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 believed 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 formation of allergic diseases, but it is important to understand that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but rather the characteristics of the immune response that, under certain conditions and influences, lead to the development of allergies.
Skin rash, severe itching, and bronchodilator spasms are considered the most common signs of parasite allergy.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies:
- Pathology of pregnancy in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Poor nutrition.
- Frequent respiratory illnesses.
- 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.
Which parasites cause allergic reactions?It has been proven that many helminths manifest themselves in this sense, including roundworms, pinworms and echinococcus.
What is happening?
The negative impact of parasites is due both to their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and to their effect on the immune system.In the acute phase of parasitic infestation – the first weeks – the body reacts to the parasite in a non-specific way;In the future, the organism's response may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and intensity of invasion.
Worm waste and toxins cause activation of immunocompetent cells, excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and 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 internal organs, can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disturbed 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 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 disrupting the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, in turn, leads to the chronicity of the process and an even more pronounced weakening of the organism.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in every possible way.For example, some worms use the phenomenon of antigenic mimicry, when they present 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 the body itself, causing the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological particularities
In the acute phase, the immune system's reaction predominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction).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, thus 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.
With the next contact with the allergen, degranulation of mast cells and basophilic cells occurs - the release of the contents of their granules.
Among the main biological effects that arise are the following:
- 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, it 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 stage, the worms alter their antigenic structure.Not only is IgE produced, but also a large number of immunoglobulins from other classes, which mediate other types of bodily 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 may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Manifestations
Signs of allergy, in addition to symptoms characteristic of parasitic infestations:
- Increased body temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- 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 have allergies or autoimmune diseases, you should keep in mind that this could be caused by a helminthic infestation.For a 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 parasite allergens (e.g. Kasoni intradermal test for diagnosis of echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of the 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.Exacerbation of the disease is stopped, transferred to remission and maintained with the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta agonists.
- Membrane stabilizing agents.
Exactly which products are needed and in what dosages depends on the type of allergy and its severity.
At the same time, it is important to correct the changes in the body that accompany parasites: 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.
The prevention of allergies caused by parasitic infestation will be, first of all, the prevention of helminthiasis infection, its identification and treatment.