Λεξικό .. Allergy prevention

Allergy prevention

The clinical importance of allergens is well recognized, and avoidance of factors such as house-dust mite, animal danders and industrial allergens must be promoted, especially in high risk groups. The allergologist must become something of a "Sherlock Holmes" as the relationship between symptoms and exposure is not always clear. The fundamentals of diagnosis are: case history, skin testing, in vitro tests, provocation testing. A number of devices, such as pollen traps, can be used to detect allergens, and it should be remembered that different climatic conditions play a role in modifyig concentrations of allergens in the air. In house dust mite allergy, high air humidity favors high numbers, and the use of acaricides and various mechanical devices (such as air purifiers) may be helpful. "The mother of all avoidance is diagnosis"[1].

A reduced microbial load early in life has been suggested to be linked to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in the industrialized world. Some studies have indicated that probiotics may be effective in the prevention of eczema. In vitro studies indicate that probiotics have immunomodulatory effects[2].

Better air quality is associated with a rapid reduction of airway inflammation in allergic asthmatic children. Nasal eosinophils and fractional exhaled nitric oxide are sensitive indicators of this effect, and their rapid decline is paralleled by improved airway function measured by peak expiratory flow. Leukotriene synthesis has a more variable response to environmental modifications [3].

References

1. Vieluf, D.: The prevention of allergy. Symposium 5 in the 14th Congress of  EAACI, Berlin, Sept. 19, 1989.

2. West CE, Hammarström ML, Hernell O. Probiotics during weaning reduce the incidence of eczema. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009 Mar 9.

3. Renzetti G, Silvestre G, D'Amario C, Bottini E, Gloria-Bottini F, Bottini N, Auais A, Perez MK, Piedimonte G. Less air pollution leads to rapid reduction of airway inflammation and improved airway function in asthmatic children. Pediatrics. 2009 Mar;123(3):1051-8