HOMOEOPATHY FOR FOOD ALLERGY

Published on November 11, 2016

Dr. KS. Gopi

Dr. KS. GopiFollow

Professor at Homoeopathic college. Chief consultant in Dr. Gopi's Homoeopathic multi speciality clinic

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Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny
amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or
swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening
reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Food allergy affects an estimated 6 to 8 percent of children under age 3 and up to 3 percent of adults.
While there's no cure, some children outgrow their food allergy as they get older.

It's easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as food intolerance. While
bothersome, food intolerance is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system

Causes-When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food or a
substance in food as something harmful. Your immune system triggers cells to release antibodies known
as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the culprit food or food substance (the allergen). The
next time you eat even the smallest amount of that food, the IgE antibodies sense it and signal your
immune system to release a chemical called histamine, as well as other chemicals, into your
bloodstream.

These chemicals cause a range of allergy signs and symptoms. They are responsible for causing allergic
responses that include dripping nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, labored
breathing, and even anaphylactic shock.
The majority of food allergies are triggered by certain proteins in:

· Shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster and crab

· Peanuts

· Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans

· Fish

· Eggs

In children, food allergies are commonly triggered by proteins in:

· Eggs

· Milk

· Peanuts

· Tree nuts

· Wheat
Food intolerance and other reactions

There are a number of reactions to food that cause similar symptoms to a food allergy. Depending on the
type of food intolerance you have, you may be able to eat small amounts of problem foods without a
reaction. By contrast, if you have a true food allergy, even a tiny amount of food may trigger an allergic
reaction.

Because a food intolerance may involve some of the same signs and symptoms as a food allergy does —
such as nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea — people may confuse the two.

One of the tricky aspects of diagnosing food intolerance is that some people are sensitive not to the food
itself but to a substance or ingredient used in the preparation of the food

Common conditions that can cause symptoms mistaken for a food allergy include:

Absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food. You may not have adequate amounts of some
enzymes needed to digest certain foods. Insufficient quantities of the enzyme lactase, for example,
reduce your ability to digest lactose, the main sugar in milk products. Lactose intolerance can cause
bloating, cramping, diarrhea and excess gas.

Food poisoning. Sometimes food poisoning can mimic an allergic reaction. Bacteria in spoiled tuna and
other fish also can make a toxin that triggers harmful reactions.

Sensitivity to food additives. Some people have digestive reactions and other symptoms after eating
certain food additives. For example, sulfites used to preserve dried fruit, canned goods and wine can
trigger asthma attacks in sensitive people. Other food additives that could trigger severe reactions
include monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners and food colorings.

Histamine toxicity. Certain fish, such as tuna or mackerel, that are not refrigerated properly and that
contain high amounts of bacteria may contain high levels of histamine that trigger symptoms similar to
those of food allergy. Rather than an allergic reaction, this is known as histamine toxicity or scombroid
poisoning.

Celiac disease. While celiac disease is sometimes referred to as a gluten allergy, it isn't a true food
allergy. Like a food allergy, it does involve an immune system response, but it's a unique immune system
reaction that's more complex than a simple food allergy. This chronic digestive condition is triggered by
eating gluten, a protein found in bread, pasta, cookies, and many other foods containing wheat, barley
or rye.

If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs that causes
damage to the surface of your small intestine, leading to an inability to absorb certain nutrients.

Symptoms-For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not
severe. For other people, an allergic food reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Food
allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after eating the offending food.

The most common food allergy signs and symptoms include:

· Tingling or itching in the mouth

· Hives, itching or eczema

· Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body

· Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing

· Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

· Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause
life-threatening signs and symptoms, including:

· Constriction and tightening of airways

· A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe

· Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure

· Rapid pulse

· Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis. Untreated, anaphylaxis can cause a coma or even death.

Exercise-induced food allergy

Some people have an allergic reaction to a food triggered by exercise. Eating certain foods may cause
you to feel itchy and lightheaded soon after you start exercising. In serious cases, an exercise-induced
food allergy can cause certain reactions such as hives or anaphylaxis.

Not eating for a couple of hours before exercising and avoiding certain foods may help prevent this
problem.
Pollen-food allergy syndrome

In many people who have hay fever, fresh fruits and vegetables and certain nuts and spices can trigger
an allergic reaction that causes the mouth to tingle or itch. In some people, pollen-food allergy syndrome
— sometimes called oral allergy syndrome — can cause swelling of the throat or even anaphylaxis.

This is an example of cross-reactivity. Proteins in fruits and vegetables cause the reaction because they're
similar to those allergy-causing proteins found in certain pollens. For example, if you're allergic to
ragweed, you may also react to melons; if you're allergic to birch pollen, you may also react to apples.

Cooking fruits and vegetables can help you avoid this reaction. Most cooked fruits and vegetables
generally don't cause cross-reactive oral allergy symptoms.

Common cross-reactivity between pollens and fruits and vegetables:

Risk factors--Food allergy risk factors include:

Family history. You're at increased risk of food allergies if asthma, eczema, hives or allergies such as hay
fever are common in your family.

A past food allergy. Children may outgrow a food allergy, but in some cases it returns later in life.

Other allergies. If you're already allergic to one food, you may be at increased risk of becoming allergic to
another. Likewise, if you have other types of allergic reactions, such as hay fever or eczema, your risk of
having a food allergy is greater.

Age. Food allergies are most common in children, especially toddlers and infants. As you grow older, your
digestive system matures and your body is less likely to absorb food or food components that trigger
allergies. Fortunately, children typically outgrow allergies to milk, soy, wheat and eggs. Severe allergies
and allergies to nuts and shellfish are more likely to be lifelong.
Asthma. Asthma and food allergy commonly occur together. When they do, both food allergy and
asthma symptoms are more likely to be severe.

Factors that may increase your risk of developing an anaphylactic reaction include:

· Having a history of asthma

· Being a teenager or younger

· Waiting longer to use epinephrine to treat your food allergy symptoms

· Not having hives or other skin symptoms

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are very effective for allergy from foods. Some of the important remedies are
given below.

CARBO VEG 30, NUX VOMICA 30 and SULPHUR 200-- Carbo Veg, Nux Vomica and Sulphur are top
remedies for allergy from Egg. Carbo Veg and Nux Vomica are prescribed for egg allergy where gastric
symptoms predominate. Carbo Veg is prescribed when loose offensive stool, gas in stomach, nausea and
vomiting follow eating of eggs. If this is accompanied by pain in abdomen, then Nux Vomica is selected.
When the gastric symptoms are accompanied by skin complaints like itching and burning sensation after
eating eggs,then Sulphur is the best medicine.
URTICA URENS 3X—Urtica urens is the best remedy for Shell fish allergy. This medicine is the best
remedy when sudden hives with violent itching and burning follow eating shell fish. This medicine has
an excellent power to control such symptoms.

COLOCYNTH 30, LYCOPODIUM 30, and NATRUM MUR 30- Colocynth, Lycopodium, and Natrum Mur. are
best Homoeopathic remedies for allergy from Wheat. Lycopodium helps in controlling the gastric
symptoms, when loose stool with gas in abdomen predominates. Colocynth is the ideal remedy for
cramping pains in stomach accompanying loose stool. Natrum Mur is prescribed when skin rash occurs
either on its own or along with gastric trouble after taking wheat.

AETHUSA CYNAPIUM 30, CYNAPIUM 30, and NATRUM CARB. 30 and PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Aethusa
Cynapium, Natrum Carb and Pulsatilla top Homeopathic medicines for treating Milk allergy. Aethusa
Cynapium is the best remedy when a person vomits immediately after milk enters the stomach. Sweating
and weakness may follow vomiting. Natrum Carb is the ideal remedy when loose stool follows milk
intake. Pulsatilla is used when milk or any milk product leads to an allergic reaction. The symptoms that
call for the use of Pulsatilla are loose stool, nausea, vomiting, gas and acidity after taking milk or milk
products. There’s a complete absence of thirst too.

COFFEA 30, IGNATIA 30, KALI PHOS 30, NUX VOMICA 30, RUMEX 30—Coffea, Ignatia, Kali phos, Nux
vomica, Rumex are best Homoeopathic medicines for allergy from Banana .

ANITUM CRUDE 30- Antim crude is effective for allergy from fruits .

BACILLINUM 200, BRYONIA ALB. 30, PULSATILLA NIG. 30—Bacillinum, Bryonia, Pulsatilla 30 are effective
remedies for allergy from Chicken and poultry products.

CALCAREA CARB. 30, LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 30, PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Calcarea carb , Lycopodium, and
Pulsatilla are top remedies for allergy from Dal.
LYSINUM 200, LECITHIN 3X- Lysinum and Lecithin are good remedies for Mutton allergy.

LACHESIS 200-Lachesis is effective for allergy from Vinegar, Pickles and sour acid fruits .

KALI BICHROMICUM 30- Kali bich is good for allergy from drinking alcoholic beverages like Brandy,
Whisky .

FLUORIC ACID 30, KALI SULPH. 30—Fluoric acid, Kali sulph . are good remedies for Fish allergy.

ALUMINUM ACIDIUM 30—Aluminum acidum is effective foe allergy from Gluten.

NATRUM CARB 30, PHOSPHORUS 30- Natrum carb, Phosphorus are effective for allergy from Honey.

CARCINISIN 200, LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 30, SULPHUR 200 and THUJA OCC. 200-Carcinosin,
Lycopodium, Sulphur and Thuja occ. Are good remedies for allergy from Onion.

MORBILINUM 200- Morbilinum is effective for allergy from Peanuts.

IGNATIA 30, KALI NITRICUM 30, PULSATILLA NIG. 30, SULPHUR 200, and

TELLURIUM 30—Ignatia,Kali nitricum, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Tellurium are top remedies for allergy from
Rice.

OEANDER Q- Oleander is very effective for allergy from Tomatoes

SACCHARUM OFF. 30- Saccharum off. Is effective for allergy from Sugar.

ZINGIBER OFFICINALIS 30- Zingiber officinalis is used for allergy after eating Melons.