Dander Allergy

It is believed that over 60% of all modern households throughout the world have a dog or cat as a pet and over 10% of those households can have at least one person which has dander allergies.

What is Dander?

Dander from pets are secreted (oily) fluids from their skin, a particle which contain allergens called dander. The oily-like fluids can collect on fur and feathers and can can cause allergic reactions in hypersensitive persons.

Even though dander allergies from a dog or cat are more prevelant, other pets can create dander allergy problems as well to include:

• Birds
• Guinea pigs
• Mamsters
• Mice
• Rabbits
• Rats
• and other furry friends

While an allergic individual may exhibit allergic reactions from their dander, they are more likely to actually be allergic to their saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic reactions for children, adults and laboratory animal workers. Proteins whcih are found in the animal’s saliva and urine are considered to be strong allergens.  Many of these allergens are microscopic and can become airborne for extended periods of time only to be breathed in by an allergy sufferer.

Related Posts: Pet Allergy, Pet Allergies and Dog Allergies.

About the Author: Daniella Jensen is a pet shop owner in Santa Monica California and writes pet related articles for local and online publications.

Allergy Symptoms & Treatments : How to Prevent Dander Allergies

I recently discovered that I am allergic to products containing coconuts.I’m actually pretty sure that this is the cause since I break out on my face when using the products and don’t when I discontinue them.

Am I crazy or does coconut really cause allergies?

Best Answer:

Searching for soaps and other products which are free from coconut ingredients can be a challenging task. You are certainly not crazy; there are many personal care products out there which contain coconut products and you can’t always tell just be reading the label.

Here is just a partial list of potential coconut derived additives and ingredients:

• 1,2 Octanediol
• 2 Phenoxyethanol
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
• Capryl Glycol
• Caprylic Acid
• Caprylic Glycol
• Caprylic/Capric
• Caprylyl Glycol
• Ceteareth-20
• Cetearyl Alcohol
• Cetearyl Glucoside
• Ceteth-20 Phosphate
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Cetyl Esters
• Cocamide MEA
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Cococaprylate/Caprate
• Cocomide DEA
• Coconut Oil
• Disodium Cocamphodiprop
• Emusifying Wax
• Glyceryl Caprylate
• Hexyl Laurate
• Isopropyl Myristate
• Laureth-3
• Olefin Sulfonate
• Organic Sodium Cocoate
• Phenoxyethanol
• Polysorbate 20
• Sodium Cocoate
• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
• Sucrose Stearate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Stearate
• Sorbitan Stearate
• Stearyl Alcohol
• Vegetable Cetearyl Glucos
• Vegetable Glycerine

Luckily, there are more and more manufacturers making hypoallergenic personal care products that do not contain coconut based ingredients such as Kiss My Face and others.

We have found that people who have coconut allergies to skin care products normally do not have an allergic reaction to coconut in their diets and believe this is due to the manufacturing process for coconut-based ingredients.

Source: Yahoo Answers

Vegan Coconut Cake

An allergy to peanuts is a serious condition and is usually a life-long proposition which may effect both children and adults. It is paramount that persons with a peanut or nut related allergy avoid all exposures which can create a life threatening reaction.

The most common symptom of peanut allergy is acute hives (urticaria) which usually occurs within minutes of exposure. However, many peanut allergy sufferers also develop severe angioedema, swelling of the face, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis following exposure.  Some peanut and nut allergy sufferers are so sensitive that they will develop symptoms even when they are in the presence of someone who has eaten peanuts or has been in contact with peanuts.

Because peanut allergies are so prevalent, much research has been performed to understand the allergy better and possibly find a cure. There are studies currently being conducted at Duke University Medical Center, in North Carolina that is showing promise for all food allergy sufferers. Their study is called The Duke Food Allergy Initiative, which has been running several immunotherapy studies and intends to have some definitive results within the next few years.

Peanut Allergy Statistics

• Peanut and peanut related allergies are a serious problem that can become fatal in severe cases.
• Someone who suffers from chronic peanut allergies should always be prepared to seek immediate medical attention
• Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the best and most effective treatment available for a severe peanut allergy reaction and a EpiPen should be available immedaietly when out in public. Person in public with them should understand exactly how to use the EpiPen if you were to have a reaction.
• There are thousands of peanut-free foods and resources available to those with a peanut or other nut allergy.
• A peanut allergy is one of the “Big 8″ food allergens which account for 90% of allergies combined. (21 million in the US alone).
• More than 3 million people in the US are believed to be allergic to peanuts, tree nuts or both.
• About 1% of the U.S. population has a peanut peanut related allergy.
• Recent studies have shown that over 20% of patients with peanut allergy will outgrow it.
• A allergic reaction to a peanut or peanut related food is the most common cause of food related deaths.

About the author:

Benny Jacobson writes a column in the Allergy Journal and is considered to be an expert on peanut and other nut related allergies.

The Peanut Reaction

Soybean Allergies

Soy containing products have be touted in recent years for their health producing potential but much has come out since the spotlight has been on soy as to it’s potential problems including allergies.

Soy can create allergies because it can have similar effects related to gluten, an extremely common allergen.  A soy allergy is actually an immune response to the protein found in soy. If the body discovers that soy protein may be harmful, the immune system will create specific antibodies to it. After this inital allergic response takes place, a person will receive an immune system including histamine, in order to protect the body after consuming a soy containing product.

Soy Proteins

Researchers have identified 15 allergenic proteins in soy but are still unsure as to which component of soy may cause an allergic reaction.

Soy containing products have grown significantly in recent years and can appear or are sold as:

• Soy milk
• Soy flour
• Soy grits
• soy meal
• Soy sauce
• Soy oil
• Edamame (soy pods)
• Soy butter
• and more

Soy has become one of the most common food additives in the modern diet only second to corn and can hide in such products as:

But don’t be caught unaware: many foods that you already have in your kitchen contain some type of soy food, even if the word “soy” isn’t on the label. Here are other terms that may also imply soy ingredients:

• Glycine max
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
• Lecithin
• Miso
• Mono-diglyceride
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Natto
• Tempeh
• Tofu
• Vegetable oil
• Vitamin E (some brands contain soy bean oil)

The use of ray soybean oil is not suspected to cause allergic reactions since it does not contain the allergen protein, however certain soy oil containing products have been reported to cause allergy symptoms.  Like many allergies, there are many factors to consider.

About the author:

Joy Humphrey is a writer about health and allergy related subjects and publishes articles in well known online and offline health magazine.

Grains, Soy, Dairy, Eggs…Allergies

A dust mite allergy is actually a hyper-sensitivity reaction to proteins found in the feces of dust mites. These proteins may attack the respiratory airways causing mild to severe allergic reactions and even asthma. House dust mites are found most homes around the world.

Microscopic Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive in warm and humid environments such as furniture and bedding materials. Their favorite food is human skin flakes and animal dander. Since human actually shed thousand of skin flakes everyday and dogs, cats and other household pets shed dander daily, dust mites never run out of food.

As we inhale large quantities of dust mite protein allergens, the body produces antibodies in the form of a chemical compound known as histamine. Histamine is what causes an allergic reaction and can lead to swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages. It is believed that dust mites allergies are one of the primary causes of childhood asthma symptoms and the predisposition for this allergy is often hereditary.

Unlike pollen, dust mites are present all year round causing constant allergic reactions. The excretion from the mites dries out and can become airborne when someone walks over a rug, sits down in a chair or shakes the bed clothes, creating immediate symptoms in allergic people.

Controlling Dust Mites

The best tool controlling these microscopic dust mites is the HEPA (High Efficient Particle Air) vacuum. The certified HEPA vacuum cleaner (or central vacuum system) is the best dust, skin flakes and dust mite removing device over which you have total control. You decide what surfaces you vacuum and when. Any other vacuum filter is potentially a vacuum polluter and only recycles the microscopic dust which can be responsible for many respiratory allergies and asthma.

About the author:
The Sick House Center is a resource and information center about indoor air pollution and other related subjects. Read about Indoor Allergies Prevention at the Sick House Center.

We are not alone