HAYFEVER / IT IS POLLEN TIME AGAIN

 Dr Jean Millar

 Here on the Costa Blanca, with numerous different pollens and fine dust flying around, many folk need help with itchy eyes and irritated runny noses nearly all the year.

The question has arisen whether asthma & hay-fever and other allergic manifestations of illness are on the increase, or is it that we are more aware of the diagnosis?

 It seems as though these problems are in fact affecting a larger proportion of the population than ever before. Families, with no history of allergic tendencies, are having to deal with the sudden onset of aggravating coughs, sneezes, wheezes and rashes in their young offspring. 

The subject of prevention is a vexed one.  The changes that have occurred in the environment over the last hundred years in the Western world are largely man-made. The increased use of sprays, insecticides, special fertilizers, pre-prepared foods treated with chemicals to preserve them, endless arrays of perfumes, car fumes, and biological powders [to name but a few products] has been cited repeatedly as a possible cause for much of these negative changes. Here vested interests come into play and then [as with the long fight against tobacco] it is very difficult to bring about the changes that would allow us to enjoy freedom from these threats.

Prevention:

As with all disease problems, not everyone suffers. The state of the person who does suffer must differ in some way from another person living in the same environment but not suffering. Generally speaking the difference seems to lie in inherited weaknesses and centres on the “immune” system, which is intimately related to the workings of the “allergy” system.

The first line of defence is avoidance techniques:

• Keep household dust and animal dander to a minimum.
• Use a damp dusting technique, and keep the vacuum cleaner in tip-top condition.
• Do not use aerosol sprays.
• Keep away from perfumes and smoking where-ever possible.

The next line of defence is to reduce the over-sensitivity of the immune system by using [alone or in combination]:

•  Anti-histamine nasal sprays
• Steroid sprays and drops
• Anti histamine tablets

Some allergy specialist use desensitizing techniques to help sufferers by injecting increasing amounts of the offending material just under the skin and encouraging the development of antibodies to the irritant substances. Others use large regular doses of long-lasting steroids to suppress the allergic reaction.

For those who prefer a more natural route to prevention, homeopathy and acupuncture can be used with good results, as can many naturopathic and herbal treatments.

 What causes MY allergies?

 There are numerous testing systems:

Ÿ        -  Blood tests measuring the body’s immune reaction to certain possible irritants

Ÿ        - Patch testing the skin

[Less main stream]:

Ÿ        -  Vega testing

Ÿ        -  Radionics

Ÿ        -  Kinesiology

Ÿ        -  Dowsing food [this list is not exhaustive].

 In my experience tests are only useful if the information gained is truly reliable, and will help to inform the treatment and future behaviour of the sufferer.

 Many tests are unnecessary if good observation is brought into play. It is always worth experimenting with situations and learning at first hand what does, and does not, cause irritation to you.

 Where reactions have been dangerously severe, it is absolutely important to clarify the cause. As future avoidance is often not completely possible it maybe necessary to carry an anti-allergy injection at all times.

 Whilst I am sure that allergy testing done by reputable practitioners can yield helpful and enlightening results, and suppression of symptoms can be a boon, I have often found that sufferers can end up with recurrent symptoms for want of basic health routines.

 Improving hydration, eating habits, and sleeping patterns whilst helping to eliminate irritating toxins from the body will support your efforts to reduce your symptoms by building a healthier immune system. 

 

May 2011