Allergic reaction

My daughter’s preschool teacher sent home a memo the first week of school to let all of the parents know that one of the children in the class has a severe allergy to peanuts. We were supposed to keep this in mind for when it was our turn to provide the class treats each week. I had never had to deal with a food allergy in my family, so this was completely new to me. When it was my snack week, I went crazy trying to find something that would cause this child to have an allergic reaction. I am shocked at how many products without peanuts have warnings that they may have come into contact with peanuts at some point. However, I ended up picking out some treats that didn’t adversely affect the child and everything was fine.

We have a few allergies in my family that I am always keeping in the back of my mind. I am allergic to penicillin, which has become much milder as I’ve gotten older. Of course, that doesn’t affect me on a daily basis. My husband is allergic to cats. I had two cats when I first met him and he neglected to tell me this. Once we were married, he couldn’t hide his allergic reaction anymore. I found him sneezing hysterically one day when I returned home from work. Oddly enough, he loves cats, he just gets a stuffy allergic reaction to them. We’ve kept the cats as family members, I simply spend more time ensuring that there isn’t as much cat hair around to irritate his allergies. My daughter is allergic to bees. It didn’t take long, after one stung her as a baby, to determine that she was having an allergic reaction to the sting. She developed a rash within minutes and started to swell. As scary as it was, we have been dealing with it for 4 years now and know how to properly handle the situation if and when it
arises.

There are so many things in the world that cause an allergic reaction in so many different people and countries, it makes it difficult to narrow down the causes. Whether it is an allergy to an animal or to a food, everyone experiences their allergic reaction in different ways. You can’t always cater to every type of allergic reaction or allergy that may cross your path, but sometimes, you need to be aware of them. If you do have school age children, you should know if there are some kids that may have an allergic reaction to certain foods. If you’re having overnight guests, you may want to find out if they are allergic to your pets. If you are aware of allergies ahead of time, you may be able to avoid quite a bit of inconvenience for yourself and others. Plus, it may be appreciated much more than you could ever realize.

Allergy Alert: Breathe Easy, Naturally

Itchy, watery eyes, running nose, an aching head, and sinus congestion. Sound familiar? You may be among the 37 million people in the United States who suffer from allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Consider combating your springtime woes naturally with these time-tested self-healing techniques.

Allergens in the Air
When your sinuses, the air-filled hollow cavities around your nose and nasal passages, become inflamed, fluid can accumulate and interfere with normal drainage of mucus in the sinuses. This condition is known as acute sinusitis. The result? You may have trouble breathing through your nose and feel your eyes and facial tissue swell up.

Your symptoms may include a headache, fever, a nagging cough, post-nasal drip, thick green or yellow discharge, and a feeling of facial "fullness" that gets worse when you lean forward; during a severe sinus infection, some people even experience a toothache.

This uncomfortable condition has many possible causes, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, allergies, or a deviated septum. Synonymous with spring, allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, is the inflammatory result of your immune system's overreaction to allergens in the air.

Pollen is one famous offender. Other allergens include dirt, pollution, animal hair, food particles cloth fibers, and mold.

Surprising Secrets for Sinus Health
Here are some all-natural ways to gain freedom from sinus suffering.

• Clear your sinuses and your mind with a steamy stovetop spa. Add a few drops of wintergreen oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. Take care not to be burned by the vapor.

• Herbs and spices like ginger, scallion, basil, garlic, oregano, cayenne peppers, white pepper, horseradish and turmeric will have your sinus passageways unblocked in no time!

• The supplement bromelain - a papaya and pineapple-based enzyme - helps reduce histamine release, the body's natural allergic response.

• Clear your nasal passageway daily for healthy, happy sinuses. Add 1 tsp of sea salt, 1 drop of oregano oil, and 1 drop of wintergreen to a cup of warm water. Fill a small-spouted squeeze bottle with this warm solution. Squirt into one nostril at a time and blow out through the nose. Alternate nostrils.

• Press one clove of garlic, mix with 1 tsp of olive oil and soak a clean cotton ball with the oil mixture and place in nostrils after having washed the nostril with warm salt water. Leave in for 20 minutes and repeat three times a day until the symptoms clear up.

• These two simple self-massage practices that follow are incredibly effective for relieving sinus congestion. For both, sit at the tip of a sturdy chair with your back erect, spine stretched, and your head tilted slightly forward.

1. Inhale and gently press your forehead just inside the temples with your palms. Exhale and release. Repeat three times.

2. Cross your middle and index fingers by placing the tips of your middle fingers on top of the fingernails on your index fingers. Rub the sides of your nose 36 times in a circular motion, warming your fingers first if they're cold.

What you eat affects your sinus health
Avoid the foods that produce mucous and dampness: dairy products, cold and raw foods, corn (including corn syrup), and simple sugars. Choose whole grains like quinoa, amaranth and brown rice instead of wheat, rye and barley, which are typically high allergy grains. Opt for papaya, cranberries, pear, pineapple, cherries, mango, and citrus fruits. Eat more green vegetables such as artichoke, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and spinach.

Both alcohol and smoking should be avoided during a sinus flare-up as they irritate the respiratory tract and worsen nasal inflammation. Also, sinus congestion is often worse with lack of quality rest so be sure to get plenty of sleep and keep your stress level low.

I hope that you find the ways to keep your sinuses clear and freely flowing. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

-Dr. Mao

Allergy Medicine: Could Yours Be Dangerous?

By : John Howard
Herbal supplements such as Claritose, Allergy Season and Allergy-C-Buffered stand apart among the medicines that are used to remedy allergy related problems due to their ability to bring recovery from allergic problems without causing any side effects to the person who consumes it. Once you come to know about the seriousness of the side effects that are associated with the consumption of chemical based remedies for allergic problems, you will never attempt to take a medicine that is made of toxic chemicals.

Non prescription herbal or natural supplements such as Claritose, Mitamins, Allergy Season and Allergy-C-Buffered are a blessing for those who suffer from problems associated with allergic reactions. You can safely use these medicines without worrying about the side effects that are common with chemical based medicines. None of these medicines are capable of producing any of the side effects that come with other medicines.

Mitamins Advanced formula uses ingredients like Magnesium, Liquorice extract, American Ginseng extract, Vitamin C and Ginger extract in it. It mainly attempts to increase the vital capacity of the lungs with the help of Magnesium which can provide a dilating effect on the bronchial muscles. Allergy-C- Buffered caps is dietary supplements intended for asthmatic patients who are free of corn and citrus products. It contains Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate.

Allergy Season formula from "Sand" also is a dietary supplement meant for long term use by the patients. The ingredients of this formula include Pantothenic Acid, Bromelain, Nettle Leaf Extract, standardised grape seed and turmeric rhizome extract etc.

Claritose comes from the house of MicroNutra Health, a known company that produces a large variety of alternative medicines for various diseases. Like all other medicines that come from MicroNutra Health, this product named Claritose also is a success in eliminating the symptoms of allergies in patients. By using this medicine you will be able to regain your old self with no fear to about allergies. Asthma patients also will be able to eliminate the use of inhalers or other drugs they use to control asthma with continuous use of Claritose as per the prescription.

The ingredients in this medicine are found to be extremely good in attacking the root cause of allergic problem by strengthening the immune system of the body. The medicines that treat only the symptoms of the disease may not be able to bring the result that Claritose assures to the patients. The ingredients used in Claritose include Aloe Barbadensis, Astragali extract, Beta-Glucan, Arabinogalactan, Glucosamine Sulfate, Ghatti Gum and Guar gum. The feed backs from the persons who have consumed this medicine indicate the success of Claritose in brining positive changes in life. When compared to other medications used for the same purpose this medicine seem to be more effective in finding a permanent solution for allergic problems.

Allergy Tests

Allergy testing involves having a skin or blood test to determine what substance, or allergen, may trigger an allergic response in a person. Skin tests are usually done because they are rapid, reliable, and generally less expensive than blood tests, but either type of test may be used.
Skin tests

A small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on or below the skin to see if a reaction develops. There are 3 types of skin tests:

* Skin prick test. This test is done by placing a drop of a solution containing a possible allergen on the skin, and a series of scratches or needle pricks allows the solution to enter the skin. If the skin develops a red, raised itchy area (called a wheal), it usually means that the person is allergic to that allergen. This is called a positive reaction.
* Intradermal test. During this test, a small amount of the allergen solution is injected into the skin. An intradermal allergy test may be done when a substance does not cause a reaction in the skin prick test but is still suspected as an allergen for that person. The intradermal test is more sensitive than the skin prick test but is more often positive in people who do not have symptoms to that allergen (false-positive test results).
* Skin patch test. For a skin patch test, the allergen solution is placed on a pad that is taped to the skin for 24 to 72 hours. This test is used to detect a skin allergy called contact dermatitis.

Blood test

Allergy blood tests look for substances in the blood called antibodies. Blood tests are not as sensitive as skin tests but are often used for people who are not able to have skin tests.

The most common type of blood test is called radioallergosorbent testing (RAST). It is used to measure the blood level of a type of antibody (called immunoglobulin E, or IgE) that the body may produce in response to particular allergens. IgE levels are often higher in people who have allergies or asthma. RAST may be used for people who cannot have skin tests, such as people who take certain medications (such as some antidepressants) that make the results of skin tests less accurate.

Other laboratory testing methods, such as an immunoassay capture test (ImmunoCAP, UniCAP, or Pharmacia CAP), may be used by your health professional to provide additional information.

Dust mite allergy

Did you know that you could be sharing your bed with anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites? These microscopic organisms, which are related to spiders, live in many homes. Too small to see with the naked eye, dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments — eating dead skin cells and nesting in dust-collecting bedding, fabric, carpet and furnishings.

The residue that dust mites leave behind in the form of their feces and decaying bodies mixes with dust and becomes airborne. If you aren't allergic to dust mite residue, it's not harmful. But if you are, inhaling the residue can cause bothersome allergy symptoms, including wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose.

One treatment for dust mite allergy is avoidance — that is, taking measures to minimize the number of dust mites in your home. Your doctor may also recommend allergy medications or allergy injections.

Signs and symptoms

If you have a dust mite allergy, you may exhibit the signs and symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Dust mite allergy symptoms may include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Irritability
• Facial pressure and pain

If you have asthma, you may also experience increased signs and symptoms of asthma,

such as:

• Lung congestion
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

You may be especially prone to asthma attacks at night, when sleeping in a bed infested with dust mites.

A dust mite allergy can range from mild to severe. A mild case of dust mite allergy may result in an occasional runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. In severe cases, the condition is chronic — resulting in, for example, persistent wheezing, sneezing, congestion and facial pressure.

Causes

As dust mites multiply, so does the residue made up of their feces and decaying bodies. If you're sensitive to dust mites, your body reacts when inhaling this residue.

During a process called sensitization, your immune system mistakenly identifies the inhale

d dust mite residue as an invader and produces an antibody against it called immunoglobulin E (IgE).

The next time you're exposed to the dust mite residue, your immune system launches an allergic reaction. The IgE antibodies trigger the release of an inflammatory chemical called histamine, which causes swelling of the mucous membranes in your lungs, nose, sinuses and eyes that results in wheezing, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes.

The common dust mite is shown magnified approximately 2,000 times in this image.

Risk factors

The following factors increase your risk of developing a dust mite allergy:

• Heredity. You're more likely to develop a sensitivity to dust mites if dust mite allergies run in your family.
• Exposure. Being exposed to high levels of dust mites, especially early in life, increases your risk.
• Age. You're more likely to develop allergy symptoms during childhood or early adulthood.

When to seek medical advice

If you experience signs and symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes, and you suspect dust mites or another allergen are to blame, see your doctor for an evaluation. Allergy skin tests — which expose your skin to purified extracts of allergy-causing substances — can help your doctor determine whether you have a dust mite allergy.

Screening and diagnosis

If you experience persistent wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose, your doctor will likely recommend a puncture, prick or scratch skin test to determine whether your signs and symptoms are caused by an allergy.

In this test, tiny drops of purified allergen extracts — including an extract for dust mites — are pricked or scratched into your skin's surface. This is usually carried out on the forearm, though it may be done on the upper back in children.

Your doctor or nurse will clean the test site with alcohol, then use a sharp instrument (lancet) to introduce individual extracts into your skin's surface. This causes only little, if any, discomfort.

The drops are left on your skin for 15 minutes before your doctor or nurse observes your skin for signs of allergic reactions. If you're allergic to dust mites, you'll develop a red, itchy bump where the dust mite extract was scratched onto your skin.

The most common side effect of these skin tests is itching and redness. This usually subsides within a few hours, although it can persist until the next day.

Your doctor may also recommend allergy blood tests, especially if the allergy skin tests can't be completed.

Complications

You're more likely to develop asthma — a condition in which the main air passages of your lungs (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and your airways become narrowed — if you're already sensitive to environmental allergens, including dust mites.

If you already have asthma, dust mite allergy or exposure to dust mites can cause an increase in asthma signs and symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. For this reason, taking measures to decrease the number of dust mites in your home can improve control of asthma.

Treatment

The most effective treatment for avoiding an allergic reaction to dust mites is avoidance. When you minimize your exposure to dust mites, you'll also minimize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction — such as watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Adopting rigorous cleaning practices, especially in your bedroom, can help reduce dust mite residue to a level where it no longer causes bothersome problems.

Medications
When you can't control your allergic reactions to dust mites with prevention measures, your doctor may recommend or prescribe allergy medications. For allergic rhinitis, these may include:

• Nonprescription medications. To counter the signs and symptoms of allergy-induced hay fever, short-acting antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, others), decongestants (Sudafed, Chlor-Trimeton, others) or a nasal spray containing cromolyn sodium (NasalCrom) may help.
• Prescription hay fever medications. These include longer acting antihistamines (Zyrtec, Clarinex, others), nasal corticosteroid sprays (Flonase, Nasonex, others) to reduce inflammation, and the leukotriene inhibitor montelukast (Singulair), which blocks the action of leukotrienes — immune system chemicals that cause allergy signs and symptoms, such as excess mucus production.

If your dust mite allergy is causing asthma symptoms, your doctor may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids (Flovent, Pulmicort, others), long-acting beta-2 agonists (Serevent, Foradil), combination inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting bronchodilators (Advair), and short-acting beta-2 agonists (albuterol, others), which help open up the airways in your lungs.

Immunotherapy
If your symptoms are especially difficult to control or are causing troublesome nose, eye or asthma symptoms, your doctor may recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy) to desensitize you to dust mites.

In immunotherapy, you'll receive injections of dust mite extract in increasing doses once or twice a week. Once a maintenance dose has been reached, you'll need injections every four weeks.

Prevention

Avoiding exposure to dust mites can minimize your risk of allergic reactions. While you can't completely eliminate dust mites from your home, you can significantly reduce their number. Use these suggestions:

• Build a barrier. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers.
• Maintain low humidity in your home. Aim for 30 percent to 50 percent relative humidity. A dehumidifier or air conditioner can help keep humidity low, while a hygrometer (available at hardware stores) can measure humidity levels.
• Choose bedding wisely. Use synthetic materials as opposed to wool or down bedcovers.
• Buy washable stuffed toys. Wash them often in hot water and dry thoroughly. Also keep stuffed toys off beds.
• Wash bedding weekly. Kill dust mites by washing all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water (130 to 140 F). Freeze nonwashable bedding overnight in a chest freezer.
• Remove dust. Use a damp mop or rag instead of a dry cloth.
• Vacuum regularly. Use a vacuum cleaner with a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Vacuum both carpet and fabric-covered furniture. If your allergies are severe, leave the area being vacuumed while someone else does the dirty work. Stay out of the vacuumed room for 20 minutes after vacuuming.
• Cut clutter. If it collects dust, it also collects dust mites. So remove knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books, magazines and newspapers from your bedroom.
• Rethink flooring. If your dust mite allergy is severe, replace your wall-to-wall bedroom carpet with tile, wood or linoleum flooring. Also consider replacing upholstered furniture and removing fabric curtains.

Though you may be tempted to purchase an air purifier to lessen the symptoms of your dust mite allergy, you should know that air purifiers alone aren't effective for reducing dust mites. This is because dust mites aren't airborne for long periods. When they are sent into the air, they don't stay long; they're too heavy. Vigorous cleaning practices, along with the other tips above, are better bets for minimizing dust mites in your home. For some people, adding an air purifier to the steps described above can reduce the amount of airborne dust.

© 1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)