How to handle your allergies

Bless you! How to handle your allergies...

Itchy skin, red eyes, runny nose, diarrhea and nausea are not pleasant. You may know the feeling: almost like the flu, but not quite. You’re having an allergic reaction and you feel miserable…so what’s happening?

Frankly, we’re not sure! The medical research community has been able to determine WHAT a patient is allergic to via skin tests or by having them ingest or inhale small samples of the probable allergen. But to date, it is unclear WHY we have allergies to certain foods or environmental factors. Scientists have made a number of speculations and correlations, but honest analysis would have to say that we’re still in the dark about why certain people are allergic to certain things.

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Some foods and environmental factors specific to the Middle East may cause health problems, particularly those who hail from outside the region. Let’s take a closer look at some categories of allergens and how they can be avoided.

Food

This is a tricky one. How can we be allergic to something that is essential for survival? Of course, nobody is allergic to ALL foods. Food allergies tend to occur more in developed industrialized countries, although it is unclear whether or not this is just a matter of more advanced diagnostics in wealthier countries.

Food allergies tend to cluster around certain categories. Recently, celiac disease, or allergy to gluten, has become more widely diagnosed. Gluten occurs in a lot of grain and starchy foods, and celiac is best treated by simply avoiding those foods. Recently, a number of food companies have promoted gluten-free alternatives to traditional foods, such as bread and pasta. There is some speculation that the human gut has not evolved to digest agricultural grains, like wheat, and prefers a diet of meat and vegetables – the so-called “Paleolithic” diet.

Breads and starchy grains are a staple of the Middle Eastern diet, whether it’s flat breads, burghul or couscous, so it may be worth experimenting to see if particular grains cause health problems.

Lactose intolerance, or allergy to dairy products, is also common. Some theorize that humans are not adapted to drink milk after childhood breast feeding. However, milk products have been consumed by humans for millennia – yogurt drinks have historically been very popular in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East. Still, lactose intolerance is a fairly common allergy. There are several over the counter medications to treat this, however it is probably best to avoid dairy if this causes gastrointestinal discomfort.

Nut and legume allergies may be among the most dangerous. Perhaps the most common among these is peanut allergy, which can be fatal to sufferers. Again, nuts and legumes are very commonly consumed in the Middle East region. Nut allergy sufferers should always be sure to carry an emergency dose of an antihistamine or whatever medication their physician has prescribed in case of accidental ingestion.

Medicine

Prescription drug allergies are also very common, and can be extremely dangerous when traveling or living abroad due to language and cultural barriers. Allergies to penicillin are fairly common, and usually a result of heavy dosages taken during childhood illness.

If you do have a prescription drug allergy, be sure that you can explain it clearly in Arabic while you are in the Middle East. A health warning bracelet or necklace will also be useful if you are incapacitated in a medical emergency.

Pollen & Dust

Every spring, plants will release airborne pollen into the atmosphere. Historically, the desert climate of the Middle East has been a haven for those suffering from hay fever. However, as in Arizona in the United States, irrigation and planting of non-native plants for gardens and golf courses has brought this nasal irritant to spots like Dubai.

Indoor dust is a related allergen which can cause similar symptoms to that of pollen. “Dust” is actually mostly made up of shed human skin, pet dander, and dirt, and will irritate the mucous membranes if present in a significant amount.

Over the counter antihistamine medication and nasal decongestants are often sufficient to treat acute symptoms of hay fever, and prescription drugs may be used in serious persistent cases. Specialized indoor air purifiers may also be utilized, but care should be taken to change filters regularly. 

Electromagnetics

Little is known about the effects of electromagnetic radiation, and, in fact, most scientists agree that this “allergy” is probably psychosomatic – all in the head of the patient. However, for those claiming to suffer from allergies caused by electromagnetics, the sensation is very real.

In the modern world, we are surrounded by devices which give off electromagnetic rays. Phones, televisions, microwaves, computers, etc. While there is no scientific proof that these cause ill health, a minority of patients will report feeling fatigue and headaches in the presence of devices emitting electromagnetic fields.

While it is important to try to understand that what the patient is feeling is “all in their head,” it may be useful to have an “unplugged” closet or room or area of the house which is free from these devices.

Every day we are bombarded with things that can negatively affect our health. Fortunately for us, the human body is a very resilient piece of equipment, and most of us are fortunate enough to carry on with our day-to-day lives without worrying about what we eat or drink or breathe.

If you are feeling unwell and having a difficult time determining what you may be allergic to, try visiting a physician who specializes in allergens. You will probably be subjected to a skin test to figure out what you are allergic to. Otherwise, you can just follow the old canard, “if it hurts, don’t do it (or eat it).”

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