Thrissur Asthma Allergy Review for Parents and Patients .

Dr Kurian Thomas Professor of Pulmonology ( Retired ) is of the view that all Thrissur Asthma Allergic patients should first accept the fact that the development of Allergy and Asthma is often a Genetic trait inherited from genes of the parents . IT  involves IgE Antibodies. It is a two step process by  the above persons , with  genetically allergy prone genes ;   initially become sensitized to a substance by chance exposure . it can occur at any age; but often start manifesting early in childhood itself.

Allergic Disease Starting

During the First stage of this allergy disease starting  , the individual develops significant amount of IgE antibodies against an inhaled air allergen ,or  ingested allergic food or drugs  or injected medications substance. Then the body produces  B Lymphocyte cell also appear that are capable of immediately producing more of this specific antibodies when stimulated.

So on repeated exposure to various such allergens very large quantity of Ig E directed against many allergens team in the body. They also are ready in the nose , lungs skin and all the organs were allergic symptoms occur . 

The new exposure simply added to the existing population so that there are millions of IgE molecule directed against different allergens, present on the surface of each mast cell and basophils.

This process of sensitization does not produce any symptoms that we equate with allergic disease.

Allergic Disease  Recurring

The second step in the two step process of becoming allergic involves the re-exposure of a sensitized person to the same allergen. With exposure symptoms may vary from mild for example sneezing to severe asthma or urticaria or anaphylaxis and rarely even sudden death.

What are the Risk factors for allergy?

Family history of allergies

Serum IgE>100 IU/ml before age of 6 years

Animal contact

Dust mite exposure

Passive smoking

Eczema

Small family size

Early use of antibiotics

Western life style

diet

Genetics of allergy and Asthma

If one parent is atopic >= 50 % risk

If both parents are atopic >=66 % risk

No family history < 20%

Treatments for Allergic diseases .