Normally, the body learns to defend itself through experience - by encountering, battling and remembering one enemy after another. For decades, medical science has taken advantage of this ability by using vaccination to create immunity - the immunologic "memory" of a disease. Allergic reactions occur after the immune system mistakenly learns to recognize innocent foreign substances (allergens) as potentially harmful.

The following story illustrates how an allergy can develop:

Over a field of ragweed plants floats an invisible cloud of pollen grains, soon carried by the wind into a nearby town. The pollen is inhaled by a child whose body has never been exposed to this substance before.

Because of some genetic predisposing factor, this child's immune system overreacts and produces large numbers of IgE antibodies, all specially designed to respond to ragweed pollen. Several of the antibodies attach themselves to cells in the child's nasal passages and upper respiratory tract.

These cells (known as mast cells) contain strong chemicals called mediators, the best-known of which is histamine.

Later, when the child inhales the same kind of pollen again, proteins from the pollen bind in a lock-and-key fashion to the specially designed antibodies on the surface of the mast cells. This sets off an explosion of sorts, as the mediators burst from inside the mast cells, destroying the pollen and also damaging surrounding tissues. The results are sneezing, a stuffy head, sniffling, stuffed-up head and red, watery eyes - well-known hallmarks of allergies.

Causes and Risk Factors of Allergies

The fundamental cause of allergy is still not known. The problem has a tendency to run in families. An allergic individual is more likely to have relatives who are allergic than would be expected on the basis of chance, but non-hereditary factors apparently play a part as well. Evidence of this is the fact that infants who are breast-fed are less likely to develop allergies than bottle-fed babies.

The reason an individual becomes sensitive to some substances and not to others remains a mystery.

Individuals can be affected by a variety of allergic diseases. The most common allergic diseases are allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and urticaria. (Allergic rhinitis is the most common of the allergic diseases and the main focus of this health profile. More comprehensive information about the other conditions may be found under that particular term.)

Allergic rhinitis is a general term used to apply to anyone who has allergy-based symptoms. Allergic rhinitis can be a seasonal problem (commonly known as "hay fever" or pollen allergy) or a year-round problem (commonly known as perennial allergic rhinitis). Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by allergy to pollens of trees, grasses, weeds or mold spores. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by house dust, animal danders, mold and some foods.

Asthma is caused by intrinsic and extrinsic (inhaled) factors. Intrinsic factors are pollens, dust, dust mites, animal fur, animal dander or feathers. Extrinsic factors are respiratory infections; a cough, cold or bronchitis; exercise and tobacco smoke or other air pollutants, and can be caused by an allergy to a particular food or medication.

Home Remedies for Skin Allergies

Make a paste from sandalwood and limejuice, apply on the affected area it will provide relief from itching. This is a good home remedy for skin allergy.

Find some powerful remedies Allergy Supplement.

Application of mashed almond leaves to the affected area is highly beneficial. This is one of the useful skin allergy cure.

Make a paste from five grams of garden mint in water. Sieve the water now add 12 grams of sugar, drink this syrup twice a day for immediate relief. This is a good home remedy for skin allergy.

Application of mashed papaya seeds on the area reduces itching.

Natural remedy for skin allergy - Application of lemon juice mixed with coconut oil is also beneficial.

Crush 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water and 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply this to affected areas for quick relief from skin allergies. This is another good home remedy for skin allergies.

Intake of vitamin C reduces the chances of allergies. 1000mg of the vitamin is recommended daily. This is one of the simplest skin allergy remedy.

Also read about Exhibits Anti-allergie Action
Home Remedies For Hives and also more read on herbalcureindia.com

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