Archive for the ‘Allergies’ Category

Asthma and Allergy Information

Asthma is simply one of the allergic conditions but all asthmatic attacks do not owe their origin to allergic factors. Similarly, one may develop asthma even without any apparent allergic factor, though most of the respiratory infections are, no doubt, triggered by some allergic factor. Similarly some skin disorders are caused by some known or unknown cause. Allergies that are attributed to digestive system can be easily traced to allergy to a particular food item. Above all, allergies born out of food, air, water, chemicals are too many to count.

Allergic factor is one of the dilemmas of a medical practitioner and problem becomes more compounded and complex when a person is allergic (hypersensitive) to more than one allergens. It is a tedious and arduous job of a doctor to treat an allergic patient who, at most occasions, is not generally aware of an allergic factor which has landed him in the present predicament. To discern, treat and contain allergy is a stupendous talk when a doctor’s acumen and the patient’s patience and perseverance are on the test.

Due to indiscreet use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers for growing food grains, use of chemicals to purify polluted and contaminated water, use of carbide to ripen the fruits, additives used in pickles, sausages, jams, syrups, toxic gases emitted by vehicles, indiscreet and imprudent use of drugs (without knowing their side effects), pollens, climatic effects of weather changes, food allergies, air pollution etc are some of factors which could, and often do, cause allergies to many hypersensitive persons which includes all men, women and children of all the age-groups. There is hardly any person who is free from some one allergic reaction or the other.

Of the various types of allergies and sources of their origin, some can be easily managed by the patient, some by proper medication and the rest can be prevented and preempted by taking recourse to certain medicines.

Some of the allergies are manageable but majority of whom have the tendency to recur, even despite sustained efforts by the doctor’s and patients. Most of the various types of allergies which manifest and impact majority of patients can be easily treated, if not cured fully. It requires a sustained, honest and painstaking effort and resilience on the part of a doctor and the patient to reciprocally co-operate with each other to find a plausible solution. But, then, many patients do not favorably respond even to the best type of medical devices and medicines.

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Posted on April 9th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

Household Dust And Asthma

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It is customary in most houses to clean the houses, sofas, chairs, carpets, clothes, beddings, pillows and other articles so as to divest the house of all its impurities. It is not a bad idea to keep the house clean but some people are so much obsessed by the idea of cleaning that they fail to take into consideration one glaring aspect, that is the dust that flies off as a result of cleaning process, may cause allergy to some, if not all, members in the family.

When wind blows, it carries dust particles with it which settle over carpets, furniture and other upholstery items, bed-sheets, wearing clothes, utensils, food remnants, shoes, curtains, photo frames etc. House dust may consist of hair/feathers of pets kept in the house, from insects, fungi, human hair. House dust is easily visible from chairs, sofas, beds, windows, doors, carpets, hangers, shafts etc, when viewed in the sunlight. Dust particles continue to settle over household things and continue to form one layer over the other. A place where trunks, suitcases, redundant and unused articles are stacked continue to gather dust, thus creating a health hazard.

It is not that dust itself can cause allergies but when dust-laden articles are dusted and cleaned, the dust flies off and enters through our nasal passages or even through mouth. It was, in fact, the common house dust mite that caused allergen in the house dust. Number of allergenic mites revolves around over 200 in one gram of house dust but all the varieties of mite do not exist at one place. It grows where there is high incidence of humidity and thrives on house dust which serves as a living abode for them. It thrives in moderate temperature of around 20-25°C and also where humidity is generally around or above 80 %. It is a common knowledge that coastal areas have high humidity and moderate temperature and sultry weather conditions. This may be one of the reasons as to why people living in damp areas have incidence of asthma patients.

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In order to stay free from allergic impact of house dust, bed-rooms must be cleaned daily and dust not allowed to settle therein. A person who is hypersensitive to house dust, should not enter his/her bedroom when it is being cleaned. Remove all the furniture items from the bedroom, clean the beds, replace bed sheets, clean the floor of bedroom daily, keep windows open so as to let in fresh air and sunlight. Remove all window drapes, rugs, furniture from out of the bedroom. Remember, your bedroom is not a drawing-room, it is meant for sleeping, rest and comfort and if more articles are huddled therein, there is every chance for dust to settle over them.

Some people are quite allergic to woolen mattress, quilts and pillows; hence try to replace them with identical foam/rubber items or still better use coir-foam mattresses, particularly in summer. Clean the cabinets and racks thoroughly and keep only minimal usable clothes. The more the clothes, the more is the chances of dust settling over them. Never have a carpet in your bedroom which should, in fact, have minimum of articles and must not be converted into a dump room.

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Posted on April 9th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

Detailed Information On Food Allergies

Food is the edifice upon which our body nutrition is dependent. Imagine if one does not take food even for a day, how run-down and emaciated he would feel. At the same time food can also cause allergic reaction in many. A person may be allergic to more than one food item. In most of food related allergies, the patient is generally aware as to which food item has wrought the damage. Following food items are said to be potent causative factors in causing allergies to some persons, though not all.

Fish Allergy : Sea foods are known causes of allergy out of which fish allergy is the most common. Some people cannot stand foul smell of fish and even very sight of fish can cause allergy. Urticaria - formation of rashes in the skin is the common outcome, though some persons may vomit or nauseate. Persons, allergic to fish, should also avoid taking other sea foods also.

Egg Allergy: Here also white portion of egg and smell of egg is the usual cause of allergy. Reaction from egg allergy is, at times, to severe which may result in collapse and shock, or vomiting in some people.

Allergy from Milk and Milk products : Next to food allergies, milk allergy is a common cause of allergy. In infants allergy occurs when breast-milk is substituted by tinned milk, cow’s or buffalo’s milk This Allergy may manifest in the form of stomach upset, vomiting or even pain in abdomen. If milk is eliminated from an infant’s food for a few days, and if he feels better than milk allergy can be easily established. In some people, condensed milk, whey, curd, cream, cheese etc may also cause allergy resulting in stomach upset and/or vomiting. If milk or any one of its products are triggering allergic reactions, it is wiser to eliminate such items from the diet.

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Allergy from Vegetables and Fruits: Both vegetables and fruits form an essential part of daily. Allergy can be established when fruits or vegetables cause abdominal colic, flatulence, vomiting, nausea, urticaria, loose motions or constipation. In most of the cases, a patient is generally aware of the offending food item which has caused such upsets. Spinach, tomato, menthol, ginger, garlic, mangoes, oranges, potatoes may cause allergy in some of the patients. Some people have excessive saliva, soreness in the mouth, stomatitis, partial/complete loss or perversion of taste and their tongues may get reddened. Even some pulses, juices of fruits and vegetable, oral application of vegetable based creams, lotions, smell of touch of some food items (like ginger, onions, garlic etc) may be the causes of allergic reactions. Symptoms of food allergy may appear immediately or even several hours after the ingestion of offending food items.

At times, food allergies are quite short-lived, while in some cases reactions occur after some hours. Treatment should be directed towards elimination of offending food items which is a lengthy and painstaking process. In any case, identification of the offending food article is necessary failing which the patient may experience food generated allergies for years.

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Posted on April 9th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

Do You Have Milk Allergy Symptoms or Lactose Intolerance?

Many people often confuse lactose intolerance with milk allergies. Milk allergy symptoms are different from those that are related to lactose intolerance, and they are caused differently. Milk allergies like most allergies are caused by a protein. The immune system over reacts to the protein and tells the body that it is a threat. The symptoms are a result of the body trying to protect itself from the perceived threat. Lactose intolerance is a result of the body not producing enough of the lactase enzyme. When not enough lactase is produced the body has difficulty digesting milk products.

Generally lactose intolerance symptoms are stomach related like cramps, diarrhea, and excess gas. Milk allergies can also cause stomach problems but the symptoms cover a wider spectrum than those of lactose intolerance. Symptoms of a milk allergy can occur instantly or may take up to 24 hours to develop

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Vomiting

Dark circles under eyes

Stomach problems

Skin Rash

Hives

Dermatitis

Bronchitis

Respiratory problems

Diarrhea

Constipation

Eye/Ear irritation

Hyperactivity in young children

Severe reactions may require a epinephrine shot immediately

Avoiding milk products can be hard to do as milk and dairy are contained in so many recipes. The main compnents that should be avoided are whey and casein. Fortunately or should I say unfortunately with milk related allergies be so popular there are many products and even companies that specialize in dairy free products. When cooking at home you can replace milk in recipes with juice, water, soy milk, rice milk or almond milk. Luckily many infants who suffer will out grow their allergy to milk.

To Learn how to cope with Milk Allergy Symptoms or learn more about Natural Allergy Cures visit http://naturalallergycures.net

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Posted on April 9th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

All You Need To Know About Allergy Shots

When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoidance of the trigger is not easy or possible, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy or “allergy shots”. This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, 80 to 90 percent of patients have less allergy symptoms, and in many cases their allergies have completely resolved. Allergy shots can be given for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (nose and eyes), allergic asthma and insect sting allergies.

Are allergy shots experimental therapies?

No. Allergy shots have been given for nearly 100 years and are FDA approved therapies. Numerous well-designed medical studies show the efficacy of allergy shots.

And allergy shots do not contain steroids, which can have adverse long-term side effects.

How do allergy shots work?

Unlike allergy medicines, which act only to “cover up” allergic symptoms or prevent them temporarily, allergy shots fix the underlying problem of allergies. This occurs because the body treats the injection much like a vaccine, resulting in the production of infection-fighting antibodies against the pollen, dust, mold or pet dander. The body then stops producing as much allergic antibodies against the triggers, and therefore won’t have as much, or any, allergic response when exposed to the allergens. These changes can last for many years even after stopping allergy shots. Recent studies show that allergy shots can also prevent people from developing new allergies, and reduce the risk of developing asthma in children with nasal allergies.

How are allergy shots given?

The method of immunotherapy consists of starting at a small dose that will not cause an allergic reaction, with slowly advancing the dosage until the person becomes tolerant to large amounts of the extract. These injections are initially given once to twice a week until a maintenance, or constant dose, is achieved. This usually takes approximately 3 to 6 months. Once the maintenance dosage is reached, the allergic symptoms are largely resolved in most patients. Thereafter, the injections are given every two to four weeks.

How long must I take allergy shots?

Therapy is continued for 3 to 5 years total, after which the patient continues to get benefit for another 5 to 10 years or longer, even after the shots are stopped. If the shots are stopped prior to a total of 3 years, the allergic symptoms typically return more quickly.

What are the risks of allergy shots?

The risks of immunotherapy consist of the possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction to the allergy shot. Most allergic reactions consist of mild to moderate swelling and itching at the site of the injection. These reactions occur frequently, but rarely require any change in treatment. A large swelling may require an adjustment of the immunotherapy dosage or a change in the frequency and amount of the shots.

Less commonly patients experience whole-body allergic reactions, sometimes called “anaphylaxis”. Most of these reactions are mild and consist of itching of the skin, hives, or runny nose. Others are more severe and can present as cough, chest tightness, wheezing, throat tightness, shock and rarely can be life-threatening.

For this reason, it is normally required that patients remain in the physician’s office for 20 to 30 minutes after the injection since most reactions occur during this time. These reactions are typically easily reversed with medicines such as injectable epinephrine and anti-histamines.

Should I take allergy shots?

Obviously, this is a question that only you and your doctor can answer. There are many reasons to consider allergy shots:

- Medicines don’t work: Many patients go to the allergist because they still have symptoms despite having tried numerous allergy medications, with little to no relief of their symptoms. Sometimes allergy shots are the only therapy left for these patients.

- Go for the cure: Other patients like the idea of a “cure”, and opt for allergy shots for that reason. Remember, immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergies that fixes the underlying problem of the immune system, much like a vaccine.

- Don’t like medicines: Some patients experience severe side effects from medications, or don’t like taking medications on a daily basis - the idea of a “once a month shot” is a better option for them.

- Cost of medicines: Medications can be expensive, and since allergy symptoms typically return soon after medications are stopped, patients may require medications for many, many years. Allergy shots can alleviate much of the need for medications and can be a significant cost savings measure in the long run.

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

The Elimination Diet For Allergies

When you suspect that yourself or a loved one may be allergic to a food, but are not sure, then the elimination diet should root out the cause of illness. Any restricted diet puts health at risk and any long term removal of major foods should be carried out under professional guidance. Pinpointing culprit foods is difficult since only a few people are sensitive to one single allergen. Eliminating only one food from the diet is rarely effective. All the suspect foods have to be cut out simultaneously for at least a fortnight for any improvements to be observed. Testing’ the effects of individual foods by returning them piecemeal to the daily regime is futile unless all symptoms have gone.

The following foods should not be eaten during the first two weeks of the exclusion diet:

Foods:

Preserved meats, Bacon and Sausages, Smoked Fish and Shellfish, Citrus fruit, Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye and Corn, Potatoes, Onions and Sweetcorn, Nuts, Corn oil, Dairy products, Cheese, Margarine and Eggs.

Drinks:

Tea (other than herbal), Coffee, Alcohol, Fruit Squashes and Fresh Citrus juices.

These should all be omitted from the diet, as should vinegar, yeast, chocolate and all foods containing chemical preservatives.

After 14 days introduce foods back into your diet in this order: Potatoes, Cow’s milk, Yeast, Tea, Rye, Butter, Onions, Eggs, Oats, Coffe, Chocolate, Barley, Citrus Fruits, Corn, Cheese, White Wine, Shellfish, Yoghurt, Vinegar, Wheat and nuts.

Try only one new food every two days and if there is a reaction, do not try it again for at least a month. Continue to add new foods again when symptoms have stopped.

Keep a record of the foods you return to your meals and you can soon build a list of food your body tolerates- and those which should be eliminated. There is no reason to avoid foods which don’t cause problems when returned to your diet.

Though every doctor’s approach to the elimination diet differs, overall results are remarkably consistent. Initially, affected by withdrawal, the patient often feels worse, but after six or seven days there is improvement as the symptoms disappear.

Elaine Bradley has studied and written about different diets for over 5 years, writing articles and reviews for her local weight watchers group, Elaine soon became respected in the area of dieting information and in the advice she gave. As of late Elaine was persuaded to open up her own blog so that her advice articles, and diet reviews could be made for the world to see, you can visit it at http://easydietoptions.wordpress.com

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

How To Deal With Eye Allergies

Just like your body can over react to different allergens, so do your eyes. If the eye perceives a threat it will try to defend against it. Unfortunately sometimes it is wrong and the result can be itchy, swollen, dry red eyes. This is do to a failure in the immune response. Sometimes eye allergy symptoms will be part of a bigger allergy problem like asthma, They can also occur on their own. If you suffer from eye allergies you have to try and avoid your triggers.

Eye allergies can be caused by both indoor and outdoor allergens. Inside allergens like dust mites, pet dander and smoke can all be problems for the eyes. Air purifiers and allergy free bedding can help reduce your exposure to these indoor allergens. Its also important to keep a clean clutter free house. Outside some people get allergies from sun exposure, of course a good pair of sunglasses can help. Other outdoor allergens like mold spores and pollen can cause your eye allergy symptoms. Try and look at the daily allergen count and avoid going out on days when levels are high.

Once your symptoms start try and treat them as soon as possible. If your eyes are red and swollen you can try putting a clean wet sterile cloth over them to act as a cold compress. This might reduce the swelling and some of the irritation of minor allergies. Eye drops can also help with the redness. You should have your symptoms diagnosed by a doctor to make sure allergies are causing your symptoms not some other eye related problem. Once you find out what your allergic to it makes it a lot easier to avoid.

To find natural allergy cures and methods of natural allergy relief visit http://naturalallergycures.net

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

Could That Dermatitis Be Coconut Allergies?

Food allergies are no laughing matter. Make light of people that can’t even breathe in peanut aroma all you want but those who have serious allergies know that they’re not just unpleasant; they can sometimes be downright deadly. Coconut allergies are no exception to this rule. While they are very rare they can be very upsetting and difficult for those who have them.

Some assume that if they have an allergy to peanuts then they are more likely to have coconut allergies, but there really is not a connection between the two. Food allergies are very particular and difficult to pin down; there isn’t always any rhyme or reason as to why a person has the particular allergies they have. Some people have many allergies and some have only one or two. This is why there is no connection between coconut allergies and peanut allergies; even though they are of the same food “family” they are not so identical that a person is going to be allergic to one if allergic to the other.

What is interesting about coconut allergies, however, is that people typically don’t have a reaction when they ingest coconut products but rather when they come into contact with them. They have a skin allergy to the oils in the coconut that causes a reaction of dermatitis; this might include redness, itching, swelling, dryness, and other symptoms of irritation. Some don’t realize that these reactions are because of coconut allergies as they often assume food allergies are only when you eat the food, not touch it or come into contact with oils from it. Coconut oils are in many products, from hair care items to lip balm and hand lotion. And these products may not necessarily smell like coconut, since the oils are not that concentrated and are contained in only small amounts. This too contributes to the problem of people not realizing that their skin breakouts and dermatitis are being caused by coconut allergies.

If you suspect that you have coconut allergies, you should check all topical items you use, from your shampoo to hand creams and anything else you put on your skin. The ingredients should list coconut oils if the product contains it. Try switching to a product that is without coconut oils and see if this doesn’t help your dermatitis.

And if your doctor tells you that you have coconut allergies and you have tried eliminating the use of all products that contain coconuts, ask your doctor for some topical ointments or other treatment options. You may be able to use some creams or lotions to help your dermatitis clear up; otherwise you could be causing serious damage to your skin.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with rashes such as Aloe Vera, Green tea, Quercitin, Bromellain and zinc.

Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.

Green Tea Contains antioxidants that may protect against heart disease, several types of cancer, and skin damage.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercitin. Take 100 mg twice daily.

Zinc is needed for healing and maintaining healthy tissues. Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein and are the vital components of skin, hair, muscle tissue, the body’s organs, blood cells, various enzymes and hormones. Zinc also has a profound influence on the body’s ability to resist disease.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on allergies. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to allergies and how to treat them. Visit Allergy Treatment

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

Our Indoor Air Problem

Many people don’t believe that they have an indoor air problem in their homes. Yet, despite the fact that they go outside to have a cigarette and the animals aren’t allowed in the house, some of the most polluted air you can breathe is in your home.

Since the energy crisis of the 1970’s, we have struggled to seal up every hole and crack in our walls, doors and windows to save money. Insulation and weather stripping have improved to the point where no opening has been left untouched.

That’s where all the trouble started.

In our effort to reduce high energy costs, we have sealed all the pollutants of everyday life inside our homes. Chemical cleaners, aerosol sprays, cooking odors, outgassing of carpets and even chemicals from dry-cleaned clothing have combined to produce an invisible cloud of irritants that can’t escape. Add to this poorly-ventilated fireplaces and improperly-maintained heating and cooling systems and the problem gets even worse.

In the natural process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. Because we have cut down on the ability for this process to take place, we are left with only two other alternatives, natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation.

Natural ventilation is just what you think it is. Open the doors and windows and let the air flow through your house. That works for some climates but for most of us it’s out of the question. So that brings us to mechanical ventilation. Most air handling systems in private homes are designed to re-circulate the air that’s already in the house. That generally doesn’t allow fresh, outside air into the heating and cooling system. There are exceptions of course, but most systems are designed that way.

Having a whole house air purifier may be the answer. Several manufacturers offer air purification systems that clean and purify indoor air by re-creating the processes used by Mother Nature. One of these systems may be the best solution to your indoor air problem.

Jeff Van Leuvan is a trained indoor air quality specialist. Get the scoop on every aspect of your indoor air by visiting his no-nonsense air purification web site, http://www.cleanairsecrets.com

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »

How To Watch Out For Allergy Symptoms

If you think about it, the typical allergy is just about the most common health problem suffered by so many people worldwide. Because it is a very common problem, it would make sense to know as much about it, especially when it comes to the many allergy symptoms that come with it.

To start with, an allergy is really an immunologic response undertaken by the human body to a substance that is otherwise regarded as harmless. But, as fallible as the human body is, it sometimes makes the grave mistake of detecting the substance as something that is harmful to the body. The human body then releases chemicals that are used in combating the foreign substance, which is also known as an allergen. When the process of combat occurs, the different symptoms of allergies are then manifested all over the body.

Another interesting thing about allergies is the fact that a person allergic to a single substance is not allergic to just that single substance. In fact, you just might notice that if you are allergic to a particular substance, you are also allergic to other substances that are quite similar to the first allergen. For instance, if you are allergic to shrimp, you might be allergic to other seafood as well. Perhaps you are allergic to squid and crab. To determine this, you have to take in these seafood items in question. Be sure to take just a moderate amount of these items so that you would not be risking more than what is needed.

The common allergies existing amongst us right now affect the eyes, the nose, and the throat. Your eyes may feel very sore and itchy when you have been exposed to allergens. The membrane of your eye, in particular, becomes very itchy and watery. Your eyelids can also become swollen, tender, and very red in color.

Your nose membranes typically secrete clear fluids that trap substances that you can find in the air, such as pollen or dust. This process is important in preventing untoward nasal infections. But when allergies set in, your nose membranes become infected and inflamed in the process. The rate of secretion of mucus becomes heightened as well, leading to swollen nasal membranes.

When it comes to allergy symptoms in the throat, these are commonly experienced by people afflicted with hay fever. Extreme itching occurs at the inner back portion of both the throat and the mouth. This is actually caused by the small hair linings found in your lungs. These microscopic hairs blow back animal dander that has been inhaled towards the inner back portion of the throat.

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Posted on March 17th, 2008 by admin  |  No Comments »