Allergies....AH-CHOO!

What are allergies?

In short, allergies are a sensitization of the body to a stimulus in the environment. Fancy words for an overreaction of the body to something in the environment. Severity and symptoms can range but are usually marked by itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, low-grade fever, rashes, asthmatic symptoms, and systemic or local swelling sometimes occluding the airway.

Why do we get allergic symptoms?

Since some of us (including myself) are affected by seasonal allergies, let’s discuss why they happen. Understanding why the body is reacting is the best way to determine effective treatment. There are actually multiple mechanisms as to why allergies sufferers have symptoms. Here are just a few:

Histamine: an nitrogenous compound found in white blood cells (basophils and mastocytes) and structurally important to DNA. You may know this term from your college and high school biology classes as it is a player in cell replication but plays a much larger role in allergic symptoms. There are two types of receptor site (places on the cell that histamine can be attached), H1 and H2 receptors. This receptors sites, when signaled, can increase vascular permeability ad mucous secretion, basically resulting in swelling and snot. Yay spring!

Chemokines: a signaling protein in the cell encouraging inflammation to a localized area such as the nose/oral mucosa and eyes. This protein recruits white blood cells and encourages inflammation. A great thing for injury/illness but not so great for seasonal allergy sufferers!

Immunoglobulin E (IgE): a type of antibody, predominantly made up of proteins, produced by the immune system as regularly circulate throughout the body. IgE “reacts” when seeing a specific allergen, sending chemical signals to other parts of the immune system to cause an allergic reaction. These signals will also recruit the production of more IgE sometimes resulting in a very heightened allergic response (eg. anaphylaxis-keep reading to learn more!)


Classifications of allergies
What most people do not realize is there are several different types of allergies and presentation can sometimes give us insight into the etiology.  A grading system (known as the Coombs and Gell) is sometimes utilized to determine the as 1-4. For example, Grade 1 is usually thought of as anaphylaxis, a severe reaction inhibiting breathing and usually occurs after exposure to an allergen at least once. This means that the body’s first exposure to an allergen such as a bee or shellfish may not respond severely; however, now that it has “seen” the allergen, it may result in cell recruitment causing a severe reaction resulting in difficulty breathing and airway blockage. Yikes!

How do I treat my allergies?

There are several ways allergic symptoms can be treated but getting rid of your allergies all together is unlikely. Below are some treatment options that  can help minimize sinus and allergic symptoms you may want to discuss:

  • Anti-histamines such as Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), OR Xyzal (levocetirizine)

  • Nasal steroid sprays such as Nasonex and Flonase (good for congestion and plugged ears)

  • Saline Rinses

  • Neti Pot (use distilled water and clean after/before use to decrease bacterial and viral load)

Do you know any more “natural options”?

I sure do! Here are some oral and lifestyle options that could help minimize allergic symptoms:

  • Vitamin C

  • Local honey (specifically for seasonal allergies)

  • N-Acetylcysteine (thins secretions)

  • Apple cider vinegar (reduces mucous production)

  • Probiotics (a large portion of our immune system starts in our gut and a healthy gut can minimize the over-reaction to an allergen)

  • Digestive enzymes (minimizes inflammation in the digestive tract)

  • Hydration (keep cell working at their full potential and thin secretions, see my Blog about Hydration)

  • 7-8 fruits and veggie servings a day (minimize systemic inflammation)

  • Possibly cutting out dairy (increases secretions harder for the body to break down as we age)


There is no way my child will do all of that?! What can we try?

Completely understandable, I don’t do ALL of the above! The idea is to try the least invasive to your lifestyle OR the easiest for you to implement, adding and removing until you reach the desired result. Keep in mind more “natural options” may take upwards of 2 months to notice a difference. Allergic symptoms are complicated and treatment is individual to the person’s symptoms and tolerance. If you try the above with limited improvement, come in! There are other options and we can find the best for you/your child :)


References

Koa Hosoki, Leopoldo Aguilera-Aguirre, Allan R Brasier, Alexander Kurosky, Istvan Boldogh, Sanjiv Sur. Pollen-induced Innate Recruitment of Neutrophils Facilitates Induction of Allergic Sensitization and Airway Inflammation. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 2015; 150618093800000 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2015-0044OC

White, M. (1990). The Role of Histamine in Allergic Diseases. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1699987

https://www.aaaai.org

Information also from verbal communication with experts (3/25/19)


Tara Fox