What Does It Mean ‘To Have An Allergy’?

To have an allergy’ is to have an increased sensitivity to certain things. Take for example, dust. Every day there is large amounts of dust in the air we breathe. If you suffer from an ‘allergy to dust’, the more the dust in the air the worse your allergy will be.

But the people sitting next to you who are not allergic will wonder why you are sneezing or rubbing your eyes. They too are breathing the same amount of dust as you, but it has no effect on them. The reason is of course that you are more sensitive to dust than they are.

The Immune System’s role

The immune system is the body’s defence against infectious organisms and is an integral part of human protection against diseases. Sometimes the immune system overreacts on exposure to allergens in the environment and causes harmful reactions.This immune response can cause varied…

To have an allergy’ is to have an increased sensitivity to certain things. Take for example, dust. Every day there is large amounts of dust in the air we breathe. If you suffer from an ‘allergy to dust’, the more the dust in the air the worse your allergy will be.

But the people sitting next to you who are not allergic will wonder why you are sneezing or rubbing your eyes. They too are breathing the same amount of dust as you, but it has no effect on them. The reason is of course that you are more sensitive to dust than they are.

The Immune System’s role
The immune system is the body’s defence against infectious organisms and is an integral part of human protection against diseases. Sometimes the immune system overreacts on exposure to allergens in the environment and causes harmful reactions.This immune response can cause varied symptoms, and sometimes even a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

What is Atopy?

Atopy is a hereditary condition in which the body produce excessive quantities of IgE antibodies and higher than normal numbers of eosinophils. A child who’s both parents are allergic have more than 70% risk of developing allergies in early childhood.

Atopic children develop sensitisation to one or more common allergens, and develop immediate-hypersensitivity-reactions against inhaled allergens and food allergens.
These children are more susceptible to allergies like asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis (hay fever), and conjunctivitis.

• Allergic Rhinitis is the most common of all childhood allergies. It causes runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, itchy ears, sneezing, blocked nose, watery -red eyes and ear problems. These allergies can highlight at a particular time of the year or be present year-round.
• Asthma: When the lungs get oversensitive to certain allergens the breathing tube in the lungs become narrowed and swollen. This reduces the airflow and makes it difficult for the child to breathe and includes symptoms like wheezing, coughing and chest tightness.
• Sinusitis: Sinusitis means your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain and infection.Recurrent allergic symptoms in children leads to decreased quality of life, decreased appetite, reduction in body weight, poor concentration and increased missed school days. Allergies can also lead to ear infections resulting in decreased hearing.

Can allergies be prevented?

Yes! Some simple things you can do to prevent allergies are:

• Dustproof your home
• Vacuum often
• Avoid pets with fur and feathers
• Avoid moist areas at home
• Reduce the number of house plants
• Add special HEPA air filters to air conditioners
• Avoid exposure to air pollution and tobacco smoke
• Early exposure to good probiotic bacteria in the infant diet
• Consume plenty of vitamins C, E, and omega-3 polyunsaturated oils

What treatments are available to treat allergies?

Conventional treatment is aimed to ease the symptoms. They can include over-the-counter or prescription medications .For severe allergies injections of purified allergen extracts (immunotherapy) are used over a period of few years. Side effects of the conventional treatment vary from person to person.

A permanent respite!

Homeopathic treatment utilizes small doses of medicinal substances in order to prevent and treat the hypersensitive state. The medication reduces the hypersensitivity to the allergens by restoring body’s immune system. Homeopathy permanently re-programs the immune system from atopy.
Several randomized and clinical studies have shown that Homeopathy is an extremely effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma and sinusitis without any adverse effects.