Allergies

What is an allergy?

In New Zealand 1 in 3 people have had an allergic reaction of some form, whether it be a mild case or a  life changing experience, nevertheless it is never a very nice experience for anyone, especially children.

Allergies can be caused by several factors of our everyday life for instance dust mites, Insect stings or bites, pollens, latex, medication & especially food. Of course these allergies effect different people in different ways.

What happens when you have an allergic reaction?

Antibodies are supposed to protect our bodies against viruses, parasites and infections. But for people with an allergy, their immune system mistakenly identifies the particular allergen as an invader and begins to create antibodies against it. These antibodies, called IgE, attach themselves to mast cells, which are abundant under the surface of the skin and in the nose, eyes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. When the allergen is encountered, the IgE antibodies grab it, triggering the mast cells to release powerful chemicals, including histamine. This causes the allergic reaction. A reaction often occurs within minutes or up to a few hours after contact and may lead to many different symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

Food allergy,on the other hand, is more often associated with stomach or bowel problems and may cause hives. Allergic reactions can involve several parts of the body at the same time.

The symptoms of allergic reactions range from mild to severe to life threatening. They can be categorised according to the organs affected, which are:

• The skin: hives, eczema and facial swelling
• The respiratory system: symptoms can affect the nose (hay fever), throat (swelling) and lungs (cough, wheeze)
• The gastrointestinal system: nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and diarrhea
• The cardiovascular system: feeling faint, weakness, pallor, floppiness (particularly in infants), and collapse.

Allergic symptoms may only occur locally — for example localised swelling to a bee sting — or they can be generalised (widespread).

Who is allergic?

Specific allergies are not inherited, for example allergy to pollen or peanuts, but the tendency to be allergic is. The potentially allergic infant is one who has one or more allergic parents, grandparents or siblings. The reasons for developing allergies are not entirely known, but any person may develop an allergy at any age.

The best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid what triggers the allergy. The allergic person needs to become very aware of when symptoms develop and take steps to reduce contact with the offending substances. Identifying allergens is not simple and may require skilled intervention or help.

 Symptoms from Coeliac NZ

There are no specific symptoms of Coeliac Disease. Listed below are some of the symptoms which may occur alone or in combination.

Most Common in Adults:

• Diarrhoea – This may begin at any age and is often present for years prior to diagnosis. It may first appear after other illnesses (e.g. gastroenteritis) or abdominal operations.
• Fatigue, weakness and lethargy
• Anaemia – iron or folic acid deficiency are the most common. The anaemia will either not respond to treatment or will recur after treatment until the correct diagnosis is made and a gluten free diet is begun.
• Weight loss
• Constipation – some are more likely to experience constipation rather than diarrhoea.
• Flatulence and abdominal distension
• Cramping and bloating.
• Nausea and vomiting

Less Common in Adults

• Easy bruising of the skin
• Ulcerations and/or swelling of mouth and tongue
• Miscarriages and infertility
• Low blood calcium levels with muscle spasms
• B12, A, D, E and K vitamin deficiency
• Skin rashes such as Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Altered mental alertness.
• Bone and joint pains

Common in Children

Symptoms do not occur until gluten is introduced into an infant diet – later onset is also possible.

• Large, bulky, foul stools
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Poor weight gain
• Weight loss in older children
• Chronic anaemia
• Retarded growth
• Abdominal distension, pain and flatulence
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritability

Problems with Diagnosis

Since other conditions can closely mimic Coeliac Disease, the correct diagnosis can only be made by showing that the bowel lining is definitely damaged. If Coeliac Disease is suspected, a gluten free diet should not be started, as it will interfere with establishing the correct diagnosis and may delay the diagnosis of another condition with similar symptoms. Trialing of a gluten free diet does not provide a diagnosis of Coeliac Disease and subsequent investigations whilst on a gluten free diet may render a false negative. This includes the serological testing. The biopsy test should always be performed before starting a gluten free diet. It is important to discuss the possibility of Coeliac Disease with a doctor, if anyone has a close relative with the condition or if they have been treated for anaemia on previous occasions.

What Is Gluten ?

Gluten is a protein found in Wheat, Barley, Rye and possibly Oats. In addition many processed foods contain hidden sources of gluten. Foods containing corn, maize, potato, rice, soy or tapioca are suitable for people with Coeliac disease.

Source: This information has come form the New Zealand Coeliac  and Allergy New Zealand