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Atopy is not a disease, but an inherited, genetically determined predisposition to the development of allergic diseases. People with atopy have a greater risk of developing atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis or AD, bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis or hay fever, and urticaria. What are the causes and types of atopy? How to recognize atopy and how to treat it?
Atopyentered the medical vocabulary as early as 1923. Today, the term atopy is often used interchangeably with atopic dermatitis. However, this is a big inaccuracy: the term atopy is not related to a specific disease, as it means an incorrect, genetically determined reaction of the organism.
In response to low doses of allergens, the immune system overproduces IgE antibodies to these allergens, causing certain symptoms.
Atopy in the form of atopic diseases is most often revealed in childhood, but it also happens that adolescents and even adults suffer from atopic diseases. The manifestation of atopy symptoms may occur not only due to genetic factors, but also due to environmental factors.
Causes of atopy
Atopyis considered a genetic, inherited disease. The tendency to atopy may reveal or intensify under the influence of environmental factors, including polluted air, highly processed food or poorly selected cosmetics containing ingredients that may irritate the skin.
Among the possible causes of the development of atopic diseases are also a number of other factors, including too sterile living conditions and the lack of exposure to allergens in early childhood.
The immune system of a person with atopy, when exposed to a small amount of a factor that does not cause any symptoms in a he althy person, produces an excessive amount of IgE antibodies, causing bothersome symptoms.
Types of atopy and atopic diseases
Atopy can affect various organs - it attacks the skin, digestive system, respiratory system and nervous system.
Atopy can appear as:
- atopic dermatitis (AD)
- bronchial asthma
- hives
- allergic conjunctivitis
- allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever).
Symptoms of atopy
Symptomsof atopydepend on the organ involved and the type of atopic disease. Common symptoms of atopy include skin changes, such as inflammation and excessive skin sensitivity, rough skin on the cheeks or in the bends of the joints.
Atopy can also present with respiratory problems such as chronic cough and runny nose, recurrent bronchitis, and digestive changes such as diarrhea, flatulence, constipation and colic. It happens that symptoms of the nervous system, such as apathy, hyperactivity or sleep problems, lead to the trail of a doctor's atopy.
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Treatment of atopy
The main principle of treating all atopic diseases is to avoid contact with allergens that cause troublesome symptoms.
The treatment of atopic diseases is always individual, adapted to the patient and the severity of the disease, and the treatment is carried out by an allergist or, in the case of atopic dermatitis, also by a dermatologist.
In the case of atopic dermatitis, careful care and lubrication of the skin with emollients is important.
When the disease exacerbates and the skin develops severe inflammation, the doctor may prescribe topical medications, e.g. glucocorticosteroid ointments or preparations with calcineurin inhibitors, and recommend other treatment methods, e.g. wet dressings .
Treatment of atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis or urticaria depends on the severity of symptoms.
In bronchial asthma, among others, bronchodilators (some patients are given them on an ad hoc basis, others are prescribed permanently). Allergic rhinitis is usually treated with antihistamines and nasal steroids.
Allergic conjunctivitis requires the use of eye drops containing antihistamines. Atopic urticaria is treated with antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids.