LOCALIZED WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES AND ADDICTIONS

The first stage of negative reaction, minus-one, includes all of the localized withdrawal symptoms. In other words, these are physical problems which only occur in one distinct part or organ of the body. There are six major kinds of localized reactions:

1. Upper Respiratory Symptoms. These include inflammation of the nasal membranes (rhinitis), sinus problems, conjunctivitis and other eye or ear diseases, and problems associated with these, such as coughing, frequent clearing of the throat, raising of excessive phlegm, postnasal drip, and nasal obstruction. Other eye problems include an abnormal sensitivity to light (photophobia), blurring or dimness of vision, and excessive crying or itchiness around the eyes. Ear problems may include discharge from the ear, earache, deafness (especially of the intermittent kind), and inner or middle ear problems, such as vertigo, dizziness, lightheadedness, giddiness, or floating sensations.

Intense itching of the nose, palate, eyes, and ears, as well as profuse mucus production from the nose, eyes, throat, and sinuses, is often the result of some specific food allergy. Itching of the eyes, on the other hand, more frequently indicates susceptibility to particles in the air, especially pollen. Nasal polyps are often the result of drug sensitivity, especially, it seems, to aspirin.

2.    Lower Respiratory Symptoms. The lower respiratory system includes

the vocal cords (larynx), the bronchial tubes, and the lungs. Vocal cord symptoms

range from hoarseness to periodic voice loss. Coughing and bronchitis often

occur and can be either seasonal or year-round, constant or intermittent, mild

or severe.

Some respiratory symptoms can be the forerunners of bronchial asthma. One of these is a form of difficult breathing called “sighing dyspnea” in which the patient experiences difficulty or distress in breathing, frequently accompanied by sighing-type noises. This condition often is regarded as the sign of a neurotic or nervous person. However, it also characterizes the patient with chemical or food allergy and can be the prelude to asthma.

The most common causes of hoarseness and loss of voice are reactions to specific foods. Tobacco smoke, however, is a very common cause of persistent coughing in patients who do not have asthma. Even nonsmokers can be affected in this way if subjected to someone else’s smoke. Bronchial asthma may also be caused by exposure to inhaled particles, chemicals, animal danders, or drugs.

3.    Dermatologic (Skin) Reactions. This category includes such problems as eczema, itching, and hives. Many cases of eczema are caused by environmental exposures and most are characterized by itchiness. Exceptions are some cases of acne, psoriasis, and certain rare skin diseases which may or may not respond to ecologic management.

The most common sites for skin problems caused by food allergy are the neck, ears, and, in general, the folds of the body. Reactions to ointments are a common source of skin problems, which is ironic, since many ointments which are used to treat skin problems actually induce contact-type reactions.

Hives, or wheals, are commonly caused by drugs, and somewhat less frequently by specific foods. This type of reaction to drugs, such as penicillin, is of course common and well known. Less well known are similar reactions to chemical or biological drugs, which can be caused by both the active ingredient in the drug and by dyes, chemical preservatives, or other constituents.

4.    Gastrointestinal Problems. Such illnesses include problems of the stomach or gut, such as diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, ulcerative colitis, and regional ileitis. In fact, any chronic or intermittent stomach or intestinal problem of unknown origin may have its basis in the environment, particularly in the foods one eats.

Peptic ulcers, which kill almost 6,000 Americans a year, can be either caused or perpetuated by responses to particular foods. There is no universal diet that can be given as a mass prescription for this problem: the proper diet for the individual depends on his particular response to foods. For example, milk, which has often been given as a treatment for ulcers, frequently turns out to be a cause of such reactions.

Specific food responses may also mimic gallbladder disease, appendicitis, and even intestinal obstruction. Colitis and ileitis are most often caused by food allergies. It is tragic to remove parts of the digestive system by surgery before food allergy has been ruled out in each and every case.

Genitourinary System Symptoms. These symptoms include urgency or frequency of urination, proneness to urinary tract infections, and some prostate trouble. The most common cause of such problems is foods. Specific foods can also cause an excessive discharge from the female organs, in cases where infection is not involved. (As a side note, the presence of infection does not rule out the parallel problem of allergy. The two problems can and do occur together, since allergic irritation can prepare the ground for a subsequent infection by microorganisms.)

Cardiovascular System Symptoms. The cardiovascular system includes the heart and the circulatory system. The principal problems encountered include edema (swelling), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), and hypertension. Swelling and water retention, especially when it is generalized through the body, tend to have an allergic basis. Some local swelling can also occur: For example, edema around the eyelids is fairly common, resulting in the characteristic “allergic shiners” and a lacklustre appearance of the eyes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) and cardiac irregularities have long been associated with reactions to specific foods. Less commonly, they are caused by environmental chemicals and drugs. The cardiovascular effects, although localized to one anatomical system, take place through the body. They thus serve as a kind of bridge between localized and systemic reactions, which we shall consider next.

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THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF ALLERGIES: PESTICIDES

Prominent among the sources of indoor air pollution are the pesticides. These are toxic agents which people introduce into their homes, offices, and neighborhoods for the control of insects or rodents. Since World War Two, there has been an explosive increase in the use of these agents. The foundations of houses are now routinely treated with a powerful insecticide to deter termites. Many persons contract with exterminators for the periodic treatment of their homes. Apartment-dwellers are encouraged, or pressured, by landlords to permit extermination to be done on a periodic basis. External mosquito-abatement programs are carried out in many communities, and rural areas are saturated with farm and forest pesticide programs. To a greater degree than almost anyone realizes, a kind of pesticide fog now hangs over the United States and some of the other industrialized countries.

Yet many people are highly susceptible to these agents. Pesticides are among the leading health dangers for those with the chemical problem. In some cases, exposure to pesticides may trigger acute episodes of distress. Ellen Sanders almost died from a particularly heavy exposure (Chap. 3). Other patients trace the onset of their worst symptoms to massive contact with pesticide spray.

More commonly, undetected, long-term health problems are brought on by daily exposure to spray. Unexplained chronic illnesses develop as a reaction to spray, possibly in combination with other chemical or food susceptibility. A woman with arthritis, for example, will rarely associate her joint pain with the brightly colored fly-killing pest strip hanging in her kitchen. Much less will anyone connect a general feeling of malaise and fatigue with the exterminator who comes knocking once a month.

Once pesticides are applied in the home, it is extremely difficult to remove them. Even minute amounts of residues can perpetuate symptoms. When my special facility, the Ecology Unit, was first set up, in the ward of a hospital, for the diagnosis and treatment of environmental disease, it was found that we could not clear some patients of their symptoms. The difficulty was ultimately traced to the fact that this ward, along with the rest of the hospital, had previously been sprayed with pesticides. The only solution was to rip up the floors and baseboards and replace them with unsprayed materials. In some extreme instances, patients have had to sell their homes and move, after their dwellings had been carelessly treated with pesticides.

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH: EARRING PROBLEMS

Pierced ears frequently cause problems involving the earlobes. These problems not only are annoying but are occasionally serious. Three common earring problems are infection, eczema, and injury. Problems may occur if the ear piercer does not give proper instructions for care of the ears, or if the instructions are not properly followed.

Infection of the earlobes immediately after the operation may be caused by lack of proper sterile technique during the piercing. Infection occurring weeks later is usually from failure to leave “training” (post) earrings in place or to care for the pierced earlobes adequately.

Infections that occur after the first month are the result of improperly inserting the earrings. One common error is inserting earrings with posts that are too short for the earlobes. Another common error is pushing the guards in too far along the posts. Both of these mistakes cause pressure on the earlobes and injury to the skin; infection quickly sets in. Pulling down the lobe to insert the post can also cause infections. Pulling the lobe curves the straight channel the piercer has made and results in scratching the inside of the channel with the end of the post; the scratches then become infected. Sometimes infection is caused simply by inserting unclean earrings.

Eczema is a skin irritation. Eczema may develop on the earlobe if a person is sensitive or allergic to the metals used in inexpensive earrings. The skin of the ear-lobe becomes red, scaly, itchy, and sometimes infected.

The most common injury occurs when wearing hoop earrings during athletics and dancing. If a hoop is accidentally pulled or gets caught on something, the hoop can tear the earlobe neatly in half.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of eczema are redness, irritation, itching, and scaliness of the skin of the earlobe. Signs of infection are swelling, redness, lumps in the earlobes, tenderness, discharge, and rawness around the pierced openings.

Home care

At the first sign of any earlobe problem, remove the earrings. Then leave them out until the condition is corrected. Infection often is impossible to cure with earrings in place. If the infection is severe, the opening may heal closed and require re-piercing.

After removing the earrings, apply antibiotic ointment to the front and back of the lobes. Soak the earlobes in warm water.

If the irritation is severe, if the irritation does not clear up with treatment, or if there are signs of infection, see your doctor.

Precautions

• Ask the ear piercer for detailed instructions for care of newly pierced ears.

• Inquire whether the piercer will treat problems if they should occur.

• Leave training earrings in for one month after piercing. Turn them daily, and splash the fronts and backs with alcohol.

Medical treatment

Oral antibiotics may be required to cure infection. If the earlobe is badly cut or torn, plastic surgery may be necessary. The doctor may prescribe a steroid ointment if there is eczema but no infection.

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