Symptoms of allergies may include:
- allergy baby face rash Watery and itchy eye
- Runny nose,
- Sneezing (hay fever, rhinitis)
- Nasal congestion
- around the mouth, nose and throat
- Itchy skin
- Swelling of
- Rashes (including hives and eczema)
- Swelling of the skin
- Wheezing and coughing (asthma)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
- Lowering of blood pressure
- Light headedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- In severe cases may cause death
What are allergies?
The immune system is responsible for the identification and destruction of foreign substances that enters the body. Normally the immune system acts as the body's defense against disease-causing microorganisms and substances. However for some people, the immune system mistakes perfectly harmless substances for germs and in response, it releases certain compounds to destroy the perceived "enemy". This results to allergic reaction.
Some people may show allergic reaction to one substance, but others may manifest allergic reaction to many substances which we call allergens.
Allergens may cause an allergic reaction when they come in contact with skin or the eye, when they are inhaled, eaten, or are injected. An allergic reaction can occur as part of a seasonal allergy (such as hay fever). Or an allergic reaction can be triggered by taking a drug, eating certain foods, or breathing in dust or animal dander.
Chinese skullcap (Scuterllaria baicalensis) has been studied for its effectiveness in both animals and people. It has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties. This makes it potentially useful for treating allergic rhinitis, particularly when used with other herbs, including stinging nettle.
Biminne
Biminne is a Chinese herbal formula used to treat allergic rhinitis. In a recent Western study of 58 people with year-round allergic rhinitis, biminne was found to effectively relieve at least some symptoms in most of the participants. Participants took the formula five times a day for 12 weeks, and they still showed the benefit of biminne even after one year. It is not known how biminne works, or if it is safe to use for extended periods.
Ephedra
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also called ma huang, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 5,000 years. It is used to treat nose and lung congestion. Synthetic ephedrine compounds, such as pseudoephedrine, are widely used in over-the-counter cold remedies. However, ephedra and its derivatives are potentially dangerous and addictive. Take only under the close guidance and supervision of an appropriately trained specialist
Prognosis and Complications
Chances are, your symptoms of allergic rhinitis will be readily treated, but they will continue to appear with each exposure to an allergen.
Although perennial allergic rhinitis is not a serious condition, it nonetheless can interfere with many important aspects of life. Depending on the severity of your case, allergic rhinitis may be mildly disruptive to temporarily debilitating, resulting in missed days from school or work. Medication may cause drowsiness and other side effects. Your allergies could also trigger other conditions such as eczema, asthma, sinusitis, and ear infection (called otitis media). Seasonal allergic rhinitis may diminish as you age.
Desensitization may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives and rash) and may have dangerous side effects such as anaphylaxis. It often requires years of treatment and is effective in about two-thirds of cases.
Homeopathy is also used for allergy treatment and prevention.
Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for allergy treatment especially allergic rhinitis. Before prescribing an allergy treatment, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual based from their knowledge and experience.
Allium cepa (raw onion) - allergy treatment for frequent sneezing, a lot of irritating nasal discharge and tearing eyes. The person tends to thirst frequently.
Euphrasia (eyebright) - allergy treatment for bland nasal discharge, with stinging, irritating tears; a suitable person for this remedy has worse nasal symptoms when lying down
Nux vomica (poison nut) - allergy treatment for stuffiness with nasal discharge, dry, ticklish, and scraping nasal sensations with watery nasal discharge and a lot of sneezing; an appropriate person for this remedy is irritable and impatient
Arsenicum album (trioxide of arsenic) - for stuffiness with copious, burning nasal discharge and violent sneezing; an appropriate candidate for Arsenicum feels restless, anxious, and exhausted.
If you plan to use herbs for allergy treatment and prevention, you are advised to consult a qualified herbalist for proper dosage and administration. Herbal supplements or herbs, like other medications, may produce side effects or interact with other medications. It is best to follow instructions as prescribed by herbalist or by the product label.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica/Urtica urens)
Stinging nettle has long history as treatment for variety of respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis. Though studies have shown favorable results, more research is needed. Discuss with your doctor about whether it is safe for you to try nettle as a possible allergy treatment.
Freeze-dried nettle capsules can be bought from many health food stores. Recommended dose is 600 milligrams per day.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Butterbur has long been used for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis and to reduce mucus. A study of 125 people with hay fever found that an extract of this herb was as effective and less sedating than cetirizine, a commonly prescribed non-sedating antihistamine. The study lasted only 2 weeks, and while it shows promise, it is not known what would be the effect of using butter bur over a longer time period.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia/Echinacea pallida/Echinacea purpurea)
Professional herbalists may recommend echinacea for allergy treatment especially allergic rhinitis. Test tube and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains substances that enhance the activity of the immune system and reduce inflammation. However, echinacea itself can cause an allergic reaction.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening primrose is known as an allergy treatment especially for allergic rhinitis. Its active ingredient is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that may relieve allergy symptoms (see Nutrition and Dietary Supplement section).
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Goldenseal is traditionally known to be a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Many herbalists include it in allergy treatment. Many laboratory studies suggest that berberine, the active ingredient in goldenseal, has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties.
Herbal Tea Bath
Herbal tea bath is also recommended for allergy treatment and prevention. Herbal tea bath is used to calm an overactive immune system. Herbal tea from the blend of marigold flowers, lavender flowers, eye bright flowers, or German chamomile are used. This is prepared 1 day before the planned use, by mixing equal amount of herbs to produce a ¼ mixture. Let it soak to 4 cups of tap water and allow to steep overnight. On the next day boil the mixture. Remove from heat and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the herbs and pour the mixture to your bath, then soak.
Nutrition and diet help in the allergy treatment and allergy prevention.
If you have food allergy, eliminate those items from your diet. Even if you don't have any identified food allergy, try a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, reduce the intake of foods that may stimulate inflammation (such as meats, full fat dairy products, sugar, and highly processed foods). Change in your diet may improve allergic symptoms.
Include Essential Fatty Acids in your diet.
Omega-6 fatty acids have a longstanding history of folk use as allergy treatment. They are essential fatty acids (EFAs), meaning that they are needed by the body and must be obtained from the diet. People who are prone to allergies may require more essential fatty acids and often have difficulty converting linoleic acid (an inflammation-provoking type of omega-6 fatty acid) to gamma-linolenic acid (an anti-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid). Studies on the use of essential fatty acids for allergy treatment and prevention have had mixed results. Whether taking a gamma linolic acid supplement improves your symptoms, therefore, may be very individual. Work with your healthcare provider to first determine if it is safe for you to try gamma linolic acid and then follow your allergy symptoms closely for any signs of change. Gamma linolic acid is found in spirulina and seed oils of evening primrose, black currant, borage, and fungal oils.
In terms of dietary changes relative to essential fatty acids, you should try to eat foods rich an omega-3 fatty acids (such as cold-water fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts). Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and limiting foods with omega-6 fatty acids (found, for example, in egg yolks, meats, and cooking oils including corn, safflower, and cottonseed,) may reduce allergy symptoms in general. This is because omega-3 fatty acids tend to decrease inflammation while omega-6 fatty acids (other than GLA) tend to increase inflammation.
Take in Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Studies suggest that L. acidophilus, "friendly" bacteria found in the intestines, enhance the immune system and helps in the allergy treatment and allergy prevention. It is thought to have the potential to lower the risk of allergies and suppress allergy symptoms, including allergic rhinitis.
If you have any food allergies, eliminate those items from your diet. Even if you don't have any identified food allergy, reducing the intake of foods that may stimulate inflammation (such as meats, full fat dairy products, sugar, and highly processed foods) may improve your symptoms.
- Vitamin C Research has shown that vitamin C can reduce blood levels of histamine. Studies have shown that 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C drastically reduced the blood histamine level of a group of volunteers. Some doctors picking up from this study suggests vitamin C as part of allergy treatment.
- Vitamin B Alan Gaby, M.D. said "I often get good results by treating hay fever with supplements of pantothenic acid," (from the book Blended Medicine, Michael Castleman) He recommends to take 100 to 1,000 milligrams of vitamin B every day.
Bromelain Bromalain supplements is may help suppress cough, reduce nasal mucus associated with sinusitis, and relieve the swelling and inflammation caused by hay fever and is generally used for allergy treatment. This supplement is often administered with quercetin.
Quercetin it is another supplement used for allergy treatment together with bromalain. Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant pigment responsible for the colors found in fruits and vegetables. Quercetin acts as allergy treatment by inhibiting the production and release of histamine.
In conditions where the allergens cannot be avoided, allergen hypnotherapy is used for allergy treatment and alleviation of allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots or injections, can be given to desensitize a person to the allergen. With allergen immunotherapy, allergic reactions can be prevented or reduced in number or severity. However, allergen immunotherapy is not always effective. Some people and some allergies tend to respond better than others. Immunotherapy is used most often for allergies to house dust mites, pollen, insect bites, and animal dander.
Immunotherapy injections in some occasions may cause dangerous allergic reactions in itself. Thus, this should be done by a certified medical practitioner and done with sufficient medical observation. If the person has mild allergic reactions to immunotherapy, a drug- antihistamine is given.
Antihistamine drugs:
- Antihistamines: The drugs most commonly used to relieve the symptoms of allergies and used as allergy treatment are antihistamines. Some antihistamines are available without a prescription, and some require a prescription. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine rather than stop its production. Taking antihistamines partially relieves the itching and reduces the swelling due to hives or mild angioedema.
The best home remedy allergy treatment and home allergy prevention is the avoidance from allergen.
The first step is to determine the allergens that would trigger your allergy. Avoid the allergens whenever possible.
Avoiding an allergen may involve discontinuing a drug (medication allergy), avoiding foods and food derivatives (food allergy), keeping a pet out of the house (rhinitis), being selective in using materials, installing high-efficiency air filters. A person with severe seasonal allergies may consider moving to an area that does not have the allergen. A person with an allergy to house dust should remove items that collect dust.
- allergy pollen 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.
- 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.
