What Is The Difference Between Allergy, Inflammation, And Infection?

[leonie36]

And what effect would those differences have on the actions of a consumer?

[Esdras]

An allergy is a body's over-reaction to something that isn't harmful.  The body sees a substance it doesn't like and over-stimulates the immune system, trying to get rid of it.  The term "allergy" is also used loosely to refer other body reactions.  Celiac disease, for example, is sometimes referred to as a "gluten allergy", when the problem doesn't actually involve the immune system.  Infection is when a disease-causing organism, such as bacteria, viruses, or even molds, take up residence in the body and reproduce. Inflammation is the response of the body to an injury or irritation.  The blood vessels swell, histamine is released, fluids accumulate.  Inflammation can be a response to allergy or infection.  In the case of an infection, it's a helpful reaction trying to remove the cause.  In the case of an allergy, the inflammation is an overreaction to a minor irritation.

[Chevell]

They are all different but can be related. An allergy is a histamine reaction to a substance, usually a protein. This reaction can(usually) include inflammation. Inflammation is the reddening of an area of the body, usually accompanied by swelling, caused by increased blood flow to the area. Inflammation is part of the body's healing and defense mechanism. An infection is the response to an infectious organism. This organism is causing a disease. It can be localized(such as a boil) or systemic. Most "infections" are caused by bacteria. Some infections can be accompanied by inflammation. What this has to do with being a consumer, I am not sure, unless you are talking about OTC products and what should you get, or about what sort of medical treatment or professional you should seek. If you have an allergy, you would take an anti-histamine, either OTC or by prescription. If you have an infection, and it is caused by a bacteria, you would take an antibiotic. If it is caused by a fungus, you would need an antifungal compound or drug. If it is caused by a virus, there is little medicine can do for you. If it is serious, an immune boosting substance can be prescribed. There are some Traditional Chinese medicines that show strong anti-viral properties. If you have an inflammation, you could take an anti-inflammatory drug or substance. However, unless you know the cause of the inflammation, you should seek out professional diagnosis, so you don't mask something that could be serious. If you banged your arm and there is a small bruise, a topical anti-inflammatory could be used, if you suspect injury to the bone, see a doctor before you take anything.   Sources: LMT training. YuLiQigong 67 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Brookson]

An allergy is a histamine reaction to a substance, usually a protein. This reaction can(usually) include inflammation. Inflammation is the reddening of an area of the body, usually accompanied by swelling, caused by increased blood flow to the area. Inflammation is part of the body's healing and defense mechanism. An infection is the response to an infectious organism. This organism is causing a disease. It can be localized(such as a boil) or systemic. Most "infections" are caused by bacteria. Some infections can be accompanied by inflammation. What this has to do with being a consumer, I am not sure, unless you are talking about OTC products and what should you get, or about what sort of medical treatment or professional you should seek. If you have an allergy, you would take an anti-histamine, either OTC or by prescription. If you have an infection, and it is caused by a bacteria, you would take an antibiotic. If it is caused by a fungus, you would need an antifungal compound or drug. If it is caused by a virus, there is little medicine can do for you. If it is serious, an immune boosting substance can be prescribed. There are some Traditional Chinese medicines that show strong anti-viral properties. If you have an inflammation, you could take an anti-inflammatory drug or substance. However, unless you know the cause of the inflammation, you should seek out professional diagnosis, so you don't mask something that could be serious. If you banged your arm and there is a small bruise, a topical anti-inflammatory could be used, if you suspect injury to the bone, see a doctor before you take anything.  

[Dallon]

Three very different things An allergy is a body's over-reaction to something that isn't harmful.  The body sees a substance it doesn't like and over-stimulates the immune system, trying to get rid of it.  The term "allergy" is also used loosely to refer other body reactions.  Celiac disease, for example, is sometimes referred to as a "gluten allergy", when the problem doesn't actually involve the immune system.  Infection is when a disease-causing organism, such as bacteria, viruses, or even molds, take up residence in the body and reproduce. Inflammation is the response of the body to an injury or irritation.  The blood vessels swell, histamine is released, fluids accumulate.  Inflammation can be a response to allergy or infection.  In the case of an infection, it's a helpful reaction trying to remove the cause.  In the case of an allergy, the inflammation is an overreaction to a minor irritation. PamPerdue 67 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Westbroc]

Infection is bacteria or viruses or parsites, or fung... INflammation is swelling. Allergy is running nose, itch,feel like flu etc where the body makes antibodies to the allergin.  I take garlic or oil of oregano, golden seal/echincea for infections. Inflammation can be due to being celiac(can?t eat dairy or glute) and you get stiff. Allergies to food can be from celiac and not eating the food and taking LDN (low dose naltrexone) which blocks celiac is necessary.  I am celiac and take many vitamins.  Not eating gluten for 2 weeks and then eating it again lets you know if you are celiac. I eat organic brown rice instead of gluten grains and Osteoprocare instead of dairy.  Blood tests and biopsies don't work half of the time to diagnose celiac. Dr. Fine has a test to diagnose it that works on the internet. Best wishes. Shasha 67 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Levi]

like flu etc where the body makes antibodies to the allergin.  I take garlic or oil of oregano, golden seal/echincea for infections. Inflammation can be due to being celiac(can?t eat dairy or glute) and you get stiff. Allergies to food can be from celiac and not eating the food and taking LDN (low dose naltrexone) which blocks celiac is necessary.  I am celiac and take many vitamins.  Not eating gluten for 2 weeks and then eating it again lets you know if you are celiac. I eat organic brown rice instead of gluten grains and Osteoprocare instead of dairy.  Blood tests and biopsies don't work half of the time to diagnose celiac. Dr. Fine has a test to diagnose it that works on the internet. Best wishes.