Module 2: Aeroallergens and the Conditions they provoke

9.30: Opening of session

• Characteristics of each group of aeroallergens and avoidance strategies for each allergen, the distribution, chemical nature, characteristics and avoidance measures.

9.35: Pollens

• What makes a pollen an aeroallergen?
• Seasonal presentations.
• The grasses.
• Tree pollens and the early season.
• Flowers and weeds, the late season.
• Avoidance measures.

10.00: Dusts and mites

• What makes dust a classical allergen?
• Reactions to those which are not.
• Reactions to mites.
• Storage and predator mites.
• Avoidance strategies.

10.25: Animals

• Fur, feathers, scales and skin, not forgetting serum and saliva.
• The common animal allergens.
• Domestic and occupational exposure.
• Reducing exposure.

10.45: Coffee

11.00: Fungi

• True fungi and fungi imperfecta.
• Life cycle.
• Distribution. Common aeroallergens.
• Mycotoxins.
• Fungi in foods.
• Outdoor fungi.
• Distinguishing from pollen reactions.
• Avoidance: indoor: outdoor.

11.25: Bacteria and viruses

• Sensitisation versus toxicity and infection.
• Recognition of allergic component.

11.50-12.45: Panel discussion

12.45: Lunch

Afternoon Session

2.00: Opening of afternoon session

2.05: History, Investigations and Skin Tests

• The predominance of a good and detailed history.
• The presumptive diagnosis.
• Choosing confirmatory tests.
• Confirmation by improvement following precautions or neutralisation.

2.35: RAST and other laboratory tests.

• Significance of laboratory tests.
• Specific IgE and the RAST.
• Principles and practice.
• Tests for other classes.
• Basophil degranultation.
• The cytotoxic test and its derivatives.
• Limited correlations.

3.05: Reactions in distant organ systems

• Evidence of provocation of disease in distant organs.
• Dissemination of allergens entering via the nasal route.
• Fever and skin responses in hay fever.
• Depression in mould allergy.
• Migraine provoked by pollen, kidney pathologies and arthritis from house dust mite, hyperactivity from moulds, grass pollen and ulcerative colitis.

3.35: Tea

4.00: A brief introduction to neutralisation and EPD

• The role and effectiveness of low dose desensitisation by each of the two standard methods.
• The principles of low dose desensitisation.
• Harmonics.
• Possible mechanisms.
• Practical value.

4.15: Homeopathic desensitisation

• The principles of homeopathy.
• Isopathy.
• Conventional dilutions.
• Manufacture and administration.
• Duration of treatment.
• Evidence of efficacy.

4.30-5.15: Panel Discussion - all speakers both days.