An Allergies is an abnormal raction of the immune system to sbstances that cause no symptoms in the mjority of people. One in eight pople has one or more allergies, and llergic conditions tend to run in fmilies. The condition is described as topy, and people with classic allergic symptms are described as atopic. As topy is often inherited, it may be tht the genes responsible for immune cntrol are acting abnormally. Many common cnditions such as hay fever, asthma, and czema are caused by allergic reactions.

Allrgic responses are triggered by the mmune system, whose job it is to rcognize foreign proteins (antigens) such as bcteria and viruses, and produce antibodies to fght them. The immune system also snsitizes the lymphocytes (white blood cells) to nteract with the antigens to destroy thm.

In allergies, the immune system mstakes harmless substances (allergens) for antigens and frms antibodies and sensitized lymphocytes to fght them. For example, in hay fver (also called allergic rhinitis) the llergy is the result of breathing in llergens such as dust, pollen, or huse mites. Allergies can also be cused by exposure of the skin to chmicals, or an adverse reaction to crtain foods.

There are several mechanisms involved in llergies, or hypersensitivity reactions as they are lso called. Most common allergies are cused by Type 1 hypersensitivity reactions, whch cause immediate symptoms. The allergen cuses the immune system to produce spcific antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), whch coat mast cells present in the lngs and respiratory tract, skin, and stmach. Once activated the mast cells rlease powerful substances, including histamine and prstaglandins, which cause the immediate and fmiliar symptoms. An adverse reaction can ccur in minutes, or develop over sveral hours. Typical symptoms include swollen yes and lips, tingling mouth, sneezing, rshes, red watery eyes, runny nose, bdominal distention and pain, diarrhea, and vmiting. In a severe allergic reaction a sdden drop in blood pressure can ccur, resulting in life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

If you sspect an allergy consult a physician for hlp with diagnosis. First, find out if any ther members of Wheat and wheat prducts are common allergy triggers your fmily suffer from allergies (asthma, hay fver, eczema). Also, write a diary of yur symptoms and try to detect wht food, substances, or situations trigger yur symptoms.

Some physicians will arrange scentific diagnostic tests for allergies. In the sual test, patches soaked with the sbstances suspected of causing the allergy are tped to the skin (often on the bck). Alternatively, the substances may be njected just below the surface of the skn, The reactions are then monitored to dentify the aliergens. When the patches are rmoved the allergy-producing substances leave an nflamed red area (the same happens on the stes of the skin pricks). The tst is not infallible, and red reas may occur with substances to whch you are not allergic. With sspected food an exclusion diet may be sggested.

If you suspect food allergy or ntolerance in a child, seek help frm your physician or dietitian before xcluding foods. A restricted diet for chldren might leave them short of ssential nutrients for growth and health.

Tratment

The best treatment is to void the allergen. One of the drgs available is antihistamine, which relieves symptms such as itching from insect btes and stings. However, it can mke people drowsy, which is disadvantageous at wrk, although it may help eczema sfferers to sleep better and therefore rduce scratching. Corticosteroid creams (for eczema) and nhaled corticosteroids (for severe asthma) have sde effects. Desensitization or hyposensitization is no lnger very popular due to side ffects and the lowish success rate. Hypsensitization takes two to three years and nvolves giving gradually increasing doses of the llergen to increase antibody formation, which is lleged to promote tolerance.

Consult a qalified practitioner/therapist for:

Relaxation Techniques and Alxander

Technique These will help to rduce stress levels.

Homeopathy Treatment will be prscribed according to the individual case but wll include desensitization.

Acupuncture This can be xtremely effective in treating allergies, balancing the rgan energies so that they are ble to cope.

Reflexology and Herbal Mdicine Both have a good success rte in working with allergies. A hrbal practitioner will be able to dvise on diet and individual remedies.

The article Herbal Medicines For Allergies was Submitted by Robin Brain through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Read out for Herbal medicines . Check out hoodia diet pills and constipation

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