Allergies
What's the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity?
An allergy is like being in a state of war with a substance that the body considers to be foreign and threatening. It is an acquired, abnormal immune response to a substance (allergen) that does not normally cause a reaction. This is when histamines are released from injured cells and cause irritation and inflammation of surrounding tissues. Symptoms include asthma, edema, sinus congestion, gastrointestinal reactions, hives, intestinal spasms, itchy eyes, nasal discharge, skin rashes and sneezing to name a few. Allergies can be chronic conditions.
Allergic parents tend to have allergic children. It may not be an allergy to the specific substance that is inherited, but the metabolic weakness that makes a child susceptible to allergies in general. So it becomes ongoing and can be difficult to trace the original allergen. This can be life threatening.
A sensitivity, on the other hand, is an intolerance, which involves the digestive system, and missing enzymes, and does not tend to be life threatening, although it can cause great discomfort.
Can Homoeapthy help with an allergy that is potentially life threatening?
The answer is yes! The approach is two fold, the allergic reaction would be treated as the acute phase, and then the chronic condition that underlies the cause of the allergy sensitivity. This is where the real healing takes place.
For example, Hay fever is a common allergic reaction which has symptoms such as runny eyes and a running nose where the discharge burns - much like the reaction to cutting an onion. Allium Cepa (red Onion) is in fact, the remedy that would be given for these symptoms. If a patient gets stung by a honey bee and has an allergic reaction such as redness, and rapid swelling, Apis is given. If a patient reacts to an allergen by fits of violent sneezing that comes in spasms, and a tingling nose, Sabadilla is given. These are acute citations and can be dealt with quickly and effectively, in minutes, with a remedy kit at home.
However, there is always a chronic underlying condition that results in these reactions being ongoing. Homeopathy looks to treat this underlying cause effectively, and this requires help from a professional homeopath because it is much more involved.
So how would homeopathy treat an allergy?
As with every ailment, a consultation would include a detailed discussion of symptoms, diet and lifestyle. Common allergens would be discussed and identified, the obvious ones are wheat, dairy and soy. After much work behind the scenes, a remedy is identified, and a treatment plan is formed. Homeopathy is not based on specific remedies for specific complaints - it is a holistic individualised treatment.