9 Ways To Control Allergy Symptoms

An allergy is a hypersensitive response by the body's immune system normally attributed to environmental, substances, foods, or drugs. The typical allergic response can include some or all of the following: runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes (especially in children), congestion, asthma, rashes, stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, headaches, fatigue, fever, or anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction which can result in death. An adverse reaction to any substance, especially wheezing or difficulty breathing, should be reported to a healthcare practitioner; if it's accompanied by hives, call the doctor immediately.

While difficult cases may take time, proper diagnosis and tracking of allergic responses can often lead to control prevention of undesirable symptoms. Some allergies are simple, such as dog and cat dander, while others occur only if a combination of allergens is present. Confounding the effort to identify allergens are the multiple points of entry to the body; allergens may enter via the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin.

Here are the four general categories of allergens that affect people most:

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products: Drug allergies and drug reactions are fairly commonplace today with the advent of so many new types of drugs. While most drug reactions are not life threatening, some individuals experience an anaphylactic reaction (generalized swelling, breathing difficulties, and a drop in blood pressure), which can be fatal. Most individuals and parents of children older than seven generally know if they have allergies to medications. The obvious solution is avoiding drugs and the family of similar drugs when medical attention is required. It's especially important that a drug or sensitivity is recorded in your permanent medical chart.

Chemicals: Environmental chemicals and foods additives, including pesticide residues, are two major sources of chemical allergies. Some chemicals may actually weaken the immune system's ability to function optimally, further complicating allergic symptoms.

Environmental allergens: Pollen, mold spores, fungus, grass, poison ivy, dust mites, animal dander and hair or the protein residue from salivary licking of hair, and insect bites are hard to pin down and eliminate. Most of these triggers produce reactions that affect the respiratory system and are quite bothersome.

Lifestyle suggestions:

1. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid airborne triggers including pollution and chemicals, and stay away from smoking areas.
2. Consume a healthy diet that supports the immune system. Don't eat highly refined foods, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, reduce saturated and hydrogenated fats and replace with olive oil, high-oleic safflower oil, and omega-3 oils
3. Drink plenty of purified water: one-half your body weight in ounces per day. If you weight 100 lbs., then drink 50 oz. Or more every day to help flush allergens out of your system.
4. Remove any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, drapes, or rugs that can be dust catchers or harbor dust mites. Replace with good-quality hypoallergenic products. If removal or replacement isn't possible, wash frequently I hot water, or occasionally put the stuffed animal the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.
5. Change air filters regularly and have heating and air conditioning ducts professionally cleaned.
6. Use chemical cleaners carefully and cautiously. It may be prudent to use gloves and a respiratory mask when using cleaners; if latex gloves irritate your skin, use vinyl.
7. If the dog or cat is a problem, get rid of the animal. If that's not possible, do what you can - stay away from the animal, or at least keep it out of the rooms you spend the most time in.
8. During allergy seasons, stay indoors, especially on windy days, and away from any areas with a dense plant growth.
9. Invest in an air-purifier system for your office, home, and especially your bedroom.

Allergies diagnosis may be further complicated by a viral, bacterial, or yeast infection that can mimic symptoms of allergens. In some cases, both problems may be causing symptoms. Because knowledge of the various immune and non-immune system triggers are still far from complete, it may be necessary to try various treatments in combination before the right treatment for any individual can be identified. Severe allergies that can cause serious health problems should be documented in you medical records.

About 70% of the bodies' weight is water. It is the very thing the body needs most. Water is accountable for many body functions. Drinking enough clean and fresh water not only improves your overall health and well-being, it may also prevent you from many ailments and sicknesses. Give your body the quality water it deserves and in turn, it will serve you with the optimal health and appearance you have always desired.

For the best possible water for your health, right from the faucet, for pennies per gallon, please visit http://drinkingwatersafety.fitnessguide101.com/best-water-for-optimal-health. After all, who wants to fill 70% of their bodies' weight with impurities, toxins and chemical treated water?

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Child Allergies - Three Common Types

Allergies in children can be pretty scary because children cannot always articulate what is happening with their bodies. So it is left to parents and caretakers to be watchful for behaviors and symptoms that might indicate the child is in discomfort or serious trouble. Here are 3 of the most common types of allergies that affect children, their symptoms, and some suggestions that will help.

Food-25% of children age 5 and under suffer from food allergies in the U. S. and that number has risen more than 15% since the late 1990s. Food allergies affect both boys and girls with African American boys being most at risk. Unfortunately, children with food allergies are more likely to develop other related health issues as your child grows older. Common products that affect children are peanuts and nuts to the point that many schools are now peanut-free, and peanut products are prohibited in many schools to avoid any chance that an allergic child might be affected. Wheat, dairy products, seafood, and soybeans are also frequent allergens.

The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the foods. But this is often easier said than done. Read food labels carefully. Avoid products that are manufactured in the same plant, or with shared equipment of a food to which your child is allergic. Inform others of their allergies-- at school, day care, on play dates, at church. As your child grows and is able to communicate effectively, explain how important it is for them to let others know what they can safely consume. Allergy shots or allergen immunology can help decrease sensitivity to various allergens over time. Consult with your child's allergist to see if this is an option. And most importantly, always have a plan in place for emergencies. It could very well save your child's life.

Contact Dermatitis-This is skin reaction that is generally precipitated by contact with natural or man made substances in insecticides, household chemicals, laundry detergents, fragrances, and synthetic fabrics in clothing and bedding to name only a few. Symptoms include red, swollen and/or itchy skin, wheels, and whelps. It is generally located specifically at the point of contact, and usually resolves when the irritant is removed. To reduce flare ups use organic fabrics for clothing and bedding, wash clothing and bedding before your child uses them, and use a detergent such as Dreft that is gentle on young skin.

Airborne-Allergens that are airborne can be found both inside and outside. Outdoor allergens can be seasonal and include a variety of pollens, mold, and mildew spores. The good news is that once the season for the allergen passes, the symptoms often leave as well. If your child's allergies are serious enough, your pediatrician may recommend an allergist who will help formulate a plan for effectively dealing with the allergies. It may include medication, and an Epipen (a pre-packaged, ready to inject dose of epinephrine) for emergencies. Be sure to follow the plan, and make others aware of the plan include teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, and all other who interact with your child.

Indoor allergens are tougher to avoid, will not go away without help, and include irritants such as household dust, dust mites, and pet dander. These need to be dealt with constantly to provide relief. Some non-invasive solutions include washing bed linen weekly in water 140 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter to reduce the dust mite population, removing carpets that make it easy for allergens to hide and difficult for you to eliminate them, and use a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier to remove airborne dust, mold and mildew spores, and other common indoor allergens.

An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove airborne allergens from your child's air is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Baby's Breath Purifier. See it now at http://purerair.com/babys_breath.html

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Common Child Allergy Symptoms

Allergies developed by adults may be tough to diagnose, but even more complex to diagnose are children's allergies as some common symptoms can be similar to other ailments. What becomes even harder is that children are oftentimes less capable of describing their symptoms, which leave most parents guessing. To ensure you can spot children's allergies, here are some general symptoms to watch for:

Sinus Infections: When the way your defense system overreacts to a certain allergen, it produces more body fluids, which successively cause the sinus passages to be blocked. There are germs and bacteria that will be able to pass through these passages. As they travel through your passages they can invade the tissues that line your sinus cavity. This causes infection, to which people who contract allergic reactions are vulnerable, because their own immunity from the disease weakens while attempting to avoid foreign elements. This lowers the defense system causing the body to be less effective in fighting these germs. Sinus infections are very uncomfortable symptoms because they result in nasal congestion, headaches, and even fever.

Itchy Nose: This is among the most common allergic symptom in children, and in adults as well. The nose easily detects allergans and reacts by feeling itchy. If there are irritants causing allergies in the environment, an itchy, stuffy nose are a clear warning sign of allergies. These symptoms can turn more serious when the condition leads to a severe cold. When your child is rubbing his or her nose in a way that seems to resemble a salute action, this is an indication of the allergic reaction. In fact, this action has been nicknamed by many as the "allergy salute". Allergic reactions may be prevented by trying to avoid regions or areas where others are experiencing any type of allergies. If you are wondering if your kid has contracted an allergy, an itchy nose is one of the clear signals that your child may be developing an allergy.

Jane has been writing health and wellness articles for over a decade. She has recently written articles on Mens Skin Care Products at http://MensSkinCareProducts.net.

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All About Child Allergy Symptoms

Spotting children's allergies can be pretty tricky business. Symptoms are often quite similar to other ailments. Here are a couple of symptoms to look for that may indicate that your child has an allergy:

Chronic Cough: If your child is dry coughing and it does not seem to abate over a few days, this is a sign of chronic cough. Sometimes, you might find phlegm. This might be an indication that there is raised fluid levels in their sinus cavity. This is an allergic symptom to pay attention to. Remember that chronic cough may also be an illness condition not just an allergy symptom. It is advisable to look for other possible sources of the cough which could be resulting from other ailments. If the cough persists even after eliminating other possible sources, the most appropriate course of action is to seek medical assistance to help diagnose the actual source of the cough.

Allergic Eczema: If the skin comes in contact with irritants, it may develop a skin condition called contact dermatitis. This is not a serious condition, however, if it is persistent and other symptoms occur, these might be an indication of allergies. If there are rashes, dryness, redness, and itchiness in the folds of elbow joints, eyes, knees, and on the face, these are signs that may require more immediate attention, and treatment.

Dark-Eye Circles: These are usually called Denni-Morgan lines, named after the two physicians' who first made the connection between the allergies and their relationship to dark eye circles. These are also called allergic shiners, because the discoloration or black, raccoon appearance under the eyes resulting from amplified bloodstream flow occurring in the sinus area. These are not due to lack of sleep. The circles might also come with extra skin fold.

Jane Bristow has been writing health-related articles for over a decade. She has recently written articles for choosing a Skin Firming Lotion at http://SkinFirmingLotion.net/.

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Symptoms of Child Allergies

Allergies at any age can be difficult to diagnose, but are particularly complex in children because many allergy symptoms can also be indicative of other conditions. And children are often less able to accurately describe their symptoms. Here are 5 common allergy symptoms and ways they may present differently that make them suggestive of allergies rather than other conditions.

Dark Eye Circles - This discoloration under the eyes looks like raccoon eyes or black eyes and are called allergic shiners. The area under the eyes appears darker because of increased blood flow to the sinus area rather than due to a lack of sleep. Shiners related to allergies are often accompanied by an extra fold of skin under the lower eye lids called the Denni-Morgan lines. These lines take their names from the two physicians who first made the connection between allergies and its relationship to this facial feature.

Allergic Eczema - This may first appear as contact dermatitis that is the skin's reaction to contact with an irritant; but is most often associated with allergies and presents as a rash in folds of the skin-knees, elbows, eyes, and even on the face. The affected areas are often very dry, red and itchy skin. Unfortunately, those who have allergies often suffer with this condition as well.

Frequent Sinus Infections - When the body overacts to an allergen, it produces additional fluids. These fluids then block the sinus passages, and bacteria and germs that are usually able to pass through and leave the body are able to invade the tissue lining the sinus cavity causing infection. Infection tends to be more common with those who suffer from allergies because the body's attempt to fight off foreign substances weakens the immune system making the body less effective in freeing itself of germs. Sinus infections can cause headaches, nasal congestion, and fever.

Chronic Cough - A cough that does not go away, is mostly dry, and only sometimes brings up phlegm into the mouth is usually an indication of increased fluid in the sinus cavity. Additional sinus fluid is often due to a reaction to allergens. Since the cough is a symptom rather than a condition, and even though it can be treated, eliminating the cause is the only sure way to eliminate the cough for good. If a cough persists, seek medical advice immediately as it is a symptom of many conditions other than allergies.

Itchy Nose - The nose knows when there are allergens present, and it lets the body know with an itch. This one symptom clearly defines the presence of an allergen from just a stuffy nose associated with a cold. Many children with allergies rub their nose in a way that resembles a salute, and this action is often nicknamed, the allergy salute. The only way to eliminate allergy symptoms is to avoid contact with the allergen that precipitates the reaction. But knowing and being able to recognize these common symptoms will allow you intervene earlier and provide relief for your child sooner.

An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove allergens from your child's air is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Baby's Breath Purifier. See it now at http://purerair.com/babys_breath.html

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