Allergies Medication

Allergy is a term broadly used in describing a reaction of body tissues that is unusual to a substance that has no distinctive or noticeable effect on other humans. According to studies, about 17 out of every 100 Americans are allergic, or hypersensitive, to some substances which are known to cause unusual reactions.

Allergies Medication

These substances, more known as allergens, range from various irritants, such as pollens, mold spores, insect venoms, animal dander, and house dust. There are some who are allergic to substances in soap. Some react differently to the smell of a flower.

Allergies Medication

Below are the most common types of allergies.

Allergies Medication

- Food Allergies - ignited by certain food types
- Anaphylaxis - triggered by drugs, food, or insect stings
- Respiratory Allergies - triggered by allergens which are airborne
- Contact Allergies - triggered by skin-affecting allergens
- Insect Sting Allergies - triggered by insect venom

Here are mild as well as severe symptoms that are associated with these common types of allergy.

Since each person may have unique reactions from these allergies, your symptoms might vary or may have some or all of the listed reactions. Consult your doctor if the symptoms have become persistent or severe.

Food Allergies

Symptoms of an allergy caused by certain food types usually happen within some minutes after you ingested food allergens, although there are some that would only occur after several hours. The symptoms may only happen to areas around the lips, mouth, and digestive tract, or could also involve other body areas. Foods that commonly result to allergic reactions are eggs, nuts, milk, fish, soy, shellfish, and wheat.

Mild Symptoms:

- Tingling, itching, or swelling of your mouth, tongue, lips, or throat
- Tightness feeling in your throat
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Nausea
- Indigestion and abdominal cramps
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Coughing, congestion, wheezing, or sneezing
- Runny, stuffy, or itchy nose

Severe Symptoms:

- Breathing difficulties
- Sweating, dizziness, and faintness
- Rapid or sudden heart rate increase
- Sudden inability or hoarseness to speak
- Extreme and sudden facial itching and swelling
- Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, sudden, and potentially fatal reaction that has symptoms affecting various body areas. Symptoms commonly manifest very quickly after some exposure to allergens and may include extreme itching all over your body, total swelling of the body, respiratory distress, swelling, and may cause shock that is life endangering. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. The reaction is most commonly a result of drug, insect sting, or food allergies.

Symptoms include:

- Skin flushing
- Itching or tingling around your body
- Mouth swelling as well as in the throat area
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Tightening of your chest
- Agitation, confusion, or lightheadedness
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea
- Irregular heartbeat

In some severe cases shock might occur. The swelling of your body's bronchial tissues might cause you to choke before losing consciousness. An abrupt drop in your blood pressure as a result of dilated blood vessels might also cause you to lose consciousness.

In cases that cause anaphylactic shock, it is necessary that you get treatment immediately. Without prompt medical attention, anaphylactic shock might prove fatal.

Respiratory Allergies

Symptoms of respiratory allergies frequently occur after a few hours of exposure and usually trigged by allergens that are airborne like animal dander, plant pollens, mold spores, and dust mites.

Mild Symptoms:

- Wheezing or coughing
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat or nose
- Postnasal drip
- Smell sense is impaired
- Hoarseness in the throat
- Congestion
- Red, itchy, swollen, or watery eyes
- Clogged or runny nose with thin and clear mucus
- Conjunctivitis
- Fatigue

Severe Symptoms:

- Shortness and difficulty in breathing
- Chest tightness and pain

Contact Allergies
Symptoms that occur as a result of contact allergies usually happen within a few minutes after your allergen exposure, although there are symptoms that may occur after several hours. Common allergens are poison ivy and poison oak, rubber, nickel, latex, preservatives, dyes, fragrances, medications, and cosmetics like perfume and hair dye. Nickel, a metal frequently used in buttons, jewelry, hairpins, zippers, metal clips and snaps, is the frequent source of the allergy. Sun exposure might also give you reactions.

Mild Symptoms:

- A bumpy or itchy rash
- Fluid-filled bumps on your skin
- Swelling or redness of your skin
- Hives
- Eczema

Severe Symptoms:

- Anaphylaxis

Insect Sting Allergies

Symptoms caused by insect sting allergies usually happen after a few minutes after you got stung, although there may be symptoms happening after some hours. Insect venoms cause these allergic reactions, like those from wasps, bees, hornets, fire ants, and yellow jackets.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

OK. So you've established that your dog has an allergy. You've been a responsible pet owner, and paid a visit to the vet. He prescribed dog allergy medicine, and even demonstrated how to get your beloved fluffy friend to take the dose. Trouble is, now that you're home, you're struggling to even get his jaws open, let alone get the medicine down his throat, where it needs to be to do its job.

Allergies Medication

If your dog is otherwise healthy, you might never have had to give your dog any kind of medication, and dog allergy medicine might be your first attempt. What now? Luckily, we've got a few handy hints to make your job a little easier!

Allergies Medication

* If your dog allergy medicine is in the form of a tablet or pill, the easiest way to get it into Fido is to hide it inside his favorite treat. Most dogs will gobble that up easily, without argument, taking the allergy medicine with it.

Allergies Medication

* Another trick that might work to get your dog to take the medicine is to toss it, as you would a treat, biscuit or ball. It sounds crazy, but I've had a dog who loved to catch, and who would not take any medicine unless we used this trick!

* If your vet's given you dog allergy medicine in the form of a capsule, you could try opening it up, and sprinkling the contents over his food (check with your vet first, as this might cause trouble with medicines that need to dissolve slowly.)

* Dog allergy medicine in the form of a pill or capsule can also be placed in the dogs mouth, or, more precisely, pressed down his throat. Some dogs still manage to spit it out though. To get around this with your dog allergy medicine, have a syringe or dropper on hand filled with water, and squirt it after the pill. The dog will swallow, taking pill with water.

* In the case of topical preparations, you may not have as much trouble applying them, as keeping them put. Dog allergy medicines take time to work, and if your pooch licks them off all the time, you may need to resort to more drastic measures - an Elizabethan collar is a plastic cone, that fits around your dog's neck, restricting his ability to lick or bite his body. If the area where you are applying dog allergy medicine is on his body, this should work for your dog. Otherwise, you might try bandages on a paw or tail.

The method you choose to use to get your dog allergy medicine into your dog may vary, but the important thing is to make sure that he takes it, in the doses, and at the frequency that you are required to take it. Consistency is key in treating and managing dog allergies, and if you only administer medicines sporadically, you may not get the results you need.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

Although modern treatments are available to fight against allergies, a few alternative allergy therapies that may cause considerable difference. It is a vibrant approach for healing and it's also often known as holistic therapy. Today many prefer alternative therapy than modern treatments for prevention of allergies or curing them. The survey made by National Institute of Health and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America indicates that, almost 50% of the American population are looking for alternative therapies at some stage for allergies along with other health conditions. However, for severe conditions like anaphylaxis, alternative therapy is not recommended. Only conventional medicines are highly recommended for such serious cases.

Allergies Medication

Types of alternative therapies:

Allergies Medication

Asthma, allergies and other similar problems can be cured by alternative therapy. Examples of the most extensively known alternative therapies are:

Allergies Medication

1. Herbal Therapy
2. Supplements
3. Homeopathic medicine
4. Desensitization techniques
5. Ayurveda
6. Acupuncture
7. Chiropractic medicine
8. Hypnosis

Before taking such alternative therapies that include herbs or tinctures, the patients with allergies have to consult a trained herbal medicine specialist. You should understand that herbs are also medicines and may have different effects depending on the type of herbs and how frequent you're taking them.

Effectiveness of alternative therapies:

The performance of these complementary therapies depends on your symptoms and your biochemistry. While going for alternative therapy, the first step will be to seek for a board certified provider in alternative medicine. Also ensure, the provider is knowledgeable to relieve allergies. Most of the alternative therapies don't have insurance coverage except a few. While discussing the effectiveness of the alternative therapies, lot of people think it's an eyewash and just given simply for the satisfaction of the patients. Another set of people think, it is just a belief that it cures but in reality it doesn't. It's just mind game. Nevertheless, most of the previously listed alternative therapies are technically proved for their efficiency and curing effects. Therapies like Hypnotism though not agreed as a scientific method, they are able to heal due to the positive vibrations released by the mind or works in line with the theory of "Law of Attraction."

Therapies like Ayurveda, Homeopathy possess a long-standing history and are scientifically acknowledged. Also, Acupuncture a conventional Chinese therapy, is acknowledged by WHO for t's efficacy and healing aspects. The advanced styles of Acupuncture include, Acupressure and the latest being Acu-touch. Both these methods don't require a needle and considered safer. An important point before taking alternative therapy is to make a complete analysis about the treatment you have opted. Herbs are the main medicines given for allergy in alternative therapies. A qualified health care professional to show you the correct way is important. Probably the most commonly used anti-allergy herbs are: Butterbur, Nettle, Quercetin etc.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

1. Here is a list of some very powerful acupuncture points you can rub with your fingers for 50-60 seconds at a time. You can do this for 3 or 4 times taking a 10-15 second break between rubbing:

Allergies Medication

Large Intestine 20 - This point is on both sides of your face, level with the bottom of your nostril. When you smile you will feel a grove. This is where the point lies.

Allergies Medication

Lung 9 - It is on the wrist crease, just below your thumb. After rubbing Lung 9 if you move your finger up 2 inches you will be at Lung 7.

Allergies Medication

Conception Vessel 17 - This is found on your breastbone, in the center of the chest between the nipples.

2. Cleanse your nose:

Instead of a decongestant over the counter medicine, use a saltwater solution (saline solution). Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup room temperature water. Gently squirt the solution in your nose, aiming toward the back, not the top of your head. If you swallow some water it won't hurt you. The water goes through your nasal passages to the back of your throat. Spit it out. You can buy an all-rubber ear syringe at a drugstore. You can also use a water pik with setting on low.

3. Essential oils:

Therapeutic grade essential oils of Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Frankincense can be used in combination to help you to breathe easier. You can take some olive oil half a cup and put 3 or 4 drops of each essential oil into the olive oil. Rub on your chest a few times a day. Take a warm bath with a few teaspoons in the water, sit for 15 minutes. You can also take a really warm towel over the oils you put on your chest to help them go in deeper. Other essential oils that are useful would be the conifer oils such as Grand Fir, Balsam Fir and Black Spruce. They are strengthening oils. Think of being in a forest surrounded by these trees. They help you to take a deeper breath.

4. Chinese Herbal Formulas:

Jade Windscreen: An excellent, powerful herbal formula to help strengthen and support the immune system. Great formula for traveling to help prevent you from getting sick.

Ding Chuan Wan: For asthma this is the formula of choice. This is one of the most widely used Chinese herbal formulas for asthma.

5. Supplements:

A few of the supplements you can use are Grape Seed Extract and Cod Liver Oil. They all help to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.

It is important to go through your entire house and check what household products you are using for cleaning, look into your soaps and shampoos and also your bed, pillow, mattress etc. There can be toxins that you are not aware you have that can be contributing to your problem. I had a patient who for years suffered from snoring so badly that her husband slept in another room. I suggested she check her home to see if something could be causing this problem and she found it was her pillow! Imagine her delight when she threw the pillow out and the snoring stopped. Her husband was so excited. It changed their lives.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

At first, I never knew that mold allergy can come from food. My mother and I share the same allergy. Damp places, high humidity climate, old clothes or books always give us difficult breathing or other mild asthma symptoms. But when my mother was diagnosed to have the allergy from food, I just realized that there are many kinds of food that use mold in the processing. Who can have this allergy? Do both mold allergy in food and in air always come together? And how to cure it? Keep on reading...

Allergies Medication

Mold, as well as mildew, is included in the fungi family. They differ from other plants or animal by their unique reproducing methods. Their seeds are called spores. When an allergic patient is inhaling spores, they might have symptoms like sneezing and difficult breathing. Besides in the air, mold can also grow in foods. Although it's only in small percentage, people with respiratory mold allergy can have the same allergy from food too. My mother cannot eat foods that are processed with mold, such as soy sauce, 'tempeh' or fermented cassava, while I don't share the same allergy.

Allergies Medication

Although not a processed food, peanut can also cause the allergy from the mold alfatoxin, a toxin that can be found in corn, wheat, soy, and sorghum, as well as in peanuts. Other foods that might cause the allergy are mushroom, melon, berries, beer, smoked meats, and some grains, as well as some cheeses, like blue cheese. Other dairy products such as milk is believed to contain alfatoxin if it came from cows that is fed by moldy feed. The most common molds found in food are aspergillus and rhizopus.

Allergies Medication

So how can we avoid and cure mold allergy from our diet?

Just like any other food allergies, the best way is to stay away from foods you are allergic to. You need to have an allergy testing to confirm exact food products that cause your food allergy, and include those foods into your restricted diet. Some people try organic diet to stay healthier. However, as organic products lack of chemical fungicides, they can be moldy faster than non-organic products.

How to cure ?

Allergy is a body reaction agains a toxic situation. Most of the cases, toxins that cause allergy come to non-natural substance. It happens as well in mold allergy. Therefore, the effort to cure the allergy by pharmaceutical medicines seem not appropriate, as those medicines are also toxic.

The best way to cure this allergy, and any other allergies, would be natural cure. Herbal therapy, homeopathy and acupuncture/acupressure are some of natural medication methods that you can try. Of course, sudden discontinuing of pharmaceutical medication would be unwise either. You should consult your doctor before slowly replacing your treatment with natural substance.

Allergy is a unique disease that we often cannot make disappear, however through a consistent and healthy diet and lifestyle, you can live normally with allergy, or even asthma.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

Cat dander allergies can be a dilemma for those that love cats but also have an allergy to cats. Pet dander allergies seem to be a growing problem, or at least there is more awareness of this problem than before. Through my aunt I came to know about some old-time practices that make good sense.

Allergies Medication

A basic rule we know today is that the best way to reduce cat dander allergies is to reduce cats dander. That is always the best approach. The practices I learnt from my aunt reflect this same principle, if co-incidentally.

Allergies Medication

My Aunt Derryth

Allergies Medication

I remember my Scottish aunt Derryth (dare-ith). She was my favorite aunt because she always had time to speak with me (not at me) and she loved animals, just like me. She had five cats which she obviously loved. Only now do I realize that she must have had a cat dander allergy. She took precautions that make good logic today but which were considered extra-ordinary back when I was a boy. This is what I remember:

1) She always use to wipe down her cats with a damp cloth as they came into her cottage, "teu keeep oo'te ta sneezen, lade" she would say. The cats would actually stand near the doorway awaiting their turn to be wiped down. Perhaps they liked the scent of the cloth, maybe they liked the attention she lavished upon them, or maybe they waited for a treat. I don't really know. I think she used a special scent on the cloth that the cats may have loved; or perhaps she gave them catnip as a treat. I do not know. But the cats would wait. It was amazing.

Wiping down cats as they come into the house (or as soon as you can catch them) is a good way to control a cats dander as well as other allergens that so often collect in cat fur. Very few people do this but it is a good old-time practice.

2) Aunt Derryth groomed her cats weekly, by combing and brushing their fur. This was always done on an outside table in her backyard, under a covered area. The grooming took place in the open air, rain or shine. She had a special coat she would wear only for grooming the cats. She kept the coat in her tool shed and it was never brought into the house.

This makes perfect sense. Cats need to be groomed regularly and in a careful, gentle but quick manner. They can become very fidgety after about 15-20 minutes, so working efficiently is important, especially with long-hair cats.

Grooming removes a considerable amount of cat fur and dander, as well as removing mats. Grooming outside is sensible as the dander will not be in the house. Wearing a special smack or coat is also sensible as the dander will be on the coat, which you do not bring into the house.

3) My aunt Derryth's cats also got a weekly bath. I don't recall seeing this done so I can't tell you if the cats waited around for this as well. Somehow I doubt it. Cats hated of baths borders on the frantic. However, I am sure she was gentle, loving and patient as she always was with her cats.

Regular bathing is good practice that will go a long way in controlling cat dander allergies. You can use a kitty shampoo and a conditioner. Other products are now available for increased dander control, if needed.

My aunt certainly had a special touch when it came to her cats. I fondly remember visiting her when I was a wee lad. As I have said, I believe she must have had cat dander allergies. Like many, she probably thought cat hair was the problem. She used her common sense to control cat hair and in so doing controlled the dander-which now we know to be the true allergen.

Allergies Medication

Allergies Medication

Allergies can cause a lot of trouble and in some cases, can even be fatal. Since people tend to live with allergies all their lives, it's important that they fully understand their condition. They can do this by raising their awareness about their allergies, being educated and working with the right allergy doctor. Here are some tips for hiring the best allergy doctor for you and your family:

Allergies Medication

Go to a specialist
An allergy doctor is called an allergist or an immunologist. He or she is especially trained in the field, spending several years in medical school studying the nature and cause of allergies and their corresponding treatments. This means that if you go see a physician, you will have to check whether they are specialists in allergies as well. Other than their graduate education in medicine, they should have about 2 years of related education in allergy and/or immunology.

Allergies Medication

Look for an allergist that has training and experience for treating the specific allergy you are having problems with
Skin allergies are different from respiratory allergies. They are also not treated in the same way as animal allergies or food allergies. If you want to hire the best allergy doctor, always inquire regarding their specific field of practice. They're more likely to treat you better if they have the necessary expertise.

Allergies Medication

Ask for referrals
Sometimes the best way to hire the best allergy doctor is to ask for referrals. Friends and family who may have allergies could help refer you to their allergist, which can help save you the time and effort in finding one.

Go local
Never hire an allergy doctor from out of state. If necessary, find the best one nearest your location. If they have to hold office in a location some distance from you, they should at least be accessible. In case there is an emergency, you should be able to get in touch with them in the shortest time possible.

Ask for doctor referrals.
Do this if you or a member of your family will be traveling to another region or state. This is so you have ready access to an allergist in case you need one.

Where to find the best allergy doctor
Before hiring an allergy doctor, go to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website (www.aaaai.org). This is an organization that represents the physicians who have a good standing in the field. The website has a database you can use for finding allergist members in your locality. Plus, the website also has some valuable information about allergies that you'll find helpful.

Allergies Medication