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Information about Allergy

What is Allergy?

Allergy, also called hypersensitivity, is a symptom of an over-sensitive or abnormal immune response to allergens - substances, often proteins, that cause an allergic reaction. These allergens are usually harmless, naturally occurring proteins and for many people they don't cause problems. For others, however, they are mistakenly considered foreign invaders by the immune system.

In the UK, 15% of people suffer from allergies and every year the incidence of allergies is increasing by five percent. Allergies can develop at any age but children are most affected by the condition.

What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?

We all have an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that protects us against foreign substances that enter our body; however, in people with a predisposition to allergies, IgE numbers are drastically increased when an allergen (even if it is harmless) enters the body. IgE antibodies rush to mast cells - cells containing histamine that are involved in protecting us against germs and wound healing - located mostly in the eyes, nose, lungs and the digestive tract. IgE antibodies, now sensitised to a particular allergen, wait in mast cells until that allergen comes along. When that allergen does enter the body, IgE attacks it, which activates mast cells to release histamine, resulting in an inflammatory response. This release of histamine is what produces the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Specific types of IgE are designed to capture specific types of allergens, which is why a person may only be allergic to one particular thing, such as pollen from a specific tree. People who have more types of IgE may be allergic to many things.

When a person is continuously being exposed to allergens, more inflammatory chemical mediators, such as cytokines and leukotrienes in addition to histamine, are produced leading to chronic inflammation.

The most common allergens include: tree and grass pollen, house dust mites, dog and cat dander, insect stings, mould spores and industrial and household chemicals.

Types of Allergies

1. Hay Fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)
2. Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis
4. Hives (urticaria)
5. Anaphylaxis - a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to substances, such as medications, food and insect stings

Allergy Symptoms

There are many different allergy symptoms and these depend on the type of allergy one has. Below are the various types of allergies and their most common symptoms:

Hay Fever

• Sneezing
• Congested or runny nose
• Itchy, watery and swollen eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Headache
• Facial pain (if sinuses are blocked)

Eczema

• Itchy, red and inflamed skin
• Peeling or flaky skin

Allergic conjunctivitis

• Sore, burning feeling in the eye
• Itchiness in the eye
• Red eye
• Watery eye or discharge
• Mild sensitivity to light

Hives

• Pink, red or white raised patches or swellings (weals) on skin that are surrounded by a red spot. These often appear on the face and trunk
• Itchy weals
• Weals ultimately flatten our but may return either in the same place or on a different part of skin

Anaphylaxis

• Swelling throughout the body including the airways, lips, hands and feet
• Feeling of warmth, tingling or a metallic taste in the mouth
• Skin rash
• Rapid, weak heart rate
• Light-headedness
• Shortness of breath (wheezing)
• Rash
• Feeling of anxiety
• Drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Untreated might be fatal

What Causes Allergy?

Allergies are caused by an over-sensitive immune system that mistakenly identifies generally harmless substances as harmful invaders and attacks them. It is not known why some people develop over-sensitive immune systems but the following factors seem to play a role:

• Hereditary Predisposition: There is a strong genetic link in the development of allergies. Parents with allergies have a higher risk of having children with allergies. Predisposition to an allergy is called atopy
• Age: Allergies are more likely to develop during childhood and tend to get better or disappear in adulthood
• Asthma: People with asthma are at an increased risk of developing an allergy
• Environmental Factors: Increasing global pollution, exposure to industrial and household chemicals and growing up in a house with smokers increases the risk of a child developing an allergy
• Medications: There appears to be a link between the use of antibiotics in childhood and developing allergies

How is allergy diagnosed?

• Family history and physical examination
• Skin prick test to identify potential allergens
• A blood test called a radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST) measures the amount of IgE antibody in the blood and the immune system's response to specific allergens
• A skin patch test can be performed to identify allergens causing eczema

Allergy Treatments

Conventional Allergy Treatments

If allergens have been identified, avoiding them is vital; however, some types of allergies, such as hay fever, may be impossible to avoid altogether. The following are some conventional allergy treatments:

• Antihistamines: These block the effects of histamine and come in tablet, cream or liquid form and are taken by mouth, as nasal sprays or eye drops. Side effects associated with antihistamines include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, confusion and light-headedness. Antihistamines do not treat the cause of allergy, just the symptoms
• Corticosteroids: These normally come in the form of nasal sprays. Side effects include oosteoporosis, congestive heart failure, oedema, reduced glucose tolerance, infections, cataracts, hypertension, depression, diabetes, myopathy and many more
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots): This involves injections of the allergen in small quantities that is gradually increased over several years. Immunotherapy is generally used for severe allergies or if other treatments have failed. The goal is to get your body to produce antibodies that will prevent or diminish future allergic reactions. Serious side effects are not common but include rash, swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness and a drop in blood pressure
• Epinephrine: Severe allergic reaction to food, medications and insect stings can cause anaphylaxis. In these cases, an emergency shot of epinephrine is given

Natural alternatives for allergy

• Nutritional Supplements: Several double-blind scientific studies have shown that supplements containing grape seed extract (resveratrol), quercetin, citrus bioflavonoids in addition to vitamins and minerals are effective at normalising the immune response, reducing allergy symptoms and associated inflammation. Grape seed seems to normalise the immune reaction by treating not only the symptoms but even the cause. The exact mechanism of action is unknown
• Acupuncture: According to a World Health Organization (WHO) consensus report, medical acupuncture in relevant trigger points can reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms. The exact mechanism of action is unknown

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