Allergies
All allergies can potentially lead to chronic fatigue. Allergic reactions that occur rarely and / or are short lived are the least likely to cause chronic fatigue, whilst chronic allergies or frequent attacks are highly likely to be accompanied by chronic fatigue. One out of three people in the U.K. now suffer from some form of allergy.
Allergic reactions and allergy symptoms vary greatly in type and degree. Mild to moderate allergies are usually easy to control and rarely require a second thought. Moderate to severe allergies and multiple allergies can be debilitating, persistent and exhausting. There is no cure for allergies. Medical treatment is directed toward alleviation of symptoms. The best action is still avoidance, but it is frequently impossible to avoid all exposure if allergens are widespread, like pollen, mould, dust and dust mites. The most common types of allergies are:
- Allergic rhinitis, perennial or seasonal, like hayfever and dust mite allergies
- Allergic Asthma
- Urticaria / hives
- Food Allergies, Intolerances and Sensitivities
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
- Sulphite Sensitivity
- MSG Symptom Complex
Other allergic reactions include anaphylaxis, eye allergies, contact dermatitis and eczema.
Allergens
Although allergens can be anything, depending on the individual, most people tend to be allergic to the same things. Common allergens include:
- Pet dander
- Mould
- Dust and dust mites
- Latex
- Pollen: tree, grass, weed and flower
- Foods: tomatoes, eggs, dairy, wheat, citrus
- Drugs: antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, anaesthetics, morphine derivatives, aspirin-like drugs - diclofenac, ibuprofen, cancer chemotherapy drugs, antiseptics, vaccines, anticonvulsants, antituberculosis medication, streptokinase, insulin
- Venom: insect bites and stings
- Preservatives such as Parabens
Diagnosis
Allergies are diagnosed with skin patch, skin prick or blood tests. Some medical professionals may diagnose obvious allergies, like hayfever, on symptoms and medical history alone. If in doubt, insist on additional testing.
Skin prick testing is when a solution containing a suspected allergen is mixed and a drop of the mixture is placed on the skin and then the skin is pricked. A positive reaction is when the affected skin becomes red and itchy, usually within 20 - 30 minutes of exposure. A white raised swelling, called a wheal, surround the red, itchy spot appears and reaches it maximum size within 15 - 20 minutes, then fading within a few hours. A negative reaction is when nothing happens and the skin remains normal. Anti-histamines can affect the results of the test by inhibiting the allergic reaction.Skin prick testing is used for allergens like house dust mites and pollen which trigger systemic reactions.
Skin patch testing is used to identify skin allergies, like those causing contact dermatitis and contact urticaria. The suspected skin irritant is placed on a patch on the skin without breaking the skin. A positive test will illicit a skin reaction whilst a negative test will not.
Blood tests can be used to test for allergy mediated responses and is particularly helpful in allergies with delayed reactions or when skin prick tests are unsuitable (due to a risk of anaphylactic shock, extensive eczema, unusual or rare allergens and when antihistamines cannot be discontinued due to severity of symptoms). Blood tests detect IgE (immediate reactions) and IgG (delayed reactions) antibodies. Food allergies have been linked with delayed allergic reactions and usually require IgG allergy testing to establish which foods are involved. IgE testing is standard in medical practice. IgG allergy testing is still controversial, but available privately with laboratories like I.W.D.L. and YorkTest.
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- 27/06/07 Relief From Urticaria / Hives [tags:Orthomolecular Medicine · Causes of Fatigue · Allergies]
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