Find out about Allergies
By: Yolanda Che

What is an Allergy?
Allergies occur when a person's immune system becomes overly sensitive to a normally harmless substance. The body releases antibodies in the blood to attack the invading, reaction causing “antigen”. These antibodies attach to special “mast” cells in the blood, which release histamine and other chemicals to act against the antigen. It's these chemicals that cause swelling, itching, and other symptoms of allergic reaction. In rare cases, the reaction can become acute and threaten vital bodily functions like breathing; such major medical emergencies call for immediate professional care.

What causes an Allergy?
Different substances and conditions can cause allergic reactions. Common allergen includes pollen from certain grasses, flowers, and trees. Other common allergy triggers include dust (actually the feces of a microscopic mite that lives on the dust particle), animal dander, mold spores, insect venom, drugs and vaccines, household products, and foods (especially shellfish and peanuts). Plants like poison ivy and metals like nickel can cause allergic skin reactions.

General Self-help Solutions
Tip #1: A very basic step is to identify what makes you allergic.
Tip #2: Keep those identified allergens at bay. Avoid contact once you identify the substances.
Tip #3: Use allergy-free alternatives, be it food ingredients or hypoallergenic cleaning products.
Tip #4: Take herbs, such as Echinacea and Siberian ginseng, to enhance your immune system, support the adrenal glands, and balance the body's system.
Tip #5: Massage, gargle, or inhale any of the 3 essential oils (Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Chamomile) to relieve allergies.
Tip #6: Use an air filter to help keep your home and working environment free of pollen, molds and dust.
Tip #7: Use mold-proof paint on walls and furniture.
Tip #8: Clean up your home and working environment with hypoallergenic cleansers.
Tip #9: Skin irritation is sometimes described as an allergic reaction when actually, it’s the laundry detergent residue that is irritating the skin. Using the best and most soluble, single rinse laundry detergent can solve many of those problems without the cost of a doctor.

Hay Fever:
Causes & Syndromes: Pollen causes hay fever, characterized by a runny nose, sneezing, and watering eyes.
Solution #1: As a general guideline, eat plenty of fruits and dark green leafy vegetables every day. They are rich in vitamins A and C that boost your immune system and help prevent allergies.
Solution #2: Try eating six ounces of active culture yogurt every day for three months or more prior to hay fever season. This may help reducing hay fever attacks.
Solution #3: There are homeopathic remedies for hay fever allergies, such as Apis and complex formula, to relieve sneezing; stop itching, burning and watering of eyes; and related allergic reactions.

Food Allergies:
Causes: Food allergies can develop in anyone at any age, and can often be linked to certain food patterns. There are different food allergens ranging from grains (oats, barley, rye, wheat, corn, refined flours), dairy products (cow's milk), eggs, fruits (bananas, strawberries), vegetables (tomatoes), nuts (peanuts), beans (soy), meats (beef, pork), seafood (shellfish, oysters), chocolate, preservatives, MSG, artificial colors, sugar, yeast, etc.
Syndromes: Wheezing, sneezing, stuffy nose, nasal drip or mucus, dark circles or water bags under the eyes, headaches, feeling light-headed or dizziness, stomach and chest pain, diarrhea, extreme thirst, break out in a rash or having a swelling of the tissues (either externally or internally on ankles, feet, hands or stomach bloating etc).
Solution #1: Eating a variety of foods is best for prevention. “Rotate” your foods by eating different types of food for four times per week and then repeat the cycle.
Solution #2: Adopt an “elimination” diet and substitute those problem-causing foods with alternatives. Follow an allergy-free meal plan and recipes until your body is recovered from allergies.
Yolanda Che is the manager for Health Gate, a premier organic health food store in Hong Kong since 1992. Check out www.health-gate.com or call 2545 2286 for more information.