Basically allergies are hypersensitivities, overreactions of the immune system to substances that do not cause reactions in most people. For the case of JR who is 42 years old, the symptoms he has such as intense itching and watering of eyes and nose, with severe congestion shows that he has type 1 immediate hypersensitivities. This type of allergy is characterized by a situation in which allergies combine with specific IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies to cause local and sometimes systematic reactions.
These reactions experienced in this type of allergy or hypersensitivity occur when the IgE antibody is produced then get attached to most cells, specialized cells in the tissues and basophils (an example white blood cell) in the blood stream (Donald and Malcolm, 2000). Type 1 hypersensitivities normally affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal and the skin. The IgE binds itself to the FC receptors on a mast cell or basophil when secreted. Further exposure causes reaction of these IgE, which then finally send a signal for the degranulation of the sensitized mast cell or basophil (Stephen, 2002).
During degranulation, histamine and other inflammatory chemical mediators such as cytokines, interleukins, leukotrienes and prostaglandins are released into the surrounding tissue causing several systematic effects. The effects caused vary from vascodilation, mucous secretion, and nerve stimulation to smooth muscle contraction. The end results caused by these effects are rhinorrhea, itchiness, dyspnea and anaphylaxis. This is why I strongly believe that JR is suffering from this hypersensitivity.
The type 1 hypersensitivity also causes some reactions on the skin such as hives, dermatitis and itching. When the allergy is very serious, it many cause atopic dermatitis and eczema. During this conditions (severe acute allergic reaction) many problems are experienced for instance it can threaten life-by causing anaphylaxis (Donald and Malcom, 2000). Anaphylaxis is a multi-organ reaction, which in most cases, start with agitation, which is a feeling of impending doom, pale skin due to low blood pressure and loss of concentration or consciousness.
Without appropriate interventions measures such as quick administration of an epinephrine (adrenaline) Injection, then anaphylaxis can lead to death. The most effective means of treating allergy is to try avoiding the allergen. An allergen can be defined as any substance that the body mistakenly perceives as a threat, triggering a specific chain of events called an allergic cascane. Avoiding the allergen is good only in treating allergies, which are not severe such as those, caused by weather. However it is not effective in treating some allergies like those brought by food (Janice, 2003).
For example if it is food that causes JR’s skin to itch then it will force him not only to avoid food but also all possible products that contain that food or components of that food. The fact that the symptoms are serious during spring then a voiding the weather will help him. Medical treatments have been found to reduce hypersensitivity by allergists. They include the identification of food proteins to which IgE binding is associated with severe reactions, improvements is skin prick test predictions among others (Stephen, 2002).
Some of the treatments are discussed below. The first one is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment where a patient is gradually vaccinated with progressively larger doses of the allergen she/he is suffering from. The method is effective by either eliminating hypersensitivity or reducing its severity. In normal occasions the method relies on the skewing of IgG production. The person will finally build up immunity to increasing amounts of the allergen in question. This method is advantageous or effective for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis (Janice, 2003).