It is a bad time for allergies

It is a bad time for allergies

Allergies are caused when the body reacts to a harmless substance, such as pollen, certain foods or mold.

by Rebekkah Sax-Guerrero — 

This season is the beginning of sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny noses and scratchy throats for all those allergy sufferers. Allergies are caused when the body reacts to a harmless substance, such as pollen, certain foods or mold. The body produces large amounts of Immunoglobin E, which attach themselves to the harmless substance when coming in contact with this protein. The exposed cells release chemicals, such as histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins.

There are two main types of allergy testing: blood samples testing for immunoglobulin levels and skin prick testing, where the skin is scratched and exposed to the harmless substance with the reaction measured locally.

There are many effective medicines on the market, including antihistamines, leukotriene inhibitors and many natural medicines. Natural medicines prescribed to to treat allergies may include herbs, nettles, mullein, prunus and euphrasia. Homeopathics are prescribed on an individual basis, and have been shown in recent studies to be cost-effective by reducing the use of conventional medicines.

Reference: Frenkel, Moshe, M.D. and Hermoni, Doron, M.D. “The effects of homoepathic intervention on medication consumption in atopic and allergic disorders.” Alternative Therapies, Jan/Feb, 2002, Vol 8, 1.

Rebekkah Sax-Guerrero is a graduate of Southwest Naturopathic College of Medicine. [email protected] or 480-430-7804.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 2, April/May 2005.