Friday

Causes and Treatments of Eye Allergies

When most of us think of allergies, an itchy, runny nose comes to mind first. But allergies do not only affect the nasal and sinus cavities. These pesky conditions can invade the eyes as well, leading to symptoms like itchy, watery eyes that can become red and swollen. The good news is that just like nasal allergies, eye allergies can be effectively treated with over the counter and prescription medications. It can also be helpful to follow the principles of prevention when it comes to eye allergies. But before we discuss how to treat them, it is important to understand why they occur.

Causes

When you consider the cause of eye allergies, it is actually not surprising at all to realize how many people might suffer from allergy symptoms in this part of their bodies. Our eyes are exposed to our environment and its allergens every day. And unlike the nasal passages, there is no means to protect the eyes from many of these harmful substances. While the nose contains cilia, which are tiny hairs that filter out many of the environmental particles, the eyes have no such built in protection system. This leaves our eyes vulnerable to the effects of our environment and the allergens within it.

It is thought that of all of the people who suffer from allergies of one type or another, nearly half of these folks will also suffer from eye allergies. This means that if you experience seasonal allergy symptoms, you have a higher chance of having eye allergies as well. You might also have an increased risk of allergies to this area if you have atopic dermatitis or a family history of allergies. The good news is that there are options for treating eye allergies, so that you can find comfort once again.

Treatment

In many cases, the best way to treat eye allergies is through prevention. This means avoidance of known triggers. It also includes not touching or rubbing your eyes, especially if your hands have been in contact with an allergen. Rubbing can also bring on an allergic reaction in some people. If prevention and avoidance of your allergy triggers is not sufficient to bring relief from your itchy, watery eyes, there are medications available as well. Some are found over the counter and others are prescribed by your doctor. Most of these medicines are allergy eye drops that can be used once or twice each day.

Eye allergies can be difficult to cope with, but there are ways to reduce and even eliminate uncomfortable eye allergy symptoms. Talk to your doctor today about the best choices in allergy treatments for you.

Thursday

What Your Doctors Know About Dairy Allergies

Dairy allergies are becoming one of the most common causes of ailments in both children and adults. Although some people do not really experience strong symptoms from dairy allergies, there are some people who react strongly to dairy products that they end up with some incapacitating symptoms and may even have to be hospitalized for a few days. If you are one of those people who have strong allergic reactions to dairy products, here are some of the things that you should know about dairy allergies.

What Is Dairy Allergies?

Medical professionals define this type of allergy as hypersensitivity to milk or egg protein. The allergic reaction to these otherwise harmless types of food can be quite crippling for some people. The most common symptoms of this type of allergy are diarrhea, wheezing and vomiting. Children who are prone to dairy allergies should never be given these types of foods to avoid any medical complications. Milk is known to be mucus forming, thus, people who are suffering from asthma should limit their intake of milk or simply do away with milk.

Shouldn’t children be given milk and eggs to help them grow? Yes, your children needs eggs and milk to help them grow but if they are allergic to these food, you just have to find other types of food for your children. Instead of giving your children milk based products, you might want to give them more fresh fruits and vegetables. There is really no point of tempting fate is so if your children manifest allergic reactions to milk and eggs, ovoid giving them these types of foods to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions and medical complications. Always remember that it is best to be safe than sorry.

Lactose Intolerance Versus Allergies

Many parents mistake lactose intolerance for dairy allergies. According to medical professionals, these two are really not the same. While dairy allergies are the negative reaction of the body against the nutritional components of dairy products, lactose intolerance is simply the inability of the body to digest the sugar found in milk.

In most cases, lactose intolerance will cause stomach cramps but it does not really trigger the other symptoms associated with allergic reactions. However, although the symptoms of lactose intolerance are not really serious, the effects of lactose intolerance can be quite uncomfortable. To avoid discomforts, especially when you are traveling or working in the office, it would still be a good idea to avoid milk based products if you have lactose intolerance.

Wednesday

The Most Common Food Allergies and How to Treat Them

Common food allergies occur most frequently with children, but it is possible for adults to develop them as well. Symptoms of food allergies might include tingling around the mouth, swelling of the lips or a skin rash. It might also include the more common allergy symptoms like a runny nose and congestion. Stomach upset is typical with many of the common food allergies, and might include symptoms like cramps or diarrhea. In some cases, dizziness may also be a symptom. More severe allergy symptoms, also known as anaphylaxis, may include swelling of the mouth and airways, difficulty breathing, vomiting or fainting. These symptoms require immediate medical attention, since anaphylaxis can become life threatening very quickly.

It is always a good idea to see your doctor if you think that you are suffering from a common food allergy. Even if your first reaction was mild in nature, it is possible that future exposures to the allergen can cause a more severe reaction to develop. Your doctor can use a number of different methods to try to determine whether you do indeed have a common food allergy and what exactly you are allergic to. This can be done through skin tests, blood tests, an overview of the things that you have eaten, and an elimination plan of taking certain foods out of your diet. Sometimes the exact culprit of a common food allergy can be identified, but other times it can be more difficult to pinpoint. One piece of information that makes precise diagnosis a little bit easier is a list of the most common food allergies. This is often a good place to start in the testing process.

The Top Eight

Eight foods have now been identified as the most common food allergies. These include milk and eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, fish and shellfish, and wheat and soy. This list of the top eight most common food allergies can explain around 90% of all of the food allergies that are diagnosed today. The good news is that the FDA has now required food manufacturers to list these eight allergens as ingredients in all food products so that people with these common food allergies can more effectively avoid their triggers in the food they eat. This is important because avoidance of allergens is generally the best treatment option for the common food allergies. If you know that you have an allergy to one of these foods, it is necessary to get in the habit of reading the labels on the foods that you eat, so that you can effectively avoid ingredients that you know you will have a reaction to.

Lake Water Allergies: Understanding Swimmer’s Itch

If you are one of those people who simply can’t resist a good swim, you might think twice about wading and swimming into some lakes and ponds no matter how clear the water may appear to you. According to experts, lake water allergies can cause a lot of discomforts to people and may even leave some ugly marks on your skin.

What Is Lake Water Allergies?

Lake water allergies also known as swimmer’s itch is the skins allergic reaction to infection cause by contaminated water. Contamination in the water does not mean industrial contamination or anything of that sort. What we mean here is the natural forms of contamination which is caused by birds and mammals that are living near the lake.

Note that many lakes in the country contain parasites of birds and mammals that can cause allergies. These allergens in the water are especially common during the summer time when more birds and mammals visit the lake. Since we cannot really prevent birds and mammals from getting into the lake and it would be downright inhuman to deprive these animals of their natural habitat, the only solution here is to avoid swimming into the lake especially if you are prone to lake water allergies.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lake Water Allergies?

The most common symptoms of lake water allergies is tingling, burning or itching of the skin within a few hours after you waded or swam in contaminated lake water. Many people also develop reddish pimples all over their bodies within 12 hours after they went into contact with the water. If not treated properly, these reddish pimples may develop into ugly blisters. Yes, things can really get quite ugly when this happen and you could suffer from a lot of discomforts for around a week or two. Fortunately, applying anti allergy cream and ointment on the affected areas of the skin will make the blisters go away within the next few days so you need not go to the hospital.

On the other hand, there are some people who develop more serious lake water allergies symptoms. Continuous or prolonged exposure to contaminated water often aggravates the situation. If you develop more serious forms of allergic reactions to contaminated lake water such as shortness of breath, huge lesions in your skin, fever and the likes, you should see your doctor immediately. You may be suffering from complications so do not ignore your symptoms.

Understanding and Preventing Mold Allergies

Allergies are a common ailment among many folks today, and the substances that people are allergic to can vary greatly. For those who are suffering from mold allergies, it may be difficult to cope with the symptoms. The reason that mold allergies can be such a challenge is that there is not a set season for mold to appear, and some sufferers can experience symptoms year-round. The good news is that these types of allergies are relatively rare; when you consider the number of molds that we might be exposed to every day. It is also possible to effectively treat mold allergy symptoms, so you that you do not have to suffer unnecessarily with the sniffling and sneezing that can arise with exposure to the dreaded substance.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mold allergies are similar to those of other allergic reactions, and can include nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and a skin rash. If you experience these symptoms while raking leaves or mowing grass, you might be suffering from mold allergies. Likewise, if you notice these symptoms when you enter a musty basement or other moist area, mold may indeed be the culprit. To determine if your allergies really are caused by mold spores, you can have an allergy test done at your doctor’s office. There are two types of tests that are done; a skin test or a blood sample. Either test can give your doctor a good idea about the substances that you might be allergic to so that he can treat your allergies in the most effective way.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for any type of allergy generally includes over the counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines. For more severe symptoms, your doctor can prescribe similar medications in stronger doses. You can also opt for steroidal nasal sprays to keep nasal passages clear, or inhaled medications if you also suffer from asthma. Many of these medications are safe to take over a longer period of time, making them a good option for mold allergy sufferers who might experience symptoms year round.

While there are numerous treatments for allergies that can be very helpful, another good way of reducing symptoms is by prevention. This usually entails an avoidance of the allergy triggers – which in this case would be mold spores. Prevention of mold allergies might include avoiding food that has a greater chance of harboring mold, like cheese and mushrooms, or staying away from damp areas like basements. It is also a good idea to change your furnace filter frequently to prevent mold from developing. With a combination of prevention and treatment options, you can successfully keep your mold allergy symptoms at bay.

Understanding Common Allergies And Their Symptoms

If you have these sudden attacks of itchiness, asthma, sneezing, coughing, rashes and red spots all over your body, chances are, you are allergic to something. Common allergies and their symptoms can manifest anytime and anywhere so if you have allergic reactions to some types of foods, smell, pollen and others, you need to be very careful and avoid your allergy triggers. Note that some common allergies and their symptoms can cause some complications in your body. Once medical complications happen, danger comes in. To help you understand common allergies and their symptoms, read on.

Types Of Allergies And Their Triggers

Common allergies and their symptoms can be broadly categorized into outdoor and indoor allergy triggers. Both outdoor and indoor allergies can make your life really miserable so be aware of the things that could trigger your allergic reactions. For instance, the most common allergies and their symptoms may be caused by different kinds of pollen. Pollen may come from trees, weeds, grasses and shrubs.

Technically, pollen is a harmless powdery substance that is emitted by the male plants into the air to pollinate the female plants. In other words, pollen is necessary to make plants grow and bear fruits. Unfortunately, there are people who are allergic to this stuff. Since is made up of very tiny particles and can be inhaled by a person, a person who is allergic to this stuff may suffer from different forms of allergies and symptoms.

In most cases, people who are allergic to pollen will suffer from asthma, allergic rhinitis and others. The weather also contributes much to the degree of the sufferings of those people who are allergic to pollen. According to experts, humidity will amplify the allergic reactions of the person. Since the pollen could become trapped in the moisture, it will stay longer in the air and cause more sufferings to people who are allergic to it. During humid conditions the impact of common allergies and their symptoms could magnify, causing the sufferer to feel extremely uncomfortable.

On the other hand, while the outdoor allergens may be seasonal, indoor allergens can be an all year round bother. People who are living in windowless apartments and those who are living in polluted areas are especially prone to common allergies and symptoms. Molds and mites are usually the culprit. Since the air in the windowless apartment is recycled, allergens are trapped inside the apartment thus the sufferer may experience an all year round coughing and sneezing.

Food Allergies Can Greatly Diminish Appetite

As much as most people like to eat, it can be depressing to learn they have developed food allergies. Despite how good a particular food may taste it is not worth the potential swelling, itching and the potential for death to consume a food product knowing it can ignite a reaction. While different people may suffer food allergies from different foods, some of the most common are peanuts and shell fish. Most will learn of an allergy the first time they are exposed to it, but allergies develop later in life and may come as a surprise.

When a person consumes a particular food and has an allergic reaction, their best plan is to eliminate that item from their diet. The symptoms of food allergies are very similar other type of allergies and may include runny nose, watering eye as well as a skin rash and hives. Other reactions can include a headache due to sinus infections and pain in the ears as well as diminished hearing.

In some individuals, food allergies can also cause an anaphylactic reaction, which causes a sudden lowering of blood pressure as well as difficulty breathing and in severe cases can lead to death.

Finding The Cause Before It Kills

In most cases, the cause of food allergies can be easy to determine by maintaining a food diary and recording any adverse reactions related to specific foods. Once the list has been narrowed down, any food that causes an allergic reaction should not be eaten. To extract the exact cause of food allergies, the doctor may recommend and skin prick test to determine the cause of allergies before they cause serious health problems.

Many foods contain a multitude of ingredients and it could simply be one of the ingredient causing food allergies and if the product can be found without that ingredient, it will not continue to be a problem. Reading labels in the store can help identify any such ingredients, but can be a problem if eating out in restaurants and establishing the identity of all ingredients may not be possible.

The circumstances may be more difficult for children who do not always remember they have food allergies for certain edibles. If they ingest a food that causes a reaction, depending on the level of reaction, they will need to get help quickly to prevent permanent problems. In cases where a child has severe food allergies a medical alert bracelet may be needed to reduce the accidental ingestion of a problem food.

Consider Fluconazole For Mold Allergies

If you have ever had chronic sinus problems or allergies that never seem to lessen in severity even when pollen counts are low then you just might have mold to blame. Mold is everywhere and even though it can be a major problem, it is one of the last things that doctors consider when treating sinus problems and allergies. Typically a prescription of fluconazole for mold allergies is what clears many symptoms up and brings relief.

Make sure that your doctor takes a culture of your nose to determine that mold is indeed the culprit. Many times the lab that analyzes the culture can say what type of mold is causing the problem and recommend a good anti-fungal medication in addition to fluconazole for mold allergies.

The Many Forms Of Mold

Mold is a mighty fungus and its many forms run into the hundreds of thousands with some just being minor irritants while others like the dreaded black or toxic mold can be life threatening. Every home has some mold growing whether it is that lab experiment in the refrigerator or some fuzzy appearances where there was a plumbing leak in the ceiling.

Mold in the home can cause illness, especially in the very young and very old who do not have strong immune systems. Therefore, when you present symptoms of allergies, sinus issues or even asthma, tell your doctor about the possibility of mold. He will likely prescribe fluconazole for mold allergies.

Treatment

Fluconazole for mold allergies is an expected treatment once other medications have been exhausted. You might know this drug as Diflucan, which not only treats mold allergies but also infections caused by various types of yeast, which are in the fungus family, the same family as mold. Therefore, you should be able to see the relationship and the reason why fluconazole for mold allergies is a logical move.

Fluconazole comes in both pill form as well as oral suspension and typically adults will receive the pill form while children receive the liquid. If you are on any other medications, you should let your doctor know before you fill the prescription fluconazole for mold allergies. Some diabetic medications as well as those for insomnia and high blood pressure can cause reactions and there may be some over the counter remedies that can also be a problem.

Of course, fluconazole for mold allergies can also present some side effects in a small percentage of people but most do go away on their own. Diarrhea, nausea and even loss of appetite are temporary effects but anything more serious should be reported to your doctor.

With Allergies Skin Rash Degree Can Vary

One of the most common symptoms of allergies, skin rash can be anywhere from simply irritating to hives with a debilitating itch. There are some allergies in which a skin rash is present and is often confused as a skin rash, with the root cause of the rash overlooked. When it causes a misdiagnosis of allergies, skin rash can allow the real cause to get worse, causing a hypersensitive reaction to exacerbate into severe medical problems.

An allergy is believed to be caused when the immune system misidentifies an object entering the body as an enemy and sends out the troops to combat the intruder. This triggers many different symptoms of allergies, skin rash being one of the most common. When accompanied by a runny nose and watering eye or difficulty breathing it may become apparent the rash is not the result of a skin rash and other treatment made available.

Although there are many natural and synthetic products that can cause a skin rash, allergies often present them as a warning that something is not right. Typically, the first reaction a person experiences to an item to which they are allergic will be mild. However, there are some who suffer as severely as anaphylactic shock the first time their body reacts to a substance.

Close Examination Of Rash Can Identify Cause

There are many skin diseases that can be contracted that may appear as though they were caused by allergies, skin rash examination by a doctor or allergist can identify the real culprit and treatment can begin. In some cases with the sudden appearance of a skin rash, allergies may not be suspected unless the person has a history of allergies. If it is the first time and an allergic reaction is suspect, allergy testing may be needed to determine the cause of the allergic reaction and the subsequent rash.

While some skin rashes are the result of exposure to known allergens such as poison ivy and poison oak, the rash is easily identified and topical treatment can relieve the itching and the potential spread of the rash. Other causes of skin rashes may not be as readily identified and additional testing will be needed to correctly identify the culprit.

When a person develops a skin rash, allergies may not be suspected but they should avoid the natural reaction to scratch the rash as it could cause spreading of the rash as well as create cuts on the skin. Once the skin is opened it could allow pathogens in the rash to get into the blood stream, making the allergic reaction worse.

Tying Together Allergies And Frequent Urination

Frequent urination is a common enough problem for men and women with urinary tract infections, prostate problems, diabetes and other health conditions. However, did you know that allergies and frequent urination can go hand in hand, depending on the allergic trigger? That trigger most likely is due to allergies to various types of food depending on your sensitivity.

Celiac Issues

People with celiac disease have a problem with the digestion of gluten products and any ingestion of such products can cause a variety of intestinal issues. A byproduct of this condition with some people is frequent urination. Many foods like bread and pasta contain wheat flour which has gluten properties in it and thus trigger a reaction when eaten. These wheat based allergies and frequent urination are tied together in this respect and only a totally gluten free diet can alleviate the symptoms.

High Acid Food And Drink

Your regular diet could have many potential allergic triggers which can cause frequent potty breaks. Mostly food and drink high in acids can cause allergies and frequent urination but many people may not clue into this cause for quite a while. Only through daily food and drink journals, cataloging everything consumed can the cause of these allergies and frequent urination be pinpointed.

While this food and drink high in acid may not upset the stomach, the way your body digests it could trigger some type of allergic reaction causing the excessive bathroom breaks. No one really knows why this occurs but if frequent urination is interrupting your life, you might want to consider banning high acidic foods and drinks like salsa, sodas, teas, coffee and cranberry juice.

Theories Still Guess Work

The tie between allergies and frequent urination is still somewhat nebulous and some people just seem to have atypical allergic reactions to various substances. The basic consensus is that whatever allergic trigger you have creates a chemical chain reaction in your body. Some people may form hives from eating certain foods while others have diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping. The same food that caused the allergies and frequent urination may not do the same thing later when consumed again. Your body is really one big biological, chemical being and your immune system could have simply been malfunctioning at one point.

Allergy Medications

Allergies and frequent urination could also be tied together due to your reaction to the medication used to treat the allergies. Not all drugs are infallible and many of them come with a laundry list of side effects, one of which could be frequent urination. If frequent urination is a problem, be sure to rule out other health conditions like an enlarged prostate or urinary tract infection first before considering an allergy.

Reactions To Allergies May Be Nothing To Sneeze At

For reasons still unknown to researchers, some people develop a reaction to certain things, causing an abnormal reaction to foreign products in the body, which may not cause a similar reaction in others. Allergies are one of the most troublesome of afflictions as it can take time to determine what is causing the reaction as well as how to combat the symptoms. Different people may have allergies to different items and the symptoms can range from a runny nose to anaphylactic shock, leading to death.

It is commonly believed that allergies are caused by an immune problems that recognizes something as a threat in some people and not in others. When they immune system detects what it believes to be a threat to the body, it take steps to combat the perceived intruder. The symptoms produced by these allergies can include a runny nose, itching, watering eyes and skin rashes including hives. While most symptoms of allergies will disappear when the item leaves the body, others can be long lasting.

Most of time the time reaction to allergies is an inconvenience, but they can have life-altering affects. If a person has an allergic reaction to pet hair or pet dander, for example, they will not be able to own a pet or have on in their home.

Some Allergic Reactions Can Be Filtered Out

For some folks simple household chores such as sweeping or vacuuming can spark symptoms of allergies due to dust and dust mites. Pollen from indoor plants has also been found to cause allergies is some people. Filters built into vacuum cleaners can help prevent the dust from being broadcast into the air while vacuuming and whole-house filtering systems can capture a large portion of airborne particles and prevent attacks.

There are a few tests that help determine if a person’s symptoms are caused by allergies but the most reliable is the skin prick test, conducted under the watchful eye of an allergy specialist. Items known to cause allergies are injected into the skin through a series of needles and the reaction to the individual items are monitored to verify the reaction. Once a cause is determined, the person can take steps to avoid exposure to that item.

There is medication available, developed by allergists that can help people get through the symptoms of allergies while going about their daily routine. Additionally, there are pre-emptive medications can stop symptoms of some allergies before they appear. While more effective that reactive types of drugs, the specific cause will need to be learned before taking such drugs.