- What can cause Eosinophilia
- 1. Infection by parasites
- 2. Allergies
- 3. Skin diseases
- 4. Hodgkin's lymphoma
Eosinophilia corresponds to an increase in the number of eosinophils circulating in the blood, with a blood count above the reference value, which is normally between 0 and 500 eosinophils per µL of blood. This situation is very common to happen as a response of the organism to parasitic infections or due to allergies, however it can also be due to serious diseases involving blood cells, such as lymphomas, for example.
Eosinophils are cells derived from the myeloblast, which is a cell produced by the bone marrow, whose main function is to defend the body against infectious agents. Despite being important for the proper functioning of the immune system, eosinophils are found in a lower concentration in the blood compared to the other cells responsible for the defense of the body. Learn more about eosinophils.
What can cause Eosinophilia
Eosinophilia does not normally cause signs or symptoms, being perceived only through the performance of the blood count, in which a change in the relative and absolute amount of eosinophils is verified. Eosinophilia can be classified according to its severity into:
- Mild eosinophilia, which is when there are between 500 and 1500 eosinophils per µL of blood; Moderate eosinophilia, when between 1500 and 5000 eosinophils µL of blood are verified; Severe eosinophilia, in which more than 5000 eosinophils µL of blood are identified.
The greater the amount of eosinophils identified in the blood test, the greater the severity of the disease, and it is important to analyze the other laboratory parameters requested by the doctor in order to reach a diagnostic conclusion and start the appropriate treatment.
When only the amount of eosinophils in the blood count is altered and no other exam has changed, it may be recommended to repeat the exam to see if the eosinophilia remains, otherwise it is not taken into account.
The main causes of eosinophilia are:
1. Infection by parasites
Infection by parasites is one of the main causes of eosinophilia, especially when parasites carry out part of their life cycle in the lungs, as in the case of Ascaris lumbricoides , Necator americanus , Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis . These parasites cause intense eosinophilia and pulmonary infiltrates, characterizing Loeffler's syndrome, in which there may be a dry cough and progressive shortness of breath due to the large amount of eosinophils in the lungs.
See how to identify Loeffler syndrome.
What to do: If there is a suspicion of infection by parasites, it is recommended that, in addition to the complete blood count, the parasitological examination of feces and the measurement of CRP in the blood be carried out. In addition, the doctor may order chest X-rays to check for pulmonary infiltrates. When confirming the infection, the doctor recommends treatment with antiparasitic drugs according to the parasite responsible for the disease, and it is important that the treatment be followed through, even if there are no symptoms, to prevent recurrence of the disease and complications.
2. Allergies
Eosinophilia is also very common as a consequence of allergic reactions, which can be respiratory, contact, food or medication, with the release of its content to the extracellular environment in an attempt to combat the agent responsible for the allergy.
What to do: It is recommended that actions are taken to combat allergy, such as avoiding contact with the substance that causes allergy, in addition to antihistamine remedies, which help to relieve allergy symptoms. In some cases, when the allergy does not go away even with antihistamines, it may be recommended to take corticosteroids. In addition, it is important to consult an allergist so that treatment can be more targeted.
In some cases, in addition to the blood count, the dosage of immunoglobulin E, or IgE, which is a protein present in low concentrations in the blood, but which has an increased amount in allergies, may also be requested. Learn more about IgE.
3. Skin diseases
Some skin diseases can also result in an increase in the number of eosinophils, as in the case of pemphigus, granulomatous dermatitis and eosinophilic fasciitis. In most cases, skin diseases can be identified by red or white patches on the skin that may or may not be scaly, cause pain or itch.
What to do: If there is any sign of a change in the skin, it is recommended that the person consult a dermatologist so that this change is investigated and, thus, the proper treatment can be started.
4. Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, which are the main defense cells of the body, with the appearance of water in the neck, weight loss for no apparent reason, weight loss, itching throughout the body and fever persistent high.
In this type of lymphoma there is a great decrease in the number of lymphocytes, being called lymphopenia, and, in an attempt to rebuild the person's immune system, greater production of eosinophils occurs, characterizing eosinophilia.
Learn to recognize the symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What to do: In these cases, it is very important that the person follows the treatment according to the oncologist's guidance, being most of the time necessary to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In some cases, bone marrow transplantation may be required in an attempt to restore normal blood cell production.
