The term "allergy" refers to an altered response of the body to repeated contact with a particular provoking agent.Allergic diseases have become widespread, especially recently.It is believed that almost 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 characteristics of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
The most common signs of parasite allergy are rash, severe itching, and bronchodilator spasms.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pathology of pregnancy in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor nutrition.
- 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 provoke and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
What parasites cause allergic reactions?Many helminths have been found to manifest in this sense, including nematodes, pinworms, and echinococci.
What is happening?
The negative impact of parasites is due to both their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and their effect on the immune system.In the acute phase of parasitic infestation (the first weeks), the body reacts to the parasite in a non-specific manner;In the future, the body's response may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location, and the intensity of the invasion.
The waste products and toxins of the worms cause the activation of immunocompetent cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and the formation of immune complexes.
Directly at the location of the worms, they cause mechanical damage and provoke a local inflammatory reaction through the insertion organs: hooks, suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci, helminth larvae, located in internal organs, can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disturbed due to the fact that the helminth uses nutrients from the host.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with absorption.
Allergies are caused by toxic waste products of parasites, which have a depressing effect on the human immune system.
Parasites have a suppressive effect on the immune system, releasing enzymes that break down antibodies or alter the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, in turn, leads to the chronicity of the process and an even more pronounced weakening of the body.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response by all possible means.For example, some worms use the phenomenon of antigenic mimicry, when they have antigens on their surface that are similar to the antigens 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.
Immunological details
In the acute phase, the immune system reaction predominates 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 located on the surface of mast cells and basophils.The latter contain a large number of granules with histamine, one of the main mediators of allergic reactions, and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.Immunoglobulins E adhere to the surface of mast cells and basophils, thus sensitizing them.This occurs not only at the site of invasion (in the case of helminths, in the intestines), but also, thanks to the entry of antibodies into the general bloodstream, throughout the body.
At the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of mast cells and basophils occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
Among the main biological effects that arise are the following:
- Contraction of smooth muscles.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cellular damage.
With the rapid entry of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following is possible:
- Itchy skin.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The action of these mediators causes 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 immunoglobulins of other classes, which mediate other types of body reactions, including the immune complex response, in which immune complexes circulating in the blood cause damage to the body's cells.The same mechanism may be the basis for the development of autoimmune processes.
Demonstrations
Signs of allergy, in addition to the characteristic symptoms of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- Blood tests showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological study: increase in IgE and other immunoglobulins.
- Pulmonary system: cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchospasm.
- Digestive organs: abdominal pain, dyspepsia.
- Enlarged spleen and liver
Diagnosis
If you have allergies or autoimmune diseases, you should be aware that this may be due to a helminth infestation.For a correct diagnosis, it is important to have a well-compiled allergy history, as well as the following:
- Coproocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of feces.
- Serological studies with search for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasite allergens (for example, Kasoni intradermal test to diagnose echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of parasitosis 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 removes the allergen from the body.An exacerbation of the disease is stopped, transferred to remission and maintained with the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta agonists.
- Membrane stabilizing agents.
Exactly which products are needed and in what dosage depends on the type of allergy and its severity.
At the same time, it is important to correct the changes in the body that accompany parasitosis: hypo- and avitaminosis, anemia and others, as well as follow a hypoallergenic diet.The latter consists of excluding highly allergenic 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 infestations will be, first of all, the prevention of helminthiasis infection, its identification and treatment.