Allergies

The allergy results from an inadequate reaction of the body after contact with substances encountered in everyday life. There are two types of allergies: immediate allergy and delayed allergy.

Immediate allergy

The immediate allergy develops if there is a genetic predisposition. This is called "atopy". Immediate allergy takes different forms, depending on the responsible allergen. This allergen can be aerial (in the atmosphere), alimentary, medical or professional.

Allergic reaction may be:

- breathing (occasional or daily rhinitis, asthma);

- ocular (conjunctivitis);

- cutaneous (atopic eczema or hives outbreaks);

- edematous, corresponding to swelling most often located on the face (lips, eyelids) and can also affect the mucous membranes of the throat (angioedema)...;

- generalized (anaphylaxis with a major life-threatening and requires emergency treatment with epinephrine).

The delayed allergy

The delayed allergy can affect everyone. It primarily targets the skin on which a dermatitis appears in contact of responsible allergen. This is called contact dermatitis.

What causes allergies?

The causes of air and food allergies are multiple.

The causes of air allergies

Air allergies affect mainly the nose, bronchi and eyes.

The main allergens responsible for allergies are:

- mites: they constitute about 90% of the dust in your home. Microscopic, they love the heat (above 20 °C) and humidity;

- pets: they are sources of allergenic proteins in their sebaceous glands, their sweat glands (dogs and cats) or in their urine (rodents);

- pollens, whose flowering seasons vary depending on the geographical distribution of plants. Only pollen carried by the wind are allergenic. Air pollution increases their aggressiveness;

- mold: they multiply in contact with a moist atmosphere (bathroom, kitchen, in case of water leakage);

- cockroaches: housed in the cracks, at the rear of the appliance, they come out preferably overnight;

- latex: its allergenic proteins are dispersed into the ambient air.

The causes of food allergies

The causes of food allergies vary depending on eating habits and should be explored with your doctor.

In children, the most common allergens in question are:

- milk;

- egg;

- peanuts;

- nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds,...).

In adults, food allergies are often linked to consumption of certain fruits (apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, strawberry). Cross allergies are common with pollens (birch), condiments, spices, exotic fruits (banana, kiwi) and nuts, and wheat flour. Cooking, storage, peeling foods can also play a role.