Allergy Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Lifestyle

An allergy is defined as a condition that is caused by an inappropriate or exaggerated reaction by the body’s immune system. Harmless substances are misidentified by it as potentially dangerous, so the immune response is to form antibodies. These attack the perceived irritants—or allergens—on the surface of the offending substance. The reaction between antibodies and allergens stimulates the release of substances within the body, such as histamine, which cause a variety of irritating symptoms.

Symptoms 
• Rash or itchy swelling on the skin.
• Hay fever: irritation of mucous membranes in the sinuses, causing sneezing and the production of watery catarrh.
• Asthma: possible spasms and narrowing of the airways.
• Inflamed and possibly watering eyes.
• Possible nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• In severe cases of type I allergy (see right), possible anaphylactic shock—a severe, nervous reaction that includes breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, abdominal pain, swelling of the tongue or throat, and diarrhea.

Causes 
Conventionally, allergies are described in terms of four categories of hypersensitivity reaction.
Type I is the most common of the four, and is known as anaphylactic or immediate hypersensitivity. It includes allergies to pollens, animal dander, house dust, dust mites, some drugs, yeast, insect venom, and certain foods, especially milk, eggs, shellfish, nuts, and some dried fruits. These allergens stimulate the body to produce a specific kind of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which coats cells in the skin, sinuses, lungs, and stomach. When a further exposure to the allergen occurs, the immunoglobulin antibodies become attached to cells in body tissues called mast cells. In response, these cells release chemicals, mainly histamine, which cause allergic reactions. Asthma, hay fever, urticaria, anaphylactic shock, some forms of eczema, and food allergy are type I allergies.

Types II, III, and IV are all much less common than type I. In the case of type II, antibodies bind themselves to antigens on cell surfaces, resulting in the damage to and destruction of cells, as in certain autoimmune disorders. With type III allergies, antibodies combine with antigens to form particles called immune complexes. These travel around the body in the bloodstream and can lodge anywhere, stimulating the immune system further. This mechanism is responsible for reactions to immunization and allergic alveolitis (inflammation of the alveolar walls in the lungs).

Type IV is known as delayed hypersensitivity. T-cells (white blood cells) combine with antigens and release chemicals called lymphokines, which cause inflammation. These chemicals are responsible for measles rashes and contact dermatitis. Another possible cause of allergy considered in complementary medical circles is leaky gut syndrome, whereby cells in the lining of the bowel are not as adherent as they should be. Parts of proteins may pass into the bloodstream, triggering antibody production. Leakage may occur from birth, or be caused by infection or by taking certain drugs.

Conventional care 
Allergies are investigated by means of skintesting. A small amount of the suspected allergen is pin-pricked under the skin, or placed beneath a patch resembling an adhesive bandage, and the reaction is monitored. Blood tests can measure the reactions of antibodies and allergens that have been highlighted by dyes. Elimination and challenge, whereby a suspected irritant is removed from the diet or the surroundings for a while and then reintroduced, is another method of allergy identification. Once an allergen has been identified, the effects of the antibody–antigen reaction can be relieved, using mainly antihistamine drugs. These block the effects of histamine, thus preventing allergic symptoms from developing. Other drugs include sodium chromoglycate, used mainly to treat asthma, and corticosteroids. Allergic skin reactions can be treated with ointments containing corticosteroids. Drugs may be combined with vitamin supplements, reflexology, hypnotherapy, and desensitization, the last of which involves the gradual introduction of the source of irritation in order to increase a person’s level of tolerance until they no longer have an allergic reaction.

Homeopathic medicine
Where there is only one allergy (a fixed allergy), homeopathic treatment is similar to conventional treatment. Constitutional treatment is used to correct imbalances in the body, and to discourage the immune system from overreacting. Such treatment is even more beneficial when there is not a fixed allergy but a cyclic allergy situation. This is when, even though the sources of irritation are removed from the diet, the body develops oversensitivity to something else. In this case, it is necessary to investigate the malfunctioning of the immune system, which may be due to an inherited weakness or body imbalances. The choice of constitutional remedy will largely be determined by an individual’s symptoms. Apis is indicated for allergic swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, or mouth. Arsen. alb. is prescribed for allergic reactions associated with the nose such as allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Calc. carb. is used to treat allergic reactions of the skin and mucous membranes; while Carcinosin is indicated when there are multiple allergies. Other constitutional remedies often used include Nat. carb., Nat. mur., Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, and Tuberculinum. Acute symptoms can be treated with a number of other remedies, such as Allium cepa, for hay fever with profuse watering of the eyes and catarrh that irritates and inflames the nostrils and upper lip; and Arundo, when there is great itchiness around the nostrils and palate, with sneezing, pain in the bridge of the nose, and copious saliva. Wyethia is prescribed for great itchiness in the nose and palate, which the person constantly rubs with the tongue; and Arum triph. is effective for cracked lips and hoarseness.

Lifestyle
Allergies, like many conditions, tend to become worse if a person is run-down, stressed, overtired, has a poor diet, or does not get adequate exercise. If a food allergy is suspected, the potential irritant should be eliminated from the diet for four days, then reintroduced within 12 days and any changes of symptoms noted. This is a method worth trying for a number of foods, one at a time, until the culprit is isolated. If household products are believed to be the cause of an allergic reaction, the affected person should walk in the open air for an hour, then return home and sniff any strong-smelling products. If a substance provokes excessive sneezing, it is probably the cause of the allergic reaction, and should be removed from the home.

C A U T I O N
• If a person goes into anaphylactic shock—that is, they collapse with pale, cold, and clammy skin, anxiety, nausea, thirst, faintness, or difficulty breathing— call 911.
• If someone who is known to suffer from asthma develops pale, cold, and clammy skin, anxiety, and labored breathing, or their breathing rate exceeds 40 breaths per minute, call 911.
• If an asthma sufferer does not respond to any treatment within 12 hours, see a doctor. If their condition appears to be deteriorating rapidly, consult a doctor immediately.