Unknown and untreated allergy will not lose itself – on the contrary, it can grow into chronic conditions with lasting consequences. This was pointed out by the National Health Information Center (NCZI). TASR informed his spokeswoman Alena Krčová.
“According to studies, thirty to forty percent of patients with allergic rhinitis will also develop asthma over the years. For those who are adequate, including preventive treatment and/or specific immunotherapy, the risk of switching to asthma is significantly lower,“She explained clinical immunologist and allergiologist Jaroslava Oros, who is also president of the Association of Outpatient Providers.
NCZI pointed out that although the incidence of allergic diseases has grown in recent years, patients treated in outpatient clinics are decreasing. “In 2023, almost 480,000 patients were in regular outpatient care and allergiologists. They were most often treated for allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which has more affected the child’s population,” says Krčová.
In total, in 2023, clinical immunology and allergiology were recorded 1,346,084 patients’ visits, which was less by five percent year -on -year. Most of the visits consisted of adults at the age of 19 and more. The most common allergens include pollen, mites, fungi and food, but substances that can cause an exaggerated immune system response is much more, according to Oros.
“Sometimes we are also surprised by an atypical reaction, such as our own sweat or water, but most often we are most often diagnosed with allergy to trees, grasses and weeds, mites, fungi, pets of pets and some foods. In recent years, due to global warming, we have observed prolongation of the pollen season, earlier and longer flowering of plants and sometimes even repeated flowering, which increases the intensity of manifestations. We also observe the extension of the territories where, for example, Ambrose, which has been dominant in the southern regions of our territory for a long time, ”said the doctor.
In allergy, the precision diagnosis, ie the determination of the causal allergen, is key. When the patient’s allergens are known, treatment is determined directly. The only treatment able to reverse the course of the disease is, according to experts, allergen immunotherapy. Unlike others, it does not block the symptoms of the disease, but acts on its own cause. Within it, the patient has been administered for a long time in small doses of allergen to which it is hypersensitive, and the body gradually creates defense against him. “Allergen immunotherapy is indicated in allergy to pollen, mites, mold, animal coat, but also in allergy to stinging blanocromem insects (bee, axis),” Oros said.
She added that, despite treatment, symptoms may return in some cases, but usually in a milder form. In this case, treatment can also be repeated as needed. In 2023, 50,923 patients were treated with specific immunotherapy in the ambulances of immunology and allergiology.
