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.