Sukriti was very happy to have her first pet dog. She named her silky. After few months the dog arrived in the house her sister began to have itchy eyes and frequent episodes of sneezing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Among the four members of family her sister developed the symptoms of allergy and her parents and she herself experienced no reaction. Allergies can be imprisoning. Allergies can make the person’s life very difficult. People suffering from allergies avoid going to the friend’s houses where pets reside. Even the pleasures of exercising and daily walk can not be experienced as their noses run more than they do.
Allergy is an exaggerated response of the immune system to certain substances. The allergic individual produces symptoms when exposed to these substances which are harmless to non-allergic people. Allergy symptoms appear when the body’s immune system begins to respond to a substance as though it were a dangerous invader called as allergen or antigen. The body sends specific defenders in response of allergens called antibodies .The main reason for this is that allergic people make a special type of antibody called immunoglobin E (IgE), which can react with environmental substances in harmful way. These substances which lead to secretion of IgE antibodies are called allergen. The battle between allergens(antigens) and antibodies results in a release of chemical substances into the blood stream and produce all kinds of allergic symptoms.
Most common triggers of allergies
- Pollens of many seasonal plants
- House dust mites,
- Animal dander
- Insect stings
- Molds
- Latex
- Food- eggs, milk, soyabeans, wheat, peanuts etc
- Fragrances/chemicals- detergents and cosmetics, hair dyes, perfumes
- Medication- penicillin, local anesthetics and intravenous fluids
- cockroaches
Signs and symptoms
Approximately 10%-30% of individuals in the industrialized world are affected by allergic conditions, and this number is increasing. The prevalence of allergic conditions has increased significantly over the last two decades and continues to rise.
Skin related allergy symptoms
- Itching
- Redness
- Burning
- Eruptions, rashes
- Dry skin
Eye related allergy
- Itching
- Burning
- Redness
- Watery eyes
- Foreign body sensation in eyes
Respiratory tract related allergies
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Congestion
- Feeling of suffocation
Allergic rhinitis symptoms
- Running nose/sneezing
- Itching in nose
- Nasal congestion with stuffy nose
- Post nasal dripping
- Itching in the eyes and throat
- Redness of tip of the nose
- Watering from eyes may be associated with these symptoms
GIT related allergy symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sick feeling
- Abdominal pain
- Gas
Drug Allergy
This may be due to direct anaphylactic reactions such as seen with penicillin, vaccines, blood transfusions, intravenous fluids. Symptoms include
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Severe fall in the blood pressure
- Difficult swallowing
- Swelling of lips, mouth and throat
- Stomach pain
- Hives
Diet and lifestyle changes
Diet and lifestyle modifications can significantly affect the intensity and frequency of our response to allergens. Some evidence suggests that people with allergic rhinitis and asthma may benefit from a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, and flax seeds) and fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day). Some studies have found that probiotics may help reduce severity of allergic symptom and medication use.
Avoid the exposure to the substances that trigger the allergies. Avoid living in damp environment.
Avoid taking unnecessary medication for common ailments and incorporate holistic solutions such as yoga, meditation and relaxing exercises.
Homoeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines are very effective in fighting allergies. They work both as preventive and
therapeutic. They are able to control the acute symptoms and help in treating the chronic allergy thereby gradually reducing and stopping the recurrence of attacks. Homeopathic medicines work by desensitizing the hyperactive immune system in allergic patients.
These medicines provide a stimulus (in a highly diluted form) to the body like that of the trigger or allergen leading to the gradual desensitisation of the immune system.
Source of homeopathic medicines used for treating allergies is mainly from plants or substances that in their crude form are usually responsible for causing allergy-like symptoms. Homoeopathic treatment is very gentle and does not cause any side effects.It is very important to know that to have the concrete results patient has to have patience and continue to take the medicine even if the symptoms are not there as homoeopathic medicine work to stabilize the overactive immune system. Results depend upon the severity and duration of allergy. These medicines help in strengthening the immune system.
Commonly used homoeopathic medicines are as follows
Allium cepa, natrum mur, apis, kali bichrome, euphrasia,arsenic alb,pusatilla,tuberculinum,sabadilla etc.