More and more severe allergic reactions

Allergies can be life threatening

03/05/2013

Every third German suffers from an allergy. The severity of allergic reactions increases from year to year. However, many sufferers are not aware of the risks. Under the motto „Recognize allergies - save lives!“ German dermatologists are now launching a nationwide awareness campaign.

Many new substances and environmental factors cause allergies
According to the German Dermatological Society (DDG), allergies and above all severe allergic reactions have increased by 20 to 30 percent in the last ten years. Currently, around 20 million people with allergies live in Germany. The cause of the increase according to the DDG are many new allergens, because humans are „continuously exposed to new and unknown substances and environmental factors. Exotic foods are imported from all over the world and consumed in this country. Every year, hundreds of new medicines and dietary supplements are launched on the market“. In addition, travel to exotic regions and the trend towards over-the-top personal care are conducive to the increase of allergies and severe allergic reactions. In addition, there are false hygiene concepts that lead to children no longer allowed to play in the dirt. Experts see this as a risk that this softens the immune system of the children.

At the beginning of 2011, an international team of researchers headed by Markus Ege from Dr. Ing. from Haunerschen Children's Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich a study, according to which children, who grow up in the countryside and are therefore exposed to a larger number of microorganisms, less often suffer from bronchial asthma than city children. The researchers suspect that a certain combination of microorganisms stimulates the innate immune system and thus counteracts the development of asthma.

In allergies, natural remedies can relieve symptoms
Another large group of allergy-causing substances are food. More and more people suffer from sometimes life-threatening reactions to, among others, cow's milk, nuts, legumes, fish or shellfish.

Anyone diagnosing signs of allergy, including runny eyes, runny nose and a furry mouthfeel, should consult a doctor. This is especially true when parents notice symptoms in their children. If a diagnosis is made early, later serious complications can be contained or prevented. For example, many natural remedies are available to relieve symptoms, such as self-care, symbiotic control and immunomodulation, hypnotherapy and nutritional changes.

Nationwide campaign „Recognize allergies - save lives!“
In severe allergic reactions such as an anaphylactic shock, however, call an emergency physician immediately. Depending on the severity, the patient will either be given an antihistamine or inject epinephrine intravenously.

To draw attention to the sometimes life-threatening dangers of allergic reactions, German dermatologists have a nationwide information campaign under the motto „Recognize allergies - save lives!“ started. „The more patients know about their allergy, the better the effects can be controlled“, it says in an information of the DDG. The campaign aims to improve the care of allergy sufferers in Germany. The degree of awareness must be increased in patients, their social environment and the practitioners. „The focus is on allergy diseases such as anaphylaxis or severe drug reactions of the skin, which are immediately life-threatening and require long-term management“, so the DDG. (Ag)