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An
allergy is a sensitivity to a substance which does not normally cause people any problems.
What to look for
Symptoms generally show up in
the part of the body which are exposed to the allergen…
Sneezing,
wheezing, nasal congestion, and
coughing
indicate asthma, or drug or respiratory allergies.
Itchy eyes, mouth, and
throat are symptoms of respiratory allergies.
Stomach ache, frequent indigestion, and
heartburn and
diarrhoea are signs of food sensitivities.
Irritated, itchy,
reddening, or swelling skin is associated with drug, food, and insect sting allergies.
Stiffness, pain, and
swelling of joints may indicate food or drug allergies.
Allergies come in a variety
of forms and vary in severity from mildly bothersome to life-threatening.
Most allergic reactions are
not serious, but some, such as anaphylaxis, can be fatal. In this case the patient’s
air passages swell and close and the blood pressure falls abruptly.
Only a few allergies can be
cured outright, but a variety of conventional and alternative treatments are available to
relieve the symptoms. If your allergy is severe, it is vital that you visit a conventional
medical doctor and get immediate treatment on an emergency basis.
Causes
No one knows why some people
develop them, but heredity seems to play a role in their development.
The immune system protects
the body from foreign substances - known as antigens - by producing antibodies and other
chemicals to fight against them. Usually, the immune system ignores benign substances,
such as food, and fights only dangerous ones, such as bacteria.
A person develops an allergic
reaction when the immune system cannot tell the good from the bad and releases a type of
chemical called histamine to attack the harmless substance as if it were a threat.
Histamine produces many of the symptoms associated with allergies. Substances that may
trigger allergic reactions, known as allergens, range from pollen to pet faeces to
penicillin.
Allergies come in many
distinct forms and are typically grouped in general categories according to the types of
substances that cause them or the parts of the body they affect.
Skin allergies:
There is three types of allergic reactions affecting the skin.
Eczema
- inflamed, dry, cracked skin covered in pimples or blisters, itch.
Contact Dermatitis
- a type of eczema affecting adults, caused by
direct, topical exposure to allergen.
Hives
- red irritating swelling, which can last for days.
Respiratory
allergies: Such as
Hayfever with typical symptoms
include itchy eyes, nose, and roof of mouth or throat, along with nasal congestion,
coughing, and sneezing.
Reactions are caused by the
pollens of ragweed, grasses, and other plants whose pollen is spread by the wind. But the
same symptoms can be produced by other airborne substances that you inhale. These can
include moulds, dust, and animal dander. Mould allergies are caused by airborne spores.
Asthma:
Asthma has various causes,
but the chief ones are allergies to pollen, mould spores, animal dander, and dust mites. (See Asthma.)
Food allergies:
It is sometimes difficult to
pinpoint the specific allergens responsible for a food allergy, because reactions are
often delayed or may be caused by food additives or even by eating habits. However,
approximately 90 percent of food allergies are caused by proteins in cow's milk, egg
whites, peanuts, wheat, or soybeans.
Other common food allergens
include berries, shellfish, corn, beans, yellow food dye No. 5, and gum Arabic (an
additive in processed foods).
The classic symptoms of food
allergies include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea. In more severe cases, there may
be vomiting, swelling of the face and tongue, and respiratory congestion, as well as
dizziness, sweating, and faintness.
Insect sting allergies:
Some studies speculate that
people who have other allergies (food, drug, or respiratory) may be more susceptible to
insect sting allergies, which affect about 15 percent of the population. Venom in stings
of bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants is a common allergen. (See Insect and Spider Bites.)
Traditional Treatment
The best treatment for all
allergies is to avoid the allergen that trigger them, but this can be difficult. It is
especially important to avoid any foods which may trigger attacks.
The basic medications for
respiratory allergies are antihistamines, which counteract the histamine chemicals that
cause the allergic reactions. They come as tablets, liquid medicine, nose drops or eye
drops and also as injections.
Prescription corticosteroid
drugs may also be used for the severe symptoms of skin allergies.
In emergency
situations… when Anaphylactic shock occurs - injections of epinephrine are
used to dilate bronchial passages. Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, may cure some
allergies by introducing small amounts of the offending allergens in order to help the
body learn to deal with them.
These drugs are not
cures they simply relieve the symptoms.
Your doctor can perform a
prick test so he or she will be able to tell you which substances to avoid exposure to.
Eczema
is quite often
controlled by ensuring that the skin is kept supple and moist (use a moisturising cream).
Drug allergies: Once
again avoid any drug which may cause a reaction and of course if you have a reaction
contact a medical practitioner urgently.
Insect sting allergies:
Avoidance is the best treatment, but immunotherapy may cure insect sting allergies. If you
are extremely allergic and likely to go into anaphylactic shock, your doctor will
prescribe an emergency kit, which you must carry with you at all times.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Since allergies can be
difficult to diagnose, and are in many cases incurable, alternative remedies for them have
become quite popular. But if you have a severe allergy, or in case of an emergency, you
must see a conventional physician.
Aromatherapy -
you
must try to identify the trigger. But the following essential oils dabbed on the pulse
points of the wrist and neck or on a handkerchief may help you. 3 drops of the following clove,
lemon
and myrtle with 2 drops of
chamomile in
15 ml carrier oil.
Go to Aromatherapy
entry for more information.
Chinese herbs -
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) acts like the decongestant epinephrine, which opens up the lungs'
airways. However only use under the supervision of a qualified Chinese medical
practitioner.
Herbal Therapies -
Infusions of
chamomile,
elder flower,
eyebright,
garlic, goldenrod,
nettle
and
yarrow have anti-mucus and anti-inflammatory
effects.
Homeopathy -
For a
runny nose, itchy throat, and sneezing,
Arsenicum
album may be prescribed, for chronic thick mucus, Pulsatilla, for a runny nose, sore
upper lip, and itchy eyes,
Allium cepa. It is
wise to seek professional advice for correct dosages.
Dietary Considerations
Eat more fresh fruit and
vegetables, filtered water and avoid commonly allergic foods such as chocolate, milk
cheese, eggs, fish, wheat, artificial flavours. Avoid stress and pollution. Also plenty of
exercise and fresh clean air.
PREVENTION
Respiratory allergies:
Install a high-efficiency air cleaner to help remove pollen and mould spores, and use an
air conditioner in your home and car during warm seasons to keep pollen out; regularly
clean damp areas with bleach to kill moulds.
Consider hiring a special
cleaning service to rid furniture and upholstery of dust mites. Isolate (or, if you can
stand it, get rid of) your pets and keep them outside as much as possible. Regular baths
for your pet will help reduce dander. If you are going on holiday remember there is much
less pollen at the seaside than in the country.
When to seek further
professional advice
you have violent stomach
cramps, vomiting, bloating, or diarrhoea;
breathing becomes difficult
or painful; you may be experiencing asthma, another serious allergic reaction, or a heart
attack. Get emergency medical treatment.
you suddenly develop skin
welts, with intense flushing and itching; your heart may also be beating rapidly. Get
emergency medical treatment
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