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2 Interesting facts about
allergies
Allergies – Why are they becoming more
frequent?
Illnesses caused by allergies such as hay
fever and allergic reaction to house dust
an animal hair have almost doubled in the
last few years. It is not yet medically clear
why more and more people are suffering
from allergic symptoms. Exaggerated
hygiene in childhood may hamper the
development of the immune system and
favour allergies. It is certain, however,
that along with heredity increased
environmental pollution plays a significant
role in the development of allergies.
Hay fever – A trifling complaint?
Hay fever, otherwise known as allergic
rhinitis, is not actually a fever and does not
necessarily have anything to do with hay. It
is not caused by a virus but by pollen. Hay
fever should always be taken seriously. The
allergy can spread to the lower respiratory
passages, leading to chronic disorders and
finally to asthma. Your doctor can provide
you with a diagnosis and the correct
individual advise for you.
Hay fever – How it arises.
It is our immune system’s job to fend off
and render harmless any contaminants
that invade our bodies. In the case of an
allergy, the immune system over-reacts
to these contaminants. Even the tiniest
amounts of allergens, such as flower
pollen for example, are enough to include
the typical hay fever symptoms:
• Agonising desire to sneeze combined
with violent sneezing attacks;
• Swollen, itchy nasal mucosa;
• Itchy, watery, swollen eyes.
The reason for this is an over-reaction of
our defence mechanism. As soon as the
flower touches the mucous membranes
of the nose and eyes, the body mobilises
all its defences. Too many antibodies are
created. These sit on the so-called mast
cells.
The mast cells in turn release tissue
substances (primarily histamine) that lead
to the typical miseries of hay fever.
What can help to combat this over-
reaction?
Of course, the easiest way of preventing
an allergy is to consistently avoid all
substances that trigger allergies. However,
in practice this is hardly possible as one
can come across allergens not only outside
but also at home (due to house dust) or in
foodstuffs.
In
addition
to
drug
treatment
using antihistamines and cortisone,
inoculations and acupuncture, specialist
centres successfully use cost-intensive
phototherapy. In this case red light rays
of one wavelength (approx. 660nm) are
generated by special light emitting diodes
to eliminate the allergic symptoms and
the over-sensitivity.
How phototherapy using the Bionase can
help you.
Phototherapy is a new type of allergy
treatment without drugs.
