Thursday, March 29, 2007

Allergies Can Affect Performance in School and Work

Allergies often lead to bothersome nasal, eye, and breathing symptoms. What few realize is that allergies can result in chronic fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, and eventually affect one’s performance in school or work.

(PRWEB) January 18, 2006 -- We’ve all experienced or been around someone with a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. But imagine suffering from these symptoms on a daily basis. Unfortunately people with allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever” as it is commonly referred, have these symptoms frequently.

A task force lead by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that up to 40% of children have allergic rhinitis and miss millions of days of school each year because of the affliction. Adults fare no better as millions of dollars are lost each year due to deceased productivity from allergy sufferers.

Joseph R. Perez, M.D., an allergy/immunology specialist at Allergy & Asthma Care in Sugar Land, Texas http://www.aachou.com/ , says “we see so many children and adults who are miserable from their allergies and are doing poorly in school or work because of it.” Dr. Perez notes that this may be due to interrupted sleep at night, the use of over-sedating and cognitive-impairing medication, or frequent interruption of concentration due to allergy symptoms.
“The unfortunate thing is that allergies often go unrecognized, undiagnosed, or under treated which results in problems in school or work,” says Dr. Perez. “The good news is that with proper identification of offending allergens and appropriate recommendations with avoidance measures and treatment, allergy sufferers can do very well.”

If you suspect that your or your child’s performance is being negatively impacted by allergies, consider seeking help from your physician. She may refer you to an allergy/immunology specialist who can expedite resolution of the problem by correctly identifying the offending allergen and implementing appropriate treatment. To learn more about how allergies can affect your life visit http://www.aachou.com.

Living With A Food Allergy

Living with a food allergy can be a daunting experience. Many people have a food allergy which ranges from mild to severe. There are people who experience a light red rash after eating something they are allergic to while others can face death if they even touch the food that causes their allergy.

A very common type of food allergy is to eggs. Many children develop this food allergy when they are infants. The parents have to be conscious of each and everything the child consumes. This means reading all the labels of the foods that you serve the child and informing the child care provider and school of the allergy. Egg substitute can be used when baking cakes or breads so the child doesn't feel left out.

A food allergy to eggs is usually outgrown. The child may experience the symptoms for several years and once they have matured the parent in consultation with a physician can reintroduce egg products into the child's diet.

Another food allergy that is common in infants is an allergy to wheat. This again, is an allergy that children tend to outgrow but until that time every product they consume has to be checked to see if it contains wheat. The obvious offenders are things like bread and muffin but there can be wheat in other products including breakfast cereals and even some types of candy.

A food allergy that can be very severe is an allergy to peanuts. When a child or an adult has a peanut allergy there is a chance that they can go into food anaphylaxis and die. Although peanut allergies are one of the most common types of food allergy there are still people dying each year from unintended exposure to peanuts.

It's vitally important for parents to warn their child about the dangers of peanuts if they do have this particular type of food allergy. The child might not be old enough to fully grasp the consequences but as they mature it's very important to constantly remind them that they can become very ill if they eat anything that has peanuts in it.

Many schools now have a no peanut policy. They have enforced this because of the children that suffer from a peanut food allergy. Children are not permitted to bring certain food items to school including peanut butter sandwiches or chocolate bars that contain peanuts. Although some parents complain about this restriction it should be viewed as more of a life saving measure.

When a person grows up with a food allergy they quickly become aware of what foods they can and cannot eat. Part of this stems from the repeated reminders of the parents but it also comes from the child and later adult's desire to remain healthy.

If someone in your home does suffer from a food allergy it's wise to keep that food out of the home completely. One of the reasons is obvious and that's the person with the allergy will be safer without the offending item in their presence. Another good reason to refrain from purchasing the product is that the person with the allergy won't feel left out if no one in their family is consuming the thing they cannot have. Think of it as a wonderful way to support them.

by Joe Goertz

Allergy Resources and Information around it

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

What is Allergy Induced Asthma?

One of the more common forms of asthma is allergy induced asthma. When someone is exposed to an allergen - a substance to which their body is sensitive - they may produce 'histamines', which cause inflammation and irritation as they work to rid the body of the allergen. In the case of allergy induced asthma, the histamines go to work on the bronchial passages and lungs, making it difficult for the allergic person to breathe.

The incidence of allergy induced asthma has grown almost geometrically in recent years, and scientists aren't quite sure why. They suspect that part of the reason may be the increased exposure of children to some common allergens. This seems to be borne out by population based studies - African-American and Hispanic children living in the inner city are far more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than Caucasian children in the same cities, and even those children are more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than suburban and rural children of the same socioeconomic level.

A number of reasons have been advanced for the disparity, but the most likely is simply that Black and Hispanic children are far more likely to live in the most crowded old neighborhoods of the city. Crowding is the biggest risk factor for the presence of common household pests like cockroaches and rodents, and cockroach parts and rodent droppings are two of the most common allergens in children with allergy induced asthma.

Diagnosing Allergy Induced Asthma

Doctors will diagnose asthma differently depending on the age of the patient. Children under five, for instance, may find it difficult to follow instructions for breathing capacity tests. Doctors will often use history, both the child's and the family medical history, to help determine the possibility of asthma. Often, if asthma is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a bronchodilator. If it helps, the diagnosis is confirmed.

In older children and adults, doctors may perform a series of breathing capacity tests with a peak flow meter and a spirometer to help determine the extent of an asthma problem.
Generally, doctors don't use allergy tests to diagnose asthma, but if there's a reason to believe that a specific allergen is a problem, allergic dermatitis tests may be used to confirm or rule out possible allergens. Knowing that a specific substance or food is a problem can help you avoid it and reduce your risk of asthma attacks.

Treating Allergy Induced Asthma

The good news is that interventions to reduce exposure to allergens seems to be as effective a treatment for allergy induced asthma as corticosteroid inhalers. If your child has been diagnosed with allergy induced asthma, there are ways that you can help control your child's symptoms. Besides using inhalers and nebulizers as directed by your doctor, you can also keep your home - and especially your child's bedroom - as close to allergen free as possible. Mattress covers, pillow cases, air filters and pest control measures can reduce your child's exposure to allergens that cause allergy induced asthma to worsen into acute stages.

by Isabelle Boulay

Visit Medopedia.com for more information on living with asthma and treatments for asthma

Grass Allergy

Grass allergy is one of the most common and prevalent form of allergy that affects people with histories of it during certain seasons.

Grass allergy normally occurs all throughout the spring season and during the onset or ending of the summer season. Grass allergy is somehow directly linked to hay fever, because their symptoms and causes are somehow similar to each other.
Grass allergy can also take the form of an inhalant kind of allergy similar to asthma. It is noted that in the United States alone, about 30% of overall yearly allergy reported or recorded is in the form of grass allergy.

Grass allergy is caused by an allergen that invokes discomforting reaction upon body contact.

Cause of grass allergy

The most usual allergen or substance that cause or triggers grass allergy is pollen. Pollens are very tiny and small particles of ovulation structures owned by plants.

During your primary education and even in your previous Biology classes, you have encountered the word pollen on subjects related to the proliferation or reproduction of plants' flowers.

Take note that pollens are so tiny and light that they can stick to the tiny feet of butterflies. Pollens are most of the time flying or are carried out in the air especially during summer and spring when trees, flowers, and mostly, grass pollinate.

Because pollens are so light weight and they are carried over through the air, people can inhale them. Inhaling pollen can cause or trigger adverse reactions to the person.

Symptoms of grass allergy

Manifestations that indicate the onset of grass allergy are usually identified with breathing disorders.

The most common symptom of grass allergy is severe or constant dry cough. Usually these cough will occur with sore throat. It can never be mistaken for a common viral colds or cough.
The person with grass allergy also experiences difficulty in breathing. It s because the air passages are narrowed or constricted as a result of the body's defense mechanism against grass pollen.

It can be noted that since the air passage constriction is a body defense mechanism, it is not dangerous. The danger occurs when the person experiencing it panics and feel a thriving discomfort.

Itchiness which can appear in several areas of the body can also occur at the onset of a grass allergy attack.

In rare occasions, fever can also be detected. However, in such occurrences, immediate help from doctors and medical practitioners should be sought to detect the presence of complications.
Fevers indicate the presence of viral and bacterial attacks in the body and should therefore be immediately attended at to avoid further complications.

Treatment and prevention of grass allergy

The most effective treatment for grass allergy is also its most potent prevention. That is, to avoid the grass allergy causing allergens, which are usually grass pollen.

To avoid exposure to grass pollen or the possibility of grass pollen inhalation, people with histories are advised to stay indoors especially during summer and spring when grass pollens are carried out in the open air.

Doctors also advise such people to install a working air conditioner in their home and room to make sure the ventilation is good and the probability of air contamination with grass pollen is reduced.

Otherwise, medications are available both through prescription and over the counter. Allergy shots can immediately relieve and soothe the symptoms. Antihistamines are also usually prescribed to curtail grass allergy development among patients.

by Charlene J. Nuble

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about grass allergy, please go to: Grass Allergy or go to: allergyanswers.net Blog

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

A Look At Air Purifiers- Do They Help Allergies?

As allergy sufferers look for ways of obtaining some allergy relief, this question has been posed many times. The use of an air purifier may help with your allergies if you are allergic to airborne allergens (things like dust mites, pollen, or pet dander). However, the degree of relief obtained really depends on many factors, many of which are under your own control.

First, you need to understand what an air purifier is and how it works. An air purifier is a stand-alone unit which is typically placed in one room for the purpose of cleansing the air. It is effective only in the room in which it is placed. The method through which an air purifier works varies by make and model. Some units contain a filter inside that will need to be either cleaned periodically or replaced entirely. Ionic air purifiers use the method of ionization to both trap allergen particles in the filter and force airborne particulate to adhere to surfaces in the room and not stay in the air where they may be inhaled.

Another type of filter that may help with allergy relief is an air filter that is placed in your home's A/C unit. This filter then cleanses the air that is pumped throughout your home and will affect the air quality in every room. The air filter needs to be cleaned on a monthly basis. The best way to use air purifiers is in conjunction with other measures. These include the reduction of allergenic substances in your environment as much as possible. If you know that you are allergic to dust, then by all means do whatever is necessary to remove the dust from your home. Use a combination of methods such as steam cleaning the carpets or even removing carpeting altogether. Put dust mite encasements on all bedding.

For our family we have found the use of air purifiers to be beneficial. We use an air purifier unit in each of the bedrooms. The filters in these air purifiers are cleaned on a regular basis. An allergy-free filter is also installed in our home's A/C unit, which has really cut down on the dust throughout our entire home. After a lengthy discussion with our allergist, we removed nearly all the carpeting in our home and now use vinyl flooring throughout. Of course, dust mite encasements are used on all the beds (mattresses and box springs) in the house.

While I cannot say that we are entirely allergy free, careful attention to these measures has allowed our family to experience some allergy relief. We even take an air purifier with us while on vacation, to purifier and cleanse the air in the hotel room!

Visit Allergy-Relief-At-Home.com for more ideas and practical tips on making your home allergy free.

Monday, March 26, 2007

A Natural Way To Improve Your Allergies

If you suffer from environmental allergies like dust mites or mold, then you can promote natural allergy relief by making your bedroom free from common household allergens. The bedroom is the first place to start when making your home allergy free. This is because you spend a large part of your time in the bedroom when you sleep, and it is important that you give your body a respite from allergens.

Natural allergy relief focuses on allergy control measures. Since mattresses, box springs, and pillows are the major habitats for dust mites, that is where allergy control measures need to be directed. Purchase dust mite bed covers for your mattress, box spring, and pillows. These encasements are purchased in the same size as you would buy sheets, for example, in king, queen, or twin size. These dust mite encasings are comfortable and virtually undetectable under regular bedsheets.

Another important allergy control measure is to clean off your dresser and any shelves in the room. Your goal is to remove the room of all dust build up. Basically, if it is a dust collector, then you want it out of your bedroom! Wipe the dresser and other surfaces using a damp sponge or cleaning cloth. (Damp dusting is recommended as it does not cause as much dust to become airborne). If you are very allergic to dust or prone to asthma, it is best to have someone else do these cleaning measures for you. To maintain a dust-free environment, you'll want to wash all bed linens in very hot water (130 degrees) weekly. The very hot water temperature is needed to kill the dust mites.

As far as drapes and curtains, you'll need to remove window treatments and wash them or have them dry cleaned. Dust can build up really quickly on drapes and blinds. It is also important to damp dust those window blinds.

To assist in natural allergy relief, pay special attention to the flooring in your home. If you have carpeting, consider using a HEPA-equipped vacuum. Even better yet, you might want to consider replacing carpeting with a solid surface floor such as vinyl or hardwood. Carpet can harbor dust mites and mold and mildew. At the very least, vacuum regularly and periodically have the carpeting steam cleaned.

If you have a pet, keep it out of the bedroom. Pet dander is very difficult to remove from a room. It remains on surfaces and in soft upholstery (like curtains and bedding) and in carpeting long after the pet has been removed.

Visit Allergy-Relief-At-Home.com for more ideas and tips on living with allergies.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

The Fight Against Mite Allergy

The common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis is from dust mite protein. Ten percent of the population suffers from mite allergy. Mite allergy comes from house dust mites. The creatures do not cause the allergy itself but it is their dander and excrement.

Mite allergy sufferers usually think that what they have is a respiratory allergy. But in truth, the little insects are responsible for the allergic reaction to their body.

Mite allergy culprits are the dust mites. Dust mites are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are oval shaped; eight legged with sticky pads on the ends of their feet to make it easy for them to burrow deep in carpet fibers and other pieces of furniture.

Mite allergy sufferers usually inhale the dead mite particles, which is why it is important for patients to vacuum the carpet properly. The proteins in the droppings and carcass are what trigger the mite allergy attack.

The symptoms of mite allergy include sneezing, itchy, watery, eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory problems, atopic dermatitis and asthma. Allergic rhinitis is the first indication of the mite allergy.

A person suffering from mite allergy will start sneezing at the first sign of the allergen in the air. Then comes the watery eyes and runny nose. The most severe case of mite allergy can show symptoms of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction where the symptoms happen suddenly and spreads to the entire body.

Treatment for mite allergy begins with removing the allergen from the sufferer's environment. The patients should be conscious of their surroundings. Being conscientious of the place's cleanliness and dust-free scenario should be their major concern.

Medications for mite allergy attacks can be bought over the counter. Antihistamines can easily relieve the patient's skin irritations, sneezes and watery eyes. There are skin creams that can also be applied to the rashes that appeared during the mite allergy attacks.

Extreme cases of mite allergy attacks can leave a person feeling helpless. And when anaphylactic shock sets in, the only way to remedy it is with an injection of epinephrine or adrenaline.

Another treatment option for sufferers is the immunotherapy. What this does is help your body create immunity to the allergen through a series of injections that will introduce the allergen to the patient. It is a long procedure, lasting over years and the results are still not 100 percent sure.

Preventing allergic attacks from dust mites will take a lot of effort. Since dust mites love warm, humid environments, they are more likely to be found indoors. The house dust that is collected under carpets or in corners of the house carries the mites' shed skin and their wastes.
There are dust mite covers available for pillows that patients can use. The mattress and under the bed are favorite hiding places of these dust mites and the only way to get rid of them there is to vacuum it or use covers.

The air is also a contributor of the allergy. One should use an air conditioning unit with filters to make sure that they can breathe clean air free of allergen. Fans should be cleaned regularly as well since it directs hits the person on the body and path of breathing.

Fighting the battle against dust mites is not an easy task. Just like all allergy sufferers, many dream of a day when no one will have to endure the menace these microscopic insects give us.

Charlene J. Nuble

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about mite allergy, please go to: Mite Allergy or go to: Allergy Answers or to:All About Allergies

The Downside to Cosmetics - Cosmetic Allergy

The American Academy of Dermatology has revealed that on the average, adult Americans use at least seven various cosmetics or cosmetic products daily.

The thing is that products like shampoos, colognes, deodorants, moisturizers and other cosmetics have become part of people's daily personal routines and they are considered necessities these days.

Cosmetics are primarily used to enhance beauty and some people have become so dependent on them that they become part of lifestyles.

Without any further explanation, it is apparent and very much understood that there are several specified ingredients in such cosmetics that function like antigens or trigger substances for allergic reactions, like fragrances and preservatives.

Cosmetic allergies are not so common. However, experts and studies found that on the average, about 10% of the country's population is expected to form or experience a form of cosmetic allergy within their lifetime.

But it would be logical to assert that women are more prone to experience cosmetics allergy than men.

Symptoms of cosmetic allergy

Basically, there are only two major skin reactions that will clearly indicate the onset of cosmetics allergy. These are allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.

The most common manifestation of allergies from cosmetics is inflammation in the infected skin area. The affected spot would exhibit redness and swelling, and most of the time, those two symptoms are carried out with mild to severe itching.

Basic and primary symptoms for cosmetics dermatitis immediately show up or develop after the skin has taken contact with cosmetic products.

Symptoms for cosmetic allergy occurs when the skin breaks down after contact with identified harsh substances. Upon contact, those substances or allergens immediately and directly affect and injure the skin's outer layer, thus the onset of symptoms.

Like any other form of allergies, cosmetics allergy should not be considered a disease. Rather it is just a normal reaction as the body's protective immune system throws out or rejects foreign and harmful substances.

Treatment of cosmetics allergy

Creams and ointments specifically manufactured to treat cosmetics allergy are available without prescriptions through retailers and drug stores.

Most of these medications contain cortisone in the form of hydrocortisone acetate and hydrocortisone. Cortisones help curtail redness, swelling and itching during the onset of cosmetics allergy symptoms.

In severe cases, doctors prescribe extra-strong medications and ointments that can effectively and immediately relieve the allergy. Antibiotics are needed if blisters in the skin, which is caused by cosmetics allergy, cracks and becomes infected.

How to prevent cosmetics allergy

There are some recommended measures that can help you prevent contracting cosmetics allergy. Take note of the following ways.

- Before using any cosmetic products, read its labels. Look out for active ingredients that can obviously trigger an allergic reaction to your skin. Find products or alternatives that do not contain such ingredients. - Perform mini-patch tests to determine if a new cosmetic product is too strong for your skin. It is done by rubbing your wrist with the products and observing for any redness or recatio within 24 hours. - When buying cosmetics, pick up those that contain very simple cosmetic formulas. - When wearing perfume, apply it on your clothes, not in your skin.

It would do you no harm if you take several precautions to avoid getting cosmetics allergy. Prevention is much better that treatments. Remember, cosmetic allergy, just like any other allergies, is only treatable, not curable.

Charlene J. Nuble 2006.
For answers to All your frequently asked questions about cosmetic allergy, please go to: http://cosmetic-allergy.allergyanswers.net/ or go to: http://allergyanswers.net/

Friday, March 23, 2007

Winter Sniffles: Allergies, or the Common Cold?

The cold days of winter bring most of us indoors for the year - and then the sniffles start up. Symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are common during the winter months. These unpleasant symptoms can be evidence of a winter cold, but they can also mean indoor allergies. What are the causes of these winter ailments, and how can they be identified (and treated)?

Winter weather can indirectly cause both colds and indoor allergies. Colds increase in winter because people spend more time inside, confined to small spaces where viruses and germs can be easily passed around. Also, the viruses which cause colds thrive in low-humidity environments, which are typically found in the cold dry months of winter. Low humidity, combined with air blowing from indoor heating systems, causes drying of the nasal passages, which can increase susceptibility to infection.

With indoor allergies, it's a similar story. Indoor allergies are caused by dust, which contains a wide variety of allergy-causing particles like animal dander, mold spores, pollen, dust mites and dust mite waste. Spending more time indoors means increased exposure to these allergens. Plus, indoor heating systems circulate air through the house, knocking loose many allergy causing particles on carpets, furniture, and dusty shelves. Then, these allergens are circulated through your home, right along with the warm cozy air.

Colds and allergies also show themselves in very similar ways, making it difficult to tell them apart. Symptoms of colds include congestion, stuffy nose, swelling of sinuses, sneezing, scratchy sore throat, headaches, aches and pains, fever, and a cough. Allergy symptoms include stuffed or runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, sore throat, watery and itchy eyes, and sometimes headaches. The main difference between cold and allergy symptoms is that colds usually come with body aches and pains and possibly a low-grade fever, while allergies do not. In addition, colds usually last 7-10 days, while allergies will persist as long as the exposure to the offending allergen continues. If you have cold-like symptoms which persist for more than two weeks, it's a good guess that you're dealing with an allergy, not a cold.

Complicating matters, frequent colds may in fact result from allergies. Your body responds to tiny allergens by producing mucus, in an attempt to expel them. However, nasal mucus is also a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, which can cause colds and sinus infections. Treating allergies will help prevent these, which is why it's a good idea to identify allergies early and treat them accordingly.

It's important to distinguish between colds and allergies, in order to give appropriate treatment. Cold viruses thrive in low humidity, and nasal dryness can lead to increased susceptibility to colds, so running a humidifier in cold dry winter months may be helpful. However, dust mites thrive on high humidity, so if you're suffering from indoor allergies, the low humidity is your ally. And while rest and plenty of fluids may cure a cold, allergies will persist as long as exposure continues.

To treat and prevent indoor allergies:

1. Visit an allergy doctor who can help you identify the offending indoor allergens

2. Maintain low indoor humidity to kill dust mites and mold

3. Vacuum using a HEPA filtered vacuum and run a HEPA air purifier to remove airborne
allergens

4. Encase mattress, pillows, and bedding in allergen-barrier encasings to protect from dust mite
allergies

5. Dust and clean frequently

To treat and prevent winter colds:

1. Wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces

2. Get plenty of exercise and rest

3. Eat nutritiously, with lots of fruits and vegetables

4. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and excess stress

5. Relieve cold symptoms with nasal decongestants and cough suppressants

When treating a cold, remember that medicines may relieve symptoms, but they will not cure the cold. Only giving your body the proper care it needs - rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of fluids - will cure the cold. And with allergies, the best way to treat allergy symptoms is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.

Desirina Boskovich is a writer, allergy sufferer, and a member of the achoo! ALLERGY & Air Products team. achoo! ALLERGY provides products and tips for allergy relief and environmental control. Sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Allergies May Run In Families

Allergies are not a laughing matter for anyone. They can make you feel terrible and weak. Scientists have determined that allergies might be genetic. It is not yet proven, but studies are being done to find support for this theory. Scientists believe that ar child may inherit asthma or allergies in their genes.

A thorough examination of the symptoms is needed in order to determine the difference between allergies and asthma attacks. If your problems are asthma-related, you will have difficulty breathing at times and your chest seems to tighten. If you have allergies, you may present with the similar symptoms to asthma, but, additionally, you might develop rashes and have sinus problems. Hay fever is also typically caused by allergy attacks.

If both you and your significant other have asthma, you might want to watch closely your children's symptoms and behavior as they grow up. Asthma develop as early as the toddler stage. You will want to be aware of how they play as well as how easily they seem winded. Typically, a young child should not get winded very quickly (as compared to other similarly-aged children), though they commonly do much faster than older child or teen.

As for allergies, you might have to simply wait to see if your child develops allergies as well. However, if either you or your significant other has any type of food allergy, you may want to have the child tested prior to introducing them to such foods. You should pay careful attention to make sure that they do not display any signs of an allergy upon introduction to new foods. Generally, if milk allergies are present, babies will show indications of lactose intolerant during the first year. It may then be necessary to feed them a soy-based formula.

You may want to speak to your doctor about any concerns that you may have pertaining to your family and allergies. Your doctor should be able to address your concerns, inform you about alternatives and give you testing information. You may also want to ask your pediatrician to look for any signs of asthma while they are having their check-ups. They will also suggest signs that you should look for that might indicate asthma in your child. If you are a parent, it is important to keep yourself informed about both allergies and asthma.

Charles Anderson writes for several web sites, on health and fitness and wellness and health subjects.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Guide To Eye Allergies

Eye allergies are common among Americans. Allergic reactions involving eyes are a common complaint among Americans. Severe eye allergies can be an extremely irritating experience requiring consultations with a qualified medical practitioner. If not taken care of in time, it may even pose a serious threat to the victim's eyesight.

The most common reaction in eye allergies involve the conjunctiva, a clear layer of skin overlying the eyes, and is known as allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is divided into several major subtypes, the most common among them being seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). Both arise out of an immune reaction involving a sensitized individual and an allergen. Put simply, if you are allergic to a particular substance and then come into contact with it, you experience an allergic reaction such as itching or sneezing.

Common allergens, i.e., substances that trigger eye allergies include pollen, grass, weeds, dust, and pet dander. As their names suggest, problems do not last long in SAC, but lasts throughout the year in PAC.

Apart from the all-too-familiar symptom of itching, other symptoms of eye allergies include redness, tearing, burning sensation, blurred vision, and mattering and/or mucus production
If you have eye allergies but can identify and avoid whatever you are allergic to, your allergy should improve markedly. If you fail to identify or avoid the allergens, it is wise to consult an allergist or ophthalmologist to get it treated. In the case of SAC, you may consult your allergist or ophthalmologist before the season in which you suffer from eye allergies so that treatment can start before the symptoms appear. However, if you have PAC, routine appointments with your allergist or ophthalmologist may be helpful to monitor your eye allergies.

In most cases, your allergist or ophthalmologist can diagnose eye allergies from your complaints alone.

As part of the examination, your eyes are examined to help rule out other problems. The front of your eyes is examined using a special microscope. Using the microscope, called a slit lamp, the ophthalmologist checks your eyes for dilated blood vessels, conjunctival swelling, and eyelid swelling, all of which indicate an allergic reaction. In rare and most severe cases, scraping of the conjunctiva is performed to check for eosinophils.

For treatment of eye allergies, avoidance of the allergens is the best method. When you can identify and avoid the particular allergy-causing substance, your symptoms are likely to improve dramatically. But if the problem remains even after avoidance and other forms of self-care, medical treatment is called for. Numerous over-the-counter medications, such as allergy eye drops and oral antihistamines can be used as directed for mild eye allergies. In addition, many prescription eye drops are also available to help reduce your eye allergies.

Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on eye allergies, eye allergy and food allergy.

Food Allergies

An allergy can be described as a malfunction of the immune system, an exaggerated response to certain substances. Your body mistakenly believes that something it has touched, smelled or eaten is harmful to it and your body releases massive amounts of chemicals, such as histamine to protect itself.

It is believed that 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies. These allergies are as varied as food itself is. Some people suffer from an allergy to one food, some to many. The most common food allergies are generally eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Symptoms of food allergies are varied and range from a tingling of the mouth to swelling of the tongue and throat to difficulty breathing to hives, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and in some instances death.

There are ways to help you or your loved one manage your food allergies. First seek the help of an allergist. Your allergist will perform a patch test to determine the exact cause of allergic reactions. This will be the guideline you use as you develop a diet based around your food allergies.

As with other types of allergies there is no cure for a food allergy. Some children do grow out of some food allergies as they age although allergies to peanuts, fish, shellfish and nuts are often considered lifetime allergies. You or your loved one must simply avoid the food that causes the allergy. This can be difficult, especially when eating out in a restaurant. Depending on the severity of allergy, even slight cross contamination of food products can cause reactions.

Food labeling is a very important component of avoiding foods that trigger allergies. Since 2000 the FDA has been presenting information on allergy risks and labeling requirements to manufacturers. They seek to have manufacturers change some labels to be easier to read, using plain language like "milk" on a label instead of "caseinate".

In the case of a milk or egg allergy there are alternatives that can be used when cooking or baking. There are many online sites dedicated to supplying information, education and support to those with food allergies.

This article courtesy of http://www.allergies-questions.com/

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Allergies - Allergy Shots

In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.
A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots? Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to. If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given. One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work? Well, in theory it's actually very simple. Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you. When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen. These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself. Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens. After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms. This relief should last for a very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots. They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever. They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies. In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms. Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots. Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take allergy shots. Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots. Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have. This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test. After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week. After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month. This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens.
Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them. If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies

Allergy Relief - A Lease Of Life

Allergies despite not being diseases can severely affect your health for weeks. As allergy is defined as hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms vary greatly in intensity with types of allergies.

Before we get on with exploring available allergy relief, it becomes important to know the types of allergies that commonly affect us.

Types of Allergies

Broadly speaking, there are only three types of allergies, which affect us commonly. These include:

· Food allergies - Adults are mainly vulnerable to shellfish including crayfish, shrimp, and lobster; sometimes eating peanuts which manifest in the form of severe anaphylaxis (sudden drop of blood pressure,) which if not taken care off, could lead to loss of life. Adults can't get rid of allergies. Children are differently affected by food and eggs, milk and chocolates are the common allergens that affect them.

· Inhalant allergies - Pets, dust mites, outdoor air pollutants like pollens are the chief allergens. Formaldehydes, molds, occupational allergies etc fall under this category. The most common manifestation is bronchitis and asthma. Symptoms include inflammation, sputum secretion and contraction of respiratory system resulting in loss of breath.

· Contact allergies - Chemicals and fumes, insect bites, allergic contact eczema, leather are the triggers. Symptoms include redness, itchy, deep blisters, scaly patches and weepy skin.

Allergy Relief

Allergy relief is both by preventive and medication methods. Of course one finds resorting to medication provides fast relief but preventive relief is always a preferred choice.

Preventive Allergy Relief

Parents of allergic children and adult allergic patients must find out the allergens that trigger the symptoms. Physicians can guide you locate them exactly. Preventing the allergens like foods for which you have a fetish can be too tough in comparison to avoiding dust which is to bronchitis.
Here are some useful quick tips

Food allergies

· Medical examination is critical for pinpointing the exact allergen · Maintain a diary of eating habits and your symptoms · Get clarified what food intolerances and poisoning are to avoid problems · Scrutinize food ingredients' labels before using

Inhalant allergies

· Avoid or minimize carpets and upholstered furnitures · Keep home neat and tidy to avoid dust; a vacuum cleaner helps best · Woolen blankets, pets, window grills, slots and cluttered corners are dust attractants take good care of them · Using damp mops to floor cleaning prevents dust from flying · Use air purifiers like HEPA filters, germicidal UV lights, activated carbon or electrostatic air filters which remove allergens to a finest degree.

Medication for allergy relief must be administered by doctors depending on the severity of symptoms.


NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Allergy Treatment, Diet and One Stop Information