Allergic responses typically affect the skin, gut,
and respiratory tract, the major sites of parasitic invasion, it is thought
that IgE evolved as a defence against parasitic infestation. Helminths
stimulate a vigorous IgE production, they said have to the gate keeper function
because they help to recognize he foreign material so early. Allergy triggered
by IgE may be considered a beneficial function to the host; the typical
allergic reactions of mucus secretion, itching, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea
sneezing,bronchoconstriction, inflammation, , tear production are all
mechanisms that expel allergenic proteins from the body. The immune response in
allergy begins with sensitization. When, pollen allergens house dust mite are
inhaled, the Langerhans cells in the epithelium lining the airways of the lungs
and nose, internalize, process and then express these allergens on their cell
surface.. In the allergic response, the plasma cell produces IgE antibodies,
Once formed and released into the circulation, IgE binds to high affinity
receptors on mast cells, leaving its allergen specific receptor site available
for future interaction with allergen. Other cells known to express
high-affinity receptors for IgE include basophils, Langerhans cells and
activated monocytes. Production of allergen specific IgE antibodies completes
the immune response known as sensitization.
When re-exposed, the allergen to IgE stimulates the
immune system to initiate a more aggressive and rapid memory response.The
immune system's response to allergen exposure can be divided into two phases.
The first is immediate hypersensitivity or the early phasereaction that occurs
within 15 minutes of exposure to the allergen. The second, or late phase
reaction, occurs 4-6 hours after the disappearance ofthe first phase symptoms
and can last for days or even weeks. During the early phase reaction chemical
mediators released by mast cells including
histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and
thromboxane produce local tissue responses characteristic of an allergic
reaction. In the respiratory tractbronchoconstriction in the lung, leading to
wheezing. During the late phase reaction in the lung, cellular infiltration,
fibrin deposition and tissuedestruction resulting from the sustained allergic
response lead to increased bronchial reactivity, edema and further inflammatory
cell recruitment.
Significance of IgE in Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease
which has significant impact on quality of life, loss of productivity, and
financial expenditure Diagnosis of AR is performed by clinical parameters as
well as measurement of specific IgE reactivity through in vitro or in vivo
methods. There is currently no accepted screening test for differentiating AR
from diseases with similar symptoms. The measurement of total serum IgE level
is a low-cost test that is used in diagnosis of AR.
Elevated total IgE has a high positive predictive
value for identification of in vitro specific IgE in the diagnosis of allergic
rhinitis
How can it be prevented?
Avoidance of allergen exposure has only partially
been successful in prevention of IgE-sensitization. Avoidance is difficult to
implement and can severely restrict lifestyle, benefits are small, and
long-term effects are doubtful. Until
recently it has been recommended that infants at
high allergy risk may benefit through avoidance of pets and dust mites during
the first year of life,but new research suggests that in some individuals, such
exposures may result in immunological diseases. Prevention of IgE sensitization
is possible in the occupational environment by theelimination of sensitizing
agents from the workplace or implementing measures to prevent employee
exposure. Smoking has been shown to be a riskfactor for the development of IgE
antibodies against occupational gents and has an adjuvant effect with irritant
gases, such as ozone and sulphur.So apart from other benefits to health,
non-smoking policies in the workplace may have a role to play in preventing IgE
sensitization.
Homeopathic approach
As
in other cases ultimate cure occur only after administration of a
constitutional remedy.
ARS
LB, AMM. CARB, ALLIUM CEPA, NUX VOM CUPRUM MET are the main remedies to tackle acute episode
.
But
to eradicate the tendency better to think about THUJA/TUBERCULINUM/
PSORINUM/SULPHUR/ OR CARCINOSINUM
And
of these tuberculinum/ psorinum/suphur ranks high
An
example-
Case
of an 70 year old man with frequent sneezing and cough.
Found
the acute remedy as nuxvom, and tried in 30 potency for a week as tds. After getting symptomatic
improvement psorinum 1M/2D was tried
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