Allergies: Two Holistic Approaches
Avoid an Allergen or Accustom Your Body to It? The Jury is Out
Everybody has a different take on the best approach for treating allergic reactions. A critical analysis of two conflicting theories for "solving" the allergy dilemma.
When it comes to treating allergies, every doctor, therapist and holistic practitioner has a different theory on the best approach. Some doctors suggest gradual exposure to the allergen to build up a resistance, while others instruct their patients to avoid whatever they are allergic to until the allergy subsides. Some people believe that children can just “outgrow” allergies. What is the truth?
Can Children “Just Outgrow” Childhood Allergies?
Childhood asthma often clears up as children enter their teens. Sensitivities to pet dander, chemicals or food allergies sometimes lessen as allergy sufferers mature.
Other people, though, find that their allergy symptoms only worsen as they grow older.
It seems likely that other factors are involved than age alone: people don’t simply “outgrow” allergies. Something else quantifiable must occur to either improve or worsen allergy symptoms.
Two Conflicting Paradigms for Allergy Relief
There are two primary models for people relieving their own allergy symptoms without medical intervention.
The first suggests that allergies can be relieved by gradual exposure to an allergen.
The second claims that to eliminate an allergy, the allergen must be avoided for as long as it takes for the body’s reaction to that substance to heal.
1: Acclimation to an Allergen
Some allergy sufferers have found that gradually exposing themselves to the substance the allergy eventually lessens their symptoms. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the allergen or reactive substance, and stops releasing histamine in reaction to it – meaning no more allergic reactions.
This is a difficult route to follow. One woman who had treated her cat allergies this way told of it like this:
“I used to the get the worst reactions to cats, but I wasn’t going to let it beat me. When I was little, we used to let the cat sleep on my bed at night. At first, I’d wake up with the worst sore throat, coughing and sneezing, and my eyes caked over with grit. But over time, it got better. Soon enough, I wasn’t allergic to cats any more.”
Disadvantage: This may not be a healthy approach to allergy relief. It reduces symptoms for some people, but it may do so by suppressing the body’s natural immune function and driving the allergy – a form of un-wellness with the body – deeper inside, where it can contribute to serious disease. Suppressing an allergy is like suppressing deep emotions and ignoring a part of the self – not really a solution if the goal is balance between mind, body and spirit.
2: Avoiding an Allergen so the Body can Heal Itself
This approach is based on a belief that some allergic-type reactions are caused by overexposure to a food or other allergen (eating wheat flour or bread every day, for instance, can cause a sensitivity allergy). By scrupulously avoiding the allergy trigger, the body can be allowed to heal and will respond positively to the food again – after a “rest” period of weeks, months, or, depending on the severity, years.
This approach has provided excellent results for many people with developed sensitivities to wheat, yeast, milk, chocolate, nightshade vegetables (peppers, eggplant, potatoes, tomato) and other food allergens.
Disadvantage: This approach can be time-consuming and requires absolute commitment to finding alternatives to the allergen. Sensitivity to wheat flour responds particularly well to this approach but it can be difficult to search out alternatives to all the forms of wheat that are in most diets. It can also be difficult to completely avoid environmental allergens like pollen, pet dander, or mold. Nevertheless, the results can be well worth the effort.
Both Approaches are Challenging and Neither Guarantees Success
If you are considering either of these approaches as a solution to your allergies, please consult with a holistic nutritionist, doctor, or other medical professional. Keep in mind, however, that both require effort and commitment, and neither can absolutely guarantee success.
Thank goodness there are other options that work faster on allergies, like TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), energy psychology, energy medicine and dowsing.
