Allergies - Food, Chemical and Hay Fever

Where to begin. The topic of allergies is a massive one and it includes many different aspects. What I will try to do here is discuss some of the differences beginning with what an allergy is and how is it different from a sensitivity.
Allergies in their true sense are characterized by a response of the bodies immune system. This is different from a sensitivity which does not elicit a response from the immune system but the term is frequently interchanged.

Allergies are classified in to the following categories of hypersensitivity:

• Type 1 hypersensitivity: This is an immediate reaction and is frequently referred to as anaphylactic. Symptoms can be mild to fatal and frequently occur within 15min to 10hrs.
• Type 2 hypersensitivity: Also known as cytotoxic (cell death) hypersensitivity, this is a reaction that is usually from something inside the body rather than an external source and can cause damage to whole types of tisssue. It should be noted that there is published literature suggesting that a very small molecule called a hapten (poison ivy and others) can trigger this process resulting in autoimmunity (multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, etc.)
• Type 3 hypersensitivity: Frequently referred to as immune complex hypersensitivity. This reaction occurs in 3-10hr or more and includes things like rheumatoid arthritis. The reaction is a result of foreign particle (bacteria, virus, parasite or other) combining with a part of the immune system and causing a reaction. 
• Type 4 hypersensitivity: This is a delayed onset hypersensitivity and may not take effect for days after exposure. Some vaccines respond by this mechanism. Additionally, it is thought that ingested foods can also elicit this type of response.

In order to know how to treat an allergy it helps to understand what is going on. As is the case with many symptoms of the body, what is frequently thought of as a result of the infecting organism, is really symptoms from the response of the immune system. What I mean is, when you get sick what you are really feeling is your body's response to fighting the invader (virus, bacteria, etc). When the body is infected with something foreign it generally knows right away (even if you don't). Local immune cells found everywhere in our body are constantly asking every cell they run into 2 questions: "Are you me?" and, "Are you dangerous? If that foreign cell can't give the right answer it is slated for destruction. The cell asking the question will explode and release its contents after getting the wrong answer. These contents will hopefully take the first step in killing whatever it encountered but that frequently is not enough. The exploded cell guts have wide-reaching effects. They effect all the cells locally causing them to spread apart and get leaky, (this causes swelling of tissue) but will also allow cells to leave the bloodstream and enter the tissue. Additionally, these cell guts, most of which is histamine, also send out a signal to bring in reinforcements. These reinforcements will travel from all reaches of the body following the chemical signal left behind by that first cell explosion (degranulation). The result is many more immune cells rushing to the area of infection and now the degranulation is greatly increased. All this release of histamine is now coursing though the body and it affects everything. There is swelling of the eyes and respiratory tract. Joints may be affected as well and swell. The effect will reach muscles and generally cause the entire immune system to switch into a high gear. The body now is asked to make many new immune cells to replace the ones degranulating (exploding) and fatigue sets in frequently to the point of feeling sick, like getting a cold.
So really what is causing the telltale symptoms of allergies is your body responding normally, albeit in excess, to something, that it thinks, is not supposed to be there. The problem is when that something is ubiquitous, say for example pollen. There is no need for the body to respond with a full immune response to pollen as it poses us no real threat, yet may of us do, why?
The body is a complex organism and it relies on multiple systems working together. In addition to the immune system as I have already discussed we must consider the endocrine system as well. This system is huge and all encompassing. Metabolism, energy, mood, sleep, reproduction and others all rely on endocrine products. These products are produced by organs all throughout the body and they all rely on one another. If the output of any one, say the pancreas or adrenal gland, is reduced it causes changes to all the other glands relying on it.

Most treatment for allergies is focused on two aspects of the immune response.

1. Either prevent the histamine released by immune cells (a normal process) from attaching to their receptor. Imagine putting a key into a lock that is not the right key. While the wrong key is in the lock it is impossible to open the lock using the right key, as the hole is already filled.   
2. Prevent the immune cells from releasing their contents (histamine) at all.

If this one aspect was the only consideration it would be an open and shut case but it is not. With something as complex as allergies a multi-system approach needs to be employed to achieve any substantial and long-lasting effect.

A naturopathic approach to allergies includes more than just this one part and encompasses the entire body picture.  Treatment includes stabilizing the immune cells to prevent them from being too sensitive to normal environmental things like pollen. This treatment will be most effective with type 1 hypersensitivities but can be modified to include other types. The most frequent intervention is bioflavenoid therapy (the good stuff from brightly colored foods) combined with nettle and a compliment of vitamins and homeopathy. To really exert a lasting effect on the allergy it is necessary to support healthy function of the adrenal system as well. This treatment can include herbs, lifestyle modification, dietary changes and glandulars. Close attention should be payed to the dietary picture as well. With type 4 sensitivities it is possible to be regularly introducing something to the body that is putting the immune system on alert. Being that the digestive system has a tremendous amount of immune tissue this can be a very pronounced alert.

Ignoring the allergy symptoms or in worse cases suppressing them can cause the body to manifest these symptoms in another system, such as the skin. Eczema, and psoriasis have been suggested as being, at least in part, manifestations of either food or environmental allergies. Suppression of symptoms here will frequently cause the body to look for another avenue of expression that may result in adult onset asthma. Exacerbation of the original allergy or a completely new allergy that is more extreme, even to the point of being anaphylactic, may also result from long term allergies.

With so many considerations it is important to be involved in a dialogue with someone who can take all these systems into consideration. Be pro-active, stay informed and ask questions.