Allergies are reactions of the immune
system in which normal body tissue is injured. The mechanisms by which the
immune system defends the body and by which a hypersensitivity reaction can
injure it are similar. Thus, antibodies, lymphocytes, and other cells, which are
normal protective components of the immune system are involved in allergic
reactions as well as in autoimmune disease and organ transplant rejection. Young
children who are exposed to cigarette smoke as babies are more likely to suffer
certain allergies.
In some parts of the world, sneezing, congestion, and runny noses
from hay fever may be lasting longer because climate change may be extending
pollen seasons.
Allergy
Medicine - oral antihistamines
Allergy medicine options include oral antihistamines, nasal
antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.
Oral antihistamines are the allergy medicine drugs most commonly used for treating allergies
and providing acute or chronic allergy relief. Oral antihistamines relieve
allergy symptoms by blocking histamine, the chemical “culprit” that causes many
symptoms. Antihistamines are classified as H1 blockers and H2 blockers,
depending on the type of receptors (on the surface of cells) that they act on.
H1 receptors are associated with human tissue involving capillaries, and H2
receptors predominate in the lining of the stomach.
Newer, second generation antihistamine allergy medicines include
Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Clarinex (desloratadine), and
Claritin (loratadine).
Loratadine is a long-acting antihistamine.
Intranasal steroids
Intranasal corticosteroid medicine is effective but long term safety is still not fully
understood.
Intranasal antihistamines
Steroid free nasal antihistamines are medicines available by prescription. The
first allergy medicine of this type was Astelin (azelastine). Intranasal
antihistamine allergy medicine have side effects including headaches and
sedation, and a bitter taste when the spray drips down from the nasal passages.
Natural medicine
treatment and prevention
Avoid or reduce exposure to allergens listed above
Eat more cold water fish with high content of fish oils.
Reduce hydrogenated and trans fats such as those found in certain baked goods
and margarine. The last two decades have seen an increase in the prevalence of
asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in developed countries. This increase has
been paralleled by a reduction in the consumption of animal fat and an increase
in the use of margarine and vegetable oils containing omega-6 polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFAs), such as linoleic acid. There is also evidence for a
decrease in the consumption of oily fish which contain omega-3
fish oils, such as EPA. Linoleic acid, a type of
omega-6 oil found in oils such as as corn, safflower, and sunflower, is a
precursor of arachidonic acid, which can be converted to prostaglandin E2
(PGE2), a form inflammatory type prostaglandin that causes the immune system to
release a protein that triggers allergic reactions,
whereas fish oils inhibit the
formation of PGE2.
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Have a wide variety of produce, preferably
organic. Vegetables an fruits contain many flavonoids that have
anti-inflammatory properties. Eating more vegetables could reduce the severity
of hay fever.
Avoid excess alcohol consumption, may increase IgE levels.
Flavonoids supplements may be helpful, including Quercetin. If you don't
eat enough vegetables, you could consider taking flavonoid supplements.
Flavonoids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. For more
quercetin
information. Another good source of information on
quercetin and allergy is this
site.
Vitamin C in small
amounts such as 50 to 300 mg seems reasonable.
Acetylcysteine is a
powerful antioxidant and helps support healthy lung tissue.
Mangosteen has
xanthones which have some antihistamine activity.
Butterbur has been studied with
mostly good results
Allergy to peanuts - Allergies to peanuts and other foods are showing up in
children at younger ages for reasons that are not clear.
Stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Anxiety is an
emotional state commonly caused by the perception of real or potential danger
that threatens the security of the individual. Stress refers to anything that
disturbs an individual's physical, mental, or emotional equilibrium.
Curcumin is a popular anti-inflammatory herb that could be helpful in a number of medical conditions but unclear if beneficial in this condition.
Overcoming allergy to
peanuts
According to Dr. Wesley Burks, chief of the division of pediatric allergy
and immunology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina,
giving peanuts in increasingly higher amounts to children who have an allergy to
peanuts over time may reduce their allergic reactions to the nuts and even help
some of them lose their peanut allergies altogether. The peanut allergy research
was presented in March 2009 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of
Allergy Asthma and Immunology in Washington, D.C.
Seasonal Allergy
Seasonal allergy is often called "Hay fever". Tree and grass
pollens and some fungi trigger seasonal allergy with nose and eye allergy during
springtime and early summer (March to June). Seasonal allergy symptoms
include nasal and eye itching with explosive sneezing, watery eyes and nose and
itchy palate and ears with profuse post-nasal drip. Seasonal allergic rhinitis
patients do not develop
the typical "allergy face" but have seasonal puffiness of the eyes and eyelids
with associated nasal membrane swelling.
Allergy and global warming
Global warming is placing asthma and allergy sufferers at risk of
worsening disease, more symptomatic days, and reduced quality of life.
Allergy to antibiotics -
allergy medicine study
Allergy to antibiotics send more than 100,000 people to U.S. emergency
rooms each year.
Allergy questions,
see additional information
Is allergy to
Hoodia Extract common?
If allergy to hoodia plant occurs, it is rare. As of April 2010
we have not come across of any users who have reported this to us.
Are you aware of any allergies to the herb
tribulus terrestris?
Although we are aware of adverse effects such as increased body
temperature, we have not heard of an allergic reaction to this herb.
What natural remedies for post nasal drip due to dust and pollen?