What are known about allergic diseases?

(Dr. Gao Zhenhua, Director of Luwan Branch, Ruijin Hospital, Affiliated with Shanghai Second Medical University)

Allergic diseases can occur at all ages, from newborns to the elderly, often with obvious genetic predispositions. Allergic diseases, rapid hair allergic reactions are more common, the main types are skin allergic reactions, respiratory allergic reactions, digestive tract allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock, there are several common diseases.

- Urticaria is characterized by puffy wind mass of varying sizes, accompanied by severe itching. Often caused by certain physical or chemical stimulation or taking certain foods and medicines.

- Contact dermatitis Some allergic physiques when the skin comes into contact with allergens or irritants (e.g., cosmetics, detergents, raw paints, pesticides, strong acids, strong alkalis, etc.), local redness and swelling with clear boundaries, accompanied by itching symptoms.

- Eczema can occur at all ages, skin loss sites show erythema, papules, blisters, surface erosion, oozing, knotting, chipping and pigmentation, accompanied by severe itching.

- Allergic rhinitis exhibits four main symptoms: bursts of continuous sneezing, a large amount of snot, and itchy nose and nasal congestion.

- Allergic asthma mostly begins at an early age and often has a family history of allergic diseases. Patients inhaling or eating allergens, or airways stimulated by cold air, can become ill, manifested as severe coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty exhaling, etc., often at night and early morning.

Allergic diseases are not terrible, through effective prevention and treatment, generally can control the disease. Allergens should be sought to prevent re-contact as much as possible. At the same time the application of anti-allergy drugs to relieve the pain. In anti-allergy drugs, a new generation of anti-allergy drugs work better, they can not only quickly alleviate symptoms, but also less adverse reactions.

In addition, corticosteroids can be applied locally to dermatitis-like diseases. Asthma patients in the acute attack period must go to the hospital in time for medical treatment.

- Excerpted from General Medicine No.12 P73, 2004