Allergies and Homeopathy

Foods that cause allergies:
There are eight types of foods that are accountable for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. The foods that most commonly cause anaphylaxis (called allergenic foods) are:

Food Allergy Symptoms:
Symptoms of food allergies can range from mildly irritating to life threatening. The most common symptoms of food allergies are:

• Hives

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal cramping

• Swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue

• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing

• Metallic taste or itching in the mouth

• Generalized flushing, itching, or redness of the skin (hives)

• Nausea

• Increased heart rate

• Plunging blood pressure (and accompanying paleness)

• Sudden feeling of weakness

• Anxiety or an overwhelming sense of doom

• Collapse

• Loss of consciousness

Allergenic Medications     Top

The most common medications that cause allergic reactions (called allergenic medications) are:

• Penicillin

• Sulfa antibiotics

• Allopurinol

• Seizure and anti-arrhythmia medications

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen)

• Muscle relaxants

• Certain post-surgery fluids

Common allergic symptoms due to Allergenic medications:

• Itching

• Hives

• Swelling of the throat

• Asthma

• A drop in blood pressure

• Irregular heart rhythm

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal cramping

• Loss of consciousness

• Death

Insect Allergies     Top

The insects most commonly associated with triggering severe allergic reactions belong to the Hymenoptera order of insects.

• Bees

• Wasps

• Yellow jackets

• Hornets

• Ants, especially the fire ant

Symptoms include:

• Itching and hives over much of the body;

• Swelling in the throat or tongue;

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing;

• Dizziness, severe headache;

• Stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea;

• Rapid fall in blood pressure;  and

• Shock and loss of consciousness.

Avoidance: Avoidance is a key element in guarding against severe allergic reactions to insect stings. Simple steps that people can take to avoid attracting or provoking stinging insects when outdoors include:

• Avoiding brightly colored clothing or sweet-smelling cosmetics and shampoos ;

• Keeping food and garbage covered;

• Wearing shoes to guard against stepping on insects;

• Keeping arms and legs covered during activities (such as gardening or hiking) that may expose you to stinging insects;

• Refraining from swatting or crushing insects;

• Steering clear of areas where insects have nested;

Symptoms include:

• Itchy rashes, hives;

• Nasal congestion (rhinitis);

• Swelling, especially around the nose, mouth, and throat;

• Eye irritation or conjunctivitis; and

• Respiratory problems, including asthma and rhino conjunctivitis.

Latex Allergies     Top

When people are exposed to any products made from latex they will develop allergic symptoms. The most common latex products we see are:

• Latex Car tires

• Rubber bands

• Elastic

• Carpet backing

• Hospital and dental equipment

Dipped latex products are the biggest culprits in triggering allergic reactions. These include:

• Rubber (latex) gloves

• Balloons

• Condoms

Symptoms of allergic reactions to latex:

• Dermatitis: Irritant-contact dermatitis, manifested as raw, inflamed, even blistered skin

• Itchy rashes, hives

• Nasal congestion (rhinitis), manifested as </li

swelling, especially around the nose, mouth, and throat

• Eye irritation or conjunctivitis

• Respiratory problems, including asthma and rhino conjunctivitis

Avoidance: Avoidance is crucial in guarding against further sensitization and severe allergic reactions to latex. People who exhibit allergic symptoms after contact with latex should use latex-free versions of latex products in their homes and workplaces and should alert their health care providers that they need to be treated with latex-free equipment.

Anaphylaxis      Top

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that occurs in response to a particular trigger. The most commonly documented causes of anaphylaxis are:

• Food

• Medications

• Insect venom

• Latex

• Exercise

Exercise induced Anaphylaxis: People who develop exercise-induced Anaphylaxis show the following after doing some strenuous exercise - symptoms like fatigue, diffuse warmth, skin itching, skin redness, hives. These symptoms may later may progress to gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), swelling of the throat, loss of consciousness.

Idiopathic Anaphylaxis: Idiopathic anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs in the absence of any known allergen. In simpler terms, nobody really knows what causes idiopathic anaphylaxis. The symptoms of idiopathic anaphylaxis are the same as for other forms of anaphylaxis, with the main symptoms being:

• Itching

• Hives

• Swelling of the throat

• A drop in blood pressure

• Irregular heart rhythm

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal cramping

• Loss of consciousness

Allergic Conjunctivitis and Eye allergy     Top

Allergy-causing substances like pollen and dander may cause dilatation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye. The resulting reddening of the eyes is called allergic conjunctivitis, and is usually accompanied by itching and tearing.

The allergen causes certain cells in the eye (called mast cells) to release histamine and other substances or chemicals that cause blood vessels in the eyes to swell, and the eyes to become itchy, red and watery.

Hay fever     Top

Hay fever, asthma and eczema are all related allergic conditions and the tendency to develop them runs in families. People with hay fever often have a close relative with one or more of these conditions. When someone with hay fever comes into contact with pollen, their body produces increased amounts of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody. This IgE sticks to certain cells throughout the body, including those of the respiratory (breathing) system, causing them to release the chemical histamine. It is histamine that is responsible for the symptoms of sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy eyes and throat. Most people suffer only a few weeks of mild discomfort, but for an unlucky few, the symptoms can be severe and last for months. Hay fever can make asthma worse, and some people who are not usually asthmatic may become wheezy. Most people with hay fever are allergic to grass and oilseed rape pollens, which appear from April to August each year. People who are sensitive to pollen from hazel, yew, elm and alder may develop symptoms from January to April, and people allergic to nettles and other weeds can be affected from April to mid-September.

Allergic Rhinitis    Top

If you have symptoms of hay fever but you have them after the hay fever season is over, they are likely to be due to an allergen that is present throughout the year. The predominant symptoms are blocked or runny nose and sneezing, hence the name allergic rhinitis. House-dust mite is a common cause of allergic rhinitis, but there are others, including allergens from animals such as cats, dogs, and horses. Certain foods, drugs and chemicals can also be involved.

Seasonal and Perennial Allergies     Top

People with seasonal allergies face different challenges depending on the time of year. For many who are allergic to grass or tree pollens, spring can bring sneezing, itching and runny nose and red or teary eyes of allergy symptoms. Summer brings grass pollen and ragweed. By fall, ragweed may still be in the air in some areas, and as the season goes on, autumn leaves fall and produce a terrific crop of molds where they lie on the ground. Neighbors may burn piles of leaves, creating smoke, fumes, and airborne mold spores. In winter, for the families staying cozy inside, allergens such as dust mites and pet dander are indoors with them and cause allergic reactions.

But, very few people with allergies have to contend with every possible allergy trigger throughout the year. The majority of allergy sufferers need to avoid only a limited number of specific allergens for only a few weeks each year. They may be free of allergy symptoms for the rest of the calendar year.

If you have perennial rhinitis you may have a stuffy nose all year round. In general, people with perennial rhinitis are less likely to sneeze and have eye symptoms but are more likely to complain of nasal congestion. Perennial allergic rhinitis is usually associated with exposure to indoor allergens such as dust mites. Some people with allergies have perennial rhinitis as well as seasonal rhinitis, so they experience seasonal symptoms (such as sneezing, watering eyes, itching, and running nose) in addition to the seemingly ever-present congestion.

Exercise-induced food allergy     Top

Exercise can induce an allergic reaction to food. The usual scenario is that of a person eating a specific food, and then exercising. As he exercises and his body temperature increases, he begins to itch, gets light headed, and soon develops the characteristic allergic reactions of hives, asthma, abdominal symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. The cure, actually a preventive measure, for exercise-induced food allergy is simple-not eating for at least two hours before exercising.

Precautions to avoid allergies     Top

• Stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are at their peak, usually during the mid-morning and early evening, and when wind is blowing pollens around.

• Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in your car and home. Air conditioning units should be kept clean. Avoid using window fans that can draw pollens and molds into the house.

• Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize pollen getting into your eyes.

• Avoid rubbing eyes, which will only irritate them or make your condition worse.

• Clean floors with a damp rag or mop rather than dry dusting or sweeping.
  Wash your hands immediately after petting any animals. Remove and wash clothing after visiting friends with pets.

• Keep pets out of the bedroom to limit exposure to pet dander while sleeping.

• Reduce indoor molds caused by high humidity by cleaning bathrooms, kitchens and basements regularly. A dehumidifier can be used to reduce molds, especially in damp, humid places like basements. Make sure the dehumidifier is cleaned often. To clean moldy areas in the home, use a 1-to-10 parts diluted mixture of chlorine bleach and water.

• Install a filter over bedroom air vents to prevent pet dander, dust, and molds from being blown in from other parts of the house through heating or air-conditioning ducts.

• Use window shades or curtains that can be laundered or cleaned frequently, instead of heavy drapes.

• Don’t hang sheets or clothing outdoors to dry, as pollens and molds can collect on them.

• Wash bed linens in hot water (at least 130 Fahrenheit) and use your dryer's hottest setting to kill mites and control animal allergens.

• Enclose pillows, mattresses, and box springs in zippered, air-tight casings to curtail mite activity.

• Do not use a feather- or down-filled pillow.

• Keep dust from accumulating by vacuuming floors and cleaning surfaces weekly.

• Keep small knickknacks, books, and CDs inside cabinets or drawers so that they don't collect dust.

• Replace synthetic pillows every 2 to 3 years.

Why are some people allergic and others not?   Top

It may be all in the family. People seem to inherit the tendency to be allergic, although not to any specific allergen. If you’re not sure if you have allergies, here are two points to keep in mind:

• Do your parents have allergies? If both your parents have allergies, you have a 60-80% chance of developing them too. If one of your parents has allergies, you have a 30-50% chance of developing allergies.

• Does your child have allergies? As noted above, allergies can be passed from parent to child. If you know your child has allergies, it may be an indication that you have allergies too.

Can infants and children have food allergies?     Top

The Answer is Yes: Allergies to milk or soy formula can occur in infants and young children. These early allergies sometimes do not involve the usual hives or asthma, but rather can cause infantile colic, and perhaps blood in the stool or poor growth.

Diseases that are hard to differentiate from an allergies    Top

Your allergy symptoms such as itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy, runny, itchy nose; and postnasal drip may cause you discomfort. These symptoms are most common to most respiratory diseases. Do you have a cold that just won’t go away? It may be hard to tell the difference between cold and allergy symptoms, because many are the same. If you get a cold at the same time every year that lasts weeks or months, you may be having an allergic reaction to some allergen at a particular time of the year..

Sinusitis and Allergies:

Sinusitis is caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Allergies can cause the nasal passages to swell. When this happens, mucus can’t drain properly from the nasal passages, so it may accumulate in the sinuses (cavities behind the cheekbones). These mucus pools provide an excellent place for bacteria to grow—all of which can lead to sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis may include:

• Headaches (you may feel as if your face hurts).

• Yellow or greenish mucus

• Nasal congestion

• Fever

Asthma and Allergies:

Asthma is a disease in which the airways become narrowed and excess mucus is produced in the lungs. The symptoms Asthma include: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath.

Homeopathic Approach     Top

Allergies are caused by an over reaction of the immune system to inert substances, but not by histamine. Suppressing symptoms by taking Anti-Histamine is not a cure. Treatment should be focused on the hypersensitivity of the immune system. Each allergic person responds to allergens in different ways which can result in hey fever, conjunctivitis, hives, sneezing, watery eyes and itching. Besides the allergies mentioned earlier, there are other types of allergies called "Idiopathic allergies". Idiopathic allergies are where there are no known allergic substances or allergens. Classical Homeopath takes into consideration all the factors like type of allergens, symptoms and seasons the patient is suffering in for the treatment, . Homeopathy addresses the hyper-sensitivity towards nontoxic substances in the treatment to cure allergies rather than blaming histamine.