Thursday, May 31, 2007

Learning About Food Allergies

Food allergies affect approximately 4 million Americans with symptoms that can include difficulty breathing, an outbreak of hives, asthma, vomiting, and even death. Oftentimes food allergies are confused with an inability to tolerate certain foods. Food intolerance usually brings about an entirely different set of symptoms including a bloated feeling, gas, or other similar type of discomfort.

Food Allergies or Food Intolerance

An easy way to distinguish food allergies from food intolerances is to understand that an allergic reaction actually originates in a person's immune system. A severe allergic reaction can result in suffocation when the throat or the tongue swells so much that a person cannot breathe. Given the fact that approximately 150 people in the United States die each year from food allergies, this condition is no laughing matter.

Individuals with known food allergies usually inherit this condition from another member of the family. When food allergy patients are studied, it is common to see that conditions such as eczema, hay fever, and asthma affect other family members. http://www.withallergies.com/helpwithallergies/

Foods That Cause Allergies

A few different kinds of foods seem to trigger the most allergic reactions. And it seems that adults and children each have a different set of foods that cause problems. The majority of food allergy cases in children involve peanuts, milk, eggs, soy and wheat. In adults, the foods most involved with allergies include shellfish (such as shrimp, crab and lobster), peanuts, walnuts, eggs, other fish and nuts that grow in trees.

Food allergies are so serious in some people that even smelling the food can trigger an allergic reaction. However, food allergies mostly become an issue after a person has eaten a food to which he or she is allergic. Symptoms can begin right at the point of entry with lips that begin to tingle or a tongue that begins to itch. Gastrointestinal trouble follows with cramping, or the need to vomit, or the development of diarrhea. As the troublesome food breaks down and enters the bloodstream, it travels towards the lungs and at that point conditions such as asthma, eczema, shortness of breath, or low blood pressure can all develop.

Dealing with Food Allergies

To protect themselves, people with known allergies to food simply have to avoid coming into contact with these foods. That sounds easy enough, however the reality is that it is not always possible to avoid the foods that cause problems. Processed foods can contain so many ingredients that sometimes the food culprit is buried deep in the fine print. Legislation aimed at improving food labeling as it pertains to food allergies has recently been enacted and hopefully these new labeling requirements will better protect those with food allergies.

Keeping children away from food allergens is difficult unless a parent is vigilant about what goes into the child's mouth. Parents of children with food allergies must inform everyone from school officials to neighbors about the child's food allergies and even then, accidents happen. Fortunately for children with food allergies, most will outgrow this condition.

About the Author

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for WithAllergies.com. To learn more about food allergies and treating allergies, visit our site.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Allergies - The Peanut Butter Controversy

In this article we're doing to discuss one of the most dangerous allergies, especially to children who really enjoy their peanut butter and jelly and the arguments for giving or not giving peanut butter to young children in potentially high risk allergic groups.

Let's face it, if you're a kid, or even a kid at heart, you love peanut butter and jelly. Who doesn't? Unfortunately, peanut butter doesn't love everybody as many are allergic to it and this is one allergy that can be downright deadly. Recently a girl died just because she had kissed somebody who had eaten peanut butter. That is a very scary thought.

One of the biggest controversies these days is when to actually allow your child to start having peanut butter. Years ago the only warning was not to give your child big chunks of peanut butter but to spread it thin. This could be started at any age. But today, with the alarming number of kids turning out to be allergic to peanut butter, it is recommended that a child not be given peanut butter until 2 or 3 years of age. Even though allergies to peanut butter are not the most common, they are the most deadly and because of this it is believed extra care is needed. Also, these allergies are the least likely to be outgrown.

There are several determining factors in avoiding giving your child peanut butter. The irst factor is if they have shown allergies or intolerances to other foods or even their baby formula. Then there is whether or not they have other allergic type disorders such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma or if they have members in the family that have these conditions as allergies can be inherited. Also, if they have other family members with food allergies, especially if another family member is allergic to peanut butter.

It is actually recommended that for high risk children they not only avoid peanut butter until they are older but also cow's milk, citrus fruits and juices and wheat until they are at least 1 year old. They should avoid eggs until age 2 and finally peanuts and shellfish until they are over 2 years of age.

This is where the controversy heats up. Some experts say that children who are not considered to be in a high risk group do not have to do these things. Others say that because food allergies, especially peanuts, are so deadly that it just doesn't make sense not to err on the side of caution. They say that even children not in a high risk group can still have allergies to peanuts and therefore the only way to avoid a reaction is to never allow them to eat peanut butter. Some say that's extreme, others say that one reaction can be the last one.

Ultimately, it comes down to the parent. You have to weigh the risks of giving your child peanut butter against the benefits. Yes, peanuts are high in protein and peanut butter and jelly is a very convenient and easy lunch to make, especially for bringing to school. But if your child is severely allergic it only takes one bite of one sandwich.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Allergies

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Your Allergy Testing Map

It is helpful to know about your allergy testing options before you go to the doctor. The type of allergy testing depends on what you suspect you are allergic to and the severity of your reaction. Some tests work better than others depending on your case. Your allergy testing map ends at 3 different destinations.

The 3 type of tests are:

Scratch Tests

Elimination Diets

Blood Tests

Scratch tests are the most common form of allergy testing conducted today. The results can be seen as quickly as twenty minutes. The actual test is conducted by placing a small amount of the suspected allergen onto the surface of the skin, usually along the spine or on the upper arm. The patient is then scratched or pricked on the same area allowing some of the substance to penetrate the skin. The area is then observed to see whether the patient has an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness or itching. This method of allergy testing is quick and can cover quite a range of possible allergens. That is why it is particularly good when you don't know what your allergies are. The test works well for insect bites, airborne allergens like pollen and food allergies as well.

Specific food allergies can be tested by using a different form of allergy testing that puts a patient on an elimination diet. For a period of several weeks the range of foods suspected of causing the allergy are eliminated from the patients diet. Then each food is then reintroduced individually to see whether the allergy symptoms come back. Of course, this method of allergy testing is better for mild food allergies. If you get severe allergic reactions bordering on anaphylactic shock then you should skip this test and the scratch tests and immediately go to your next option.

The last form of allergy testing on our list is a RAST(radioallergosorbent test) which most people just classify as a blood test. Blood is drawn from the patient and is then sent to a lab for testing. The blood is examined for the presence of immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies. The presence of these antibodies indicates whether the body's immune system is causing the body to have an allergic reaction. Elevated levels of these IgE's can tell your doctor whether you are allergic to certain types of allergens. This type of allergy testing has been known to not be as precise or accurate as other methods.

The last type of test that is provocation or challenge tests. This is where a doctor exposes you directly to what you think you are allergic to so that your reaction can be monitored. This can be very dangerous so definitely don't try this at home. Your reaction may be more severe than you think. This type of allergy testing is of course not that common.

In conclusion you should be prepared when you go in for your testing. The doctor will ask you for a thorough medical history and depending on the testing involved may ask you to stop taking any sort of medicine you have been taking to treat the symptoms of your allergies. This will make the allergy testing more effective.

Marilyn Franklin is a writer for AllergyFiles.com where you can also find information on allergy medicine

What Is A Gluten Allergy?

In wheat, barley, rye, and low level oats, there is a rubbery like protein called gluten. This substance is what helps the dough bind, which you would see with baked breads and other baked foods. Although these grains contain gluten, which can cause a gluten allergy in sensitive people, they also contain a number of other proteins that can also cause allergy symptoms.

The four primary proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley includes albumin, globulin, gliadin, and glutenin, better known as gluten. While the symptoms and severity of the symptoms of gluten allergy vary from one person to another, generally a person would experience hives, swelling, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, or asthma. If the person is highly sensitive to gluten allergy, the symptoms could be life-threatening.

The good news about gluten allergy is that if the person has a reaction after eating wheat or wheat product, making an early diagnosis is easy. The challenge is that so many of the foods we eat are made with wheat, making it difficult to tell where the real problem lies. Most often, a trained doctor or allergist would conduct a skin prick test or take blood to confirm that gluten allergy is the problem.

If the reaction to gluten is severe, the solution might be to eliminate wheat and wheat by-products from the diet. However, if the gluten allergy is minor, then reducing the amount of wheat consumed and/or allergy medication or shots might do the trick. If the person with gluten allergy is a young child, chances are he or she will outgrow the allergy.

Gluten Intolerance, also known as Coeliac Disease, is a hereditary disorder that affects the immune system. In this case, when gluten is consumed, the mucosa, which is the lining of the small intestine, is damaged. When this happens, important vitamins and nutrients are not absorbed properly. When a person has this type of gluten allergy, the symptoms would be different in children than they would be in adults.

For children, the gluten allergy would be seen as abdominal distension, impaired growth, abnormal stools, irritability, poor muscle tone, malabsorption, poor appetite, and wasting of muscle. If an adult has this type of gluten allergy, then diarrhea, significant weight loss, abdominal cramping and bloating, constipation, and offensive stools are common.

In both cases of gluten allergy, a doctor would need to perform blood tests to make a confirmed diagnosis. Once done, the only treatment is to have gluten completely eliminated from the diet. Because of this, it is essential that nutrient and vitamin deficiencies be addressed with things such as niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, chromium, magnesium, selenium, folacin, molybdenum, and phosphorus. With proper care and diet, a person with gluten allergy can enjoy a hearty choice of foods without the irritating symptoms.

Grant Segall RPh is a pharmacist and webmaster for the allergy related website http://www.allergy-allergy.com.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Dealing With A Cat Allergy

Anyone who suffers from allergies can undoubtedly tell you of the irritation and discomfort associated with its consequences. In order to minimize symptoms, allergy sufferers do well to identify their personal allergy triggers so that they can successfully avoid them. For cat lovers especially, a cat allergy can mean a host of problems when it comes to choosing – or keeping – a pet.

A cat allergy generally stems from a person’s particular sensitivity to cat dander – the skin cells that shed through the cat’s fur. This sensitivity to cat dander can range from minimal – resulting in coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching – to severe – resulting in everything from swelling to shortness of breath.

Clearly, those who have a cat allergy do best to not bring any cats into their home or to enter the homes of those who have cats in residence. But there are some who do not even discover that they have a cat allergy until they’ve brought their new pet into the home.

First and foremost, a severe cat allergy may require you to find an alternative living arrangement for your cat. Work with your doctor to ascertain the severity of your cat allergy. In the likely case of a minimal to moderate cat allergy, however, there are ways to combat the cat allergy so that you and your furry friend can live together harmoniously.

When it comes to your home, be sure that you are providing adequate ventilation with the use of an effective quality air filter. Be sure to vacuum frequently to rid your house of as much dander as possible. Have your animal groomed at the veterinarian or another location outside the home so as not to expose yourself to cat hair shed during the grooming process.

If you are aware of your cat allergy before you purchase a cat, look into the shorter-haired cats. These cats require minimal grooming and shed far less than their long-haired counterparts. In fact, you may find that you are less allergic to the shorter-haired breeds.

As a final and ongoing solution you may want to work with your doctor in terms of allergy shots or medications. This can save you a significant amount of aggravation and discomfort going forward – keeping you comfortable in your own home as well as the homes of other cat owners.

Ultimately, determining if your cat allergy is something that should hinder you from cat ownership is up to you and your doctor to decide. Most importantly, you should not put your health at risk. But if you are able to manage both your allergy care and the care for your pet, then you and your cat can happily co-exist.

by: Michelle Bery

For easy to understand, in depth information about cat allergies visit our ezGuide 2 Cats.

Coping With A Dog Allergy

Recent studies show that 15% to 20% of the population is allergies to either their dog or cat. But for 25% of those people they choose to continue to keep pets and suffer through the allergies. In fact studies show even when told by their doctor to give up their dog only one out of five choose to do so while the rest live with their dog allergy.

When surveyed many of those suffering from a dog allergy felt that their companionship their pet provided far outweighed the allergy itself. For those that choose this route learning to manage their allergy is very important.

The biggest mistake made is to blame the fur when actually the allergy is caused by the protein that is secreted by the oil glands and then shed with their dander which is microscopic particles of skin, hair, and fur. Since animals continuously shed this dander is always present and a person can develop a dog allergy when the immune system mistakes this allergen as the enemy.

These allergens can be transmitted through the air or they can be transmitted through touch. When the allergens land on your nose, eyes, or are inhaled into the lungs the allergy symptoms begin. Contact with your skin can cause hives. For most a dog allergy is an annoyance but for some it can life threatening causing severe asthma attacks that block the air ways. The severity will vary from one person to another.

Just as severity can vary from person to person so can how long it takes for the symptoms to occur. They can develop instantly upon exposure or they can take hours to develop.

Another big misconception is that there is such a thing as a non-allergenic dog breed. For example many believe that dogs with fur that is tightly woven such as poodles have no shedding so therefore there is no allergen dander but this is not true. You can still have a dog allergy.

What is true when it comes to a dog allergy there are some dog breeds that seem to both some people less. Size often has a lot to do with because the smaller the dog the less dander that is likely to be released. For example a large breed such as a Shepherd would have a lot more dander than a toy breed like the poodle.

Sensitive people are actually more likely to have a cat allergy than a dog allergy. When a person is allergic to animals they can even suffer when the animal is not present because the allergens or dander still reside in the house. And it does take more than a vacuum to clear a house of the dander.

For pet lovers who discover suddenly they have developed a dog allergy it can be devastating and giving up a beloved pet is simply not an option.

One method of reducing allergens and then perhaps the dog allergy is to groom your pets often. It’s bet if you can do this outside or in a room that has no carpeting, and a hepa air purifier. Wear a dust mask while your grooming. You need to wash your hands after handling

Placing hepa air purifiers throughout your house can reduce the amount of dander. Bathing your pet once a week will reduce allergens by more than 80% and if you suffer from a dog allergy this can be the difference between suffering and not suffering. That said some breeds don’t do well with bathing that often so watch for symptoms of dry skin and reduce bathing accordingly.

A dog allergy doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you and your dog. It may take you a while to determine the best way to manage your allergy but when you do both you and your best friend will be very happy.

By: Ramone Stevenson -

Get all the latest information about Allergies from the only true source at www.1allergyinformation.com Be sure to check out our Dog Allergy pages.