Allergies: causes and solutions - Allergies

In simple terms, an allergy is a hyperactive response of the immune system to certain substances which are "foreign" to our bodies. These substances are called "allergens", and they can range from food and pollen to dust and drugs. Allergies are something we acquire throughout life, and some people
are more susceptible than others.

Conventional treatment of allergies is most commonly directed at blocking the immune response, or in more severe cases, at suppressing the entire immune function with steroids, both systemic and topical. While this approach can provide symptomatic relief, it does nothing to address the
underlying cause of the problem. Patients often become dependant on their medication, they suffer from numerous side effects, and more importantly, they worsen their overall health by constantly suppressing their immune system.

In October 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that Pfizer's blockbuster antihistamine frug "Zyrtec" had gained a supplemental U.S. approval for use in children as young as 6 months old. Zyrtec (cetirizine hydrochloride), which is currently indicated to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis - nasal inflammation - and to treat itching and hives in adults and in children age 2 and older, has been cleared for those 2 indications in children 6 months and older.

So, what is the problem with using an antihistamine drug for children?

This is a classic example of the drug companies wanting to push their expensive drug band-aids for problems which in no way require a drug solution.

Allergic symptoms in children are a major clue that something is wrong with the child. Rather than covering up the problem using a drug, it is important to recognize that allergy symptoms are a warning that something being given to the child is causing them a problem.

Usually the offending agent is the food which the child is eating. This problem is greatly reduced in children who are breast-fed, although allergies still exist in some cases. In these cases it is usually the mother's diet which needs to be cleaned up. The 2 biggest culprits are dairy and gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt).

Usually removing these foods from the child's diet, and making sure the child is given enough omega-3 fats will eliminate the vast majority of allergies. Other supplements have also been well documented to reduce allergies in infants. The classic here would be beneficial bacteria, like acidophilus.

A team of researchers from Finland found that children who eventually developed allergies ate less butter and more margarine compared with children who did not develop allergies(1).

This study is not the first to suggest that certain types of fatty acids may play a role in the onset of allergic diseases. Polyunsaturated fats like those in margarine are believed to promote the formation of prostaglandin E2, a substance which promotes inflammation and causes the immune system to release a protein which triggers allergic reactions. Remember that butter is a natural food, while margarine is one of the worst things you can eat.

Their results support the hypothesis that the quality of the fat consumed in the diet is important for the development of allergic diseases in children.