The term “allergy” refers to an altered reaction of the body to repeated contact with a specific triggering substance.Allergic diseases have become particularly widespread recently.It is believed that almost half of the world's population suffers from an 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 it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but rather those features of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
Skin rash, severe itching and bronchodilatory cramps are considered the most common signs of a parasite allergy.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pathology of pregnancy in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor diet.
- Common respiratory diseases.
- The presence of chronic foci of infection in the body.
- From the digestive system: biliary dyskinesia, reflux and also helminthiasis.
So to the question: “Can worms cause and trigger allergies?”The answer is definitely yes.
Which parasites cause allergic reactions?It has been proven that many helminths manifest themselves in this context, including roundworms, pinworms and echinococci.
What happens?
The negative effects of parasites are due to both their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and their effect on the immune system.In the acute phase of parasite infestation - in the first few weeks - the body reacts non-specifically to the parasite;In the future, the body's reaction may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and the intensity of the invasion.
Waste products and toxins from the worms cause activation of immunocompetent cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and the formation of immune complexes.
They cause mechanical damage directly at the location of the worms and trigger a local inflammatory reaction via the attachment organs: hooks and suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci – helminth larvae located in the internal organs can mechanically compress them.Metabolic processes in the body are disrupted as the helminth uses the host's nutrients.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with absorption.
Allergies are caused by toxic waste products from parasites that have a weakening effect on the human immune system.
Parasites have a suppressive effect on the immune system by releasing enzymes that break down antibodies or disrupting the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, in turn, leads to a chronification of the process and an even greater weakening of the body.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in every possible way.For example, some worms use the phenomenon of antigen mimicry when they have antigens on their surface that are similar to the antigens of the affected organism.The immune system then no longer recognizes the presence of foreign genetic material.It can also cause the immune system to attack one's own body and the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological information
In the acute phase, the immune system reaction predominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction).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 attach to the surface of mast cells and basophils and thereby sensitize them.This happens not only at the site of invasion (in the case of helminths, in the intestines), but throughout the body thanks to the penetration of antibodies into the general bloodstream.
At the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of the mast and basophil cells occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
The main biological effects that occur include:
- Smooth muscle contraction.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cell damage.
Due to the rapid entry of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following are possible:
- Itching on the skin.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The action of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.When helminthiasis reaches the chronic stage, the worms change their antigen structure.Not only IgE is produced, but also a variety of immunoglobulins of other classes that mediate other types of body responses, including the immune complex response - in which damage to body cells is caused by immune complexes circulating in the blood.The same mechanism could underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Manifestations
Signs of allergies in addition to the symptoms characteristic of a parasite infestation:
- Increased body temperature.
- Rashes.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- 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
diagnosis
If you have allergies or autoimmune diseases, you must remember that these may be caused by helminthic infestation.For a correct diagnosis, it is important to have a well-recorded allergy history and the following:
- Coproocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of the stool.
- Serological examinations with the search for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasite allergens (e.g. Kasoni intradermal test for diagnosis of echinococci).
Treatment and prevention
Elimination 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 eliminates the allergen from the body.An exacerbation of the disease is stopped, transferred to remission and maintained by 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 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 meats, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc. The peculiarities of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of the allergy.
Prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infestation consists primarily of preventing, detecting and treating infection with helminthiasis.