also known as Urticaria or Nettle Rash

Symptoms

This can be an extremely uncomfortable problem, and normally consists of raised wheals on the outer skin, usually accompanied by severe itching.

In more severe cases, there may occur swollen eyes and swelling of the skin surfaces of the throat and lungs. When this occurs, it is potentially very serious, and immediate medical attention is advised.

Similar effects can take place throughout the digestion and intestinal system.

Triggering substances

There are a wide variety of substances that can trigger the problem in sensitive individuals:

¨      Food allergy; strawberries, citrus fruits, shellfish, wheat, milk, eggs, pork.

¨      Chlorine in drinking water.

¨      Food additives; colours, preservatives, synthetic flavours.

¨      Allergy to drugs, including aspirin.

¨      Sensitivity to hidden drugs, such as antibiotics in milk, chicken, eggs and meats.

¨      Sensitivity to coffee, alcohol and tobacco.

Sensitising factors

Although all the substances mentioned above can trigger the reaction that causes urticaria, this will not occur unless the body is in a sensitised state, and less able than most to adjust itself to potential irritants.

There are a number of factors, any one of which may produce excessive reaction to irritants, but frequently a number of them may be combined.

Adrenal exhaustion; the adrenal glands produce our internal corticosteroids, which have powerful anti-inflammatory effects without the side effects of externally administered steroids. There are a number of causes for adrenal exhaustion, all of which interact with and reinforce each other. Stimulants produce the short-term effects of extra energy by initiating the “fight or flight” response, by causing release of epinephrine. This hormone triggers the sudden release of glucose into the bloodstream, to supply energy, and increases the heart rate, in order to pump the extra energy to the muscles. Intake of sugar has a slightly similar effect, by causing sudden rises in blood glucose. Stress or fear produce the same effects even more dramatically.

There are two major nutrients that help the adrenal gland to function at its best; these are vitamin C and vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid. A complicating factor is that sugar requires B vitamins, including B5, for its metabolism, so that continual intake of refined sugar, which contains no vitamins, depletes vitamin B5 and therefore weakens the adrenal glands.

We have all seen the stressed-out, coffee-drinking, chocolate and burger eating types, who over-react to every event. We have also met individuals who react phlegmatically even to seriously stressful events; these people don’t over-consume sugars, refined foods and stimulants such as caffeine.

Stress; despite the general tone of the section above, it is a fact that prolonged and severe stress will exhaust the adrenal glands and reduce their ability to produce corticosteroids.

Liver congestion; if liver function is impaired by over-consumption of substances which need to be detoxified, such as stimulants, drugs (legal or illegal) and alcohol, and under-consumption of supportive nutrients, then it will be less able to eliminate potential allergy-causing substances from the body.

Lymph stasis; undesirable substances are continuously being drained from the body via the lymphatic system and the lymph glands. If this system is not working correctly, the drainage cannot take place. Lymphatic circulation does not have a pump, like the heart for blood circulation, and is driven by contraction and movement of muscles. Lack of physical activity therefore impairs the activity of the lymphatic system.

Acid condition of the whole body; the condition of the body should be neither too acid nor too alkaline. Excess alkalinity is practically unknown, but excess acidity is caused by over-consumption of meats and grains, and under-consumption of vegetables and fruit. It is important to consume a good proportion of vegetables, fruit and seeds in order to avoid excessively acid conditions.

Poor digestive and intestinal condition

Health begins in the stomach, and shortage of digestive acid is a major cause of poor digestion. (High stomach acid does not cause an acid condition of the whole body.)

Excessively permeable intestinal walls

If the mucosal membrane lining the intestines is not continuously replaced, then the intestinal lining becomes excessively permeable, allowing toxins and allergens of all types to penetrate into the bloodstream. This can set up allergic reactions all over the body. Excessive permeability can be caused by shortage of nutrition, particularly of one amino acid, L-glutamine. The intestinal mucosal membranes are the most dynamic in the body, being totally replaced every few days. The main fuel and material for these membranes is L-glutamine.

Candidiasis *

This is now almost certainly the main cause of intestinal malfunction and many other problems. Even if nutrition is excellent, candidiasis can cause such an assault on the intestinal walls that it overwhelms the body’s ability to replace them. Candidiasis is probably now the main cause of many allergy-type reactions.

Treatment

Vitamins and Minerals

¨      Vitamin A; 7500iu 2 or 3 times per day.

¨      Zinc; up to 30mg per day.

¨      (Vitamin A and zinc are important for skin condition.)

¨      B Complex; 50 to 100mg per day.

¨      Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid); 500mg per day.

¨      Vitamin C; 1000mg 3 to 6 times per day.

(Vitamin B5 and vitamin C are both important for adrenal function and production of cortisone.)

Other Nutritional Factors

¨    L-Glutamine; to fuel replacement of intestinal wall components.

¨    Betaine HCL; for good digestion and reduction of toxins passing into the intestines.

¨    Quercetin; a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Herbals

¨    Scutellaria (scullcap); can have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

¨    Chickweed ointment; good for topical application.

¨    Aloe vera juice; heals the intestinal walls.

* Candidiasis

As mentioned above, candidiasis is probably a major cause of allergic problems. There is more information on this subject here.

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