Questions About Hay Fever? - 7 Answers That Can Help

Each year hay fever affects over 23 million people in the United States. And that number is based only on the people who check in with a health care professional. So it is pretty clear that this is a huge health issue.

Knowing the answers to these 7 frequently asked questions can help you manage allergic rhinitis more effectively.

Is there a difference between hay fever and allergic rhinitis? No, they are terms that are often used interchangeably for the same condition. Rhinitis being the more clinical name for hay fever is the swelling of the nasal tissues in some people that is caused by exposure to airborne irritants such as mold spores as well as tree, grass, and weed pollen.

What are the symptoms for hay fever and how do they differ from a cold? This is a frequently asked question and a great one because the symptoms for the two conditions are very similar.

Sneezing, coughing, congestion, post nasal drip are common to both conditions. However, it is the duration of the symptoms that gives the best indication.

Cold symptoms tend to run their course in 5 to 10 days. Allergy symptoms can last for months. And by consulting a physician about symptoms that last more than several weeks, they are often able to determine which you have by the condition of lining of the nasal cavity.

Which kind of pollen causes the most trouble, and when does that season start? Probably the most potent of all pollen is that of ragweed. This plant usually starts to pollinate in late summer and often continues until it is killed by frost in late November or early December (depending on the climate where you live).

Will a physical move to another part of the country help? The problem with moving to another part of country to escape is that the wind can take these light-weight allergens hundreds of miles from where they originate. So trying to run away from them is not likely to work.

When does pollen season end? It depends largely on where you live and the type of pollen. Tree pollen is usually the first to emerge and can do so as early as January in warmer regions.

Grass pollen follows and last from mid spring to late summer. And finally weed pollen goes airborne in late summer and can last until early December or frost, whichever comes first.

Is medication a short or long term solution? The answer to this question really depends on the type of medication. The first type is designed to control the symptoms and generally include antihistamines that are designed to dry up the additional mucous the body makes in an attempt to flush out the allergens.

The second type of medication is designed to reduce the body's initial reaction to the allergen, which if successful, reduces the need for the medicines that control symptoms.

Then there are allergy shots. This is a slow process that meets with mixed results for different people. The idea is to gradually inject increasing amounts of the allergen into the body. The hope is that the body will become desensitized and will be less likely to overreact with symptoms.

Can an air purifier really make a difference? An air purifier with HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filtration is one of the most consistent recommendations in the allergy management plan.

Reducing exposure to the irritant is still the best way to manage allergies, and a HEPA can remove airborne particles that are as small as.3 microns in size. A cleaner with multiple sized filters, and variable filtration speeds is one of the most effective ways to stay on track despite hay fever.

A Natural Remedy for Allergy Fights Irritable Symptoms

The natural remedy for allergy can keep your allergic symptoms in check. Instead of relying on and constantly taking the risks of adverse effects of drugs like antihistamines, natural cures for allergic reactions helps dampen your system's reaction to allergens safely and effectively. The moment you are exposed to allergens, symptoms are almost always immediately manifested in the eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and stomach. Common symptoms like watery and red eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, fatigue, headache, tight feeling in the chest, coughing, nausea and breathing problems can immediately put you under a great deal of misery. Being armed with the knowledge for a? natural remedy for allergy helps you immediately get relief from uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms.

On natural remedy for allergy

Many have found instant relief to allergy by using antihistamines and decongestants. However, long-term use of these drugs may negatively affect health. While these drugs are potent in controlling allergic reactions, side-effects like sleepiness and grogginess can reduce the alertness and concentration of the patient. To allergy suffers who wanted to do away with unwanted side-effects, natural cures for allergy presents an equally effective treatment option. In fact, all-natural cures for allergic reactions can be implemented with simple home items.

Herbs

The healing wonders of herbs extend to alleviating allergy symptoms. Herbal remedies like red clover and eucalyptus can relieve congestion and loosen mucus. Eucalyptus makes great chest rubs and liniments that relieve pain and calms cough and colds. Red clover makes potent healing teas that exhibit antispasmodic and expectorant properties. Alfalfa offers cold relief and is effective in calming the irritated mucus membranes. Licorice root is good in stimulating the release of hormones that relieve inflammation. Sarsaparilla root, Irish moss, ginger root and bladderwrack are potent immune system boosters.

Not only are herbs an effective defense against nasty allergy symptoms, they also offer more significant health benefits that strengthen the immune system as well as the body's defense against the irritating effects of allergens.

Anti-allergy diet guidelines

To help the body quickly eliminate irritating allergens, increasing fluid and water intake is essential. Fruit juices are good except citrus fruit juices. All vegetables are good to go, but stay away from corn and tomato and tomato-based products. Prefer eating white meat such as turkey and white fish like sole, halibut and swordfish. Stay away from common allergy inducing foods like shellfish, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and walnuts.

Natural supplements are also helpful in improving allergies. Taking your daily recommended dose of vitamins A, C and E, mineral Zinc and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) plus bioflavanoids should give you potent antioxidants and immune-strengthening nutrients. These nutrients are proven effective in mitigating the impact of allergies as they reduce histamine production, stimulate anti-inflammatory activities and buffer the acidic and other nasty effects of allergy attacks.

Reminder

For many people, cures for allergic reactions are just a drugstore away. When there are wide assortments of drugs and sprays that offer immediate relief to allergic symptoms, using natural alternatives and natural allergy treatment regimen proves to be the safer and more practical option in resolving this health issue. Unlike drug medications, the natural remedy for allergy poses near zero risk of troubling side-effects. Hence, cheap, convenient and effective natural remedy for allergy offers practical and quick relief to the common discomforts of allergies.

What Makes Seasonal Allergies So Bad Some Years?

Many people who suffer from seasonal allergies often find some years they have little or no allergy symptoms, than the next year their allergies may return with vengeance and they suffer day to day the entire allergy season. This is one reason why people often fail to prepare for allergy season, because the last year was not that uncomfortable for them they do not bother to get their shots or stock up on their medicine. The biggest impact on how a bad the allergy season will be is the weather.

A very wet and rainy spring is often the start of a terrible allergy season. The more rain, the more plant and mold growth there will be. The next ingredient is dry and naturally warm weather. Lastly mother nature blows the pollen and mold spores around, higher winds pick up the pollen and spread it around which is great for plant reproduction but not so great for allergy sufferers.

Obviously there are certain places that are worse to live for people with seasonal allergies. Many people find when they move their allergies go away. Others find that their allergies start once they move to a new place. Some people who have severe allergies will sometimes even relocate to try and escape their allergy symptoms. This years worst city for spring allergies in the United States or allergy capital is Lexington, Kentucky according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The list like the weather varies from year to year in exact ranking but many repeat offenders appear every year.

Keeping a eye on the weather can give you a indication of how bad your seasonal allergies might be but it is best to always be prepared for the worst. Stay informed and check the daily allergy and pollen levels from day to day.

Beer Allergy: Symptoms And Causes Of An Allergy to Beer

Having beer allergy is not something that everyone is familiar with. Other food allergies, people can understand. They are even familiar with peanut allergy. However, if you mention that you have an allergy to beer, an incredulous look will appear on the face of your friend.

Beer is a beverage beloved to all. Manly men and gregarious laughter are often associated with beer drinking. An ice cold glass of beer in one hand and a juicy hotdog in the other is usually seen on game nights. Whoever would have believed that there is something in beer which can make other people itch.

Beer allergy is not very common. This is because sometimes the symptoms of hypersensitivity to beer may be masked by symptoms of too much drinking. So how do you know if it's a beer allergy? Simple, if you experience itchiness or facial flushing with even a sip of beer, then it is possible you may have beer hypersensitivity. To confirm this assumption, several laboratory procedures may be done. The allergy to beer develops when one of the components that make up beer is mistaken by the immune system as something bad. These components can be from the barley, yeast, wheat or sulfates. When these are consumed in beer, the allergic reaction starts.

Itchiness over all areas of the body, flushing or red faced, swollen lips, and shortness of breath characterizes an allergic reaction to beer. Sometimes, allergy to other substances such as yeast and wheat means an allergy to beer may also develop. Of course, it could also be that some beers have lower concentrations of allergens than others. However, these allergies should not be taken for granted.

Anaphylactic reactions may also develop in this type of allergy. This is when uncontrolled allergic responses are compounded in one person. Suffocation plus irregular heartbeats observed in a person may indicate the onset of the response.

Treating beer allergy involves treating the associated symptoms. There is no known cure for this allergy, or any other allergy for that matter. The use of antihistamines is to manage exacerbations of rashes and hives. Bronchodilators open up clogged air ways. These two are the mainstays of therapy for beer allergy. Another way to address the problem is to relax. Stress aggravates skin conditions involved in allergic attacks.

Although true allergic reactions to beer are uncommon, several information sources are available through the internet. More facts regarding beer allergy can be found if you search the right place.

Dust Mite Allergy Solutions - Effective Home Eco-Cleaning Guide

Dust mite allergy problems are rising steadily. Unwelcome mites just love our warmth and hospitality because we feed them and keep them nice and warm in our beds and pillows at night. This is not the most appetising of conversations to bring up before dinner, but it's one that needs to be addressed quickly and effectively, because the common dust mite is becoming much more of a problem in every home than ever before. This is no fun for the millions that endure dust mite allergy symptoms like sneezing, a running nose, nasal congestion, streaming eyes, skin rash and breathing difficulties.

Nearly 33% of the population in the UK have some type of allergy, and there is no sight of this trend slowing down. Dust mites are microscopic critters that originate from the 'arachnid' or spider family of insects, and they are responsible for over half of all household allergies in the UK. Allergy UK maintain that over 20 million UK residents have some form of allergy.

There is no doubt about it - we must banish these unhealthy and unwelcome visitors from our home. They love to take up residence in our carpets, pillows, mattresses, sofa, and especially everywhere around the bedding area - oh yes! and in it too. Removing dust mites and harmful allergens in your bedroom dramatically reduces allergy symptoms and improves your health.

So how do we get rid of those '0.02mm' micro sized mites from our home? You will never completely get rid of them all from your home, but you can reduce their numbers to such an extent that you will find that your breathing at home becomes much easier, and those with allergies will find a marked reduction in the severity of allergy symptoms that they normally endure on a daily basis.

Avoid Chemicals For Dust Mites
Dust mite allergy symptoms can be difficult to cope with, but never find yourself tempted to use any chemical based cleaning solutions in your home, as this will simply add or multiply the amount of allergens and chemicals that are potentially inhaled by members of your family.

Carpeting in your home is the best place to start, because dust mites like to bury themselves in the warm, humid pile. If your home is wall to wall carpeting throughout, then there will be billions upon billions of them breeding in the carpet fabric. Many of those with allergies prefer rugs scattered around on wooden floors, because you can take them out to the garden and use a carpet beater to get all of the dust and debris out quickly and effectively. House dust mites prevention is also important. Tiled or wood flooring is an option worth consideration if your symptoms do not improve with cleaning.

Effective Dust Mite Vacuums
Start dusting your room from top to bottom so that it all falls on the carpet. Wipe off dust from tables, furnishings etc. Next you will need a competent HEPA vacuum cleaner to give the carpet a thorough clean. This should trap a high proportion of dust and their mites/faeces in the filter. Do not buy a HEPA vacuum if it does not have 'EN1822' authentication.

Many unscrupulous vacuum manufacturers will not divulge this information, and try to pass off an inferior HEPA vacuum as a 'true HEPA' cleaner. To be very honest about vacuums now, there is no point in buying a cheap vacuum cleaner, because they are more likely to emit more of the debris and dust that they pick up back into your home atmosphere - which defeats the whole purpose of dust particle retention.

I could ramble on all day about the importance of purchasing a high quality vacuum cleaner for your home. My opinion is that if you suffer from dust mite related allergies, you must have one of the better micro filtration or S-Class filter vacuum cleaners for your home. They are very effective in trapping the tiniest particles from your carpets and your home atmosphere. 'British Allergy Foundation' seal of approval vacuum cleaners are worth your consideration too as they have been tested for their filtration qualities, and how well sealed the unit casing is for minimal leak back of unhealthy particles.

Yes, Sebo and Miele vacuums are more expensive than others, but they are quality machines that you can rely on for years and years. Even if you do not suffer from dust mite allergies - it's still wise to buy a vacuum cleaner that traps over 99.98% of all dust, pollen, smoke particles, tiny hairs and those invisible pollutants that float into every home. Vacuums with a high filtration technique literally clean the surrounding air in your room as you vacuum your carpet. Invisible dust and chemical particles are filtered through the machine, ensuring that you do not inhale dusty, stale or used air.

Some people buy 3 cheap vacuum cleaners in 1 year because they break down after a short time, and they usually come with no warranty to fall back on. A premium vacuum manufacturer will supply you with a high quality cleaner and a long guarantee at the same time. Therefore you will always be in possession of a competent vacuum that gets fixed immediately if something goes wrong.

You really can't afford to buy cheap, especially when you or your family's health is in question. We spend most of our time at home, and we really should be sitting in a clean, fresh, hygienic atmosphere breathing in nothing but pure fresh air, rather than enduring nasty dust mite allergy symptoms.

Steam Clean Dust Mites
After you have dusted and vacuumed your entire home - it's time to get out the steam cleaner. There really is no better way to clean your home than with the natural power of pure, hot, dry steam without any caustic cleaning solutions that are on sale in the supermarket. There are some fantastic steam cleaners on the market that efficiently manage carpets, upholstery and hard flooring. Steam cleaning in your home is environment friendly, safe, and yields effective dust mite allergy relief. It effectively kills dust mites and eliminates allergens and chemicals, leaving very high indoor air quality. Many modern steamers come with every accessory that you need to clean your home from top to bottom.

Look for those with the 12 - 15 piece accessory set which enables you to steam the following - Windows, mirrors and glass, clean grout in between tiles, porcelain sinks, chrome objects, shower doors, plastic glass fittings, curtains, lamp shades, mattresses, bedding, all round the bed area, vinyl fabrics, synthetics materials, cotton and leather upholstery, window blinds, kids cuddly toys, cooker surfaces, oven interiors, garden furniture, jewellery, straighten out wrinkles on your favourite clothing, vegetation, clean algae on decking and exterior wooden surfaces.

Always use as little water or moisture as possible when applying to any surface, especially the carpet as this will take longest to dry naturally. Let dry naturally and ventilate your rooms for as long as you can. Most good steam cleaners come with a full set of instructions guiding you best on how to clean practically anything you desire in your home.

After you have vacuumed the entire house and finished steam cleaning curtains, carpets, soft furnishings etc - and everything has dried sufficiently, you will have a much fresher, cleaner, more hygienic home to enjoy with all the benefits that comes with living in a healthy atmosphere, free of dust mite allergy problems, stale air and allergens.

Natural Remedies for People With Allergies

Although it is not always possible to avoid taking medication to control your allergies, you can sometimes alleviate the symptoms by using natural remedies. Here are a few natural remedies that may help you to lessen the severity of your allergy attacks.

Visit a Chiropractor
Regular visits to a chiropractor will help to keep you healthy and lessen the symptoms caused by your allergy. This is because the chiropractor will work on your nervous system. A healthy nervous system ensures your immune system is working at its best level. The stronger your immune system is the less chance you have of having a severe allergy attack. Regular visits to your chiropractor will help you to have a better quality of life.

Take Vitamins B5 and E
Vitamins can help you remain fit and lessen your chances of having an allergic reaction. Take vitamin B5 daily once you begin to feel the beginning of allergy symptoms. You can also try a course of vitamin E for four to six weeks during the months of the year when you are more susceptible to an allergy attack.. Have a Healthy Drink before Breakfast To help your intestinal track and your nasal passages, try five drops of castor oil that have been added to a glass of fruit juice or vegetable juice. Take this mixture once a day, before breakfast. The best vegetables to use in this mixture are one part beetroot juice to one part cucumber juice and three parts carrot juice. An alternative is to squeeze half of a lime into a glass of lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of honey. These drinks will help flush toxins out of your system.

Remedies that will help you cope with Hay Fever. If you suffer from hay fever, try drinking a mixture of honey and lemon juice three times a day.

A steam treatment may alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. Put a teabag (chamomile tea is very good for people who suffer from hay fever) into a bowl of boiling water. Lean over the bowl, placing your face as close to the rim of the bowl as you comfortably can. Place a bath towel over your head, so you can breathe in the steam.

Keep your Home as Dust Free as Possible
If you suffer from dust or dust mite allergies keep your home as free from dust as you can. Choose tiled or wooden floors in preference to carpets and roller blinds in preference to curtains or Venetian-style blinds. Air your bedding regularly. Use cotton blankets instead of wool blankets because cotton blankets are easy to launder, so they do not harbour as much dust as wool blankets.

Meditation and Yoga can help the Allergy Sufferer
If your allergy is stress related, try using meditation techniques or yoga to help control the severity of your allergy attacks. Deep breathing exercises or yoga poses such as "shoulder stand pose" may help ease an allergy attack.

Depending on the type of allergy you suffer from, and the severity of your attacks, natural remedies may help you to lead a more comfortable life. Natural remedies will do no harm and it is certainly worth giving these remedies a try.

By Dr Maria Ananakis (Chiropractor)

Do You Have Milk Allergy Symptoms or Lactose Intolerance?

Many people often confuse lactose intolerance with milk allergies. Milk allergy symptoms are different from those that are related to lactose intolerance, and they are caused differently. Milk allergies like most allergies are caused by a protein. The immune system over reacts to the protein and tells the body that it is a threat. The symptoms are a result of the body trying to protect itself from the perceived threat. Lactose intolerance is a result of the body not producing enough of the lactase enzyme. When not enough lactase is produced the body has difficulty digesting milk products.

Generally lactose intolerance symptoms are stomach related like cramps, diarrhea, and excess gas. Milk allergies can also cause stomach problems but the symptoms cover a wider spectrum than those of lactose intolerance. Symptoms of a milk allergy can occur instantly or may take up to 24 hours to develop

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Vomiting

Dark circles under eyes

Stomach problems

Skin Rash

Hives

Dermatitis

Bronchitis

Respiratory problems

Diarrhea

Constipation

Eye/Ear irritation

Hyperactivity in young children

Severe reactions may require a epinephrine shot immediately

Avoiding milk products can be hard to do as milk and dairy are contained in so many recipes. The main compnents that should be avoided are whey and casein. Fortunately or should I say unfortunately with milk related allergies be so popular there are many products and even companies that specialize in dairy free products. When cooking at home you can replace milk in recipes with juice, water, soy milk, rice milk or almond milk. Luckily many infants who suffer will out grow their allergy to milk.