Living with allergies or intolerances can be frustrating, but with the right guidance, the daily lives of those who suffer from them can become much more manageable. Allergies are becoming more common nowadays. According to data from the statistical portal of the National Health System (SNS), currently, 6.6 million people in Spain suffer from some type of allergy, which is equivalent to 14.5% of the population. Since 2016, the incidence of allergies has increased by 42.3%. The prevalence of these conditions is estimated to double in the next decade, raising questions about the causes of allergic symptoms and the most effective strategies for their control.
While a true food allergy affects the immune system and can be fatal, even by ingesting small amounts of the food that causes it, in intolerances, the body cannot correctly assimilate a food or one of its components. That is, in this second case, the immune system does not intervene. Thus, the reaction is less intense than in an allergy and the symptoms do not appear as quickly.
With treatments, symptoms improve until they disappear or are mild and bearable.
The person may not even be aware that they have experienced an intolerance, so it is crucial to know prevention and treatment strategies to identify and manage the situation effectively. If you have a food intolerance, you can often eat small amounts of the food or food component that causes it without causing symptoms. It is also possible to prevent a reaction through dietary modifications, such as consuming lactose-free milk or taking digestive enzymes.
Instead, allergies are an immune system response that can be influenced by genetic factors, such as family history. However, allergies are not congenital, but develop at some point in life, from childhood to adulthood. According to Dr. Joan Bartra, an allergist at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, ”there are many factors that explain why there are more and more allergic diseases: environmental pollution, the type of diet, stress factors that affect the immune system and the microbiome, those multiple microorganisms that live in our body.”
Education on how to avoid allergens and use treatment devices properly is essential
For now, there is no treatment that can completely cure allergies. However, preventive measures and available treatments focus on avoiding new allergic episodes and reducing the severity of symptoms. “What we can do with the treatments is improve the symptoms until the patient does not have them, or they are mild and bearable, and they seem to be cured,” explains Dr. Rosa Maria Muñoz Cano, an allergist at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona.
The treatment to prevent food allergies is to completely eliminate the causative agent from the diet. Intolerances can be managed with specific dietary adjustments and products that facilitate digestion. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by an allergy or intolerance and to develop an appropriate management plan.
The allergist at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona Joan Bartra highlights the importance of training the patient and their environment to take the necessary measures to avoid a possible reaction. “Education on how to avoid allergens and use treatment devices appropriately is essential,” he notes.
Expert recommendations
Effective strategies for allergy control
Allergy tests: Specific tests must be performed to identify allergens and establish a personalized control plan.
Measures at home: To control symptoms, it is recommended to remove carpets in case of mite allergy and use air purifiers during pollen season.
Pet care: Pets should be kept out of bedrooms, bathed regularly, and their sleeping areas cleaned to reduce allergens in the environment.
Pharmacological treatment: The strategy varies depending on the patient’s needs. It can be from preventive to emergency. It is essential to receive clear instructions and adjust the treatment with an allergist.
Specific immunotherapy: The well-known “allergy vaccines” are gradual therapies that can be effective for respiratory allergies and reactions to hymenoptera venom (bees, bumblebees, wasps and ants), always under medical supervision.
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