Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Not only humans’ even animals are affected by food allergy. It mainly affects cars and is rated among the main causes of atopy, flea bite allergies. Cats usually develop allergies from constantly fed kind of foods.

Often cats are sensitive to a certain type of food ingredient. So, an antibody in their intestinal tracts responds, leading to food allergy. Among all other type of allergies, with a 10% ratio allergies caused by food are more prone to cats.

Food allergies affect male, neutered cats and also female ones. It is also a misconception connecting specific breed of cats to allergies caused by food. This condition can initially create symptoms for cats from four months young to eleven years old. But majority of food allergy cases occur between 3- 6 years in cats. These cats are also in connection with inhalant allergies.

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The main difference between food intolerance and food allergy should be learned to correctly manage allergy in cats. Allergy caused by food are taken as true allergies revealing symptoms like itching and skin problems associated with feline and canine allergies. Incase diarrhea or vomiting happens without creating allergic responses, it means that it’s only intolerance of food. Cat food intolerance is similar to a human having a stomach ache or diarrhea as a result of consuming spicy food or eating food that is fried. By utilizing foods food intolerance and allergies can be prevented. This doesn’t offend the agents.

Many studies reveal that few ingredients of food are the main causes of allergies when compared to the rest. The main common causes in cats are dairy products, fish and beef. Many pet owners would have observed that the following ones are the main ingredients found in foods that are consumed by the cat. Even though few proteins are more antigenic, it still comes in similar forms. So, this reaction depends mostly on the quantity of exposure.

The symptoms of this allergy in cats are most likely the same to most kinds of allergies. But the major ones are excessive scratching, hair loss, military dermatitis and itchy skin. For pet owners it is difficult to distinguish cars that suffer from atopy or food allergy by physical signs. But, they must suspect food allergy if these symptoms begin to take place during winter or through out the year and the cats fail to respond to antihistamine or steroid treatment.

When you figure out the symptoms of different allergies in cats it is very simple to diagnose the allergy. Symptoms of food allergy are similar to that of bacterial, notoedric mange, hypersensitivity to intestinal parasites, seborrhea and yeast infections.

It is necessary to carry out food trials. Elimination and provocative testing diets could be done. One should feed the cat with foods that has carbohydrates, proteins for 11 – 12 weeks without any treats. A typical instance is potato and venison or potato and duck. These foods are commercially available in the market or could be homemade. Young and growing cats have special nutritional needs. Diets made at home containing a carbohydrate and a protein eliminating multivitamins and fatty acids could be fed for 12 weeks. Food trials for kitten are carried out by giving a commercially balanced diet. After few weeks, feed the cat with previous food that they once have consumed. Incase the symptoms are shown then it’s surely food allergy. Others perform blood testing which is not accurate when compared to trials (food).

Feed the cats with commercial diets from hill or Purina or homemade diets which makes treatment of allergy simple and easy.

Joel Santoso asked:


Up to 50 million Americans, including 2 million children, have some type of allergy. For most people, allergies are just an inconvenience. According to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, they are a major cause of disability in the U.S. In fact, it has been estimated that allergies account for the loss of over two million school days per year.

What Are Allergies?

An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system toward a substance that is typically harmless to most people. But in someone with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the substance, called an allergen, as an invader and reacts inappropriately resulting in harm to the person.

Who Gets Allergies?

Children inherit allergic tendencies from their parents. A few children have allergies in spite of no family member having these, but if one parent has allergies, there is a one in four chance that a child will also have allergies. The risk increases if both parents have allergies.

Do I Have an Allergy to Something?

Some allergies are fairly easy to identify because the pattern of symptoms following certain exposures can be hard to miss. But other allergies are less obvious because they can masquerade as other conditions.

How Are Allergies Treated?

There is no cure for allergies, but symptomatic relief is possible. The most effective is by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. If reducing exposure is not feasible or is ineffective, medications may be prescribed. In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help desensitize you. There are also medications you might be able to give yourself, including antihistamines and inhaled or nasal spray steroids. One medical suggestion is: ZYRTEC®

Just 1 dose of ZYRTEC® (cetirizine HCl) a day can keep allergy symptoms under control, year-round. Symptoms from both indoor allergies, like pet dander and dust. And outdoor allergies, like trees and ragweed. Plus, ZYRTEC is approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and up.

Some common allergies include those to:

Grasses

Mold Spores

Marsh Elder

Ash

Pigweed

Oak

Fall Elm

Mesquito

Elm

Sage

Red Berry Juniper

Pecan

Mountain Cedar

Ragweed

Willow

Privet

Cats

Dogs

Bees

Peanuts

Dust Mites

Food

Metals/nickle:

40 percent increase in nickel allergies is blamed on the new body piercing rage. Also some ingest nickel in foods and from chewing pens and paper clips.

Cobalt and chromium can also produce allergic reactions, but to a lesser degree than nickel. once a nickel allergy develops, it lasts for a lifetime.

Animals:

All warm-blooded, furry animals, such as the average household pet, can cause allergic reactions. This is because of proteins in their saliva, dander, and urine. When the animal licks itself, the saliva gets on the fur. As the saliva dries, protein particles become airborne and work their way into fabrics in the home. Cats are the “worst offenders” because their salivary protein is extremely tiny and they tend to lick themselves more than other animals.

Pollen:

Pollen is another important cause of allergies. Pollen allergies are seasonal. Trees, weeds, and grasses release these tiny particles into the air to fertilize other plants. Most people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever.

Cockroach:

Cockroach body parts and waste products are also a major household allergen, especially in inner cities. Asthma rates of inner city children are high, probably due to air pollution and also cockroach exposure in overcrowded buildings.

Mold: One of the most commen allergen.

What is Mold?

Molds are fungi that thrive both indoors and out in warm, moist environments. As with pollen, mold spores are released into the air to reproduce. Mold is produced by several varieties of fungus. These fungi are single-celled organisms that have been around since the beginning of time.

Where can molds be found?

Although molds can be seasonal, many thrive year-round, especially those indoors. Outdoor molds may be found in poor drainage areas, such as in piles of rotting leaves or compost piles. Indoor mold thrives in

dark, moist and poorly ventilated places, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or damp basements (especially after flooding).

How do I know if I have a mold build up?

A mold test kit can be a easy soultion but does cost money, or you can simpley check crawl spaces for standing water, look for condensation forming around windows, and dampness in or on basement walls. If you are experiencing health problems, check bathrooms, bedrooms and family rooms as well. Mold requires three things to grow and multiply. It requires dampness, warmth, and a food source. Find areas that have these three things and you will surely find mold and mildew. Also a musty odor suggests mold growth.

How does mold affect my health?

Only in recent years have medical authorities realized what a health risk the kind of mold that grows in wet basements can be. According to the New York City Department of Health, in people who are allergic to it, mold can cause:

respiratory and eye irritation

flu-like symptoms

fatigue

trouble breathing

coughing

sinus congestions

nausea

chronic headache

loss of memory

other symptoms

Also when mold starts to reproduce inside a home, it can eat away at the structure, causing thousands of dollars in damage

How can I prevent mold build up and how can I keep allergy symptoms down?

Mold requires three things to grow and multiply. It requires dampness, warmth, and a food source. Simpley make sure you dont allow all three things to take place in your house. Mold is everywhere, and you wont completly rid yourself of ever having any contact with mold, but you can surley battle it.

Mold and mildew release mold spores in the air that can float throughout the house. There are several mold cleaning, prevention, and mold removal methods to deal with this problem. 2 suggestions are: Bio-Kleen and Sure Cote Mildew Resistant Coating.

Bio-Kleen can be used in any application in which you want to inhibit colonies of mold, mildew, alga, bacteria and other odor causing organisms. Easy to apply by spraying, wiping or soaking. Allow to air dry.

Sure Cote is a clear non-yellowing , non-toxic, odorless, interior/exterior, mildew resistant coating. It is designed to protect any surface exposed to moisture, high humidity or weather. Will not discolor, stain, stiffen or harm any surface which it recommended for use and gives year round protection.

It is important to try and prevent mold and mildew growth, but if it’s too late, try mold remediation and mold removal.

Allergic reactions can manifest themselves in many different physical ways, most of them extremely unpleasant. In the case of environmental allergens such as hay fever or pet dander, it is possible to limit allergic reaction severity by focusing on a diet that boosts the body?s ability to fight off reaction effects. Many of the materials that are found in medicinal allergy relief are extracted from naturally occurring ingredients in certain foods and drinks, and including these in your diet will help to alleviate your allergic symptoms. It is important to remember that these foods are for fighting environmentally triggered allergies only, and the only way to avoid food allergy symptoms is to avoid the food that cause it.

Green tea is quickly making a name for itself as a general purpose, natural cure-all. Recent studies have shown that green tea may help to combat environmental allergies as one of its many treatment applications. In an article published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Japanese scientists claim to have isolated a compound found in green tea that blocks one of the cell receptors that is key in triggering the allergic response. Because green tea is less processed than any other kind of tea, its natural composition remains unaltered and thus the compounds within it are more concentrated and better able to produce results than those found in different varieties of tea.

The acids found in Omega-3 fatty acids also are beneficial in fighting allergies, as the acid acts as a natural anti-inflammatory

by countering the formation of inflammatory chemicals. There are several foods which are very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, including several kinds of seafood and fish; salmon, haddock, herring, trout, mackerel, and sardines are all full of these acids. Other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are soybeans, flaxseed, walnuts, and canola, and the fatty acids are also available in a more concentrated version through the oils derived from these foods. These oils can easily be included in your daily meals by adding them to the ingredients for your cooking.

Foods that have a high level of Vitamin E are also excellent in combating allergic reactions. Some of these foods include greens, which are also very strong-tasting. Spinach greens, mustard greens, chard and mustard greens are all very high in Vitamin E. The highest Vitamin E food is far and away dried sunflower seeds, which contain almost 91% of the recommended daily intake of the vitamin. Almonds are also high in Vitamin E, as are olives, papaya, and fresh blueberries. Any of these foods are an easy addition to a regular diet.

One last food to consider when thinking about intakes that will limit your allergic reactions are juices. Natural fruit juices are high in antioxidants, which help to fight the inflammatory effects that allergies produce. Make sure when you buy juice, though, that it is indeed natural. Many juices on the market do not contain a lot of natural juice, and it is the natural juice that is essential when it comes to containing antioxidants.

Article Source: http://www.findmysearch.com/allergies-resources/

Joel Santoso 2007. For answers to All your frequently asked questions about allergy information resorces, please go to: http://www.findmysearch.com/allergies-resources/

Jack Sands asked:


Cats are one of the most loved pets in the world, no question about it. More than 50% of all households in the United States own dogs and cats. Although cats are loved animals, cat allergies are one of the common forms of allergies. Statistics in the past have shown that over 10 million people in the U.S. alone have allergic reactions to cats - especially their fur.

The biggest cause of cat allergies is dander. The dander, is dust that is produced by the body of the cat. Dander is basically shed skin that comes off of cats, normally in the form of small flakes. Although dander can irritate your skin, it can also get into your immune system as well, resulting in a variety of symptoms and almost immediate allergic reactions.

The dander, once in the immune system, is perceived to be a threat. Even though it isn’t classified as a disease, it’s more of a reflex by your body and your immune system. Cat allergies occur quite often due to cats having allergens that are spread throughout their blood, urine, and saliva. Although a cat may not be present at the time, the excretions probably still are.

Cat dander, urine, and saliva, are found throughout the home of cat owners. Cats constantly groom themselves, which involves rubbing their saliva into their fur. When they do this, they spread their dander and allergens around. Although you may try, there is really nothing that you can do about it. Cats have a natural instinct to groom or bathe themselves, no matter how many baths you give them, you simply won’t stop them from grooming.

Normally, when someone is taking an allergic reaction to cats, he or she will wheeze, cough, sneeze, itch, have watery eyes, or a difficult time in breathing. Different people react different ways to cat allergens, meaning that some symptoms may not occur at all. Fever and chills is very rare, although it can happen. If someone who has cat allergies comes down with fever and chills, you should contact a doctor immediately. Chances are, it isn’t an allergic reaction to cats, but instead another type of disease that a doctor will need to identify.

Cat allergies are normally treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Those that experience asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, normally take antihistamines. Decongestants on the other hand, are normally used to cure coughs and swollen nasal passages. Sometimes, doctors will recommend allergy shots as well. Allergy shots can help to prevent the attack, especially if someone is really allergic to cats. They are a good form of treatment and prevention, and they can also help to decrease the risk of allergies affecting the individual.

If you suspect that you have cat allergies, you should always make it a point to visit your doctor. He will be able to further diagnose your situation, and give you the best options available for treatment. If you do indeed suffer from cat allergies, the best way to stop the attacks is to get rid of your cat. 

Getting rid of a cat can be a very tough thing to do. If you have become allergic to your cat’s fur, there may be no other way to prevent attacks than to get rid of him. Although doctors can give you medicine and shots, it will only do so much. Cat allergens are no fun, especially if you develop them years after owning your cat. Cats are great animals to own - although cat allergies are something we could all live without.

meeinter asked:


Our introduction to this topic will include the basics, which will be followed by a more in depth look at this topic.

Allergies are the inflammations that answer from the sensitivity to certain stuff, called allergens. The inflammations happen when the immune normal reacts to that particular objective. People all over the world endure from allergies. There are many brands of allergies. The most regular are recurrent allergies that are the answer of certain foliage, plants, or pollens in the air at certain time of the year. Other people experience allergies to particular foods or animals.

Symptoms of allergies adapt by qualities. They are classifyified by gradation of severity, plus mild, moderate, and terrible allergic responses. While there is no discussment for allergies, they can be discussed. Most people experience only mild symptoms. They may enter dilute eyes, tickly skin, a soft nose, coughing, and itchiness. This brand of antipathy can be chargeled by with an antihistamine. There are some over the defy presented, as well as those you can only get with a prescription. You can help degrade the moves by lingering infringe during that time of year. You may also want to ponder receiving an antipathy shot.

For others, the allergic response is moderate. regularly, the response has swell to other parts of the body. They may find it grim to breath. A terrible allergic response can be life threatening. This may be the response to diverse molds. Antihistemines, steroids, and immunotherapy can all detained remedy the stuff.

Ask yourself a few simple questions to determine if you fully understand the concepts that we have went over so far.

While very bloody, they are a sober topic. normally these are the answer of food allergies. Peanuts, milk, and eggs are the most regular. Symptoms enter abscess of the face, abdominal twinge, cramps, itchiness, and angioedema which are itchiness infringe the throat. It is important to obtain direct health interest for symptoms of a terrible allergic response. regularly a shot can help offset the response. The itchiness and rashes take longer to go away. They can be degraded by with a cortisone cream.

Pet allergies are very grim to charge. It may take up to 2 existence expocertainly to an animal to renovate and allergic response. In addition, it can take months after you have congested being around that animal or their dander for the symptoms to halt. This makes it hard to identify the animal as they allergen bepersuade you can be penalty for existence, then it renovates. Most people think as shortly as you are away from the animal it should halt. When it doesnt they trust it must be something moreover cawith the antipathy, so they go back to their normal of interacting with that animal.

An interesting antipathy is to latex. The things is regularly worn in gloves many people use to wholesome their homes. The skin regularly turns red and tickly. For people with asthma, a latex antipathy can be life threatening bepersuade it can blockade the airbehavior.

Some people have a terrible antipathy to insects, especially those with stingers. They may demand health interest to collect a shot of epinephrine.

Allergies move millions of people each year. An antipathy to pet dander is one of the most regular brands. They can persuade you to feel very uncomfortable. Symptoms enter dilute eyes, dry aperture, and tickly skin. More terrible symptoms enter itchiness, asthma attacks, and grimy breathing. Ironically, a qualities can have a dog for a extent of time lacking any symptoms. Then swiftly, they commence. It never crosses their demur that the dog is the allergen.

If you want to keep your dog, but degrade the stuff it has on you, a HEPA filter might be beneficial. It eradicates particles from the air. This will degrade the total of dander around your home. Vacuum your carpet daily and your curtains monthly. This will degrade the dander in your home as well. Some people trust sweeping their dog daily will wrangle dander. That is not proper. In statement, the more you rinse your dog, the more dander will occur. You should only sweep your dog about once a month. If these stuff dont degrade your symptoms enough to make you comfortable, consult your surgeon about antipathy shots or medications.

If you already endure from allergies, but want to get a dog, ponder a breed that sheds their skin leicertainlyly plus poodles and schnauzers. The breeds that shed their skin the greatest and should be shuned enter cocker spaniels and basket hounds. You might also ponder receiving an outfringe dog. This will degrade the symptoms you feel while in your home.

If you have to give your dog to a good home bepersuade your allergies are out of charge, thoroughly vacuum and clean carpets. tint your curtains and stockade. detach any toys and sheet the dog had associate with. Your antipathy symptoms may resume for up to 3 months after this has all been done.

Allergies from your dog can be a nuisance, but they can be chargeled by next these plain tips to make your home more amenable with your allergies. Feeding your dog eminence dog food can also degrade dander particles bepersuade it keeps their coat shiny and vigorous.

Skin allergies are the answer of many different statementors. It may be a pet, a particular food, or a response to medications. Skin allergies can be embarrassing as well as tickly and twingeful. While they cant be eliminated, they can be discussed. There are some brands of skin allergies.

Dermatis is the inflammation of skin. It is normally a rash answering from associate with metals, chemicals, rubber, plants, and pets. Symptoms of dermatis are flush, abscess, burning, hurtful, longing, and binventoryers. These symptoms normally occur on the face and hands.

tickly warm can answer in a rash that occurs for no visible persuade. It can be tickly, and normally goes a way in a few living. Some people do not even feel it, but other poster it. This is regular in small teenren who take medication for recurrent allergies. regularly, the back is the only zone to crack out.

Uritcaria settles in the medium of the skin. It is caworn by intake a food you are allergic to or a fringe outcome of pleasing a medication. The zone regularly looks burned bepersuade it is light red on the external edges, and very red in the medium.

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. The skin becomes dry, tickly, and peeling. A red rash and binventoryers regularly occur. It moves the face, arms, elbows, and the back of the knees. Eczema may be hereditary, but it is not known. The symptoms normally commence in teenhood. People with eczema regularly experience hay fever and asthma as well. Eczema is the hardest skin antipathy to discuss.

rash are red and tickly blotches. There are 2 brands of itchiness. Acute itchiness last up to 6 weeks. They are caworn by food allergies, medications, bug bites, and symbols of diseases. even itchiness are not very regular. The last indefinitely, on and off over long periods of time. The persuade is not known. Some surgeons trust them to be stress allied.

Skin allergies can be embarrassing and twingeful. They are time consuming to discuss. It is recommended that you see a dermatologist for any skin discomfort. They can discuss it with over the defy crop such as Benedryl, cortisone creams, and antipathy shots.

Cats are one of the most beloved pets in the world. For some who have the troupe of a cat, the allergic response they get from them is too seriously to touch. They symptoms of such allergies enter tickly skin, red and dry eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, and grimy breathing. However, if your allergies didnt rise pending after you had your cat for awhile, it can be very grim to have to give it away.

There are some stuff you can do to make your antipathy symptoms lower so you will be able to keep your cat. The allergen is the dander from the cat that compiles around your house in the sheet, curtains, and on the furniture. because most of us expend at slightest 6 hours per night in our bed, it only makes perceive to halt charter your cat on your bed. This will eliminate pet dander while you are resting. It is also recommended that you shower before bed to eradicate any pet dander that may be on you before receiving into bed. You may want to take it a stage added, to not tolerate your cat in your bedroom at all. This will present you a harmless rediscuss when your antipathy symptoms are flaring up.

If you have cat allergies, change your sheet weekly. Vacuum your carpets daily, and sweep your curtains at slightest once a month. These stuff will all seriously eradicate the total of dander in your home. Your vacuum should have a HEPA filter for best answers.

It is forever recommended to sweep your hands after usage any pet. It is even more important if you have allergies. just moving your cat, then your face can delay you with an uncomfortable sundown forward. Use a micro strength cloth to stroke your cat. This will eliminate more dander than a bath, and it is easier. If you still have disorder chargeling your symptoms, seclude your cats to one zone of the house.

care manually vigorous is the important thing, but execution on to your cat is also important. next the crucial stages scheduled here as well as chatting to your surgeon about antipathy shots and medications should tolerate you to feel good and keep that beloved elegant.

Food allergies are among the most dodgy brands of allergies out there. It is the answer of the immune normal not reacting correctly to certain foods, or certain ingredients in foods. The most regular food allergies are nuts, milk, and eggs. Some people just feel ill when they consume something they are allergic to. Others experience abscess in the face, and abscess in the body, dying air paths. rash and rashes are also very regular.

Peanut allergies are said to be the nastiest. Not only do they persuade the most terrible symptoms, peanut oil is worn in so many foods that the number of things that the qualities has to shun can be very long. Last year, a teenage teenager died. She had vanished to the store to lessons with links. Her boyfriend had eaten a peanut butter sandwich after drill before union them. He gave her a goodbye kiss at the store, and the response from the peanut oil swelled her throat hastyen. While it sounds very, alas such happenrences do take place.

Very babyish teenren can have food allergies. It is recommended that you clip a inventory of any food allergies sediscussmently to the diaper bag. This will be a even redemurer to links, family, and teencare providers. It is important teenren with food allergies are attentive of the persuades why they cant have certain foods. This will redemur them to make the right food choices at drill. It is important that your teens principal and lecturers know about the allergies as well. regularly there are classify parties, and if your teen is tempted to eat food they are allergic to, the lecturer can redemur them.

The internet is a great place to find out about food allergies. The Food antipathy & Anaphylaxis group has an brilliant website extensive of information. The organization was produced in 1991. It has over 30,000 components plus families, dietitians, nurses, physicians, drill administrators, lecturers, government operate, and components of the food and drug administration. This diverse group runnings together to educate about food allergies by providing accurate information and heightening attentiveness. They careextensivey observer TV, reportspapers, and the reports channels to be certainly accurate information is being free to the open. They also lobby for added study to be done in the zone of food allergies.

While there is no discussment for food allergies that we know of, correctly wisdom about such food allergies and running with a practiced surgeon can help you find behavior to charge them. It is important if you or a family component has a food antipathy that you make it know to those you are frequently in associate with. This enters co-staff, family, links, neighbors, and daycare providers. This will help them learn about the stem as well as be able to get health interest to you if the post rises. The statement that they are able to let health professionals know you have such food allergies can make all the difference in h how hasty they are able to administer discussmen

In closing, it will benefit you to seek out other resources on this topic if you feel that you dont yet have a firm understanding of the subject matter.

Steven A Johnson asked:


Lots of people get affected by allergies everyday. For many people out there, allergies cause a major change in ones life, not to mention, it causes many illnesses in people and can be very life threatening to some others. Learning about allergies can help to live a normal life.

Allergies tend to be caused by having too much immunity; your body produces antibodies that serve the purpose of fight against infections. So what happens is someone who has an allergy is their body creates an allergy antibody and that releases a histamine that makes the symptoms of the allergy. The histamine can be released anywhere in the body. It can be released in the skin and this makes hives or itching, the nose has the symptoms of a runny or stuffy nose with sneezing, the lungs creates asthma, or throughout the entire body would even cause death if an immediate treatment wasn’t administered.

There are so many different kinds of allergies out there. Some of the more common allergies are food related, molds, mildew, pet allergies, dust mites, and pollen in the air. Food allergies are caused by eating something some include peanuts and shellfish. Mold and mildew allergies can be caused airborne or by physical contact. Pet allergies tend to be created by dander or skin scales. Dust mites are breathed in. They are every where, in your mattresses, carpets, and furniture. Pollen is caused by flowers and trees germinating.

Hay fever is another major allergy. The blowing wind sweeps up pollen from trees and grass and creates this airborne allergy. People who have hay fever can be affected at different times of the year. This is because there are plants that release pollen at different time of the year, so varying on what plants your hay fever is triggered by it could affect you in the fall, summer, or in the spring. Some of the plants that most give people problems are tumbleweed, sorrel, pigweed, goldenrod and ragweed. To help cope with hay fever, lots of local news programs show what the pollen count is in the area, make a judgment of if it’s high enough to bother some for you and take an antihistamine.

Food allergies don’t affect very many people, but they tend to be the worst allergies out of them all. Symptoms of a food allergy are things like tingling on the lips and mouth, hives, with itching, and throat swelling. If the throat swelling gets really bad it can cause constriction of the air passages, this chokes the allergy victim and can cause seizures ensuing circulatory collapse, heart failure and or death. A reaction to a food protein can happen instantaneously or around four hours later after some digestion.

The best way to prevent an allergy is to avoid the cause all together, but sometimes that’s just not the case. Sometimes they cant be avoided and in that case here are some things that can help. To help against mold allergies keep the house dry, use a dehumidifier. Clean the bathroom often with bleach and have the air ducts cleaned too.

To help with hay fever drive with your windows up in the car, keep the windows in the house closed and stay inside during the morning because that’s when pollen levels are highest. Wash your clothes and shower after being outside. And cleaning air purifier filters should help out a lot.

If you have pet allergies you should try to avoid them all together if possible. Washing your hands after contact will prevent itching or cross contaminating danders in your eyes, nose and mouth. Keep up on vacuuming. Try to make sure pets stay off of dander catching surfaces like furniture and carpets. Keep them out of the bedroom too. Another major part is not grooming and bathing your pet enough. If this is to much to handle with allergies take them to a groomers. Also keep and long haired animals trimmed shorter.

Some treatments for allergy relief include acupuncture, used to treat allergic rhinitis. It involves placing needles into the skin at exact points which help restore balance to vital flows. Allergy shots reduce your sensitivity to certain things. It is recommended for allergy sufferers who suffer more than three months out of the year and have really severe allergies. It works best for stringing insects, pet, dust, and pollen allergies. Vitamin C in large amounts can help with stabilizing the mucous membrane in the nasal passages. Various herbal treatments have used to treat allergies as well. Alternative Health Supplements offers a few different types of herbal relief. There are also some other ways to treat allergies, prescription medications and nasal sprays, and asthma inhalers are effective too.

Colleen F Finnegan asked:


Part 1:  Understanding the Allergy Basics

Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or indoor allergies to dust mites, molds and pet dander, you may be regularly faced with allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or more.  You may experience allergy symptoms while outside as a result of seasonal allergies.  Or, your allergic reactions can come about due to exposure to indoor allergens while cleaning, coming into contact with pets or even while sleeping!  In order to understand the secret to living with allergies, you must educate yourself about allergic triggers, environmental controls and what causes your allergy symptoms.  As Part 1 of the Allergy Control Products series on The Secrets to Living with Allergies, learn some time-tested allergen avoidance steps toward living a healthier life that is free of allergy symptoms. 

Step 1:  Diagnose the Allergy Triggers that Cause Your Allergy Symptoms

Any allergy sufferer knows the misery that can be caused by allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, itching, rash and even severe symptoms such as asthmatic reactions.  What some allergy sufferers don’t fully know is what may be triggering their allergies, and the key to managing these symptoms is diagnosing precisely what causes allergic reactions.  It may be surprising that many allergy sufferers who have mild allergy symptoms may not be able to pinpoint what they are allergic to.  Without consulting with a physician to understand the nature of their allergies, these allergy sufferers are unable to proactively control their allergies. 

In some cases, identifying allergy triggers is easy.  For instance, if you sneeze and have trouble breathing when around cats, it’s likely that you have a pet allergy.  Certain food allergies, contact with allergen sources or exposure to obvious allergy sources (such as dusty or moldy rooms) may also be easy to identify.  However, many people are unaware that they can come into daily contact with large allergen sources throughout the home that cause or worsen their allergy symptoms.  Understanding your sensitivity and resulting allergy reactions to these indoor allergens can have a profound impact on alleviating your allergy symptoms.

For the best understanding of your specific allergies, see your physician or allergist for allergy testing.  A skin test may be performed in order to determine whether you many be allergic to dust mites, pollens, pet dander, fungi or other sources.  Allergy medications or allergen injections may be recommended.  Physicians can help you outline a plan for addressing your exposure to allergy triggers in order to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Step 2:  Identify the Dust Mite as One of the Biggest Culprits in Causing Indoor Allergies

The top 3 indoor allergens are dust mite allergens, molds and pet dander.  All three can be found in most homes and millions of dust mites can be found in even the cleanest of homes.  One easy way to find allergy relief is to reduce your allergen exposure within your home.  Many people who have allergies are allergic to dust mites and because they cannot be seen by the naked eye, you could be totally unaware of how much you come in contact with dust mite allergens. 

Dust mites are relatives of the spider, and they thrive in the dark, warm and humid environment found in pillows, mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture.  Dust mites excrete fecal particles and it is these particles, as well as their dead bodies, that cause your allergic symptoms.  In fact, “dust” is made up of dust mite allergens and other allergen particles. Inhaling these particles triggers your allergies. 

Around the home, you come in regular contact with indoor allergens, but the greatest allergen exposure is to dust mite allergens.  A large dust mite allergen source is your bed.  If you wake up feeling congested, sneezing, with swollen eyes or a runny nose, or with other allergy symptoms, inhaling dust mite allergens while you sleep is to blame.  You spend up to 8 hours a day in bed, inhaling these allergens and unwittingly aggravating your allergies.  The second largest source of dust mite allergens is found in carpeting. Since many homes have carpeting, the carpet is another large area for causing allergy symptoms. 

Step 3:  For Indoor Allergy Relief, Control Your Environment to Eliminate Allergy Triggers

The good news is that simple steps around the home could alleviate allergy symptoms and possibly reduce your need for allergy medications and treatments.  The first step is to address the bedroom due to the large amount of time spent there each day.  Cover your pillow, mattress and other bedding in allergy bed encasings to create a barrier between you and the dust mite allergens in the bed.  Wash your linens frequently in hot water to remove allergens.  Treat your carpet with special allergy-removing carpet products, or remove carpets in favor of hardwood floors or tile.  Vacuum weekly with a quality HEPA vacuum, which will contain allergens while you clean, and wear a face mask while cleaning.  Keep your home’s humidity level below 50% as low humidity discourages dust mite and mold growth. 

For more tips on controlling dust mite allergies in your home, request a copy of the Allergy Control Products Improving Life Indoors catalog or visit the Allergy Control® Allergy Learning Center for more allergy education.  Also, visit allergycontrol.com for upcoming topics regarding The Secret to Living with Allergies.  Next, Allergy Control Products will cover Addressing Pet Allergies and future series will include Controlling Mold in Your Home.  Don’t miss these helpful allergy tips from the allergen avoidance experts!

Robert asked:


nderstand that you have allergies and know what things prompt your allergic sensitivities, but do you know what is happening to your body to cause an allergic reaction? This edition of the Allergy Control Products series on “The Secret to Living with Allergies” covers the basics of allergies, allergen exposure, allergic reactions, allergic threshold and allergen load. With this allergy information in mind, you may find it easier to control your allergies and improve your health. Step 1: What are Seasonal vs. Perennial (or Indoor) Allergies? Allergic individuals have reactions to substances called allergens, and your body’s reaction can vary. Inhalant allergies can affect the nose (allergic rhinitis), the eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) and the chest (asthma). Allergic rhinitis can occur on a seasonal basis or year round. Seasonal allergies are triggered by pollens, trees, molds, and grasses or other sources. You may hear about hayfever, which is a typical seasonal allergic rhinitis condition. Perennial allergies (or “indoor allergies”) involve allergic responses to indoor allergen sources such as dust mite allergens, cat dander or indoor molds. There can be a single allergen source that causes your allergic symptoms, such as a reaction to cat dander, or the problem may stem from a combination of multiple sources (dust mites and pet dander, for example). Step 2: Understanding Allergen Load and Allergic Threshold Allergic responses to indoor allergens may not always be as dramatic as reactions stemming from seasonal allergies. An indoor allergy sufferer may experience a variety of symptoms from chronic nasal congestion, runny nose or sneezing to a more severe condition such as asthma. Exposure to all allergens, from seasonal to indoor sources, factors into the severity of your reaction. Ongoing indoor allergy exposure, which results in chronic allergy symptoms, can worsen reactions when exposed to seasonal allergens. As you are exposed to additional allergen sources, your allergen load increases and triggers higher allergic responses. Your “allergic threshold” relates to your level of allergic sensitivity to any allergen source. Your “allergen load” is the total exposure at a given time to the allergens to which you are sensitive. Think of your allergic threshold as a glass, which can overflow with too much liquid. A small glass (low threshold) can be easily filled and overflow while a larger glass (high threshold) can tolerate a greater amount of liquids. In this analogy, allergens such as pollens, molds, dust mite allergens or pet dander are the liquids, and there may be one or many types of these liquids that cause the overflow. Reducing the number and amount of the liquids can stop the overflow. Similarly, reducing your allergen load by decreasing the amount and variety of allergens that you encounter will prevent an overflow or the resulting reaction. In order to obtain allergy relief, it’s important to take steps designed to stop the overflow of allergy exposure in order to decrease your allergic reactions. Step 3: The IgE Antibody: Understanding What Causes Allergic Reactions to Occur For an allergy sufferer, an allergic response begins with exposure to an allergen. Allergy symptoms may not begin immediately, as the time in which an individual becomes increasingly sensitive to an allergen source will vary. The period of sensitization can vary greatly, from a few weeks to decades. Many people do not become sensitized until after years of exposure. Allergies may seem to come “out of the blue,” but the truth is that your sensitivity may have been growing for some time until ultimately, exposure causes allergy symptoms. Your body is equipped with a type of cell called a mast cell. Mast cells are present in the nose and airways. As the body becomes sensitized over time to a specific type of allergen (such as cat dander), it produces antibodies such as an IgE antibody. Immunoglobulin E antibodies, or IgE antibodies, are specific to particular allergens. For allergy sufferers, these IgE antibodies accumulate with exposure to allergens and attach to the mast cells. Typically, antibodies are considered as the body’s defense mechanism when fighting against infection. However, for allergy sufferers, the immune response occurs when exposed to an allergen that many people can tolerate without difficulty. For an allergy sufferer, the IgE antibodies recognize the allergen when exposure occurs and are produced against these allergens. Each time exposure occurs to these allergens, the allergen particle connects with the IgE antibodies causing an allergic reaction. The mast cell releases chemical mediators, such as histamine and leukotrienes, causing the familiar symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and/or tightness of the airways. Step 4: Keep Allergy Exposure Down to Minimize Allergic Reactions Once IgE antibodies accumulate, the result is an allergic sensitivity to an allergen source. The degree of sensitivity and resulting reaction vary. A highly sensitive allergy sufferer will react and have symptoms with every exposure. People with lower sensitivity require higher exposure to trigger symptoms. Again, this sensitivity relates to an individual’s allergic threshold. Keeping exposure to allergens that easily exceed your allergic threshold is important for minimizing allergic reactions. Equally important is keeping your allergen load low, which requires minimizing your total exposure to allergen sources in order to prevent the ‘overflow’ and avoid triggering symptoms.

Mike Krause asked:


Allergy Control Products

50 million plus people in the US suffer from some type of allergy or asthma and it is getting worse every year. For some it is nothing more that a runny nose and is more of a nuisance than anything else. For others the symptoms are much more severe and in some cases life threatening. Name it, someone is allergic to it. Allergies are caused by dust mites, pet dander, trees, flowers, food, molds, cleaning products, household dust and hundreds of other things.

For almost 20 years the Allergy Store has been providing their customers with the most effective allergy control products available. We continually review and test the various products being introduced into the allergy control market and are confident when we say “The Allergy Store only carries products we know are effective in controlling allergies and asthma symptoms”. We have helped thousands of people get control of their indoor environment and get control of their allergies and asthma.

All of the allergy control products found in our store and on our web site are used in our homes and in our office. They have helped us, our employees, our customers and they will help you.

This series of articles/reviews will cover the various allergy control products we carry. We will discuss what allergies they are for, where to use them and how to use them. We will also tell you why we do not recommend certain allergy control products that are being sold elsewhere.

Allergy Control Carpet Treatment Products

The carpets on our floors are a perfect environment for collecting dust mites, pollen, mold, dust, dirt and other common household allergens not to mention food crumbs.  As people walk on the carpet they two things, stir up the settled bits of allergen, causing them to become air-borne and grind them into the fibers of the carpet. Air-borne allergens are easily inhaled and may trigger an allergic reaction

The number one way for allergy sufferers to treat and control the allergens in the carpet is to get rid of it. The reason for this advice is that it is impossible to really clean carpet.

You can pay to have them professionally cleaned, rent a carpet cleaning machine and do it yourself, or you can buy one of hundreds of carpet cleaning products available it your local grocery store. The carpets may look cleaner but none of these choices really cleans the carpet.

You can think of it this way, suppose you took a heavy sweater or shirt (with lots of thick fibers) and threw it down on the floor and walked on it for 6 months.  It would get pretty dirty, right?  Then suppose you splashed the dirty shirt/sweater with some warm soapy water and then vacuumed the water out with a wet vacuum extraction system.

Do you think that sweater would be clean?  Of course not, and neither are your carpets after using any of the numerous methods of carpet cleaning.  This is why people with allergies or asthma are told to get rid of carpet.

Unfortunately it is not realistic for everyone to just get rid of their carpeting. We lived with it in our house for 7 years before we could get rid of it and it made a tremendous difference. The alternative is to focus on the allergens in the carpet and target their destruction.

Alkaline Laboratories makes an allergy control product specifically for carpets.  X-Mite Anti-Allergen Carpet Cleaning Treatment Powder harnesses the power of the acids in tannins to denature (or deactivate) the allergy causing proteins of dust mites, pollens, molds and animal dander.  Tannic acid is found in woods like oak, mahogany, redwood and other hardwoods.  It is also found in tea.  Alkaline Labs uses a patented process to convert this into a 3% tanacetane formulation which is highly effective in denaturing the proteins from animals, molds, pollens and dust mites.

They combine this allergy control denaturing agent with a water-based solution of surfactants so that they also absorb some of the dirt found in the carpet.  The result with X-Mite anti-allergen control powder is that the proteins are denatured and thereby made harmless and some of the dirt is removed making the carpets appear cleaner.

To use the X-Mite anti-allergen carpet cleaning treatment product, you sprinkle the moist powder on the carpet.  Because it is not a fine, dry powder it does not float into the air like the products introduce by Johnson & Johnson a few years back. X-Mite allergy control carpet treatment comes out in “clumps” which need to be simply swept into the carpet with a broom. By sweeping them into the carpet it also causes the allergy control product to be worked further into the fibers, allowing for more effective denaturing action.

After about 3 hours, the carpets are vacuumed to remove the powder and absorbed dirt.  It is not necessary to move furniture and treat under furniture.  Each treatment last about 90 days, but it really depends on what is going on in your home.

As always the manufacturer recommends that you test their product on a small hidden area of the carpet before you use it.  The concern is that any prior chemicals or cleaners that you have used might interact with the tannic acid and cause a stain or discolor the carpet.

We are fortunate that we have been able to remove all the carpeting from our home.  It certainly has made a difference in the control of our allergies.  Until we were able to get them out, X-Mite allergy control carpet powder was an important part of our allergy control regimen in our home.

 

George Best asked:


Oak allergy sufferers who live in South Texas are well aware of the large quantities of pollen that oaks produce and the symptoms that result. The pollen pods, which resemble little fuzzy worms, release the pollen into the air to be carried by the wind and the pods accumulate on the ground.

During the oak pollen season, the effects of the pollen are everywhere, with cars and windows covered with the orange-brown film the pollen creates. Even pavement where the spent pollen pods accumulate will get stained brown. Those suffering from oak pollen allergies can experience severe reactions. Massive sinus drainage, watery eyes, sneezing, and/or coughing will develop that can defy almost any allergy treatment available, at least until the oak pollen subsides.

Severe oak allergy reactions can motivate sufferers to turn to every remedy they can think of, including drastic measures like sterod injections. Some will decide to handle the situation once and for all by starting allergy shots, even though the needles are less than pleasant, without realizing that it often takes years to finally get results.

Many oak allergy sufferers will seek out natural relief from treatments like nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy and/or acupuncture, and all of these forms of treatment will provide some degree of temporary relief for the majority of people. But what if there was a way to do more than just suppress allergy symptoms?

But what if there was another way to deal with allergies that gets rid of the problem long-term as seen with allergy shots, but gets results in days and doesn’t require getting stuck with needles repeatedly? There is in fact a way to accomplish this using “energy medicine” methods.

The most widely-practiced of these natural allergy relief methods is NAET, which stands for Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique. Dr. Devi Nambudripad is a chiropractor and acupuncturist from California who accidentally discovered how stimulating specific acupuncture meridians while being exposed to the allergens one reacts to can reset the body so that it no longer reacts to those allergens.

Since NAET was first developed in the 1980’s, other similar techniques have been developed that are more streamlined, but NAET is still the most popular. All energy-basd allergy elimination techniques are definitely strange and can seem like they are too good to be true, but in eight years of practicing Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique (ASERT), a newer, more efficient version of allergy elimination based on the underlyng principles of NAET, I have found it to be extremely effective on even the most severe and chronic of allergy sufferers.

Because these techniques are so strange and because I practice in San Antonio, an area where a high percentage of the population is still extremely skeptical of alternative medicine, I do the allergy desensitization on people and let them experience the results before they pay me. I use the honor system with regards to the allergy elimination procedure I use in my office - I do the full allergy elimination procedure and patients pay me after the fact when they are satisfied that the treatment was effective for them. The vast majority send me checks or call me with a credit card number, which I thik is a dramatic testament to the effectiveness of this technique.

The great part about these techniques is that the results occur quickly. In the case of seasonal allergies like those to oak pollen, symptoms may be severe for weeks at a time, so allergy sufferers seek out some form of natural allergy relief that takes effect quickly, rather than a treatment approach like allergy shots that can take years to be effective, and rather than treatments that have potentially serious side-effects such as steroid drugs. Energy-based allergy elimination provides relief within a day or two and does so without the risk of side-effects.

Better yet, the effects of energy-based allergy elimination last for several months to several years because these techniques actually get rid of the allergies, not just suppress allergy symptoms and inflammation. So, oak allergy sufferers can usually go through multiple oak seasons without any problems without ongoing treatment after going through the allergy desensitization.

Although NAET practitioners often claim that the effects of NAET are permanent, which they may be in some cases, it has been my experience that allergies can re-develop, particularly after somone is sick with a cold or flu, or suffers a major trauma during a high pollen season. It appears that the body may develop allergies in a “guilt by association” manner in which an activation of the body’s immune system and inflammatory response from something other than pollen may become associated with the presence of a given allergen, thus triggering a reaction to the allergen. In other words, if you catch the flu during a time when oak pollen is high, it is not unusual to develop oak allergies.

In any case, energy-based allergy desensitization is very much for real, and it offers fast, effective natural allergy relief for oak pollen allergies, as well as any other type of allergy (including airborne allergens, foods, and skin-contact allergies).

Lyle asked:


ies of various types make millions of people’s lives miserable everyday and the allergies control at least some aspects of the sufferer’s lives. This is unnecessary since measures can be taken to keep your allergies under control. There are different types of allergies, determined by what causes the allergy. The most well known allergies are dust mite allergy, mold allergy, hay fever or pollen allergy and pet allergy.

Each of these different types of allergies creates a different reaction within the sufferer and has different sources, but allergy control measures can be applied to all of them. There are a variety of measures that you can put into effect, but they are intended to be back up measures for the allergy control products that it is advised you buy. There is a very large selection of products available currently. These products will help to reduce the allergic reactions of the sufferer by a large margin.

When focusing on the bedroom, there are eight main product types which are manufactured to decrease the effects of allergies. The bedroom should be the first area to be re-equipped since it is in there that the allergy sufferer spends a large portion of their time and it should be a refuge from the effects of allergies as opposed to aggravating the suffering. The different types of products are roughly divided into two groups, bedding products and air products.

In the group of bedding products there are the categories comforters, pillows and mattress pads. Comforters come in a variety of types and a variety of fills including down and a fiber fill. Most people with an allergy problem would automatically avoid down, but it is warmer than a fiber filled comforter, but you need to ensure that the comforter is hypoallergenic. People believe they are allergic to feathers, but they are in fact allergic to the dust and protein that attaches itself to the feather so if the down has been properly cleaned then it is not a problem. Fiber filled comforters are preferred by those in warm climates or during summer.

There are is a wide range of choices for people who would like a hypoallergenic pillow , whether it is foam, natural or synthetic. This choice is dependent on what you require from your pillow and your level of allergy. Mattress pads were the greatest thing ever invented by the bedding industry for an increase in comfort and support. Some of mattresses are created for hygiene, some are created for softness and some mattress pads are for back and joint support, but for allergy sufferers the important factor is whether they are hypoallergenic. The feather beds provided by Pacific coast are created to be an allergy control product. They come in every size to suit you and they are incredibly comfortable.

In the group of air products there are Air Purifiers, Dehumidifiers, Humidifiers, Steam Cleaners and Vacuum cleaners. These products all cater for different needs and different types of allergies. A dehumidifier would be the best option for a person suffering from a mold allergy, but a humidifier would be beneficial to a person with sinus troubles as a result of their allergies.

Dehumidifiers and humidifiers perform opposite functions, but they still perform well as allergy control products. Dehumidifiers lower the humidity level of the area around it in order to inhibit the occurrence of mildew, mold and damp. They are essential for any allergy sufferer who wishes to stop mold spores from growing within their house or in the basement and also wishes to keep the level of humidity low enough to ensure that dust mites are kept at bay.

Humidifiers come in two types, warm mist or cool mist humidifiers. These will both keep the air around them hydrated to a comfortable level to ensure that your allergies are not exacerbated. Warm mist humidifiers are more useful in cooler climates while cool mist humidifiers are better used in a warmer environment. The determining factors are ease of cleaning and noise levels.

Air Purifiers are very important allergy control products. They should be used in with either a humidifier or dehumidifier in order to get the best from them. A good quality HEPA air filtration device is an indispensable element to ensuring that an allergen free and healthy home is maintained. Air filters literally filter out harmful pollen and particles that will cause an allergic reaction in you. In order to ensure that you can select a high quality product we have circumspectly chosen the finest air purifiers to present for you to select from out of the numerous products we have tested.

Steam Cleaners often look like a vacuum cleaner but that is where the similarity ends. The use of a steam cleaner ensures that you can sanitize, deep clean and deodorize in one simple procedure without using any of the chemicals that can be found in supermarket cleaning equipment. For allergy sufferers, there is the built in benefit that the heat of the steam penetrates deep down into any material being cleaned and therefore the dry steam instantaneously kills any and all dust mites, viruses, molds, and fungi that may be there.

A HEPA vacuum cleaner is a highly effective allergy control product that will suck up all the allergens and dust which have become settled onto furniture floors and carpets. These settled allergens are the ones which keep getting stirred up and therefore consequently inhaled by people due to movement within a room.

One allergy control product will help you to lower the allergen level in the area of your bedroom, but it is recommended that you utilize a combination of products in order to bring the allergen level to it’s lowest possible point and therefore bring your allergic reactions to an absolute minimum.