Population groups that are already burdened are particularly hard hit by the effects of poor air quality. This also includes people with allergies - allergy sufferers. They suffer from a malfunction of the immune system. The immune system defends itself against substances that are actually harmless to the human body. On first contact with an allergen, the immune system produces so-called antibodies to fight the substances that are classified as dangerous. These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction in subsequent contacts. This allergic reaction can manifest itself in a wide variety of symptoms:
- Itching up to skin rashes
- Irritation of the mucous membranes and eyes
- Complaints in the gastrointestinal tract
- Breathing problems
- Common cold
In the worst case, the allergy sufferer is threatened with a life-threatening allergic shock (anaphylaxis), i.e. a severe hypersensitivity reaction of the body.
Allergies: What types of allergies are there?
An overreaction of the immune system occurs at those points where our body comes into contact with the environment and thus supposedly harmful substances enter the human organism. Which substances come into contact with the body and how, also determines the specific type of allergy:
- Pollen (hay fever)
- House dust mites
- Animal hair
- Food
- Medicines
- Contact with certain substances (perfume, nickel, cleaning agents...)
- Insecticides
- Mould
Influence of the air we breathe on allergies
Both through breathing and through our skin, we are in constant contact with the ambient air that surrounds us. Therefore, good air quality is crucial for the health and well-being of most people who suffer from allergies . Because through the air we can come into contact with substances that intensify or cause allergic reactions and even manifest themselves in chronic diseases.
Particularly frequent and thus best known in this context are the so-called atopic diseases, which have genetic causes in part and are caused by environmental influences such as pollutants in the air in part. These diseases are known as asthma(allergic bronchial asthma), hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis).
If children suffer from one of the atopic diseases, the risk of developing one of the others also increases. Since this is an overreaction of the immune system, the messenger and defence substance histamine plays a central role. To reduce the symptoms of atopic diseases - especially when there is a high allergen load - it is worthwhile to pay attention to a healthy diet that is low in histamine. A list of low-histamine foods can be found at Utopia, for example.
In addition, allergy sufferers should constantly monitor the air quality at home or in the office - for example with the air analyser air-Q(order air-Q directly in the shop). This helps to detect pollutants at an early stage and also to avoid stressful situations by reducing performance.
(Cover image: Pixabay/ Luisella Planeta Leoni, Anita S., StockSnap & Wiki Commons/ Gilles San Martin)
(Picture prick test: Maria Heß)
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