Allergen Monitoring and Safe Alternative Treatments

A number of seemingly unrelated ailments such as Asthma, Hay Fever, and Eczema all have something in common: they are all caused by allergies. They erupt when your body reacts to something it is abnormally sensitive to. Things such as pollen, house dust, animal fur, foods such as shellfish, eggs and chocolate, are often causes. If you are allergic, eating, breathing in or simply touching even tiny amounts of one of these allergens will cause your body to defend itself by releasing substances known as antibodies – proteins designed to neutralize allergens and other antigens.

The ensuing battle between antibodies and allergens triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals from surrounding cells, which produces the allergic symptoms. Doctors use drugs called anti-histamines to control symptoms produced by allergies.

Causes of Allergies

Environment: Grass pollen, dust mites, animal hair, feathers, certain plants and chemical and industrial pollutants can all provoke allergic responses such as runny, itchy eyes; headache; rashes and skin irritation; coughs and sneezing; wheezing; asthma, hay fever and eczema.

Diet: Almost any food can bring on an allergic response, such as nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. The most common allergens in order of frequency are: milk and other diary products such as cheese, eggs; nuts, fish and shellfish, wheat and flour, chocolate and then artificial colorants. Some young babies suffer constipation and diarrhea because they are allergic to milk protein, and they may go on to develop asthma and eczema.

Coeliac disease is due to sensitivity to wheat protein (gluten). Migraines can sometimes seem to be brought on by certain foods like chocolate, cheese and red wine. It is now widely accepted that some children are affected by food additives, especially tartrazine and benzoate, leading to hyperactivity and behavior problems.

Coping with an allergy

Tracking down what allergen causes your problems requires good record keeping. Keep a diary to note everything you do and eat. Hopefully it will establish a link between a allergic reaction and a particular food, or some environmental allergen.

Alternative Treatments

These include homoeopathy, Bach flower remedies, and biofeedback.

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