If you are searching for, what are the 4 types of allergic reactions? You must be suffering from allergies, and you have heard your allergy doctor talking about the classification of allergic reactions.
Allergy reactions are indeed classified into four types: Type I, II, III, and IV.
Type I, II, and III are characterized as immediate allergic reactions as they happen within 24 hours of exposure to the allergen, while type IV reactions happen after 24 hours of exposure. Due to this, they are referred to delayed allergic reactions.
You are here because you want to learn more about the reactions, right? So let us dig deeper into them:
Type I reactions
They are also known as anaphylactic reactions, and they are mediated by proteins known as IgE antibodies produced in response to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, pollen, and certain foods. Due to this reaction, the body releases histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling.
Type I reactions include: food allergies, bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, anaphylaxis, and allergic rhinitis. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of reaction, and when it happens, you should treat it as a medical emergency as it’s deadly. People with the condition experience extreme difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, swelling, shock, and bluish skin.
Type II reaction
It’s also known as a Cytotoxic reaction, and it’s mediated by IgG and IgM antibodies. These antibodies damage the body cells by activating a complement system. Common type II reactions are common autoimmune neutropenia, immune thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Type III reactions
They also come about due to IgM and IgG antibodies, and the antibodies react with the allergen to form immunocomplexes responsible for the reaction. You can see type III reactions in lupus, Arthus reaction, and serum sickness.
Type IV reactions
They also go by the name cell-mediated reactions, and they occur 24 hours of exposure to the allergen. The reactions take 48-72 hours or longer to appear after coming into contact with the allergen. These reactions are often common in long-term infectious diseases such as fungal infections and tuberculosis. They are also common in skin sensitivity reactions, such as metal reactions.
Where do the common allergies fall?
Most allergies fall under type I hypersensitivity, and this includes allergic rhinitis characterized by running nose, eyes, and sneezing.
Two common allergic rhinitis categories are seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). SAR is associated with exposure to pollen at certain times of the year, while PAR occurs all around the year.
Allergic rhinitis is common and affects over 20 million people in the United States.
Other allergies that fall under type I reaction are food, dry, and insect allergy. Insects that can lead to allergies include: wasps, yellow jackets, ants, bees, and hornets.
The major allergens for the common allergies are animal dander, pollen, fungal spores, dust mites, and molds. The common symptoms for the condition include: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and thick mucus secretions.
Is there a treatment for allergic reactions?
The best way to treat allergic reactions is to prevent them from occurring in the first place by avoiding the allergens, but if the reaction has already happened, try controlling it using medications. The cool thing is there are plenty of medications you can use. You only need to visit an allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA to prescribe the best one for your condition.
Some of the medications you can use include:
- Antihistamines for seasonal and indoor allergies
- Nasal corticosteroids for nasal allergies
- Decongestants to reduce stuffiness
- Mast cell stabilizers to help with itchy, watery eyes and runny nose
- Oral corticosteroids to reduce swelling and stop severe allergic reactions
- Epinephrine for life-threatening anaphylaxis