This is a question from a patient to his doctor, about his allergies and here is the answer from Dr. Andrew Wei.
Some years ago I started to develop allergies to certain foods, medications and pollen, I have started to stop going out and I am afraid to eat anything. What happen? Is this a bad sign? Is there anything I can do about it?
Answer: Fear of food and the great outdoors – you have to be miserable! Fear no, you don’t have to start living in a plastic bubble. Allergies , in a sense, are “mistakes” made by the immune system. Allergens such as cat dander, pollen and shellfish proteins cannot harm us and generally do not need to be repelled. Conclusion: Allergy is a learned response of the immune system , and everything learned by this system can be ignored.
Strengthening the immune system fights allergies
Many middle-aged people find that the cumulative effects of an unbalanced diet, environmental toxins, and stress can overstimulate and bypass the immune system. What you are experiencing should be a wake-up call. Your goal should be to convince and re-educate the immune system to peacefully coexist with the common allergens that come into contact with you. Taking Benadryl or other antihistamines as a solution merely suppresses the allergic response. Regular use of them can actually perpetuate the allergy and interfere with the reeducation of the immune system.
You cannot change a hereditary predisposition to allergy , but you can adjust your lifestyle and modify your environment to influence immunity in the right direction.
Many people practice “avoidance therapy” to control allergies, such as keeping their distance from cats. Some people even move to different parts of the world to “get away” from allergens. For most, these movements are simply impractical, and people often find that new allergies have developed in a short period of time.
Diet is the most effective way to fight allergies
Diet, on the other hand, is easier to work with and can profoundly influence immune reactivity. High-protein diets can worsen autoimmune diseases like rheumatic arthritis and lupus, in which the body attacks its own tissues. The protein in cow’s milk, in particular, is a frequent detractor, in those with a weak immune system, it can be a cause of problems again. Cut back on protein, especially animal protein, avoid dairy and milk, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. Wheat can also be a detractor.
I would recommend a critical reevaluation of your stress and daily habits. You may find mind-body work, such as hypnosis, helpful for a particular allergen. You could also study some type of regular relaxation therapy.
Natural remedy for allergies
A good natural remedy is quercetin – a bioflavonoid obtained from fruits and citrus fruits, buckwheat – 400 mg twice a day between meals. This is a natural product available in most health food stores that appears to stabilize the cells of the immune system that release histamine, the mediator of allergic reactions. Its action is preventive and not symptomatic, so it must be taken regularly.