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 estimated that almost half of the world's population suffers from some form of allergy.Its manifestations can be found in people of all ages.
What are the causes of 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 features 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 parasitic allergy.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pathology of pregnancy in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor diet.
- Frequent respiratory illnesses.
- The presence of foci of chronic infection in the body.
- On the side of the digestive system: biliary dyskinesia, reflux, but also helminthiasis.
So to the question: “Can worms provoke and cause allergies?”The answer is definitely yes.
Which parasites cause allergic reactions?Many helminths have been proven to manifest themselves in this regard, including roundworms, pinworms and echinococcus.
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 two weeks – the body reacts non-specifically to the parasite;in the future, the body's response may vary depending on the type of helminths, its location and the intensity of the invasion.
Worm wastes and toxins cause activation of immunocompetent cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, particularly 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 attachment organs: hooks, suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci – helminth larvae, located in the internal organs, can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disrupted due to the fact that helminths use the host's nutrients.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with absorption.
Allergies are caused by toxic waste from 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 disrupt the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, in turn, leads to 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 an autoimmune disease to develop.
Immunological particularities
In the acute phase, the reaction of the immune system predominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction).Develops immediately after contact with the antigen.
The first contact with worms results in the production of IgE by B lymphocytes. These immunoglobulins have a strong affinity for receptors located on the surface of mast cells and basophils.The latter contain a large amount of granules containing histamine - one of the main mediators of allergic reactions - and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.Immunoglobulin E attaches to the surface of mast cells and basophils, thereby sensitizing them.This occurs 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 blood circulation, throughout the body.
At the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of mast cells and basophil cells occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
Some of the main resulting biological effects include:
- Contraction of smooth muscles.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cellular damage.
With the rapid entry of large quantities of these mediators into the blood, the following events are possible:
- Itchy skin.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The action of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.As helminthiases progress to the chronic stage, the worms change their antigenic structure.Not only is IgE 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 the body's cells is caused by immune complexes circulating in the blood.The same mechanism can be at the origin of the development of autoimmune processes.
Demonstrations
Signs of allergies, in addition to the characteristic symptoms of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- 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 suffer from allergies or autoimmune diseases, you should keep in mind that this may be caused by a helminthic infestation.For a correct diagnosis, a well-collected allergy history is important, as well as the following:
- Coprocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of stools.
- Serological studies with search for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasitic allergens (e.g. Kasoni intradermal test for the diagnosis of 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 due to helminths, antiparasitic treatment is very important.This is part of elimination therapy – removes the allergen from the body.An exacerbation of the disease is stopped, transferred into remission and maintained through the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticoids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta-agonists.
- Membrane stabilizing agents.
The exact products needed and their dosages depend 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.
Prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infestation will primarily be the prevention of helminthiasis infection, its identification and treatment.