Allergy Relief Expert

Miserable Nasal Allergies

If you have been or are experiencing any of these symptoms: uncontrollable sneezing, congestion and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, breathing wheezing, cough, headache, sometimes the loss of smell, and sore throat, then you must be suffering from allergic rhinitis.

Most people with allergies have a relative who also has allergies transmitted in their genes.  The allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to particles in the air. These particles, called allergens, typically are not harmful, but your immune system reacts when sensitized with the perception that it is a potentially harmful substance. The immune system is the shield against viruses and bacteria harmful, however, can sometimes be more active and respond to noxious particles. This hypersensitivity to allergens can cause the symptoms of allergies above. Seasonal allergies occur when your allergy symptoms are aggravated in the change of seasons or when pollen counts are high. Perennial allergies occur throughout the year and are usually caused by exposure to dust mites, animal dander or cockroach allergen.

Allergies can lead to complications such as sinusitis and ear infections so it is important to take steps to prevent it: cleaning the house to avoid the reproduction of dust mites and indoor molds, avoid exposure to pollen by staying home when pollen counts are high, and avoid exercising outside in the early morning when pollen counts are at its peak.

Doctors advise that the best treatment would prevent only some nasal allergies.  However, if you have already taken preventive measures, there are several treatment options available. There are also counter drugs such as loratadine and cetirizine could help treat the symptoms. There are several prescription medications that your allergist can prescribe for comfort. Allergy shots are also available for those who have poorly controlled symptoms despite taking medication, or if spends most of the year or if you are around allergens that are inevitable. Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) helps control and reduce reactions Allergic to help your immune system becomes less sensitive to the substances you are allergic to.  Through small doses of vaccine, your body slowly accumulates resistance to their allergies without causing a severe reaction. They not only treat the symptoms temporarily, but also treating the underlying disease. Immunotherapy reducing the need for expensive drugs for years and can provide significant savings in the long run.

Take care of your health.  Act now!

About the Author:

To find out more on allergic symptoms or if you are in the Cincinnati who are willing to participate on a research study on investigational oral immunotherapy, please visit www.ragweedallergycincinnati.com for more info.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What are Allergy Shots For?

Managing Nasal Allergies

I think I’m allergic to wool. What are allergic reactions to wool and what should I expect?

Best Answer:

Allergy doctors agree that a true wool allergy is rare. However, persons who are “allergic to wool”  will attest that they experience allergic reactions when they come in contact with wool.

Persons who have a wool allergy which try on a sweater for example state that the scratchy itch is so immediate and so miserable; they must take it off immediately!

Is experiencing the itch a wool allergy? Most allergy doctor believe that some people are more prone to experience irritation from wool, but that doesn’t always mean it is a true allergic response. However for people with atopic dermatitis or eczema, those same doctors will recommend the avoidance of wool, because of it’s irritating tendency.

Other Wool  Allergies

Lanolin which can be found in many personal care products is actually wool alcohol, extracted from wool. Many people with known wool allergies will also have a tendency towards any contact with lanolin.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology states that a chronic allergy sufferer will experience respiratory allergies from wearing wool. However, their research indicates that this is not from the wool itself but rather from other allergens in or in the wool.

Wool Allergy Relief

Unfortunately, there are no silver bullets to protect you from a wool allergy other than avoidance. In the old days, people wore wool because they beleived it kept them warmer, but there are many synthetic alternatives to wool that do not show to cause allergic reactions.

About the author:

Dana Jacobs is a dress designer in New York City.

KDTV 207 – Yarn for People with Wool Allergies

I thought allergies were only in the spring or fall, but I have them worse in the summer?

What medication should I take?

Best Answer:

Unfortunate for some people, allergies are not just for the spring and fall seasons.  Pollen from the spring plants and trees are still plentiful and can play havoc for some. The main thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep your summer allergy symptoms from developing into a sinus infection.

The first thing I would do is to rinse my nose two or three times a day with a sinus rinse or neti-pot product. Secondly, there are a few over-the-counter medications you can take. If you can take a Claritin and it all goes away, are most surely…allergies.  If not, then you has a cold or worse yet, a sinus infection. You can also try taking a decongestant like Sudafed to help with nasal drainage and to prevent your symptoms from progressing into something worse. If you have problems with mucus in the throat or lungs, try Mucinex to help loosen it up  so you can cough it out. Benadryl can help too. If all else fails, try a mild antihistamine since they often have a drying effect and will stop a runny nose. Of course, there are many other medications you can try as well.

Remember that none of these medications will work unless you stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Limit your juices since they contain lots of sugar. Take lots of vitamin C and get at least 8 hours or more of good sleep until symptoms subside.

If this still doesn’t do it, then go to the doctor and get a stronger medication.

I hope you get better soon.

Source: Yahoo Answers

Summer Allergies Relief

It is true that there is no cure for eczema? – and will I have to use cortisone cream for the rest of my life?

Best Answer:

Eczema and Allergies

Allergies are the leading cause of eczema. If you have food allergies and have eliminated food allergens from your diet, but only show a moderate improvement in the eczema symptoms, switch to an organic diet. Organic foods are not sprayed with a large amount of chemicals: herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. Are fed with chemical fertilizers. The residues of these toxins remain in and about the product, no matter how well you wash it, and that you are eating small amounts of them every time you eat non-organic products. You could easily be sensitive or allergic to the toxins that have accumulated in your body over time. These chemicals not used in organic foods.

To get rid of the toxins in your body – and eczema – do a cleansing detoxification. Eliminate cleaning chemicals toxic chemicals from its cells and expel them from his body. Be assured that when you start a cleaning that may well feel worse before you begin. That’s because your body is reacting to the evil to be purged. You should start feeling better and notice an improvement in their symptoms of eczema.

You do not want to give further details on products you are sensitive to chemicals, so look around your home in the products you use. Replace products containing natural ingredients. You do not need a product with a lot of hard to pronounce chemicals in it to get your dishes, floors, laundry, or your body clean.

The same is true for lotions and creams used to moisturize the skin. Some of the ingredients, including artificial fragrances, reality can be irritating to the skin rather than help. Change to lotions containing natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter and aloe vera.

Source: Yahoo Answers

Acupuncture for Allergies & Asthma : Acupuncture for Eczema

An allergy is an abnormal, acquired sensitivity to a particular substance, including pollen, drugs, or numerous environmental triggers. People who have allergies are often sensitive to more than one thing. Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects about 35 million Americans, of whom 6 million are children. The number of asthma has doubled in the last 20 years. This is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non-allergic people. Allergic people’s bodies recognize the foreign substance and one of the immune system is activated. In the United States, an allergist-immunologist is a doctor specially trained to manage and treat asthma and other allergic diseases. Proteins found in skin, saliva and urine of furry animals as cats and dogs are allergens. Can also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles and leaf litter. Allergies can cause a discharge nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Allergies that occur in the spring are often the cause of tree pollen. Allergies that occur in the summer are often due to grass and weed pollens.

Allergies that occur in the fall are often due to ragweed. Many allergens, including dust mites dust are present in the dust. Dust mites are tiny creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture. Up to 30% of the population suffer from allergic rhinitis, and this number seems to be growing. Most people are treated by their primary care physician for their allergies. There are two elements involved in a true allergic reaction. The first is the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody that circulates in the blood things like germs attacking. The second is the mast cell, a type of cell found in the body in the places where they cause allergic reactions, including the nose, throat, lungs and skin. There have been tremendous improvements in the underlying medical treatments developed by allergists. Antihistamines help reduce the sneezing, runny nose and itchy allergies. Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that helps prevent the body’s reaction to allergens. Environmental endotoxin showed a strong protection against foot hay and allergies.

Reduces exposure to endotoxin in peripheral blood leukocytes release of inflammatory cytokines after lipopolysaccharide, including cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-10 and interleukin-12. Shower and wash your hair every day. The pollen in the air can collect on your clothes, skin and hair. Many families are giving their children safe nutritional supplements such as vitamin B6 with magnesium and Di-methyl-glycine (DMG). Many Medications used to treat various medical problems derived from plants and herbs, such as theophylline. Several herbal supplements have been used in the treatment of allergies and asthma, some showing benefits. Dry your sheets and clothes in a dryer rather than hanging them outdoors where they can collect pollen and spores. Wash your hands after contact with your pet. Keep pets out of the room or other rooms you spend lots of time. Avoid using carpeting in your home from allergens collected there.

Allergy Treatment Tips

1. Endotoxin exposure reduces peripheral blood leukocyte cytokine release inflammation after lipopolysaccharide.

2. Shower and wash your hair every day. The airborne pollen can collect on your clothes, skin and hair.

3. Many families are giving their children safe nutritional supplements such as vitamin B6 with magnesium and Di-methyl-glycine (DMG).

4. Many drugs used to treat various medical problems derived from plants and herbs, such as theophylline.

5. Several herbal supplements have been used in the treatment of allergies and asthma, some showing benefits.

6. Dry your sheets and clothes in a dryer rather than hanging them outdoors where they can collect pollen and spores.

7. Wash hands after contact with your pet.

8. Keep pets out of the room or other rooms you spend lots of time.

9. Avoid using carpeting in your home from allergens will collect there.

10. Some popular calming techniques include: vigorous exercise, which would act as a release from his great excitement, the level of vestibular stimulation.

About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseasetreatment.com

It’s Springtime

Allergies relating to foam has grown over the past 50 plus years as this soft, flexible material has found it’s way into furniture and bedding.

Is Foam an Allergen?

The primary reason why foam may be an allergen is because of off-gassing of chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Foam products may emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) vapors from chemicals used during their manufacture.

Most foam products are oil-based and may contain PolyBrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) which are widely used as a flame retardant. PBDE’s have already been banned in Europe and future “to be banned” list in a few states in the United States. California banned the sale of  furniture and bedding products containing PBDE’s in 2008.

PBDE’s are believed to accumulate in human body tissue and may pose future health issues.  This has lead to concerns they might be carcinogenic.

Organic or natural latex mattresses are recommended for persons wishing to avoid products which contain PBDE’s.

About the author:

John Davis Smith owns and operates a bedding store in Los Angeles California which specializes in hypoallergenic bedding products.

Before You Buy a Bed Pillow