Glossary

See the alphabetical list below for a brief description of many of the terms associated with allergies and food intolerances.

These are only brief descriptions and we recommend that you refer to one of the many excellent Societies or Associations which support people with these conditions for further information.

Alcohol (isopropyl): is a major ingredient in mouthwash. The National Cancer Institute of America has found that mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25% or higher have been implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers.

Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction.

Allergic Rhinitis: An allergy affecting the mucus membrane of the nose. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is often called "hay fever."

Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening allergic reaction that involves the entire body. Anaphylaxis may result in shock or death, and thus requires immediate medical attention.

Animal dander: The small scales or pieces of skin, often containing proteins secreted by oil glands, which are shed by an animal. These proteins are the major causes of allergies to pets.

Antibody: A protein in the immune system that recognizes and attacks foreign substances in the body.

Anticonvulsant: A medication used to prevent or treat seizures. Certain anticonvulsants may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Antihistamines: A medication used to prevent or treat seizures. Certain anticonvulsants may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Antimicrobial agent: Any of a large variety of chemical compounds and physical agents that are used to destroy microorganisms or to prevent their development

Asthma: An inflammatory disorder of the airways, causing periodic attacks of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Atopic dermatitis: A chronic skin rash, also known as "eczema," that often appears in the first few years of life.

Basophil: An immune system cell that attaches to antibodies and circulates through out the blood.

Bronchial tubes: The lower sections of the airway that lead into the lungs.

Coeliac disease: Coeliac disease (also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy or coeliac sprue) is a condition of the small intestine. Gluten, a substance found in wheat, barley and rye, reacts with the small bowel, causing damage by activating the immune system to attack the delicate lining of the bowel, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients and vitamins.
The condition is often diagnosed in childhood after weaning when cereals are introduced into the diet, although it can be diagnosed at any age. The symptoms can be subtle, and you may feel unwell for no reason for some time before the diagnosis is made.
If left untreated, coeliac disease can lead to anaemia, bone disease and, rarely, some forms of cancer. The most important treatment is avoiding all food that contains gluten. This usually results in improvement, or even disappearance, of the damage to the lining of the bowel. However, the damage will recur if gluten is re-introduced into the diet.

Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, or the mucous membrane surrounding the eye. Also known as pinkeye.

Contact dermatitis: An allergic reaction resulting from skin contact to an allergen.

Decongestants: A class of medications used for nasal congestion. Decongestants are available in oral doses, nasal sprays, or eye drops (for conjunctivitis).

Diethanolamine (DEA): An ammonia derivative which is known to have hormone disrupting effects. Can form carcinogenic nitrosamines and cause allergic reactions, dry the hair and skin and irritate the eyes.

Dioxins: a family of toxins which is one of the world's most serious environmental problems. Dioxin builds up cumulatively in the body over time from birth, so heightened exposure means heightened risk. The production of dioxins in the manufacture of paper pulp products such as tampons and sanitary pads, etc are not only harmful to the environment, but also unnecessarily expose women to low levels of dioxins every time they use these products.

Dust mites: microscopic organisms that lives in dust.

Eczema: See Atopic dermatitis.

Food allergy: A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food. The most common form of an immune system reaction occurs when the body creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the food. When these IgE antibodies react with the food, histamine and other chemicals (called mediators) cause hives, asthma, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to food are

• Tingling sensation in the mouth
• Swelling of the tongue and throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Hives
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Drop in blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness, and death

Food intolerence: A food intolerance is an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system, even though the syptoms of a food intolerance can resemble those of a food allergy. Lactose intolerance is one example of a food intolerance. A person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain may occur.

Food poisoning: The contamination of foods with microorganisms, such as bacteria, and their products, such as toxins, sometimes mimics a food reaction when it is really a type of food poisoning.

Formaldehyde: used in bubble bath, shampoos, moisturising lotions and many cosmetics as an inhibiting agent against carcinogenic nitrosamine production. Yet this chemical is a known carcinogen in it's own right! It is also used in vaccines as a preservative and given to our children! It is a powerful and poisonous toxic substance. It readily penetrates the skin and can cause serious future health concerns and often sensitises individuals to other chemicals.

Glycerine: draws moisture from the skin, drying it from the inside out.

Histamine: a chemical released by basophils and mast cells that causes nearby tissues to become swollen and inflamed.

Hives: see urticaria.

Immunoglobulin E: a type of antibody responsible for most allergic reactions.

Isopropyl: an alcohol, poisonous solvent and is used to alter the structure of other chemicals. It is found in hair colour rinses, hand lotions, fragrances, body and after shave lotions. It can cause vomiting, headaches, flushing and depression. It dries skin and hair and can cause cracks and fissures.

Monoethanolamine (MEA): An ammonia derivative which is known to have hormone disrupting effects. Can form carcinogenic nitrosamines and cause allergic reactions, dry the hair and skin and irritate the eyes.

Nitrosamine: a carcinogenic commonly used in baby and body lotions, facial moisturisers and shampoos.

Petrolatum: comes from crude petrol, known as mineral oil, liquid vasoline, baby oil. Used in industry as a metal cutting fluid and to grease components. Mineral oil may suffocate the skin, cause photosensitivity, strips the natural oils from the skin causing chapping, dryness and premature ageing. Prevents elimination of toxins: can cause acne.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG): a caustic used to disolve grease. Main use: oven cleaaners. It's also in many skin cleaners!

Propylene glycol (PG) a wetting agent and solvent. Main use is in antifreeze, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid. It's found in many hair care products and make-up. It is easily absorbed into the body and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. It damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, contact dermatitis and surface damage to the skin. It is toxic to human cells in cultures.

Radioallergosorbant Test (RAST): A blood test that measures the amount of IgE antibody produced when the sample is mixed with a specific allergen.

Rhinitis: an inflammation of the nasal passageways, particularly with discharge.

Sinusitis: an inflammation or infection of one or more sinuses. The sinuses are hollow air spaces located around the nose and eyes.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) harsh detergents used as an engine de-greaser.

Surfactants (surface-active agents): is the name often given to detergents. However, they are generally only a component of detergents and are used as wetting agents to enhance the power of detergents.

Triethanolamine (TEA): an ammonia derivative which is known to have hormone disrupting effects. Can form carcinogenic nitrosamines and cause allergic reactions, dry the hair and skin and irritate the eyes.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): a rare but fatal disease caused by a particular type of bacteria that can produce toxins in the body. The symptoms of TSS come on fast and are often severe. Menstrual TSS has been linked to the use of super-absorbent and synthetics in tampons.

Urticaria: raised areas of the skin that are often red, warm, and itchy. Urticaria is also known as hives

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