Proponents argue that alternative allergy treatments effectively treat allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis, food allergies, asthma and other allergies. In addition, some proponents also claim alternative therapies treat a host of illnesses not necessarily recognized by the mainstream medical community. These include:

• Environmental illness. Associated symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness and disorientation. Foods, food additives and environmental chemicals (such as those in cleaning solvents, paints, gasoline, smoke and perfume) are said to be the main culprit.
  
  
• Candida (yeast) hypersensitivity syndrome. Candida albicans is a fungus that lives inside all humans and is responsible for yeast infections. However, some alternative treatment proponents argue that it also is responsible for allergies, arthritis, cancer and AIDS. Medical experts say there is no basis for this assertion.
  
  
• Allergic toxemia (tension fatigue syndrome). Proponents contend that allergies to multiple substances – especially foods – cause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, paleness and breathing problems. Again, medical experts say such claims have no basis in science.
  
  
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Proponents say sensitivity to food dyes, preservatives and other additives causes this condition. There is no medical evidence to back up this claim.