> affect up to 20% in the western world, with a x3 increase in the last 30 years.
> are the immune system’s response to a foreign substance (allergen) that's not typically harmful to your body.
> allergens include certain foods and pollen.
> your body starts to make a protein (IgE), which [1] grabs onto the allergen, [b] releases histamine and other chemicals into the blood, and [3] causes symptoms.
> babies are born with a heightened Th2 immune response which can predispose them to allergic reactions.
> exposure to microbes (including vaginal birth and breast feeding), develops the microbiome(heightened Th1 response) which rebalances the immune system.
> the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ proposes that inadequate exposure to microbes in the first year of life increases rates of atopic dermatitis and autoimmune diseases.
> conditions may co-exist or progress from eczema in infancy to asthma and hay fever in later childhood (‘the allergic march’).
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on how you’re exposed - air, skin, food, or an insect sting.
1/ Nasal allergy (triggered by something you inhale) symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy, runny nose and feeling tired or ill.
2/ Skin allergy symptoms include rashes and hives.
3/ Food allergies can also cause vomiting, and diarrhoea.
4/ Insect sting allergy causes swelling & redness at bite.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
> Mild - you might just feel a little “off.”
> Moderate - can make you feel "fluey."
> Severe allergic reactions are extreme.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction and affects your whole body. Symptoms include:
Hives and itching all over
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Hoarseness or tightness in the throat
Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat
Tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or scalp
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening, so call 911 right away. If you have an Epi-pen, use it and repeat after 5-15 mins if symptoms haven’t improved. You’ll still need medical care afterwards, even if your symptoms seem to stop, because a delayed reaction could still happen.
Causes and risk factors:
1/ Genes can increase susceptibility to allergies in the presence of environmental triggers and impaired immune tolerance.
2/ Birth method - c-section babies have reduced microbial diversity and twice the risk of developing egg and milk sensitisation, a factor in both eczema and asthma.
3/ Maternal atopy (atopic dermatitis, hayfever, asthma, food allergies), vaccinations and early antibiotic use, disrupt their gut flora, increasing risk of allergy.
Your naturopathic nutritionist may advise you to:
1. Reduce high-histamine foods such as fermented food and drink, dairy (especially cheese), alcohol, dried fruits, avocados, aubergine, spinach, processed meats and shellfish.
2. Support histamine detoxification with folate and B12
3. Increase red onions and apples and broccoli.
4. Increase fatty fish such as salmon, mackeral, sardines and herring.
5. Drink nettle leaf herbal tea.
6. Try acupuncture which has good success rates with allergies.
(adapted from www.naturopathy-uk.com; www.webmd.com; www.healthline.com; www.nhs.uk) Photo credit - www.medindia.net; www.wholesalemanager.co.uk; www.verywellhealth.com
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