Allergic React ions
7Song, Director
Northeast School of Botanical Medicine
P.O. Box 6626 Ithaca, NY 14851
607-539-7172 www.7Song.com
Allergic reactions are a very common and important set of symptoms for
herbalists to learn to recognize and treat. They are a grouping of immunological
reactions rather than a single disease. While their consequences are occasionally
life-threatening (anaphylaxis and shock), there are many other less intimidating
circumstances where the experienced herbalist can mitigate symptoms and offer
relief. There are many types of allergic reactions; this paper will focus mainly on
the category known as Type I hypersensitivit y also known as immediate or
anaphylactic-type reactions. (See below for differentiation of hypersensitivity types.)
These are named due to the immediacy of the initial reactions. Initiators of these
reactions include insect stings, pollen, stress, foods and drugs. Anaphylaxis may
also result in this type of reaction. As this is one of the more dangerous
consequences of an allergic reaction, it will be discussed in detail later.
Allergies are often tricky to diagnose and treat for a number of reasons. First,
people display highly idiosyncratic reactions, which take on a diversity of symptom
pictures. Allergies may also show up suddenly in someone with no previous history
of sensitivity to an allergen. The converse may also happen; people with a previous
sensitivity to a specific allergen may find themselves less reactive after a time.
Hypersensitivity is a disorder of the immune system, in which there is an over
(hyper) reaction to an antigen, the substance causing the over-reaction.
Hypersensitivity reactions are classified by how they engage the immune system.
This classification emphasizes how the immune system reacts with the antigen and
the damage caused by the various immune components reaction to it. These
categories are listed here to help distinguish the various immunological
hypersensitivity allergic reactions from the one this paper is focused on,
hypersensitivity type I.
Hypersensitivity types
• Type I- Immediate or anaphyla ctic type (see below)
• Type II- Cytotoxic type- These reactions involve Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and
IgM binding to and destroying the cell the antigen is bound on. This is seen
in pernicious anemia, acute rheumatic fever and transplant rejections.
• Type III- Immune complex-mediated reaction- The immune complex occurs
after an antibody binds to antigen and causing an abnormal activation of the
complement system, which goes on to destroy local tissue. Examples include;
glomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematous (lupus, SLE)
• Type IV- Delayed or cell-mediated reactions- This type is mediated by T-cell
lymphocytes rather than B-lymphocytes. The delay is due to the time it takes
the T-cells and macrophages to mount a response, which may take from a few
hours to a few days. Contact dermatitises such as poison ivy rashes are this
type.
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Type I Hypersensitivity- Immediate or anaphylactic t ype. These reactions come
on shortly after contact with an allergen and are common. Some major risks
exist in this category including anaphylaxis, bronchoconstriction and the most
deadly being anaphylactic shock (explained below). In type I hypersensitivity an
individual who has previously been sensitized to an antigen mounts a strong
immunological response in their next encounter. It is caused by an antigen
binding with a mast cell or basophil with pre-formed immunoglobulin E (IgE),
which creates a cascade response involving the release of histamine, serotonin
and other vasoactive substances. These agents also attract other white blood
cells causing further reactions. Depending on the severity of the response these
substances alter blood vessels, smooth muscle and are pro-inflammatory. These
can take the form of local or systemic responses. Local responses include, nasal
congestion and discharge, wheal and flare, and hives. Major systemic reactions
include difficulty in breathing and vascular permeability.
Many type I reactions have 2 distinct phases, the early phase and the late phase
reactions. The early phase reactions are usually noticeable within 5-30 minutes
after contact. Its effects may include vasodilation, bronchoconstriction,
increased capillary permeability, smooth muscle contraction and mucous
secretion. These may subside within 1 hour. The late phase reactions occur from
2 to 8 hours after initial exposure. These symptoms are often similar to early
phase reactions but are more intense and persistent. Late phase symptoms
include greater inflammation of tissue, sluggishness and lethargy. These
different reactions are caused by the different chemical mediators released by
the body during early and late phase contact with an antigen.
Examples of type I hypersensitivity
1) Allergic rhinitis
2) Food allergy
3) Drug allergy
4) Insect venom allergy
5) Allergic asthma
Many substances (generally proteins) can act as allergens and cause allergic
reactions. One of the frustrating aspects of treating hypersensitivity reactions is
the difficulty of figuring out the causative agent, as they are often hard to pin down.
Some common allergic reactions include;
1) Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a broad title for one of the more common allergic
reactions. Its symptoms include; sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, itchy eyes,
and rhinorrhea. Two major categories are seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and
perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). SAR is usually associated with pollen exposure
(hay fever). PAR is characterized as occurring approximately nine months a
year. Some of the allergens include; pollens, molds, animal dander, and dust
mites. AR affects an estimated 20-40 million people in the United States.
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2) Food allergy- While there are some commonly identified ones (i.e.; wheat, dairy,
peanuts, etc), individuals may react to a wide variety of ingested articles. Food
journals and elimination diets may help figure out the allergenic agent.
3) Drug allergy- Many drugs can cause an array of systemic allergic reactions
including penicillin, aspirin and sulfonamides
4) Insect venoms- This is a group of insects (Order; Hymenoptera)
including bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and ants whose sting or bite may
produce a hypersensitive response. These are particularly dangerous allergic
responses as the venoms are injected subcutaneously and may elicit a deadly
anaphylactic reaction after prior sensitization. These insects are also common
around human habitations and it may be hard to avoid getting stung.
5) Allergic asthma- Asthmatic hy persensitivity reactions may be caused by a
variety of inhaled aeroallergens including pollen, animal dander, mold and dust
mites. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, anxiousness, cough
with thick bronchial mucous. Exercise, sudden temperature changes (usually
cold induced) and stress can trigger an attack.
Anaphylaxis (ana-up; phylaxis-protection) is a potentially life-threatening allergic
reaction. It is caused by re-exposure to a previously encountered antigen.
Anaphylaxis can be triggered by a number of sensitizing agent, including; food,
drugs, chemicals and insect venoms,
Anaphylaxis is the result of an antigen-antibody reaction. When this reaction is
formed basophils and mast cells release histamine and other vasoactive mediators,
which in turn may cause bronchoconstriction, and widespread vasodilation resulting
in a greatly reduced peripheral blood flow and lowered cardiac output with
circulatory collapse leading to shock. Due to the severity of this situation, proper
treatment needs to be immediately administered or death may ensue in matter of
minutes.
Management of anaphylactic shock includes giving an injection of epinephrine (i.e.;
an EpiPen), administration of fluids and oxygen and other methods to reduce shock.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Arrythmia
Diarrhea
Hyperemia
Hypotension
Intense anxiety
Itching, general or localized
Laryngeal edema
Nausea
Shock
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Weakness
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Common/Scient ific Pla nt Names
1) Anemone - Anemone spp.
2) Bayberry - Myrica spp.
3) Beggar’s Ticks - Bidens spp.
4) California poppy - Eschscholtzia
spp.
5) Echinacea – Echinacea spp.
6) Eyebright - Euphrasia spp.
7) Goldenrod - Solidago spp.
8) Licorice - Glycyrrhiza spp.
9) Ma Huang - Ephedra spp.
10) Meadowsweet-Filipendula ulmaria
11) Nettles - Urtica spp.
12) Osha - Ligusticum porteri
13) Plantain-Plantago spp.
14) Ragweed- Ambrosia spp.
15) Skullcap- Scutellaria lateriflora
16) Slippery elm - Ulmus rubra
17) Valerian-Valeriana officinalis
18) Willow- Salix spp.
19) Wolfberry - Lycium spp.
20) Yerba santa - Eriodictyon spp.
Categories of Herbal Therapies
Antihistamine type
- act like conventional antihistamines in that they quickly
reduce the severity of the allergic response. This category is based largely on
clinical observations on how these herbs appear to be working. Whether or not they
actually antagonize histamine remains to be researched.
Eyebright Osha
Ragweed
Antiinflammatories
- Counteracts or reduces inflammation
Licorice Meadowsweet
Willow Turmeric
Anxiolytics
-reduce the sensation of stress or anxiety
Anemone Skullcap
California poppy Valerian
Astringents
- tighten membranes and capillaries helping to reduce congestion
Oak Witch hazel
Bayberry Blackberry root
Constitutional therapies
- are a wholistic approach to treating the person and the
reason they are susceptible to allergic responses. This incorporates individualized
herb formulas in a tonic approach.
Decongestants
- relieve congestion, often drying out mucous membranes
Bayberry
Beggar’s ticks
Eyebright
Ragweed
Wolfberry
Yerba santa
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Drawing agents- draw out substances from underneath the skin.
Activated charcoal Slippery elm
Clay
Preventative- help prevent future outbreaks
Nettles
Goldenrod
Sympathomimetic- mimic the sympathetic nervous system reducing
bronchoconstriction
Ma huang
Topical relief- relieve external itchiness
Slippery elm Clay
Plantain
Glossary
yAeroallergen- any airborne allergen, such as pollen or molds
yAllergen- a substance that elicits a hypersensitivity reaction
yAnaphylaxis- a severe hypersensitivity reaction. See above
yAntibody- see Immunoglobulin
yAntigen- a substance that causes the formation of an antibody and elicits a
reaction from that antibody
yAtopic- a hereditary tendency to developing immediate allergic reactions often in
the form of rashes and allergic asthma
yBasophil- immune cells that contain histamine and other chemicals that mediate
inflammation and allergic reactions
yComplement system- a group of plasma proteins associated with immunity that
act as chemoattractants and lyse (put holes into) pathogens.
yCytokine-proteins produced by nucleated cells in response to stimuli. They act as
intercellular mediators and generally act locally on nearby cells
yDesensitization- a process to reduce individual response to an antigen
yHistamine-a chemical in basophils and mast cells released in allergic,
inflammatory reactions, which dilates blood vessels and constricts smooth
muscles of the bronchi.
yHives- see Urticaria
yHymenoptera-an order of insects including bees, wasps, hornets and ants
yHyperemia- a reddened area due to increased blood flow
yHypersensitivity- an abnormal excessive reaction to a stimuli
yImmunoglobulins- are antibodies produced by B lymph cells. Each type of
immunoglobulin responds to a specific antigen, which they target and mount a
defense.
y
Mast cells- similar to basophils but are found concentrated in connective tissue.
y
Papules- a small solid red raised skin lesion. A pimple
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yPsychogenic- a condition originating in the mind
yRhinorrhea – nasal discharge of free flowing, thin, watery fluid
yShock- a severe generalized circulatory failure. It may arise from multiple causes.
Inadequate peripheral blood flow and low cardiac output cause tissue damage and
a progressively worsening positive feedback loop.
yUrticaria- an intensely itchy skin condition characterized by transient wheals and
papules.
yWheal and Flare reaction- a skin eruption following an allergic reaction
characterized by a raised pale patch surrounded by a red area. May be itchy
