Allergies:

Until we know more about allergies, the best line of defense is to eliminate the offending agents. Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, sinus congestion, hives, swelling are all symptoms of allergies.

Allergies can affect almost any area of the body. Substances that irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other chemicals are all culprits. Also, grass, cow products, house dust, pets, wheat, colorants, additives and preservatives are all possibilities.

Dust Mites

The dust mite is an almost-microscopic relative of ticks and spiders. But the living mite is not the problem. It's the fecal material they expel in their wanderings about our carpets and furniture—their primary residences—and the bodies of dead mites that cause reactions.

Mold

Mold grows wherever it's dark and humid—under your carpet, in the basement. It just doesn't matter which one you encounter. Inhale any one of them, and if you are allergic, you'll start sneezing.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is an allergic condition triggered by inhalant substances (frequently pollens), which leads to sneezing and inflammation of the nose and conjunctiva of the eyes.

Skin Inflammation

Skin inflamation may be considered Dermatitis. Redness, scaling, and thickening of the skin may occur with dermatitis. Pinpointing the cause of the problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

Eczema

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is allergy related. It appears as dry, cracking, crusting and red patches on the skin. Often there are swelling, weeping blisters. The skin can become inflamed and itchy. Many factors can contribute to eczema. Stress is a major factor. Exposure to cleaning compounds, perfumes, detergents, household chemicals, soaps, food allergies, as well as, nutrient deficiencies.

Hives

Hives are lumps or weals that are very itchy. They can appear all of a sudden. They can be related to a particular food or as another complication from allergies; stress.

Anaphylactic shock

This is the most serious of allergic reactions. It can kill by suffocation, the result of swelling of the larynx and obstruction of the airway. Anaphylactic shock can occur in response to insect stings, ingestion of allergenic foods in sensitive individuals, and injected or swallowed doses of medication. It is a medical emergency, but it can be treated effectively. An injection of adrenalin (administered under medical supervision) will usually end the reaction promptly.

Immune System

It is known that white blood cells (also known as lymphocytes) are a fundamental component of the immune system that protects our bodies from invaders. When they make a mistake, an allergic response can occur. When a lymphocyte encounters a particle or cell and identifies it as a foreign invader, it produces antibodies specifically engineered to fight that particular threat. There are five basic types of antibodies, called immunoglobulins, or Igs. Each is classified by type with a letter suffix: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. The Ig known to be responsible for most allergic reactions to food is IgE, although IgG is also commonly mentioned.

IgE allergies occur when the immune system, in an effort to reject a certain food or other substance, creates an antibody to that food, immunoglobulin E. In other words, the blood cells of an allergic person are "misinformed' at the genetic level and cause the production of large quantities of IgE antibodies. The antibody becomes attached on one side to the food/substance molecule and on the other side to a mast cell (mast cells are a type of cell containing histamine and other allergy mediators instrumental in the allergic response). When this happens, histamines and other chemicals are released from the mast cells, causing such immediate responses as runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes and indigestion. IgE can cause anaphylaxis, an extreme, sometimes even life-threatening response in which the airways swell, sometimes to the point where the person cannot breathe.

The most common tests for food allergies are IgE skin tests, where the skin is scratched or pricked and allergens such as wheat, eggs and milk are applied. Within 15 to 30 minutes, local reaction may occur. Other types of tests include blood tests and patch skin tests. However, there are reports that blood testing for food allergies provides more reliable results than skin testing. The latter are problematic because of their tendency to yield false positives. This means that people may show a positive result but are still able to eat a certain food. To summarize this difficult and confusing field, it appears that the efficacy of all allergy testing is under suspicion.

Herbs

Herbs that are beneficial for allergies (if you are not allergic to them) are Burdock Root, Dandelion, and Echinacea. These herbs help to purify the blood, boost the immune system and improves organ function. Bee Pollen can strengthen the immune system. Start with a few drops at a time and work up to a dropper 2-3 times a day. Coenzyme Q10 improves oxygenation and immunity. 30 mgs, twice daily. In traditional medicine, some herbs whose pollen can cause symptoms of hay fever have been used as a way to reduce symptoms of hay fever, which is the homeopathic theory of "like cures like". The most important of these are Goldenrod and Ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides). Eyebright and Elder also have a reputation for use as hay fever remedies. However, an individual allergic to one of these plants should avoid them unless under the care of a doctor of natural medicine.

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen has been used to build up the immune system to to fight colds and to counteract depression. Bee pollen has also been used internally to increase antiallergenic properties to enhance the immune system against allergies to pollen.

Burdock Root

Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and mucilage. This may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Bitter constituents in the root may also explain the traditional use of burdock to improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes that have been shown to have antimicrobial activity.

Dandelion

Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure.

Echinacea

Echinacea is another herb useful for the relief of allergy symptoms. With a rich history of use in Native American traditions, echinacea possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea also helps relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and is useful for sore throats and even acne.

Green drinks

Green drinks are filled with antioxidants and other nutrients, which help to detox the body. Detoxification can calm allergy symptoms by helping to flush out toxic build up in the system. Made from spirulina, wheat and barley grasses, these drinks are one of the best allergy medicines.

Nettle Leaf

Nettle leaf can help in the reduction in symptoms of hay fever, including sneezing and itchy eyes. For help with hay fever symptoms, consider taking 450 mg of Nettle Leaf capsules or tablets two to three times per day, or a 2–4 ml tincture, three times per day.

Horseradish

The “heating” qualities of horseradish are a clue to its most popular therapeutic use: clearing up nasal and chest congestion. As well as helping to clear the respiratory passages and eliminate excess mucus, this herb is effective for the relief of cough symptoms and sinusitis.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the oldest recorded culinary spices, garlic (Allium sativum) is mentioned as a food in the Bible, and is known to have been part of the diet of Egyptian workers as long ago as 2600 BC. It is the dominant flavour in much of Mediterranean cuisine, but is also a more subtle addition to many Asian dishes. But alongside its popularity in food, garlic has a long history of medicinal use – a traditional history that has gained increasing recognition from science. Garlic preparations have long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and hayfever.

Since an individual with Allergies could be having adverse reactions to a specific type of food, we suggest cutting these foods from their diet for two weeks. These foods include:

After the two weeks, you can begin adding these foods back into your diet. Add one food type every couple of days. If the individual has a reaction to that food, then eliminate that food from the diet indefinitely. A reaction should show within 4 days. If there is no reaction, then you may add that food back into the normal diet, then you can see when problems arise and what foods were eaten at that time. If a food is eaten by mistake from the banned list, do not worry; just get back on the diet.

Allergy Diet Information Tips:

For more information on Allergies: Dr. Mercola Part I 6/9/2004

For more information on Allergies: Dr. Mercola Part II 6/12/2004

For more information on Allergies: Dr. Mercola 9/27/2005

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