Allergies

Allergies are defined as the excessive and abnormal reaction of the body's immune system when confronted to a usually harmless substance, known as an allergen. For reasons that are not completely understood yet, these allergens confuse the immune system, making it believe it is under a real threat.

This causes an allergic reaction that may present itself in a very wide range of ways, depending on the type of allergen and the organ the reactions is affecting.

While some allergies only affect children and may heal on their own after a few years, for many people they remain a problem throughout their entire lives.  In particular, certain types of allergies - asthma and hay fever, for example - become much more prevalent among women once puberty is reached, and are frequently exacerbated during a woman's menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or the years leading up to menopause.

While the presence of allergies themselves do not have any correlation to a woman's fertility, their sudden exacerbation is a common sign of hormonal imbalance. This imbalance, in turn, may eventually influence other aspects of a woman's life, causing a wide array of other uncomfortable symptoms and possibly even affecting her ability to conceive.

Identifying Allergies

Allergies can present themselves in very different ways from person to person, forming a very unique experience for each. However, there are two main criteria that can be used in order to identify and classify allergies: according to the type of allergen that sets them off and by the type and intensity of allergic reaction that is being experienced.

Please continue to learn more about the hormonal and non-hormonal processes behind the onset of allergies.

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Allergies are caused by an unusual reaction of the body's own immune system. When the immune system detects certain substances - known as allergens - and mistakes them as threats to the body, as if they were viruses or harmful bacteria, it produces an antibody known as IgE. This quickly sends the message that the body is “under attack” and inflames certain organs through an additional substance known as histamine.

Although the exact causes that make certain people sensitive to specific harmless substances are complex and not completely understood, most doctors and researchers believe hormonal changes are a major cause in the development of new allergies, or in the aggravation of their symptoms. In addition to these completely normal hormonal causes, other factors and medical conditions can, in more rare instances, exacerbate existing allergies.

Continue reading to learn more about hormonal and other causes of allergies.

Hormonal Causes of Allergies

Hormones are chemical messengers that control every organ in the body. When fluctuations occur, organs don't receive the correct signals to function adequately. So, hormonal disorders occur. In this sense, we can say that allergies may be set off or exacerbated by the hormonal fluctuations during the transitions women go through during their reproductive lives.

The hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are in charge of regulating a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility, influence the production of several other hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, adrenaline, and cortisol, which control appetite, sleep, sexual desire, and memory. In particular, cortisol is one of the neurotransmitters that are most closely linked to the immune system since its main job is to regulate the body's fight or flight response.

Medical researchers have found that fluctuating levels of hormones, especially estrogen and cortisol, make women more susceptible to developing new allergies or to feeling like their existing allergies are becoming more aggravated, hence the reason why more women experience allergies during times of significant hormonal imbalance, such as puberty, PMS, menstruation, pregnancy, post-partum, and menopause. The irregularities in estrogen and cortisol levels during these stages cause allergies to increase, in particular the respiratory types such as asthma or rhinitis.

Furthermore, there are also specific hormonal causes according to the stage of a woman's reproductive life in which this disorder appears. These specific hormonal causes, combined with other factors, can influence a woman's individual experience of allergies during puberty, pregnancy, post-partum, and menopause.

Hormonal Causes during Different Phases in a Woman's Life

Puberty is the stage in which a girl's body begins to produce reproductive hormones; these and other factors, such as her first period and poor dietary habits, contribute to allergies during puberty.

Pregnancy leads to abrupt and sharp changes in the body's hormonal levels, which can alter a woman's symptoms of allergies.

Post-partum and breastfeeding is another stage where reproductive hormones are commonly imbalanced and cause problems with allergies. Also, new moms may have to watch out for allergies in the newborn.

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when production of reproductive hormones naturally slows down, and her fertile period ends. As well as direct hormonal causes, there are other factors that could be worsening allergic symptoms.

Other Less Common Causes of Allergic Symptoms

Because allergic processes involve different chemicals and organs, there are several conditions that may mimic the symptoms of a specific type of allergy. Although much less likely, these conditions include thyroid disorders and certain infections.

Keep reading to learn more about the risk factors that make allergies more likely, as well as the most common substances that trigger them.

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Risk Factors for Allergies

Some women are more likely than others to suffer from allergies for inherent psychological, behavioral, and health reasons. These predisposing factors can affect a woman's hormone levels and increase her chances of developing allergies during her reproductive life.

Triggers of Allergies

In addition to long-term risk factors, some of them outside a woman's control, each particular allergic reaction is triggered by immediate exposure to a specific allergen. Identifying these allergens and avoiding them as much as possible is key to prevent the reappearance of symptoms and potential complications, such as anaphylactic shock. Some of the most common triggers of allergies include nuts, pollen, and shellfish.

There are also some substances and lifestyle choices that have been linked to both increased frequency and severity of allergies.

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Each woman experiences a particular type of allergic reaction and is allergic to varying triggers. However, many symptoms of allergies are more common or easy to identify, especially for women going through a phase of hormonal imbalance.

Common Symptoms of Allergies in Women

• Skin symptoms (mostly for fabric, latex, and some mild food allergies)
• Hives
• Rashes
• Itching
• Blisters
• Skin peeling
• Respiratory symptoms (mostly for airborne allergens)
• Stuffy or drippy nose
• Itchy throat
• Abnormal production of mucus
• Compulsive coughs and wheezing
• Sometimes accompanied by eye discomfort such as watery, red, or swollen eyes.
• Digestive symptoms (mostly for food or medication allergies)
• Severe, sudden cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

Diagnosis

To diagnose and identify the symptoms of allergic reactions, a doctor must typically perform three procedures. First, they should review the patient's medical history; then, they should conduct a physical exam, followed by an allergy exam. The doctor may order additional tests if necessary.

• Medical history.  A doctor's diagnosis will focus on discovering the underlying condition that is causing the allergic symptoms. To assess whether a woman's symptoms are being caused or exacerbated by a hormonal issue or another health concern, a doctor may ask about previous medical conditions, any medication being taken, and current life events (e.g. entering puberty, becoming pregnant, or beginning or ending menopause). In addition, the doctor may inquire about any allergies suffered by immediate family members, or, in the case of a food allergy, he may ask you to keep a diary with records of the appearance of the symptoms and any foods eaten that day.
• Physical exam. This will be necessary for a doctor to make a diagnosis. During this exam, a woman can expect the following information to be taken: blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and weight. Unusual or excessive fluctuations in these vital signs can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or other underlying conditions.
• Tests. If deemed necessary, the doctor may also order tests either to diagnose the allergen itself or to rule out other conditions that could be aggravating the allergy.
• An allergy test will be taken in order to determine what the exact allergen is.  There are three, main types of allergy tests: skin prick test, blood test, or a patch test.  The first type consists of pricking the skin with a tiny amount of the suspected allergen in order to see if there is an immediate reaction. When there is risk of an extreme reaction or the suspicion of a rare allergen, the doctor may recommend a blood test instead to measure the amount of IgE antibodies. Sometimes, patients with allergic eczema will be recommended to take a longer patch test that requires the patient to wear special metal discs containing the allergen taped around the skin for at least 48 hours.
• Other tests that may be useful include a complete blood count (CBC) or a white cell count.

Complications of Allergies

Usually, when an allergy is first developed, the symptoms tend to be mild. However, if contact with the allergen persists (especially for food or medication allergens), a stronger, potentially life threatening reaction may develop, known as anaphylaxis. Although rare, anaphylaxis may be fatal. So, it is important to watch out for its specific signs.

Women who experience severe and frequent allergies may wish to treat or even prevent them. Keep reading below to learn more about how to prevent allergies.

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Preventing Allergies

While there is no single way to completely prevent allergies, just as there is no way to stave off hormonal processes, there are a few steps that a woman can take to lessen her chances of developing new allergies, or to minimize the impact or length of time that symptoms occur.

In this sense, lifestyle changes for prevention are extremely important, especially in regard to diet, exercise, and healthy habits. Moreover, a woman may seek ways to complement these lifestyle approaches with the use of supplements that help to enhance the endocrine system and, therefore, help to prevent or ease symptoms of hormonal imbalance, like the development of new allergies.

For women who have already developed an allergy, prevention may no longer be possible. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent the “flare-ups” or lessen the intensity of the allergic reaction. Keep reading to learn about the different ways to manage allergies.

Managing Allergies

Once a woman has been diagnosed with an allergy and identified the allergen, there are some minor daily changes that can provide a great difference when managing allergies.

General Managing Tips

• Avoiding the trigger. Sadly, once an allergy has developed, there is not much left to do except avoiding the allergen. Even if this may not always be completely possible, the less women expose themselves, the better.
• Getting rid of carpeted floors. If an airborne allergen such as dust, mold, or pet dander has been identified, consider removing any carpeted floors and replace them with vinyl, linoleum, hardwood, or laminated floors.
• Getting a powerful vacuum. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can more effectively get rid of dust and mold. Women should remember to vacuum not just the house, but any soft toys, stuffed animals, and cushions regularly. Stuffed animals and cushions should also be washed in hot water regularly.
• Keeping windows closed during spring.  Especially for women who live in suburban areas o who may need to commute across rural or grassy areas, it's best to close up the home and car windows during allergy season.
• Keeping petroleum jelly at hand. Many times, it is not possible for women with hay fever to avoid parks and flowers altogether. Softly smearing the insides of your nose with petroleum jelly can help trap the pollen and avoid or lessen the reaction.
• Learning to read labels properly. While many women already have a habit of reading the nutritional content of their foods in order to know how many calories each snack has, once a food allergy diagnosis has been made, it is important to learn to read the ingredients list as well and to be able to interpret it correctly.  In most jurisdictions, manufacturers are required to label the most popular or more dangerous food allergens (such as gluten, nuts and milk), but sometimes, non-edible products may contain hidden allergens, such as body lotions (that may contain tree nut oils), makeup (may contain soy, wheat, or sesame oil), and certain toothpaste flavorings (which may contain berries).
• Eating out the smart way. Many restaurants have “special seasoning blends” or “house dressings” that may contain an allergen, even if the exact ingredient is not listed on the menu. The best bet is to always ask the staff directly and be very specific when describing the allergy as an issue. In addition, “buffet” or “all you can eat” places have a large chance of cross-contamination from dish to dish. So, it's best to avoid such places altogether.
• Always being ready. At some point, it will be inevitable to come across that dreaded allergen. For women who suffer from food allergies (which tend to have more severe symptoms and carry a higher risk of anaphylaxis), it is best to be prepared at all times. Carry an emergency dose of epinephrine, and be ready to apply it if necessary.

Alternative Management Tips for Allergies

Alternative treatments are also a great way to manage symptoms of allergies. These treatments will not tackle the hormonal cause behind most women's symptoms of allergies, but they can be effective in reducing their severity on the short and medium term. These alternative therapies include acupuncture and neti pots.

While these measures often help to reduce the frequency and intensity of allergic symptoms, they are unable to treat the root of the problem, which in most cases is hormonal imbalance. However, there are several natural treatments that can treat the hormonal causes of allergies. Please continue to the next section to learn more about treating allergies.

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