What is an Allergy?

When most people think of an allergy, they think of the sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes caused by pollen. In fact, allergies can be caused by just about any substance that you inhale or swallow, or which touches your skin.

Your body's immune system is designed to attack harmful substances like bacteria and viruses. But with allergies, your body launches an assault on substances that are basically harmless -- such as pollen, mold, dust mites, pet saliva and dander, and even medications and insect sting venom.

Allergies are extremely common. About 40% of the population suffers from them, leading to millions of missed work days and school days each year. Annual medical costs exceed $4 billion.

Not only do allergies cause a range of annoying symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes, but they can aggravate or trigger other conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, and ear infections. For example, when allergies cause inflammation in your nasal passages, the opening to your sinuses can become blocked, leading to sinus inflammation, sinus infections, and sinus pain. Similarly, if allergies cause inflammation in your ear canal, the ears don't drain properly, which can lead to ear infections.

An allergy is your body's abnormal reaction to a foreign substance such as feathers, pollen, cat dander or strawberries. The body's defenses form antibodies to "fight" the foreign invader--even though there's no real need to. So all the antibodies do is to cause reactions within the body--reactions like stuffy nose, wheezing, hay fever, eczema, and hives. These are called "allergic reactions". Most allergic reactions happen immediately, but some show up hours or even a day later.

Allergic reactions are unpredictable. The tendency to have these reactions is usually inherited--but people don't inherit specific allergies. A tendency to have allergies continues through a person's like--but the symptoms may change over the years. For example, a baby may have eczema, which clears up in early childhood. Then later, the child may develop a nasal allergy or asthma.

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Allergic reactions may also be affected by other things like climate or infection--and especially by physical or emotional stress.

Allergic reactions are caused by things called "allergens". Many common foods can act as allergens, including milk, eggs, fruits, nuts and shellfish. Many substances around us can also act as allergens--things like house dust, pollen, pets, bee stings, and mold.

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Sometimes, the cause of an allergy is obvious. If you break out in hives every time you eat strawberries, you're probably allergic to them. If you wake up every morning with a stuffy nose, you may be allergic to your feather pillow. If you feel fine through most of the year, but have hay fever every Spring or Fall, you may be allergic to the pollen produced during those seasons.

Here is how to deal with an allergy. The basic defense is to avoid the allergen that causes it. To go back to our examples, don't eat strawberries, or replace your feather pillow with a Dacron pillow.

But what if you can't avoid the allergen? If your reaction is fairly mild, try a non-prescription antihistamine such as Chlor-trimetron or Benadryl. An antihistamine may help relieve your symptoms.

If that doesn't work, you'll need to see your health care provider. He or she may prescribe a stronger medication--or you may be referred to an Allergist for evaluation. If referred, you'll receive a very detailed questionnaire, and probably some allergy skin tests to help determine what causes your allergic reactions. Finally, the Allergist will recommend specific treatments to manage your allergies.

But no matter what methods you use to control your allergies, remember that they are affected by your physical and emotional health. If you're healthy, you can tolerate a greater amount of the things that you're sensitive to.

They include allergies to foods, pollen, medication and environmental allergens and asthma.

Remember these key points:

• Allergic reactions are caused by the body's response to foreign substances.
• The tendency to have allergic reactions can be inherited.
• Allergic reactions can last throughout life--though they may take different forms at different times.
• Try to manage an allergy by avoiding the substance that causes it, and, if necessary, by trying a mild antihistamine.
• If that doesn't work, see your health care provider for evaluation and possible referral to an Allergist.

Treatment Using Herbs, Phytochemicals and Vitamins to Soothe Your Allergies This Season

If you are one of the lucky few that doesn’t suffer from seasonal allergies, consider yourself, well lucky!! I myself have had allergy problems since before I can remember, and trust me I have gone through just about everything there is to treat them. Personally, the only relief I’ve found and felt good about using is in Complementary Medicine, be it, herbs, diet, or acupuncture. My allergies, unfortunately are not only seasonal but a vague anomaly that continues year round for a laundry list of reasons of which I am never sure of. Fortunately, dealing with your personal health and testing new ideas on yourself is a great learning tool, and one day hopefully I will have squashed all my allergy problems and live an itch free life.

I recently came across an article published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reviewing CAM’s history in treating various ailments of the immune system, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and dermatitis through the use of Vitamins, Herbs and Phytochemicals. If you are looking for some hope in a prescription drug free world of allergy treatment, check out the research. Some highlights of the research include:

Vitamin D: It has long been said that Vitamin D plays a vital role in your overall health, this article just reinforces the importance that Vitamin D plays in our immune system and how it can be a crucial part of dealing with allergies of any kind.

Vitamin E: Has been shown to decrease mast cell production, thereby relieving an allergic response.

Vitamin A: Has been shown to increase antibody production.

Vitamin C: Is an important mediator in the immune response.

Magnolol: As far as phytochemicals go, Magnolol is polyphenol found in plants that plays a part in the immune reaction, lending an inhibitory effect that reduces the allergic reaction.

Quercetin: Found in cherries, Quercetin plays the same sort of inhibitory role in the cascade of events causing an allergic reaction and effects the production of mast cells.

Resveratrol: Found in grape skins, it’s a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-cancer effects, it plays a role in alleviating the stress response that can be an instigator in the allergy response.

Ma Huang (or Ephedra): Which has recently been taken off the market is a great herb in the treatment of asthma and has unfortunately been misused as a diet drug and energy enhancer due to its amphetime-like effects.

As far as using these substances clinically in the treatment of allergies, there is SO much information in the article that I could hardly paraphrase any one part of it in one page, but if you are looking for specific info regarding Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic Rhinitis or Asthma, please read the article, there is quite a bit of good information in there and natural substances that are worth taking a look at. For example, some of the remedies they review are as follows:

In treating Atopic Dermatitis, Evening Primrose, Essential Fatty Acids, Rumex japonicus Houtt & Actinidia arguta are a few of the herbal remedies found to have positive effects.

For Allergic Rhinitis, Butterbur is worth mentioning as finding similar test results as the use of Fexafenadine a prescription medicine commonly prescribed for allergies. Citrus unshiu also showed positive results in treating seasonal allergies. Likewise, dietary products like grape seed extract, tomato extract, dietary spirulina, and cellulose powder have been suggested for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

As far as Chinese Herbal Formulas are concerned Bhu-zong-yi-qi-tang is shown to have efficacious results when treating both allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis as well as Shi-Bi-Lin, another formula.

Also worth mentioning are a couple of other homeopathic remedies, including Apis Mel, which is helpful in acute cases for hives, bee stings and other insect bites and Histaminum which is helpful in the case of nasal congestion, hay fever, insect bites, eczema, and even food allergies. One that has been super useful for me when I’m having an acute reaction is Quantum AllerCleanse a Botanical Supplement produced by Premier Research Labs.

So, take control of your health this allergy season and look into these great natural remedies! I know some of these have done wonders for me in helping to relieve my allergy symptoms throughout the years and I hope you too can benefit as well!

Source: Mainardi, Timothy, MD, MS, Kapoor, Simi, MD, Bielory, Leonard, MD, ( Feb. 2009) Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Herbs, Phytochemicals and Vitamins and Their Immunologic Effects. The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 123 (2), 283-294

Medication Allergies

This information is about allergies to medications. It covers what they are, how to deal with them, and how to prevent them.

Some people are allergic to certain medicines. When given these medicines they have allergic reactions such as skin rash, hives, wheezing-- or, in a very few cases, even death. These allergic reactions are not uncommon.

Almost any medication can cause an allergic reaction. Some of these medications are penicillin, sulfa, aspirin, phenobarbital, laxatives, and codeine. People allergic to penicillin will be allergic to all penicillin types of medication including Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, etc. Individuals allergic to aspirin will usually also be allergic to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications containing ibuprofen such as: Advil, Nuprin, Pamprin and Midol. If you are allergic to any medications, you should discuss this with your health care provider or pharmacist before taking any medications regardless of whether they are prescription or non-prescription.

An allergic reaction to a medicine can begin any time. Some people take a medication for years with no ill effect. And then suddenly, they become allergic to it.

Here's how to deal with an allergy to a medication. First, know the name of any drug you become allergic to. Then tell your doctor or nurse so he or she can record you allergy in your medical records. Tell any doctor or nurse about your allergy before receiving any injection or medication. And if you tend to have allergic reactions to medicines, it's a good idea to stay in the waiting room for 20 to 30 minutes after getting a shot--to make sure you don't develop a reaction to it.

Finally, keep a lost of your allergies with you at all times--in your purse or wallet, or on a Medic Alert wrist bracelet. That way, if you are ever in an accident or unconscious, people who are taking care of you will know about your allergies. You can get an application for a Medic Alert bracelet from your provider or pharmacy.

To determine whether you are truly allergic to a medication, discuss any reactions with your health care provider. Remember and explain exactly what happened when you took the medications, and what symptoms you experienced--like hives, nausea, wheezing, swollen joints, or dizziness. The reason is that some reactions are not due to allergy.

Since allergic reactions can appear unexpectedly, you may not be able to avoid them completely. If you suspect that you're having an allergic reaction to a medication, call your health provider. And if you develop a serious problem with large hives, wheezing, or difficulty in breathing, call your emergency phone number. If you feel this is a life threatening emergency call 911 at once!

Please remember these key points:

• Allergic reactions to medications are not uncommon; many medications can produce allergic reactions.
• An allergic reaction can begin any time--even if you've taken the medication before without ill effect.
• To prevent allergic reactions, find out the names of the medications you are allergic to.
• Discuss reactions with your doctor and have them written into your medical record.
• Inform the doctor or nurse about your allergies every time you are about to get an injection.
• Keep a list of your allergic reactions and carry it with you.

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