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Definition
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Allergies are exaggerated response of the immune system
that occurs in response to harmless substances called allergins.
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Allergins may be eaten(food, drugs), inhaled (dust, smoke, pollen, fungi), or brought in contact withthe skin (textiles, dyes, furs, cosmetics).
Physical allergy is a form caused by such physical agents as sunlight,strong currents of air, sudden changes in temperature, and high or low
humidity.
Allergy itself is not inherited, but a tendency to have allergies seemsto run in families. One member of a family may have hay fever or asthma, a
brother or sister may have hives, and the parents may have these or different
allergies as pollen, animal fur and dander, certain food, house
dust, mold spores, cigarette smoke and insects bites.
The cause of allergy was discovered about one hundred years ago when it
was noticed that hay fever occurs at the same time of year that grasses produce
pollen. Ragweed pollen is one of the main causes of allergy in theUnited States.
The worst time of the year for those who suffer from hay fever is from August
15 to September 15, when the air is filled with ragweed pollen. Allergy is so
important today that the pollen count is often a part of the weather report.
There are
two main types of allergic reactions:
immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which occur within minutes of contact
with allergen, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions which occur hours to days
after exposure.
Causes & Symptoms
Allergic
reactions are caused by a wide range of substances and conditions such as:.
- Dust
- Cosmetics
- Cigarette
smoke
- Animal hair
- Physical
agents such as heat, cold and sunlight
- Food such as
peanuts, chocolates, tomatoes, strawberries, fish, mollusks, and shellfish,
eggs, wheat and milk
- Insects
bites as bees, fleas, wasps and scabies.
- Vaccines
- Drugs
Most allergy
symptoms include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Itchy throat,
nose, eyes, and ears
- Watery eyes
- Asthma
- Skin reactions and rashes
- Runny or stuffy
nose
- Tightness in
chest
- Sneezing,
coughing
- Migraines or headaches
- Fever
Nature medicine and home remedies for allergies
Home Remedy for Allergies # 1 For eye irritants, make a herbal eyewash from a mixture of goldenseal, bayberry and red raspberry.
Home Remedy for Allergies # 2 Make some homemade fresh lemonade and add a pinch of
cayenne pepper. The lemonade contents vitamin C which
may prevent allergy symptoms.
Home Remedy for Allergies # 3 Mix five drops of castor oil in a cup of water taken on an empty stomach in themorning.
Natural Cures Recommendations
Identify the allergic disturbances. Once the sources are discovered, they should beavoided. You can determine which allergens (in the case of food allergy) are causing the
reactions by withdrawal the food a couple
weeks and after eat a small portion
of the food again.
Wash all linens, bedding, and pillows frequently and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil
Avoid dry clothes outdoors, becausepollen and other potential allergens are likely to cling to them.
Use an allergenic pillowcase covers.
Use a humidifier to help keep the dust particles, if you areallergic of dust and live in a dry climate.
Avoid all processed foods and be especially vigilant in your selection of meatproducts. Some are exposed to high
levels of pesticides, antibiotics and steroids.
Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables.Pollen
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