Allergy

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Finding the Right Allergy Medicine for Your Dog

Your dog can suffer just as much as you do from allergies. One look at your puppy's runny eyes, red ears and flaky skin can let you know there's a problem it's important to have a veterinarian examine your dog to rule out thyroid disease or other types of problems; but often allergens are the culprit.

Allergy medicine for your dog is available. There are to two major types: corticosteroids and antihistamines. A look at each of the types will give an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of these treatments. There also are other, non-medicinal ways to reduce your pet's allergy suffering.

Corticosteroids

Prednisone is one commonly used corticosteroid for dogs. This type of allergy medicine for your dog works well and fast. However, there are a number of side effects, some of which are mild but others that are potentially lethal. Corticosteroids can possibly suppress your dog's immune system. Short-term use of this allergy medicine for your dog is okay but long-term use should be avoided. Give these drugs in as low of a dose as possible.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a much safer allergy medicine for your dog than corticosteroids. But it may take a while to find the most effective type for your dog. Also, antihistamines will probably have to be administered to your dog several times a day. Giving pills to your dog is not fun, and doing it three times a day can become a real chore. Antihistamines can also make your dog drowsy and may not work for all dogs, and some experts say antihistamines only work in 20-30% of dogs.

Non-medicinal treatments

Supplementing the allergy medicine for your dog that you decide on with non-medicinal treatment has shown benefits. Often, changing your dog's diet can help as your dog could have a food allergy but this is hard for veterinarians to diagnose. The best way to figure out what's irritating your dog is by process of elimination. Switching to a high-quality, all-natural dog food could be what is needed.

Bathing you dog frequently can also help supplement an allergy medicine for your dog. Use a shampoo with all-natural ingredients, like oatmeal and aloe vera. A bath can help soothe your pet's irritated skin and cut down on the amount of medicine your dog needs.

Helping your dog fight his allergies can improve his quality of life. Finding the right allergy medicine for your dog, whether it's antihistamines or corticosteroids, is important. The right medicine along with non-medicinal supplemental treatment can aid your dog tremendously.

Which Allergy Product is Right for Me?

An allergy product is something produced to minimize or stop the effects of an allergy sufferer. Depending on the extent and type of the allergy, there are many products on the market. Because allergens can be anything from dust to pharmaceutics, the probably of finding an allergy product for a particular sufferer is not difficult, however, the effectiveness of such a product is the key to controlling an allergy attack.

Anaphylactic Shock Prevention

The severest form of allergy, which can cause death, is anaphylactic shock. For those who are so allergic to something that the mere exposure to a substance can result in a fatal reaction, there is an allergy product line that includes an injection kit. The only drug that will work against all the dangerous substances released in this type of reaction is adrenaline, otherwise known as epinephrine. For serious attacks, it must be injected, because inhaling may take too long to work.

Air Quality Control and Filtration

A newer addition to the allergy product line is the HEPA vacuum; these vacuums are said to remove 97 percent of the allergens that pass through the filters. In addition, air purifiers, mildew preventatives, and air cleaners filter offending triggers from the air and have been found to be very helpful in many instances.

Asthma

For asthmatics, the allergy product line includes nebulizers, inhalers, and different breathing systems. Some also take steroids or other oral medications to help with breathing difficulties. Many are not suggested for severe asthma attacks.

Bedding

An allergy to dust mites or materials found in some mattresses or bedding is the basis of an allergy product line of linens mattress encasings. There are also protective coverings for mattresses and pillows, treated pillows and pillowcases, and mattress toppers.

Fragrances and Aromas and Personal Care

Items included as a personal care allergy product could be non-allergenic soap, laundry detergent, fragrance-free sunscreen and deodorant, pain relief, and over-the-counter remedies for anything from hives to dry, peeling, or flaking skin irritations. People allergic to latex, for instance, can find latex free gloves and condoms.

Medication

The sinus and allergy product line of prescription and over-the-counter medications is endless, with some causing disturbing side effects. People react differently to medication, and it is important to find one that works without causing undue drowsiness or agitation. Most physicians have advice regarding the different types of medication and want to know if someone has negative reactions.

ALLERGY SINUS RELIEF

What you should know about allergy sinus relief

Getting allergy sinus relief begins with understanding sinus problems. A lot of sinus victims confuse its symptoms with cold and for a good reason, they are quiet similar - runny nose, itchy watery eyes - this may translate into a serious sinus infection, sinus allergies or even worse a combination of both.

What are sinuses?

Sinuses are four hollow spaces also known as para-nasal sinuses. Their individual names and location is:

* Frontal - Over the eyes next to the brow area
* Ethmoids - Behind the bridge of the nose
* Maxillary - Inside each check bone
* Sphenoids - Upper region of the nose

The tissue lining in the sinuses secrets a fluid called mucus. The mucus keeps the sinuses moist and helps clean away dirt when you inhale and exhale. When this tissue gets inflamed increases mucus discharge. They swell up with time and air cannot circulate as normal. This in turn creates pressure in the head giving you headache known as sinus headache.

Common Symptoms of sinus allergy

Sinus allergy may produce a range of symptoms, some of which are:

* Pain in the forehead (caused by the frontal sinus)
* Pain in the upper jaw and teeth (caused by maxillary sinus)
* Pain around the eyes with swelling (caused by ethmoid sinus)
* Pain in the ear, neck and the top of the head ( caused by sphenoid sinus)

You may also experience fever, fatigue, and body ache. Sinuses draining at the back of the throat can give you a sore throat also cough may be present which will worsen during the night. At this point, one will do anything for allergy sinus relief.

Allergy sinus relief

To get allergy sinus relief you have to first and foremost unblock your sinuses or nasal passages. Over the counter decongestants are usually very efficient. If you have chronic sinus allergies the doctor may prescribe something more specific, such as a steroid nasal spray; using the spray daily will help get you allergy sinus relief.

Another very important factor in dealing with allergy sinus relief is to keep your doctor informed so he can recognize your condition and treat you with the right medication. This will not only get you allergy sinus relief but your doctor will work with you to prevent any outbreaks.

One should also get informed on everything there is to know about allergy sinus relief and prevention. Preventing is better then a cure; it will save you a lot of pain and suffering that is for sure.

Man's Best Friend: Dealing with a Dog Allergy

Having a dog allergy can be tough on both yourself and man's best friend as the battle to keep the dog can intensify your symptoms and cause living with Fido to be quite uncomfortable. Still, many people face the decision of getting rid of the family pet over a child or parent's allergic reaction to the pet every day and it never gets easier. There is, however, an assortment of other tactics and cures you can employ to help with a dog allergy that can save both you and your best friend an awful lot of grief.

A dog allergy can strike anyone at any age, period. There is no age requirement or limit to suffering from a pet allergy, it just happens and that's really all there is to it. Most people that suffer from different pet allergies also suffer from allergies to pollens or to molds as well. It is also highly common for there to be a genetic trait in dealing with allergies to pets, so chances are if it is in the family line it could happen to you as well as anyone in your immediate family.

It should also be noted that no dog is considered non-allergenic because the same allergens are present in all types of pet hair and dander. All dogs produce dander, all dogs urinate and shed skin, and all dogs lick themselves. This makes all dogs an allergenic possibility regardless of their individual hair type. There are dogs that produce less dander but this does not eliminate the presence of dander completely and still makes all dogs a possibility for an allergic reaction.

Dog allergies produce symptoms that are a lot like hay fever or seasonal allergy symptoms.

If you suffer from a dog allergy you might experience runny nose, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, scratchy skin and throat, watery eyes, and other such symptoms that are akin to airborne allergies. This is because a dog allergy affects the same allergenic systems in the body much the same way hay fever and other seasonal allergies do because of the smallness of the allergen, or pet dander in this case.

There are a few tips, though, that can save you a lot of problems with your dog and your family that may be allergic to dogs. For starters, always wash your hands after playing with your dog. This ensures removal of the dander. You might also want to consider changing your clothing or taking a shower or bath for a more thorough treatment. Also, keep dogs out of certain rooms of the home like bathrooms and bedrooms to reduce the areas that the dog's dander will affect. Limiting exposure to allergens is always a good way to limit the actual symptoms of a dog allergy.

ALLERGY RASH

Living with Allergy Rash

The skin condition which manifests as an outbreak of red bumps on the skin surface of the body is known commonly as an allergy rash.

The most common symptoms of rash are:

- Scaly patches of skin not caused by infection.
- Scaly patches of skin produced by fungal or bacterial infection.
- Red, itchy bumps or patches all over the body.

Red, itchy bumps or patches spread all over the body is the way allergy rash manifests. Even if you may find what is written here corresponds with the symptoms you have, do not self-medicate; it is very important to consult a doctor in order to treat an allergy rash correctly.

Things to do when you have an allergy rash:

Most rashes are not dangerous and usually will last only a few days. While some get better on their own, some do need treatment. Some possibilities for treatment include:

- Use an anti-itch cream.
- Use a moisturizing lotion over the affected area.
- Take some antihistamine drugs.

Do not self medicate in any case of allergy rash. Get specialized help in order to treat the allergy. It can be very hard to diagnose, leading to some confusion with medical professionals as to how to prescribe the proper treatment.

An Allergy rash can turn further into the skin conditions called eczema or dermatitis.

Who is prone to allergy rash?

There are 3 main factors that cause allergy rash:

* Genetic predisposition - genetic background play a huge role, a number of genes have been liked to allergy and have been identified on chromosomes 5 to 11; males are more prone to inheriting this genetic predisposition then females.
* Environmental triggers - first year of life is vital. Cigarette smoke, infant diet, air pollution, early use of day care facilities, birth just before the spring pollen are some of the factors that proved in the past to have been the main factor of an allergy rash.

* Locally found protein allergens - early exposure to aeroallergens and allergenic foods seems to have contributed in developing allergy rash as well. Infants are prone to allergies, especially in the first year of life.

If you suspect that you are getting an allergy rash, seek your doctor's advice and treat it as soon as possible. Even if most allergy rashes are not dangerous they can turn very uncomfortable and you should seek help.