The term "allergy" refers to an altered response of the body upon repeated contact with a certain provoking agent.Allergic diseases are widespread, especially recently.It is estimated 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 for the formation of allergic diseases, but it is important to understand that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but such characteristics of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
A rash, severe itching and bronchodilator spasms 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.
- Bad nutrition.
- Common 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 provoke and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
What parasites cause allergic reactions?Many helminths have been shown to exhibit this effect, including roundworms, pinworms, and echinococci.
what is happening
The negative impact of parasites is due to both their direct impact on the intestinal mucosa and their impact on the immune system.In the acute phase of parasite invasion ─ the first few weeks ─ the body reacts to the parasite non-specifically;in the future, the body's reaction 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 site of the worms, they cause mechanical damage and cause a local inflammatory reaction through the attachment organs: hooks, suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci ─ larvae of helminths located in the internal organs, can mechanically compress them.Metabolic processes in the body are disturbed due to the fact that the helminth uses the nutrients of the host.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with digestion.
Allergies are caused by toxic waste products of the parasites, which have a suppressive 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 in any way possible.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.Then the immune system stops detecting the presence of foreign genetic material.It can also cause the immune system to attack its own body, causing the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological features
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 attach 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 blood stream, throughout the body.
Upon subsequent contact with the allergen, degranulation of mast cells and basophil cells occurs - release of the contents of their granules.
Among the main biological effects that occur are the following:
- Contraction of smooth muscles.
- Expansion of blood vessels, increase in their permeability.
- Cell damage.
With the rapid entry of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following are possible:
- Itchy skin.
- swelling
- diarrhea
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The impact of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.As the helminthiasis passes into a chronic stage, the worms change their antigenic structure.Not only IgE is produced, but also a large number of immunoglobulins of other classes that mediate other types of body responses, 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 may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Manifestations
Signs of allergies, in addition to the symptoms characteristic of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- skin rashes.
- swelling
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Blood tests show leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological examination: 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 should consider that this may be caused by a helminth infestation.For the correct diagnosis, a well-collected allergy history is important, as well as the following:
- Coproocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of feces.
- Serological studies looking for antiparasitic antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasitic allergens (for example, Kasoni's intradermal test for the diagnosis of echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Eliminating the parasitosis can completely eliminate the allergic disease or ease its course.
So, 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.
- Membrane stabilizing agents.
Exactly what 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 the parasitosis: hypo- and avitaminosis, anemia, and others, as well as to follow a hypoallergenic diet.The latter consists in excluding highly allergenic foods: milk, eggs, smoked meats, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc. The specifics of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of the allergy.
Prevention of allergies caused by parasite invasion will be first of all prevention of helminthiasis infection, its identification and treatment.