Interstitial cystitis (IC) is believed to result from a chronic inflammatory process that causes damage to the lining of the bladder wall. This process is believed to be linked to the production of histamine, a chemical produced in the body in response to allergens. Allergic shiners are a clinical sign that a person’s body is responding to an allergen by inducing the classic signs of inflammation, including swelling of the blood vessels and under-eye edema. Allergic shiners and IC may have the underlying causes of allergy in common.
Allergic Shiners
Allergic shiners are a descriptive analogy to the darkened, circle-like bruise, commonly called a black eye or a "shiner." However, allergic shiners are not associated with a violent attack, but with an inflammatory process mediated by the chemical histamine. Allergy consultant Dr. Adrian Morris notes that allergic shiners are the most common telltale sign of an allergy. He states that the darkened areas of skin around the eye that mimic a black eye are caused by congestion of the sinuses, which causes overflow of fluid into the space beneath the eye. Additionally, he notes that the creases that develop under the bottom eyelids are called Dennie-Morgan infra-orbital folds and that they are also characteristic to the allergic response.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is characterized as a painful bladder syndrome provoked by a full bladder and symptomatic changes in bladder frequency and urgency. In severe cases, according to the Urological Society of Australian and New Zealand, a person can urinate up to 40 or 50 times per day, when the common bladder emptying frequency is 7 to 8 times per day. The cause of IC has not been confirmed but the most common theories suggest that a destructive process causes a breakdown of the wall of the bladder allowing urine to leak through, irritate and inflame the tissue. The Urological Society cites a histamine theory connecting allergies to the damaging effects of inflammation and swelling of the bladder lining.
Allergies
Allergies can result from anything in the environment, although there are common sources including food allergies like dairy, soy or peanuts; environmental allergies like pollen; or medication allergies, such as penicillin and aspirin. Interstitial cystitis may be associated with allergic conditions such as asthma, food allergies, hay fever (pollen allergy). There have been documented cases in the medical literature that associate food allergies, in particular, to IC. A 2005 "Japanese Journal of Allergology" article reported that the prescription of an anti-allergic medication plus the removal of specific food allergens from the diet of an IC sufferer resulted in a favorable clinical outcome.
Histamine
Histamine is the chemical produced in the body in response to an allergen. It is also the chemical targeted in the use of medicines for allergy, known collectively as antihistamines. Dr. Morris explains that on initial exposure to an allergen, immune cells, or white blood cells will become sensitized or aware of the allergen but no reaction will take place. On subsequent exposures, however the antibodies (IgE) produced by the white blood cells will initiate a cascade of reactions that will result in a release of histamine. Histamine contributes to the inflammatory response and causes smooth muscle cell contraction. The contraction of smooth muscle caused by histamine represents its role in the closure of the airways characteristic of asthma.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the healing and immune response, but when it becomes chronic or out of control, its effects are damaging. Both allergic shiners and IC display the classic signs of inflammation. These changes include the accumulation of blood fluids, thereby inducing reddening and or swelling of the tissues in the immediate area. When allergies are controlled by either the use of anti-allergy medications or more thoroughly, the determination and removal of allergens, significant benefit can be afforded to the sufferer.
References
- Adrian Morris, Surrey Allergy Clinic: What is an Allergy?
- Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand: Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Urology: Interstitial Cystitis
- NIH: Case of Interstitial Cystitis Accompanied by Food Allergy
- Davidson College, Biology Department: Histamine
