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Archive for October, 2007

Symptoms of Allergies: When to Seek Medical Help

October 30th, 2007

Von

Nearly all of us have experienced them at one time or another. The runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing. Symptoms of allergies can strike anytime or anyplace, depending on what the allergy trigger is for an individual. Most allergies are not serious, and can be easily treated at home with homeopathic remedies, over the counter medications, or simple avoidance of the triggers. However, there are some people who have serious allergies that can become life-threatening if they are not treated immediately. This is why it is important to understand the difference between mild, moderate and severe allergy symptoms, and when a health care professional should be involved in the treatment plan.

Mild Symptoms of Allergies

The milder symptoms of allergies are the ones that most of us will experience at one time or another. These symptoms might include itchy, watery eyes and nasal congestion. They can also include a localized skin rash or hives. In the case of milder allergy symptoms, the condition does not spread to other parts of the body. You can usually treat your symptoms effectively at home, using antihistamines or nasal decongestants. Other possible treatment options include eye drops, or topical creams for skin rashes. Most of the time, mild symptoms of allergies do not require a doctor’s care, unless the condition lasts for longer than a couple of weeks.

Moderate and Severe Symptoms of Allergies

When symptoms of allergies become moderate to severe, they can spread to other parts of the body. They can also become more dangerous and even life-threatening in some situations. Moderate symptoms of allergies can include itching and difficulty breathing. More severe symptoms might include swelling in various areas of the body, which can make swallowing and breathing difficult. You might also experience digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases mental clarity becomes compromised and you might feel dizzy, fuzzy or confused. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms of allergies, it is important to seek medical care immediately. These symptoms could be an indication of anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.

In most cases, symptoms of allergies are mild and can be effectively treated with over the counter medications and home remedies. However, it is good to know what more severe allergy symptoms look like, so you will be prepared to seek medical help if the situation ever arises. Quick action can mean the difference between life and death for those who suffer from severe allergy symptoms.

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Tags: Allergy Symptoms, Avoidance, Eye Drops, Health Care Professional, Hives, Homeopathic Remedies, Medical Help, Mental Clarity, Mild Symptoms, Moderate Symptoms, Nasal Congestion, Nausea Vomiting, Runny Nose, Skin Rash, Skin Rashes, Symptoms Of Allergies, Topical Creams, Treatment Options, Vomiting And Diarrhea, Watery Eyes

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What You Should Know About Sun Allergies

October 29th, 2007

Von

Not only vampires are allergic to the sun. Although we don’t often hear cases of sun allergies in the country, this type of allergy is actually common. In most cases, people who have mild sun allergies do not even realize that they have this type of allergies. In most cases, people who have a mild case of this type of allergy would think that they are suffering from sunburns after spending a short period of time under the sun.

Understanding Sun Allergies

Sun allergies can be attributed to the immune system reaction to sunlight. There are some people whose immune systems have problems coping with excessive sunlight that they end with itchy red rashes after spending a few minutes under the sun. In most cases, the itchy red rashes appear at the back of the hands, the surface of arms and legs and in the neck area.

These itchy red patches usually go away after a couple of days so there is really no need to be alarmed over the situation. There is no need to rush to the hospital and demand for treatment or something. Just buy some over the counter anti allergy lotion or cream and spread it on the affected area. A nice warm bath can also help sooth the itchiness away. Do not scratch the itchy skin to avoid causing more damage.

On the other hand, although most people who suffer from sun allergies do not really develop severe symptoms, some people do develop small blisters and hives not only in the skin areas that are exposed to the sun but also in those areas which are clothed. In cases like these, it would be better to see a doctor before you put something on your raw skin.

Yes, over the counter creams and medicated lotion may work but it is always better to be safe. Note that blisters and hives can become infected so be sure to get medical help before you develop something serious. Besides, you do not really want to cause more damage to your skin. Always remember that damages skin on your legs and arms can look really ugly.

For people who have the tendencies to develop severe reactions to the sun, it is not really safe to do some sun bathing even for just a few minutes. People with sun allergies who need to work outdoors must wear protective clothing and sun block to minimize the effect of sunlight on their skin.

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Tags: Allergic To The Sun, Arms And Legs, Blisters, Couple Of Days, Excessive Sunlight, Hives, Immune System, Immune Systems, Itchiness, Itchy Skin, Medical Help, Mild Case, Mild Sun, Rashes, Raw Skin, Short Period, Skin Areas, Sun Allergies, Sunburns, Vampires

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Skin Allergies Account For Most Complaints

October 28th, 2007

Von

One of the most common complaint people see an allergist for is skin rashes. Usually confined to small area that has come into contact with an offending allergen, it can spread and cause additional problems if left untreated. Similar to other types of irritations, skin rashes can be anywhere from inconvenient to debilitating and can be caused by a number of things, many that are found in a variety of products making isolation difficult except with patch testing.

Many skin rashes can develop later in life, while other become apparent at the first sign of exposure. Many of the items to which people are allergic are common and seem almost innocuous as to causing skin rashes. Products made of jewelry metal such as gold, silver and nickel are often cited as the cause of irritations, and in some people, and even the smallest trace of the element can trigger a break out.

While the most common cure for skin rashes is to avoid contact with the offending product. Corticosteroid cream has shown to offer relief for irritation on the skin, but of those used to test its effectiveness against skin rashes, three percent developed an allergy to the cream.

Common Items Cause Uncommon Problems

In addition to jewelry metals, ingredients in many common items are known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Thimeroral is a mercury compound often found in antiseptics and vaccines can cause skin rashes in some patients. A common ingredient in cosmetics, deodorant, soap and pet food, neomycin sulfate has also been know to cause rashes in some users.

Quaternium 15, commonly used as a preservative in self-tanning lotions, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen can also cause skin rashes and bacitracin, used as a topical antibiotic is blamed for rashes on many users. The ingredients in products meant to protect most folks from irritating skin rashes can cause a reaction in others.

Formaldehyde is often used in medications, household cleaners and cosmetics and has been known to cause severe rashes in some people, and if used on an existing rash can exacerbate the problem. Cobalt chloride in hair dye, antiperspirant and alloyed with metals for buttons and snaps can also be a problem for allergic users. Figuring out the exact cause of skin rashes can be a time-consuming process and the current patch test is about the only way to narrow down the choices. Contacting an allergist for persistent skin rashes can determine if the test is necessary to isolate the offending product.

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Tags: Allergen, Allergic Reactions, Allergist, Antiseptics, Bacitracin, Deodorant, Formaldehyde, Gold Silver, Household Cleaners, Nail Polish, Neomycin, Pet Food, Preservative, Self Tanning Lotions, Skin Allergies, Skin Rashes, Sunscreen, Topical Antibiotic, Uncommon Problems, Vaccines

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How To Cope With Seasonal Allergies

October 28th, 2007

Von

According to studies, around 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. The causes of seasonal allergies vary but some of the most popular causes of these types of allergies are pollen, mites and molds. Pollen is especially hazardous to people who have allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Once the pollen gets into contact with the mucous membranes that protects the nasal passage, the membrane gets irritated and may become swollen, making it difficult for that person to breathe. In most cases, the inflammation of the nasal passage will result to itchy throat, runny nose, swollen sinuses and watery eyes. For some people, the reaction can be more severe. It is not uncommon for people to get hospitalized because of severe reactions to pollens. To cope with seasonal allergies, here are some tips for you.

Preventive Measures

One of the best ways to prevent seasonal allergies is to increase your dietary intake of the essential fatty acids. According to studies, fatty acids from fish and flaxseed can help prevent allergic reactions in most people. Taking increased dose of vitamin C can also lower the levels of histamine in the blood so make sure that you eat plenty of fruits. Fruits and juices are better compared to synthetic vitamin C in capsules. Most experts agree that fresh is best so do double you intake of those vitamin C capsules. Instead, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Another way to prevent seasonal allergies is to monitor the level of pollen and mold inside and outside of the house. If the pollen and mold level outside is high, keep your windows and doors tightly shut to ward off these microscopic things. Do not wander off outdoors too much especially when weeds, trees and shrubs around the area are in bloom. Note that trees, weeds, grass and shrubs release pollens into the air during this time. If you must go outdoors, cover your mouth and nose with surgical mask to filter the air that you inhale. The surgical mask can only hold so much of the pollen and molds at bay so try not to stay outdoors for too long. Let someone else do the yard work for you.

Once you get back indoors, take off your clothes and put them in the washer immediately to ward off seasonal allergies. Molds and pollen tend to cling to your hair and clothes so make sure that you wash your clothes or stash them away. Furthermore, you need to wash your hair before you hit the bed. Note that the pollen and molds that clung to your hair could easily find its way into your nostrils when you sleep.

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Tags: Allergic Reactions, Allergic Rhinitis, Dietary Intake, Essential Fatty Acids, Flaxseed, Fruits And Vegetables, Histamine, Mold Level, Mucous Membranes, Nasal Passage, Preventive Measures, Runny Nose, Seasonal Allergies, Surgical Mask, Swollen Sinuses, Synthetic Vitamin, Trees And Shrubs, Types Of Allergies, Watery Eyes, Windows And Doors

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Common Peanut Allergies Can Cause Fatal Reaction

October 27th, 2007

Von

People suffering from peanut allergies need to extremely careful about just about anything they eat as many items made from peanut shells and oil can trigger as bad a reaction as experienced by eating peanuts. Many times people with peanut allergies do not understand that anything made from peanuts, even without the whole peanut being present can trigger a reaction, which could develop into anaphylactic seizure and death, depending on the degree of allergic reaction.

When most people of peanut allergies they think of the typical peanut, which in reality are legumes and many people with peanut allergies are also allergic to peas and beans, members of the same family. Although they are probably also allergic to nuts that grow on tress such as almonds, pecans and cashews. Some of the indications of peanut allergies include a tightness in the throat, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. While mane people have developed an allergy to nuts, it is fairly common in children and more children are developing the allergy than they have in the past.

Contrary to popular belief, it is very rare for a person to outgrow an allergy. In some cases, a person may have been misdiagnosed as having peanut allergies and years later it is determined their immune system can, in fact tolerate its ingestion. An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system sees a nut as a dangerous object and mobilizes its defenses to fight it off.

Nuts Often Hidden In Foods

Peanuts are a widely used food product and can show up in places many people would never expect them to be found. While peanut butter is an obvious source of peanuts and is taboo for those with peanut allergies, many may not realize that crushed nuts are often used in sauces and in Asian foods such as pad thai. Additionally, an Italian sauce called Pesto is made from crushed nuts.

Many health food and energy bars contain nuts as do bouillon some favoring sauces. When a person has been diagnosed as having nut or peanut allergies it can be a life-saving decision to stay away from all foods containing them Even if not listed in the ingredients, persons with a high susceptibility to peanut allergies can suffer an attack with even a trace amount in the product.

Many of the fruit flavored cereals also contain nuts as do many candy bars and salty snacks. Potato chips can also be fried in peanut oil, which can cause and attack of peanut allergies in just about everyone.

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