What are Environmental Allergies?
Most allergies appear to have a genetic component. Allergies commonly run in families and relatives are likely to share the same allergies. Exposure to common antigens when young seem to also play a role in the development of allergies. Another pattern that has recently emerged regarding allergies is that they are more prevalent in industrialized parts of the world.
Different Types of Allergies
Many different foods can cause allergic reactions in people. Most all food allergies are caused by products made from milk, milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts and shellfish. Shellfish allergies are the most common while peanut allergies are infamous for being the most severe. Interestingly, peanut allergies are often "outgrown" and are more common in children, but as they age the allergy dissipates. Milk allergies are not the same as lactose intolerance. The latter is the result of a missing enzyme and is not an autoimmune response.
Latex can result in a wide variety of allergic reactions. It can cause a reaction on the skin, a respiratory reaction or what is known as a systemic reaction. The most common reaction is caused by contact with latex, which results in contact dermatitis. Those with latex allergies also often have contact reactions to avocados, bananas and kiwifruit.
Poison ivy, poison sumac and similar plants also cause allergic skin reactions. Most people react to these plants not because of the plants themselves, but because most people are actually allergic to a protein present on their leaves. Hives are another common skin reaction associated with things like bee stings and with some food allergies as well. Eczema is another allergic skin reaction.
Environmental allergies are seasonal allergies such as hay fever as well as allergies to dust, mold, mildew and pet dander. They result in the stuffy nose, increased mucus production, sneezing and itchy red eyes and that can be mild to severe. Severity often depends upon exposure to the allergen. The reaction is the body attempting to remove the allergen from its system because it views it as a threat.
Allergy Treatments and Remedies
Allergies change throughout one's life. This is the result of shifts in the body's chemistry with age. This is why peanut allergies as well as other allergies sometimes dissipate and why some people develop allergies later in life. There are no medical cures for allergies, but there are ways to deal with the symptoms.
Environmental allergies are often treated with medications that alleviate the congestion associated with them. There are creams and ointments for skin reactions. Other allergies like food allergies are prevented by not consuming certain food products to avoid reactions. When a reaction occurs, there are then treatments to stop it from becoming severe and life threatening.
The key to effectively treating any allergy is to ascertain the true root cause. Treating the allergy at its root using natural methods lasts longer and works better than many of today's medications that only work on symptoms of the reaction. Prescription as well as over the counter medications, reduce symptoms after they have started and minimize them if they are unavoidable.
A great environmental allergy remedy, for example, is a natural treatment plan using Nutrition Response Testing. This technique looks at more than just the symptoms and does more than just working to relieve your congestion and irritated eyes. Such programs are very individualized, so they work for your specific allergies and their severity.
Dr. Donna Sergi,Brooklyn Chiropractor
Chiropractor-in-Brooklyn.com
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