Allergies

What can be recommended for food allergy symptoms, currently my face is swollen and itchy.

Allergies occur when Antigens ( invading foreign substances) bind to Cells of the Immune System within the body and trigger allergic responses. A hypersensitive, over-reactive immune system may cause irritation, inflammation and allergies to present on the skin causing these symptoms.

Common causes of food allergies

Leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability)
Weak capillaries (capillary permeability)
Hypochlorhydria (insufficient production of Hydrochloric Acid in the stomach)
Hyper immune responses due to elevated immune cells in the body
Hypothyroidism (although rarely diagnosed by medical practitioners) may be underlying cause of Allergies
Dehydration

Common foods that may causes allergies

Sugars - Simple sugars, chocolate
Animal products - Bee Pollen, shellfish
Alcohol and coffee
Dairy foods and soy milk
Peanuts, nuts and soybeans
Wheat and gluten
Fruits – Oranges, Pineapple, Tomatos
Herbs - Asteraceae family, onions
Processed Foods

Food allergies can lead to the development of:

Digestive disorders - Celiac Disease, Colic, Crohns Disease, Duodenal Ulcers, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Ulcers
Immune system disorders – Kidney infections, recurrent infections, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bronchitis, Asthma, Eczema, Allergies, Rhinitis
Nervous system – migraines, increased risk of Multiple Sclerosis,
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD)
Skin disorders – psoriasis, dermatitis

Diet tips for allergies

Reduce dairy and sugar in your diet, this will lighten the load on the liver and lymphatic system and also reduce acidity in the body and these are two common allergens
Ensure that you are well hydrated (at least two litres/ day) to help flush the kidneys and lymphatic system of wastes
Herbal teas such as fenugreek and rosehip, ginger, chamomile, peppermint, elderflowers, licorice may help to decrease allergies also and improve general health

Lifestyle factors for allergies

An elimination diet can help to identify specific food intolerances so that these foods can be avoided in the future
Investigating the use of some of these natural therapies combined with a healthy and varied diet of good quality organic food combined with a clean low pollutant home and plenty of water and fresh air will go a long way to helping you gain relief from your allergies
See a healthcare professional and have an allergy test to determine what you are specifically allergic to and then reduce exposure to these

Natural remedies for allergies

The amino acids Glutamine and Methionine aids liver detoxification increases the integrity of the digestive system and reduces sensitivity
Bromelain or digestive enzymes may help to break down foreign substances in the blood stream
Anti-histamine herbs to help reduce immune sensitivity include – Albizzia, Skullcap, Perilla, Ginger, Licorice, Panax ginseng, Garlic, Olive leaf, Horseradish, Fenugreek, Zizyphus, Holy Basil, Cats Claw and Ginkgo
Omega-3 Fatty Acids help to reduce inflammation
Probiotics ensure healthy flora in the digestive tract
Zinc may help to dampen a hyper immune response
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) found in dark purple fruits such as bilberries and blueberries help reduce inflammation and are potent anti oxidants
Bioflavinoids may help to reduce mast cell degranulation (allergic responses) - Rutin, Quercetin and Hesperidan
Coenzyme Q10 is often deficient in people experiencing severe allergies
Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and B Vitamins may alleviate allergies
Cod liver oil is high in Vitamins A & D to reduce mucus membrane sensitivity to stabilise immune responses
Aloe Vera juice, Spirulina and Wheat Grass juice are potent blood cleansers to help remove allergens from the body

For further information regarding allergies please see the following Ask a Naturopath.com webpages liver detoxification and common allergens

Categories