The term “allergy” refers to the body's altered response to repeated exposure to a specific stimulus.Allergic diseases have become common, 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 the features of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
Rashes, severe itching, and bronchospasm are considered the most common signs of parasite allergy.
Several factors contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pregnancy pathology in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor nutrition.
- Frequently suffer from respiratory diseases.
- Presence of foci of chronic infection in the body.
- From the digestive system: biliary dyskinesia, reflux, as well as helminthiasis.
So to the question: "Can worms stimulate and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
What parasites cause allergic reactions?It has been shown that many types of helminths manifest themselves in this regard, including roundworms, pinworms and echinococci.
What's going on?
The negative effects of parasites are due to their direct impact on the intestinal mucosa and impact on the immune system.During the acute phase of parasitic infection ─ the first few weeks ─ the body responds to the parasite in a nonspecific manner;In the future, the body's reaction may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and the intensity of invasion.
Worm waste products and toxins cause activation of immune competent cells, overproduction of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and formation of immune complexes.
Directly at the location of the worm, they cause mechanical damage and cause a local inflammatory reaction through attachment organs: hooks and suction cups.Parasitic cysts, hydatid cysts ─ helminth larvae, located in internal organs, can be mechanically compressed later.Metabolic processes in the body are disrupted because helminths use nutrients from the host.Worms can disable digestive enzymes and hinder absorption.
Allergies are caused by toxic waste products of parasites, which weaken the human immune system.
Parasites have the effect of suppressing the immune system, releasing enzymes that break down antibodies or disrupt the interaction of immune competent cells.On the contrary, immunosuppression leads to a chronic process and even more pronounced weakening of the body.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in every possible way.For example, some worms use antigen mimicry, where they have antigens on their surface that are similar to those of the affected organism.The immune system then stops detecting the presence of foreign genetic material.It can also cause the immune system to attack its own body, causing the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immune parameters
During the acute phase, the immune system response predominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic reaction).Develops immediately after exposure to antigen.
The first contact with worms leads to the production of IgE by B lymphocytes. These immunoglobulins have high affinity for receptors located on the surface of mast cells and basophils.The latter contains a large amount of granules containing histamine - one of the main mediators that cause allergic reactions ─ and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.Immunoglobulin E binds to the surface of mast cells and basophils, thereby sensitizing them.This happens not only at the site of invasion (in the case of helminths, in the intestines), but also thanks to the penetration of antibodies into the general blood, throughout the body.
At the next exposure to an allergen, degranulation of mast cells and basophilic cells occurs - releasing substances in their granules.
Among the main biological effects that arise are:
- Contraction of smooth muscle.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cell damage.
With rapid penetration of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following may occur:
- Itchy skin.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Reduce blood pressure.
The action 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 large quantities of immunoglobulins of other groups, which mediate other types of body reactions, including immune complex reactions - in which damage to body cells is caused by immune complexes circulating in the blood.Similar mechanisms may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Expression
Signs of allergy, in addition to typical symptoms of parasitic infection:
- Body temperature increases.
- Skin rash.
- Edema.
- Lymph node disease.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- Blood tests showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological studies: increased IgE and other immunoglobulins.
- Pulmonary system: cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchospasm.
- Digestive organs: abdominal pain, indigestion.
- The spleen and liver are enlarged
Diagnose
If you suffer from allergies or autoimmune diseases, you must remember that the cause may be a helminth infection.For an accurate diagnosis, a complete allergy history is important, as is the following:
- Cystoscopy.
- Check fecal bacteria.
- Serological studies with the search for anti-parasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic testing for parasitic allergens (eg, Kasoni intradermal test for the diagnosis of echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Removing the parasite can completely eliminate the allergy or lessen its progression.
Therefore, if the cause of the allergy is helminths, treatment with antiparasitic drugs is very important.It is part of elimination therapy - removing the allergen from the body.Exacerbation of the disease is prevented, brought to remission and maintained using the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta agonists.
- Membrane stabilizer.
Exactly which products are needed and how much to dose 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 parasitic diseases: vitamin deficiency and vitamin deficiency, anemia and others, as well as follow a hypoallergenic diet.The latter includes the exclusion of foods with high allergenic potential: milk, eggs, smoked meat, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc. The characteristics of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of allergies.
Prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infections will first of all be prevention of helminth infections, identification and treatment.