Allergy: An Immune Response - homeopathy360

Allergy: An Immune Response

BY: DR.UROOJ FATIMA.
BHMS INTERN
HAHNEMANN HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL, BHOPAL ( M.P )

WHAT’S ALLERGY ?
On exposure to various foreign substances viz., pollens , animal dander, latex, certain food items, dust mites etc. our body produces varieties of responses immediately so as to combat its bad effects that may at times be life threatening. These responses are manifested as sneezing, coughing, running nose, watery eyes, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin eruptions etc. Such type of reaction of an individual’s immune system to substances in environment that are usually harmless is termed allergy. And the substances are known as allergens.
The term allergy was defined by Clemens Von Perquet as “an altered capacity of the body to react to a foreign substance”.
It’s one of a type of immune responses that are termed hypersensitivity reactions. It produces immunological tissue injury. There are four types of hypersensitivity reactions classified by Coombs& Gell. Allergy comes in Type I Hypersensitivity mediated by IgE antibodies.
WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIC REACTIONS
When a person comes in contact with an allergen, our body’s immune system recognize the allergen as foreign substance & gets ready to attack.
On first contact to allergens(antigen) immune system commences production of antibodies called IgE(Immunoglobulin E. The antibodies so formed bind to Fc receptors present on surface of mast cells & basophils.
Second contact with the same antigen, IgE antibodies on surface of mast cells –basophils get firmly attached to Fc receptors & causes membrane lysis, influx of sodium & water& degnanulation of mastcells-basophils.
Released granules contain Histamine, Serotonin, Leucotriene B4 & D4 , Prostaglandin ( Thromboxane A2, PGA2, PGE2), Chemotactic factors of Anaphylaxis for neutrophils & eosinophils, Platelet activating factor.
These mediators leads to:
a)Increased smooth muscle contraction + peripheral vasodilatation+ increases vascular permeability
b) shock
c) Extravasation of capillary( Erythema)
d)Fluid shift into interstitial space( Edema)
e) Increases nasal secretion
f) increased lacrimal secretion
g)Pruritus( itching)
h) Eosinophils & Neutrophils spread to site of injury – Eosonophilia & Neutrophilia

TYPES OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Syndrome
Common allergens
Route of entry
Response

Systemic anaphylaxis
Drugs
Serum
Venoms
Intravenous or oral absorption into blood
Edema
Increased vascular permeability
Tracheal occlusion
Bronchospasm
Circulatory collapse
Death

Urticaria
(cutaneous anaphylaxis)
Insect bites
Subcutaneous
Congestion
& increased vascular permeability

Allergic rhinitis(Hay fever)
Pollen
Dust mites
Inhalation
Edema of nasal mucosa with irritation
Mucus secretion

Asthma
Animal dander
Dust
Inhalation
Bronchial constriction
Increased mucus production
Inflammation of airway

Food allergy
Pea nuts
Shell fish
Milk
Eggs
Fish
Oral
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Pruritis
Urticaria
Anaphylaxis

Latex allergy
Natural rubber latex
Contact with proteins found in natural latex rubber
Itching
Erythema
Congestion

Dermatitis
(Eczema)
Detergents
Jewelry
Soaps
Fragrances
Cosmetics

On contact with a certain substance
Skin rash
Itching
Papules
Fissures

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH FOR ALLERGIES
Conventional methods of treating allergies administer Anti-histamines, decongestants, Steroids, Broncho-dilators which got adverse side effects on our body. While homoeopathy individualise and treats the patient as a whole. Its based on axiom “Similia Similibus Curentur”.
Homoeopathic medicines boost up our immune system to cope with exposure to allergens rather than suppressing the allergic symptoms. Following medicines are very effective in relieving symptoms of allergy:
ALLIUM CEPA – indicated in cases of inflamed nasal mucosa with profuse acrid discharge and bland lacrimation.
EUPHRASIA – effective in profuse acrid lacrimation, with profuse, bland coryza. T.1\he eyes are watery all the time.
ARSENIC ALBUM – mentally restless, fastidious, feels head hot and rest of the body is cold, burning, stopped up nose with thin watery nasal discharge, thirst for sips of cold water.
APIS MELLIFICA- puffy, red, swelling of eyelid, lips, mouth, throat with burning,itching, stinging; intense chemosis, fishbone sensation in throat, laryngeal spasm.
CARBO VEG, NUX VOMICA, SULPHUR – for egg allergy.
URTICA URENS – for Shellfish allergy.
AETHUSA CYNAPIUM, NATRUM CARB, PULSATILLA- for treating milk allergy.
ANTIM CRUD –effective for allergy from fruits.
FLUORIC ACID, KALI SULPH – good homoeopathic remedies for treating fish allergy.
MORBILINUM– Peanuts allergy.
LYCOPERSICUM ESCULENTUM – very effective in Dust allergies.
REFERENCES
Textbook of Pathology – Harsh Mohan
Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease
William Boericke’s Materia Medica
Allen’s Keynotes

About the author

UROOJ FATIMA

I am BHMS Intern.