October 16 is Allergist Day. This unofficial professional holiday is celebrated by allergists and immunologists – doctors involved in the treatment and prevention of allergic reactions of the body and disorders of the human immune system.
The reality of the modern world is the growing number of people susceptible to allergic reactions. There are many reasons for this, starting with environmental degradation, increased consumption of chemical products, widespread use of antibiotics in medicine, including during early childhood, and ending even with the hygienic hypothesis that the development of hygiene has disrupted the natural improvement of the immune system. One way or another, allergies turn into a real scourge of the 21st century.
This word was coined in the early 20th century by the Austrian scientist and physician Clemens von Pirke (German). Clemens Peter Freiherr von Pirquet, 1874–1929). This happened in 1906. While working on a test for tuberculosis, he drew attention to the fact that a number of factors influence the body’s reaction to a particular external influence, and this effect may vary from patient to patient. Plant pollen, some food products, dust, insect bites, etc. can act as irritating factors. Subsequently, such factors were called allergens. For each individual person, any individual allergen or group of them may be dangerous.
Even in ancient times, scientists noticed that certain diseases can be seasonal. Thus, Avicenna discovered his «spring runny nose», which was the reaction of the body of some of his patients to the flowering of certain herbs and plants at this time of year.
Allergic rhinitis, known colloquially as a runny nose, – is just one of the manifestations of allergic reactions of the human body. In addition, allergies can manifest themselves in the form of skin rashes, swelling, itching, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and fever. In some cases, the development of an allergic reaction can even be fatal.
Despite the available perception of the existence of allergic reactions, the study and treatment of allergies only began relatively intensively in the 20th century. Doctors involved in the treatment of allergies began to be called allergists and immunologists, since in many ways an allergic reaction is the response of the human immune system to an irritating factor (allergen). The term «allergy» translated from Greek literally means «alien impact».
The specifics of the work of an allergist are based on the intersection of medical and chemical-biological knowledge. Its task is to diagnose the patient’s body’s susceptibility to certain groups of allergens in order to identify those that have a negative impact on the patient’s condition. Next, a methodology for the treatment and prevention of relapses is built.
As a rule, treatment and prevention come down to drug treatment, eliminating irritating factors and building a balanced diet that prevents potential allergens from entering the diet. In the vast majority of cases, allergens are certain foods, as well as inhalation factors (plant pollen, wool, saliva and secretion of animal glands, dust, microclamps, volatile chemical compounds, etc.). Certain medications are increasingly being added to these factors. Allergies can also be caused by ultraviolet radiation, excessive physical and psychological stress.
Given the widespread prevalence of allergies, when almost every fifth inhabitant on the planet is susceptible to them, the role of an allergist and immunologist is becoming increasingly important, and services are in demand.
Allergists celebrate their professional holiday with colleagues. As in most cases with professional medical holidays, thematic conferences, seminars and lectures are timed to coincide with the date.