By Akshay Banker, Nina Banker and Jhanvi Banker It is very common for us to see so many people, especially children to have food allergies and some with severe reactions to some food items. I have also come across patients with food allergies, and so I thought that it is necessary to throw some light on the topic and see the scope of Homeopathy. Homeopathic treatment has shown very good results in immune system disorders. In allergies, immune system is disordered and so Homeopathic medicines have a very big scope to help these people suffering from food allergies. 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. Symptoms – Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after eating the offending food. The most common food allergy 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 symptoms, including: Constriction and tightening of airways; a swollen throat or sensation of a lump in throat that makes it difficult to breathe; a severe drop in blood pressure; rapid pulse; dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness; Emergency treatment is critical for it can cause coma or even death. In food allergy, the immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food or a substance in food as something harmful. The immune system triggers cells to release antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralise the culprit food or food substance (the allergen). The next time the smallest amount of that food is eaten, the IgE antibodies sense it and signal the immune system to release a chemical called histamine, as well as other chemicals, into the bloodstream. These chemicals cause a range of allergy signs and symptoms. Common food allergies are to: Eggs, Milk, Dairy, Nuts, Peanuts, Tree nuts such as walnuts and pecans, Wheat (gluten), Shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster and crab, Fish, etc Causes: there is increased risk of food allergies if asthma, eczema, hives or allergies such as hay fever are common in one’s family; If one is already allergic to one food, there is increased risk of becoming allergic to another; Food allergies are most common in children, especially toddlers and infants. From observation it has been presumed that the factors probably responsible for the allergy response to develop, are mental stress; improper treatment of various day to day problems with medicines which do not cure but suppress the diseases; by medicines which have many side effects; self medication; vaccinations; use of preservatives in food; etc. Diagnosis: There’s no standard test to confirm or rule out a food allergy. Keep a diary of food eaten. A skin prick test and a blood test to measure immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are normally done to check allergies. Treatments: The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the foods that cause signs and symptoms. However, despite best efforts, one may come into contact with a food that causes a reaction. Homeopathic treatment has successfully removed food allergy in many people. Homeopathic medicines are extremely safe, have no side effects, do not try to suppress the symptoms, but rather normalise the disturbed immune system. In food allergy, the immune system is disturbed, and so it is not able to tolerate the substance which is ‘normally harmless’ to the bod,y and so the treatment should be directed to bring the immune system to normalcy and not to suppress the expressions of immune system [symptoms of allergy]. Homeopathy makes the immune system healthy, so it does not react to such harmless nutritious food items and also strengthens the immune system during the course of treatment. Homeopathic medicines can be taken by anyone from a newborn to an elderly person for any and every kind of disease. We have seen ‘Allergies’ go away in patients and we are confident that homeopathic medicines can help patients with different kinds of food allergies, mild or severe. Homeopathic medicines are not simply prescribed on the diagnosis of ‘food allergy’, but we as a homeopathic practitioner take a detailed history of the patient which includes past sufferings, family hereditary diseases, patients personal details, mental emotional state, etc. by doing this we are able to understand the health status and functioning of the body & constitution of the patient. Then, a homeopathic medicine is prescribed. Homeopathic medicines do not interact with any other medicines, so the patient may take homeopathic medicines along with their other medicines, depending on the intensity of the allergy. The duration of treatment, from our experience we can say it is anywhere between 12 months to 3 years or more, depending on the individual patient. If the patient gives proper, detailed history, if they follow the instructions given and if the medication is continued for the time period specified by us, then Homeopathy can surely help get rid of the problem of food allergy.
