ALLERGIES

RECURRENT ATTACK OF COLD OR RHINITIS

It is defined as the inflammation of the mucous membrane of nose. It is the commonest infection affecting the human body. It is mainly divided into Acute Rhinitis, Chronic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinitis and Vasomotor Rhinitis. An adult can expect 2-4 colds a year, and a young child about 3-8 colds a year.

Acute Rhinitis is the acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It can be viral, bacterial or irritative type. Chronic Rhinitis is the chronic non-specific inflammation of the nose. Allergic Rhinitis can be ige mediated type 1 hyper sensitivity reaction of the mucous membrane of the nasal air way. Vasomotor Rhinitis is a perennial non-allergic Rhinitis.
Rhinitis caused by unhygienic condition, viruses, bacterias, climactic condition, endocrinal or metabolic disorder, stress

SYMPTOMS

• Sneezing followed by stuffiness in nostrils.
• Nasal discharges.
• Post nasal discharge.
• Loss of sense of smells and taste impairment.
• Itching in nose, eyes, palate and pharynx.
• Feverish feeling.
• Headache.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homoeopathy treats the person and not the disease. The totality of symptom forms the basis of selection of indicated medicine. Homoeopathy is the latest and refined method of treating the patients economically and non- violently. Homoeopathy has good scope and effective treatment for Rhinitis. Rhinitis often responds well to homoeopathic remedies which is a tremendous advantage over modern medicine which has no cure for the Rhinitis. Homoeopathy emphasizes treating the underlying imbalance in the immune system rather than simply fighting the infection although the moment, fighting the infection may be the priority. Homoeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homoeopathic treatment focuses on a patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition.

SNEEZING

A sneeze, or sternutation, is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. A sneeze expels air forcibly from the mouth and nose in an explosive, spasmodic involuntary action resulting chiefly from irritation of the nasal mucous membrane. Sneezing is possibly linked to sudden exposure to bright light, sudden change (fall) in temperature, breeze of cold air, a particularly full stomach, or viral infection, and can lead to the spread of disease.

The function of sneezing is to expel mucus containing foreign particles or irritants and cleanse the nasal cavity. During a sneeze, the soft palate and palatine uvula depress while the back of the tongue elevates to partially close the passage to the mouth so that air ejected from the lungs may be expelled through the nose. Because the closing of the mouth is partial, a considerable amount of this air is usually also expelled from the mouth. The force and extent of the expulsion of the air through the nose varies.

Causes
Part of your nose’s job is to clean the air you breathe, making sure it’s free of dirt and bacteria particles. In most cases, your nose traps this dirt and bacteria in mucus. Your stomach then digests the mucus, which neutralizes any potentially harmful invaders.

Sometimes, however, dirt and debris can enter your nose and irritate the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose and throat. When these membranes become irritated, it causes you to sneeze.
Sneezing can be triggered by allergens, viruses like the common cold or flu, nasal irritants, inhalation of corticosteroids through a nasal spray, or drug withdrawal.

Allergies
Allergies are an extremely common condition caused by your body’s response to foreign organisms. Under normal circumstances, your body’s immune system protects you from harmful invaders like disease-causing bacteria. If you have allergies, your body’s immune system identifies typically harmless organisms as threats. Allergies can cause you to sneeze when your body tries to expel these organisms.

Infections
Infections caused by viruses such as the common cold and flu can also make you sneeze. According the Mayo Clinic, there are more than 100 different viruses that can cause the common cold.

Less Common Causes
Other, less common causes of sneezing include:

• Trauma to the nose
• Withdrawal from certain drugs
• Inhaling irritants, including dust and pepper
• Breathing cold air

Symptoms

• Burning, itchy, or watery eyes,
• Nasal congestion or runny nose,
• Sore throat,
• Cough,
• Fever,
• Chills.
• Air Pollutants
• Cold Air
• Drug Withdrawal
• Dust
• Exposure to Bright Light
• Medications
• Spicy Foods
• Strong Emotions
• Viral Infection

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homeopathy is a wonderful method for treating sneezing.  If the correct medicine is chosen, sneezing can resolve very rapidly. As with all homeopathic treatments, the goal is to identify the simillimum, the remedy that most closely matches the patient’s presenting symptoms and mental-emotional state. The power of homeopathy for treating sneezing is out of proportion to the expectation.

SKIN ALLERGY OVERVIEW

Irritated skin can be caused by a variety of factors. These include immune system disorders, medications and infections. When an allergen is responsible for triggering an immune system response, then it is an allergic skin condition.

ATOPIC DERMATITIS (ECZEMA)

Eczema is the most common skin condition, especially in children. It affects one in five infants but only around one in fifty adults. It is now thought to be due to  “leakiness” of the skin barrier, which causes it to dry out and become prone to irritation and inflammation by many environmental factors. Also, some people with eczema have a food sensitivity which can make eczema symptoms worse. In about half of patients with severe atopic dermatitis, the disease is due to inheritance of a faulty gene in their skin called filaggrin. Unlike with urticaria (hives), the itch of eczema is not caused by histamine so anti-histamines do not control the symptoms. Eczema is often linked with asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or food allergy. This order of progression is called the atopic march.

ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in direct contact with an allergen. For instance, if you have a nickel allergy and your skin comes in contact with jewelry made with even a very small amount of nickel, you may develop red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen skin at the point of contact.

Coming in contact with poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. The red, itchy rash is caused by an oily coating covering these plants. The allergic reaction can come from actually touching them, or by touching clothing, pets or even gardening tools that have come in contact with the oil.

ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS (ACD)

is a form of contact dermatitis that is the manifestation of an allergic response caused by contact with a substance; the other type being irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).

Although less common than ICD, ACD is accepted to be the most prevalent form of immunotoxicity found in humans.[1] By its allergic nature, this form of contact dermatitis is a hypersensitive reaction that is atypical within the population. The mechanisms by which these reactions occur are complex, with many levels of fine control. Their immunology centres on the interaction of immunoregulatorycytokines and discrete subpopulations of T lymphocytes.

URTICARIA (HIVES)

Hives are an inflammation of the skin triggered when the immune system releases histamine.  This causes small blood vessels to leak, which leads to swelling in the skin. Swelling in deep layers of the skin is called angioedema. There are two kinds of urticaria, acute and chronic. Acute urticaria occurs after eating a particular food or coming in contact with a particular trigger. It can also be triggered by non-allergic causes such as heat or exercise, as well as medications, foods or insect bites. Chronic urticaria is rarely caused by specific triggers and so allergy tests are usually not helpful. Chronic urticaria can last for many months or years. Although they are often uncomfortable and sometimes painful, hives are not contagious.

ANGIOEDEMA

Angioedema is swelling in the deep layers of the skin. It is often seen together with urticaria  (hives). Angioedema many times occurs in soft tissues such as the eyelids, mouth or genitals. Angioedema is called “acute” if the condition lasts only a short time such as minutes to hours. Acute angioedema is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to medications or foods. Chronic recurrent angioedema is when the condition returns over a long period of time. It typically does not have an identifiable cause.
Hereditary angiodema (HAE) is a rare, but serious genetic condition involving swelling in various body parts including the hands, feet, face, intestinal wall and airways. It does not respond to treatment with antihistamines or adrenaline so it is important to go see a specialist

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

The homeopathic approach for skin problems is the constitutional approach where the patient answers a list of questions, based on which the analysis and evaluation of the case is done and a proper constitutional therapies is selected. As homeopathy believes we need to treat the man in disease and not the disease in man. As skin disorders are the end results of inner, emotional stress. Homeopathy also don’t believe in treating the skin disorders by local ointments and creams, rather it prefers the oral therapies which go deep into the system and controls.

1. RHUS TOXICODENDRON:

This is a useful remedy for treating Eczema. In Eczema, the skin is covered with numerous vesicular eruptions. The symptoms of eczema include itching, tingling, swelling, etc. The symptoms get worse at night, during winter and in damp weather. Cold air aggravates the problem. Warmth and moisturizing provides some temporary relief. It tends to get worse and become uriticaria and herpes, if not treated on time.

2. NATRUM MURIATICUM:

This remedy is also for eczema. It not only treats eczema but is also known to provide relief from mental disturbances caused due to grief and disappointment, being resentful, dwelling on past unhappy instances, fears of rejection, etc.

3. GRAPHITES:

It is a remedy for a number of skin diseases. The symptoms which it treats are moist scruffy eruptions on the scalp, face, bends of joints, between fingers and behind the ears. It also treats cracked corners of the mouth and eyes, bleeding and release of a gluey, honey-like, thick, tenacious discharge, etc. It is also useful in treating symptoms, such as dry and itchy skin; brittle hair that tends to fall off and other such related symptoms.

4. PULSATILLA:

Pulsatilla is predominantly a female remedy. This remedy treats rashes with profuse menses or scanty menses or rashes due to gastric or uterine problems. Diarrhea may also accompany these rashes. Nettle rash, which is worse at the beginning of winter, as well as itching when exposed to air, is also treated by this medicine. Acne can also be healed with Pulsatilla.

5. SEPIA:

If you have that point towards herpes, Sepia is the medicine to take. This Homeopathic medicine treats symptoms of herpetic conditions around the bends of joints, knees and ankles, behind the ears. In the beginning, it is dry, and then it turns moist and releases discharge. Brownish spots on the skin, yellow spots, and liver spots are few of the other symptoms. It also treats eczema on hands, as well as dry, rough and chapped skin. It is also good in treating Psoriasis.

6. ARSENICUM:

It is a useful remedy for many of the skin problems where the skin is thickened like in chronic uriticaria, psoriasis and chronic eczema. People suffering from these conditions experience swelling along with itching and burning sensations. It also cures nettle rash and pimples.

7. SULPHUR:

Sulphur is best known as the ‘skin remedy’! It has a particularly powerful centrifugal action, in that it brings symptoms to the surface. It treats the burning aggravation resulting from washing. Soreness and itching in the folds of the skin, its roughness and coarseness is also taken care of by Sulphur. Itching in the scalp, hair fall, deficient growth of nails are few other symptoms that sulphur can treat. It is also useful in Psoriasis and eczema. It also treats acne.

8. NITRICUM ACIDUM:

It is one of the best remedies for treating ulcers with symptoms like profuse granulations, ragged and zigzag and often raised edges, vascular bleeding, blisters and ulcers in mouth, tongue, genitals that bleed easily. Fissures, pain during bowel movement, excessive physical irritability, etc. are the other symptoms nitric acid or Nitricum Acidum addresses.

DUST ALLERGY

Dust allergies also make it difficult to breathe and may trigger asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. Dust also just makes some people itchy.
It sounds nasty, but it’s true: one piece of dust can contain pet dander, pieces of dead cockroaches, and mold spores, along with dead skin and dust mites. Both cockroaches and pet dander are common allergy triggers, too. Cockroach waste, saliva, and body parts are a problem in some homes.

People with dust allergies often suffer the most inside their own homes or in other people’s homes. Oddly enough, their symptoms often worsen during or immediately after vacuuming, sweeping and dusting. The process of cleaning can stir up dust particles, making them easier to inhale.

DUST ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

• Runny or itchy nose
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy skin
• Congestion
• Sinus pressure (may cause facial pain)
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Scratchy throat
• Cough
• Swollen, bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes
• Trouble sleeping
• Chest pain or tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath
• Difficulty talking
• Severe asthma attack

DUST ALLERGY TRIGGERS

• Dust mites
• Cockroaches
• Mold
• Pollen
• Pet hair, fur or feather

The diagnosis made by most common type is a skin-prick test. During this test, the allergist will prick an area of your skin with a small extract of the allergen. Your allergist will then wait about 15 minutes to see if your skin has any negative reactions. If you do have a reaction, you will likely develop a large bump around the pricked area of skin. The area may also become red and itchy.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homeopathic medicines help to treat the acute infection as well as the chronic and recurring infections. However, chronic and recurring Mastoiditis finds excellent treatment using homeopathy. Medicines are chosen based on some symptoms similarity, ie., constitutional approach, extent of pathology and investigational findings.allium cepa

When there is watery discharge from the eyes along with running nose. The watery discharge from the nose is thin and acrid. At the same time, the discharge from the eyes is bland. The eyes become red and are sensitive to light. There is burning in the nose and eyes as from the cutting of onions.

ARSENIC ALBUM-

In cases where there is intense thirst and the patient feels worse in open air, there is copiuos watery and excoriating discharge from the nose. There may be restlessness and anxiety with the other symptoms of hay fever. Thirst is increased though the patient drinks a little bit of water at one time. The symptoms are likely to be worse at night. There is an increased sense of weakness which is often disproportionate to the disease.

NATRUM MUR-

In cases where there is a lot of sneezing and in fact, the symptoms start with sneezing only. There is intense dryness of the mouth and the mucous membranes. The discharge from the nose is thin and watery and resembles the white of an egg. There is an increased desire to eat salt or salty food.

MERC SOL-

When there is increased sensitivity to both heat and cold and the patient cannot tolerate either. There is a lot of sneezing and watery discharge from the nose. The patient is worse even in damp or wet weather. Increased sweating is another indication for this medicine. There is profuse salivation in the mouth. At times the salivation is so much that it keeps the mouth wet most of the time. Despite this increased salivation, the patient keeps on feeling thirsty. There may be foul smell from the mouth.

ARUNDO-

When the episode begins with intense itching in the palate and the nose,. There is a lot of burning and itching in the nose, the eyes and the roof of the mouth. Sense of smell becomes diminished.

MILK ALLERGY

Milk allergy, one of the most common food allergies in children, is an abnormal response by the body’s immune system to milk and products containing milk. Cow’s milk is the usual cause, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction. An allergic reaction usually occurs minutes to hours after consuming milk. Between 2 and 3 percent of children younger than 3 are allergic to milk.

CLASSIFICATION

Milk allergy is a food allergy, an adverse immune reaction to a food protein that is normally harmless to the non-allergic individual.
It is distinct from lactose intolerance, which is a non-allergic food sensitivity, and comes from a lack of production of the enzyme lactase, required to digest the predominant sugar in milk. Lactose intolerance is considered the normal state for most adults on a worldwide scale and is not typically considered to be a disease condition.

MILK ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Immediately after consuming milk, signs and symptoms of a milk allergy might include:

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• anaphylaxis

Signs and symptoms that may take more time to develop include:

• Loose stools, which may contain blood
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Coughing or wheezing
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Itchy skin rash, often around the mouth
• Colic, in babies
• Constriction of airways, including a swollen throat that makes it difficult to breathe
• Facial flushing
• Itching
• Shock, with a marked drop in blood pressure

Diagnosis is carried out by first doing a diagnostic elimination diet, skin prick tests, measuring IgE in blood, and conducting in-office food challenges. A double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge is still the gold standard for the diagnosis for all food allergies, including milk allergies.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat milk allergy but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat milk allergy symptoms that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints.  For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person.

There are following remedies which are helpful in the treatment of milk allergy symptoms:

AETHUSA CYNAPIUM:

If Aethusa is the remedy of choice then the sufferer is usually a child with a congenital absence of the enzyme lactase, a condition also known as Alactasia. These children can digest milk and other dairy products in any form and suffer from stomach aches or colic and vomiting every time they ingest milk and dairy products. Such children also lose weight due to their inability to digest milk. They are irritable, anxious and crying. Milk may also produce green colored diarrhea or loose stools that contains undigested particles and is preceded by drowsiness, stomach aches and exhaustion. In some cases Aethusa Cynapium patients may also suffer from constipation and indigestion due to milk.

APIS MELLIFICA:

If you are an Apis Mellifica patient then you will have allergy to milk and dairy products and the ingestion of milk or dairy acts as an allergen and leads to a severe anaphylactic reaction (allergic reaction) that presents with symptoms of urticaria or skin rash, swelling, redness and itching of the body and difficulty in breathing. With all these symptoms you will have a condition of thirstlessness.

CHINA OFFICINALIS:

Patient unable to digest milk or other dairy products, which when taken will produce symptoms of bloating, belching and flatulence. You will also suffer from abdominal colic due to gas that becomes relieved only by bending double or by vomiting of food. You may also develop problems in breathing with mucus formation, coughing episodes and rattling sound in chest. You may also feel the effect of bloating on your face as it turns red and your tongue is also thickly coated and dirty.

MAGNESIUM MURIATICUM:

If your remedy for lactose intolerance is Magnesium Muriaticum, then you will not be able to digest milk and develop blisters on lips and tongue as a result. Your tongue will also feel burnt and scalded. You may also develop symptoms of headache and suffer from mental stress. Your symptoms of lactose intolerance are usually chronic.

LAC VACCINUM DEFLORATUM:

Lac Vaccinum Defloratum is made by potentization of skimmed milk; hence it is suitable for treating the symptoms of lactose intolerance. If your remedy is Lac Vaccinum Defloratum, then after ingesting of milk and other dairy products you develop symptoms of nausea with headache, and vomiting. You may also suffer from obstinate constipation leading to passage of large stools that involves excessive straining. All these symptoms will ultimately make you feel extremely fatigued and tired.