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By Dr Cornelia Botha
The topic of allergies (also referred to as atopy) is so vast one would never be able to cover all aspects in one instalment. Allergic reactions are continually being researched and the knowledge gained is constantly evolving. In addition to this, the actual types of allergic reactions are evolving, making scientists and doctors scratch their heads even more.
Allergies are not only about the common seasonal allergies to pollens or allergies to animal dander. There are many different types of allergies that are caused by different mechanisms in the body. Some of the mechanisms and causes are still unknown to medical scientists.
Essentially, an allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person's immune system against a normally harmless substance, which causes allergy symptoms. In the case of seasonal reactions to pollens the characteristic reaction includes itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, sinusitis, running or blocked nose and / or difficulty breathing. The so-called seasonal allergies (hay fever etc) are rarely only seasonal nowadays. A lot, if not most, people experience these symptoms for most of the year.
Some people have severe reactions to food (e.g. peanuts and shell fish) that can result in a severe case of angioedema (swelling of the eyelids and/or lips) or an unanticipated visit to the emergency room due to anaphylactic shock. Other people have milder reactions to food, but the symptoms are still very uncomfortable – skin rashes (including hives and eczema), itching, difficulty breathing (including asthma), sinusitis, headaches, digestive complaints etc. The milder symptoms are often more chronic (longstanding) and the person is usually unaware that their symptoms are being trigger by food.
Environment versus genes:
Research has confirmed that allergic diseases result from the interaction between our genetic make-up and environmental factors. Allergic diseases are more common in industrialized countries than in countries that are more traditional or agricultural, and there is a higher rate of allergic disease in urban populations versus rural populations, although these differences are becoming less defined. The factors that fall under environment are many –exposure to air pollution, drugs and other chemicals, changing dietary habits etc. A number of research studies have confirmed the link between these factors and allergic diseases, including asthma.
Cross-reactivity between allergies
Cross-reactivity between various allergens is well documented and plentiful. It is not uncommon for what appears to be a severe food allergy to have its origin in an insect bite. I have a patient that reported being unable to eat most foods because these would cause a terribly itchy rash. He had not had this problem prior to a spider bite many years before. I simply used a homeopathic desensitization treatment on him and he is now able to eat anything he wants to.
The role of chemicals in allergies
Something I’m seeing a lot more of in my practice is severe allergies that do not respond to any of the usual drug treatments, including anti-histamines and cortisone. I have even started getting medical practitioners referring some of their patients and family members to me because all the best drug treatments have produced little or no results.
These situations always raise my suspicion to the role of chemical triggers. Many of the people that come to me with the most severe allergic reactions never experienced any type of allergy in their lives prior to having undergone surgery (exposure to anesthetic) or prior to having received some kind of drug treatment (even simple drugs like aspirin and the contraceptive pill). Although drug hypersensitivity reactions are nothing new to medical doctors, these cases are different in that people are not recovering after removal of the drug or chemical. [Allergic reactions after surgery could also be due to receiving a blood transfusion.]
Drugs are not the only chemicals that can cause severe reactions. Other chemicals include additives used in food and drinks, dyes, industrial chemicals, cosmetics, heavy metals etc. I have witnessed cases of skin rashes that responded only to chelating (therapeutically removing) the heavy metals (e.g. arsenic) that was detected in the patient’s urine. If you still have amalgam fillings, these may be contributing to your allergy symptoms or could precipitate an allergic reaction despite the fact that you’ve never suffered from allergies before.
Phthalates, pesticides, and bisphenol-A (BPA) are three groups of chemicals we encounter virtually daily and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergies. Recent evidence suggests that prenatal and early postnatal exposure to BPA (a type of petrochemical used to make plastic) may have a deleterious effect on the developing immune system.
Vaccinations
Allergic reactions from the mild to life-threatening have been documented in connection with vaccinations, both in infants and adults. It has even been discovered that vaccinations given to infants in the first few months of life can trigger atopy / allergic tendency. With regards adults, if you develop some kind of allergy reaction around the time you have done international travel, consider the impact of the required vaccinations. Alternatively your reaction may be due to parasite you may have picked up during your travels. Reactions due to vaccination require special treatment. Antihistamines and cortisone rarely have lasting effects and I find that homeopathic desensitization treatment works well.
Allergies and detoxification
In the case of chemical reactions, including drug hypersensitivity reactions, one of the mechanisms cited in the research is insufficient detoxification capability. This may be due to failure of previously adequate detoxification mechanisms or due to genetic detoxification weakness that eventually decompensate. Even asthma has been associated with inadequate detoxification.
A superficial approach to detoxification with any and every natural product is ill-advised, particularly in cases of severe allergy. Different herbs and supplements known for their ability to detoxify target distinct enzyme systems and using the incorrect product could make the allergic reaction worse. In the case of genetic polymorphisms using the incorrect product could have severe consequences. The knowledge being gathered regarding the influence of natural products on specific detoxification enzymatic systems in the body is growing at a rather slow pace. I would only recommend embarking on a “detox” when suffering from a severe allergic disease under the guidance and supervision of a knowledgeable, experienced practitioner.
Antioxidant systems
The body’s natural antioxidant regulation is connected with detoxification - for example the all important glutathione cycle. Abnormalities or inadequacies in this antioxidant / detoxification system results in various allergic diseases developing or getting worse (in addition to other consequences). Taking glutathione as an oral supplement won’t offer much assistance due to the fact that it is so poorly absorbed via the gut. Foods and supplements that help increase glutathione and / or its related enzymes are of more benefit. Examples include N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and a number of herbs. One should take note, however, that some people are allergic to some of the herbs and supplements that are indicated to increase glutathione. Also, sometimes the problem is not with the availability of glutathione, but one of the glutathione enzymes. A more targeted approach is need in such cases.
Whatever the case may be, research has proven that people with various allergic disease benefit from diets high in all kinds of anti-oxidants. In fact, allergic diseases are less prevalent and / or less severe in countries where fresh fruits and vegetables (rich sources of anti-oxidants) are consumed in large amounts.
Gut Connection
An altered population of gut bacteria has been associated with atopic diseases. Research suggests that allergies may coincide with the delayed establishment of gut flora in infants. Interestingly, studies have confirmed that giving the appropriate probiotic supplement to expectant mothers during pregnancy and then for the first 6 months of the infant’s life can half the incidence of allergy in at-risk infants. I only recommend probiotics derived from live (not freeze dried) bacteria that are from human strains, since these colonize better in the gut.
Gut inflammation caused by other factors can also cause allergies or worsening of allergies. Chronic gut inflammation can be caused by diverse mechanisms – from bacterial or viral gastroenteritis to regular consumption of vinegar.
Another aspect that should be taken note of is the role that “histamine foods” play in aggravating allergic diseases. Histamine foods are basically foods that trigger the release of histamine and in turn produces or aggravates allergic reactions. Lists of histamine foods are easy to find in a google search. Connection between allergies and infections
The connection between various types of organisms and allergic diseases is well established. Various bacteria, viruses, intestinal parasites and fungi (including Candida) are implicated in allergic diseases. The bacteria that is associated with gastric ulcers (H. pylori) has been associated with some cases of urticaria, even where a rash cannot be seen.
Stress and allergy
Accumulating evidence suggests that the 'epidemic' increase of childhood allergy may be associated with stress.Researchers are now finding that certain allergic disorders like hay fever, eczema and asthma are regulated, in part, by hormones (e.g., cortisol) and brain chemicals (e.g., adrenalin) released into the bloodstream in response to stress. These in turn, can influence other systems in the body such as the immune system.
Studies have shown that psychological and physical stress may disrupt the normal balance of intestinal bacteria and this imbalance may contribute to later disease. These same researchers also demonstrated that this influence may begin even before birth when their mothers were deliberately exposed by the scientists to the stress of loud noises.
Studies have demonstrated that psychological interventions and the relaxation response may influence the expression of allergic disorders through effects on circulating cortisol levels or the immune response. Combining stress reduction techniques with more standard medical regimens typically prescribed for allergic disorders should be encouraged.
Investigations
Each case should be approach with the greatest care and thorough investigation. Your allergic disease may be influenced by a combination of several aforementioned factors. All allergic diseases should be thoroughly investigated with various blood tests, including in some cases genetic testing and tests that assess one’s anti-oxidant / detoxification status. When I test my patients I do not restrict my testing to the IgE type responses. I always look at IgG delayed type responses too. This type of testing is rarely done by general practitioners. I do not use machines to test for allergies, since I find laboratory testing more reliable. I also screen patients for Candida and h pylori infections since the often contribute to the allergic disease.
Treatments:
Fortunately there are many different natural and complementary treatments available for allergic diseases from asthma to eczema, hay fever to hives and everything in between. Each individual is assessed and the correct and safest combination of homeopathic remedies, western and Chinese herbs, detoxification plans, antioxidants and other supplements should be prescribed. Dietary and other lifestyle changes should also be advised.
The desensitization treatment I referred to earlier in this article involves collecting a sample of the patient’s blood and sending it off to a lab that produces an injectable homeopathic medicine that desensitizes the person. The medicine is completely individualized; no-one else can use it. If eradication of Candida, h pylori and / or parasites is required this is done with herbs.
Conclusion
A simplistic approach to allergies such as employing anti-histamine drugs or even antihistamine herbs seldom produces the results they did in the past. I hope that this article has created awareness of the many complex factors that contribute to allergic diseases. And that it gives hope to people that there are still other options to overcome allergies.
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