Some common symptoms rhinitis = runny nose airways: asthma
conjunctivitis = inflammation of the eyes: redness and itching
skin: rash, hives and itching
angioedema = rapid swelling of the skin, mucosa and submucosal tissues
anaphylaxis = rapid and severe allergic reaction, low blood pressure, shock

7. Some common allergens plants: trees, grass, weeds
foods: nuts, egg, wheat
animal products: hair and dander
insects: bee venom, dust mite excretion
mold spores
drugs: salicylates, penicillins, sulfonamides, local anaesthetics

8. Treatment Chemotherapy
for relieving the symptoms, not for long-term help
antihistamines
cortisone
adrenaline
theophylline
NSAIDs

9. Immunotherapy
long term help
hyposensitization
vaccinate with small amounts of allergen
progressively larger amounts
injection of anti-IgE antibodies
Alternative therapies
herbal medicine
homeopathy
traditional Chinese medicine

10. Antihistamines work against histamine affect the histamine receptors
inhibitors of histamine release; stabilize mast cells
administration
topically: skin, nose and eyes
systemically: intravenously or orally
a big group of drugs

11. H1-reseptor antagonists or H1-antihistamines
an antagonist is a molecule that binds to the natural molecule’s receptor, blocks it and thus results in opposite effects in the cell
first-generation H1-antihistamines
not very receptor specific
have effects on the central nervous system
second-generation H1-antihistamines
more receptor specific
cetirizine (Zyrtec®), loratadine
few side-effects, non-sedating

12. Histamine release inhibitors
inhibit the histamine release from mast cells by stabilizing the cells
mechanism of action is not fully understood
may also prevent cytokine release
used as nasal sprays and eye drops
cromoglicate

13. Cortisone or hydrocortisone
a stress hormone that supresses the immune system
systemically for anaphylaxis
topically for allergic edema and rash
many mechanisms of action
Adrenaline
a stress hormone
supresses the immune system, increases heart rate
especially for treating anaphylactic shock

14. Theophylline NSAIDs also known as dimethylxantine
used for treatment of respiratory diseases e.g. asthma
relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle
mechanism of action is not fully understood
NSAIDs
used for their anti-inflammatory effects
acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen
used for relieving pain

15. To summarize:
An allergic reaction is an inflammation reaction mediated by IgE antibodies
Allergies are becoming more and more common
There is a wide variety of allergens and symptoms
Allergies can be treated by drugs, hyposensitization and alternative treatments
The most common drugs are antihistamines, which either block histamine receptors or inhibit histamine release