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Allergy News
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Saturday, 27 March 2010 16:42 |
 The spring weather is a time when we shake off the doldrums of winter and get inspired to run and play outside. But it is also the time when the many varieties of insects run and play outside. And if you have a bee sting allergy, that prospect can turn your enjoyment of being out in the spring weather into a time of apprehension and fear. A bee sting allergy is one of the most dangerous types of allergies known to man.
People who suffer from bee sting allergies must be vigilant in avoiding bee stings because symptoms of a bee allergy include anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. Anaphylactic shock occurs when the face, neck and throat begin to swell resulting in the closing off of the breathing air passages which can then lead to death. Bee sting allergy sufferers also can be susceptible to such drastic physical reactions to the poison in a bee sting that they can go into cardiac arrest.
Surprisingly, one of the treatments for bee sting allergy comes from the bees themselves. Many allergists and medical experts trying to help patients who suffer with the bee sting allergy have found success with a treatment that includes bee pollen. But this treatment is easily misunderstood so it is good to sort things out to understand the details.
First of all, there is a big difference between bee pollen and the poison from bee stings which can set off those dangerous bee sting allergies. Bee pollen is generally a good thing that is used to make honey that is a healthy food source for millions of people. When you are stung by a bee, the substance that is put into your body through the bee's stinger is not pollen. It is a type of poison that the bee uses for self defense.
What researchers have found is that a style of therapy which introduces bee pollen into an allergy sufferers system helps the immune system begin to get used to the presence of bee related chemicals which then slowly reduces the potency of a bee sting allergy attack. This process is called "desensitization" because the allergist is helping your body become less sensitive to bee sting allergy problems with the goal of eventually neutralizing the allergy entirely. Since an allergy is caused by your immune system incorrectly being sensitive to the allergen, in this case a bee sting, desensitization is one of the most effective ways to "cure" a bee sting allergy.
There are side health benefits that bee allergy treatments bring with them that bee sting allergy patients enjoy. Bee pollen also seems to help with improving the respiratory system and because bee pollen is assimilated from a wide variety of local flowers and plants, it can be beneficial in fighting hay fever and other seasonal allergies. That is why it is a common at home preventive of a variety of allergy problems to eat local honey to help prepare the immune system for the arrival of spring.
Be pollen therapy should only be undertaken after consultation with your doctor or allergist. If you have a particularly dangerous bee sting allergy problem, the doctor may advise against using this kind of cure. In rare cases where proper care was not taken, some serious and sometimes disastrous bee sting allergy treatment reactions have resulted.
But it is worth knowing that the medical community that serves people who fight dangerous allergy problems like the bee sting allergy have witnessed some significant success using bee pollen to slowly reduce and even in some cases eliminate the dangerous potential symptoms of a bee sting allergy.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 19 March 2010 15:33 |
 The signs of spring bring a lot of joy and happiness our way after months of grey and cold days of winter. The sight of flowers blooming, trees getting their leaves back, everything turning green and the return of birds, squirrels and bees gives us that feeling of life being renewed for another year. But if you are out in the great outdoors this spring and you see a bee get too close, that delight can change to terror for anyone.
Bees are fascinating to watch from a distance or on the Discovery Channel on TV. It is a fair statement that nobody likes to be stung by a bee. It hurts like crazy both when the bee stings you and for quite a while after as the venom from the sting makes the wound continue to sting and hurt. But as much as everybody hates that idea of being stung by a bee, for those who have a bee sting allergy, a sting is more than an unpleasant experience. It could turn into a dangerous or even life threatening medical emergency.
There are a handful of allergies that are considered extremely dangerous because the symptoms can put the allergy sufferer into anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. The bee sting allergy can qualify in that category. It is important to note that not everybody with a bee sting allergy will react with symptoms that are this severe. And just because you get stung by a bee and the area around the sting swells up and itches, that doesn’t mean you have a bee sting allergy. The actual statistics of the number of people who are susceptible to dangerous bee sting allergy symptoms put that number at no more than one or two people in a thousand. But because those symptoms can be so dangerous, it is smart to be on the alert if you or a child is stung to watch out for any severe reaction to the bee's venom.
Despite the relative low chances of having a bee sting allergy that could result in anaphylactic shock, the chances of such a severe reaction mean you should be knowledgeable about the problem and be on the alert. Anaphylactic shock can occur when the reaction of the immune system to a bee sting allergy is so severe that the symptoms can literally become life threatening. Like most allergies, the symptoms of a bee sting allergy will begin quite quickly after the sting occurs.
Thos symptoms may include a cough, itching, a rash that causes swelling of the skin, nasal congestion and a feeling of anxiety. As the more dangerous bee sting allergy symptoms set in, the sufferer may feel faint of pass out, the heart will begin to race and the skin may turn blue as the breathing becomes more laboured and difficult. The throat muscles can swell up as a result of bee sting allergy reaction which can close down the ability to breathe. To keep the bee sting allergy victim alive, emergency medical intervene is a must.
If you see the evidence of a severe bee sting allergy reaction setting in, getting the victim to emergency care quickly is vital. The doctors can administer adrenaline or epinephrine to reduce the chances the swelling will stop your friend or loved one's breathing. In some cases medical professionals will also give the bee sting allergy patient oxygen or administer a tracheotomy to stop the progress of the dangerous symptoms of a bee sting allergy.
If you know you or a loved one has a bee sting allergy and that these kinds of severe allergy symptoms could set in, the doctor can give you an emergency response kit which will include a device called an Epi Pen. This device can be used to administer an on the spot shot of epinephrine to slow the progress of anaphylactic shock. An Epi pen treatment can buy you time while you get the bee sting allergy victim to the emergency room. Parents or caregivers of a child who have a dangerous bee sting allergy potential should be aware of the Epi Pen and know how to administer the treatment in an emergency. That treatment may save a life.
As is true of any chronic problem like a bee sting allergy, being aware and knowledgeable of the problem and prepared to respond to an emergency is a must. But much can be done to simply avoid the potential of a bee sting problem. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid enjoying being outside. But you can lower the chances a bee will sting you by dressing in long pants and shirts and wearing a hat so that the skin is covered.
Avoid colourful clothing or any kind of fragrances that could attract a curious bee. If you notice bees in the vicinity where you or a child is spending time outdoor, simply move your picnic or recreation spot to get away from where the bees may be congregating.
Don't panic if a bee does fly by. Bees don’t want to sting you. In most cases, if you see a bee on a flower or exploring the garden, the interest the little insect has is in those plants and not in you. If you leave him alone, he will return the favour. By using some common sense, you can avoid problems of bee sting allergies. And by being prepared, you have that sense of assurance that if dangerous bee sting allergy symptoms kick in, you will know what to do.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Monday, 15 March 2010 14:00 |
 After a tough winter, most people feel a sense of joy at the arrival of spring. The return of green to the lawn, leaves to the trees and the sight of gardens bursting to life brings that sense of renewal to the human heart. But if you have spring allergies, you can also feel a sense of dread. Hay fever and other spring allergies means congested sinuses, headaches, sneezing and a host of other spring allergy symptoms that can make the entire season miserable.
The shelves at your local drug store are full of medicines that advertise themselves with great promise of relief from spring allergy symptoms. If your spring allergies are bad, you know how eager you would be if somehow a permanent solution to allergies could be found. There is nothing wrong with trying over the counter drugs to fight spring allergies. Many of them are very effective. But their effectiveness varies from person to person. That means that to find the right nonprescription drug to help you cope with your spring allergies may be a matter of trial and error.
But along with taking your Claritin, Benadryl or other spring allergy medicines, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce how often spring allergies will make your life miserable or to at least reduce the frequency and severity of your spring allergy symptoms. Because spring allergies are largely a result of Mother Nature coming to life, you can make your home a sanctuary form pollen, dust and other allergens that are flying around in the air outside. A good "spring cleaning" of the home to get rid of the dust and mold is a good start. Also, replace your duct filters so that they are well equipped to keep the air inside the home free of those substances that can set off your spring allergies even when you are indoors.
You may know certain times of day when your spring allergies are most likely to hit. So make sure you cut down on how much of the outdoors comes indoors so the air inside the house is safe. Keeping doors and windows shut is an obvious good step to reduce the potential of spring allergy symptoms. Also setting up HEPA filters indoors to clean the air that is circulating can help tremendously.
Sadly, if there are times of the day when your spring allergies are the worst, that means staying inside much of the time. But you can take that on a day by day and hour by hour basis. Days when the wind is not strong and the pollen count lower may be the days when you can enjoy outdoor activities. Often the local news will update you on the pollen count so you can plan your day.
If you do have to work outdoors to do some chores such as mowing the lawn, look into masks that you can wear to filter the allergens out of the air for you. Don’t worry about looking strange wearing a mask that looks like you are going into surgery. Wearing such masks is becoming more common so most people will understand entirely why you are taking that precaution so you can live your life while fighting the influence of spring allergies. Many spring allergy sufferers find that mowing the lawn early in the morning reduces their exposure to allergens in the air.
Be mindful that the things that set off your spring allergies are not well behaved. Even if you do a great job of keeping the air in your home clean, pollen and other spring allergy causes can come into the home on your clothing, in your hair and on your pets. One way to make sure you don't continue to suffer with spring allergies after you are in for the night is to change clothes and wash anything you had on while outside and take your shower and wash your hair each day. This increased emphasis on grooming can wash away spring allergy problems before they can make you miserable.
While you are on the cleaning kick, ramp up your cleaning of your bedroom sheets, your furniture cushions and your pets. Sources of spring allergy problems can travel in and take up residence just about anywhere. In fact, its not a bad idea to make a rule that the pets that go outside should not be allowed on the beds or furniture at all. That is just one more step in fighting back against spring allergies. And when the entire family, including the family pooch and kitty cat, become part of the war on spring allergies, you can win by eliminating the possibility of spring allergy symptoms as much as is possible.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Wednesday, 03 March 2010 15:41 |
 "Eat your fruit and vegetables!"
If you have not said those words to your own children, you can remember your parents repeating that mantra almost every day. It’s a good mantra. Any doctor or health expert stands behind the fact that the very best way to get your daily vitamin and mineral needs is from fresh foods. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a staple of any family that wants to eat right. That is why recent findings by medical researchers that reflect a rise in food allergies coming from fresh vegetables and fruits is so alarming.
The reasons for this surge in food allergies from fresh foods can help us change the way we shop and the way we eat. Clearly, the foods themselves are not at fault. Good natural sources of vitamins and minerals like fruit and vegetables are not going to suddenly change.
Of course, the allergen is never the issue in a food allergy situation. An allergy by definition is a failure of the immune system, which determines that something healthy and good (in most cases) is dangerous. When that happens, the immune system lashes out at the danger with chemicals called histamines that are intended to destroy the thing that it thinks is there to hurt you. This protective nature of the immune system is very good when it stops viruses or injuries from getting worse. But when the immune system attacks something good like milk or seafood, that is a problem and we call that problem an allergy.
It is important to have that understanding in mind because we should never think of fruits and vegetables as bad foods even if some people are developing food allergies to those things. But with the number of food allergies to those food groups on the rise, that is good reason for concern.
Research into the levels of food allergies in the population also report that the segment of the population seeing the fastest rise in allergic reaction to good fruit and vegetables are children and youth. This goes far beyond a normal reaction some kids have to dislike healthy foods. When children begin showing serious food allergy symptoms like breathing problems and swelling of the face, mouth and throat, that is a health emergency that deserves immediate attention from parents and youth caregivers alike.
Clinical studies are underway and being actively pursued to find the causes of this surge in food allergies coming out of the fruit and vegetable food groups. Preliminary results of that research are encouraging and they are pinpointing sources of the problem that make sense. One such finding has shown that study groups that eat only organic foods have a much lower incidence of food allergy symptoms when eating fruit and vegetables than study groups who ate the same food purchased at supermarkets.
The contamination of the food sources coming from unsanitary growing practices or the use of pesticides by farmers has come up before. The e coli epidemics that caused such a stir a few years ago were traced to unsanitary practices being used by third world farmers. Much of that food made its way to American supermarkets and set off a serious health emergency. Now we are learning that it isn't the fruit or vegetables that are causing a rise in the number of food allergies particularly in the young. The culprit may be additives and chemicals on the food that were not adequately cleaned off before consumption.
A second culprit that seems to be causing additional risk of food allergies from fruit and vegetables are genetically altered crops. Study groups are showing a higher incidence of food allergy symptoms when young people eat fruit or vegetables that were grown using these techniques. This is a concern because the use of genetically altered crops is on the rise to help the agriculture business be more productive while avoiding the use of pesticides and other artificial means to enhance farming productivity.
These newest findings add incentive for parents to buy natural, organic foods for the family. These kinds of natural foods are more expensive and harder to find sometimes. But making an investment in keeping your son or daughter from becoming a statistic that contributes to the rise in food allergies from good foods like vegetables and fruits makes that extra expense and effort entirely worth the time and money.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Monday, 15 February 2010 15:36 |
 One of our goals as homemakers is to do all we can to protect our families from any form of threat. But when it comes to allergies, it is not possible to ban them from the family entirely. An allergy is not like an illness where you have a bug to fight. An allergy is also unlike sickness in that you really cannot "get over" an allergy. In some cases, people outgrow an allergy or the way their immune systems function changes and their allergies changes as well. But because an allergy is a result of a malfunction of the immune system that cannot be corrected, the primary strategy for fighting back against an allergy is to put the allergen out of your life entirely. That means you must allergy proof your home.
An allergen is almost always some external stimulation that causes the immune system to generate an allergic symptom. That means that it is possible to eliminate most allergens from the home once you understand what you or your loved one is allergic to. If the problem is a food allergy, you simply have a diet change in your future. But many allergies come from the environment in the home. So here are some steps you can take to allergy proof your home in general.
Mold and dust mites can be a hidden source of allergy problems that are difficult to detect. Cleaning the air filters with greater regularity will significantly cut down on how much these allergens can get to the allergy sufferers in your home. This one step may be the most important part of the program to allergy proof your house. Also, check the humidity level of your home. If you can sustain a temperature at around 70 degrees and keep the humidity of the home under 50%, that will discourage allergen development as well.
Pests who love who move into the home bring with them potential allergy problems. Cockroaches, silverfish, rodents and other pests who may be living in the walls or under the house could be depositing allergens in their feces or fir dander that can make your family members miserable even if you never see these nasty creatures. The quest to allergy proof your home is just one more reason to attack those pests with a renewed vengeance.
You can control bugs and rodents with commercial products if you stay diligent. Also keeping a very clean home discourages infestations, which cuts down on potential pest born allergens. But don’t hesitate to use a professional exterminator to allergy proof your home of these nuisances because that is a good health practice for many reasons. Besides, those pests are just creepy.
Perhaps it should go without saying that smoking should be banned from the home entirely. Universally, experts in allergy control agree that smoking is the worst kind of habit to allow in a home where there are people with allergies. You may have already made the rule that all smoking must take place out doors for other reasons. If not, it is an essential rule to allergy proof your house without question.
In general, stepping up your clearing routine to keep your carpets, upholstery, bedding and clothing as clean as possible is a good discipline to get into to allergy proof your house. This is a lifestyle adjustment that will require the cooperation of the entire family. But when you see allergy sufferers in the family be able to live happier and more comfortable lives because every body pitched in to allergy proof the home and keep it that way, the effort will have been entirely worth it.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Monday, 28 December 2009 00:04 |
 When you set out to battle dust mite allergies, the challenge can seem tremendous. Because dust mites take up residence in any soft place in the home where dust might accumulate, they literally could be anywhere and everywhere you sit or sleep. But dust mites can be fought and the problem contained. While you may never completely eliminate dust mites from the home entirely, if you reduce their population and their influence, you can virtually eliminate the incidences of dust mite allergy attacks that plaque you or your family members who have this particular allergy problem.
It isn't the dust mites themselves that are triggers for the dust mite allergies. Your immune system reacts to the dead bodies and feces of dust mites, which develops into a fine residue that is breathed in by humans. When the immune system detects that dust mite residue, an allergic reaction is possible which results in sinus and lung inflammation and other symptoms that are similar to a sinus attack or the common cold.
Dust mite allergy symptoms can range form mild to quite severe. As with all allergies, your best defense is to eliminate the allergen from your home. Here are nine tips on how to conduct your battle against dust mite allergies in your home…
- Dust mites do not drink water in the conventional sense of the word. They get their moisture from the atmosphere. So by using dehumidifier and other tools to keep the humidity in the house low, you deprive dust mites of a comfortable home.
- It might go without saying but your cleaning of the carpets should become virtually a daily routine. If it is you who has the allergy problem with dust mites, see if you can find someone else to do that vacuuming so you do not have to inhale the dust that kicks up. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation so the dust that is stirred by vacuuming can dissipate.
- Similarly, make it a goal to dust often to keep the accumulation of dust as minimal as possible. That dust is made up of the residue form dust mites along with dead skin and such things that makes up the diet of dust mites. So by cleaning often, you reduce the opportunity for dust mite allergies to get a foothold in your home.
- There are bed covers that are made to be allergen proof. The fabric is woven tightly to keep dust mites out or they are made of vinyl. This one step can keep dust mites and their residue out of your beds, which is a place they love to live.
- Make sure you wash your bedding linens at least once a week in hot water to kill and rinse away any living dust mites and all of their residue that can cause allergies.
- Think about the fabrics you pick for bedding and rugs so you avoid wood or other types of fabrics that make for perfect homes for dust mites.
- When it is at all possible, take up carpeting entirely. If you can switch from carpet to tile or hardwood floors, that is a major blow to the dust mite enemy you are fighting.
- Dust mites can even take up residence in the stuffed animals your children play with. So think ahead and buy stuffed animals for them that can be washed so you can drive those nasty bugs away from your kids as well.
- Clutter in general offers lots of niches where dust mites can get cozy. By setting out to make your home clutter free, you are also depriving dust mites of their opportunity to set off allergies in your home.
You will notice that we did not include air purifiers in our list. The good of air purifiers is they will take dust out of the air and that dust will contain the residue form dust mites that is the real allergen in a dust mite allergy. But dust mites themselves are too heavy to be stirred up and pulled out of the air.
Better to eradicate dust mites where they live, in the carpets and fabrics of your home and then get rid of the dust and reside left behind by them. It is a big job but if you have a family member who suffers with dust mite allergies, it is a fight worth winning to be sure.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Saturday, 26 December 2009 23:37 |
 When you are suffering with the kind of allergy symptoms that take over your life for a while, you might be willing to submit to any kind of cure if it could just make the problem of allergies go away. Many allergy symptoms bring such suffering that they virtually stop you from being able to function. Those symptoms might include sinus problems that can make you sneeze and bring headaches, watering eyes and aches and pains so disturbing that it is as if you have the flu. Other allergies cause an allergy rash that vests horrible itching on you that is impossible to ignore.
Allergies try the soul like no other ailment we encounter both because the symptoms can be so difficult to cope with and because there seems to be no hope of getting rid of an allergy entirely. Of the various measures we have at our disposal to rid ourselves of allergies, the primary weapon seems to be avoidance of the enemy. But for any allergy sufferer, there is always the option of seeking the help of immunotherapy and getting allergy shots to put into effect a more aggressive strategy to win against allergies.
Allergy shots are a viable method for beating allergies. The way the shots work is that they slowly cause your body to be desensitized against the allergens that are causing the reaction. An allergy is essentially a hypersensitivity of the immune system to a substance that is usually relatively harmless in its own right. So by causing the immune system to lose its hypersensitivity to the allergen, the allergy problem theoretically goes away.
The difficulty of going the allergy shot route is that it is not a fast solution. The shots are slowly retraining your immune system not to react improperly to the allergen. In many cases, the allergy sufferer may have to take a series of shots each month for as long as four or five years before the allergy is defeated entirely. That is a high price to pay both financially and in terms of inconvenience and the pain of the shots. So most of us think long and hard before entering into an allergy shot solution for our allergies.
The science behind the allergy shot solution is called immunotherapy. Before the shots to "cure" your allergy can begin, there may be a lengthy diagnostic period where the exact cause of the allergy is identified. The cause is referred to immunotherapy as the "trigger". The types of allergies where immunotherapy is mostly used are problems with bee and other insect stings. It is always appropriate to seek an immunotherapy solution for an allergy whose symptoms may result in a serious medical emergency or death.
Immunotherapy is not for everybody. It is an expensive procedure that takes a serious investment of time and money. In most cases, people turn to immunotherapy when the allergy they suffer with is quite serious and where other solutions have not been effective.
It is always smart to have a frank discussion of your options with your doctor or your allergist. He or she may have you try avoidance, over the counter drugs or even home remedies before resorting to allergy shots. But if none of the conventional approaches to avoiding allergy symptoms works for you and your allergy continues to seriously disturb your life for month after month and year after year, you may be ready to turn to immunotherapy rather than continue to put up with the problem. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 December 2009 21:18 |
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 25 December 2009 23:57 |
 The problem that parents face in sorting out the kinds of allergies that might affect their kids is tough. Allergies are a wily enemy to diagnose and then trying to devise a strategy for fighting an allergy will often mean a lifestyle change for the whole family. But when a particular allergen also comes with a built in controversy, that only complicates the matter further.
Such a controversy swirls about the potential effect of an allergy to red dye that is used in food coloring. Red 40 is the actual component that is questionable. The controversy is that many medical professionals including the authority of the FDA itself has weighed in that there is no such thing as a red dye allergy. However, the witness of thousands of parents about some quite noticeable problems their children have had when red dye is allowed in their diet tell another story.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 December 2009 21:17 |
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Read more... [The Controversial Red Dye Allergy and How it Might Affect Your Children.]
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 25 December 2009 21:36 |
 Anyone who has had a doctor prescribe medicine to help with an ear or sinus problem may be familiar with the drug Amoxicillin. As with all drugs, most people that use this treatment in a prescribed way get a great deal of good from the drug. But in the last few years, there have been some noticeable incidents of allergic reactions to Amoxicillin that we must be aware of. Above all, if you are taking Amoxicillin or you are giving the drug to your child, it is important to be aware of the potential allergic reaction that could result from the drug and to be prepared so you know what to do about an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin.
There are many allergy problems where the symptoms are uncomfortable or even make you feel like you are getting sick. But we must treat an Amoxicillin allergy problem with great seriousness because in some cases, the symptoms can result in death. That is one reason to get informed about the nature of an Amoxicillin allergic attack so you can know what you are dealing with and take action accordingly.
Because Amoxicillin is prescribed frequently for inner ear and sinus infections, if a patient is going to have an allergic reaction to the drug, it is hard to predict how severe that reaction will be. The type and severity that an Amoxicillin allergy might result in is highly individual to the person. Similarly, solutions to the problem are as individual as the person who is having the reaction to Amoxicillin.
Typical symptoms of an Amoxicillin allergic reaction include dizziness, hives, swelling in the lips, various kinds of rashes, difficulty breathing and in some cases hives. If you know someone who has had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin, his or her symptoms may be completely different from your own problem with the drug. Further, it is not accurate to assume that if you have one of these symptoms that it automatically means you are allergic to Amoxicillin.
If you or a family member does experience one or more of the typical symptoms of an allergy to Amoxicillin, take note of when you took the drug and if you have seen similar allergic attacks at other times that Amoxicillin has been used. Typically an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin will occur fairly soon after taking the drug. So if you have one of these symptoms the next day after you took Amoxicillin, there is a good chance the health problem you are having is because of another problem, not an Amoxicillin allergy.
The first thing you should do if you confirm that the allergic reaction symptoms you are experiencing are because of Amoxicillin is to stop taking the drug. The second thing to do is to consult with your doctor and report that you may be experiencing an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin. Be specific about the symptoms so your doctor can come to the right conclusion. Because Amoxicillin allergic attacks can become severe, your doctor will almost certainly prescribe another medication for your ear or sinus infection rather than expose you to any further risk.
If you know you are allergic to Amoxicillin, be mindful also if you have a close relative or spouse who is using the drug. Something as simple as eating after that person or a kiss can pass sufficient Amoxicillin to you to kick off an allergic reaction. Also, be aware of any Amoxicillin allergies in the family before allowing your child to use the drug to treat a childhood ear or sinus infection. The severity of symptoms of some Amoxicillin allergy attacks are so dire and sometimes even deadly. So treat any potential of an allergic problem with this drug with the utmost of seriousness.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 18 December 2009 21:21 |
 Of the various allergy types, food allergies affect as large a percentage of the population as just about any other category. As many as 6% of infants and young children have food allergies and just under 4 % of adults in the United States suffers with some form of food allergy. Today, it is quite common to know someone who has a problem with a certain type of food due to an allergic reaction. That was not the case just a few decades ago.
It is always possible that the higher percentages are because we are better at documenting and publicizing the number of people fighting food allergies. And evidence is prevalent that the frequency of other kinds of allergies such as hay fever and eczema is also much higher now than at previous times in history. A number of serious scientific studies have lead to the conclusion that the percentage of the population dealing with food allergies has risen over the last decade or so and that this increase in the number of people developing food allergies is continuing to get worse.
The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre has conducting a revealing study focusing on children between the age of three and four who had tested positive for peanut allergies. This study stretched over a five-year period of time and the outcome was eye opening. The proportion of youngsters who showed up as confirmed food allergy sufferers had doubled in just five years time. Similar studies that were done using scientific telephone survey results resulted in the same result that twice as many children were getting food allergies now as were having the problem just five years ago.
Scientists have several theories as to why food allergies seem to be increasing in the general population and particularly among young children. Three theories that seem to be most commonly supported are that…
· The increase of awareness of food problems in western cultures has caused parents to insulate their children from foods that contain known allergens. Because the child's immune system does not get the chance to build an immunity to certain food types, an allergic reaction results when it does encounter that food type.
· Western culture encourages parents to introduce certain foods to children too soon. Because babies and young children are taking in more advanced foods before their digestive systems and immune systems are developed enough to handle that food properly, an allergic reaction results.
· The use of processed foods introduces chemicals to the child's system that can result in the development of a food allergy.
Each of these theories has some basis in research and scientific fact. As parents, it is important to understand if any of these influences could result in a food allergy in your child. By taking care to give your child a balanced diet, which includes small quantities of foods that are known allergens, you give the infant's system the chance to develop the proper immunities in a proper way. Similarly, feeding your child organic or natural foods and the right foods for the age of the child, you are staying away from some of the primary causes of food allergies in children.
Universally it has been found that the extension of the time of breastfeeding is one way to give your child a much better fighting chance against food allergies. Because nursing passes all of the nutrition that the mother consumes through to the child in a balanced and healthy way, babies who are breastfed through the first year and into the second year of their lives commonly avoid food allergies with much greater success. These statistics and studies can be very helpful to any parent who wants to do all they can to help their baby get a good start in life by avoiding food allergies if at all possible.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 18 December 2009 19:33 |
 The problem of allergies is not something mysterious. Almost everyone either has some level of allergy problems or has someone in the family who suffers with allergies. Most people suffer with allergies that are common and the causes are well known. If your allergy produces sinus problems, it is probably caused by pollen or some other natural substance produced when plants outside generate spores or other airborne matter. If your allergy is digestive, there is a good chance you have a food allergy and the most common causes of food allergies are sea food and dairy products.
Of course, we know there are plenty of other causes of allergies. It is a challenge to an allergy sufferer to isolate exactly what is causing the problem. That is because there really is no cure for allergies except to avoid the allergen that is making your allergic symptoms act up. The problem is compounded by the fact that not all allergic symptoms are easily diagnosed. It is possible to develop an allergic skin rash that comes from a food allergy and it is possible for you to develop digestive problems from an allergen that you breathe in through your lungs.
If the search for the allergen that is giving you problems or that is causing allergic reactions in your children, you really have to open search to a wide variety of potential causes. There are some unusual causes of allergies that may be affecting you or someone in your family but that are coming from something in your home that you would never suspect. Let's unmask a few of these unusual allergen sources.
Many artificial scents can set off an allergic reaction that resembles hay fever and other sinus problems. But if the allergen is coming from a product that is being used in the home, you could eliminate the problem and in doing so, eliminate the source of the allergy for you or your affected family member. A good example is scented candles. Most of us love these little accents to the home. But that candle puts a perfumed chemical into the air and that can act as an allergen and cause nasal problems, sneezing and even headaches.
Perfumes or colognes that we wear to be more socially pleasing can create the same problem. A good way to test if your allergy is being caused by a chemical scent in the home is to either eliminate all artificial agents that generate nice odors or leave the home for a while and get some fresh air to see if that clears up the problem.
Many allergies are caused by dust mites that can take up residence in all kinds of unexpected places. If you suspect that dust mites are causing your allergic symptoms, the obvious places to begin your cleaning are the ventilation shafts and filters. In addition, the carpets of your home can be a home for many dust mites who can live in the fabrics and get stirred up by walking or even by the vacuum sweeper. To get rid of them once and for all may mean more regular carpet cleaning. But it would be worth the investment to get that source of allergy suffering out of the house.
You should use a critical eye when reviewing where in the house dust mites could be hiding. Even such unsuspected places as old stuffed animals or the upholstery of chairs could be housing dust mites that will continue to cause problems for you or your family until they are eliminated from your environment.
Allergic reactions to food may be coming from food sources that are not the usual allergy suspects. Some people are allergic to peppers or some kinds of spices. Those allergies are hard to track down because they would only surface when that spice is used in food preparation. It is possible to react to alcohol as though it was causing an allergic reaction. In that case, the real allergen is probably the wheat or some other ingredient in the alcohol that is causing the problem. Switching to a different drink could clear the problem up. Also, be alert if you find your eyes running or get other allergic reactions to lemons or limes. There is a component in citrus fruits called limonene that has been known to serve as an allergen at times.
We use many chemical substances in our routines lives at home and each of them could serve to introduce an allergen to the home. So if an allergy problem become difficult to diagnose, take a look at the soaps and detergents you use, the cleansing agents that are kept around for washing the floor or the dishes or even to types of paints that may have been used recently on the walls. Each of them could be causing allergy problems.
Once your remove the source of the allergy, you usually will cause the associated allergic symptoms go away quickly as well. And by being creative in identifying what is causing that unpleasant or possibly debilitating allergic reaction, you can reduce the impact of allergies on the members of your family. And that is a goal worth striving for.
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 17:44 |
 There is perhaps no more timely a health related subject than the spread of swine flu around the world. With the arrival of the swine flu vaccine just in the nick of time, there is a frantic push going on to get the entire population vaccinated before this devastating health crisis turns into a full epidemic with many deaths. The good news is that our medical community has been brilliant again at coming up with a swine flu virus that can stop what could have been a global emergency. The bad news is that we must be wary of this new vaccine particularly if there are concerns about egg allergies.
When you go for your swine flu vaccination, they will brief you about the potential risks if you have egg related allergies. The risks might be worth it if you know the allergic symptoms you will go through are not very severe. The pay back is by getting the vaccine, you are safe from one of the most dangerous flues we have ever encountered. However, if you still feel unsure, there is hope on the horizon that swine flu vaccines will become available that do not use any egg products. But we have no forecast on when that will happen.
Egg allergy symptoms can range from the uncomfortable to serious. It is possible that you may experience one of these symptoms if you are allergic to eggs and you get the swine flu shot.
- The skin can become itchy as though it was dried out. This might occur even if there is no allergic rash from the egg allergy.
- Egg allergies can be the cause of hives. If so, you will see the rashes appear on your cheeks, chest, arms or other places on your body.
- In some cases, swelling of the hands and face occur after eating eggs if you are allergic.
- An egg allergy reaction can cause problems in your digestive system such as diarrhea, cramping and even vomiting.
- There are occasions when a person is suffering from an egg allergy reaction for them to feel their throat close up, wheeze and feel like they cannot breathe well.
It is unfortunate that someone who is a confirmed egg allergy sufferer has to make a choice between the potential of one or more of these symptoms or taking the risk of dealing with the symptoms of swine flu. That is why it is best to consult with your doctor who knows well how your egg allergy affects you and the likelihood that the swine flu vaccine is going to trigger those reactions.
Swine flue symptoms include fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, chills and problems in the digestive system. But it is the serious problems that swine flu may bring including respiratory problems, the potential of pneumonia which can lead to a shut down of your respiratory system leading to death that are the big concern. Swine flu is a frightening health threat because it does not limit itself to well known risk groups such as the very young, people with poorly functioning immune systems and the elderly. Swine flu seem to favor young people who are in the prime of life. And since the fatality rate is higher than with most flu outbreaks, it has become a serious health issue on a very broad scale.
It is good to note that not everyone who gets the swine flu will have fatal symptoms. Many who suffer with the disease just go through routine flu symptoms and then they recover without difficulty. So not taking the vaccine is a matter of calculating your risk level and weighing the odds that you might get swine flu and you might fall into that small percentage of people who experience serious symptoms.
That risk evaluation must be placed against the severity of your egg allergy symptoms and the likelihood the swine flu vaccine will trigger them. This is a risk calculation that only you and your doctor can understand before you make that decision. But knowing the facts is always the best first step before you take a vaccine that could cause you a significant amount of physical discomfort due to your egg allergy problems. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 16:00 |
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