Symptoms Of a Honey Allergy - How to Treat and Prevent Them

A few people are allergic to honey. They cannot eat or apply honey to their skin because their immune systems would react badly. Are you one of the people who suffer from a honey allergy? More often than not, people who have this allergy also react badly to bee pollen, wax and propolis. They develop mild or severe symptoms depending on the bee product they have taken. Also, a person can suffer severely for eating honey if he or she is taking some drugs to cure a certain disease. If you react terribly to this substance, it is sensible to avoid it altogether.

Most Common symptoms to expect

Many people develop signs in the mouth and respiratory system. For example they suffer from a runny nose, swollen lips or tongue, sneezing and itchy throat after consuming honey. There are some who have watery eyes and hives on the skin. Severe signs may include extreme congestion, headaches, skin irritation and a foggy brain. Some of us get stubbing stomach pains after consuming a considerable amount of honey. If one is greatly affected by this substance, their immune system may become very weak thus allowing germs to cause sicknesses.

How to get rid of honey allergy symptoms

Honey affects adults and children differently. In addition, it causes different signs in different people. Treatment therefore depends on the age of a person and how severe their symptoms look. Diphenhydramine-a type of antihistamine- is commonly used to treat honey allergies. Most of you know it as Benadryl. It provides relief in fifteen minutes thus giving you enough time to take a person to a doctor. There are certainly many other antihistamines in drugstores and chemists. The problem they have is that they provide relief very slowly. Some of them take up to twenty-four hours to reduce the signs of a honey allergy. The main thing is to see a doctor if symptoms persist.

How to prevent hypersensitivity caused by honey

This will mainly depend on how bad your reaction to honey is. If you have mild signs that go away on their own, you may continue to use honey in moderation. On the other hand, if you suffer badly after consumption of this bee product, you must avoid it altogether. This means that you will stop eating foods that contain this substance, too, including Greek pastries and tea with honey. So it will be sensible to ask foods and drinks vendors if their products have honey. If you cannot avoid this natural food, you may ask your doctor if it is fine to consume diphenhydramine prior to eating honey.

Most commonly reported complications

If you take too long to see a doctor or take diphenhydramine, you could experience terrible complications. Good examples include spells of dizziness and fainting, shortness of breath and even convulsions. All these are signs of anaphylactic shock. It is good to know the emergency numbers you could call to request an ambulance if you suspect that a person has this shock.

Mold Allergy Symptoms - What You Should Know About Mold Allergies

One of the most common ailments that people experience is allergies. Allergies affect millions of people every year. The reason why most people put up with different allergies is because usually the symptoms are mild. A very common allergy that a lot of people suffer from is mold. Different mold allergy symptoms can include reactions such as headaches, body aches, pains, rashes, depression, mental fogginess and respiratory problems.

People who suffer from these allergies are usually affected during certain periods of the year more than others. In some seasons there are lots of organic materials that are decomposed. This can create a lot of mold spores that are released in their air. This usually occurs throughout autumn as the leaves begin to fall. During spring mold allergies are also quite common because of all the mold spores that are released into the air.

Mold is usually developed in places of warm humid environments or different places that have a lot of moisture in the air. You might have an unnoticed leak that could create a lot of mold. Leaving food products out for an extended period of time can also create a lot of mold in the air.

If you suffer from mold allergy symptoms it is often very difficult to completely avoid all forms of mold. Try and check everything that you eat and ensure that it is fresh. This will ensure that you avoid eating foods that contain mold spores. By checking all of your food it will allow you to avoid some of the allergic reactions.

A Framework for Managing Garlic Allergy Symptoms

The development garlic allergy treatments will take time since this is one of the most popular ingredients in cookery. The prevalence is not very high but it can have serious consequences on the patient if it is not arrested in time.

Many people across different cultures enjoy a bit of garlic in their food. Mediterranean diets in particular include this ingredient. However for some people the consumption of this item will lead to serious side effects. For example they may develop an inflammatory complication on their skin. You will be in the risk category if you cut or consume excessive amounts of garlic. The condition can be powerful enough to overcome the barrier that is provided by utility gloves.

• Chemical transitions: The development of garlic allergy symptoms is associated with diallyl disulfide or DADS. This is the same allergen that can be found in garlic oil. Therefore you should be very careful about the choices that you make. Dermatitis is a very clear sign that you are developing some sort of reaction. Your priority should be to ensure that the skin is not permanently damaged and that you are able to reduce the ongoing symptoms which can reduce your quality of life.


• Typical signs: The area that has been affected with experience inflammation and swelling. An asymmetrical pattern of fissure is followed by shedding and thickening. That affects the outer layer of the skin and can be very unpleasant to look at. If you do not get the right treatment then you may develop a third degree burn in due course. That is why it is absolutely important to understand the condition and its genesis so that you can respond appropriately when required to do so.


• Dermatitis: You will develop some sort of skin rash which ranges from mild to severe in its manifestation. The rash tends to turn pink and feels hot. The use of a hydrocortisone cream might be of benefit. Eventually the eruptions will disappear especially if you use the appropriate antihistamines. The entire body may be affected with time. A delayed reaction may arise after 48 hours and therefore you have to be on alert just in case things do not go according to plan.


• Signs: A person with this condition may experience vomiting, diarrhea and other complications. If they already have allergic rhinitis then exposure to garlic will make matters worse. At the worst end of the scale they may be at risk of developing anaphylaxis. This is a potentially fatal condition that has to be handled with care. If you find that the patient is experienced very depressed blood pressure levels then it is advisable to call in the clinicians at the earliest opportunity.

Why Am I Having Allergies During Menopause?

Menopausal changes that occur during change of life have been linked to over 34 symptoms, some of which are quite unusual. Unlike the familiar menopausal symptoms of hot and cold flashes, heavy unusual sweating, irritability, mood swings, and lapses in memory, for example, many menopausal women are experiencing unexpected allergic reactions. And so, instead of seeking relief from the predictable symptoms, some women find themselves asking, "Why am I having allergies during menopause?

Change of Life Reactions to Substances And Pollens

Allergy is described by Webster's Dictionary as, "Abnormal or pathological reaction to environmental substances as pollens, foods, dust, or microorganisms." Pollen is described as, "Dustlike, usually yellow grains containing the male reproductive cells of flowering plants." Many people, especially children may suffer from various reactions to pollens. However, for many women, any substance during menopause is their first encounter.

Reacting to various substances during change of life is of great concern to the women who are affected. Some of the frequently reported symptoms include: bouts of severe hay fever that present like the common cold; reactions from various foods, fragrances and or perfumes; and asthmatic attacks. I was surprised when a close friend recently told me that her doctor prescribed "an Asthma-pump" for her. With further inquiry, she revealed being thrown in a quandary when she developed frequent bouts of asthma. She said no one in her family has asthma, and she had no prior history herself. However, after many years of being menopausal, she had several frightening experiences with difficulty breathing; tightening in her chest; and wheezing. After various potions and remedies, she was referred to a Pulmonary Specialist who has been added to her list of doctors.

Another acquaintance related a similar story of developing unusual skin reactions during change of life. After months of being menopausal, she reported breaking out in hives and itchy skin on several occasions. Concerned, she visited several doctors, and finally, an Allergist, who determined that her reaction was to fish. The doctor informed her that these reactions during change of life were becoming quite common; and that her skin condition was due to the fish with a hormone-menopause connection. Her avoidance of fish has relieved her symptoms.

The Allergy-hormone Connection

Some women might never experience allergies during menopause. However, for women who do, they can be assured that although the symptoms might be subtle and challenging to diagnose, many doctors are making the connections between these unusual hormonal responses change of life. Women are therefore being encouraged that a visit to the doctor should not be rushed. Time should be spent to explain to the doctor (a) any physical, mental, or lifestyle changes that occurred since her last visit (b) all symptoms being experienced - no matter how mild (c) ask what the doctor thinks might be causing the changes (d) if the doctor suggests treatment, ask for explanations and for alternate treatments (e) explain any past, present and family history that might be related to the allergies. The information you provide your doctor might assist in making a connection between the possible causes of your allergies during menopause.

Allergy and Chicken Soup

Common myths about allergy and sinus disease:

Comics are always inserting chicken soup into their routines. As he lay dying of a heart attack, the mother called for chicken soup. The doctor explained that the heart was the problem. The mother answers, "But can it hurt him?"

But, as many Jewish mothers insist, is chicken soup a cure for allergy or sinus? Actually we know today that chicken soup helps allergies in several ways. It is warm and this aids the body. It contains chemicals that speed the nasal cilia. If the cilia move fast they can move out pollen and bacteria.

Got a cold? Drink Tea lemon and honey. Cough? The same. Stomach distress? The same. The way tea, lemon and honey is promoted, you would think there is no need for antibiotics. However green and black tea does contain chemicals that reduce allergy and increase the speed of the nasal and chest cilia. It is the ideal thing to take for a cold and a cough. The lemon and honey both thin thick mucus and aid cilia movement.

Father insists to his sniveling son, "Blow your nose hard." Junior blows hard, and then blows harder, and some green stuff exits the nose. So does fresh blood. Heavy nose blowing is a no-no. It is like rubbing your eye too hard and blows bacteria into healthy parts of the sinuses and the ear.

Sniffing salt water prevents a cold. Actually there is a basis for this. Done gently and with the right portion of salt, this removes

ICAM-1 from the nose. ICAM-1 is the protein in the nose that the cold virus enters the body through. If the ICAM-1 is washed out then the cold virus can't get in.

Garlic prevents a sore throat. Garlic does provide lots of antioxidants. Besides, people stay away and there is less kissing.

There is no proper evidence that Vitamin C does prevent a cold. The bigger the dose the more the stomach upset. Besides, Vitamin C leaches calcium from bones so those of the osteoporosis age should avoid it.

Singing and humming is good for allergy. True. Vibrations at a certain frequency around 14/second can get slow nasal and chest cilia to vibrate and resume good movement.

If you meditate you must go all the way and cleanse yourself by daily neti pot irrigation. This myth can be harmful. It is known that this type of irrigation can remove the natural defense products of the nose. A recent report at the American Rhinologic Society showed a high incidence of contamination in irrigation devices that have flowback. In one report, the patients with long term chronic rhinosinusitis were cured when they ceased daily irrigation. Better to use a pulsatile irrigator that doesn't have flowback and is designed to restore nasal cilia. Once the nasal cilia are restored, no further irrigation is needed.

Allergies are due to nerves. Wrong. In allergy you can show certain proteins in the allergic person that react to various products and allergic sensitivity clearly shows on blood and skin tests. But, a lot of misconceptions arise all the time. My patient was living in Augusta, Georgia and when he drove to Philadelphia to visit his girl friend, the closer he got to it, the more allergy symptoms he had. But it wasn't psychosomatic. He happened to be allergic to the pollen in that area.

You can die from an allergy. True. There have been deaths from allergy to peanuts and shellfish, as well as others.

A woman can be allergic to a man. True. Sometimes it is the dog or cat hair that he caries. A recent report showed that this woman was allergic to her husband's semen.

During allergy season I should give up lipstick. True. The perfume in lipstick can add to the allergy symptoms. However you can use unscented lipstick without increasing seasonal allergy symptoms.

During allergy season I should change my clothes when I come into the house. True. Pollen sticks to clothing and will continue your symptoms due to pollen inside the house.

I am allergic to sugar. If I avoid sugar I can avoid allergy. Wrong. Sugar is the basic product of being alive. Most foods break down to sugar and are utilized for metabolism.

Organic foods are allergy free. Wrong. If you are allergic to strawberries, you will be allergic to them whether organically raised or not.

I live in New York. If I move to Miami I will be free of allergy. Many persons have moved from New York and wrote back glowing accounts that now they no longer had their hayfever. Yet, after a year or so after settling in Miami, they filled the offices of the allergy doctors because they had become allergic to the local plants.

The best place to move to for allergy is a dry elevated area. Generally true. At the higher elevation you may not have as much pollen.

During my allergy season I need to give up mustard and salsa. True. Any hot spices will add to the histamine load and increase allergy symptoms.

During my allergy season I should live on a yacht on the ocean. True, in the ocean you are away from the pollen. See if your insurance will pay for they yacht.

Breakfast in bed is best for allergy. True. In sleep your body temperature drops and dust accumulates in your nose. The allergic person awakens and in order to correct his body temperature he may sneeze or cough. If he drinks the hot tea before he gets out of bed, he can avoid the morning cascade of sneezing and hawking and may avoid the allergy for the day.

If you cook a food you are allergic to, then you can eat it. This is true. Food proteins are highly complex. With cooking they are changed into less complex products and may not cause any symptoms at all. If you are allergic to raw apples, you can cook them in the microwave and
enjoy them.

Flowers are a leading cause of allergy. Pollen from flowering plants are often too heavy to get into the nose and as a rule are not a leading cause of seasonal allergy.

Allergy shots don't work. Although there are lots of anecdotes of persons taking "shots" for years without benefit, on the other hand many persons have been helped, and "cured." What is important is that the complications of allergy including asthma, can be reduced. There are considerably more allergy success events when attention is paid to restoring nasal cilia function. In severe allergy the nasal cilia lose speed. By using pulsatile irrigation to restore cilia speed, allergy treatments are much more effective.

Corn Allergy Symptoms - You May Be Allergic to Corn and Not Even Know It

A corn allergy can often go undetected in the United States due to its high prevalence in processed foods. Corn, in some form or another, can also be found in almost every fast food item. In addition to that, corn allergy symptoms vary widely from person to person. While some need only smell popcorn to have a severe reaction, others are somewhat more tolerant and have less severe reaction which is difficult to connect to corn.

The best way to know if you are allergic to corn is to get an allergy test done by a qualified allergist. Barring that, keeping a food diary can be very helpful in checking and cross checking which foods were found to be offensive. But what symptoms are associated with a corn allergy?

Those who suffer with a corn allergy, in its severe form, might go into anaphylactic shock. Most people with this severe allergy to corn know what they are allergic to. However, many suffer their entire lives with symptoms that range from obesity to inflammation to sinus congestion.

Inflammation is one of the most common symptoms. A corn allergy sufferer may not even realize they are swollen because they have gotten used to it. If you wake up tired, have difficulty getting on your knees, think you may have arthritis, notice ankle swelling or overall achy body, you may actually be allergic to corn. If not corn, you may be suffering from some other allergy and it would be prudent to visit an allergist to know for sure.

Most corn allergy sufferers are exhausted and as they age, it usually gets worse. They feel better before they ate than after. Usually, they have trouble making it through the day and around late afternoon, have nearly had it. Many who have corn allergies have been diagnosed with other illnesses. The exhaustion is so terrible sometimes, that after having been exposed to corn, the only thing a corn allergy sufferer can do is sleep it off.

Abdominal troubles are extremely common among those with corn allergies. Some have been misdiagnosed with IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or other bowel related sicknesses. Your doctor may have told you that you need more fiber. After you eat, your stomach becomes severely bloated. You may experience excessive burping or gas. In extreme times, you may have been to the ER with vomiting or you have experienced what some doctors refer to as "blow outs" where you struggle with alternating constipation then the sudden diarrhea.

Chronic sinus problems are a telltale sign that you may be suffering from a food allergy. My own son suffered for years with shiners, tired eyes, stuffy and runny nose as well as post nasal drip. All of those symptoms were related to corn. He had trouble breathing and even bouts with sleep apnea as a small child.

Pre-diabetic and insulin resistance symptoms can actually be corn allergies. A few times, after nearly passing out after eating, I had wondered if I were becoming diabetic. I had all the symptoms of a pre-diabetic, of someone who was insulin resistant. I even took medication for hypothyroidism. These, of all the symptoms, were by far the scariest. I felt dizzy, in a fog, and cold most of the time. I couldn't garden or exercise as I was afraid I would start to get the shakes. Something was clearly wrong.

As we whittled away at high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, monosodium glutamate, dextrose and eventually switched to sea salt, our corn allergy symptoms began to disappear. My son and I both experienced a rebirth of sorts. My son's nose is clear and his shiners are gone. I planted two trees without passing out. My ankle swelling is nearly gone and we both lost a significant amount of weight without dieting. It's simply a miracle that we figured out the connection between corn and our symptoms. Now, we are on the road to recovery and the quality of our lives is absolutely one thousand percent better.

How Can You Know If You Have Pet Allergies?

There are so many triggers for allergies, and allergens are all around us. Some are related to dust and pollen, and other triggers can be from pets. Do you know what you're actually allergic to? Here are some of the allergy symptoms caused by animals.

Normally for pet allergy sufferers, they start sneezing badly once they're nearby any cats or dogs, or when exposed to pet hairs left around the house - this is the first sign. Other common symptoms to look out for are also blocked noses or runny ones, not too much different from a cold really. It is easy to tell the difference between the two though as once you get away from the allergen, the symptoms will subside just as quickly as it came.

Just like people who are hyper-sensitive to pollen or dust mites, itchy or red eyes can also be attributed to allergies caused by pets. You might also experience tearing of the eyes as well and they can come about if you rub your eyes after touching a dog or a cat. To be more accurate, the pet hairs are not the culprit, but the pet dander.

If you've never heard of the word "dander" before, I'll explain it. Dander's similar to dandruff on human scalps and but they're much smaller flakes of skin, so small that it isn't obvious to the naked eye.

Pets normally shed these microscopic flakes of skin throughout the day and are easily spread throughout a home. They attach themselves to carpets, furniture and clothing and have an extremely long life span. This is why when people who have pet allergies enter a house with pets, they start sneezing uncontrollably regardless of whether or not the pet is at home.

Does this mean that allergy sufferers cannot own a dog or a cat? No, in fact, they can. If you decide that you really want to have a pet at home, you will need to select specific breeds of dogs or cats that are hypoallergenic - yes there is really such a thing. The Maltese and Australian Terrier are just 2 examples of hypoallergenic dogs.

Another thing you can do to ensure you can coexist with your pet without suffering is to get yourself an air purifier for your home.

The best types are ones that get installed into an existing cooling or heating system and they efficiently clear the air of your entire house so it will continue to remain free of dander.

Allergy Season Relief For Your Dog

Spring is almost upon us and you know what that means - allergy season has started. One of the most common concerns that we handle each and every day is the intense and aggravating allergy symptoms of itching and scratching that many dogs suffer from. We always try to resolve the issue with a change in nutrition, but during particular times of the year (such as springtime) the culprit may be more of an environmental cause.

If your dog gets hot spots or discoloration of the skin because of the constant itching and scratching, it may be a symptom of seasonal allergies rather than simply a nutritional deficiency. The condition is called "atopy" or atopic dermatitis. In this regard, our pets are no different than us humans - they can develop a sensitivity to their environment just like a we can.

An inhalant allergy in canines is similar to our asthma and hay fever and can cause sneezing in your pet and commonly develops into skin rashes. A seasonal allergy can be encountered about as often as an allergy caused by fleas.

Seasonal causes are often overlooked when trying to find a solution to allergy issues. However this should not be the case. The allergy triggers that we most often encounter are indeed caused by food sensitivities. Unfortunately, we can't always cure the condition with a simple change to a biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet. Once the diet is improved and the food changes don't make for a better, less allergic pet, it is then time to change the course of action and look at a possible genetic connection.

If an animal inhales or absorbs through the skin an allergen (such as pollen or grass) it causes an allergic response in the animal and the immune system is attacked. Pollen and dust are not the only things in your environment that your dog can be allergic to. They can be stimulated from a variety of different sources: dust mites, weeds, molds, trees and a variety of flower pollens that become the trigger. Again, this is no different than it is for humans.

Because of the genetic connection, an inhalant allergy may be more predisposed in certain breeds. Those that have a tendency to have a greater number of problems are:

• Boxers
• Bulldogs
• Dalmatians
• English Setters
• Golden Retrievers
• Irish Setters
• Labrador Retrievers
• Lhasa apsos
• Poodles
• Westies
• Wire Fox Terriers

Most dogs develop seasonal and other allergies between one and three years of age. Some dogs may develop symptoms later in life, though it is uncommon. If a dog has a sensitivity to one type of allergen, they may also be prone to developing other types of allergies later on. It is not uncommon that dogs who have never exhibited symptoms at all may suddenly develop seasonal allergies.

If it is a seasonal allergy, the dog will only exhibit symptoms for a few weeks a year, usually during the Spring and Fall. It is also not uncommon for dogs with seasonal allergies to also suffer from chronic allergies to food and other things in their environment.

You can submit your dog to a series of allergen tests to determine what allergens might be troubling your dog. Besides being quite costly, these tests are not always conclusive and may sometimes offer some false positive suggestions.

There are a variety of allergy medications that can be used to ease the symptoms during the peak times. Many times the allergy is triggered in-house. You can reduce allergy symptoms by vacuuming your carpets during the allergy season and keep your dog inside as much as possible. Reduce the pollen count in your home by keeping your windows closed during the allergy season. A HEPA filtration device is another way to reduce allergens in the home.

One of the very best ways to reduce the effects of the allergy is to strengthen your pet's immune system. A biologically appropriate raw food diet (BARF Diet) can help to build up the immune system that will be effective in attacking the inflamed sites. This internal medication is Nature's finest solution to treating allergy issues.

Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroids and antihistamines to alleviate itchy skin conditions but watch out! These remedies can cause undesirable side effects and may reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, especially when used as a long-term solution. Many new holistic treatments have been used to offer natural itch relief. An effective treatment is a colloidal oatmeal shampoo used every 1 to 2 weeks in combination with an herbal anti-itch treatment. With this treatment, most pets will quit itching within the first couple of days.

Help, I Am Allergic To My Tattoo

If you have a tattoo allergy then you suffer from allergies Type 4 also called cell-mediated or delayed allergies. When T-cells become activated and result in an inflammation of the effected area. It usually develops with repeated exposure to some substance in the environment. All of a sudden you may develop a hypersensitivity to all of your jewelry. Symptoms may include a rash, itching, swelling, blistering, and eczema.

Although extremely rare, a tattoo allergy usually occurs because of the type of inks used. Most allergy symptoms are the result of using red, green, blue and yellow colored inks. In the past, many brands of tattoo ink used mercury in them but this practice has all but disappeared because of its harmful side effects.

Today many of the inks used by tattoo artiest contain nickel, cadmium and chromine. Many of the cheaper jewelry items contain nickel in them and if you have problems wearing jewelry then do not get a tattoo. It is also important to note that symptoms may not show up immediately, but may take years to show up.

All allergies tend to get worst over time. The more times you are exposed to the offending agent the worst your allergy symptoms become. The first time you get a tattoo you may show only a slight redness or itching, which is usually attributed to the tattooing process itself instead of an allergic reaction. After getting your second, third or forth tattoo, suddenly all of your tattoos develop rashes and blistering not just your newest work of art. This is the reason why getting a skin patch test is not really conducive to detecting allergies before getting a tattoo.

Treatment

If you develop tattoo allergies soon after you get your inked masterpiece, you can often get relief with the liberal application of antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone creams, anti-itch creams and cold compresses. If the area does not clear up in a week or two you should visit a dermatologist who will likely prescribe some type of steroid to combat your tattoo allergies.

Nickel, cadmium and chromine from the inks used will be in your body for life. If your allergy symptoms show up after several years of obtaining the inked work of art you should seriously consider having all of them removed. Laser tattoo removal is the latest and perhaps the best method of removal.

Laser energy causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles which can then be removed by the body's immune system. Because black pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, it's the easiest to remove. Colors such as green, blue, red and yellow selectively absorb laser light and can only be treated by selected lasers based on the pigment color.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating the allergy symptoms such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Quercitin.

Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin E can be taken internally or applied as a lotion to the affected areas of the skin.

Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.

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.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

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

Suffering From an Autism Food Allergy?

An autism food allergy is a very serious problem. In fact, autism induced by allergies has recently been identified and occurs when a child's diet influences his or her autism symptoms. The children who are at the highest risk of an impact from an autism food allergy are those who have regressive autism. Regressive autism is the form of the disorder that occurs when the child's first symptoms appear at around the age of two after having developed normally until then. Other autistic children at risk are those with behavioral and neurological problems in conjunction with serious digestive problems.

Kids with an autism food allergy struggle to digest essential food proteins such as gluten and casein. Gluten is a protein found in many kinds of grains, such as wheat, and is frequently added to food products during the manufacturing process. Casein is a protein found in milk and is also added to other foods as they are manufactured.

Some children with food allergies are unable to properly digest gluten and casein. These proteins are digested only partially and leave a byproduct to which the children react in a very similar way to the drug morphine. This substance is able to slip through the wall of the digestive tract, a condition known as 'leaky gut syndrome', and circulates through the bloodstream and into the brain.

When a child has an intolerance to gluten or casein an altered protein can also be found in the urine after the child consumed food containing these two compounds. It is believed that this occurs as a result of the creation and absorption of the morphine-like chemical created by the body of the child when trying to digest gluten or casein. The child may then behave in a "spaced out" way. Furthermore, it can create somewhat of an addiction in these children, causing them to crave foods containing gluten and casein.

Because children with an autism food allergy struggle to digest food properly, they are also unable to remove toxins and chemicals as efficiently as they should from their body. This can include not only waste in the traditional sense of digestion, but also fertilizers, pesticides, cleansers and detergents, pollution, artificial flavorings and colorings, preservatives, chemical food additives, and other forms of chemical that can build up and become toxic over time.

Symptoms of an autism food allergy usually appear within an autistic child at around the age of three. Though the symptoms may come about as a result of intolerance to pollutants in the food, others will react to chemical additives, and again others will react to the basic composition of the food. Though reactions can be caused by essentially anything, the most common allergies are to foods such as corn, citrus fruits, wheat, dairy and sugar.

Though the symptoms of an autism food allergy may not be obvious to those around the child, medical testing and observation shows frequent diarrhea, bloating, low blood sugar, excessive sweating, redness in the ears and face, rhinitis (runny nose), the inability to regulate the body temperature, and dark circles under the eyes are common.

The only way to treat an autism food allergy is to pinpoint the food of foods that are causing the problem and then eliminate it from the diet entirely. It is important to note that this won't cure autism, however symptoms will often improve substantially when a diet free of those items that cause a reaction is followed. Parents will still be faced with the same issues in socializing and communicating with autistic children even after an altered diet is introduced, and change will still need to be carefully managed.

To discover which foods your child reacts to, an exclusion diet is a good way to determine what items are potentially contributing to their autism symptoms and digestive issues. However, before starting an exclusion diet ensure you consult a qualified health professional to ensure your child continues to receive adequate nutrition.

Once you have the go ahead, start by eliminating the common culprits i.e. wheat, dairy, sugar, corn and citrus fruits for a two to four week period and then slowly reintroduce the removed items one at a time and monitor behaviors and digestive changes carefully.

This process can help identify those food items that are problematic for your child. An alternative is to have blood testing done to look for antibodies that are produced when an allergic reaction takes place. Your doctor should be able to arrange this for you or refer you to the appropriate professional.

There is currently a study about to get underway being carried out by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston that will be scientifically studying the effects of gluten and casein on autistic children which should help to answer the autism food allergy question.

Acupressure for Allergic Rhinitis

People do lots of things to treat hay fever. They get allergy shots. They take antihistamines. They rinse their nostrils with neti pots and they go on allergy elimination diets.

All of these methods work, but the easiest way of getting control over allergic rhinitis so you can breathe comfortably again is using acupressure. And the best thing about this method is you can do it automatically with the help of the right acupressure massage device.

Acupressure is a great way to treat a runny or stuffy nose when allergy season comes around. And you don't even have to go to a therapist to do it.

Here are the three things everyone needs to know about this ancient proven healing method for stopping nasal allergies almost as soon as they start.

1. No needles are needed for massage treatment of allergies!

This form of modern therapeutic massage was based on acupuncture, the ancient system thought to redirect energy flows around the body by placing needles at specific points. Here the idea is to use pressure, rather than needles, to accomplish the same changes.

Do you have to believe in the scientific validity of "chi" to use this method? Of course not! Use massage to treat allergic conditions because it works.

2. The results of this kind of therapy are very fast

Traditional Chinese Medicine called what we call hay fever a "wind evil." This meant that the symptoms came in on the wind (as pollen), and that they came fast as the wind, which is really fast. Fortunately, the treatment for a "wind evil" also works quickly. That's because neither the immune reactions that trigger rhinitis nor "wind evils" affect the body as a whole. Localized symptoms allow fast allergic rhinitis treatment.

3. You can use this method "in a pinch."

And "in a pinch" is a good way to remember one pressure point that can relieve symptoms fast. Grab the webbing between either of your thumbs and your index finger. Using your other hand, gently massage this area until your nose stops running, or your sinuses open up just a little.

If you are at home, you might also take off your shoes and massage the area between your second and third toes. Massaging these points is meant to relieve tension in your jaws and to expel "toxins" in your upper respiratory tract.

And if you have a special problem with runny nose, rub the area above your heels.

Allergy Relief

Allergy is a condition in which the body tends to react due to hypersensitivity to some substance such as food, drugs, drinks, pollution, flowers, and others. An allergen could be anything under the sun that might cause a reaction in one's body if the body disagrees with that substance. Even a common thing such as sunlight and air might cause sever reactions in some if the skin is susceptible to allergies due to the same.

People suffering from food allergies are many. Although most of these individuals do not have very severe reactions, some might find instant severe reaction to some foods. Most common foods that cause allergies in some people are the nuts, peanuts in general. Milk, soy, corn, and even rice etc., are a few other that might cause allergic reaction with no apparent reason. Some people are allergic to processed foods and other processed products. Although in a small percentage, even chocolate causes reaction in a few people. Food allergies mostly affect the immune system, respiratory and digestive systems, depending on the type of food that has been consumed. Seafood such as fish, prawns, shellfish, jellyfish etc., is another common kind that causes allergies in individuals. The best method to encounter the food allergies is to avoid intake of the kind of food that causes reaction in the individual.

Citrus fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, oranges, and others cause allergic reactions in most people. Itchiness, redness or blotchy face, irritation are common symptoms. Peanut allergy can also be very severe as it might even result in death by just a common contact with a peanut. An allergy test would prove to be very helpful in case of peanuts and even other nuts for that matter as they are most deadly of all allergies.

Flowers are one of the most beautiful parts of nature. However, even these can prove to be dangerous for people who are allergic to pollen formed in certain flowers. Pollen and even certain kinds of weeds and grass often affect respiratory system and cause severe damage. Individuals suffering from sinusitis must get the same under check to avoid further damage to the sinus. Periodic allergic checks can bring forward the exact kind of allergy the individual has and proper treatment can help a lot in the long run. Getting rid of plants with flowers around that individual might also help to a great extent. Of course this is only if the flowers have been detected as the actual cause of the allergy.

Certain drugs might cause adverse reaction to the patient resulting in complications. Irritation, swelling of face and body, breaking out into hives etc., are some of the well noticed symptoms but some drugs might cause internal allergies that take some time to detect and cure. Sulfur is used in most of the drugs that causes adverse reactions in people. The physician must get to know initially if the patient is allergic to any of the drugs before administering the same. Getting an allergy test done at regular intervals is a good choice if suspecting any allergies in the body.

Another common allergic reaction is caused due to metal. Most individuals are allergic to nickel. Even gold and silver cause reactions in some individuals although in a very small percentage. Metals lead to skin allergies. Individuals reacting to metals are liable to break into hives or the skin starts itching along with swelling in that area. Turning red or purple in the area coming in contact with the metal is another common reaction. Avoidance of such metals that cause reactions would be the best choice for individuals suffering from such skin allergies.

Stop! My Kid Can't Eat That: Food Allergies In Children

In the middle of the night in Atlanta, I got a frantic call from my daughter in Chicago. "Daddy, I'm so sorry to wake you, but Michael just ate a little piece of cashew and now his face is swollen and he's breaking out in a rash all over his body." Once I realized that her voice wasn't just part of some bad dream, I gave my doctor's orders: "Give him Benadryl and take him to the emergency room immediately!"

As a board-certified allergist for 25 years, I recognized that my grandson was having a potentially serious allergic reaction and that his symptoms could get worse-much worse. Fortunately, by the time they arrived at the hospital, the swelling had subsided and his hives had resolved.

Even though my grandson's diagnosis was easy to make, food allergies can be one of the most frustrating and complex allergy issues facing physicians, patients, and families. If you consider the unlimited number of foods and additives we consume today, the variable time between ingestion and allergic reaction, and the varied and often-subtle symptoms, it seems miraculous when an allergy-triggering food is actually identified.

Food Allergies In Children: A Disturbing Trend

Ask anyone who raised children 25 years ago if they ever heard of food allergies back then, and the likely answer will be no. Yet today, who doesn't know a child-if not several kids-who have severe food allergies? Pediatricians and allergists are observing first-hand that food allergies in infants and children have increased to epidemic proportions over the last few decades. Studies have shown that in the under-18 age group, the prevalence of reported food allergies increased 18% between 1997 and 2007. Approximately 4% of Americans are estimated to have food allergies. That's more than 12 million individuals. The prevalence of food allergies is even higher-6% to 8%-in infants and young children under three years old.

Any type of food can trigger an outbreak, yet the "Big 8" account for more than 90% of all cases: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Sesame is quickly becoming another common cause of allergies, especially in those with Mediterranean diets. The good news is that the incidence of documented food allergies decreases with age, probably due to the development of tolerance in children allergic to milk, wheat, soy, and eggs. Of the 2.5% of children allergic to milk, approximately 80% will "outgrow" their allergy by age five. Kids with peanut or tree nut allergies aren't as lucky: Recent studies have shown that only about 10% to 20% of children will lose their allergy as they age.

Pediatric Food Allergies: Instantaneous Outbreak Of the two main types of allergies, the "immediate hypersensitivity reaction" gets the most hype, probably because you can see the symptoms (whether it's hives or swelling) right away. The other kind is aptly named "delayed hypersensitivity reaction." Otherwise known as IgE-mediated, the immediate allergic reaction is the best understood and the most easily diagnosed. Yet it can also be the most serious. When the proteins in an allergenic food come in contact with an IgE antibody (located in the skin, gut, and airways, or in the blood), a cascade of cellular events occurs resulting in the release of histamine and a multitude of other chemical mediators. The rapid release of the histamine and other chemicals is what causes the allergic reaction. The outbreak, which generally occurs within minutes of ingestion, can be relatively mild or severe. Moderate symptoms might include a rash, generalized itching and redness of the skin, facial or eyelid swelling, abdominal cramping, vomiting and/or diarrhea. These can be treated with a quick-acting antihistamine and tend to run their course over a few minutes to hours. The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis, which can occur instantaneously or a few minutes after ingestion. As a general rule, the quicker the onset of symptoms, the more serious the reaction is likely to be. Symptoms of anaphylaxis might include those mentioned above, but can also rapidly progress to breathing difficulties and chest tightness (due to bronchial constriction and swelling of the airways), a drop in blood pressure leading to shock-and even death. Epinephrine (also known as adrenalin), which is available for self-injection in the form of an Epipen and other auto-injectors, must be given immediately and repeated if necessary. Foods that commonly cause severe reactions include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, sesame seeds, milk, and eggs. The most serious reaction I ever witnessed resulted from the ingestion of a single pine nut. That tiny seed (it's not really a nut) transformed a healthy teenager into a critically ill patient within a matter of minutes. Fortunately, the patient recovered, but anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated immediately and aggressively. If your child has ever had an immediate allergic reaction to a food, you should consult with a board-certified allergist. To identify or confirm the symptom-triggering food, the allergist will likely give a few tests, either through the skin or blood. From there, you and your allergist can come up with a plan to eliminate the food from your child's diet and discuss prevention and management of future reactions.

Delayed Allergic Reactions: Subtle Yet Elusive

While less dangerous in terms of one's immediate health, the "delayed allergic reaction" can be much more difficult to diagnose and treat. As the name implies, it can take hours or even days after ingestion for the symptoms to show up, making it harder to establish a cause-and- effect relationship. The typical symptoms can involve several organ systems and may be quite subtle in their presentation. In addition to the classic allergy symptoms (think nasal congestion, a runny nose, and a rash), delayed reactions may also present with very vague and nonspecific symptoms, such as frequent headaches, recurrent or chronic abdominal pain, fatigue and lethargy, irritability, dark circles under the eyes, leg pains, and recurrent ear or sinus infections.

Part of the difficulty in diagnosing these food reactions is that there's no reliable allergy test that can accurately identify or predict a delayed outbreak. Skin testing and blood tests aren't helpful because they only measure the IgE antibody, which is responsible for immediate reactions. Research has not yet identified the antibody or antibodies responsible for delayed reactions, although there has been considerable interest and research in the possible role of the IgG antibody. Blood tests to measure this antibody are available, but its reliability as a predictor of delayed allergy has not yet been established.

So how can you figure out if your child's symptoms are the result of something he or she is eating? The best method we have right now is to eliminate the suspected food (or drink) from your kid's diet for four weeks. If you notice a significant improvement in symptoms, you're ready for the challenge phase: Serve the food in question for several days straight. If the symptoms start recurring, you can be relatively sure that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established. Even after avoiding the food culprit, it can still take a few weeks for symptoms to completely disappear, so be patient.

By far, milk and other dairy products are the most common cause of this type of reaction. Over the years, many teenagers have walked into my office with their parents complaining about stomach discomfort and profound tiredness. By the time they've come to see me, they've usually been through various tests and have seen multiple physicians, including gastroenterologists, and have often been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. After hearing about their saga and symptoms-and seeing the dark circles under their eyes and their pale, sallow complexion-I can usually tell that it's a dairy allergy. Fortunately, many responded dramatically to a few weeks off of milk. They couldn't believe that the innocent act of drinking milk and eating dairy products could make them feel so ill-and that avoiding these products could restore their good health and vitality in such a short time.

Food Allergy Cross-Reactivity

If you're like me, you may have a food allergy that's directly connected to your sensitivity to tree and weed pollens. Called "oral allergy syndrome," this condition shows up when there's a cross-reactivity between tree or weed pollens and corresponding foods that share a common allergen. For example, because ragweed pollen and foods in the gourd family share a common allergen, people allergic to ragweed may exhibit symptoms after ingesting foods such as melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew), zucchini, cucumber, and bananas. Because I'm allergic to ragweed pollen, I cannot eat melons or ripe bananas without developing intense itching in my throat. If you're sensitive to birch tree pollen, you may react to apples, pears, and apricots. Celery may be a problem for those allergic to mugwort pollen.

The typical symptoms, which are generally mild and transitory, are itching of the throat, mouth, and tongue. That aggravating throat itch often compels sufferers to rub their tongue against the soft palate, making a characteristic "clucking" sound. The vast majority of patients experience symptoms within five minutes of ingestion. Depending on the time of year, the presentation can be affected by the particular pollen season. The upside of this condition, which is the most common food-related allergy in adults, is that symptoms are only caused by the ingestion of raw or uncooked fruits or vegetables. The heating process that occurs during cooking breaks down the allergic protein, so you can eat boiled, baked, fried, or roasted fruits and veggies without triggering symptoms.

Allergies In Infants

Because of their age, newborns and infants can be especially sensitive to food allergies. Symptoms may include colic, irritability, excessive spitting and vomiting, rashes (including eczema or hives), nasal symptoms (such as congestion and runny nose), coughing or wheezing, and other gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, bloody stools, or constipation). There can also be poor weight gain. Allergies in infants up to age one are almost always caused by food-most commonly cow's milk. Yet a baby doesn't have to drink milk straight for symptoms to break out: The proteins in cow's milk can enter the baby's system through some commercial formulas, as well as by passing through the mother's milk during nursing. A small percentage of milk-allergic babies are also allergic to soy.

In recent years, researchers have devoted themselves to understanding the disturbing rise of food allergies, especially in infants and kids. What they have discovered is leading allergists and physicians to dramatically revise recommendations on how and when we introduce foods to infants. For many decades, the time-honored and well-established approach was to delay the introduction of highly allergenic foods into the infant's diet to prevent the emergence of food allergies. For example, solid foods are generally not recommended until six months of age, cow's milk until one year, eggs until two years, and peanuts, tree nuts, and fish until three years. There is also a widely accepted notion that breast feeding alone for the first six months of life will minimize or delay the onset of food allergies and other allergic diseases (including asthma), as well as atopic dermatitis or eczema.

The latest medical evidence, however, is debunking these age-old theories. Indeed, the recommendation to delay the introduction of foods to infants as a means of preventing food allergies may be the wrong approach altogether. Recent studies have revealed very credible scientific evidence to suggest that the common practice of delaying the introduction of cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, and other foods may increase the child's risk of developing food allergies. And, even more importantly, there is evidence to suggest that the early introduction of allergenic foods may actually prevent the development of the allergy to that food. As an example, a recent study demonstrated that children in England were ten times more likely to be allergic to peanuts than children in Israel. One very strong hypothesis to explain this finding is the fact that Israeli infants are introduced to peanuts, generally through Bamba (a Peanut flavored snack that is used as a teething food), at about six months of age. On the other hand, children in England are generally not introduced to peanuts in any form until approximately three years of age. This study is just one of many that strongly suggest that an early introduction to certain foods can help babies build desensitization, thereby decreasing the risk of developing a food allergy.

Managing Severe Allergies

Historically, the treatment of serious food allergies has consisted of avoiding exposure and ingestion of the allergenic food, and making antihistamines and epinephrine immediately available. Total abstinence is indeed difficult and often impossible, as evidenced by the large number of accidental ingestions and allergic reactions that have resulted in emergency room visits. Even with strict avoidance measures, the potential for sudden and life-threatening outbreaks can lead to extreme anxiety in both the child-and the parent.

Fortunately, medical research has now proven that orally-administered immunotherapy can result in a significant degree of desensitization, or tolerance, to a given food in most allergic patients. This form of therapy, however, is associated with a significant amount of risk and should only be performed under the watchful eye of a board-certified allergist experienced in oral tolerance induction. Presently in the United States, this form of desensitization is being performed at a few highly-acclaimed medical centers.

An Allergy-Free Future

With all the time and money being put into food allergy research, there is excitement in the medical field about the possibility of new breakthroughs in the near future-both in prevention and treatment. I, for one, am optimistic that a safe and effective treatment is close at hand.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms - Identifying and Understanding Gluten Allergy Symptoms

Gluten allergy symptoms require careful observation and thorough consideration. Gluten allergy symptoms are not easily identifiable in a single day nor are they easily identifiable as being unique to a gluten intolerance. But if you become concerned that your body isn't responding well to foods with gluten in them, you must take precautions because celiac disease can be very serious.

One difficulty with gluten intolerance symptoms is that they often begin in a subtle manner. If you develop gluten intolerance, you may not suddenly experience severe pain or obvious discomfort relating to your diet. They typically begin with gas and bloating accompanied by mild fatigue. Some experience a dull, mild stomach pain.

More severe symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue and dizziness. These symptoms usually kick in at a later stage. If left untreated, celiac disease and its accompanying gluten allergy symptoms may become much like severe malnutrition symptoms.

This may puzzle some people as they may believe they are consuming enough good, nutritious food. But if your body is reacting to gluten in your system, it doesn't matter how much food you eat or how nutritious it is... your body just isn't digesting it properly.

While we refer to it here as an allergy, the truth is celiac disease often does not manifest itself in a manner we would associate with the term allergy. When we think of allergies, we often think of immediate reactions like the kinds experienced by hay fever sufferers or those allergic to peanuts. In fact, it is possible to have a more traditional allergic response to wheat, but not have gluten intolerance.

Gluten allergy symptoms, on the other hand, are really more of a systemic condition. Over time, your body over-reacts to gluten in its system and thus slowly wears down the lining of your intestines. As your digestive system deteriorates over time, the gluten allergy symptoms become more common and more severe.

If left untreated, celiac disease can have serious consequences. You must completely eliminate gluten from your diet to eliminate gluten allergy symptoms.

Looking At German Shepherd Allergies

German Shepherds, like any other living animal, can develop allergies to things around them. Sometimes these allergies are inherited through genetics and other times these allergies affect only your dog and can occur even though your dog's lineage does not have any of these conditions in it. It can be frustrating but one of the first ways to handle German Shepherd allergies is to be able to identify them and know what they are. The symptoms can vary sometimes but the behavior can be consistent enough that you can let your vet know what is going on and hopefully stop it.

One common allergy is called atopy. Atopy is a skin allergy that is usually inherited from previous generations. Some symptoms are foot biting, excessive cleaning in areas such as the armpit, and your dog may even develop conditions that make it difficult to breath or cause a lot of noise when the dog is trying to breathe. Sometimes this can be cured with a change in diet but consult your vet for the answers you need.

Another in the list of German Shepherd allergies is potential food allergies. Sometimes a German Shepherd is not able to digest some proteins or other nutrients properly and this can cause an allergic reaction. The symptoms are biting at the coat and any kind of digestive symptom such as vomiting, diarrhea or both. If you notice that your dog just cannot keep its food down the contact your vet, as your vet will need to put a program in place that tries to narrow down and identify the nutrient that is causing the problem and then adjust your dog's diet accordingly.

This one just needs to be said in an article like this and that is to avoid giving your dog chocolate. Chocolate in any form, whether it is in bars or cake, can be potentially lethal to your dog so avoid your dog ingesting chocolate at all costs. This is not a myth and while it is true that some dogs can tolerate certain levels of chocolate it really is not something that you want to try and experiment with, as you never know what the results could be.

Some German Shepherd allergies are not as easy to figure out as others and a fleabite causes one of the more sneaky allergies. This is why you should always pay a lot of attention to your dog because sometimes allergies to fleabites can show up in places where fleas bite, like the stomach, but you rarely look. Flea bite allergies usually show up in the form of what is known as hot spots where there are patches of your dog's skin that seem warm to the touch and maybe even oozing liquid. If you find a hot spot get your dog to the vet immediately.

Allergies can pop up at any time and you need to keep an eye on your dog so that you can recognize the symptoms and get your dog the help it needs from your vet. Sometimes treatment can be as easy as a change in diet while in other cases medication may be required. But either way it is important to treat your dog's allergies immediately.

Ragweed Allergy, Symptoms and Practical Tips

Ragweed is an invasive plant or weed that flourishes right across America. Every year during mid to late summer ragweed produce enormous amounts of pollen which travels on the wind to find new soils to grow in. Over a season each ragweed produces a billion pollen grains which is why it is so widely distributed.

With ragweed producing such large amounts of pollen and being so widely spread across the U.S. it is not surprising that between 10 and 20% of Americans report ragweed allergy symptoms.

You may not believe it but ragweed is really not out to get you, it is going about the daily business of survival and doing a rather good job of it, don't you think? In fact so well does ragweed pollen travel that it has been found 400 miles out to sea and so well does it rise in the air that it has been detected 2 miles up.

In urban areas the pollen count from ragweed is generally highest around noon and for 2 or 3 hours after, although local conditions and weather can alter this. Ragweed sensitive people need to keep up with the pollen count and take whatever preventive measures they can.

Ragweed Allergy Symptoms

Ragweed allergy shows up like other pollen allergies. Typical symptoms include stuffy nose, irritated and red eyes and scratchy throat. Most folks reach for anti-histamines from the pharmacy and others reach for natural antihistamines like vitamin C. In addition many asthma suffers find that ragweed triggers their asthma.

People with ragweed allergies may find that they are also sensitive to some related foods. Cantaloupe, bananas, sunflower seeds may also trigger symptoms in ragweed sensitive individuals. Honey is a special case since some folk find it helpful with allergy symptoms but pollen has been found in some types of honey, so it may be best to avoid it unless you have had the all clear from an allergy test.

Practical Tips to Deal With Ragweed Allergy

Apart from treatment options you can discuss with your Doctor there are some practical measures we can take.

Air filtration may be helpful in reducing the amount of pollen circulating in the spaces where you work or live. A high efficiency or H.E.P.A. filter may be especially useful. Using a vacuum cleaner with such a filter is also effective at reducing the circulating pollen in your home.

Habits like changing clothes and shoes when you come home may reduce the amount of pollen carried into the home and finally, showering daily to wash pollen out of your hair is a simple zero cost measure to reduce exposure.

Coping With Allergies During Pregnancy

Many women suffering from allergies fear pregnancy because of the constant intake of medications. Some of the anti-allergy drugs are even considered to have a negative effect on the growing fetus.

It is possible to manage with allergies and pregnancy at the same time. According to some studies, the level of cortisol in blood increases during pregnancy. This hormone has an anti-allergic action. During pregnancy, allergies tend to become less severe because of this fact.

After you give birth, the level of cortisol will go back to normal and you will be experiencing the same allergy symptoms that you suffered from before getting pregnant.

Of course, some women are exception and their allergies get intensified during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Allergy Medications
During pregnancy, women will be able to take only some medications, since others have the potential to harm the fetus. It is important to know that none of the allergy drugs guarantees 100 percent safety.

Some anti-allergy pills can seriously harm the fetus. A number of medications have the power to interfere with the cardio-vascular system and lead to serious defects that the child will suffer from.

It is essential to consult a medical expert about the drugs you can and cannot take during pregnancy. The doctor will also give you tips about alternative forms of treatment that may be more suitable while you are pregnant.

Alternative Allergy Treatments
To diminish the chances of allergies occurring during pregnancy, you will have to be extra careful about avoiding the allergens. A diet is a must if you are allergic and you are about to become a mom.

Avoid any foods that could be connected to an allergy - eggs, milk, fresh nuts, caviar, chocolate, cheese, can and spicy foods.

Consume boiled or stewed fatless meat, fruits and vegetables.

Smoking and second-hand smoke must be avoided. Cigarette smoke can influence the lungs of the fetus and it can also lead to acute allergy symptoms. The children of smoker moms are more prone to developing bronchial asthma.

Medical Consultation and Pregnancy Preparation
You are pregnant but you suffer from some form of allergy or another. Before doing anything else, you need to discuss the situation with an allergy expert.

The doctor will be able to determine the threats that you and your unborn child face, as well as the best ways to overcome those.

The doctor will also let you know if any lifestyle changes would be needed, apart from a new diet low on allergy-related foods.

Once you get your medicine and diet regime, you should follow it strictly. Remember that if you are suffering from asthma, you are also endangering the life of your baby. Take the medications you have been prescribed and stick to safe practices. Asthma can also cause low birth weight and even a preliminary birth.

You will be able to have a risk-free pregnancy even if you are suffering from an allergy. It is all about discovering the best practices that minimize the risk to your baby's health. Remember to remain calm and to consult an expert. Once you know what to do, you will be able to enjoy the period of expectation.

Food Allergies, Intolerance and Adverse Reactions Associated With Specific Pollens

If you are allergic to a pollen you may be allergic or react to certain foods such as apples, celery, nuts, melons or bananas. Numerous studies have confirmed the reports of people who have pollen allergies reacting to certain foods. The most well described and studied of the food-pollen syndromes is the oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or as it is also called "the burning mouth syndrome" because of the typical reaction noted by affected people. After eating a food that cross reacts with a pollen to which you are allergic, burning or tingling sensations begin in your mouth. Itching, pain, swelling and difficulty swallowing or breathing may occur. True anaphylaxis resulting in total body collapse from shock and death if not reversed has rarely been reported.

Typical pollen allergy symptoms such as runny nose and congestion, itchy watery eyes, and wheezing are also commonly reported. Other symptoms described include nausea, stomachaches, headaches, diarrhea and chest or throat tightness. Very few people are aware of these associations. Most doctors, except a few allergists and gastroenterologists, do not explore patients allergy history in the context of possible food reactions. Educating people about these types of conditions is one of the primary goals of "the food doc", Dr. Scot Lewey, a practicing gastroenterologist (stomach-intestine specialist).

Ragweed pollen has been shown to be associated with these type of reactions after people eat bananas and fruits in the gourd family such as watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. Pollen from Mugwort, another weed also known as Sagebrush, in the Artemisia family, has been associated with allergic reactions to celery, carrots, fruits in the Rosaceae family (apples, cherries, peaches) and those in the Gourd family (melons). Pistachio, persimmon, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, lettuce, camomile tea, and honey have also been reported to cause reactions in some people who are Mugwort pollen allergic.

Birch tree pollen is associated with numerous food cross reactions including celery. Cross-reactivity between celery and Birch pollen occurs more in central Europe whereas in Southern Europe celery and Mugwort reactions are more common. A Mugwort-Birch-Celery-Spice syndrome has also been described. People allergic to both Birch tree and Mugwort weed pollen may react to spices like pepper and paprika in addition to celery, carrot, and mango. Birch pollen is strongly associated with food reactions to Rosaceae family fruits (apples, apricots, peaches, pears, cherries), tree nuts (walnut, hazelnut, Brazil nut), legumes (peanut, various beans and peas), members of the Parsnip family (parsnip, parsley, anise, cumin, caraway, coriander) and the potato-nightshades (potato, tomato, peppers).

House dust mite, a serious allergen for many people, cross reacts with mangos, shellfish, bananas, melons, tomato, avocado, papaya, pineapple, peaches, Kiwi fruit and various spices. Kiwi, an unusual fruit in a class by itself, may elicit a reaction in people allergic to Birch trees, Mugwort weed pollen, and latex. The Latex-Fruit Allergy Syndrome is characterized by allergy to foods in the Rosaceae family including almond (classified as a fruit not a nut) and plums, as well as other fruits such as passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, mango, melons, and bananas. It is also associated with reactions to spices such as dill, ginger, and oregano and the nightshades, potato and tomato and chestnuts.

A few articles in scientific literature have reported associations of specific HLA gene patterns to pollen allergy and fewer still have noted HLA DR and DQ gene pattern associations with food-pollen cross-reaction syndromes. HLA DQ genetics are well known in celiac disease. There is also limited published data associating certain DQ patterns with microscopic colitis, collagenous colitis and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. HLA typing may be clinically useful in evaluation and elimination diet recommendations for suspected food allergic, intolerant or sensitive individuals. This type of information will be one of the goals of thefooddoc.com website. A table that lists the common pollens and foods that have been reported to cross-react with those pollens will be posted on the site very soon.

Though extensive research has been done and many of the protein structures contributing to these cross-reactions is known, little is known about these reactions by most of the lay public and many doctors. Seasonal pollen allergies may be associated with more severe reactions. Those with documented cross-reactions or prior OAS reactions may be at increased risk and certain HLA gene or DQ patterns may be associated. People with known or suspected pollen allergies should be aware of these possible food reactions. If you would like further help sorting out if you are intolerant or allergic to certain foods please visit http://www.thefooddoc.com in the near future to undergo a free online assessment and sign up for the online diet symptom diary, updates, and access the free educational content.

Are the Foods You Eat Making You Sick? Identifying Food Allergies

We have all heard the old saying, "You are what you eat." Unfortunately, for many people, food is a source of chronic illness. Food allergies and food intolerances can create a host of health problems--from hives and anaphylaxis, to eczema, asthma, headaches, sinus infections, celiac disease, digestive issues, depression, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and many others conditions.

Over fifty million people--that's one out of five people in the U.S. suffer from allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, one out of twenty children under the age of five and one out of twenty-five adults are allergic to at least one food. The number of people affected by food intolerances is suspected to be higher.

Food Allergy or Food Intolerance

The terms food allergies and food intolerances are often used interchangeably, although they have two different definitions. A food allergy is when the body's immune system generates an immunological reaction when exposed to a food allergen. The symptoms of a food allergen appear quickly, such as eating a peanut and then getting hives or a skin rash or even anaphylaxis minutes to hours later. The term food intolerance is used to describe reactions to foods, however the immune system is not directly involved. People with food intolerances can experience a variety of symptoms including headaches, brain fog, fatigue, depression, stomach aches, eczema, asthma, colic, joint pains, insomnia, and many other symptoms, but the symptoms are usually delayed and can occur hours to days after eating the irritating food.

The Top Ten Food Allergies

The list of the most common food allergens includes: wheat, eggs, dairy, soybean products, corn, citrus fruits, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potatoes), peanuts, shellfish and alcohol. Babies and young children are most often allergic to milk, eggs, wheat, soybean products, and peanuts. Older children and adults are most often allergic to peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews), fish and shellfish.

The Elimination / Rechallenge Diet

The gold standard for assessing food allergies is the elimination/rechallenge diet which involves eating a restricted diet, avoiding any potential food allergen for four to six weeks, then reintroducing a suspected food allergen into the diet and observing any reaction. The advantages of this testing method include:

• People can easily identify an adverse reaction to a food when they reintroduce it to the diet
• There is no added cost or expensive testing involved with this diet

The cons to this diet include:
• Many people find it difficult to stick to a restricted diet for 4 - 6 weeks
• It takes extra effort to buy and prepare hypoallergenic meals

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) Testing
This method of food allergy testing is done through a blood test where serum is measured for specific immune markers--IgE and IgG antibodies--to specific foods. The advantages of this testing include:

• Less time consuming than the elimination/rechallenge diet
• It can be safer than skin prick testing if a person has anaphylaxis reactions to foods
• The results can be very motivating for people to change their diets

The disadvantages of this test include:

• This testing is not 100% accurate or reliable
• Some people show high levels of immune markers, such as IgE antibodies, but when they eat the food they do not have adverse reactions

How to Heal from Food Allergies and Intolerances

Healing from food allergies or food intolerances usually involves some avoidance of the foods that aggravate symptoms for a period of at least 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. The avoidance of food triggers will help decrease inflammation in the body and give the body time to heal. There are a variety of supplements used to help heal the lining of the intestine. Probiotics are an essential component of reestablishing the bacterial balance in the digestive tract and encouraging intestinal healing. The probiotic strains with the most research include lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, bifidobacteria and saccroymyces boullardi, which is actually a strain of yeast that helps balance intestinal flora. Other nutritional supplements used to heal the gut include:

• Digestive enzymes used to help breakdown food
• L-glutamine, an amino acid used to heal the lining of the intestine
• Whey protein powder used to strengthen the immune system in the gut (not recommended for people with dairy allergies)
• Quercetin, a bioflavonoid used to prevent histamine reactions
• Drinking green tea can decrease allergic reactions

Healing food allergies and food intolerances requires effort. It requires the willingness to change your diet and your lifestyle. There are many health care practitioners who specialize in treating food allergies and food intolerances. Consider consulting with your local health provider to learn more about identifying and healing food allergies.

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

Identifying the gluten intolerance symptoms can save one from having a wrong diagnosis as gluten intolerance can easily be misinterpreted as some other disease in the digestive system. This is mostly due to the similarities in the signs and symptoms that these digestive diseases show.

First off, here is a list of the most prominent lactose intolerance symptoms that one would find in a gluten intolerant person: gluten intolerance bloating, skin rashes, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss and weight gain. This also includes depression and anxiety. Diarrhea and weight loss are the biggest signs and symptoms that are to be checked and see if they lead to a patient being gluten intolerant. Shared with other wheat intolerance symptoms are foul-smelling stool and low blood iron levels.

Many signs and other gluten intolerance symptoms are very similar with Celiac disease symptoms and this is the cause of much misdiagnosis. Celiac is an auto-immune system that the body does and attacks the villi in the small intestines when gluten is introduced into the system, therefore damaging the small intestine and breaks the amount of nutrients the body receives. The basic signs and symptoms of Celiac are diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, abdominal distension, lack of energy, loss of weight, lack of absorption of calcium and vitamin D, infertility and miscarriage. Gluten intolerance symptoms and the signs of Celiac disease are to be carefully looked at before completely diagnosed as either of the two.

Candida symptoms also prevail in those with gluten intolerance and may be alleged as gluten intolerance symptoms. This is most prevalent in the Candida symptoms of digestive pain, headaches and anxiety attacks. Candida itself is a type of yeast that is naturally a part of our body and when a problem arises in our immune system, the Candida in our body raises therefore triggering symptoms for a body that is weak against gluten, wheat and yeast.

Gluten intolerance symptoms are very common in people who do not have a rich diet of wheat every day such as rice or sandwiches. This is why most Caucasians suffer from gluten intolerance because their body has not developed a high resistance and when a high intake of gluten is introduced to the body, they develop intolerance to it. Gluten intolerance and Celiac itself leads to lactose intolerance due to poor bowel movement and poor nutrition, therefore the lactose intolerance symptoms are also to be observed to determine if a person has gluten intolerance. Gluten free foods and gluten free diets (best are those prescribed by a physician after examination) are usually advised for one with gluten intolerance. Also available are non-gluten breads and barley which may taste slightly different but are still necessary for they still carry the other nutrients that wheat carries.

Gluten intolerance children symptoms can be even harder to distinguish as children have a body that is yet developing and the symptoms may be diagnosed as almost any other disease related to the digestive system.

What is Corn Allergy?

Corn is a type of cereal grain that is made up of proteins. Research shows that very few people are actually allergic to corn. But those who are usually will suffer from sever allergic reactions. One of these most common and most deadly reactions is anaphylaxis. This is when your body goes into shock and will stop breathing.

People who have an allergy to corn are most often allergic to other cereal grains as well. Yet, even if they are there are times that they will not experience any symptoms at all like they do when they come into contact with corn. A person can have an allergic reaction when eating raw or cooked corn.

Research shows that they may even have reactions when exposed to corn pollen, cornstarch, or grass pollen. Because of this reaction it is important that they do what they can to avoid corn and corn related foods. This is the only way to prevent reactions from affecting them in the future.

The most common symptoms that someone with corn allergy will suffer from include; stomach pain, asthma, difficulty swallowing, anaphylaxis, decrease in blood pressure, stomach cramps, discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rashes, migraines, swelling in the face or tongue.

In order to make sure that people will avoid corn in their diet means that they need to pay close attention to what foods are made with it. We have provided a list of foods that can contain corn. (Please keep in mind that this is a small list and there may be other foods that you need to research and watch out for.)

Corn tortillas
Corn syrup
Corn oil
Corn meal
Cornstarch
Vegetable oil
Popcorn
Grits
Corn sugars
Margarine
Corn chips (Tortilla chips, Fritos)
Corn fritters
Breakfast cereals (such as corn flakes)

Food is not the only thing that you will need to watch out for. There are different paper containers that may contain corn as well as the inner surface of plastic food wrappers that could be coated with cornstarch. These include cups plates, boxes, and milk cartons.

Seasonal Dog Allergies Does Your Dog Need a Kleenex

Does your dog suffer from seasonal dog allergies? Are you suddenly avoiding sitting to close to your favorite pup for fear of being sneezed and slobbered on? Our dog Maddie that we adopted last fall has developed seasonal allergies and when she starts with one of her sneezing fits, everyone runs for cover! Poor girl...

It's actually quite common for dogs to have seasonal allergies just like we do. When spring rolls around, dogs often begin spending more time outdoors than they do in the winter. This exposes them to the normal allergy causing culprits such as pollen and grasses and with this exposure comes the typical symptoms we all can experience.

It is actually normal for a dog to sneeze occasionally the same as a human. So occasional sneezing is nothing to be concerned about but if your dog is having recurrent sneezing, it's time to do some evaluation of their symptoms.

Begin by allowing them access to fresh drink of water. This alone can clean out the nasal passage of various irritants. After allowing them a little bit of time to get a thorough drink, give them a few minutes to allow time for their sneezing to stop. If after a reasonable amount of time, the sneezing does not stop, it's time to do a more careful assessment.

This is where you'll need to examine your dog's physical symptoms.

• First, check their nose. Is there nasal discharge? If so, is it clear or does it have a yellow or green color to it? Clear discharge is OK but a colored discharge likely indicates an infection. If this is the case, it's time for a visit to the vet.


• Check their eyes next for both drainage and clearness. Are their eyes watering and have lots of "crusties" in the corner?


• Check their face for swelling or for one side being larger than the other. This can definitely be a symptom of allergies or an insect bite or sting.


• Check their breathing. Are they taking nice clear breaths and exhaling evenly or does it sound raspy or even blocked on one side? This could indicate a potential blockage or swelling inside the naval cavity. If any of these symptoms are severe or beyond what appears to be normal seasonal allergies, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure, call your vet to get more information and advice.

What You Can Do For Your Dog's Seasonal Allergies

If your dog has seasonal allergies, they are likely reacting to pollens and grasses that are quickly growing this time of year. Sometimes these allergies can pass quickly as a particular plant comes and goes but if they continue, you can give your dog relief with regular antihistamines. Some of the most popular human antihistamines that can be used are:

Common antihistamines for dogs include:

• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)


• Atarax/Vistaryl (hydroxyzine)


• Chlortrimeton (chlorpheniramine)


• Tavist (clemastine)


• Periactin (cyproheptadine)


• Temaril (trimeprazine)

Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine from the receptors. This prevents the allergy symptoms from happening. It is noteworthy to mention that antihistamines work the best when given before your dog exhibits symptoms.

It's very important to check with your veterinarian for specific dosages for your individual dog. As with humans, dogs can experience side effects from antihistamines too. For example, your dog may become drowsy with the medication, in which case it's important that you keep them in where you can monitor them. Allowing a medicated, drowsy dog to run can be dangerous. The potential for a fight with another dog or even wandering into the street in front of a car could be deadly in that state.

When you are assessing your dog's symptoms, be sure to consider the following as potential causes. If your dog spends part of their day outside, then consider the things your dog may have come in contact with. Most dogs are highly curious and will spend a good portion of their outdoor time checking out new and interesting items.

This can include flowers, plants and even bees or wasp. Unfortunately, all of this sniffing and smelling can lead to a blockage of their nasal passages, inflammation, swelling, pain and of course sneezing. If your dog continues to suffer and sneeze or if their sneezing produced a bloody discharge, the blockage can be serious and you should seek veterinarian treatment immediately.

When you examined your dog, did you find any swelling or evidence of bites or stings? I want to mention for those that live in areas with snakes and especially rattle snakes, it's quite common for an over curious dog to get just a little too close and be a little too slow to avoid a strike. This happens all of the time in the area we live.

Generally though, you will know immediately something is wrong. The swelling will be fast and severe. Get your dog to a veterinarian immediately for treatment. Our veterinarian recommends keeping Dexamethasone (a potent synthetic member steroid drugs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresant. It's about 20-30 times more potent that hydro-cortisone and 4-5 times of prednisone.) on hand for immediate treatment until you can get them to the vet - which in our case is an hour away one way. Remember, always check with your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog.

Finally, if their breathing seems to be labored in anyway or they are just having difficulty in breathing through their air passage, seek your veterinarian's help immediately. Also, once you have treated your dog with medication, if you do not see improvement, it's time to contact the veterinarian.

It's important to remember that dog's can have potential allergies for a variety of things that can cause sneezing and itching and various other allergy symptoms. The problem isn't always environmental and can sometimes be a skin condition or an allergy to their dog food for example. So make sure to take into consideration all of your dog's issues before choosing a treatment option.

Six Allergy Symptoms In Dogs

You may have never heard of allergies in dogs or you may have noticed something weird going on with your dog lately. As a dog owner, you may not be aware of the allergy symptoms in dogs. Twenty percent of dogs are thought to have some type of allergy that they are dealing with. Therefore, if you own this four-legged best friend, you need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms, just in case. This way, you will know what to watch for and how to recognize those allergies. In the paragraphs below, we are going to take a close look at some of the symptoms your pet may have if they are suffering from allergies.

First of all, we have hair loss. Yes, every dog will experience hair loss, but if your pet has started to lose hair in large areas of the body, then that is a sign.

Secondly, there are skin problems. If your dog is suffering from flaky, dry or itchy skin, then they may be an allergy sufferer. When you look at your pets skin, you may even notice swollen areas or hives. For this one, you should take a trip to the vet in order to make sure it is not some type of disease.

The third symptom we are going to talk about includes inflamed ears. If the pup has been shaking his or her head, scratching at the ears constantly or there is redness in the area, then they may either be suffering from an allergy or have those horrible ear mites.

The fourth symptom includes your four-legged friend chewing on itself. Some dogs will get so obsessed that they will result in chewing on themselves.

The fifth symptom include chronic hot spots. This is where there is inflamed areas on the skin. This one is usually cause by your dog who is licking the area too much.

The sixth symptom to watch for would be an upset stomach. This one is tricky, because your pet is not going to tell you that he or she has a tummy ache. Instead, you have to watch for loose stools and vomiting.

If you find any of these six symptoms we just listed above in your dog and you have noticed them going on for some time now, then he or she may have allergies. You should realize that dogs that were not allergic to something at one time could suddenly develop an allergy to it, just like a human. Allergies are not able to be cured, but there are some treatments - like removing the irritant from around the pet. First, you have to figure out exactly what it is that is irritating your pet. Perhaps they have food allergies? Closely examine your dog and watch every little step they take. In the end, you should always take your pet to the vet for a routine check up, even if they do not appear to be sick or have any symptoms from the above list.

What Strange Allergy Symptoms Can Teach You

Are you struggling with strange allergy symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere, causing sudden mysterious skin rashes, itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, or even difficulty breathing?

Welcome to the 21st century, where we live a fast paced and rapidly changing lifestyle that can cause us to feel stressed out on a regular basis.

In addition to the stresses of daily life, our bodies are exposed to hundreds or even thousands of chemicals and environmental toxins each day. Even if you live on a remote mountaintop, your body is breathing, drinking and eating all kinds of chemicals that have gotten into the environment.

These chemicals are affecting you and everyone else on the planet, and for some of us, our bodies have difficulty handling all of this extra input. When the immune system becomes overstimulated, we can develop all kinds of strange allergy symptoms.

Some of these symptoms may fit into what we know about allergies, such as hay fever, contact dermatitis and so on ... but some symptoms may be just plain weird!

Some Examples of Strange Allergy Symptoms

For example, did you know that some people get allergy symptoms whenever they sit down? Imagine getting watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and skin rashes every time you sit down to watch TV! No one knows yet what causes this, although it could be some kind of reaction to the chemicals in the chair upholstery

There are some people who break into a rash every time they use their cell phone! This may be related to a metal allergy such as nickel allergy, which can cause skin rashes, or to the exposure to the electromagnetic fields.

Did you know some people break out into hives when they sit in the sun? For most of us going to the beach would be fun, but for anyone who experiences this kind of sudden rash, it is really miserable.

What You can Learn from Strange Allergy Symptoms

If you notice that you are getting more allergies lately, your body is trying to tell you something. It is feeling stressed out and overburdened, and it needs some help!

The first thing to do is to slow down a little. Schedule time for a little extra rest and relaxation, and pay some extra attention to what you are putting in your body.

Instead of reaching for a donut and coffee when you get tired in the afternoon, try eating and apple and stepping outside to take a five minute walk. Instead of eating a candy bar, filled with endless chemicals, sugars and very little nutrition, try getting a healthy treat from the whole foods or health food store.

There are many simple and natural ways that you can prevent or eliminate allergy symptoms. It is not necessary to use fancy skin creams or take a lot of expensive supplements or medications if you know how to naturally reduce your body's tendency to react to irritants with skin rashes and allergies. This kind of natural approach has the extra side benefit of making you look radiant and beautiful!

Are Dog Food Allergies Causing My Dog's Itching?

Is your dog itching and scratching for no apparent reason? You've looked all over and don't see any signs of fleas. Could dog food allergies really be causing all this constant scratching?

Dog food allergy symptoms can include diarrhea, gas, hot spots, licking the paws constantly, and even a swollen mouth. But the most common allergy symptom in dogs involve the skin and coat. This can mean a dry coat, or a greasy coat. It also usually includes constant itching and scratching of the skin.

And don't think all this itching doesn't bother your dog just because they can't vocalize their discomfort like humans. It drives them crazy and stresses them out further, which just feeds upon the itching and scratching cycle. A scratch every once and a while is nothing to worry about, but constant scratching or scratching for long periods of time is not good for your pet.

Of course there could be other reasons your dog is scratching beside food allergies. Other common areas to consider are:

• mange - which you need to take your dog to the vet to confirm and treat


• flea allergies - some dogs are so sensitive to flea bites that just one or two fleas can erupt into a full blown scratching session


• inhalant allergies - some dogs have allergic reactions to pollen, dust, and mold, just like humans


• contact dermatitis - an allergic reaction to something that comes in contact with the skin, like household cleaners and pesticides


• nutrition - improper nutrition (poor quality dog food) can stress out your dog's immune system, which then attacks everything like an allergen

What Happens To You When You Have An Allergic Reaction

Each year, about midsummer, millions of children and adults begin to show various significant allergy symptoms. They sneeze, their eyes itch and become watery. They feel wretched for a month or two. Then the symptoms abate. These persons are suffering from attacks of hay fever - a prime example of what physician would call an allergic reaction.

To understand what allergies are, we must point out that when the normal equilibrium of the human body is threatened by an external agent, a sequence of automatic defense mechanisms moves into action. If the body becomes overheated, for example, it begins to perspire in order to cool itself. If it becomes too cold, it starts to shiver in an attempt to get warm.

An allergy is also a response to an external agent. But in this case the response to this outside source is severe and the reaction is neither normal nor desirable.

There are literally hundreds of possible causes of allergy, and the reaction may express itself in the human body in many different ways. One person breaks out in hives when he eats strawberries. Another starts to sneeze in the presence of dogs or cats. A third reacts to ordinary house dust. Some people have asthmatic attacks when faced by an emotional crisis.

The symptoms of allergy may first appear at any time from infancy to old age. They occur most often, however, before the age of twenty. Indeed, one of the major problems facing the doctor who treats allergies is to recognize the condition early enough so that he will be able to start treatment when it can do the most good.

Many allergic reactions are mistaken for other, less serious, conditions, especially in the case of infants and young children. Parents often neglect to mention these reactions to their physician until they have recurred several times.

It has long been known that inheritance plays a significant part in allergy. A person who has to allergic parents or whose family has a history of allergy has up to ten times as much chance of developing an allergy as a person from a non allergic family. Moreover, his or her symptoms will usually appear at an earlier age than would otherwise be the case.

However, persons with no trace of an allergic inheritance may also develop allergies, and some members of an allergic family may be completely free of allergic illnesses during their entire lives. There is not always a direct relationship between the type of allergy in the offspring. For instance, a mother with asthma may have one asthmatic child, another who suffers from allergic skin disease but who is free of asthma, and a third who shows no signs whatsoever of any allergy.

It is not allergy itself, but rather a tendency or susceptibility to allergy, that is passed on from parent to child. A person may have a tendency to manifest allergic reactions and yet never experience a single moment of allergic illness. His or her system is prepared at all times to react violently to an allergic assault. Fortunately, however, he or she will never have to come upon an allergic substance under conditions which would lead to a visible reaction.