Allergies

The symptoms of an allergy depend on the respective allergy type (see under 'Causes') and are distinguished according to the place of reaction.

Two types of allergies are particularly important: the immediate type (Type I) and the delayed type (Type IV).

Immediate-type allergy (Type I)

With a Type I reaction, the following reactions predominate:

• Sneezing fit (Hay fever)
• Itchy eyes and skin
• Swelling of the mucous membranes (e.g. a cold)
• Narrowing of the airways
• Very itchy weals (urticaria)
• in very severe cases: Drop in blood pressure and circulatory failure

Caution is required with reactions that are accompanied by a very strong feeling of warmth and skin tingling, a restriction in the circulation or with shortness of breath. Emergency first aid is indicated here as the maximum variant, anaphylactic shock, can result in complete circulatory failure with fatal consequences.
Particularly with insect bites and a known allergy to the venom, with swellings of the oral mucosa and circulatory disorders directly after a meal, a doctor should be sought immediately. All the other treatment options are based on the respective problems and should be agreed with a doctor.

Delayed-type allergy (Type IV)

Type IV allergies, contact allergies, appear on the skin as very itchy eczemas. At the beginning, redness and swelling appear in the area of the skin that has been in contact with the allergen; the swelling and redness may 'spread' beyond the area of contact. Itching is also possible, and with severe reactions, blisters can form. The skin weeps when these burst. In the healing-up phase, crusts then form and scaly skin results. If the triggering allergen is not recognised and removed, a chronic contact eczema can form. The skin then becomes thicker and scaly. The skin becomes thicker and the skin lines become more accentuated (skin lichenification).