Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Allergies

Friday, 6 December 2013

Allergies - Latex Allergy

Allergy is the over reaction of immune system to harmless substances after entering our body affecting 1 in every 3 people.

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Causes
Allergy is defined as the type I reactions or Immediate Hypersensitivity as a result ofover production of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a class of allergic antibody by the immune system against harmless substance that lead to mediated release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells and basophils, resulting in allergic reaction, including mucus secretion, sneezing, itching, etc.

K. Latex allergy

Latex allergy is defined as a condition of immune over reaction of an individualize after exposing to natural rubber latex, a product made from fluids of the rubber tree.

K.1.How to determine the severity of the allergic effects
Depending to the allergy stimulating effect, some researchers suggested to scale the severity from 1 to 4 and followed by degeneration scale, but from -1 to -4
K.1.1. The severity scale from +1 to +4
+1. The first level of stimulationIf there is no symptoms at all or If the patient is alert and function morally after exposing
+2. The second level of stimulationThe patient have become irritable, hyperactive, tense, thirsty, etc. after exposing
+3. The third level of stimulation
The patient have become hypomanic, aggressive, apprehensive, etc.
+4. The fourth level of stimulationThe patient have become mania, agitation, over excitement, etc.
K.1.2. Degeneration scale from -1 to -4
-1. If a patient is experience symptoms of reaction of runny nose, hive, diarrhea, etc.
-2. If a patient is experience symptoms of reaction of tiredness, fatigue, swelling etc.-3. If a patient is experience symptoms of reaction of depression, mental disturbance, confusion, mood change, etc.-4. If a patient is experience symptoms of reaction of sever depression, paranoia, etc.

K.2. Symptoms
Symptoms are the result in nasal congestion, due to Grass Pollen cause of a chain reaction that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine, causing dilation of many small blood vessels in the nose and swelling to nasal pathway of which can affects the daily activity including quality of life, productivity, and other chronic conditions, including asthma. of which can affects the daily activity including quality of life, productivity, and other chronic conditions, including asthma. According to the study of "Latex allergy" by Gawchik SM. (Source from Crozer Chester Medical Center, President's House, Chester, PA 19013. drgawchik@yahoo.com). posted in PubMed, researchers indicated in abstract that Allergy to natural rubber latex is an important clinical condition that occurred after the institution of universal precautions to protect healthcare workers. A rapid increase and production of both examination and surgical gloves resulted in an epidemic of allergy to latex protein. Healthcare workers in both the medical and dental environments, as well as specific groups of individuals including those with spina bifida, myelodysplasia, and food allergies (banana, kiwi, avocado, and others), were at increased risk of sensitization. Clinical symptoms in the latex allergic individual ranged from type I hypersensitivity reaction including rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and systemic reaction to type IV hypersensitivity reaction, which occur from the chemicals added during the manufacturing process.
and
1. Asthma-like symptoms
2. Itching
3. Sneezing
4. Wheezing
5. Sinus pain
6. Tearing eyes
7. Runny nose
8. Itchy eyes and throat
9. Etc.

K.3. Diagnosis
If you are experience Latex Allergy, it is possible to find what types of allergen have trigger that. After recording the family history and a complete physical exam. you doctor may order
1. Skin test
a. Intradermal test
It is one of most common test but time consuming( some patient may return for more 20 time for the injection) in diagnosis of allergy and depending to the symptoms, by injecting small amounts of diluted allergens into the top layers of the skin to see how the immune system react to them.
b. Skin prick testing
Similar to the Intradermal test, but the diagnosis involves in applying a drop of allergen into to punctures made on the skin.

2. Blood test (RadioAllergoSorbent Test)
This is the test for evaluating of the levels of IgE-mediated food allergies react to a particular allergen. If you RAST score is higher than the predictive value for that food, 95% chance you will have an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, non-IgE mediated allergies cannot be detected by this method.

3. Challenge Tests
Because of the risk of anaphylaxis, most doctors will avoid the test unless it is absolutely necessary and the test is performed only in the hospital. In this test, suspected allergen package into capsule taken by patient and signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction are observed.

4. Etc.

K.4. Prevention
There is no way to prevent them unless you can prevent yourself from contact them. But one can always enhance the immune system by eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. For more information of healthy foods, visit 100+ Healthy Foods Classification

K.5. Treatments
K.5.1. In conventional Medicine
According to the "Latex allergy" by Gawchik SM. (Source from Crozer Chester Medical Center, President's House, Chester, PA 19013. drgawchik@yahoo.com, Mt Sinai J Med 78:759-772, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine), researchers suggested that diagnosis of latex allergy is based on a clinical history that correlates the development of symptoms in relationship to exposure. In the United States there are no skin tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore a combination of clinical judgment and serologic testing such as ImmunoCAP and Immulite is helpful. The primary treatment of latex allergy is avoidance of exposure to the latex protein.
1. There is no specific treatment for Hay fever, but depending to the symptoms. Medication includes bronchodilators, anti-allergics, antihistamines, NSAIDs, etc.
2. Allergic shot
Allergy shot, also known as immunotherapy, contains extracts from the most common substance which people are allergic to, including pollen, insects, pets, etc., by providing long-term relief from certain symptoms. In some people, after series of allergic shot, the disease is cured.

K.5.2. Herbs
1. Garlic
It is best known for treating cold and flu and enhances immune system against alll types of foreign invasion. According to the study of "Immunomodulatory Effects of Aged Garlic Extract" Eikai Kyo, Naoto Uda, Shigeo Kasuga and Yoichi Itakur, Posted in the "Journal of Nutrition" in March 2001, researchers strongly suggest that AGE (Aged Garlic Extract) could be a promising candidate as an immune modifier, which maintains the homeostasis of immune functions; further studies are warranted to determine when it is most beneficial.

2. Turmeric
Turmeric paste has been used in traditional herbal medicine as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, it also helps to treat allergy. According to an article "Vitamin D and turmeric for allergies" by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon posted in Washington Post, May 11-2009, the authors wrote that In animal studies, turmeric prevents the release of histamine from mast cells (Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, September 2008). If it works similarly in humans, this would prevent allergy symptoms from developing.

3. Grape seed extract
Grape seed extract is best known for its antioxidant property in delay aging, it also acts as a natural histamine inhibitor, thus reducing the risk of allergic responses.

4. Licorice root

Beside is nest known to lower stomach acid levels, relieve heartburn and indigestion, licorice root is also boost the levels of interferon of immune system to fight off attacking viruses. According to the article of "Licorice, plantain and nettle herbs used in the treatment of Allergies" posted in Bitteroot restorationthe author wrote that This ( Licorice root) can actually help to counteract many of the symptoms that are associated with allergies.: It also contains substances which work to thin the mucus and soothe to respiratory passages, which can reduce irritation that often accompanies allergies and their symptoms.

5. Etc.

K.5.3. In traditional Chinese medicine
In a study of "Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric allergic disorders." by Li XM. (Source from Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA., posted in PubMed, researcher indicated that in the last 2-3 years, there have been more controlled studies of TCM for allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Several publications including ours indicate that some TCM herbal formulas are well tolerated and produce some level of efficacy. Some herbal formulas also showed beneficial immunomodualtory effects. Several preclinical studies demonstrated that the food allergy herbal formula-2 was effective in protecting against peanut anaphylaxis in animal models. Two TCM products have entered clinical trials in the United States for treating asthma and food allergy, respectively. Both of these trials include children. In Summary, researcher concluded that Recent studies indicate that TCM therapy including herbal medicines and acupuncture for allergic disorders in children is well tolerated. There are also promising clinical and objective improvements. More controlled clinical studies are encouraged.

1. Xin Yi Hua is a lily-shaped flower with a hairy bud and Xin-yi-san (Magnolia Flower Powder)a. It is a type of traditional Chinese medicine used to treat allergy and dramatically reduces the symptoms of sneezing, anosmia, nasal congestion and profuse rhinorrhea (runny nose) caused by allergies triggered by dust mites, pets and fungi.According to the study of "Traditional Chinese medicine, Xin-yi-san, reduces nasal symptoms of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis by its diverse immunomodulatory effects" bySien-Hung Yang, Chia-Li Yu, Ying-Lin Chen, Sheng-Lin Chiao, Mei-Ling Chen f. Posted in International Immunopharmacology 10 (2010) 951–958, researchers found that this proposal is based on the fact that different combinations of Chinese herbs involve different mechanisms. It appears that the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects derived from the mixed formula of Chinese herbs are broader than XYS. Nevertheless,we found that XYS alone sufficiently exerts immunomodulatory effects on patients with AR.In conclusion, this study provides evidence to support that XYS, when used singly, is beneficial in nasal allergic inflammation through enhancing IL-10 and IL-8 production.

b. Ingredient

Main use: Expels wind-cold, unblocks nasal passages, congestion, loss of smell, sinus headache.