The term "allergy" refers to an altered reaction of the body to repeated contact with a specific provocative agent.Allergic diseases have become widespread, especially recently.It is thought 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 development of allergic diseases, but it is important to understand that the disease itself is not inherited, but such characteristics of the immune response that under certain conditions and influences lead to the development of allergies.
Rashes, severe itching and bronchodilator spasms are considered the most common signs of allergy to parasites.
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 cause and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
Which parasites cause allergic reactions?Many helminths have been shown to manifest in this sense, including roundworms, pinworms and echinococci.
what's happening?
The negative impact of parasites is a consequence of their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and their impact on the immune system.In the acute phase of parasitic infestation - the first few weeks - the body reacts non-specifically to the parasite;in the future, the body's response may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and the intensity of the invasion.
Worm waste products and toxins cause activation of immunocompetent cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and formation of immune complexes.
Directly at the place where the worms are, they cause mechanical damage and cause a local inflammatory reaction through the binding organs: hooks, rubber cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci ─ helminth larvae, located in internal organs, can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disrupted due to the fact that the helminth uses the host's nutrients.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 interfere with the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, on the other hand, leads to chronicity of the process and even more pronounced weakening of the organism.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in all possible ways.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 a person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological data
In the acute phase, the reaction of the immune system in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction) prevails.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 amount of granules with histamine - one of the main mediators of allergic reactions - and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.Immunoglobulins E bind 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 thanks to the entry of antibodies into the general bloodstream, throughout the body.
During the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of mast and basophilic cells occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
Among the main biological effects that occur are the following:
- Contraction of smooth muscles.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cell 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 influence of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.As helminthiasis progresses to the chronic phase, 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 damage to body cells is caused by immune complexes circulating in the blood.The same mechanism may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Manifestations
Signs of allergy, in addition to symptoms characteristic of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- Skin rash.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Blood tests showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological study: increased IgE and other immunoglobulins.
- Pulmonary system: cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchospasm.
- Digestive organs: abdominal pain, dyspepsia.
- Enlarged spleen and liver
Diagnostics
If you have allergies or autoimmune diseases, you must keep in mind that this can be caused by helminthic infestation.A well-collected allergy history is important for a correct diagnosis, as well as the following:
- Coprocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of stool.
- Serological studies with the search for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasitic allergens (for example, Kasoni intradermal test for diagnosing echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of parasitosis can completely eliminate allergic disease or alleviate its course.
Therefore, if the cause of the allergy is helminths, antiparasitic treatment is very important.It is part of the elimination therapy - it eliminates the allergen from the body.Exacerbation of the disease is stopped, goes into remission and is maintained with the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta agonists.
- Means for membrane stabilization.
Exactly which products are needed and in what doses 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 parasitosis: hypo- and avitaminosis, anemia and others, as well as adhere to a hypoallergenic diet.The latter consists in excluding highly allergenic foods: milk, eggs, smoked meat, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc... The characteristics of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of the allergy.
Prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infestation will first of all be prevention of helminth infection, its identification and treatment.