An allergy or an allergic reaction is an abnormal immune system response to certain stimuli, like food ingredients or dust. Our immune system normally functions to protect the body against infections and any other threats, but under certain circumstances our immune system can malfunction. Individuals who suffer from allergies have certain abnormalities in their immune system response, causing it to mistakenly react to certain substances as if they were harmful to you. This defensive reaction that is triggered by exposure is known as an allergic reaction, and the substance that triggers the immune response is known as an allergen. There are various allergens that could produce such reactions and they could include certain ingredients in your diet, dust or smoke, pollen, chemicals in certain drugs or certain resins, oils and cosmetics. Before turning to any natural allergy remedies it should be kept in mind that the most important step would be to eliminate or minimize any exposure to the allergen before attempting to use any home remedies for an allergic reaction.So How Exactly do Allergies Work? Our immune system produces IgE antibodies to protect against any foreign invading organism, whether a bacteria or virus, and it responds in the same manner to an allergen. When you have an allergy, it basically means that your immune system recognizes the allergen as a threat, even though it isn’t, and it reacts accordingly. Under normal circumstances this would help protect you against a potential infection. The antibodies thus produced, cause certain cells to release histamine into the blood stream. Histamine then travels through the blood stream and can cause reactions that are observable as allergic reaction symptoms in various parts of the body such as on the eyes, the nasal or respiratory passages, on the skin and even in the gastrointestinal tract.
Although this may explain how an allergy works, it doesn’t really explain the effects of an allergic reaction. The word 'allergy' means an altered or abnormal tissue reaction after exposure to an antigen (also called an 'allergen'). The allergic reaction occurs if the body tissues are sensitive to the allergen. The allergen may reach the tissues by direct contact with the skin or various mucous membranes of the organs or through the bloodstream after absorption. Almost any part of the body can be affected by allergies.
There are a wide range of substances and even weather conditions that can cause an allergic reaction. Some of the most common substances that cause allergies are dust, pollen, animal hair, and cosmetics. Poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison oak can also cause severe allergic reactions. Serums, drugs, and vaccines can also cause an allergic reaction. Extreme weather conditions, especially extreme heat or cold, are also known to trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Food allergies are among the most common of all types of allergies and some of the triggers for a food allergy include milk, seafood, peanuts, strawberries, and chocolates. Oranges, eggs, and tomatoes are some of the other foods that can also cause allergic reactions.
An allergic reaction is not an uncommon condition and almost all of us either suffer from some allergy or the other, or know of family members or friends who suffer from an allergy. As varied as allergens are, are the reactions they produce and the severity of allergic reactions. An allergic reaction to the same allergen will also vary among different individuals, and while one individual may simply suffer from non threatening symptoms like hives or mild skin inflammation, another individual could suffer anaphylaxis, a life threatening emergency. While there may be no definitive or guaranteed cure for allergies, there are many treatments and methods of therapy that are believed to help increase an individual’s tolerance of allergens, thereby reducing the risks of and the severity of an allergic reaction.
Types of Allergies
Respiratory Allergies: Spring allergies with sore throats or other seasonal allergy symptoms are generally caused by airborne allergens in the environment like pollen. The process of pollination is naturally seasonal, which is why allergies of this nature are referred to as seasonal allergies. While pollen may the biggest cause of respiratory allergies in some parts, dander from animals, certain moulds and dust mites also act as allergens that are often responsible for allergic reactions that could involve sneezing, coughing, watering of the eyes and nose, or more severe asthma like symptoms.
Insect Bite or Sting Allergies: Allergic reactions to insect bites and stings are also not uncommon and this is particularly problematic during the summer months when most of us spend a lot of time in the outdoors. Insect sting allergies can produce very severe reactions in some individuals and the symptoms could vary from exhaustion, local swelling, dizziness, hypo tension, and in severe cases anaphylaxis. When considering allergic reactions of this nature, wasps and bees pose the biggest threat.
Food Allergies: Food allergies are among the most common of all allergies and the reactions to food allergens could vary greatly, with some individuals experiencing severe diarrhea or flatulence, while others may experience eczema and skin rashes or swelling of the throat and hypo tension. In severe cases the condition can even be life threatening with anaphylaxis. The most common food allergies are caused by exposure to peanuts, milk, egg proteins and various types of sea food. Seafood allergies are the most common type of food allergy and affect almost 2% people in the general population. The incidence of cases of seafood allergies is higher in countries like Spain, Japan and Scandinavian countries where seafood is a major part of their daily diet.
Contact Allergies: Contact allergies or contact dermatitis can be caused by exposure involving direct contact with certain substances that could act as an allergen like some metals, fragrances, or latex. Nickel allergy is probably the most common type of contact allergy. Symptoms of allergies caused by direct skin contact could include itching, inflammation and burning, or the formation of blisters on the affected area.
Symptoms of Allergies
Recurring Headaches, Hay Fever, Vomiting etc
Allergic symptoms are manifested in various forms in different organs. These include recurring headaches, migraines, dizziness, irritability, nervousness, depression, neuralgia, conjunctivitis, eczema, hay fever, a stuffy or runny nose, diarrhoea, vomiting, urticaria, asthma, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face and eyes. The same substance can cause different symptoms in different people at different times.While most allergic reactions are mild and non-threatening, like a runny nose, some symptoms can be a lot more severe as would be the case in an asthma attack caused by an airborne allergen. While the symptoms of allergies usually are connected to and influenced by the type of allergy responsible this is not always necessarily the case and some types of allergies also produce multiple symptoms. For example, one would typically expect an allergen that is consumed (a food allergen) to cause symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, but it could also cause hives, difficulty breathing and various other symptoms.
In some cases the allergic reaction can turn very severe and the symptoms caused by such a severe reaction are referred to as anaphylaxis. In such a scenario the individual not only experiences difficulty breathing and swallowing, but there is also severe inflammation of the lips, tongue and various other parts of the body and the individual may even experience a loss of consciousness.
Source: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Allergies.html