home Endocrinology What does cross allergy mean? Cross allergy, symptoms, treatment methods. Basic principles of treatment and prevention

What does cross allergy mean? Cross allergy, symptoms, treatment methods. Basic principles of treatment and prevention

People are increasingly faced with various allergic manifestations. A cross-type of disease is often observed, when unpleasant symptoms arise not only from a specific food, but also from a similar product. This is the category of allergens that have the same components in their composition.

An unfavorable response to some types of irritants lies in a similar set of amino acids in different groups of allergens. The complex of protein compounds consists of two forms: active and auxiliary.

Based on statistical data, it turned out that there are 14 dangerous types of proteins. When cross-allergies form, those containing amino acids of categories 2,3,5 and 10 show greater activity. Potential irritants may be contained in foods, plants and medications of various groups, which are not even related to each other.

What cross-allergy is is not difficult to find out. The difficulty is in identifying allergens that do not look alike but have approximately the same composition.

Characteristic signs and symptoms

Cross reactions in allergies are similar to other pathologies. The clinical picture is divided into three degrees: mild, moderate and severe. Depending on the type of irritant, symptoms are expressed in skin manifestations, problems with the respiratory tract or visual organ. This adversely affects the general condition of the patient.

The first signs of cross-allergy are diagnosed in childhood from 4 to 12 years. The likelihood of negative consequences increases when the body is exposed to unfavorable factors in the form of:

poor environmental situation in the city;
poor nutrition;
neglect of hygiene measures;
lack of cleaning in the premises.

Cross allergy is accompanied by:

skin itching, discomfort, burning;
the formation of red spots on the skin;
small rashes of pink, white, orange hue;
peeling, appearance of crusts and unpleasant shine;
swelling and swelling of tissues;
lacrimation, conjunctivitis, redness and itching of the eyelids;
congestion of the nasal passages, separation of clear mucus, paroxysmal sneezing;
sore throat, shortness of breath, attacks of suffocation, barking cough with lack of sputum production.

In more severe situations there is:

addition of a secondary infection;
fungal infection of the skin;
development of anaphylactic shock;
narrowing of the lumen of the larynx and suffocation;
swelling of the tongue.

When the body is exposed to several allergens at once, negative symptoms become more pronounced.

Diagnostics

Identification of the irritant begins with clarification of the anamnesis. Hereditary predisposition plays an important role. After this, the doctor listens to the patient’s complaints.

Based on this, an examination is prescribed. It consists of performing skin and intradermal tests. Before diagnosis, the range of suspected allergens should be identified. The main condition for a positive result is the implementation of the study during the period of remission.

Laboratory diagnostics are mandatory. It involves collecting blood, sputum, saliva and nasal contents for examination. In some situations, provocative tests may be required. Involves the introduction of a potential irritant into the body.

One of the popular methods is immunological research. It can be used to determine the presence of antigens.

Cross allergen table

Scientists have done a lot of research. Using them, tables were created that indicate cross-stimuli. If you carefully study the material, the patient will be able to independently identify the allergen and prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms in the future.

Food

Main irritant	Cross allergens
Sea and river fish	All types of seafood, fish food
Peanut	Fruits with seeds, green peas, soy protein, tomatoes, bananas
Tangerines	Other citrus fruits
Kiwi	Oatmeal, rice flour, avocado, cereals, bananas, nuts, buckwheat
Potato	Eggplant, lettuce, bell pepper, chili, tomatoes, paprika, tobacco products
Strawberry	Lingonberries, strawberries, blackberries
Milk	Enzyme preparations, cattle wool
Carrot	Orange vegetables and fruits, parsley, celery
Plum	Prunes, peach, apricot, dried apricots, almonds, apples, cherries, sweet cherries
Dairy products	Mushrooms, penicillins, yeast dough, blue cheese, homemade kvass

Medicines

Patients often experience irritation to ovalbumin and cross-allergy to the vaccine. This component is included in egg white. It often leads to allergies, both in adults and children of different ages. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to vaccinate with such a pathology.

There are main types of irritants that often lead to adverse consequences:

Cereal pollen. A cross allergic reaction occurs to some products such as barley, wheat, sorrel, and oats. Less commonly, other varieties of cereals cause irritation.
Sagebrush. Pollen from dandelions, sunflowers, chamomile and dahlias can cause irritation. Cross allergy to wormwood contributes to the appearance of symptoms to certain products in the form of citrus fruits, sunflower oil, halva, honey and other bee products. There is also a third category of irritants such as calendula, coltsfoot, string, and elecampane.
Birch. Irritation is caused by alder and hazel. Cross allergy to birch leads to the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms to stone fruits, birch sap, kiwi, carrots, nuts, peanuts and potatoes.
Ambrosia. Intersects with dandelion and sunflower pollen. Cross allergy to ragweed causes irritation to bananas, seeds, halva, refined and unrefined oil.

If you are allergic to lilac, cross-irritation will occur with beets, spinach, maple, celery and herbs.

There are several other types of irritants. What allergies overlap with can be seen in the table.

General rules and methods of treatment

Treatment of adverse events is carried out according to the usual regimen. The first step is to eliminate any contact with the allergen. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the doctor prescribes:

new generation antihistamines in the form of Erius, Claritin, Zodak, Zirtec, Suprastin Next;
enterosorbents for cleansing the body of allergens in the form of Smecta, Polysorb, Enterosgel;
glucocorticosteroids. Hormonal drugs are used in more severe cases. Quickly relieve swelling and increase blood pressure. They are considered a first aid remedy for the development of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema.

In order for a positive result to come quickly, you should adhere to a strict diet. All allergenic products are excluded from the menu:

citrus;
chocolate;
eggs;
dairy and fermented milk products;
confectionery and flour products.

Specific treatment to reduce the body's sensitization under the influence of many allergens is not carried out. This technique is effective for allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity to pollen, bronchial asthma, and sensitivity to insect bites.

If a cross-allergy is detected, the patient must take care of protection from the adverse effects of irritating substances. The tables help to avoid not only allergies to main products, but also to other components.

Doctors also give several additional recommendations:

Take care of the cleanliness of the apartment. Cleaning should be carried out regularly, dust should be wiped off, bed linen should be changed.
Carefully care for your pets, as many allergens accumulate on their fur. In case of severe type of disease, it is better to abandon animals.
Avoid eating foods that irritate the immune system. Take care of proper nutrition.
Wear sunglasses and gauze bandages where there are allergenic plants
During flowering, you need to reduce the time you spend outside or go out of town. It is also worth refusing to ventilate the room for a while. You can buy an air purifier for your home.
After going outside, rinse your mouth, wash your hands and face with soap. Clothes should be washed and showered regularly to remove microparticles.
Get rid of carpets, soft toys, sofas and armchairs. This will avoid the accumulation of various microbes.

If all the rules are followed, the patient will be able to avoid a relapse.

The table will help you determine what you are cross-allergic to. Every person suffering from allergic diseases should have an understanding of what cross-allergy is and how to overcome its manifestations. After all, it often happens that a patient who has an established sensitivity to a certain substance suddenly develops similar symptoms of the disease from contact with another irritant. This reaction is called cross reaction.

Research into the nature of an allergic reaction shows that its cause is always contact with something that is irritating. This role can be played by allergens or external factors that have a physical impact. Cross allergy occurs when the body is exposed to several such irritants that have a similar structure.

Allergens are usually substances that are proteins or polysaccharides in nature. As a rule, they have a small molecular weight, due to which they can easily penetrate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract or through the skin.

The characteristic properties that allergens have also include:

the ability to maintain activity even in ultra-low doses;
ability to dissolve and adsorb in the tissues of the human body;
stable structure that allows it to remain unchanged in biological fluids.

Cross allergies can occur because allergens have a similar set of amino acids.

Nowadays, science knows 14 types of pathogenic proteins that can provoke an excessive response of the immune system. The most dangerous of them are those included in the second, third, fifth and tenth groups. Moreover, they may contain, at first glance, completely different products or plants. For example, a patient who has been allergic to potatoes for many years may get the same reaction from contact with birch pollen and vice versa.

Cross allergy has the same symptoms as regular allergy. These are signals from the respiratory organs, skin or digestive system. But at the same time, due to the fact that the systems of the human body are affected by several allergens at once, the disease develops faster than usual. In addition, over time, the number of substances to which a reaction can develop gradually increases.

Illnesses associated with exposure to multiple allergens are uncommon in children under 6 years of age. Typically, predisposition to them manifests itself in the period from 6 to 15 years.

Diagnosing cross allergies is very difficult. Therefore, it is very important for the patient to know which substances have the ability to provoke it.

To make this task easier for him, researchers have compiled tables of their possible combinations. They will help avoid unwanted contact with irritants that can cause the same symptoms as the main allergen. Typically tables are grouped into groups.

The most common grouping of tables is by these types of irritants:

Flowering grasses and pollen-producing trees.
Food.
Medicines.

This is what the table of cross allergens looks like when the disease is caused by pollen:

Pollen type
Plants	Food	Medical and cosmetic products
Birch pollen	Apple, alder, hazelnuts	Pears, apples, all stone fruits, nightshade vegetables, beans, peas, cucumbers, onions	Shampoo, cream, scrub made from leaves, birch buds or alder cones
Cereal pollen	-	Bakery products, dishes with sorrel	Cereal-based masks and creams
Artemisia pollen	Flowers of the aster family, coriander, sunflower	Sunflower oil, halva, oranges, dill, potatoes, honey	Alcoholic drinks, balms and infusions containing wormwood and other herbs from the list
Quinoa and ragweed pollen	Dandelion, sunflower	Sunflower seeds, spinach, bananas,	Medicines and skin care products made from dandelion raw materials

Cross allergy table for popular foods:

Product	Substances that cause cross-reaction
Other products	Medical and skin care products
Cow's milk	beef meat, cow wool, goat milk	Preparations based on cattle enzymes
Chicken eggs	Pork, beef, chicken, duck, quail meat and eggs	Ointments and creams using eggs in their preparation
Fish	Fish products, seafood	Fish fat
Kefir	Mushrooms, moldy cheese, yeast	Antibiotics of the penicillin group
Strawberry	Berries with red pigment, persimmon	Infusions, ointments and creams with red berry extract
Carrot	Parsley, wormwood	Vitamin A, beta-carotene
Potato	Vegetables of the nightshade family, wormwood	Products containing potato starch as one of their components
Apples, plums	Fruits with seeds, quince, almonds	Products in the manufacture of which raw materials from these fruits were used
Hazelnut	All nuts, rice, buckwheat	Nut oils
Bananas	Melon, kiwi, wheat gluten	-
Citrus	All citrus fruits	Ointments, creams, tinctures and other products prepared using citrus fruits
Legumes	All legumes, mango peanuts	Bean and peanut butter, thermopsis grass

Patients who are plagued by cross food allergies should take note that when exposed to heat, the dangerous properties of food are reduced.

You should also know that ripe vegetables are more dangerous in terms of the possibility of allergic manifestations than unripe ones. We should also not forget that a cross-reaction to food may be evidence that there are problems in the stomach and intestines.

If we talk about medications, then almost all of them can manifest themselves as cross allergens.

A table for them can be compiled as follows:

Medicines	Substances that may cross-react
Other medications	Chemical substances	Products
Penicillin	Penicillin, cephalosporin	-	Products containing yeast, meat,
Levomycetin	Preparations of the chloramphenicol group	-	-
Sulfonamides	Novocaine, biseptol	-	-
Tetracycline	Morphocycline, metacycline	-	Meat
Aspirin	Analgin, reopirn, anti-inflammatory drugs	Yellow dyes	-
Insulin	-	Zinc, protamine	Beef and pork meat
Barbital	Drugs of the barbiturate group	-	-

Those who are allergic to medications need to know that substances that provoke a cross-reaction can also act as a sensitization factor for the body.

Those who are found to be sensitive to a particular medication should avoid its use for life. This must be noted in the medical record.

Separately, mention should be made of such a common allergen as latex. It is a natural rubber and serves as a raw material for the manufacture of many medical supplies, condoms, balloons and other items that modern people constantly encounter in their lives. A characteristic feature of latex is that it can not only be a separate allergen, but also the presence of many cross-allergens for it.

In combination with latex, the cause of the disease can be:

fruits (almost all);
nuts;
plant foods (buckwheat, chocolate, potatoes, tomatoes, celery, sesame);
pollen of ragweed, alder, cereals;
mushrooms (edible and moldy).

For cross allergies, tables can be compiled based on different criteria, and they can be constantly refined and supplemented. The main thing is that they contain information that helps patients navigate the fight against the manifestations and prevention of allergic diseases.

Treatment

Once a diagnosis has been established, a set of therapeutic measures is used to treat cross-allergic reactions.

It provides:

conducting molecular studies that will help determine the main allergen and substances that cause cross-allergy;
taking measures to prevent further contact with hazardous substances;
prescription of antihistamines.

For this purpose, products such as Smecta, Polysorb, Enterosgel or the well-known activated carbon may be suitable. You can also take decoctions of string, nettle, chamomile, burdock root or oak bark.

Another element of therapy is a special diet. At the same time, both those products to which an allergy has been established and those that can provoke a cross-reaction are excluded from the diet, according to the tables.

A feature of the treatment of allergic diseases with several allergens is also that measures to desensitize the body are not carried out. Also, allergy tests are not done, in which a small amount of allergen is injected under the patient's skin.

If a patient has been diagnosed with cross-allergy, he needs to organize his life in such a way as to be maximally protected from the effects of irritating substances. The tables above will help you determine which substances or products should be avoided. In addition, patients are recommended to keep a special diary in which they carefully record all cases and circumstances of allergic reactions.

You must also adhere to the following recommendations:

regularly visit an allergist;
constantly monitor the cleanliness of the house, regularly carry out wet cleaning;
If there are animals in the house, ensure proper care for them. In the case when the patient’s disease is severe, it is better to give up pets altogether;
exclude from your menu those foods that irritate the immune system and cause allergic reactions;
wear sunglasses or gauze bandages when outdoors;
try not to visit places where plants grow that can cause an allergic reaction. In extreme cases, in case of severe disease, change your region of residence;
maintain personal hygiene - upon returning from the street, be sure to rinse your mouth, wash your hands and hair;
wash clothes and bed linen, clean shoes more often;
refuse to have carpets, upholstered furniture and other accessories in the house that can collect dust.

Maintaining a person’s mental balance also plays a great role in the prevention of allergic diseases.

You should try to avoid stressful situations, as when they occur, the level of histamine in the body increases. This can significantly worsen the patient's general condition.

an allergic reaction that occurs as a result of increased sensitivity to allergens that are similar in structure. An example of the most unusual cross-allergy is and, since they contain an almost identical set of amino acids.

Groups of pathogenetic proteins

The study of the mechanisms of cross-allergy has become possible only in the last few decades thanks to the development of molecular biology. Conventionally, 14 groups of pathogenetic proteins that are allergens have been identified. Only a few groups participate in the formation of cross-allergy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 14:

Table 1 Groups of pathogenetic proteins.

Group	Compound	Products
Second group	Hydrolytic enzymes that are produced by plants to protect against fungi.	Potato.
Third group	Chitinases that destroy chitin also destroy fungal cell walls.
Fourth group
Fifth group	Proteins with antifungal activity.
Tenth group	The main protein of birch pollen.	Celery; Parsley; Potato.
Fourteenth group	Proteins with antimicrobial activity.

Mechanism of development of cross-allergy

There are three main mechanisms for the development of cross-allergy:

Allergens are completely identical in composition, both food and respiratory.

Allergenic identity, when food or inhaled air contains an identical allergen.

Epitopes of different origin, but common to food and air.

Clinical symptoms of cross-allergy

Most often, when a cross-allergy develops, a reaction develops in the same organ or system that came into contact with the allergen, but a completely separate reaction may also occur that is not externally related to exposure to the allergen!

The clinical manifestations of cross-allergy are no different from the symptoms of ordinary respiratory, contact or food allergies. This is the danger of the disease and the difficulty of diagnosing it: a person may not know what exactly he has developed an allergic reaction to.

Quincke's edema;

Dermatitis;

Allergic rhinitis;

Bronchial asthma

Anaphylactic shock;

Stomach ache;

Bloating;

Stool disorders;

The intensity of symptoms will depend on several factors: the amount of allergen ingested and how actively the immune system perceives it.

Diagnosis of cross allergies

Family and individual allergy history.

Milk of other animals, beef

River fish, trout, chicken meat if the chickens were fed fishmeal.

Other eggs, chicken.

Bird feathers.

Sour sorrel, rhubarb.

Birch, herbs, cereals, wormwood.

Potatoes, eggplants, physalis, pome fruits, celery, peanuts.

Herbs, cereals, ambrosia.

Pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini, banana, raw carrots, celery.

Birch, wormwood.

Pistachios, cashews, raw carrots, celery.

Horseradish, cabbage, radishes.

Peas, soybeans, beans, lentils, stone fruits, tomatoes.

Cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries.

Pome fruits (apple, pear...)

Birch, herbs, cereals, wormwood, ambrosia.

Stone fruits, celery, raw potatoes.

Herbs, cereals.

Birch, wormwood.

Celery.

Red pepper

Birch, wormwood.

Celery.

Birch, wormwood.

Celery.

Birch, wormwood.

Celery.

Coriander

Birch, wormwood.

Celery.

Wormwood, birch, hazel.

Kiwi, flour, sesame, poppy.

Sweet chestnut

Herbs, cereals.

Kiwi, nut, rice, sesame, poppy.

Herbs, cereals.

Kiwi, nut, flour.

Crustaceans

Warehouse tongs.

Cat, epithelium.

Plasma substitutes.

Table 3. Cross-reaction.

Allergenic products	Pollen	Food	Ticks	Other
	Hazel, alder, chestnut, apple, plum, apricot, peach, pear, cherry, hazel, ash, oak, olive, rapeseed, herbs, cereals, wormwood.	Apples, cherries, plums, apricots, peaches, kiwi, carrots, celery, potatoes, hazelnuts, banana, mango, orange, raw carrots, raw potatoes, celery, soybeans, tomatoes, anise, curry, red pepper, pepper, cumin, coriander, hazelnut.
	Birch, alder, hazel.

	Birch, beech, hazel.
	Birch, lilac, olive.
	Ash, olive.
	Birch, beech, alder.	Hazelnut.

	Birch, ash, lilac, herbs, cereals, wormwood, sunflower.


	Birch, herbs, cereals.
Herbs/cereals	Birch, olive, rapeseed, wormwood, sunflower.	Pome fruits, stone fruits, sorrel, tomato, melon, kiwi, celery, rice.
	Dahlia, ambrosia, daisy, chamomile, dandelion, sunflower, calendula, elecampane, string, coltsfoot, birch, olive, cereals,	Citrus fruits, sunflower seeds (oil, halva), chicory, honey, celery, anise, cumin, coriander, fennel, carrots, parsley, pome fruits, stone fruits, kiwi, mango, peas, tomatoes, curry, dill, red pepper, pepper, peanuts , hazelnut.
Ambrosia	Dandelion, sunflower, wormwood, chamomile.	Melon, cucumber, sunflower seed, cantaloupe, bananas, celery, pome.
	Wormwood, ambrosia.
Daisy	Wormwood, sunflower.
Sunflower	Dandelion, ragweed, olive, herbs, grains, wormwood, chamomile.	Halva, sunflower oil, sunflower seed
		Beetroot, spinach.

Table 4. Cross-reactivity with cereals.

Table 5. Cross-reaction to .

Drug allergen	Cross allergy medications	Chemical substances	Food
Penicillin	Natural, semi-synthetic penicillins, cephalosporins.		Beer, yeast, poultry and animal meat (feeding), rennet cheeses.
Levomycetin	Levomycetin group, syntomycin.
Sulfonamides	Furosemide, hypothiazide, dicaine, novocaine, anesthesin, bispetol, antabuse, almagel.
Streptomycin	Aminoglycosides.
Tetracycline	Metacycline, rondomycin, morphocycline, oletethrin.		Meat of animals and birds (feeding with animal feed).
	NSAIDs, analgin, butadione, reopirin, theophedrine, citramon, askofen. Tablets in a yellow shell.	Yellow food colors, preservatives.
Ethylenediamine	Aminophylline, promethazine, tripelenamine.	Preservatives used in creams and ointments.	Chocolate, cola, cocoa.
		Protamine, zinc	Beef, pork
Theophylline	Suprastin
Barbital	Theophedrine, a group of barbiturates, valocardine, pentalgin, antasman.
Antiviral vaccines	Antibiotics.		Duck, chicken, rabbit, egg.
Plasma substitutes

Cross allergy to mites

The possibility of cross-reactions between insect allergens, house dust mites and food allergens of animal origin, primarily seafood (crustaceans and mollusks), is being studied.

Cross allergy to latex

Patients with latex allergy are most often sensitized to certain foods of plant origin: fruits (latex-fruit syndrome) - apple, apricot, avocado, banana, cherry, fig, grapes, hazelnuts, kiwi, mango, melon, papaya, peach , a pineapple; nuts - coconut, hazelnut, chestnut; other plant products and pollen allergens: alder, buckwheat, celery, chocolate, potatoes, pistachios, sesame, tomatoes, peanuts. In addition, there is cross-reactivity between latex and edible mushrooms (latex-mushroom syndrome) and the mold Aspergillus fumigatus

Everyone knows that the culprit in the development of an allergic reaction in a person is one of the irritants - the allergen.

The human immune system can react with specific symptoms to one or more allergens; in connection with this, the concept of cross-allergy has appeared in medicine.

This term usually refers to a human condition in which the immune system reacts to a set of proteins similar to the main allergen.

An identical complex of proteins can be detected in stimuli that are completely unexpected for humans. For example, peanuts and latex products have a similar structure.

Knowing his allergen and its “double,” a person will strive to have as little contact as possible with all possible irritants, and this will not only reduce the manifestations of the disease, but will also allow it to be cured faster.

Cross-reaction of plant pollen with plant products and herbal remedies.

Pollen	Plants related in the set of proteins - allergens	Products of plant origin	Plants with medicinal properties, herbal remedies
	Hazel, chestnut, apple, apricot, plum, peach, cherry and pear.	Apples, plums, apricots, cherries, peaches, kiwi, potatoes, celery, .	Birch buds and leaves, alder cones
Cereals	-	Cereal products - barley, rye, oats, wheat. Sorrel, tomato, melon, kiwi	-
Sagebrush	Dahlia, sunflower, chamomile, dandelion,	Sunflower seed, citrus fruits, chicory, honey, anise, celery, cumin, fennel, coriander, carrots, parsley	Wormwood, string, coltsfoot, chamomile, calendula, elecampane,
Quinoa	-	Spinach and beets.	-
Sunflower	Ambrosia, dandelion	Halva, sunflower oil, sunflower seed	-
Ambrosia (wormwood)	Dandelion, sunflower	Melon, sunflower seed, cucumber, bananas	-

Under the influence of environmental conditions and their own mutations, the set of amino acids in plants is constantly changing and therefore cross-allergy can occur to other herbs, flowers, trees not listed in this list.

Severe allergic reactions are caused by certain groups of drugs. Some of the pharmacological drugs also have a similar chemical structure and therefore can cause cross-allergy.

The table below for cross-reaction compatibility between medications is primarily necessary for physicians.

It is important to know how the disease manifests itself and what it can lead to.

Knowing what drug a person was allergic to, a similar one will be administered carefully or replaced with one similar in its mechanism of action, but different in composition.

The composition of the drugs is very diverse, in order to systematize all the information and for ease of perception, all data was summarized in the table presented below.

Often, people have epidermal allergens that also have their own identical complexes in other irritants.

So, for example, if there is a specific reaction to, then disease phenomena are often observed after contact with woolen carpets. And more and more such cross-pathogens are being identified each time.

Streptomycin	Aminoglycosides
Tetracycline	Rondomycin, morphocycline, metacycline, oletethrin. Meat of birds and animals. It is possible to be allergic to all meats.
Aspirin	Analgin, reopirin, theophedrine, butadione, baralgin, citramon, askofen. Food colors with a yellow tint (tartrazine), preservatives used in sausages, cakes, caramel. Tablets in a yellow shell.
Ethylenediamine	Promethazine, tripelenamine, aminophylline. Chocolate, cocoa, preservatives in creams, ointments, cola.
Insulin	Beef, pork. Protamine, zinc
Theophylline	Suprastin
Barbital	All barbiturates, theophedrine, pentalgin, antasman, valocordin,
Antiviral vaccines.	Egg, chicken, duck, rabbit. Antibiotics (gentamicin)

Symptoms of cross allergies

Cross-allergy in its course is completely no different from ordinary intolerance. When a cross-reaction develops, the following lesions are recorded:

Skin;
Respiratory system;
Digestive organs;
Mucous membranes of the eyes.

There may be rashes, blisters on the skin, itching and the presence of dermatitis during a long course of the disease. When the respiratory organs are affected, itching of the mucous membranes, sneezing, coughing, swelling, and in severe cases, attacks of shortness of breath appear.

FIND OUT MORE: symptoms, treatment methods.

From the digestive system, cross-allergy can cause nausea, dyspeptic disorders, flatulence, and often the accumulation of toxins leads to the development of a skin rash.

The most severe manifestation of cross-allergy is considered to be Quincke's edema. These conditions require prompt medical treatment.

Treatment

Cross allergies are treated according to the same principles as intolerance reactions to one substance. But in order for the prescribed therapy to give the desired result, the leading irritant must first be identified.

Glucocorticosteroids.

For cross allergies, medications containing glucocorticosteroids are often prescribed. Under the influence of hormones, all manifestations of allergies quickly decrease and inflammation is relieved.

Glucocorticosteroids are used for a short course and only during an acute reaction.

Enterosorbents.

To remove decay products and accumulated toxins, allergists prescribe enterosorbents - Polysorb, activated carbon, how to take all the details.

When entering the digestive system, enterosorbents collect toxins, neutralize their negative effects and remove them from the body.

This mechanism of action of the drugs allows us to reduce the effect of allergens on the organs, which means that there will be much fewer signs of the disease, and they will go away in the shortest possible time.

Enterosorbents often prevent cross-allergy.

Creams, ointments.

If skin symptoms develop, it must be used with an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect.

After removing acute manifestations on the skin, creams with regenerative properties are used.

Antihistamine drops.

To relieve signs of rhinitis and conjunctivitis, it is necessary to use.

Modern medicine suggests using specific immunotherapy for severe and prolonged allergic reactions.

The essence of the technique is the gradual introduction of microscopic doses of the allergen into the body. Under the influence of an irritant, the body gradually gets used to the allergen, and the immune system learns to react normally to it.

The treatment regimen for cross-allergy is selected individually for each patient by the doctor.

The allergist needs to select the correct dosage of medications, find out their tolerability and the effect of concomitant diseases on the course of cross-allergy.

Particular attention should be paid to the selection of medications for the treatment of young children and elderly patients.

Prevention of cross allergies

Cross allergies are now being recorded more and more frequently. In order to prevent a specific reaction of the body to many external and internal factors, it is necessary to constantly engage in disease prevention.

Cross-allergies are less likely to develop if the first-time allergy is treated completely and further contact with the primary allergen is excluded.
If intolerance to the pollen of a certain plant is detected, then during the warm seasons of the year it is necessary to constantly protect your mucous membranes from dust. Gauze bandages, glasses, wet cleaning of premises, and the use of air humidifiers and air conditioners with high-quality filters will help with this.
If you have food allergies, your daily diet must be thought out in the smallest detail. Often, cross-allergy is triggered by eating raw foods; heat treatment destroys proteins, and their effect on the immune system is weakened.
For seasonal hay fever, a good preventative measure is the preliminary intake of drugs that stabilize the immune system and long-acting antihistamines.
It is also necessary to always carefully approach the choice of cosmetics. Creams, mascara, and powder should be marked “hypoallergenic.”
For children, reliable prevention of allergic reactions is breast milk, timely introduction of complementary foods, and refusal of food intended for adults. All new foods should be given to the child gradually, observing the body’s reaction. Particular attention should be paid to those children whose parents suffer from allergic reactions of any kind.

The diagnosis of cross-allergy can only be made by a doctor after a complete examination. Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to more likely identify all possible allergens that are similar in structure, which improves the quality of treatment.

Allergy is an insidious disease, because contrary to popular belief that it develops in response to exposure to only one or another substance, similar external manifestations can also be observed upon contact with other irritants of a similar chemical composition. In such cases, cross-allergy occurs.

Development mechanism

All substances that provoke an inadequate immune response are, by their nature, considered proteins, which are a certain combination of amino acids. Therefore, compounds containing a similar set of components and being a kind of chemical “doubles” are also capable of provoking the development of allergic reactions in the patient. And their manifestations usually do not differ from the symptoms of intolerance to a known substance. This:

But the main feature of cross-allergy can be called a gradual increase in the number of pathogens that cause disturbances in the patient’s condition. Therefore, based on the data available to doctors, special tables were compiled, thanks to which it can be assumed what other substances are in allergic patients with intolerance to a particular food product, pollen, etc. often contribute to the appearance of the same symptoms.

Pollen allergy

There is no point in talking about the prevalence of hay fever, which is the name given to the body’s increased sensitivity to the pollen of certain plants. Usually their symptoms occur in the spring and summer, but sometimes rhinitis and conjunctivitis of an allergic nature can be observed in the fall, when ragweed, nettle, wormwood, quinoa, etc. bloom.

Flowering calendar of some plants (times of high pollen concentration are marked in black)

The table of cross allergens shows that if a patient is accurately diagnosed with individual hypersensitivity to birch pollen, then similar disorders can be caused by:

hazel, apple and alder pollen;
Birch juice;
apples, plums, cherries, peaches, cherries, kiwi, apricots;
carrots, celery, potatoes;
hazelnuts, almonds, birch buds, alder cones.

Allergies to grass pollen are often accompanied by intolerance to:

any food grains, including wheat and oats;
sorrel.

Problems with wormwood pollen may be intertwined with increased sensitivity to:

any parts of dahlias, dandelions, calendula, daisies, string, sunflower;
citrus;
products based on sunflower seeds, for example, halva, butter, etc.;
chicory, dill, fennel, coriander, red pepper, cumin;
celery, potatoes;
drinks containing wormwood, including popular vermouths and balms;
honey

Ragweed pollen intolerance can lead to the development of similar reactions to:

dandelion or sunflower pollen;
melon, bananas;
products based on sunflower seeds.

Food allergies

Also, very often doctors have to deal with patients who have hypersensitivity to certain foods. For example, intolerance to cow's milk proteins can provoke the development of cross-allergy to:

goat milk;
beef, veal;
beef by-products;
medicinal products made from bovine pancreatic enzymes.

Hypersensitivity to a particular fish leads to problems with consumption:

any types of fish;
crabs, shrimp, lobsters, mussels, etc.;
caviar.

Moreover, even the presence of an aquarium in the house in such cases can cause trouble, since allergic reactions often result from tactile contact with fish food.

Parents of many children are faced with increased sensitivity to chicken eggs. In the future, this can lead to the development of intolerance:

chicken meat and any dishes based on it, including broths and soups;
quail eggs;
mayonnaise;
feather pillows, blankets, outerwear, etc.;
duck meat;
some medications, for example, a number of vaccines, interferon, etc.

Drug allergy

No less often, people suffer from intolerance to certain medications, especially antibiotics. In such cases, recognizing cross-allergic reactions can be the most difficult, since doctors need to take into account the possible dishonesty of food manufacturers.

For example, with an allergy to penicillin, cross-reactions are often observed not only with antibiotics of the cephalosporin group, but also with the meat of various animals and birds. The same is true for tetracycline. In addition, similar reactions may develop to such modern drugs as:

Rondomycin;
Olethetrin;
Oleandomycin;
Morphocycline, etc.

If you are allergic to sulfonamides, intolerance is often observed:

Novocaine, Procaine, Almagel-A and other drugs that contain novocaine;
Anesthesin;
Trimecaine;
Biseptol;
Hypothiazide;
Furosemide, etc.

Of course, we were not able to consider all the options for the development of cross-allergy; medicine still knows dozens of different combinations. Nevertheless, it is very important to begin treatment of the disease in time under the guidance of a competent specialist. Otherwise, the number of substances that a particular person’s body will mistakenly consider harmful can reach colossal values, and it is not always possible to accurately recognize the relationship between them.