Signs and Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis

Signs and symptoms for contact dermatitis differ according to the kind of dermatitis. Let's begin to see the signs and symptoms according to the above mentioned pointed out types.

• Irritant contact dermatitis- The signs and symptoms of this kind of a dermatitis are burning or stinging sensation within the skin or perhaps in certain situations even redness or tenderness. 48 hrs it's time period for just about any a reaction to show on your skin, whereas strong irritants will begin showing the responses with immediate effect. The signs and symptoms pointed out within the aforesaid appear over individuals areas of your skin that are uncovered to those irritants.

• Allergic contact dermatitis- Allergic contact dermatitis causes signs and symptoms for example redness, itchiness and scaling from the uncovered areas of your skin. The signs and symptoms make time to develop following the skin continues to be uncovered towards the sensitizing object or chemical. A rash seems around the part of the skin that has interact. For instance, rash revolves around the eyelids or even the cheekbones, if uncovered to harsh cosmetics. However, because this is true allergy, the areas that aren't uncovered will often develop rash.

Proper diagnosis of Contact Dermatitis:

It's known that contact dermatitis is caused by skin being uncovered to particular allergens or irritants. Hence, when using these items is stopped your skin condition is certain to improve. But, in some instances the best kind of allergen or irritant which results in this dermatitis isn't known. In such instances, a kind of test referred to as "Patch Test" is carried out. The mix of numerous substances that triggers irritation is used over the rear of the body. Your skin is observed over time of two days. If there's no reaction, this means this dermatitis isn't present.

Contact Dermatitis Treatment:

• Use of Emollients: If it's a gentle type of contact dermatitis in which the soreness could be introduced in check then frequent moisturizing can help. Utilization of emollients ought to be ongoing till time the soreness doesn't subside or even the rash doesn't obvious off.

• Topical Anabolic steroids: Topical anabolic steroids are creams, creams and creams which contain anabolic steroids. Such steroid that contains topical drugs assist in lowering the inflammation to some greater extent. Topical anabolic steroids belong to different brands and just individuals which are weakest ought to be used which too underneath the recommendation from the physician. Some exceptional steroid creams can be purchased in the pharmacy technician without prescription. One particular drug is hydrocortisone, it's a mild steroid. Many of these anabolic steroids obvious inflammation within a brief period thought a few of the mild ones may make time to work. When the inflammation has reduced, using anabolic steroids ought to be stopped. Over usage may cause problems.

• Antibiotics: When the dermatitis is promoting any kind of infection, then anti-biotics are recommended. This isn't a typical occurrence though. When the skin is simply too severe then in unusual cases, steroid pills were receive.

Instead of awaiting the problem to break out and show signs and symptoms, it is usually advantageous to prevent using items contributing to rash and skin irritation. Being careful of hands is utmost essential to be able to avoid distributing dermatitis. Long-term utilization of anabolic steroids will also not help, and on the other hand, will harm your skin.

Wheat Allergy Symptoms - Is it Wheat Allergies Or Wheat Intolerance?

Wheat allergy symptoms are often confused with wheat intolerance symptoms. There is a difference between the two. Wheat allergies cause a severe reaction when it is consumed. These symptoms can include coughing, vomiting and trouble breathing. These allergies can also cause life threatening responses such as anaphylaxis.

True wheat allergies are not very common and are usually found in small children rather than adults. Children may outgrow these allergies and be able to eventually include it in their diets. When adults think they have a allergy, it is usually an intolerance.

Wheat intolerance which is usually caused by sensitivity to gluten (a protein which is found in wheat, barley, rye and some other grains) is very common. As many as fifteen percent of all people have this intolerance.

The majority of people eat wheat so often that they are not even aware that this is what is causing problems. If you suffer from any of the below symptoms of allergies or intolerance you should eliminate it completely from your diet for thirty days and see if the problems go away. Some people immediately feel better when they remove it from their diets. It is included in many different food products, so make sure you read the labels of all foods very carefully.

Here are a few of the most common Allergy And Intolerance Symptoms

Arthritis - Stomach Bloating - Chest Pain - Mood swings - Depression - Diarrhea - Skin problems such as Eczema or Psoriasis - Dizziness - Joint pain - Muscle Aches - Nausea - Heart Palpitations - Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms - Fatigue - Coughing - Itchy Eyes and Runny Nose - Headaches

Eliminating wheat from your diet will relieve these symptoms if you are suffering from wheat allergies or intolerance. It may take you a while to get used to eating this type of diet, but in the long run it will improve your health and well being.

Food Allergy Symptoms to Look Out For

Sometimes a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort ensues immediately after a meal. It is often thought to a result of a food allergy. In most cases however this sick feeling is a result of some food intolerance rather than a food allergy. The difference in food intolerance and an allergy is mostly noticed through the difference in timescale and severity of the symptoms.

To understand and diagnose the difference between the two it is important to know the symptoms of food allergy which affects the patient much more severely. Food intolerance symptoms may manifest themselves in a few hours time, or even a day after. In case of allergies, the onset is immediate and generally within an hour. Food allergy occurs when the immune system strikes a food protein incorrectly and leads to an overreaction by the body and production of certain chemicals.

A few of the leading symptoms which occur during food allergy are:

1. Skin rashes and itching
2. Severe diarrhea and vomiting
3. Stomach cramps
4. Skin swelling especially on tender regions like eyelids, lips and inside the mouth
5. Runny nose and blocked nasal tract
6. Inflammation of the throat, trachea and larynx
7. Headaches
8. Fatigue and dizziness
9. Joint pains
10. Hives

These are the most common food allergy symptoms that affect most adults, and it is important to visit a medical professional as soon as you experience any of these signs. In cases of food intolerance smaller degrees of similar symptoms might occur, but they usually disappear after a short while. In cases of food allergies these symptoms get even more pronounced and severe and may also lead to severe breathing problems or diarrhea. A regular food intolerance like lactose intolerance manifests itself even when a person has consumed any dairy products and results in bloating, gas, vomiting or diarrhea.

It is important to identify the concerned allergen which is causing the food allergy so that it can be avoided in the future. These symptoms need to be identified immediately since delaying treatment might lead to malfunctioning of internal systems. A few things need to be kept in mind like checking food labels when buying food items or checking with the waiter at the restaurant about the ingredients used to prepare a dish. Some patients are so vulnerable that medical practitioners even advise them to carry self-injectible epinephrine, which helps during sudden allergic attacks.

Genetics of Food Allergy and Intolerance

Can genetics explain if you are allergic to some pollens or foods?

White blood cell patterns determined genetically and designated as HLA DQ and DR genes have been identified with an increased risk of pollen, dust, latex, and food allergies. The intriguing part of this story is that there is an advantage to knowing your HLA DR and DQ type when evaluating your risk for pollen allergies and their associated food allergies or cross reactions.

Genetics of Food Reactions and Allergies

As I explain in more detail in my articles on the genetics of gluten sensitivity, we all have proteins on the surface of our cells that are genetically determined. These patterns are easily detectable by testing cells from blood or from the mouth obtained by a Q-tip type swab. Specific patterns have been associated with increased risk for autoimmune conditions, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

HLA DQ Genetics and Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity

HLA DQ2 is present in more than 90% of people who have celiac disease while HLADQ8 is present in most of the rest, though not all people with celiac have been found to have DQ2 and/or DQ8.

DQ and DR Genetic Patterns Associated with Food and Pollen Allergies or Sensitivities?

Now it appears certain DQ or DR patterns are associated with food and pollen allergies as well. As the Food Doc, I continue to search the literature for more information about genetic links to food allergy and intolerance. My search has led to me to a couple of interesting articles in the unusual area of oral allergy syndrome (OAS). The relationship between seasonal and perennial nasal allergies and food allergies is certainly well established but not generally known by most doctors or patients. It appears that some of us need to avoid eating certain foods if we have hay fever or allergies, especially during the hay fever season. This problem also appears to be inherited.

Research Documents Genetic Association With Certain Food and Pollen Allergies

Boehncke, et al. from the University of Frankfurt reported in 1998 that certain white blood cell types known HLA class II genotypes or HLA DQ and DR genetic patterns were found more frequently in people with certain pollen associated food allergies. HLA-DQB1*0301 is present in more people with grass pollen allergy. Those with HLA-DRB1*08, an inherited white blood cell protein pattern linked with a grass pollen allergy, have six times the increased risk of peanut allergy. Those who have inherited the HLA-DRB1*12 white blood cell pattern are 13 times higher at risk for carrot allergy.

Tree Pollen Allergy to Birch Tree Pollen Appears to be Worst

Birch pollen associated hazel nut allergy is linked to HLA-DRB1*01, DQA1*0101, and DQB1*0501. Hazel nut, almond, walnut and apple are the most common food allergies associated with birch tree pollen. Allergies to those foods are commonly associated with birch tree pollen in other studies.

Weed Allergies Also Associated With Food Reactions

In 2004, Wang et al. from China published that the inherited white blood cell type DQA1*0302 is found in more people with Artemisia pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, hay fever due to Mugwort or Sagebrush weeds. Mugwort allergy is associated with several food allergies including apple, celery, hazelnut, pistachio, lettuce, almond, peanut, and carrots.

Where to Get Genetic Testing

There are three commercial labs that I am aware of that offer full HLA DQ typing. They are Quest Laboratories, The Laboratory at Bonfils in Denver, and Enterolab. Bonfils runs the Enterolab genetic tests. Enterolab offers the test run on samples of cells obtained from a Q-tip swab of the mouth. The test can be obtained directly from Enterolab without a doctor's order though it is not covered by insurance. It however is very reasonable from a genetic testing standpoint at $149. Bonfils also does the DQ typing on cells obtained from blood samples sent to them from other labs.

The Future of Genetic Testing in Pollen and Food Allergies

In the future such testing should be very helpful in evaluating suspected food allergies, intolerance and pollen allergies. In the meantime those of us interested in this interesting story anxiously await more research findings in this exciting area. Dr. Fine, founder of Enterolab, has previously published the HLA DQ patterns associated with microscopic colitis. He has found that microscopic changes in the colon or large intestine are similar if not identical to what is seen in the small intestine in celiac disease. Several articles now document that a gluten free diet works in many people with microscopic, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. It also helps many with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

A finding of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the distal small intestine (terminal ileum) is associated with an increased incidence of celiac disease in the proximal small intestine. Now, adding to the intrigue, are these articles linking certain inherited white blood cell protein gene patterns to pollen allergy and food allergy cross reactions that are well recognized but rarely pursued clinically. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also called the "burning mouth syndrome", occurs in many people but frequently goes undiagnosed. Symptoms include burning, painful and/or itching sensation of mouth or throat with or without swelling that occurs almost immediately after eating certain foods. The foods causing these reactions are commonly associated with pollen, latex or dust allergies.

Unusual Association of Pollen Allergies and Mouth Burning or Food Reactions

This unusual association of tree, grass, and weed pollens, latex and house dust mite allergies to food reactions, though well documented in the medical literature, is not commonly recognized by doctors or patients. The OAS literature contains numerous reports of food allergy or intolerance reactions that are associated with specific pollen, dust, mold or latex allergies. One of the best examples is ragweed pollen allergy. It is associated with a higher risk of food allergy or intolerance to only a few foods. These include foods in the gourd family (cucumbers and melons) and bananas. On other the hand, Birch tree pollen allergy is associated with sensitivity to many foods. The list includes those foods in the Rosacea family (apples, pears), tree nut family (hazelnut, almond, walnut), potatoes, and carrots. Reactions include classic allergic reactions such as skin rashes (atopic dermatitis, hives), wheezing (asthma), runny nose (allergic rhinitis), as well as the burning mouth OAS symptoms and other food intolerance symptoms.

If You Suspect Food Allergy, Intolerance or Sensitivity Get Evaluated By an Expert

Individuals who suspect food allergy or intolerance are encouraged to review the food-pollen connection and undergo appropriate evaluations for food allergy, intolerance and sensitivity. Food sensitivity includes gluten sensitivity and cow's milk (casein) protein sensitivity. Food intolerance includes lactose intolerance. Food allergies are separate and distinct from either food sensitivity or food intolerance.

Consider Getting Genetic Testing or Asking Your Doctor to Test You

This new information about the link of white blood cell protein patterns, HLA DQ types, suggests that we should consider having genetic testing done. After an adequate evaluation,

Establish a Baseline Symptom Score and Start a Food Symptom Diet Diary

I encourage everyone to establish a baseline symptom score. A detailed food symptom diary before a trial of elimination diet is also extremely helpful. An elimination diet that excludes major food lectins (dairy, grain, legumes, and nightshades) and any foods from the pollen list that one is allergic is recommended before accepting diagnoses of IBS, fibromyalgia, unexplained neuropathy or headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Any symptoms not readily explained or improved with other diagnoses and treatment should be considered to be possibly due to a food reaction until proven otherwise.

Selected Bibliography

Boehncke, et al. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Apr;28 (4):434-41.

Fine KD et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Aug;95(8):1974-82.

Wang et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Feb; 130(2): 192-197.

The Most Common Toddler Allergies

It is very common to come across people who are allergic to some or the other substance and according to various studies about 50 million people in the US suffer from some or the other form of allergy. A lot of studies have been conducted by pediatricians and allergists about toddler allergies and the results of such studies have proved that a toddler has about 50 percent chances of being allergic to various substances if one parent has an allergy although the chances of the toddler carrying the same allergy are rare. Some studies have also pointed out that if both parents are allergic to substances then there are 75 percent chances that the toddler would also be allergic to some or the other substance. The most common of all the allergies reported for toddlers are the milk allergy and food allergy although there are many toddlers who are allergic to dust, mites, cockroaches and pollen too. It is important that you observe your child closely for any signs of allergies and if you see anything which is not normal then please see pediatrician as soon as possible.

Toddler allergies can be put into various groups based on the causes for allergies, allergy to milk, eggs, nuts (peanuts and tree nuts), fish and cereals (especially wheat) are the most common. The possible symptoms of these allergies are appearance of rashes or boils on the skin, vomiting, diarrhea and wheezing are the most common and visible symptoms which can be seen if the child is allergic to milk. Cow milk is believed to be the primary cause for milk allergies however it is not uncommon to come across toddlers who are allergic even to the soy milk or milk obtained from other animals like goats, sheep or buffaloes. The symptoms of milk allergy can be seen in toddlers within minutes or a couple of hours from the time of consumption of milk and it is highly advisable that you rush your kid to hospital or call the emergency number for help if the child is feeling breathlessness. Many toddlers are allergic to eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat protein and the only way of dealing with such allergies is by strictly avoiding the food item the kid is allergic to.

The occurrence of toddler allergies caused due to dust, mites, cockroaches and pollens is also very common and the possible symptoms are sneezing, running nose and itching. The best way to deal with such allergies is by keeping the environs of your home clean. Many parents get confused between food allergies and food intolerance and it is advisable that you visit a doctor and get a thorough check done by a pediatrician or allergist before you form any opinion about it. Many toddlers grow out of certain allergies and intolerance for a particular food item with age and might become receptive to the food by the time they are about 8-10 years old. There is no medication for allergies and the only way to deal with such situation is complete avoidance of the substance. The only medication available is for hay fever which can be tackled by giving shots to the toddler. If your child spends time with caretakers or babysitters then it is advisable that you keep the informed about the allergies and give them clear instructions about the food the kid is allergic to, the symptoms and the action that needs to be taken if the kid eats the food he or she is allergic to. This would help in keeping the child safe and healthy.

Bed Bugs and Dust Mites: One Bites, The Other Doesn't, Both Are No Good!

Bed Bugs and dust mites are often thought of as the same type of 'bug' or 'mite'. Both are very different animals, but both have been proven to cause allergy symptoms. The smaller of the two, dust mites, have actually been found to be the cause of as much as 60% of all allergy and asthma cases worldwide. So if you have household allergies, lots of sneezing / coughing while at home or the office, you really could have an infestation. But bed bugs are no fun either, and they do bite. Let's take a closer look at both of these pesky invaders, their characteristics and some things you can do to get rid of them.

A bed bug is literally a 'bug', being more from the family of arthropods or insects. Bed bugs definitely do bite by piercing the skin with a 'beak' of sorts, and feed on human blood. Bed bugs are much larger than dust mites, with the adult bed bug growing to 3-5 mm in length. Symptoms of bed bugs include red blotchy, itchy skin, and some psychological effects such as a feeling of something crawling on the skin when nothing is there. Bed bugs and their eggs, like dust mites, are often tracked indoors by humans and pets.

Dust mites are much smaller than bed bugs, with adults growing to only 0.25 mm in length, which is barely visible. They feed on pretty much any kind of organic matter, such as dead skin flakes, food particles, other animal parts such as decaying bed bugs, etc. Dust mites are more related to spiders, have 8 legs, but can't really bite as their mouths or mandibles are designed for chewing, not piercing. They do, however, cause intense skin irritation and itching from the powerful digestive enzymes and body parts of dead dust mites. In fact, the enzymes and body parts are two of the strongest known allergens in the world.but cause far more allergies and asthma than even the pollen count.

Dust mites are most often found wherever there is dust-carpets, furniture, your bed, mattress covers, dust bunnies, etc. If you see dust, you can bet there are about 200 dust mites per gram of dust. Many beds have been found to contain up to 2500 dust mites per gram of dust! Symptoms of dust mite infestation include wheezing, coughing, skin irritation, watery, red eyes, repeated sneezing, to more frequent asthma attacks with no 'apparent' cause. To be sure, you can use air quality test kits that test for the presence of dust mites, allergens, etc. (see author box below).

There's usually no need to test for bed bugs, as they are much larger and you can often see them with the naked eye--in the 'bed', couches, or other sleeping areas. Treatment for bed bug bites usually involves hydrocortisone creams, Benadryl, and other antihistamines / allergy skin creams, etc. Getting rid of bed bugs, like most insects, often require pesticides. Switching to white sheets can sometimes make them easier to see, however, so you can determine if bed bugs are present or not.

Treatment for dust mites mostly involves getting rid of them through regular / vigorous vacuuming, using polyethylene mattress covers, and installing one or more HEPA air purifiers. HEPA air purifiers are much more effective than simple ionic air purifiers because they will trap 99.97% or higher of these offending particles / animals, whereas ionic air purifiers simply attract particles to an electrode with decreasing performance as the electrode becomes dirty and re-releasing particles back into the air as a result. Air purifiers may even be a legitimate medical expense and covered by insurance--check with your doctor.

We constantly review and test air purifiers and there are two highly-effective air purifiers that we would recommend: 1) The Blueair 403 and 2) the Healthmate Plus Air Cleaner from Austin Air. Both have excellent warranties, solid steel construction, and money-back guarantees.

We hope this article helps you understand the difference between bed bugs and dust mites and how to get rid of them. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Coffee Allergy Facts

Is there really such a thing as a coffee allergy? Well, unfortunately for some, an allergy to coffee does occur. Unsurprisingly, the allergic reaction is not limited to drinking coffee. A coffee allergy can also occur if one has contact with coffee beans. An allergic person can also be exposed when using cosmetic products with coffee components.

The most common trigger of the allergic reaction to coffee is its caffeine content. Caffeine is a natural and powerful anti-oxidant. It has also been chemically synthesized for commercial use. Its chemical name is 1, 3 trimethylxanthine. In moderate quantities, it can produce a stimulating effect and bring about alertness and a burst of energy.

On the other hand if it is consumed by a person allergic to coffee, he or she will have rashes, swollen lips or tongue, and possibly wheezing as well. Digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, upset stomach, and hyperacidity may also be experienced.

Allergic contact dermatitis may also be present if the skin of an individual with coffee hypersensitivity comes in contact with coffee beans or even leftover coffee. This can be seen as rashes, swelling, itchiness, or hives on the skin. A prolonged contact may even result to blisters in extreme cases.

Several studies have also indicated coffee allergy to be the responsible party in some mood and anxiety disorders. Cases of manic-depressive disorders and an increased irritability have been noted symptoms of the allergy as well.

Sources of Caffeine

A few common sources of caffeine are coffee, some energy drinks, tea, chocolates, cola drinks, migraine medications, and diet pills. There are times when cross reactions with other plants can be expected with an allergy to coffee. Guarana, yerba mate, as well as Ilex Guayusa are the three most common plants which can cause a cross reaction. Cross reactions occur because there are similarities that can be seen among these plants. The similarities are primarily on the protein structure of its components. The immune system detects this resemblance as the same. Therefore, an allergic reaction can be expected to happen when a coffee allergic person consumes guarana, Ilex Guayusa, or yerba mate.

Risk Factors of Coffee Allergy

The development of an allergic reaction to coffee is postulated to be mostly genetics. This means that if one parent has allergies, the probability of their child to develop allergies rises up to 50 percent. Should both parents have allergies, this probability increases to 70 percent.

Another risk factor would be the length of exposure to the allergen. The longer the person is exposed to coffee or its derivatives, the higher the chance of developing a coffee allergy. On the other hand, this does not imply that everyone who drinks large quantities of coffee will also form allergies to coffee. The exact nature of the development of allergies is still unclear.
Treatment Options

Coffee allergy symptoms can be easily managed with current medications. One can choose between pharmacological or nutraceutical. This means that conventional drugs can be used. Alternately, some herbal preparations can also be taken.
The first line of treatment of allergies is antihistamine drugs. As their name suggests, these drugs counter the effect of histamines in the body. It is useful in controlling the sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat and nose, and some inflammation.
Immunotherapy may also be an option for some people with mild coffee allergy. This therapy involves the gradual introduction of the coffee allergen - caffeine - into the body. The allergen concentration is started at the lowest possible dose. Over time, the body adjusts itself and will slowly become used to the allergen. The therapy is continued until such a time that the body will no longer react to the presence of the allergen.

There are times that coffee allergies may not be detected. Nevertheless, coffee allergies are real and may cause some trouble for certain individuals. The best way to prevent allergic reactions to coffee from happening is to simply avoid any contact with the allergen.

Gluten Allergy - Celiac and Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder. Once thought to be a rare condition affecting only children, it is now known to be more common, affecting as many as two million Americans alone. It is a genetic disease and those with a close family member with a gluten allergy are at increased risk of it. For some individuals, the disease is latent until triggered by an event such as pregnancy, childbirth, surgery or extreme stress.

In a nutshell, individuals with this condition have a gluten intolerance. If they are exposed to gluten, it triggers an allergic reaction in which the body attacks itself, damaging and sometimes destroying the villi that line the small intestines.

Symptoms of a gluten allergy are much like those experienced with other food allergies, but can vary widely between individuals. Digestive problems are common with celiac disease, especially in infants and children. They may include abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting, constipation, chronic diarrhea or pale, fatty, or foul-smelling stools. Weight loss is common in children as a result of these symptoms. Gluten intolerance may also lead to defects in growth and development.

In adults, symptoms may be more varied. Many symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, which is why it may not be diagnosed right away. Symptoms may include bone and joint pain, arthritis, unexplained iron-deficient anemia, fatigue, bone loss or osteoporosis, seizures, tingling or numbness in the extremities, canker sores or dermatitis herpetaformis, an itchy skin rash. Women may also experience reproductive problems such as missed menstrual periods, miscarriages or infertility.

Left untreated, gluten intolerance can lead to more serious symptoms. Because the body's response to a gluten allergy is to attack the villi of the small intestine, the body has a decreased ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition. Liver diseases or digestive cancers can also result.

Many people with celiac disease have other conditions in which the body attacks itself. These may include Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease or Sjogren's syndrome. These conditions may bring additional symptoms.

Symptoms of these conditions may include frequent urination, vision disturbances or problems, slow healing time, weight loss or gain, jaundice, joint stiffness, muscle weakness or fatigue, irritability or increased occurrence of infections. Many of these conditions have similar symptoms to gluten intolerance, which may mask the underlying gluten allergy.

Because of the varied symptoms that come with celiac disease and the probability of more serious conditions also being present, you should talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis. A food journal may be helpful in diagnosing the condition if you can link gluten with symptoms. Keep in mind that gluten, while generally found in food, is also sometimes found in places you might not expect, including vitamins, medicines and lip balms.

To confirm a diagnosis of a gluten allergy, your doctor may run blood tests or order an intestinal biopsy. The blood tests look for specific antibodies which elevate in patients with gluten intolerance. If blood tests indicate celiac disease, the biopsy is generally done to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor will remove small pieces from the small intestine to look for villi damage.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms

Gluten allergy makes allergic people miserable. Symptoms of Gluten allergy are like runny nose or itchy eyes, which troubles the person in day to day life. A person should be careful about the food which leads such allergy.

Some substances in food and the atmosphere can make the allergic patients go absolutely miserable. Many of these substances can not be seen by normal eyes but produce allergic reactions. Such substances may present in a small piece of bread or a beautiful flower or a comfortable bed. So people suffering from this allergy have to be very careful about things like what they are eating?

Gluten substance is an important ingredient and it is present in wheat, barley, rye and oats. It is very difficult for a person to avoid gluten allergy because these ingredients present into our daily food. However those affected by this allergy should avoid eating this kind of food on daily basis even if that is their favorite food.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms Can Be Mysterious

These allergy symptoms appear just after meal. Sometimes they suddenly appear within few minutes after eating food containing gluten.

Even if there is no black mold on bread, it may contain the gluten. Bread looks and tastes better even if it has a problem.

Intestinal cramps are one of the very painful symptoms of Gluten allergy. Its symptoms also include red eyes and difficulty in breathing. People with these symptoms will not be able to diagnose the problem without help of medical professionals.

They will probably need to have a series of tests to get to the root of the problem. After exact determination of the cause only the patient can get correct diagnosis.

Are You Allergic To Dogs?

Humans in general are not allergic to animals; however, some with hypersensitive immune system can become allergic to animals. Since most of us have cats or dogs in our homes, any allergy due to animals is most likely to be caused by a dog, or a cat.

Causes of dog allergies

People can be allergic to dog's dander, saliva, or urine. As most dogs urinate at outside places, the most common causes of allergies due to dog is saliva, or dander. Dander is the dead skin shed by dog. Many times, pollen that gets stuck to the coat of dogs can also cause allergies to pollen sensitive people.

Types of dog allergies caused

Allergy causing proteins (allergens) from dogs can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, running nose, coughing, and shortness of breath, wheezing, and serious asthma attack. Skin problems like, red skin rashes. You might experience headaches, or fatigue. If hands from dogs are directly touched to eyes, then it may also cause itchy and watery eyes. Different people may experience one or more type of these symptoms.

Some times, you may mistakenly consider an allergy to be caused by the dog. It is therefore important that you verify that the source of allergy. To do this, the simplest way is to keep the dog two to three months away from home. During this time, clean your home properly. Wash all the walls, floors, and steam clean the carpets. Clean all the furniture, and door and window covers. Allow air to pass through the house, so that the allergens that might be suspended in the air get removed. Cleaning the house of allergens might take more than three months. During this time, check the allergy symptoms. After 3 to 4 months, if you need bring the dog in the house, and compare the symptoms. This will give you an idea whether the allergy is due to pet or something else.

Prevention from dog allergies

1. Allergy from dogs is mostly caused by dander, and so controlling dander can help reducing the possibility of allergies from dogs. Here are few steps that can be taken so that allergy risks can be minimized

2. Bath your dog once or twice every week. It is better to have the dog accustomed to bath since young age, as the dog will later resist. It is better give the dog-medicated bath, or you can use a dog shampoo.

3. Take a proper bathe after bathing the dog, or cleaning dog cloths, beds, and other dog stuff.

4. Do not allow dogs to enter the bedrooms, and in no case allow them to get over the bed.

5. Spray anti-allergen powder at all the places where the dog lives.

6. At times when there is no pollen outside (some people are allergic to pollen), open the doors, and windows, to that the air passes through the house.

7. Put a sheet on the furniture, and car seat before allowing the dog to sit on them. Leather sheets are best.

9. Use HEPA room air cleaners, as they are best for people suffering from asthma, and other dog allergies.

10. Finally, provide your dog good multivitamin, and fatty acid diet. This will keep the dog free of diseases. Every body loves a good-looking healthy dog.

Symptom Assessment, Food Diary and Elimination Diet in Food Intolerance and Allergy - A Primer

Celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, cow's milk protein sensitivity and other food intolerance may be associated with numerous digestive and non-digestive symptoms. Some of the most common non-digestive symptoms include fatigue or sense of being overly tired, headaches, bone, joint and/or muscle pain, mental fogginess or impaired attention, nerve pain (neuropathy), and painful or severely itchy skin rashes. The most common digestive symptoms include feeling of excess fullness with meals or afterwards, bloating or distended abdomen, diarrhea, excess or foul gas, constipation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Rating the severity and frequency of common symptoms, in particularly creating and tracking your own individual "Top Ten Symptoms" will be very helpful to you and your doctor, especially when combined with a detailed food-symptom diary. In addition to medical tests like blood work, stool samples, and endoscopic exams, assessing symptoms for severity and frequency before, during and after an elimination diet trial is critical. This helps determine if certain foods are causing or aggravating your symptoms.

The foundation of treating food intolerance usually includes an elimination diet. Prior to an elimination diet, a food diary is usually kept and reviewed for trends by a doctor. In the context of your medical history, symptoms, family history and medical evaluation a medical evaluation is usually recommended that may include blood and stool tests, skin testing for food allergens, and scope examinations of the upper and/or lower digestive tract. Your medical evaluation however could vary widely based your doctor's experience, specialty, biases about food allergies or intolerance and your history, symptoms and age.

Before seeing a doctor for an evaluation for possible food intolerance or allergy you should establish an initial symptom's list that includes your baseline rating of the frequency and severity of your symptoms. This should be done before making any change in your diet or eating pattern. A scale of 1-5 or 1-10 is commonly used to rate symptom severity and frequency. Within 2-3 weeks I will be publishing a very inexpensive symptom-food diary. You may try using a spiral notebook to record what you eat and track at least weekly your personal "Top Ten" list of the most common or troubling symptoms by severity and frequency. With a written record, you and your doctor can more easily track your progress and identify any trends.

For 28 days, I recommend you eliminate all grains, legumes, and dairy as well as processed foods. Foods in those categories are the most common foods that cause people problems. In those categories you find the foods that have commonly identified food proteins, lectins, gluten or casein that are known or suspected to cause symptoms. The foundation for the elimination diet is commonly referred to as the paleolithic, neanderthal, hunter-gatherer, caveman or simply Paleo diet as popularized by the health scientist Loren Cordain, Ph.D. in his numerous scientific publications and book The Paleo Diet.

The basis for the initial diet consists of lean meats and fish (unless fish allergic), fresh fruits and vegetables with additional foods eliminated based on your personal history. For example, you eliminate any foods that are specific to you based on any known food allergies, intolerance or suspected food intolerance because of your genetics, family history, presence of nasal, pollen or skin allergies, or prior medical tests. In particular, certain foods are known to cause reactions in some people who have documented allergies to grass, weeds, and/or tree pollens, house dust mite and latex. The latter food sensitivity association is well recognized clinically as the oral allergy syndrome (OAS). The modification of the Paleo diet based on individual assessment I have termed the Neo-Paleo Specific Diet.

4 weeks or 28 days of following your Neo-Paleo Specific Diet is recommended before attempting to re-introduce foods one at a time, every week to two weeks, while continuing to track your symptoms. This allows your gut time to heal and establish a long enough time to establish a pattern of adequate diet elimination and symptom pattern assessment. Theoretically, this should allow those with dietary induced gut injury or irritation associated with any "leaky gut" predisposition to heal adequately to reduce abnormal immune reactions or absorption of foods and/or food derived proteins and gut bacteria. It also may take some time for you to identify hidden sources of possible problem foods and adjust to your new eating pattern.

You should also be aware that some people experience classic withdrawal like symptoms in the first 3-7 days of eliminating certain foods, in particular grains and dairy products. Gluten, in products made from wheat, and casein, in products containing cow's milk, contain morphine like substances. These can be addictive.

The key to determining if certain foods are contributing to how you feel and the kinds of symptoms you are experiencing, is an adequate trial of elimination combined with accurate recording of what you eat and how you feel. A commitment of 4 weeks strictly eliminating the foods recommended according to your specific assessment while recording accurately what you are eating and how you feel will help you identify patterns and stay motivated to eliminate, restrict or rotate regularly any problem foods.

Overcoming Allergies to Pets

These days, so many people are trying to live allergies and pets...Dealing with the constant congestion, itching and wheezing, the splitting headaches and other discomforts of allergies, and loving the furry source of all this misery is a tough spot to be in. But it's exactly where an estimated ten million American pet owners find themselves right now.

Beyond the wonderful companionship and unconditional love, dogs and cats have some remarkable physical effects on the body.

Caring and cuddling these little (and sometimes not so little) critters can reduce anxiety and actually lower our blood pressure. What an enjoyable, simple and totally natural way to do something good for your health.

Allergy symptoms that are caused by pets bring on the discomforts we're all familiar with - those itchy, watery eyes, blotchy hives, constant sneezing, awful congestion - sometimes even asthma.

Experts believe that you can develop a dog allergy some months or even years after making the pet a part of your life. If this happens to you, your best bet is to get tested to be sure your symptoms are a result of man's best friend - and not other allergens like pollen, dust or mold - that can also be culprits.

In rare instances people outgrow allergies, including those to pets.

One of the best ways to comfortably co-exist with your beloved furry friend is to identify your allergy and undergo a series of shots to desensitize your system. Over the counter or prescription medications are also available to treat the symptoms, though the best remedy is to remove the pet from the home.

If you're a pet lover with identified allergies, you may have heard of hypoallergenic breeds, like those being considered by President-elect Barak Obama's family. The problem is, according to experts, there really is no such thing as hypoallergenic breeds.

Research has shown that allergies aren't caused by the hair, allergens are produced by the animal's saliva, dander and urine - so even a hairless dog, or one of the breeds often identified as hypoallergenic such as bichon frises, poodles and Malteses willproduce allergens that are brought into the environment.

There really isn't any research that points to whether certain breeds are more allergy-friendly than others, though the main dog allergen that people often react to isn't present in all dogs. The most important factors related to pet allergies are the size of the animal and the volume of hair it has. Of course an outdoor animal can bring pollens, mold spores and other allergens into the home that may also trigger an allergy attack.

Before you commit to a new pet, consider a trial period so you can see how the person who has the allergies manages.

If you just fall in love with a four legged friend, yet someone at home has pet allergies, here are some tips you can try to keep everyone happy. You can...

- Keep the bedrooms pet free zones, no exceptions.

- Wash bedding weekly, including the pet's bed.

- Have as little carpeting in the main living area as you can.

- Vacuum any carpeting daily.

- Use a HEPA air filter in the bedroom to trap and remove allergens from the air.

- Wash the dog once or twice each week.

- Wash your own hands after interacting with the animal.

By following these few steps you can help yourself cope with the awful symptoms allergies to pets cause and still live with the pet you love.

ADD and Allergies - Is There a Link?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders in the United States and is typically a life long problem. Children with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships, poor performance in school, focus and attention problems, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity.

If your child has more than 3 of these symptoms, allergies could be the culprit.

• Inattention


• Easily Distracted


• Difficulty focusing


• Become bored, especially if it's something they don't like.


• Difficulty focusing.


• Organizational skills are usually lacking and learning new things can be a challenge.


• Poor followthrough. Not finishing homework assignments, losing homework and misplacing items are typical.


• Doesn't seem like they are listening when spoken to.


• Daydream


• Problems following directions, becomes confused easily.


• Can't sit still.


• Constantly talking


• Must touch everything in sight.


• Have trouble sitting still in school, at dinner or on the bus.


• Is constantly in motion.


• Problems with quiet time.


• Impatient


• Blurts out inappropriate comments, shows emotions without restraint and act without regard to consequences


• Have difficulty waiting for a reward or waiting in line.


• Often interrupt conversations.

Why is ADD under-reported?

Because children may sit quietly and may not be paying attention to what they are doing, the child can be overlooked, parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.

Could food allergies have an effect on your child's behavior?

That's the word from doctors at Long Island College Hospital in New York City, who presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Denver.

The study involved 20 children between the ages of 5 and 18, all of whom had been diagnosed with ADHD. But only two had been evaluated for allergy problems, even though all had a family history.

The researchers screened the children for allergic rhinitis, using not only a focused personal and family history, but also blood and other types of allergy testing for mold, cockroaches, dogs, cats, feathers, ragweed, trees and grass.

The results? Eight of the children (40 percent) were diagnosed with asthma or atopic dermatitis, three (23 percent) with allergic rhinitis, and nine (69 percent) had at least one positive allergy test. Fifteen of the 20 also had a history of at least two allergic symptoms.

Based on those findings, the researchers concluded that a high percentage of children with ADHD may also harbor allergies.

The authors suggest all children diagnosed with ADHD should also be tested for seasonal and environmental allergies and that treatment might improve their overall behavior and symptoms.

Many parents will acknowledge that too much soda and candy makes their kids bounce off the walls on a sugar high, but what if a child's persistent hyperactivity was caused by tomatoes, eggs, gluten or some other seemingly innocuous food?

That is what a Dutch study published found. In kids with ADHD, researchers found that putting them on a restrictive diet to eliminate possible, previously unknown food allergies or sensitivities decreased hyperactivity for 64 percent of kids.

It isn't the first time researchers have tried to link ADHD to things kids eat, such as sugar, food dyes or other preservatives, but even with this recent study, pediatricians remain skeptical of a true connection between diet and hyperactivity disorders.

A study published today in the Journal of Pediatrics says that one type of pesticide commonly used on fruits and vegetables may be contributing to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Researchers took urine from over 1,000 participants ages 8 to 15 and analyzed it for pesticides. 119 of the children had symptoms of ADHD. Those with the highest concentration of pesticides were more likely to have the disorder, according to the study.

"It's consistent with other studies that have looked at organophosphate pesticides and have found that exposure of children to organophosphates in early life can cause brain injury. This study builds on those other studies," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

If there is a link between allergies and behavior problems, if we are able to eliminate allergies from these children, would it be possible to improve behavior, concentration and offer these kids a more normal life. That's the opinion of Dr. Ynge Ljung who has created a home allergy treatment that addresses what is believed to contribute to this disorder.

The Allergy Kit, as it is called, not only treats most food allergies, but also treats herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, vaccines and childhood vaccinations. Milk, sugar and gluten are also believed to contribute to ADD and is also treated in The Allergy Kit using natural allergy remedies.

Do yourself and your child a favor and check out the newest natural allergy treatment and get your life back and bring peace back to your family. It's fast, easy, safe and permanent.

Child Allergy Symptoms - What Do You Need to Look For?

Allergies cause a wide range of symptoms and effect children in different ways, when your child experiences the symptoms for the first time, you may not actually realise that they have had an allergic reaction, this is because many child allergy symptoms are similar to those of other common childhood infections or conditions.

Typical symptoms

Your child may have just one allergy symptom or several, the symptoms are often similar for different allergic diseases and can change over time. General allergy symptoms include:

A runny nose
Sneezing
A blocked or stuffy nose
Itchy eyes, ears, lips, throat or roof of the mouth
Coughing, especially at night
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Rashes
Tiredness
Redness in the face

Some of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses too, so it's important to see your GP if you are worried about them.

Hidden symptoms

Sometimes an allergy can cause symptoms that aren't typical, especially in children, making them less easy to spot. These include:

Headaches
Unexplained irritability
Nausea
Itching with no sign of a rash
Digestive upset
Hyperactivity

If your child has any unusual, severe or persistent symptoms, it's important to get them checked out by your GP. They may be signs of an allergy but could also be something completely different, for example, persistent or recurrent diarrhoea may be due to a problem with their digestive system.

Recognising allergic children

There are some physical signs that can alert an allergy doctor to a child with child allergies before they do any allergy tests. These include:

Unhealthy pale complexion, many children with multiple allergies are also small for their age
Allergic shiners, these dark circles under the eyes look like the beginning of a black eye or smudged mascara, or you may just assume your child isn't getting enough sleep. But they are more likely to be due to an increased blood flow near your child's sinuses
Creases under the eyelids., called Dennie-Morgan lines, these are associated with nose-related and chest- related allergies in young children
Allergic or `nasal` salute. Children with a constant runny nose tend to rub their noses upwards with the palm of their hand. This can also lead to a crease across the bridge of the nose
Pulling funny faces. If a child's nose, ears or eyes are itchy, they may twitch or wiggle their face. Some children also sniff constantly
Dry, rough skin. This is particularly common on the checks, upper arms and chest, as well as in the creases of the elbows and behind the knees
Poor attention span. Children with glue ear may have difficulty hearing, which can lead to poor concentration.

Classical allergic diseases

These are the main allergic (atopic) diseases that affect children

Allergic rhinitis affects over 20% of the UK population, according to the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guidelines for the management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms:

A blocked and/ or runny nose
Sneezing
Itching
Streaming eyes
Sometimes asthma

If the symptoms occur throughout the year (called perennial allergic rhinitis) they may be mistaken for a persistent cold. Symptoms that occur in specific seasons are called seasonal allergic rhinitis, or more commonly hay fever; eye symptoms are called allergic conjunctivitis

If you are worried about any child allergy symptoms or that your child may be suffering from child allergies it is always best to get them checked out by your GP even if it is not anything to worry about.

Dog Bacteria Allergies - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Bacterial allergy in dogs is related to skin diseases in dogs. It is a very type of bacteria exiting everywhere, but in small amounts. If your dog is allergic to bacteria, you need to take certain care. For that you must find out whether the dog is suffering from bacterial allergy.

The symptoms of bacterial allergy are as follows:-
1. The dog will rub his face or body on the carpet or furniture or it will constantly rub his body.
2. His eyes will appear watery, red and itchy.
3. You will observe considerable hair loss and red blotches all over the body which will result in an unpleasant odor.

Some of the symptoms of the bacterial allergy are explained above. Apart from these, you will also find recurrent ear infections, chewing or licking of paws. You might wonder How to take care of this men's best friend? This is a common health problem found in dogs. But the good news for you is that you can cure this disease. After taking a short treatment, the dog will be back to normal. There may be n number of reasons why the dog has this allergy. When the master or owner is going through a crisis, dogs may face emotional stress which may result in skin problems. It is a general misunderstanding that long haired dogs tend to get more allergic problems. But it's not the issue.

To check whether your dog is going through any skin disease take him to a doctor. He will do the necessary skin tests or blood tests of your dog and will find out if he has some allergies. Often it takes sometime to get to the level of danger. The dog may be allergic to certain tree or house dust mites, as well.

The first step to save your dog from bacterial allergy is avoidance therapy. The offending agent should be avoided completely or if not possible, it should be reduced as minimal as possible. Use of shampoos and rinses once in two weeks will help dogs and give them short-term relief. It will give 80% success. Treatment for skin diseases is time consuming. Once the allergy is identified dog is injected with altered antigens. They are given on monthly or weekly basis. This proves good for the young dogs. It is a good treatment option. There is another dosing program arranged for individual dog in the form of a tablet, which is simpler than ejaculating.

Every dog will respond differently to the treatment. So before finding the effective treatment, your dog needs to go through some other treatments too. Antihistamines are one of the best skin treatments for dog, which is effective in controlling 30% of allergic dogs. Some of the common side effects are dry mouth, decreased appetite; hyperactivity is seen in some dogs. It will decrease as the treatment is stopped.

Why a List of Gluten Intolerance Symptoms Doesn't Help Much

If you are trying to determine whether or not you have celiac disease, you may have hit up your favorite search engine for a list of symptoms. But I'm afraid gluten sensitivity can't be encapsulated with a simple list. Let me explain why.

There Are Over 250 Symptoms Associated With Gluten Intolerance

The first reason any list will not help you is that celiac disease and varying degrees of gluten sensitivities feature an enormous, evolving and growing list of symptoms. Most people experience just a small subset of those symptoms, but that subset of symptoms could often represent an entirely different disease or condition.

If you were to look at a genuine attempt at a complete list of symptoms of celiac disease, it would read like an overwhelming collective list of dozens of other diseases or conditions. It could also imply to some people that if they didn't experience a large number of those specific symptoms, they did not have celiac sprue disease. And that is dangerously mistaken.

Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms Often Overlap With Other Problems

For example, in adults anemia is a common symptom of gluten sensitivity. But anemia could also occur if you are not consuming enough iron in your diet or if you have some other problem with your digestive tract, like an ulcer or Barrett's esophagus.

Osteoporosis is another symptom among celiac adults. But osteoporosis can represent a wide variety of conditions or simply represent a lack of vitamin D and/or calcium in the diet.

The most common symptoms associated with an intolerance to gluten are diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating, along with cramping. All of these could also indicate a wide number of conditions, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Lactose intolerance and candida problems can also mimic problems digesting gluten, so if you are worried about suffering from celiac sprue disease because of certain symptoms, you should also have yourself evaluated for these problems.

The Terms Gluten Intolerance, Wheat Allergy and Celiac Disease Are Not Synonyms

Another reason a simple list of gluten intolerance symptoms may not help you too much is that many websites often confuse a wheat allergy for a gluten sensitivity or vice versa. Furthermore, some assume that if you have an intolerance to gluten that you automatically have celiac disease, which is not true.

Others may imply that if you test negative for celiac disease than you can consume gluten. That definitely is not true as there are varying degrees of gluten intolerance and one can be diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity and still require a gluten-free diet.

So try to delineate the differences between these different terms and understand what the symptoms you personally are experiencing may mean in the context of your diet and your overall health profile.

Dust Allergy Symptoms

Allergies may occur with anyone. It is the reaction of the immune system against certain allergen. Almost 10% of the US population suffers from dust mite allergy. Dust mites are spider-like creatures that multiply in humid places. They cannot be seen by the naked eye but have a bigger effect as allergen. Since the root cause of this allergy is inside the house, it is a very challenging condition to overcome. The symptoms of dust allergy are symptoms that may be aggravated while cleaning the house. And for some severe cases, wheezes and asthma develops.

You may have a dust allergy but it does not mean a dusty and dirty home. Numerous house dusts differ from every house. A fragment of dust contains pet dander, bacteria, insects, mold spores, dust mites and many others that breeds tiny mites and attack the skin and breathed into the lungs. It is easy to detect whether a person is suffering from dust allergy just simply get rid of those dust collectors inside the house. No matter how hard the vacuuming or dusting, dust mites will never be eliminated. The good thing about them is that they do not bite, nor spread disease. They just die if the humidity falls below 40 to 50%. Treatment to dust mite's allergy are antihistamines, nasal spray, decongestant and avoidance to allergen.

It would be a good idea for people to do everything possible to avoid dust mites. Those who suffer from this condition must learn to adapt their home. If it is possible have at least a little furniture. Clean every house wall and floor with damp cloth. Use bedding that can be washed easily. Choose a wooden or plastic chair. Dust mites don't live longer in hot and cold surroundings, so avoid using air humidifier. If a person is to be exposed in a dusty area, make sure a mask is always available. And lastly, do not smoke inside the house. Severe cases cause complications like respiratory diseases, otitis or inflammation of the ear, insomnia and over fatigue and hospitalization due to asthma. As it is always said, avoidance is better than cure.

Use a Chlorine Filter To Reduce Your Chlorine Allergy

Do you feel uncomfortable swimming in public pool? Do you get itchy skin after taking a shower in your house? You should be careful with those symptoms because you might be allergic to chlorine. In this article, you will learn what you need to do if you have chlorine allergy.

Chlorine Allergy

Chlorine is a chemical compound used in the water treatment process. People usually use this compound to remove any unwanted living organism from the water. They usually put chlorine in swimming pool. Water in our house contains chlorine because people also put chlorine in the water to remove any bacteria living inside. Nowadays, many people are sensitive to this product. You might be one of them. If you are sensitive to chlorine, make sure that you read this article to learn more how to use house chlorine water filter to reduce your allergy symptoms. You need to use this filter to remove all residual chlorine in the water.

Benefits of a Chlorine Filter

There are many benefits of using this chlorine filter to reduce your allergy symptoms. Here, I only show you some common benefits that you will get if you put chlorine filter on your shower.

1. Get healthy hair

Many hairdressers believe that chlorinated water causes excessive dryness of your hair. They always recommend you to wash your hair with shampoo after swimming in order to remove chlorine from your hair. When you use chlorine filter, you will be able to rinse your hair with clean water without any residual chlorine in the water.

2. Reduce your allergy symptoms

If you are allergic to chlorine, it is better for you to put a filter on your shower. Do not let yourself be exposed to chlorine because it will lead you to severe symptoms, such as asthma, itchy eyes, itchy throat, itchy skin, rashes, or even vomiting. By putting this filter on your shower, you will be able to control your allergy effectively.

3. Cut down your allergy treatment cost

You can cut down your allergy treatment cost, especially if you are allergic to chlorine. Using the chlorine filter in your house is cheaper than using some allergy medications from your doctor. This chlorine filter does not have side effects that can threaten your life.

4. Filter some chemical contaminants from your water

This filter will also help you to remove all unwanted chemical contaminants from the water. By doing so, you will be able to reduce your allergy symptoms quickly.

Are You Allergic to Gluten?

There is a lot of discussion about gluten intolerance and gluten allergies, but not everyone understands what it means to be allergic to gluten or suffer intolerance. Many people assume gluten is bad and stop eating it, even if they show no allergy symptoms. Research shows only about 15% of the population suffers from any kind of gluten intolerance. Though it can be helpful for weight loss to cut back on gluten and wheat, there is no sense completely eliminating a whole food from your diet unless you must.

There are actually three different types of gluten sensitivity. Determining where you fall among these three categories if you react poorly to gluten can help you determine how to build your diet.

Celiac disease is the worst of the gluten problems. It occurs when your immune system overreacts to gluten. Over time this overreaction stresses the villi in your intestintes, making it more and more difficult to digest any type of food. People unable to digest food properly are unable to get the nutrition they need and their health gets worse and worse.

There is also such a thing as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The symptoms are similar to celiac disease, but there is no definitive diagnosis. The best way to determine if you suffer from a gluten sensitivity, but not from celiac disease, is to eliminate gluten from your diet and see if your symptoms improve. If symptoms disappear, but you still test negative for celiac, you likely have a sensitivity.

The third category of gluten sensitivity is a wheat allergy. This occurs when the body produces a histamine response to wheat, just as it would to other allergy triggers. Symptoms are different than they are for celiac related gluten intolerance and can include hives or stomach pain.

The majority of the symptoms listed below are triggered by celiac disease or non-celiac-gluten sensitivity, but there can be some crossover for those with a wheat allergy.

• Abdominal issues including distention, pain, cramping, and bloating
• Digestive issues including diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and foul-smelling flatulence or stools
• Anemia
• Arthritis and joint pain
• Attention disorders
• Stomach rumbling not caused by hunger
• Failure to thrive
• Depression, anxiety, and irritability
• Skin problems
• Fatigue
• Gluten ataxia
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Infertility
• Mouth sores
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• Teeth and gum problems
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Unexplained weight loss

These problems can occur in response to poor nutrition due to the inability to digest food properly as a result of the intolerance or they can be symptoms of a gluten problem. There are also other things not included on this list that occasionally arise in people with gluten issues.

If you believe you have a gluten or wheat sensitivity, speak with your doctor. He or she will likely recommend dietary changes, including the completely elimination of gluten at least temporarily, as well as specific allergy tests.

Cure For Allergies - 3 Natural Ways to Cure Your Allergies

In this article we will discuss a cure for allergies and 3 natural ways you can cure your allergies and start feeling better. Suffering from allergies on a daily basis is a silent epidemic among many; yet we are expected to go through our day like we feel fine. We are not sick, so we don't get the day off, yet we feel 100% worse than a person with a cold. Allergy medication doesn't always help and it can be dangerous to take long term, so what is the answer for people who suffer from allergies? Read the 3 natural cures below and see if you can start feeling better now without the aid of medications.

1. Neti Pot: A neti pot can be used to clear out the sinus cavities, this helps to reduce allergy symptoms as many of the causes can be directly linked to the material that gets trapped in the sinuses and causes irritation. While it may seem strange to do this technique at first, it looks worse than it is and can dramatically decrease if not eliminate allergy symptoms when done on a regular basis.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Drinking apple cider vinegar upon onset of allergy symptoms or as a daily regimen has allowed many people to completely stop the histamine response and prevent their allergies. You can mix 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar with 16 oz. of water and sip it throughout the day, or drink the entire mixture all at once. Often one dose of this will stop the allergy symptoms, but others need to take it up to 3 times a day to see results. If you drink this mixture when your allergies begin, you can usually see your symptoms disappear within 1-3 a hours. It may taste disgusting at first, but you get used to it and benefits greatly outweigh the flavor!

3. Elimination Diet: A more drastic, but very effective way to cure allergy symptoms is to go on an elimination diet. Many people are allergic to common ingredients like wheat or dairy and don't even know it. By removing gluten and dairy from your diet for 2-6 weeks, you can clear out anything from your body that is triggering your allergies. After the few weeks have past, slowly reintroduce these foods one at a time and note if your symptoms return. There are many other foods that can trigger allergies, such as night shades, so it may be necessary to eliminate other foods strategically to find out what is your trigger.

This article talked about a cure for allergies that doesn't include allergy drugs. Using a Neti pot on a regular basis, drinking apple cider vinegar and trying an elimination diet to see if there are any hidden food allergies causing your daily symptoms can often be the best cure for allergies.

Dog Allergy Symptoms Are A Warning You Need To Listen To

Dogs can suffer with allergies as well as people. There are certain dog allergy symptoms that can alert you that your dog is having a reaction to something in his environment. It could be something he has eaten, something that is eating him or it may just be something in the air.

The most common allergy to affect dogs is an allergic reaction to fleas. Symptoms of a flea allergy are easy to spot. Constant scratching and biting of the dogs coat around his tail or hind leg area are a sure indication of fleas. Fortunately this is relatively easy to overcome. Simply shampoo your dog with a quality anti-flea shampoo regularly. You will have to be persistent with this until the flea life-cycle has been broken.

A good natural way to soothe an itchy dog is to bathe him in a solution of oatmeal or aloe-vera. It may be a good idea to invest in a flea collar to prevent re-infestation and don't forget to treat his bedding at the same time.

Dog allergy symptoms from food are not as easy to deal with. These include mainly vomiting and diarrhea. The most common allergens in a typical dog's diet are soy, corn, wheat and dairy - all the foods he's not really supposed to be eating! Try cutting these ingredients out and see if the symptoms improve. You may have to prepare your dog's meals for a while if you can't find a high protein commercial brand in the shops. Your vet may be able to organise an allergy test if you are unable to find the source of the allergy through any other means.

Other causes of dog allergy symptoms include pollutants in the air. This may be dust and mold inside the house or pollen and dust outside. Regular vacuuming and cleaning will keep the dust down inside, but it's not possible to control the air outside the house. On bad days your dog may be better off inside, or you could ask the vet for some antihistamines which will lower your dog's sensitivity to a range of allergens.

Last on the list of potential dog allergy symptoms are those from contact allergies. Similar to contact dermatitis in humans, dogs may develop a rash when exposed to the allergen. Some possibilities are wool, soap powder and even plastic. Common sense may be used here by simply substituting a low allergenic material, such as glass or metal for a higher one, such as plastic and rinsing your dog's bedding to rid it of any traces of detergent.

As you can see, allergy symptoms in dogs are very similar to those in humans and the remedy in most cases is much the same. Allergies, if caught early should not cause any damage to your dog's health, but if left untreated can cause ill health and even death in extreme cases. Always consult your vet if your dog is showing any symptoms that can't be easily explained.

Help I Am Allergic To Cheese

If you have Cheese Allergy and we discount any possibility of this allergy being related to an allergy to milk, then you more than likely have what is call a Food Intolerance instead of an allergy. During the fermenting process the milk products are separated into Curds and Whey. Most of the proteins responsible for the allergy reactions are in the Whey byproduct produced and the Curd portion will normally have very little or none of the proteins.

Histamines sometimes occur naturally in foods and when ingested can mimic an allergic reaction. Fermented foods such as cheese, and sauerkraut contain histamine, especially Blue cheese, Roquefort, and Parmesan.

The human body contains an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase that is responsible for the metabolizing of histamines. When the histamine-metabolizing enzyme Diamine Oxidase is saturated and the enzyme cannot metabolize any more of the histamine ingested then an allergic like reaction can occur.

Symptoms are usually dose related and the amount of histamines ingested determines the severity of the symptoms. Symptom includes cramping, flushing of the skin, headache, heart palpitations and hypo tension. Symptoms are not usually life-threatening.

Another problem with eating cheese is that mold can grow on cheese. This mold can be closely related to penicillin. Penicillin allergies are usually associated with the penicillin injections but for anyone suffering from an extreme allergy to penicillin should avoid ingesting any.

If you suffer from mold allergies or if you are allergic to mold spores then mold growing on cheese can also be a problem. Never take a chance with your life. Be sure the cheese you eat is fresh and mold is not growing on it. Discard any cheese that has any type of discoloration on it that may indicate mold is growing it.

No mater what type of allergy you are suffering from their is a good chance that you can find relief from the allergy symptoms. Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Quercitin, and Bromellain.

Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercetin. Take 100 mg twice daily.

If you are Allergic To Cheese then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Symptoms of Dust Mites, Allergies, and the Adverse Health Effects of DMA's

Do You, or Your Family Members, Suffer from One or More of These Symptoms?

Recent clinical studies indicate that the symptoms listed below prominently appear directly after awakening from an expected good night's sleep, in you're supposedly, comfortable and cozy bed! Dust mites have been known to be associated with allergies since the 1960's and have in recent years become a "focal point" due to their involvement with respiratory ailments. The dust mite by itself is not harmful to humans...

BUT dust mites produce a very potent allergen called "guanine" which is harmful to EVERYONE'S health, to varying degrees. Dust mites live, thrive, and breed, in the micro-habitat (visualize a little eco-system) that we create while sleeping in our beds. They also thrive wherever we spend our leisure time, such as lying on our upholstered sofas or sitting on our upholstered chairs watching television, doing homework, or entertaining. Dust mites do not bite or sting but constant contact with the allergens they produce can trigger respiratory and dermatological complaints in humans. There are other species of dust mites such as the itch mite, as well as predatory mites that share the same dusty environment.

Just some of the symptoms of dust mite allergens (DMA's) include:

• itchy skin (little bumps and rashes),


• stuffy nasal cavities,


• sneezing,


• puffy, swollen or discolored eyelids,


• irritated, watery, and reddish eyes,


• wheezing


• "tight" chest,


• head or sinus aches,


• a raspy voice,


• dry, unproductive cough,


• feelings of lethargy (no "get up and go"),


• mental fatigue,


• depression

The above symptoms are just the mild, temporary ill-health effects (temporary, if you want to call the first few hours, of each morning of your life...temporary!) associated with household dust, the #1 dominant home indoor air pollutants. But, the long-term ill-health effects are truly much worse and can result in permanent, life-long illnesses such as:

• asthma,


• bronchitis,


• perennial rhinitis (hay fever),


• eczema,


• dermatitis,


• sinus infections

and other serious health issues, affecting millions of people. House dust contains a mixture of approximately 28 allergenic components. Typically, dust mite allergens account for the majority of the harmful components of dust, more than any other single particulate.

Due to their microscopic size, (the fecal pellets are about 20 microns in size and the ever disintegrating exoskeletons are even much smaller) dust mite allergens can become airborne simply by walking across a room, opening a door, "fluffing" a pillow as you attempt to fall asleep, or rolling over in bed (an act that occurs on average 50 to 60 times per night), and of course, during such activities as bed making. These are just a few of the activities that cause dust mites and their associated allergens to become and remain airborne for up to two hours at a time before settling throughout the entire house. A single dust mite, due to its heavier weight, can remain airborne for fifteen minutes. This negates the effectiveness of costly dust mite-proof mattress covers and bedding which attempts to solve the problem by simply "covering up" or placing a "band-aid" over the problem as the dust and allergens that are not inhaled, simply continue to "float about" the indoor air and accumulate on your bedding, as well as everywhere else.

While airborne, the allergens are easily inhaled and become attached to the living cells that line the "walls" of your lungs. Once attached, they suffocate and kill your healthy lung cells causing permanent damage. Dust mites practice coprophagia, meaning, in lean times they will use their own fecal pellets as a food source. Dust mite fecal pellets, which contain "guanine" and their digestive enzymes, are a major cause of allergies across the world. The powerful enzymes in the fecal pellets break down hard-to-digest food for later nourishment. It is these enzymes that cause and trigger allergies in humans by breaking down delicate living tissue including healthy lung cells.

Dust mites are living, thriving, and breeding by the millions, in your mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, draperies, fluffy stuffed toys, and to a lesser extent (only because, hopefully, it is frequently vacuumed) carpeting. Pillows, alone, may gain 15-25% in weight over a two year span, from the accumulation of dust mite allergens and a host of other contaminants.

Children, especially those who breathe rapidly such as newborns and those up to 5 years of age, are particularly susceptible to the health hazards from inhaling the allergens (especially the potent allergen "guanine") found in the fecal matter, secretions, shed (molted) skins, and the exoskeletons of dead dust mites. The elderly, chronically ill persons, and persons with a weak immune system (even if just temporary) are also very susceptible to ill-health effects of dust mite allergens and poor indoor air quality.

Dust mites are nocturnal, dislike strong light and will take refuge in the seams, ledges, cording and framework of furniture when exposed to light. A single dust mite can produce up to 20 to 30 fecal pellets per day (therefore, an average-sized colony of 2 million dust mites living within a mattress will produce 40 to 60 million fecal pellets per day). A single dust mite produces approximately 2000 to 3000 fecal pellets during its active lifetime of up to 3 or 4 months (that equates to a total of 4 trillion fecal pellets, in your mattress, produced by a single generation of an average-sized dust mite colony). Your unhygienic mattress, where you spend 1/3 of your life, is the nastiest, grungiest, item in your home and contains huge amounts of dead skin, dust mites, dust mite allergens, molds, mildew, pollens (transported inside from outdoors), spores, pet dander, bacteria and viruses.

Have you noticed how many corporations are touting their products for addressing the problem caused by dust mites? However, the solutions they offer are simply more "band-aids" to the problem and do not confront the problem (source) "head-on", the micro-habitats found in mattresses, pillows, and the "soft furnishings" in our homes. Should you choose to go the dust mite-proof mattress pad route, ask the salesperson what they sell to "protect" you from the dust mites in your upholstered sofa and chairs?

Mattress covers, pharmcotherapy (medications), and immunotherapy (skin prick tests, more testing and more meds) have been the usual methods of addressing the symptomatic problems and each of these methods generate huge sums of income. However, this is akin to placing a "band-aid" over a festering wound and then selling you more "band-aids". Perhaps the huge multi-billion dollar revenues generated by the aforementioned industries, is the reason why American's have not been properly informed and educated. But now, and unfortunately due to the annual increases in asthma, asthma deaths (especially among children), allergenic rhinitis, and other respiratory illnesses, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a public awareness campaign through public service announcements (PSA's) and their new website (www.noattacks.org) beginning in January 2007.

Should you or any of your family members exhibit any of the aforementioned symptoms, please seek the advice of your family physician, especially if the symptoms are evident among children.

For additional information please review the EzineArticle, "Asthma, "Hidden" Asthma and Allergies" at the following link:http://ezinearticles.com/?Asthma,-Hidden-Asthma,-And-Allergies-&id=430592

Can Food Allergies Be The Cause Of Your Chronic Muscle And Joint Pain?

When it comes to back pain, there are dozens of causes. Your chances of getting an accurate diagnosis increase when you are informed of all possible causes. One often-overlooked cause of chronic muscle and joint pain is diet.

Allergies and Pain

A food allergy is present when your immune system perceives a component of the food, usually the protein, as a threat and attacks it with the inflammatory response. Allergies differ from intolerances, which are digestive rather than immunological reactions.

Histamine is an inflammatory substance released during an allergic reaction. The inflammatory response attempts to block off threats from the rest of the body, kill the threat and promote healing. In the case of an allergic reaction, however, the inflammation caused by histamine is excessive and attacks the body itself. Any of the body's muscles and joints can become inflamed during an allergic reaction, resulting in pain and soreness.

If you have a food allergy you're unaware of, you may be in a state of chronic reaction. This can be the source of your chronic muscle and/or joint pain.

How To Identify And Rule Out Allergies

Of course, there are many other causes of muscle and joint pain. If you have chronic muscle or joint soreness that is not attributable to repetitive use, overexertion or poor posture, diet could be a factor.

Arthritis is a main cause of joint pain, and many forms of arthritis involve joint inflammation. Diet may not be the sole cause of arthritic joint pain, but identifying any food source that may increase inflammation in your body can help relieve pain.

One simple way to identify if you have a food allergy is to participate in the "elimination diet," which requires removing the suspected food from your diet for a week. If symptoms reside, you likely found the food you're allergic to. This can be confirmed by reintroducing the food back into your diet and seeing if symptoms reappear. Keeping a dietary diary is a great way to help you identify food allergies. Keep track of what you eat and the presence and severity of your pain.

Knowing the most common food allergens will help to narrow down your experiment. The most common are milk, egg, soy, wheat, shellfish, seafood, tree nut and peanut allergies. First, identify which of these allergens features prominently in your diet. Check food labels, as many store-bought foods contain soy, tree nuts, wheat and dairy.

Blood tests can be done to identify allergy-related immune substances in your blood. A blood sample is taken and different foods are used to test its reaction in a lab. Blood tests are not always accurate when looking for food allergies, however. Making dietary changes and monitoring their impacts are your best diagnostic tools.

Dietary changes may be the answer to resolving your chronic back pain. Eliminating common allergens from your diet can help resolve inflammation in both muscles and joints.

Food Allergy Symptoms - How Shakespeare Gives You Gas

The words "If music be the food of love, play on.." has been forever immortalized, thanks to the artistry of Shakespeare but here in the real world where quite literally speaking, the excess consumption of food can lead to gluttony, and this in turn can lead to obesity.

And if that's not enough, people can seriously react to food allergies which for the most part, are due to the immune system's reaction (overreaction, to say the least) to a food protein, which is actually harmless.

And this is where a food allergy is very different in comparison to food intolerance even though many people aren't able to tell the difference between the two.

Food Allergy Vs. Food intolerance

In truth, food intolerance has nothing to do with the immune system's overreact which is what happens in the case of an allergy. And while the release of histamine (by mast cells that carry the immunoglobin) causes this allergic reaction, food intolerance normally occurs due to a person's body reacting to certain nutrients, and the immune system does not get involved here.

But what is for sure, is that between the two, food allergies are far more lethal and can affect a person almost immediately as opposed to the long time that it takes food intolerance to act!

And so that demands for one to be aware of this kind of reaction by knowing how to spot a food allergic reaction.

How to spot a Food Allergy

Since the most common allergies almost always effect a person's respiratory and digestive system and skin, apart from displaying other life threatening symptoms, this is the most common way by which one can spot a food allergy as soon as possible.

1. Respiratory System

Sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing along with watery eyes are most often the symptoms of a food allergy while the closing of the throat and breathing difficulties is normally an allergic reaction to the extreme.

2. Skin

Eczema, swelling, hives and redness or flushing are the symptoms of a food allergy if one has to look for clues when it comes to the skin.

3. Digestive System

Vomiting, nausea, stomach and diarrhea are some of the symptoms to watch out for in the digestive system

4. Life threatening reactions

Although this is extremely rare, this condition (also known as anaphylaxis) can affect several parts of the body, and can display a combination of symptoms as mentioned above as well as pertaining to one's cardiovascular health as well. While 150 people die each year in the United States of this ailment, there is no doubt that even though it is rare, it is considered fatal.

Coping with a food allergy

As the only way to deal with a food allergy is to avoid the food completely, most patients are actually put on a meal plan that completely avoids these foods. And while it might be difficult to avoid some common foods, it should heartening to know that there are substitutes that are appearing in the market especially for people who cannot have common foods.

In Closing

And the tragic irony (that was Shakespeare's forte in his plays) is that while some people continue to abuse their eating habits, there are some folks who can't even touch a particular food, thanks to a food allergy that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

What Causes Allergic Reactions in Eye Care From Artificial Ingredients?

If you are prone to allergic reactions, eye care ingredients could be something to worry about. Artificial preservatives and fragrance ingredients are commonly to blame. Let's identify some causes and then learn How Natural Vitamin E Prevents Allergic Reactions in Eyes.

Allergies Triggered By Cosmetics

Symptoms of allergies triggered by cosmetics may include redness or rashes on the skin, also known as dermatitis. Itching or watery eyes, stinging or burning of the eyes or skin can occur. The area may feel painful. The inflammatory response causes increased sensitivity to pain in general.

Allergy Symptoms

Conjunctivitis, eczema or hives can be symptoms of an allergy, as well. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucus membranes covering the white part of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. Redness and swelling are visible symptoms. Extreme itching and pain are the symptoms you would feel.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition accompanied by flaking, itching and excessive dryness. Hives are red itchy welts. Inflammation is the underlying cause of all of the symptoms of allergic reactions; eye care ingredients cause inflammation by stimulating the skin's cells to produce prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins and the inflammation caused by those molecules are responsible for the "symptoms" of allergies triggered by cosmetics. But we often think of the compounds present in the product as the cause.

Limited Sensitivity Cause

Not everyone has allergies triggered by cosmetics. People that do may be sensitive only to a single ingredient, which can easily be avoided. On the other hand, some people are sensitive to a host of compounds.

As mentioned above, fragrances and artificial preservatives are most often to blame. Many people have a condition called perfume allergy. They must avoid perfumes of all kinds. Everyone can be negatively affected by perfumes, particularly if the product containing them is intended to be used around the eyes.

Fragrances - Big Cause

Balsam fragrance is one of the top ten (number three) triggers. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are eight compounds that are frequently mixed together and listed on the label simply as "fragrance". This fragrance mix is number six on the Clinic's list of top ten skin allergens.

Look for These Ingredients to Avoid

If you want to avoid allergic reactions, eye care ingredients to avoid include thimerosal, urea, methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens. Those are the artificial preservatives favored by cosmetic companies.

Allergies triggered by cosmetics may also be due to the emulsifiers DEA and TEA. Isopropyl alcohol can cause redness and burning. It is a strong eye irritant. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can cause hives, eczema and other allergy-related symptoms.

If you want to avoid allergic reactions, eye care ingredients stearalkonium chloride, synthetic colors, MIT and formaldehyde should also be avoided. All of the compounds mentioned in this article have been used by the cosmetic industry for many years. It is very difficult to get an ingredient banned, even when it is known to cause health problems.

It is essential that skincare products contain an effective preservative. Otherwise, the product would quickly turn rancid. If used on the skin or around the eyes, rancid oils can cause serious infections.

There are natural non-allergenic alternatives to the artificial preservatives responsible for allergies triggered by cosmetics. Now that you know more about what causes allergic reactions, eye care ingredients to avoid and the damage they can do, you probably want to know which compounds are non-allergenic. You'll learn about that and what ingredient is a naturally safe preservative in my next article.

And now please visit the Eye Contour Serum website listed below for updated information on How Vitamin E Prevents Allergic Reactions to the Eyes. See author/resource box below.

Abnormal Allergy Symptoms Could Be Mold Related!

Recently a friend of mine said that she had been diagnosed by her allergist with sensitivities to medicine and several other severe allergic reactions. She responded very well to homeopathic and herbal medicines but found it most important to constantly guard against any source of toxins. Because of this, she requested immediate testing for mold in her home by a professional mold remediation specialist.

When considering a physician for a specific issue like this, it's also a good idea to consider the particular specialty of the doctor. Unless your allergist has training specifically in the areas of environmental health and immunology, he or she may not be sure of the best course to follow to diagnose or treat conditions caused by prolonged exposure to mold. He or she may order the normal allergy tests which usually result in inconclusive results then pursue the general treatment of weekly allergy shots. This may or may not be of help if the problem is mold. There are many different species of mold, and they have different effects on different bodies. The elderly and very young children are the most susceptible to mold spores. Mold produces mycotoxins which cannot be seen and enter the body primarily through skin or human airways. Once they have entered your body, they may spread throughout the body causing multiple issues.

There are many different types of diseases that can be caused by many different types of mold, but one of the most interesting of them to me is mycotoxicosis which results from eating food products already contaminated by fungi. There are a plethora of symptoms including fibromyalgia, IBS, respiratory problems, vision problems, night sweats, nose bleeds, memory loss, dirt-like taste in the mouth, anxiety, liver problems, kidney problems, thyroid problems, boils, hair loss, irregular heart beat, etc. which may result from mycotoxicosis. Of course, no one displays them all and certainly not all people who have these symptoms can attribute them to mold, but most people experiencing mycotoxicosis have several from the list.

Just as my friend was careful in choosing her allergist, she was also careful about choosing the company who would perform the mold inspection for her home. She chose one that had been established for many years, who had certifications to prove their qualifications, answered her questions courteously, had good references, and performed her tests efficiently and promptly. Be sure to do your homework to protect your home and body from dangerous toxins.

How to Deal with Skin Allergy

Allergy

Allergy is body hypersensitivity to some substance. Our body can react by breathing system allergy (rhinitis and asthma), intestine allergy (diarrhea) and skin allergy. Skin allergy may occur in the form of mild skin redness until dermatitis, which can appear in many places.

Skin Allergy Identification

When you suddenly get the red spots and suspect an allergy, question your self these:

-Do the red spot appear in a broad part of your body (at your arms and legs) or just in a small part (at your palm hand)?

-What unusual food or even drug and food supplement have you taken?

-Do you change your detergent?

Small part of itchy redness in your palm may indicate that you have a skin contact allergy. Avoid touching the suspected substance. Broad skin redness may be suspected as caused by food allergy-something that goes with the blood flow.

Skin Allergy Treatment

Corticosteroid combined with antihistamines cream or ointment can be used to relieve skin redness. Dermatologist may prescribe a mixture cream contains anti histamines, anti redness, and itchy reducer. Some topical corticosteriods used for allergy treatment are betamethasone, clobetasol, clobetasone,

desonide, desoxymethasone, dexamethasone, difluocortolone, flumethasone and fluocinolone.

There is also natural herbs contained cream for allergy relieving. Some herbs have anti histamine factor in their extract. You can use natural herbs to relieve allergy. Check the label before buying some natural herbs base allergy treatment to find any drug substance inserted in it. A natural herbs treatment should not use any drug substances otherwise they are called allergy drug.

Skin Allergy Alerts

Put a greater consideration in your skin allergy and consult your doctor if:

-Any topical treatment did not work out. No allergy symptoms like skin redness and itchy feeling are reduced.

-You have another severe allergy symptoms like breath difficulty, faster heartbeat, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Those symptoms are leading to serious allergy that cause anaphylactic shock and should be treated soon by a medical doctor.

Further Steps to avoid Skin Allergy

-Take an allergy test to know what substances you are allergic to. It is called a patch test. Doctor will give some allergy suspected substances on your skin and see which one cause you allergy. It is not a painful test but useful to prevent from contact skin allergy.

-Always remember what you are allergic to and avoid things that can cause allergy.

-Prepare an allergy cream as a first aid. At least the cream will prevent from scratching your allergic skin.