Allergy affects the daily lives of millions of people — causing a variety of symptoms, from mild discomfort to serious health problems.

In this interview, we will discuss the causes of allergies, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and modern treatment approaches to better understand and manage this common condition.

We are speaking with Dr. Maka Rukhadze, allergist-immunologist at the Center for Allergy and Immunology, Doctor of Medicine, Professor.

Ms. Maka – Recently, allergic diseases have become very common. What factors contribute to the widespread prevalence of allergies?

The prevalence of allergic diseases has significantly increased in recent years, and many factors contribute to this. Among the main reasons, the following can be highlighted:

Environmental pollution: – Pollution of air, water, and food increases the number of allergens. Car exhaust, industrial waste, and dust are significant triggers.

Climate change:– Rising temperatures and disruption of seasonal changes contribute to prolonged plant flowering and longer concentration of plant pollen grains in the air.

Minimal microbial exposure in childhood (hygiene hypothesis:– Excessively hygienic conditions, less contact with nature and infections, uncontrolled use of antibiotics—all this causes hyperreactivity of the immune system, leading to exaggerated responses.

Ubanization and staying indoors: – In urban environments, there are fewer natural spaces and more frequent exposure to dust mites, mold fungi, animal epithelium, excrements, and other indoor allergens.

Lifestyle and nuration: – The modern diet has increased preservatives, artificial colorings, and chemical additives.

Genetic factor: – Allergies often have a familial characteristic. If parents have allergic diseases, children also develop a predisposition to them.

Development of public health: – Better diagnostics and increased public awareness about allergic diseases increase the frequency of their detection.

What types of allergic diseases do patients most frequently consult you about?

Allergic diseases are diverse and include various types of reactions. Here are some of the most common allergic diseases:

Atopic dermatitis:

The most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Over the past decade, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis has significantly increased worldwide. Its manifestation is associated with itching. It usually begins in infancy and is characterized by dry skin, eczematous lesions, and lichenification (thickening of the skin).

Allergic rhinitis:

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It develops when the immune system overreacts to common environmental allergens (plant pollen, house dust mites, animal epithelium, etc.) that are usually harmless to humans. Two types are distinguished: seasonal allergic rhinitis—symptoms appear only during specific times of the year, mostly in spring during the flowering of trees, grasses/cereals, weeds. Perennial allergic rhinitis—symptoms occur regardless of the season. Symptoms include multiple sneezing, abundant nasal discharge and/or nasal congestion, itching.

Allergic conjunctivitis:

Inflammation of the eye's mucous membrane—the conjunctiva—caused by an allergic reaction. It often accompanies other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Generally, the following types are distinguished.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis:

often associated with allergic rhinitis and known as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. It begins with relatively mild clinical complaints and gradually worsens over several weeks. Seasonal allergens include tree pollens in spring, grasses/cereals in summer, and weed pollens in autumn.

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis:

usually characterized by mild clinical symptoms and is associated with indoor allergens such as house dust, pet dander, fungal allergens.

Acute allergic conjunctivitis:

A sudden hypersensitivity reaction caused by contact with a familiar environmental allergen. Clinical signs include: eye itching, which is a leading symptom and very bothersome for the patient. It may also be accompanied by eye burning, redness, eyelid swelling, tearing—which is watery and non-purulent, bilateral, and may be accompanied by mild photophobia (light sensitivity).

Urticaria (hives): A skin disease manifested by itching and the presence of red or white wheal-like elements of various sizes and shapes.

Is there a risk of disease progression if one does not consult a doctor in time?

Certainly, if allergy symptoms bother you, you should not assess the condition yourself or start self-treatment.

Contact with an allergen can, in some cases, cause very serious and life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. This is a rapidly developing and life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical intervention. It can develop within seconds or minutes after contact with an allergen.

Anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction—meaning it affects several systems of the body simultaneously. It begins suddenly and develops rapidly. Ignoring it or delayed treatment can be fatal. The most common causes of anaphylaxis are:

Food allergens: nuts (especially peanuts), seafood, cow's milk, eggs.

Medications: antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporins), analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Insect stings: bees, wasps, hornets.

Latex.

Symptoms are diverse: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, etc.

Additionally, prolonged ignoring of allergy symptoms can worsen the course of the allergy and provoke the development of chronic diseases such as bronchial asthma.

What is your recommendation for treating allergic conditions?

Given the increase in allergic diseases, it is important for patients to know how to manage allergic reactions. The treatment of allergic conditions depends on the type, severity, and individual factors of the allergy.

Specific allergy diagnostics (skin prick tests, determination of specific IgE in blood serum) allow for precise identification of allergy-causing factors. Today, individual, expanded, detailed allergen-specific molecular diagnostics are possible.

After identifying the allergen, the main step is to avoid it as much as possible. For example, in the case of household allergies, regular wet cleaning of the premises is necessary, avoiding the use of soft furniture and fabrics in the interior, reducing dust, mold, and animal allergens at home (HEPA filtration, humidity control, etc.).

Among treatment methods, allergen-specific immunotherapy, i.e., vaccination with the allergen, is very important. With its help, the body can gradually get used to the "culprit" allergen and become tolerant to it.

Medication treatment, considering the severity of the disease and the condition.

I often recommend Suprastin to my patients in certain situations due to its properties and specific advantages. Although it is a first-generation antihistamine, it remains a useful option in the following cases:

• Rapid effect on acute allergic reactions.

• Availability in injectable form.

• Sedative effect is beneficial at night.

• Can be used in children from an early age.

• Availability and low cost.

• Long-standing experience and reliability.

Suprastin is one of the most effective antihistamines that can be used to alleviate allergy symptoms such as:

• Itching.

• Runny nose.

• Tearing.

• Rash.

Suprastin holds a special place among anti-allergic medications; it is a tried and trusted ally in the fight against allergies.

Suprastin is characterized by rapid action—it is used in acute allergic reactions, and the effect is observed within 15 minutes, whereas other medications begin to act in 1 hour.

• It has the most pronounced anti-itch effect.

• In allergic rhinitis (runny nose), it effectively dries the mucosa and restores breathing.

• Its use is permitted in infants from 1 month of age.

• The safety and effectiveness of Suprastin have been proven by over 50 years of experience.

• In addition to the above advantages, Suprastin is a very affordable medication.

How should a patient take Suprastin during an allergy?

The dose of Suprastin depends on the patient's age and the severity of the allergy:

Usually, adults are advised to take one tablet 2-3 times a day, and children—a reduced dose according to age:

• Infants aged 1-12 months: ¼ tablet 2-3 times a day.

• Children aged 1-6 years: ⅓ tablet 2-3 times a day.

• Children aged 6-14 years: ½ tablet 2-3 times a day.