Natural and Over-The-Counter Methods To Fight Allergies

Guide to Allergies

2008-07-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

Nearly every person in the world is allergic to something - allergies are caused by your body's immune system being oversensitized to a common substance or irritant. For most of us, this can be something like pollen or mold spores. Common allergies and symptoms include hay fever (with scratchy, runny eyes), or more severe cases where people get so congested from inhaling pollen and the like that they need medical intervention.

Other common allergies and symptoms include an allergy to cat dander; this is the saliva that your cat leaves behind when it licks its fur to clean things. Some are sensitized to it, and others aren't. More serious allergies include allergic reactions to drugs - most notably drugs like cyclosporine and penicillin, both of which will cause a rash.

In General, Allergic Reactions Follow One Of Three Pathologies

The most common pathology is congestion in the sinuses or bronchial tubes. Common symptoms of this kind of allergy include sniffling, sneezing, congestion, and sinus headaches, and there are plenty of medicines out there designed to combat these symptoms. The most common (and for most people, the most effective) are the drugs found in Claritin. Claritin is unique in that the drug manufacturer took it to generic over the counter strength almost immediately rather than waiting for the patents to expire, because it was so effective that there was a growing black market in Claritin pills! Extreme cases of this pathology include people who get chest congestion and bronchial asthma.

The next most common pathology is a skin rash - this can be as mild as breaking out in spots to the painful agony of hives. Interestingly enough, the same reaction is responsible - your body reacts to histamine compounds, which trigger the immune system to go into full gear to fight off an invader. In much the same way that, say, carpet bombing can get rid of a fly, your body's immunoresponse system over-reacts and causes you pain and injury.

The third pathology for common allergies and symptoms is one most people don't associate with allergens - it's a trigger on the intestinal tract, which can cause gassiness, bloating, and diarrhea; it can also cause an upset stomach. Technically, this sort of allergy comes not from an immune system/histamine response, but a part of your intestinal flora that can't really handle what you just ate. Extreme cases of this type of allergy are actual syndromes and diseases, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's Disease. Examples of this type of allergy include a gluten allergy, or an MSG allergy, or an allergy to shellfish in its minor forms.

What Should You do To Minimize Your Allergic Responses?

First, contact an allergenist if you have severe allergies. They'll put you through a battery of tests to find out what triggers your immune responses. Then, carefully eliminate triggering items. If you have a house with central air, be sure to get the vents cleaned every year just before spring. Experiment with what remedies do and do not work for you, and keep a list so that when you're sneezing and miserable, you'll be able to call upon what you learned before your brain was full of mucous.

What Allergies Do You Have? Visit Our Website For More Information About Allergies And Allergic Reaction
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What is an Allergy?

2008-07-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Allergies are reactions that the body occurs when it encounters a substance that it is not used to. The substance, called allergens may be swallowed, inhaled, or may have come into contact with the skin. The body will normally learn to create a defense against allergies by coming into contact with them and then developing a defense against the underlying causes.
There are many different symptoms of allergies including the following:

1. Itchy eyes, itchy nose, and itchy throat.
2.Watery eyes
3. Coughing and postnasal drip
4. Allergic shiners
5. Sneezing, which is often followed by a clogged nose
6. Conjunctivitis

There are three different skin tests that can be performed to determine if you actually have allergies or not:

1. Patch Test - Used to look for substances that might be causing dermatitis. The suspected allergen causing the problems is put on the skin and covered with a bandage for 48 hours. If the patient is actually allergic, then the skin will turn red and peel.
2. Intradermal test - Uses a syringe to put the allergen extract into the upper most layer of skin in the arm - this will cause a small bubble on the skin to surface.
3. Prick Method - Common type of skin test. Test is done by placing a drop of allergen extract on the skin. If the patient is allergic to the allergen a hive will start to appear within ten to fifteen minutes.

If you're diagnosed with having allergies, then there are many treatments you can follow including:

- Keeping all windows and doors closed during heavy pollen seasons
- Using air filters
- Using dehumidifiers
- Not allowing dander producing animals into the house
- Washing sheets, blankets, and mattress pads weekly in hot water
- Reading and completely understanding your food labels
- Staying indoors in the mornings

If those methods do not help to keep your allergies away than there is also many prescription and over-the-counter medications you can take to help control your allergies:

- Nasal Sprays - Nasal sprays is one of the most popular solutions to allergies. It involves spraying the substance into your nose to mute the inflammatory response. There are many different medications you can choose from including Flonase, Nasonex, and Nasocort.

- Antihistamines - Antihistamines run a close second to popularity as treatment for allergies. When taken in combination with nasal sprays, they can really help to significantly reduce or even eliminate allergies completely. Drugs such as Claritin and Zyrtec are available over-the-counter and can really help to eliminate allergies all together.

Just remember, a lot of common causes and reasons you're receiving allergies on a daily basis is what you put yourself around. There may be certain animals, foods, and hairs that significantly set off and cause problems to your allergies - you should work to minimize your exposure to these problems.

Always consult with your doctor or health professional before making any chances to your health. Spring and summer are great seasons without allergies - work on eliminating them from your life!

S. Millson is a health researcher who has been researching common allergies and symptoms for years. Learn what causes allergies at http://www.allergictoeverything.info.
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Effective Methods of Fighting Allergies

2008-07-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Following are the 15 most recommended ways to fight allergies in a natural way. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before to taking up any medicine or natural remedy for allergies.

1. Avoid outdoors when pollen level is high. Check allergy forecast on websites like pollen.com and avoiding outdoors when level is above 9 points, that site is also very good to find good allergy information and equipment.

2. Eat natural Anti-histamine foods: Onions, garlic, Citrus fruits like lemon and oranges contain natural antihistamines. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also known to help. You should definitely consider increasing these foods in your diet.

3. Nasal Rinse : A very effective way to rinse of all the pollen struck in your nasal passages. This will also drain out some bacteria too. There are quite a few available with PH balancing salt to mix with filtered/boiled home water so there is no water irritation while doing the rinse. You should consider doing nasal rinse twice a day.

4. Air Purifiers : This is the MOST effective anti-allergy device for many people. Especially when at home in the evenings and night, helps to get you a good night sleep. Some filters have an additional 'ionic' feature which many people like me prefer not to use. These HEPA compatible filters take out most of the pollen from air around you. Dehumidifiers can be used to lessen mold which is another cause of allergies.

5. Local honey : It is recommended that you start eating about 1-2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts. Bees are known to collect pollen from local plants. Therefore honey is known to have some low levels of pollen, and taking it before the season helps your body to get use to some pollen level in advance before the full blown season strikes.

6. Pollen free home: Please clean your carpets, bed sheets, floors and curtains, say at least once in a week. Get a Hepa certified vacuum cleaner so the air coming out from your vacuum cleaner does not dump the pollen back in the air of your home. You can find these under $100 in most retail outlets.

7. Hot liquids are helpful to get relief from congestion; Green tea works well and also has antioxidants. Please be careful while handling the hot liquids. Marshmallow Root is also a good decongestant. Taking light steam also relieves congestion.

8. Light exercise: Congestion and running nose can often lead to a weaker respiratory system. Light exercise like brisk walking or indoor exercise cycle can give power to your lungs. But be practical, do not over stress yourself.

9. Smart Planning: Usually pollen counts are low after rain. If your local forecast says that its going to rain in next 1-2 days, then prefer doing your pending work after that. But if necessary to work in garden or cut grass then use a pollen mask.

10. What are allergic to: Check with your doctor if they can do a detailed allergy check for you to find what type of pollens you are exactly allergic to. For example if you are allergic to grass pollen, you know lawn mowing is not the best thing to do yourself and hiring a gardener may be a better choice.

11. Pets: If you have any pets at home, its a good idea to give them regular bath too.

12. Avoiding foods: Avoid any foods you know that you are allergic to and may trigger allergies.

13. Evening Shower: When you come home in the evening, take a warm shower and wash your hair. Hair's can hold lot of pollen while you were out.

14. Window filter: Keep doors and windows closed most of the time (or little open); consider buying anti pollen window filter screen. Basically a screen you can put on the window which allows the air to pass through but keeps the pollen out.

15. Overall Cleanliness: Wash your eyes and hands regularly with water. Not only it will drain away those pollens but also some give relief to your eyes.

Quite a few people prefer taking anti-allergic medicines and flu shots, not always by choice but sometimes natural approaches are not enough.

Additional allergy information is located at:http://www.saching.com/Article/Natural-way-to-treat-allergies/25By Swati A
http://www.travelandtourisminfo.comA leading Name for Travel and Tourism information.
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