Arresting allergy

Dr Ravi Kant

World’s greatest puzzle in the medical field is probably the modern lifestyle that has led to a host of fresh issues. Different types of allergens are there such as food, drug, also seasonal, environmental or occupational. Use of chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers has an added impact. Patient is unable to detect the allergen, until he observes it very keenly in his food or surroundings.

Signs and symptoms

Allergy can affect skin, mucous membranes of eyes, ears, nose throat, internal viscera etc. In case of skin, it causes allergic dermatitis, causing itching, inflammation and eruptions on surface, all over the body including scalp. Allergy in eyes can cause allergic conjunctivitis, uveitis or other form of eye ailments. Some patients are hypersensitive, and show allergy to given drugs, thus producing drug-allergy. IBS- Irritable bowel syndrome could be an allergic reaction of some food item. This can lead to pain nausea vomiting and diarrhoea.

In case of nose, allergic rhinitis is the commonest one. Some children show allergy to milk, wheat, nuts, egg, strawberries and fruit like mangoes etc. The child might throw up curdled milk, or vomit food, or suffer from diarrhoea with anorexia weakness and weight loss. Chemicals, such as pesticides, drugs and fertilizers could be precipitating causes of such allergies. IBS or GERD could be due to allergens or psychological ailments like anxiety, fear, restlessness and depression. On skin, allergic dermatitis and urticaria are common result of allergic reactions to various food items and habitat, such as dampness, getting wet or exposure to sun, dust, perfumes and deodorants, etc. Urticaria or dermatitis may occur due to milk, strawberries, oysters, meat, fish, eggs, applications on skin for example creams, roll-ons, perfumes, ointments, metal or leather etc causing contact dermatitis due to allergic reaction to that particular thing which has come into contact with the patient. 

Sneezing and coryza due to dust, cold air, humid climate or sudden change in temperature could give rise to allergic rhinitis. Observation is the best diagnosis for the doctor and patient. Blood tests like AEC, TTG, Elisa tests, histamine levels can help diagnose allergy. Skin puncture or scratch tests are also done to know which allergens are affecting the patient. 

The family history of the patient, habitat, allergen or if nothing is available, then the mind and general symptoms of the patient are taken in totality to find cure. Medication should always be under strict medical supervision.

(Dr Ravi Kant is a Chandigarh-based homeopath)