How Immunodeficiencies Affect the Body’s Response to Allergens

Your immune system is a bodyguard that’s made up of your bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils. Its sole purpose is to guard your body from invaders- bacteria and viruses- and defeat them if they get into the cells and bloodstream. It does this by releasing white blood cells known as lymphocytes that are designed to fight bacteria, cancer cells, parasites, and viruses.

People with immunodeficiencies have an immune system that doesn’t do its job correctly. The immune system is unable to fight these intruders, making it easier to become ill.

Allergies occur when your immune system responds to an item it feels is a problem by building an inflammatory response. It could be a tiny dust mite, a piece of pet dander, food, grass pollen, metals like nickel, or a substance like latex. For some, allergies are annoying, but for others they can be deadly. Immunodeficiencies make allergies harder to manage. Premium Allergy dives into how this works and what to do. 

What Are the Most Common Forms of Immune Deficiency Diseases?

There are primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. Primary are those you’re born with, while secondary immunodeficiencies are those you acquire later in life. Secondary immunodeficiency disorders are often caused by chronic health conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV, long-term use of corticosteroids, and poor nutrition. 

Even aging can impact your immune system function. The older you get, the weaker your immunity is. That’s why you see specific flu shots for older adults or vaccinations like pneumonia or shingles recommended for older adults.

With hundreds of different forms of immune deficiency diseases, there are so many that can impact your body’s defense mechanisms. All of them can make it harder for your body to manage allergies as well as your defenses against infections, parasites, and viruses. Here are some of the most common.

• B-cell deficiencies where immunoglobulin production decreases, such as Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia, CVID, or Selective IgA.
• T-cell deficiencies where T lymphocytes have defects, such as DiGeorge Syndrome.
• Combined deficiencies where both B-cells and T-cells are affected, such as Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome.
• Complement deficiencies occur when proteins in the complement system are defective.
• Phagocyte disorders: There are defects in the phagocytic cells, such as CGD

The Impact of Immunodeficiencies on Your Allergies

Allergic reactions are part of your immune system’s function, but it’s a mistaken reaction to something that is incorrectly identified. While dairy protein isn’t an invader, an improper response from your immune system may make it believe that the protein is an invader and take immediate action.

The release of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is sent out to fight that invader. IgE clings to immune cells and triggers an inflammatory response, which is why your eyes become red and itchy, you sneeze, your nose runs, your skin itches, and you may even experience mouth, tongue, and throat swelling that makes it hard to breathe.  Different immunodeficiencies worsen allergic responses. 

• The Role of B Cells

B cells are responsible for the production of IgE. If the immunodeficiency isn’t producing enough B cells, it may stop an allergic reaction from occurring as greatly. If you have a seafood allergy, the early symptoms that urge you to get medical care could diminish and create worsening problems.

• The Role of T Cells

Immunodeficiencies play a role in this reaction. When you have an immunodeficiency, you might have your T cells suppressed. Some T cells limit the inflammation tied to an allergic response. If a T cell isn’t doing its job properly, an allergic reaction may become more severe. 

• Problems When Both B and T Cells Are Impacted

When you have an immunodeficiency that impacts both B and T cells, it can keep your body from having noticeable allergic reactions. When you do experience them, you fail to realize their allergy-like symptoms are a sign of an infection.

• The Role of the Complement System

The complement system is directly responsible for regulating immune system response in the body’s membranes. When it’s not working correctly, it can damage the tissue instead and lead to severe allergic responses and asthma.

• The Role of Phagocytes

Phagocytes are responsible for enveloping an allergen to help buffer the body’s reaction. If phagocytes are damaged, they cannot do their job correctly. They end up depositing the allergens on other cells, which can increase mucus production and narrow the airways.

Tips for Managing Allergies When You Have Immunodeficiencies

When you have an immunodeficiency, you need to work closely with your immunology specialist and your allergist. You need these specialists to help diagnose and find the appropriate treatment for managing your symptoms correctly. Treatment plans often involve the following.

Allergy Avoidance

Staying away from any allergen, such as staying inside during heightened pollen seasons, not owning pets, and avoiding any food triggers.

Maintaining a Clean Home Environment

Keeping the home as allergen-free as possible is important. This includes running a HEPA air purification system all of the time, keeping your home’s humidity low to prevent mold growth and dust mites, and replacing carpeting and fabric furniture with wood floors and leather furniture that doesn’t trap dust.

Being Careful Outside

If pollen allergies bother you, avoiding time spent outside when pollen counts are high is important. You should keep the windows closed. Try to go outside only at the times of day when pollen isn’t as bad, usually early morning and early evening. When you come inside, remove your clothing outside, move it straight to the wash, and take a shower to get pollen out of your hair and off your skin.

Take Medications as Prescribed

Your immunologist and allergist may prescribe medications to help ease your allergies and improve your immune system function. Take the medications correctly and as directed. Even if you feel great, it’s not advised to stop taking medications without first talking to your doctor.

Ask about allergy shots and sublingual allergy tablets. These immunotherapies help your body develop a healthier response to allergens, which lessens the severe reactions over time. 

Practice Good Hygiene

Hygiene is key in preventing infections. Wash your hands after using the toilet, touching something others have touched, eating a meal, or being around someone else who may be sick. If you get a scratch, cut, or puncture, clean it with soap and water and apply a bandage and an antibiotic product. 

Keep Your Vaccinations Current

Get any vaccinations that your doctors recommend. They’re not a lot of fun, but they help protect you from severe complications if you are exposed to that virus or bacteria.

The recommendations for immunizations change regularly, so make sure you check in with your doctor often to make sure nothing has been added. 

For example, the age recommendation for the pneumonia vaccination recently dropped to 50 from the age of 65. Hepatitis A and B are also recommended now for some adults. Measles is also a newer vaccination recommendation for certain age groups who may not have been vaccinated in childhood.

Schedule an Appointment at Premium Allergy

Managing allergies is challenging when you have immunodeficiencies, but it’s possible. You need a comprehensive plan to manage your symptoms from the immunodeficiency without making your allergies worse and vice versa. 

Allergists work with immunologists to ensure you’re properly tested and diagnosed in order to find the best treatment plan. Premium Allergy is experienced in allergy management when you have immunodeficiencies. We work with your medical team to find the right approach. Schedule an appointment today and get the relief you need to feel better.