When people say they are allergic to something or that they are suffering from an allergy, they are actually referring to several inflictions instead of a single problem. An allergy is caused when your immune system reacts to an alien object or chemical in your body. This reaction if often not supposed to take place. The alien objects that enter your body can be found the following forms –

Allergy

  • dust
  • chemicals from the household like cleansers, chlorine, soaps, paints, etc
  • pollen
  • some types of nuts
  • citrus fruits
  • some seafood varieties
  • animal hair shed from pets
  • pollutants from car and industrial emissions
  • inhalation of smoke from fire
  • some medications and so on

Approaches to Allergy

While the best way to treat an allergy is to prevent it, advanced medical science has innovated many different types of treatments which includes injections, antibiotics and so on. Even so, many allergy patients prefer to consider the alternative methods of allergy treatment like homoeopathic medicines. However, there are firm believers of the natural and the simpler way of handling allergic reactions. In this natural simple method, the trick lies in understanding what causes the allergic reaction in the first place and then taking steps to minimize or remove the allergens from the environment of the patient.
If you so wish, you can combine all three types of approaches so that you undertake a holistic allergy treatment which is based upon the specific symptoms and allergies that is affecting an allergy patient.

Types of Allergies and its Prevention

There are actually several different types of allergies, some of which are listed below. Each allergy is determined according to what caused the reaction in the first place.

Allergic Rhinitis – This is triggered when your immune system over reacts to an alien object which is actually quite harmless to begin with. For example, an allergic rhinitis reaction may occur if you are exposed to –

  • some types of pollen from flowers and plants
  • food like nuts or legumes or drinks like milk, etc
  • medications which also cause allergies like penicillin perhaps
  • fine animal hair
  • man-made chemicals and so on

An allergic rhinitis occurs when your body releases antibodies like immunoglobin E which attaches itself to your mast cells. This action releases chemicals like histamines which open up your blood cells. This leads to the classic symptoms of an allergic rhinitis like swollen and thickened membranes, reddish skin tissues, congestion in the nasal passage, sneezing and so on.

There are several ways to prevent or minimize allergic rhinitis. Patients can avoid consuming foods and drinks that cause this reaction and they can keep their houses, mattresses, and furniture clean of dust mites to reduce their exposure to allergic triggers. They must also avoid using household cleaners and soaps with man-made or unnatural chemicals and they should also avoid keeping pets. In consultation with an experienced physician they should regularly consume the medications prescribed to them.

Seasonal Allergies – Hay fever is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis and it is caused by ragweed, not hay, contrary to popular opinion. Tree pollens and mold spores also trigger hay fever, especially during the fall months and during spring. A springtime allergy, as the name suggests, is triggered due to pollen and is climatic in nature, occurring primarily during the summer months. Trees like maple, oak, ash, walnut, etc are known to cause this allergy along with some weeds that pollinate. Summertime allergies are caused due to grass pollen. Weed pollen, on the other hand, causes fall allergies and the bandit weeds could be ragweed, cocklebur, pigweed, or Russian thistle, amongst others.

While seasonal allergies are more difficult to overcome naturally, doctors these days suggest that from childhood, people should be exposed to nature. Once they naturally come into contact with dirt, dust, mud, grass, then it gives their immune system a chance to develop a resistance to the allergens. If people keep pets in their childhood, then it is frequently seen they have lesser chances of developing allergies to animal hair. However, if you have missed this chance during your childhood, then as an adult, avoid contact with the allergen triggers. For example, avoid lying down on the grass or mowing your lawn if you have summertime allergies.

Mold Allergy – While there are countless molds present in your current environment, only a handful cause allergic reactions. And this type of allergy is the most difficult to control naturally because it is virtually impossible to avoid exposure to indoor or outdoor molds. So asthma medications seem to be the only recourse if you suffer from mold allergies. Symptoms can vary from sneezing and watery eyes to a runny nose and allergy induced asthma.

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