Allergies

Allergies are a type of hypersensitivity to some environmental factors. They are usually triggered by environmental factors which cause an extreme inflammatory response to a normally harmless substance. This occurs when certain white blood cells form an antibody and create a reaction within the immune system.

These Allergic reactions can be triggered by any number of causes but are commonly caused by:
•    cats & dogs or other animals
•    airborne dust and pollens
•    household dust mites
•    stinging insects such as mosquitoes, sand flies, bees and wasps
•    foods
•    medications

These lead to the common complaints of
•    hayfever and allergic  rhinitis
•    eczema
•    hives
•    food intolerances
•    asthma

While more than 39 million Americans suffer from an allergy of some form, many of these are seasonal. Seasonal Allergies occur at specific times of the year such as spring and fall when airborne are at their peaks or when pets are moulting. Most of these conditions are readily treated and relief can be achieved fairly easily with mild medications such as antihistamines or natural therapies. However when the symptoms become more severe it becomes necessary to consult a medical practitioner or allergy specialist. Severe allergic reactions can lead to other disorders such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Allergy symptoms, while not being able to be cured, in most cases can be controlled. To help control these symptoms many people turn to the local pharmacist who usually selects  a course of antihistamines, while an increasing number are turning to their naturopath who can help provide relief with herbs such as Indian ipecac, butterbur or frozen thistles. They may also suggest the sufferer uses a saline nasal rinse to flush out pollens and dust from the nasal passages and help break down mucous build up.

The medical fraternity are increasingly looking at natural therapies to supplement their treatments using traditional drugs.
Recently the British Medical Journal published a study by a group of Swiss researchers showing how one tablet of butterbur taken four times daily was as effective in controlling symptoms of hay fever as a popular antihistamine drug without the symptoms of drowsiness traditionally experienced with the drug.

A group of British researchers presented a study at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and gained the stamp of approval on the effectiveness of butterbur in quelling symptoms of grass allergy.

"Using nature-based products can be a very useful way to handle mild allergy and a useful adjunct for more significant Allergies, and there are many types of treatments you can safely try," says Cedars Sinai Medical Center director of integrative medicine Mary Hardy, MD

While these herbal treatments are effective in helping with mild conditions, when severe reactions occur homeopathy can play a similar role to immunotherapy where benefits come from desensitizing a person’s immune system. With most of these conditions they can range from mild to the life threatening and it is best to discuss everything with your doctor and if you then feel the need seek other forms of treatment for your Allergies.