Healthy Diet Plans >> Allergy Relief

Allergy Relief Treatment

Allergy treatment is focused on two key areas for the patient. The first area is emergency care that occurs when the allergy is in an active phase and when the individual is suffering from an attack. During this phase, drugs will be used to calm the immune system down so that the patient returns to a somewhat normal state. In most cases, this state is one where a partial allergic reaction is still taking place. This type of treatment for allergy symptoms is most commonly used in cases where there is a severe reaction or in cases where the respiratory system is involved.

Failure to prescribe allergy treatment medication at this stage may even be fatal if the reaction continues to constrict the patient’s airways.

In non-emergency situations, allergy treatment involves the use of medication and therapy to try and make sure that the patient does not suffer from the allergy any longer. For asthmatics, this may include breathing therapy that helps their respiratory system function more efficiently. Food allergy treatment as well as allergy treatment in children may involve the use of immune system suppressants. This is particularly applicable when the patient suffers from more than one type of allergy. Some people tend to have immune systems that tend to be more sensitive which is why they would suffer from allergic reactions more often. The use of this type of allergy treatment in pregnancy is often risky. Pregnant women will be treated on a case by case basis as it is not possible to take the risk of affecting the baby with heavy medication. The same can be said for the mother as well as her health may be more delicate when she is pregnant.

Mild allergies are best treated by avoiding the allergens, for example someone who is allergic to milk might never have the symptoms if they never drink milk.
Drug treatment: For a mild allergic reaction, the mainstay of treatment is a type of drugs called antihistamines. They counteract the allergic reaction and produce allergy relief.
For anaphylaxis, the single most important medicine is “epinephrine” or “adrenaline”, it is life-saving, that is why an allergy-sufferer who is prone to anaphylaxis must carry an adrenaline shot with them at all times.

Allergy Diet

An allergy diet applies to a situation where the patient is suffering from a food allergy. An allergy diet may also apply to people who are generally allergic as a means to reduce the intensity with which they react to the various allergens that appear from time to time. A food allergy diet plan depends entirely on the type of food that is causing the problem. The food allergy diet plan is therefore a trial and error diet plan where various combinations are used before the patient arrives at a diet that does not cause any allergies. One must remember that there many different foods may share similar ingredients. It is a particular group of ingredients that an individual may be allergic to which is why he or she suffers from the condition. An allergy diet menu is therefore something that may take weeks or even months to perfect. Once this allergy diet plan is understood, the patient can ensure that it is followed throughout life. An allergy diet may be used for non-food allergies as well. Such a diet is applied by reducing certain stimulants as these tend to heighten the immune system activity which will lead to more severe allergies.

Prevention of Allergy

Allergen identification and avoidance: Examples of allergens include animal fur, pollen, house dust, foods like shellfish or eggs, aerosols like perfumes and insecticides, certain materials like rubber (latex) etc Allergens are identified by the doctor and subsequently avoided.
Immunotherapy and hyposensitization: consists of exposing the allergy sufferer to gradually increasing doses of the allergen until the body gets used to it and there is no more allergic reaction.

Home Remedies for Allergies

Vit C for example from tomatoes (not from citrus fruits) is very helpful for allergy relief.
Honey from local apiaries helps with pollen allergy and bee-sting allergy.

When to call the doctor?

Whenever the drugs are not effective in relieving the attack, or when allergic attacks persist in spite of avoiding known allergens.

Types of Allergy:

Broadly speaking there are many different types of allergy that could affect an individual. These can be simplified by breaking the types of allergy down into airborne allergies, food allergies and contact based allergies. These types of allergies are fairly self explanatory as they focus on these three simple areas. It is important to figure out the types of allergy affecting the patient. In order to be able to do so, one must have a clear history of what has been consumed and/or what the patient has come into contact with. This will establish the nature of the allergy, thus making it possible for the patient to undergo allergy treatment.

Submitted on August 2, 2011