ALLERGY FOOD TREATMENT

The Facts of Allergy Food Treatment

Allergy food treatment is a very serious affliction with very serious consequences.

Many food allergy victims suffer the most common symptom: swelling of the mouth and throat obstruction with difficulty in breathing normally.

Testing can be extremely difficult without a full knowledge of the food ingested by the afflicted. Treatment can only be implemented when fully convinced of the type of allergy.

There are four food reactions one should be aware of:

* The classic food allergy - let us take the classic fish/peanut allergy where the immediate effect can be seen with the swelling of the throat. Here the allergy food treatment requires adrenaline injections and oral resuscitation. Another such allergy is triggered by fruit and vegetables, such as apple, tomato, peach and celery; here almost the same phenomenon occurs with the allergy located in the mouth and throat.
* Food intolerance - this is caused due to enzyme deficiencies and other mechanisms that copy allergic reactions but do not involve the immune system. Here malabsorption may occur or adverse reaction to natural chemicals that food contains as well as allergy to food containing preservatives and colorants.
* Food toxicity - this is caused by contaminated (bacterial endotoxins) or poisoned food. These toxins may naturally exist in foods such as alkaloids in potatoes. A reaction takes place and the skin starts itching, rapid pulse as well as skin flushing occurs.
* Food aversion - where the person self induces the allergy, believing that a particular food gives him/her the allergy.

Food allergy treatment can only begin once you have determined what type of allergy you are suffering from. In order to get the right treatment in time, you must consult your doctor as soon to explain your reaction. Food allergy treatment can be crucial; the situation can quickly turn fatal with dire consequences.

Some potentially allergic foods in adults

* Tree nuts - Brazil nut, hazelnut, almonds, walnuts, pistachio, cashew etc.
* Fruit such as - peach, apple, strawberry etc.
* Vegetables such as - tomato, parsley, celery, potatoes etc.

Up to 15% of the general population has reported some sort of adverse food reaction. The general feeling amongst the common individuals is that doctors under diagnose and of course the doctors feel that they over diagnose. Some individuals just note having developed an adverse reaction with a particular food item and instead of seeking food allergy treatment they simply avoid the food without ever consulting a doctor.

Fight your allergy with an allergy relief product

Allergies have been identified as one of the most common ailment that plagued humans. Just as cold and flu, humans learned to live with the inconvenience created by allergies because it is very common, and because many times it was not possible to identify the actual reason for the allergy.

What types of allergies are there?

There are millions of allergies that can afflict both human and animals alike. However, only a handful of allergies are really common. One is dust allergy - which actually is allergy to the dead skin molecules that are flying around and are inhaled when the house is dusted. This is the common allergy known to man. Other types will include, food allergy (tomato, egg plant, cheese, meat, prawn, egg, etc), allergy to additives and food preservatives (tomato sauce, fruit juice, pickles, etc), allergy to pollen, and so on.

Prevention is easier than cure

It is indeed possible to cure an allergy completely. However, one must endure a number of tests, medications, and removal of the allergen from the surroundings, the best way to fight an allergy is to prevent it. For this purpose you can take the help of any allergy relief product available in the market.

Since the dust related allergy is the most common allergy you will find in homes, you will discover that the market is flooded with many an allergy relief product that helps you attack this menace. There are allergy beddings (which encase your beddings totally so the dust cannot become accumulated in it), pillow encasings, allergenic bed-sheets and pillow cases and so on. These products have a special magnet for these dust particles which binds them to them, so that they do not fly around (and be inhaled) when you sleep.

Of course, there are more products to help you fight allergies, such as air purifiers/ cleansers and air-conditioner air filters which try to ensure that you breathe in clean air bereft of any skin particles and other matter that can cause allergy while inhaled. A very popular allergy relief product is the humidifier in dry climates. This ensures that you have enough humidity during the dry season to prevent dust particles from flying around your home.

On the other hand you can also have de-humidifier where the humidity is high enough to promote the promotion of mold in the air. As an allergy relief product a humidifier or de-humidifier will be most useful when it comes with germ free air filters so it can eliminate dust mites, spores of mold and pollen and other such allergens.

Find an Effective Natural Allergy Treatment

Sometimes over-the-counter allergy medicines just don't do the trick. If you don't have a health plan with prescription coverage, medicine for relief of allergy symptoms can make a major dent in your wallet. This allergy season think about supplementing your usual medicines with a natural allergy treatment.

Some research has been done in this field that has led to some experts recommending a variety of supplements for allergy sufferers. Keep in mind, though, that this research is still in its infancy so what might work for some people might not work for you. As anyone who suffers from allergies knows, a little relief can be a big deal.

Flavonoid Supplements

Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in vegetables, berries and fruits. One flavonoid, Quercetin, found in onions and apples, has been shown to inhibit histamine release. Histamines cause allergy symptoms like swollen nasal passages, congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. More research needs to be done on this natural allergy treatment. Flavonoids also reduce risk of heart disease, stroke and cataracts.

Butterbur

Some medical studies have shown that an extract from the butterbur plant is an effective natural allergy treatment. This shrub is found in Europe and parts of Asia and North America. The extract seems to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties but does not block antihistamines. Most studies seem to support the claim that butterbur will help allergy sufferers, but not all studies have come to this conclusion. Talk to your health care professional about the correct dosage of butterbur to use.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle has a long history as being used a natural health remedy. The plant is found in the United States, in mountainous regions and roadsides. A preliminary medical trial has shown that capsules made from freeze-dried nettle leaves did reduce sneezing and itching in people with hay fever. This natural allergy treatment may cause minor gastrointestinal upset in some people. Certain medicines may interact with nettle supplements.

The use of one or more natural allergy treatment has become more and more popular over the years. They can be used alone or in combination with more traditional allergy medicines. The most important thing to do is discuss these alternative supplements with your physician. They will help you determine the best dosages and whether or not there are special circumstances, like pregnancy or drug interactions, that would make taking a natural allergy treatment risky.

What is an Allergy Test?

An allergy test is used to determine an allergen when the cause is unknown. Unlike people who know they have reactions to certain things, there are hundreds of allergens that are far harder to determine; this includes medicine, insect bites, environmental factors, and even food allergies.

The quickest allergy test is a skin test. This allergy test can be a simple as putting something on the skin (such as soap) and scratching or pricking the skin so the suspected cause of the problem is introduced under the skin. The person is watched for 15 or 20 minutes to determine if the site becomes red, inflamed, or itchy. In fact, when patients have allergy shots, they are asked to wait around to make sure the area doesn't show a negative reaction.

Patients who don't react to the simple allergy test but are still thought to have allergies are subjected to an allergy test that involves injecting a small amount of the allergen under the skin. A thorough test involves as many as 100 or more injections and is used more often for allergens that are found in the air, insect bites, medicine allergies, and some foods.

A food allergy test is sometimes much easier to determine, at least in terms of medical issues.

Foods are slowly eliminated from a person's diet over a period of several weeks, noting any changes in behavior or health. Then, slowly, these foods are introduced back into the diet, one at a time over the same period of several weeks and any changes are noted. This is sometimes very easy to accomplish, unless the food allergy is a nitrate or other chemical enhancement in many products.

For someone with an allergy to red dye, for instance, a food diet may only be the tip of the allergy test iceberg. For instance, red dye can be found in several edible and inedible products within the household, including soup, sausage, laundry detergent, toothpaste, popsicles, etc. Determining that a person is allergic to wheat, red dye, nitrates, or other chemicals can take quite a while, but is often easy to avoid, once the offending allergen has been isolated.

Anyone whose child has severe behavioral issues should read a wonderful book by Doris Rapp called, "The Impossible Child" The book relates the need for an allergy test to determine the relationship between offending foods and the behavior of those who are reacting to it.

ALLERGY INFORMATION

Although about two out of every ten Americans have allergies of one kind or the other, most of them are ill equipped as far as allergy information is concerned. As a first step to acquiring a bit of allergy information, you should know what allergies are really all about.

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances in the environment called "allergens." Exposure to an apparently harmless substance, such as pollen causes the immune system of an allergy sufferer to react as if the substance is harmful. Allergies can be of various types: indoor and outdoor allergies (also known as "hay fever," "seasonal," "perennial" or "nasal" allergies), food and drug allergies, latex allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies and eye allergies. Here is a vital, reassuring piece of allergy information: people that have allergies can live healthy and active lives like everyone else.

The next lesson in allergy information is to understand what happens when an allergic reaction takes place. If a person with a hyper-alert immune system is exposed to an allergen, his/her body starts producing an antibody, called IgE, to fight the allergen.
The antibodies attach to a form of blood cell called a mast cell.

There are numerous mast cells in the airways and in the GI tract where allergens tend to enter the body. The mast cells explode and release a variety of chemicals including histamine, causing most of the symptoms of an allergy.

If the allergens are airborne, the reaction is likely to occur in the eyes, nose and lungs.

If the allergens are ingested, the reaction mostly occurs in the mouth, stomach and intestines. Sometimes the mast cells release sufficient chemicals causing a reaction throughout the body, such as hives, decreased blood pressure, shock, or loss of consciousness.

Next lesson in allergy information is to be familiar with the nature and categories of the symptoms. Allergy symptoms can be classified into mild, moderate, or severe (anaphylactic) categories. Mild symptoms are those that affect a specific area of the body such as rash, itchy, watery eyes, and some congestion.

They do not spread to other parts of the body. Moderate symptoms that spread to other parts of the body may include itchiness or difficulty in breathing. A severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, is a rare but life-threatening emergency in which the response to the allergen is intense and affects the whole body.

From a sudden onset of itching of the eyes or face, it may take the form of abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.

As an important part of allergy information, you should be aware of different allergy-causing substances, the most common among them being pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, latex and certain foods and medications.

Your allergy information will remain incomplete if don't have any idea of how to tackle allergies. Once the allergen causing the allergy is identified through tests, you can choose self-care treatment or use medications depending on the nature of the problem. Remember, the best remedy is avoidance, which means avoiding the substance causing your allergic reaction.

SPRING ALLERGY

Spring Allergy Affects Millions Every Year

What triggers spring allergy?

Allergens such as pollens; which many plants, trees or weeds have are carried in the wind during spring time may cause a spring allergy.

Some plants and trees you may want to watch out for this spring are: oak, ash, elm, birch, hickory, poplar, maple, cypress, walnut, sycamore and western red cedar are some of the trees; grass such as timothy, orchard, red top and sweet vernal will activate your spring allergy. During summer and fall you may want to watch out for sagebrush, pigweed, ragweed and cocklebur among other plants and trees that can also aggravate your symptoms.

Symptoms of spring allergy

Those suffering of these type of allergies will experience symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, drowsiness or/and headaches.

Spring allergy can lead to serious conditions and should never be taken lightly. If you suspect you are having spring allergy you should immediately see a doctor or allergist who will determine your condition through tests which will pinpoint the cause of your allergy more specifically.

What to avoid when suffering from spring allergy

Items very important to avoid include pollen and mold, particularly, as these are the main cause of provoking sneezing and wheezing. Keeping windows closed as much as possible during spring will prevent such components to drift into your house. The same applies for your car windows when traveling.

Consider using an air conditioner or air humidifier which will constantly clean the air and keep it cool and spring allergy free.

You may need to consider cutting down on your outdoor activities during spring when there is high humidity or the pollen count is reported to be high. Take vacations in pollen free areas those such as beach resorts (which are not bad at all) or most sea side destinations.

Try using paper mask when cleaning the house or drying clothes out where pollen can be present. Also taking showers after being outdoors can help spring allergy to subside.

More helpful information

The largest professional medical organization in the U.S.A. representing allergies and illness associated with it is AAAAI, which stands for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Recognizing your allergy and acting in time is essential as most allergies can be fatal if not treated in time.

Don't let a spring allergy ruin your spring; get help and prevent it in time.

The Cure: The effects of an allergy remedy

If you suspect you have allergies, your family physician may refer you to an allergist to find out what triggers your allergic reactions. The allergist will perform a number of tests and ask you several questions about your symptoms. Once the allergy-causing substance or allergen is identified, your allergy remedy may be a self-care treatment or use of medications depending on the nature of the problem.

The best allergy remedy is avoidance, which means avoiding the substance causing your allergic reaction. By avoiding the allergen you may not have a need for medication. Be careful to keep in mind that avoiding foods such as peanuts means avoiding all products containing peanuts or peanut oils.

As an effective allergy remedy against airborne allergens, these simple steps can be taken: bathe your pets regularly and keep them away from your furniture, avoid using carpets as they collect too much dust, cover pillows and mattresses to avoid dust mites, wash bedding in hot water, refrain from hanging heavy drapes that allow dust to gather,
keep the windows shut during pollen season, avoid mowing the lawn if you are allergic to grass, and wash shower curtains and bathroom tiles often to eliminate mold.

Apart from such self-care methods, the other type of allergy remedy is use of medications. This treatment may come in the form of pills, nasal sprays, or shots. There are some over the counter medications as well that can effectively treat allergies. You will have to consult your allergist to know which medications are right for you.

Even if the very thought of receiving shots may not attract you, they can be very effective in treating your allergies.

Shots may not cure your allergy but can help raise your body's tolerance to the allergen. The tiny amount of the allergen injected into your body changes your immunity to these allergens. Later, this allergy remedy helps to check the reaction triggered by these substances.

Drug treatments as allergy remedy include antihistamines, decongestants, anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroid nasal sprays, cromolyn nasal sprays, systemic steroids, and leukotriene inhibitors, and anticholingergics. Your allergist may recommend for you, either one, or a combination of these medications.

If you are looking for a natural allergy remedy, there are many which have also proved to be highly effective: nettles, marshmallow, acerola cherry, cayenne, and ginger. Some foods like leeks, green onions, dark green leaves, radish, beans, seaweeds, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are good for treating or preventing allergies. What you should avoid include junk foods, instant foods (frozen foods), soda, and alcohol.