If you have allergies, you may ask yourself: Can allergies be cured? Can allergies go away by themselves? Let’s answer these two questions in this article.
With the right treatment, you can experience significant improvement in your allergies. In some cases, allergies can go away naturally. For example, children can outgrow their allergies, especially food allergies. In other cases, allergies may not affect a person during childhood but develop later on in life. While the exact cause of allergies is not fully known, there are many things we do know.
Doctors know there is a strong genetic predisposition because allergies tend to run in families. Researchers have also identified specific genes connected to allergies.
When someone has allergies the immune system identifies a foreign substance as dangerous and sends immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to attack them. These substances can include pollen, dust, or proteins from certain foods. This leads to the release of histamine and common symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Common symptoms of environmental allergies include watery eyes, stuffy and itchy nose, and hives. Food allergy symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Some may also experience hives, tingling or itchy mouth, nasal congestion, trouble breathing, and swelling of the lips, face, and throat.
How and Why Allergies Go Away Naturally
It is possible for allergies to go away by themselves. How does this happen though?
Researchers at Allergy and Asthma Network have a few theories. Some research suggests allergies disappear when a person grows accustomed to the allergen. Here, they develop a tolerance to the substance and the immune system no longer reacts to it. This happens more often in children who have food allergies. Over time, they no longer react to those foods that used to trigger allergic reactions.
According to Dr. Pien, from the Department of Allergy and Immunology in the Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, there is no definite answer to this question. When an allergy goes away, the body may still produce IgE but no symptoms show up when exposed to the substance. Children are likely to grow out of the following allergies: penicillin, milk, eggs, and stings.
Dr. Pien also explains allergy management has recently changed when it comes to food allergies in children. Doctors recommend parents help their children build a tolerance to the allergen. For children who are at risk of developing food allergies, doctors want them exposed to large amounts of the allergen. This approach does need medical supervision. Do not try this at home.
The opposite can also happen. Instead of outgrowing an allergy, a person may experience worse symptoms over time. Why? It could be due to the immune system taking a long time deciding whether to react to a specific allergen.
Can Allergies Be Cured?
Allergies are considered chronic, long-term diseases. You may have heard the word “cure” used among natural healers. Unfortunately, “cure” is rarely used in conventional medicine when describing a chronic condition. However, allergy symptoms can go into remission. With the right treatment, symptoms can improve and won’t interfere with day-to-day life.
It is important to consult a doctor specialized in allergies and immunology. They will provide the right allergy tests and have regular follow-ups. A doctor can watch symptoms and adjust treatment as needed. A specialist can also offer experimental treatments, like early exposure to allergens. These could show long-term results compared to antihistamine medication.
Home Remedies for Allergies
There are some home remedies that may help. These are not “cures” for allergies but can provide symptom relief.
Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and decongestant effects. It also soothes a sore, irritated throat caused by postnasal drip from allergies. You can add fresh or cooked ginger to dishes. Ginger tea or ginger juice are also good options. You can make ginger juice by mixing freshly grated ginger with honey.
Essential oils have also proven to provide relief. The best options are eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil, as they open the nasal passages to help clear mucus. They also have antibacterial effects. Use them in an essential oil diffuser in the room so you can breathe them in.
It is best to cut inflammatory foods that may promote excess mucus, such as cow’s dairy and processed foods. Stress can trigger or aggravate many health issues and can even be tied to allergies. Stress promotes inflammation and increases the release of histamine. This causes more sneezing and wheezing, stuffy nose, and other symptoms. Use stress management techniques such as yoga or mindfulness meditation.
Sleep is also important to keep the immune system healthy and manage allergies.
Conclusion
So, all in all, allergies cannot be cured. However, they can go away by themselves.
When it comes to children, they may outgrow the allergies, especially if food is the allergen. Exposure over time to the allergen can also help them build up a tolerance.
While allergies are not cured, specialists can use treatment methods to help them managed.
