Allergic reactions pertain to immune system responses to foreign particles that may have entered the body and may potentially cause damage to cells and tissues. Allergic reactions are generally triggered by tiny particles floating in the air or small molecules that may be present in certain food items, fabrics, and other materials that come in contact with the skin. Changes in season may also bring about allergic reactions, triggering the immune system to engage in protecting the body from further damage. For example, pollen from trees, flowering plants, and grass may result in the development of allergic reactions in people sensitive to plant-based allergens. For others, interacting with cats and dogs may trigger allergic reactions.
Health Damage – Allergic Reactions…What it Means.
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Health damage due to allergic reactions elicited by the immune system thus comprises an area of concern for most both physicians and the general public. It is best to control the occurrence of allergic reactions, especially when extreme responses are released by the immune system. There are currently several anti-allergy medications that are available in the market, which are known to suppress the immune system from responding to the presence of allergens. If allergic reactions are left untreated, it may be possible for an individual to experience serious health damage, including severe asthma.
According to a recent medical report published in the Journal of Allergy, certain common medications are also responsible for triggering allergic reactions, resulting in a hyperactive immune system that may potentially result in further health damage. The report explained that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are generally used for the treatment of symptoms such as inflammation, headache, and pain, have the capacity to stimulate the immune system.
Allergic Reactions – The Diagnosis
The study involved the participation of patients who have been positively diagnosed with allergies against these NSAIDs. These patients showed the common signs of allergic reactions, including skin damage in the form of skin rashes and difficulty in breathing. Blood samples were drawn from these patients and tested for specific cell components of the immune system. Any information of these blood tests was used in drawing up conclusions on the extent of damage that the NSAIDs may have caused to the body.
The results of the study showed that two types of cells of the immune system, namely the basophils and monocytes, were significantly high among the study participants. In addition, a specific protein marker on the cells of the immune system, CD63, was also observed to be at high levels in the blood. These observations suggested that the presence of NSAIDs in the bodies of these patients activated the immune system to produce cells that would combat the medications, in the hope of preventing further allergic reactions in the body. However, continuous intake of NSAIDs for inflammation and/or pain may also result in damage to health, mainly by pushing the immune system to overwork.
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Developing Allergic Reactions from Common Drugs?
The report has shown that it is also possible to develop allergic from common drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Constant hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs may inflict damage to the body by continuously activating cells to prevent the further generation of immune responses. It may also be quite distressing to know that the use of common medications such as NSAIDs for a simple headache may not be so helpful to some people because of the potential health damage that may result. It is thus best to consult a physician for other alternative drugs that may be used for inflammation and pain and at the same time, to avoid the complications of health damage due to drug allergies.
