This is the second of a two-part series on Allergies and the Immune System. Continuing with symptoms of the allergic reaction. Reactions vary, depending on the part of the body affected & the severity of that reaction. Some people experience a wide reaction, while other reactions may be limited to just a small area of the body. Reactions can also be different for different people, even to the same allergen. Here are some of the more severe reactions:
? Anaphylaxis. This is a combination of allergic symptoms that is rapid, sudden & potentially life-threatening, which requires immediate emergency medical attention.
? Shock. Is another sign of anaphylaxis. Shock is caused by the sudden dilation/widening of the blood vessels, which is caused by the action of the substances released to counter the shock reaction. A drastic drop in blood pressure, too far, can lead to unconsciousness, cardiac arrest & death.
With shock there is a collapse of the circulation, the blood pressure drops too low, & therefore cannot maintain adequate supply of blood to the tissues. The skin becomes cold, clammy, the pulse is weak & rapid, breathing is irregular, the mouth becomes dry & the pupils of the eyes dilate. Here are some specific symptoms of an allergic reaction:
? When the lungs are affected, there is wheezing, tightness & congestion in the chest, shortness of breath & coughing.
? The eyes are bloodshot red, itchy, swollen & watering.
? There is nasal congestion, a clear thin runny discharge & sneezing.
? The face swells, so can the eyelids, lips, tongue or throat & the person may experience headaches.
? Hives/rashes appear on the skin, with itching, dermatitis, redness, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting & skin eruptions.
? The stomach cramps, there is diarrhoea or constipation, especially after eating certain foods, also nausea & vomiting.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can be divided into three categories e.g. Common, Moderate or Severe.
? The Common symptoms are hives, itching, nasal congestion, rashes and red watery eyes.
? Moderate symptoms are abdominal cramping and pain, chest discomfort or tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, light-headedness, a feeling of anxiety, redness of the face, nausea, vomiting, weakness, wheezing, difficulty swallowing and diarrhoea.
? The most severe symptoms include swelling of the face/lips/eyes/tongue, unconsciousness, shock, mental confusion, which are all signs of an anaphylaxis.
Here are some triggers of specific reactions:
? Beer, tea, avocados, bananas, cheeses, chick pea, chocolate, corn, egg, fish, milk, oats and orange to name a few. Also foods preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners, flavour enhancers. Such medications as ACE-inhibitors, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, insulin, iodine, paracetamol, penicillin and dichlorophen can trigger abdominal pain & swelling.
? Animal dander, dust mites, histamine, infections, insect stings, latex, moulds, pollen, sanitary products, stress, chemicals, cosmetics e.g. deodorants, eye liner, eye shadow, powder and foundations can cause swelling of the throat.
? Blisters can come from sanitary products, perfumes, shampoos, shaving and skin care products, soaps, sun creams and the medication sulphonamides.
? Bloating can be triggered by cheese/lactose intolerance, dairy products and wheat.
? Sinusitis and breathing difficulty triggered by airborne particles, pollen, animal material, artificial fibres, colds, dust mites, emotional upset/excitement, exercise, flu, house dust mite, insect stings/bites, strong smells and formaldehyde. Medications such as ACE inhibitors, amoxicillin, antibiotics, beta-blockers; cephalosporin; ibuprofen. Solvents such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and esters.
? In the case of colitis, milk, papaya. soya, strawberries, food emulsifiers, stabilisers and thickeners.
Here’s how you can reduce or prevent an allergic reaction:
? Bedding harbours as much as 1-2 million dust mites per mattress. Skin and hair shed while sleeping, sweat and body heat provide food for dust mites. Changing old mattresses or using a dust proof mattress cover. Clean the mattress regularly with hot, soapy water and wash all bedding at temperatures greater than 60 degrees. Change bedding at least once per week. In the morning, leave the bed open for as long as possible, so that it dries & cools quickly. Mites do not like cold and/or dry.
? If you vacuum use a bag-less vacuum cleaner. Remove old mats and carpets, they too harbour dust mites. Sealed wooden floors reduce exposure to both dust and dust mites. Spraying or sprinkling the floors before sweeping or vacuuming prevents dust particles becoming airborne, so that you are not inhaling the airborne particles.
? Wash furniture covers and curtains as often as possible in temperatures greater than 60 degrees. Vertical blinds are better than the horizontal slatted type, which harbour dust on the slats. Use either polish or water when dusting to capture the dust. Clean toys frequently or put them in the freezer at least once a week. This kill mites.
? Curtains or covers that cannot be washed, they too can be put in the freezer to kill mites.
? Humidity in the home is another dust mite harbouring environment and can spell trouble for the allergy sufferer.
? Houses with double glazing and unkempt air-conditioning units can create problems in the home. Old houses may have rising damp, penetrating damp from blocked guttering and down pipes. The house should be adequately ventilated but be mindful also of pollen. Keep bathrooms and kitchens humidity free by keeping windows open, bathroom and kitchen doors closed as well as doors to other rooms when bathing or cooking.
Here is what you can do in the event of an allergic attack. You might want to keep on hand certain first aids such as:
? Adrenaline or an adrenaline pen for use in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. Adrenaline opens up constricted blood vessels in the skin and intestines in a matter of minutes, lasting up to four hours. This will give you ample time to get to an emergency room.
? Anticholinergic medications used for wheezing in asthma. These medications block the action Acetylcholine, a brain chemical. The action anticholinergic medications can take anywhere from 1-1 & 1/2 hours to work and last as much as 6 hours.
? Antihistamines capsules or the liquid form, an over-the-counter prescription, can be taken in case of emergency. These medications are used to treat conjunctivitis, anaphylactic shock, asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, skin conditions, stings and urticaria. The newer antihistamines are effective and work within an hour, lasting as much as 5-7 hours.
To contact Dr. Stan Horne:
1-264-582-7045
1-784-531-1150
Email: naturopathyplus@yahoo.co.uk
