One reason for the development of allergy may be malfunction of the respiratory epithelium, which allows allergens to bind to, enter and travel through the epithelium. Two studies by Finnish research groups on this subject have recently been published in two international biomedical journals (1) Allergy, and (2) Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Research on the mechanisms of allergy has focused on the understanding of aberrant immunoresponses. Only lately the role of epithelium as the first line of defense against allergens has been realized. So far, we do not know why and how allergens are transported through the epithelium.

The research groups of the Helsinki University and Helsinki University Central Hospital in collaboration with several other Finnish research groups aimed to clarify what happens in the epithelium immediately after allergen exposure, before the allergic reaction develops. They used birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1) exposure and showed that this allergen binds to, enters and travels through conjunctival and nasal epithelium of allergic patients but not of healthy subjects within one minute after the exposure. An allergic reaction developed when the allergen reached mast cells under the basement membrane.

During the research it became evident that during spring, in allergic patients the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 changed the expression of hundreds of genes of the nasal epithelium compared to samples taken during winter; and of these genes several were connected with protein transport and regulation of cytoskeleton. An astonishing finding was that the immune response of in healthy controls to pollen exposure was strong, and hundreds of genes changed their expression during winter and spring; however, many of these genes were related to the function of the immune response.

“We were able to describe a mechanism whereby birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 travels through the epithelium of allergic patients but not of healthy subjects. This kind of transport mechanisms are used by several viruses and bacteria when invading the epithelium and infecting patients”, explains Professor Risto Renkonen (Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland).

A systems biological approach was used in these studies, where data obtained concomitantly by several different methods is collected into a massive data warehouse allowing one to start analyzing the roles of different proteins and their networks in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions.

Reductionistic analyses, i.e., work focusing on one or only a few molecules are gradually replaced by systems approaches. The ability to discover new, etiologically relevant disease mechanisms is the major motivation for unbiased explorative approaches. The drawback of such top-down experiments is that they are very expensive and produce much more raw data than hypothesis-derived approaches thus generating an overflow of data. However, the urgent need to develop in silico data managing and analysis environments has been recognized by several research groups and biocompanies.

There are tons of allergy medicines available, both over the counter and by prescription. So, how can you know which is one is best?

The answer to this question is not a simple one. First, it will be helpful to explore the main type of medicine used to treat allergies, which is an antihistamine.

What is Antihistamine?

Antihistamine is a drug that blocks a receptor for histamine. Histamine is a chemical in your body that over-reacts to certain triggers, or allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander and produces allergy symptoms. These symptoms can include sneezing, nasal stuffiness, sniffling, and itching.Histamine is one of the chemicals released when antibodies overreact to allergens. It is the cause of many symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Anti histamines can help relieve:

* Itching, sneezing, and nasal discharge
* Other allergy symptoms unrelated to rhinitis, including hives and some rashes
* Nasal congestion, for some of the newer antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and desloratadine (Clarinex)

If possible, patients should take antihistamines before an anticipated allergy attack.

Many antihistamines are available. They include short-acting and long-acting forms and are available as tablets, nasal-inhalers, eye drops, and syrups. Antihistamines are generally categorized as first- and second-generation. First-generation antihistamines may cause more side effects than newer second-generation ones. This drug prevents or helps in preventing these symptoms.
There are different choices you can choose for your allergy medication.
First-Generation Antihistamines
These are the original medicines developed to treat allergy symptoms and are available over the counter. These medications are generally effective, but have some bothersome side effects, especially drowsiness, which makes it difficult to take them on regular basis. Best examples for this are Benadryl and Chlortrimeton.
Second-Generation Antihistmines.
These medicines don’t cause the same level of drowsiness as their predecessors, though some of them can still cause mild sedation in some people. However, they are all highly effective and can be taken on a regular basis with very few side effects. They also come in long-lasting versions, so you only need to take them once a day. Examples are Allegra, Zyrtec, and Claritin. Claritin has been sold over the counter for a couple of years, and also has a number of generic versions (loratidine).

Leukotriene modifiers. Singulair falls into this category and it is used for both allergies and asthma. It blocks leukotrienes, another body chemical that is involved in the allergic response.
Homeopathic medicines. This is an alternative treatment for allergies, whereby you take tiny amounts of allergens by mouth to slowly de-sensitize you over time to allergens (it’s also known as sublingual immunotherapy).

Which Treatments are Best for You?
Since the arrival of the second-generation, non-sedating antihistamines a decade or more ago, the first-generation drugs have fallen out of favor. Why take something that causes such bothersome side effects when you can take something just as effective that doesn’t? Probably the main reason why anyone would take one of them now is the fact that you can buy them without a doctor’s prescription and that they don’t usually cost as much.

The jury is still out on whether homeopathic medicines are actually effective, though some people swear by them. They are definitely not proven through reliable research, however.

So, that leaves the second-generation antihistamines as the most common choice for treating allergies today. But among those, which is best? There are studies proving the effectiveness of one over the other in regards to various criteria, including length of action, quickness of action and level of relief. However, most of these studies were sponsored by the drug companies that make the medicines, so you have to look at those results with some caution and skepticism.

The increased attention on the H1N1 (swine) flu is coming at an interesting time in Maine. We are wrapping up our flu season, and are still seeing occasional reports of Influenza A and B in the area, while budding trees and blooming flowers are also wreaking havoc on the sinuses of Mainers across the state.

The following listed are symptoms for each:

Symptoms of Skin Allergies

People suffering from skin allergies may experience the following symptoms during an allergy attack:

• Skin rashes
• Blisters on the skin
• A sudden immobility (only in rare cases of extreme allergies of the skin)
• Scaling of the skin
• Hives (a rash looking like raised welts on the skin that itch and occur in batches

The symptoms are mostly experienced on the hands as they get in contact with items and substances all day long, during work or at home.

Types of Skin Allergies

The term eczema is sometimes interchanged with another skin allergy condition; dermatitis. Eczema is actually an advanced type of dermatitis with more serious results.

Allergic contact dermatitis

This skin allergy rash occurs when the skin touches an object or substance that it is allergic to. The symptom (a rash or itch) usually occurs within 30 minutes after touching the object. Inflammation of the skin can occur and the skin must not be scratched or covered with anything when this happens.

Eczema

This is a skin condition causing a red rash and itching on the skin. Eczema skin symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort and the disease is most likely to affect children. Eczema affects approximately seven in a thousand people and most of these patients are children aged between two months and five years old.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis in an advanced stage and can cause blisters and scabs and oozing liquid from the skin. A cure for eczema must be determined by a doctor and experimenting with over the counter treatments that offer relief is not advised when the condition has been diagnosed, especially not with children. Conventional allergy therapies seem to have no to little effect on eczema.

Hives

Skin hives are a type of skin rash that is usually harmless. Caused most of the time by an allergy this rash looks like circular raised welts on the skin that can go red and itchy. The hives will show up in batches and can appear all over the body. Hives can be different in size, ranging from very small to a few centimetres in diameter.

Some Hidden Sources of Tree Nuts

* Artificial nuts can be peanuts that have been deflavored and reflavored with a nut, such as pecan or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts soaked in almond flavoring.
* Mortadella may contain pistachios.
* Tree nuts have been used in many foods, including barbecue sauce, cereals, crackers, and ice cream.
* Kick sacks, or hacky sacks, bean bags, and draftdodgers are sometimes filled with crushed nut shells.

Commonly Asked Questions

Should coconut be avoided by someone with a tree nut allergy?

Discuss this with your doctor. Coconut, the seed of a drupaceous fruit, has typically not been restricted in the diets of people with tree nut allergy. However, in October of 2006, the FDA began identifying coconut as a tree nut. The available medical literature contains documentation of a small number of allergic reactions to coconut; most occurred in people who were not allergic to other tree nuts. Ask your doctor if you need to avoid coconut.

Is nutmeg safe?

Nutmeg is obtained from the seeds of the tropical tree species Myristica fragrans. It is safe for an individual with a tree nut allergy.

Should water chestnuts be avoided?
The water chestnut is not a nut; it is an edible portion of a plant root known as a “corm.” It is safe for someone who is allergic to tree nuts.
Keep in Mind

* Tree nuts can cause severe allergic reactions. If your doctor has prescribed epinephrine, be sure to always carry it with you.
* Most experts advise tree nut-allergic patients to avoid peanuts as well.
* Most experts advise patients who have been diagnosed with an allergy to specific tree nuts to avoid all tree nuts.

(Allergic Eye Disease)

Eye allergy introduction

The eyes are the windows to the soul because they reflect our state of mind. This certainly can’t be true if our eyes are red, swollen, watery, and itchy from an allergic reaction. Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a common reason for visits to the allergist, ophthalmologist, and even the emergency room. Occasionally, severe eye allergies cause serious damage that can threaten eyesight.

Eye allergies usually are associated with other allergic conditions, particularly hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and atopic eczema (dermatitis). The causes of eye allergies are similar to those of allergic asthma and hay fever. Medications and cosmetics can play a significant role in causing eye allergies. Reactions to eye irritants and other eye conditions (for example, infections such as pinkeye) are often confused with eye allergy.

What is the basic anatomy of the outer eye?

Eye allergies mainly involve the conjunctiva, which is the tissue lining (mucus membrane) that covers the white surface of the eyeball and the inner folds of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is a barrier structure that is exposed to the environment and the many different allergens (substances that stimulate an allergic response) that become airborne. It is rich in blood vessels and contains more mast cells (histamine-releasing cells) than the lungs.

The lacrimal (tear) glands are located in the upper and outer portions of the eye. They are responsible for producing the watery component of tears, which keeps the eye moist and washes away irritants. The tears also contain important components of the immune defense such as immunoglobulin (antibodies), lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells), and enzymes.

The cornea is the transparent sheath in front of the lens of the eye. The cornea has no blood vessels and very little immune activity.