Specialized Care For Allergies And Autoimmune Disease
An allergy is your bodyâs response to a substance or food it sees as a threat. This response can lead to mild or sometimes life-threatening symptoms.
Our board-certified allergy specialist has received extra training in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. This allergist works with other physicians to care for people affected by conditions caused by an autoimmune response, including:
- Food allergies: When something you eat, such as peanuts, triggers an immune system response
- Environmental allergies: When tiny substances in the air, such as ragweed, trigger inflammation and other symptoms
- Eczema: Red, sometimes scaly skin patches
- Asthma: Airway inflammation that can make it hard for you to breathe
- Rhinitis: Congestion and inflammation in the nose
- Sinusitis: Inflamed sinuses, near your forehead and cheeks
At our institute, different autoimmune specialists work together to get you world-class care conveniently. They provide comprehensive testing and treatment for these conditions.
Often, avoiding an allergen is the best treatment. We also offer allergy shots and an oral immunotherapy treatment that has helped many people outgrow certain environmental and food allergies.
If we think you have an autoimmune disease in addition to an allergy, our specialists closely collaborate to diagnose your symptoms. Then, they provide the best treatment for your circumstances.
What You Need To Know
- Allergies are the result of your immune systems response to a substance.
- Immune responses can be mild, from coughing and a runny nose, to a life-threatening reaction know as anaphylaxis.
- A person becomes allergic when their body develops antigens against a substance. Upon repeated exposure the severity of the reaction may increase.
- Allergies affect people of all ages, races, genders and socioeconomic statuses.
Allergic disease is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. People with a family history of allergies have an increase risk of developing allergic disease. Hay fever , eczema, hives, asthma, and food allergy are some types of allergic diseases. Allergy symptoms can range from mild to a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction .
Allergic reactions begin in your immune system. When a harmless substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who is allergic to that substance, the immune system may over react by producing antibodies that “attack” the allergen. The can cause wheezing, itching, runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms.
Mechanisms Linking Western Diet To Autoimmunity: Gut Microbiome And T Cell Regulation
The intestine is the primary absorption interface for nutrients, vitamins, and water, and therefore constitutes a premier site to investigate dietary influences in autoimmune disease. The digestion of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the gut is facilitated by host enzymes as well as handling by commensal bacteria colonizing the human gut . It is conceivable that the nutritional value of food is influenced by the composition and operation of a consumer´s gut microbiome, and that dietary components in turn shape the composition and functional status of the microbial community . For example, a high-fat diet alters the structure of the microbiome even in the absence of obesity . The intestinal mucosal immune system has adapted to tolerate the vast numbers of commensal bacteria, a balance that involves an intricate two-way communication mediated by host-derived anti-microbial peptides and sensing of bacterial-derived molecular patterns .
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Toxins Interacting With Proteins
Another non-food protein reaction, urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, originates after contact with poison ivy, eastern poison oak, western poison oak, or poison sumac. Urushiol, which is not itself a protein, acts as a hapten and chemically reacts with, binds to, and changes the shape of integral membrane proteins on exposed skin cells. The immune system does not recognize the affected cells as normal parts of the body, causing a T-cell-mediated immune response. Of these poisonous plants, sumac is the most virulent. The resulting dermatological response to the reaction between urushiol and membrane proteins includes redness, swelling, papules, vesicles, blisters, and streaking.
Estimates vary on the percentage of the population that will have an immune system response. Approximately 25 percent of the population will have a strong allergic response to urushiol. In general, approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of adults will develop a rash if they are exposed to .0050 milligrams of purified urushiol, but some people are so sensitive that it takes only a molecular trace on the skin to initiate an allergic reaction.
The Functional Medicine Guide To Understanding Autoimmune Disease + Allergies
To most people, allergy symptoms, Celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis might seem like they have many more differences than similarities, but all of these diseases have one thing in commonyour immune system.
Allergic diseases and autoimmunity follow a similar developmental path, though their presentation is often quite different. Today, youll learn how food allergies impact your risk of autoimmune disease, what exactly causes autoimmune disease in the first placeand more importantlyhow you can decrease your risk of autoimmune disease.
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Mechanisms Linking Western Diet To Autoimmunity Sodium Intake And Th17 Cells
Salt intake varies vastly around the world, ranging from less than 1 g/day in some indigenous populations to more than 20 g/day in the Western world and Japan . The sodium content of processed foods and fast food preferentially consumed in the developed societies can be more than 100 times higher in comparison to similar homemade meals . Excess dietary salt intake is already a well-studied culprit in the development of cardiovascular disease and stroke . Moreover, experimental studies in mice highlight a role for T cells as causal players in the genesis of hypertension and resulting target organ damage , suggesting similarities in the aetiology of hypertensive inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
Shapiro and Dinarello noted earlier that osmotic stress can induce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from human mononuclear cells in culture . Accordingly, the clinical use of hypertonic saline for plasma expansion is associated with immune activation . Further investigation of potential mechanisms underlying this phenomenon demonstrated that elevated NaCl concentrations enhance T cell responses on a cellular level, and that p38/MAPK and the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 play an integral part of the cellular response to hyperosmotic environments .
Is It Autoimmune Disease Or An Allergy
When you think about autoimmune disease, you might imagine your immune system mounting an attack on your own tissueslike your pancreas with type 1 diabetes, or the thyroid with Hashimotos thyroiditis.
With autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakenly flags your own cells for destruction.
With allergies, the invaders are otherwise harmless environmental triggers like pollen, peanuts, or pet dander. Your immune system goes on the offensive to rid your body of the invader.
Both of these responses are generated by the immune system, and thats where their impact on your health begins. So why do they happen? And can integrative medicine help you avoid their triggers?
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What Are The Similarities And Differences Between Allergies And Autoimmune Diseases
Allergies occur when something foreign is introduced to the body and unnecessarily causes our immune systems to go into overdrive to try to fight it off. Substances that may cause allergies for some may elicit no reaction whatsoever from others. The principal similarity between the two is that the body exaggerates a threat or perceives something as a threat that isnt, and unnecessarily attacks it.
Allergies and autoimmune diseases often present very similar symptoms. Both typically cause some sort of redness or swelling, due to the elevated immune response. Itchiness is another common symptom of both problems. Both can cause a general feeling of fatigue and sickness, in which the sufferer simply does not feel like their usual self. Flare-ups of allergies tend to come on at similar times when autoimmune diseases are at their worse. Thousands of patients who suffer from both report a synchronization of the two conditions.
Allergy Treatment During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
For pregnant women with allergies, avoidance of the allergen is the best way to control symptoms. If symptoms are severe, an antihistamine nasal spray is recommended. An oral antihistamine should be used only if antihistamine nasal sprays are inadequate.
During breastfeeding, nonsedating antihistamines are preferred. Sedating antihistamines can be used, but they may cause drowsiness and irritability in the infant. If a sedating antihistamine is required, the infant should be monitored for these effects.
Antihistamine nasal sprays are preferred to oral antihistamines. If oral antihistamines are essential for controlling symptoms, they should be taken immediately after breastfeeding. Cyproheptadine is contraindicated during breastfeeding because it lowers prolactin levels and thus may reduce lactation.
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Connection Between Allergic Diseases And Autoimmune Diseases
- Date:
- Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center of Seattle
- Summary:
- A new study identifies a connection between allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, and autoimmune diseases.
A new study by researchers at Childrens and the University of Washington identifies a connection between allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, and autoimmune diseases. The study was published in the April 1 edition of Nature Immunology.
Approximately 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most frequently during the childbearing years. These diseases also comprise a significant portion of chronic childhood disorders. Autoimmune disease refers to a group of more than 80 serious, chronic illnesses including diseases of the nervous, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems as well as skin and other connective tissues, eyes, blood, and blood vessel. In all of these diseases, the underlying problem is similarthe bodys immune system becomes misdirected, attacking the very organs it was designed to protect.
Our study implies that allergic and inflammatory diseases may actually trigger autoimmune diseases by relaxing the controls that normally eliminate newly produced, self-reactive B cells. This is important because many autoimmune diseases are caused by self-reactive antibodies produced by such B cells said Dr. David Rawlings lead researcher and section head of Immunology at Childrens Hospital and the UW.
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Proof Of Principle Of The Causal Relationship Between Decline Of Infectious Diseases And Increase Of Immunological Disorders
We have seen that there is a strong correlation between changes in lifestyle and modifications of the incidence of allergic or autoimmune diseases, but this does not prove a causal relationship between these two observations. This is a crucial question, as many factors unrelated to infections are a consequence of lifestyle, such as food habits, quality of medical care or dinner time gradient from North to South Europe. The answer to this question comes from animal models of autoimmune and allergic diseases and, to a lesser degree, from clinical intervention studies.
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Give Your Gut Some Love
Gut health is a crucial component when it comes to healing, and preventing, the development of autoimmune diseases.
A 2017 study in the Frontiers of Immunology found that leaky gut when the intestinal epithelial lining loses integrity and allows the passage of bacteria and toxins into the blood can trigger the initiation and development of autoimmune disease.
Gut health is a crucial component when it comes to healing, and preventing, the development of autoimmune diseases
Another report in 2012 in the journal Nature found that when the digestive system encounters saturated fat, it breaks down the healthy bacteria in the gut.
This causes inflammation, an increased immune response, and tissue damage.
Saturated fat is primarily found in butter, cheese, red meat, and other animal-based foods.
So whats the best way to take care of your gut? Healthy probiotics can be helpful. Good sources may include fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, unsweetened yogurts, coconut kefir, and probiotic supplements.
But its equally important to feed the good guys abundant healthy prebiotic foods that help them to increase.
The number one food that probiotics love is fiber. The particular kinds of fiber that are most beneficial are found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, garlic, leek, onion, asparagus, jicama, apple, flaxseed, and burdock root.
Lifestyle Factors Important To Lowering Your Immune Burden Are:
Get adequate sleep. Chronic insomnia and sleep apnea are both associated with significantly increased risks of autoimmune disease .
Stay active. Activities that support healthy blood flow and deep breathing are beneficial. Yoga, stretching, tai chi, and brisk walking are great immune-supportive activities.
. Chronic stress contributes to inflammation and immune dysregulation. Begin intentional relaxation with journaling, therapeutic massage, or meditation.
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Is Atopic Dermatitis An Autoimmune Disease
The American Academy of Dermatology Association states that is a common form of eczema that does not have a single cause. Researchers think AD develops due to a combination of genetics, a sensitive immune system, and environmental factors that trigger the symptoms. Some evidence suggests that autoimmunity may also drive it.
Dermatologists believe that people with AD have a genetic trait that means their skin loses moisture too quickly, causing gaps in the skin barrier. This can lead to dry, less well-protected skin.
This alone is not always enough to cause AD. Other factors that may put people predisposed to the condition at risk of developing it include:
- living somewhere that is cold and damp for at least some of the year
- exposure to pollution and tobacco smoke
Autoimmunity may also contribute to AD. The authors of a 2021 study suggest that AD may start as an allergic response before progressing to an autoimmune response. They argue that this may be what causes chronic inflammation and relapses.
A large 2021 population-based study also found higher AD rates in people with one or more autoimmune condition, particularly those that affect the skin and digestive tract. This suggests one may increase the risk of, or cause, the other.
However, more research on how AD develops is necessary to confirm that it is an autoimmune disease, and if so, what treatments might help.
Nih Scientists Find Link Between Allergic And Autoimmune Diseases In Mouse Study
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, and their colleagues, have discovered that a gene called BACH2 may play a central role in the development of diverse allergic and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and type-1 diabetes. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks normal cells and tissues in the body that are generally recognized as self and do not normally trigger immune responses. Autoimmunity can occur in infectious diseases and cancer.
The results of previous research had shown that people with minor variations in the BACH2 gene often develop allergic or autoimmune diseases, and that a common factor in these diseases is a compromised immune system. In this study in mice, the Bach2 gene was found to be a critical regulator of the immune systems reactivity. The study, headed by researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases , both part of NIH, and their colleagues appeared online in Nature, June 2, 2013.
The finding that a single component of the immune system plays such a broad role in regulating immune function may explain why people with allergic and autoimmune diseases commonly have alterations in the BACH2 gene, said NCI researcher Rahul Roychoudhuri, M.D. “This may be the first step in developing novel therapies for these disorders.”
NIHTurning Discovery Into Health®
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Can Eczema Be A Symptom Of Other Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune conditions can cause eczema and skin rashes, but presenting with either of these conditions would not necessarily lead a doctor to diagnose an autoimmune disease. Eczema is widespread and can occur on its own.
People can also have eczema and autoimmune conditions together, and one may worsen the other. Conditions that increase the sensitivity of the immune system or cause inflammation may exacerbate eczema.
Additionally, eczema can occur as a secondary complication of an autoimmune disease. For example, inflammatory bowel disease can lead to difficulty absorbing nutrients.
A 2012 study notes that if someone does not get enough of certain nutrients, such as essential fatty acids, the skin may become dry and prone to eczema.
Skin conditions can also be a side effect of treatments for autoimmune diseases. For example, infliximab , one of the medications doctors prescribe to treat Crohns disease, may cause eczema.
A 2015 study found that 29.6% of people experienced scaling eczema and 18.5% developed exacerbated atopic eczema after taking this medication.
- irritants, such as artificial fragrance, harsh cleaning products, or smoke
- friction on the skin from itchy fabrics
- certain bacteria, viruses, and yeast
- dysbiosis, which is when the microbiome in the gut or on the skin is imbalanced
This yeast usually lives on the skin, but it can trigger an immune response if it overgrows. Antifungal creams and shampoos help control it.
Ulcerative Colitis Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration throughout the large intestine, resulting in pain and gastrointestinal distress. Unlike Crohns disease, which can affect any part of the GI tract at any tissue depth, ulcerative colitis is limited to the lining of the colon. While both ulcerative colitis/IBD and celiac disease can affect the gut and cause gastrointestinal symptoms, correlation between the two diseases is no stronger than with other autoimmune conditions.
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Is There A Role For Microbiota Changes In The Hygiene Hypothesis
The human gut is the natural niche for more than 1014 bacteria of more than 1000 different species . Immediately after birth, the human gut is colonized with different strains of bacteria. This commensal microbiota is important in shaping the immune system, for other basic physiological functions as well as for the integrity of the intestinal barrier . Interestingly, the intestinal flora was different in a small group of allergic Estonian and Swedish children compared to the control group, with a higher count of aerobic bacteria such as coliforms and Staphylocccus aureus and a decreased proportion of Lactobacilli, or anaerobes such as Bifidobacterium or Bacteroides. However, this difference was not seen in a larger birth cohort study comparing three European baby populations . Additionally, this study showed a slower acquisition of typical faecal bacteria such as Escherichia coli, especially in children delivered by caesarian section or children without siblings. It should be noted that all these studies were based on the analysis of culturable bacteria, and only atopic dermatitis and skin prick test were evaluated.
