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Archive for the ‘Allergy’ Category

Allergy is a condition wherein the body responds negatively to the presence of certain apparently harmless objects in the surroundings. An allergic reaction can occur in people when they come into contact with dust, pollen grains, certain spices or even fruits or vegetables, or when they take some drugs. Allergy is characterized in most instances by itchiness, sneezing, inflammation or certain areas, redness, etc. A typical example of an allergy causing product is the rubber latex.

One of the better known examples of allergy is asthma. Though all cases of asthma may not be an allergic response, it has been noticed that nearly 60% of people who suffer from any form of allergy also have the tendency to develop asthma.

Though allergy symptoms may vary from person to person, many people suffer from inflamed eyes and nose when they have an allergy attack. Earache and headache are also seen in some people and the latter is often a response to taking a drug to which one is allergic.

The problem of constricted bronchia is commonly seen in allergy sufferers and this makes their breathing labored. Since labored breathing could result from other respiratory problems as well, it has to be first of all confirmed by tests that the problem is indeed the result of an allergy. An easy and common type of allergy test is the skin prick test which is believed to give fairly accurate results. Besides being reliable, this test is less expensive than a blood test as well.

The skin prick test consists of pricking the skin and marking it with a special type of ink. Then the possible allergen is placed on the pricked area where the pricks will allow it to enter the skin. If the individual is allergic to that object, the area will swell up and turn red and itchy within half an hour. It is a confirmation of allergy and generally a steroid cream is applied in the area to reduce the itching and swelling.

An allergy blood test is done to check the antibody content in the blood. The ELISA or EIA blood test is done to calculate the level of the antibody called immunoglobulin E, which is generally high in the case of those suffering from an allergy. The human body is likely to produce too much of these when it comes into contact with an object that it identifies as a foreign body.

Though there are no easy or foolproof treatments for allergy, many drugs like cortisone, epinephrine, and antihistamines have been found to give the patient substantial relief.

Symptoms of Allergies:

o Sneezing, itching and irritation of nose, ears, throat, skin.

o Stuffy, runny or tingling nose.

o Burning, watering, itchy or red eyes.

o Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

o Flu-like symptoms

o Skin rashes–Eczema, Hives, etc.

o Feeling of sinus pressure in and around the nose and cheeks.

o Ear fullness and popping

o Difficulty swallowing, throat hoarseness with soreness

o Headaches and/or heart palpitations

o Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle pains.

o Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

o Swelling especially in the lips, other parts of the mouth and throat, eyelids, genitals, hands and feet (angioedema)

o Anaphylactic Shock is a serious allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention.

Homeopathic Remedies:

Allergies signal a defective or depleted immune system and are considered in Homeopathic parlance–the body’s communication that something is not right. Homeopathic doctrine believes that the allergen is just the trigger to the problem and not the underlying cause. Homeopathic remedies can remove the underlying cause for the allergic tendency and eliminate it completely.

A Homeopathic practitioner does not treat the disease itself, but looks at the entire individual and how the whole body reacts. An appropriately selected Homeopathic remedy that is individually chosen to the totality of symptoms that the person is experiencing, not just the allergy symptoms, stimulates the body’s vital force and immune system so that the body can heal itself. However, Homeopathic remedies can also be used to treat the acute phase of the allergic reaction.

Homeopathic treatment is safe and gentle, without any side-effects. Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of physical, emotional and genetic make up of the person. Therefore, unlike pharmaceutical or OTC medications–one pill doesn’t fit all.

Homeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of Allergies and also plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition and improving the general health of the person. Another important aspect of Homeopathic remedies is that people on multiple remedies for other issues can safely take additional remedies without concerns regarding negative interactions. All Homeopathic remedies are natural substances that work with the body and not against another remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are non-habit forming; no addictive characteristics and have a proven 200 year safety record with the FDA. Since Homeopathy treats the body in totality, it leads to a permanent long-lasting cure, unlike the temporary suppression of symptoms created through pharmaceutical or OTC medications.

Homeopathic remedies are best used under the supervision of an experienced Homeopath. It is not advisable to resort to self-diagnosis for any body symptom–albeit something as common as allergies could signal something more serious than merely an allergic reaction.

What does the word ‘allergy’ mean?

An allergy describes the way a particular person’s body will overreact to a certain substance which other people come into contact without any problems. People allergic to pollen for example, can suffer from sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and start coughing or wheezing – the classic ‘hay fever’ response of 10 – 15% of the general population.

Anatomy of an allergic reaction

Why is it that most people can breathe in pollen or house dust without feeling ill? Well, the allergic person’s immune system recognizes the pollen or dust particles as foreign bodies that must be got rid of and begins to develop a protein called an antibody against the specific irritant. The problems for the allergic person begin when the antibody and substance (known as an allergen) join together, a bit like a key in a lock, and produce a variety of chemical substances. The best known of these chemicals is histamine and when this is released the result is to start off an inflammation along with swelling, redness and irritation. If this occurs in your nostrils, eyelids or the bronchial tubes of your lungs, then you are going to have an attack of hay fever or asthma. The majority of the population don’t react in this way because their bodies do not have the antibody so the pollen or house dust to them is just a temporary minor irritant.

Testing for allergies

You can find out if these substance-specific antibodies are in your system by having an allergy skin test. All this involves is putting a small amount of the suspect material onto the back of you hand say, and lightly pinpricking through it. If the result is a small itchy swelling around where the pin prick was made then you have the special antibody to whatever substance you were testing for. On the whole an allergy skin test is quite a reliable indicator that you are allergic to something although there can be a number of ‘false positives’.

Allergy patterns

Amongst family members it’s been noticed that allergies tend to follow a pattern. During childhood allergies to a number of different things develop in a variety of ways only to be grown out of when they become teenagers. Other people in their late 30′s or older have had allergies since being a child and some allergic children may develop asthma. Just why allergies take different patterns of development is not known but is seems that they are definitely inherited from parents.

Can we do anything about it?

Yes, a good first step is for you to find out root cause of your allergy. Once this is known you can avoid coming into contact with the allergen but in the case of pollen this is not easy. Air conditioning in cars and buildings help the hay fever sufferer as do anti-histamine tablets. Try keeping generally fit which will help avoid cold infections that can make hay fever that bit worse.

Melissa was very excited because that Tuesday afternoon she was going to the zoo. She is very fond of animals, especially birds.

She doesn’t tire looking, talking and playing around her favorite bird in that zoo–the canary. Canary is a small finch or kind of tiny bird that is a native to the Canary Islands.

Canary birds have a yellow to greenish color and has long been bred by people and bird collectors around the globe as cage birds.

Back to Melissa, happiness with Canary birds must not be a thing for her because after an hour, a strong discomfort was beginning to ruin her mood. She started coughing and itching until she could no longer take it.

Later, the physician who attended to her concluded that she has, yes, you have guessed it right, Canary allergy.

What is Canary allergy?

Canary allergy is no different from your usual bird allergy. It is brought about by the retaliation or defensive reaction of your body’s immune system to allergens from birds or Canaries that gets through the system through feather dust or dander and through droppings or fecal matter.

Because Canary birds are cage birds that could not freely fly, expect that its feathers are very much loaded with these irritating dusts that may cause allergic reactions.

Exposure to Canary birds’ dusts and allergens will bring about bird allergy symptoms within minutes, hours, or at very rare occasions days, which make diagnosing harder unless the patient volunteers the information.

Symptoms of Canary allergy

Like bird allergy, Canary allergy is also characterized by simple allergic reactions or symptoms including postnasal drip, stuffy nose, hives, coughing, itchy eyes, sneezing, watery or teary eyes and sore throat.

Canary bird allergies may not be that fatal but the onset of its symptoms will surely cause a great discomfort to the patient. Failure to address or address severe attacks or symptoms can also lead to serious complications which can be fatal or deadly if untreated or unattended.

In very sensitive individuals, Canary allergy is also accompanied by fever and chills.

Treatment for Canary Allergy

Canary allergy is a chronic attack that can cease by its own even if you do not take in any medication. Most often, the simple treatment recommended to people exhibiting canary allergy symptoms is to make that person get farther or away from Canary birds around.

It is a practical treatment because constant and continuous exposure to the bird that causes the allergy will surely keep the onset of the allergic reaction.

Doctors also prescribe little doses of antihistamines (drugs that treat simple allergies), decongestants (drugs that unblocks breathing areas or treat swollen nasal areas) and corticosteroids ( anti-inflammatory drugs).

Avoiding Canary allergy

Hygiene of course, is the most basic and effective measure to counter potential Canary allergy attacks. Always wash your hands even if you are not eating. Clean the surroundings and make sure there are no Canary bird feathers or droppings around especially if you have those birds at home.

If you are allergic to Canary birds, just like if you have allergies to other substances, be sure to always keep your room well-ventilated by opening windows or turning on air conditioners to an optimal temperature.

If you have Canary birds at home and there is no way you will be disposing them, there are measures that could help you avoid the onset of Canary allergy. First, make sure the Canaries’ cage is clean and tidy.

Do not overcrowd the cage because that will cause the Canaries to fight and play around often, spreading their feathers around.

Make sure that area in the house where the Canary birds’ cage is placed is properly ventilated. Buy an air purification system to make sure the air you breathe around your house is free from any allergen that may trigger another Canary allergy attack.

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Did you know that home remedies for allergies are really quite simple and sometimes safer than over the counter products? This is especially true for people with sensitive skin. Not surprisingly, those who suffer from airborne allergens or food allergies often have skin allergies as well.

The term “allergy” simply means that the body reacts abnormally as a result of exposure to what is called an antigen or allergen. What is interesting is that you might have two people stand side-by-side and expose them to an allergen or specific food and one might react whereas the other one won’t have any adverse side effects.

Allergic reactions are different for everyone but can include: headaches, sore throat, skin rashes, redness, inflammation (hives), dizziness, irritability, sinus drainage, shortness of breath, itchiness, and even blisters. These are just a few of the many reactions people can have to airborne allergens, certain foods, or contact with a product that irritates the skin.

However, for those of you who are painfully aware of your allergies, we’d like to offer you some simple and safe home remedies for allergies. These won’t break the bank and may save you from exposing your skin to further possible allergic reactions (that might occur from using an over-the-counter product).

Simple Home Remedies for Allergies
Avoid any foods that seem to cause a skin rash or other allergic reaction. Avoid heavy alcohol consumption and nicotine. Change your pillowcase every day or so (bed sheets too if necessary). A paste made from sandalwood has been shown to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of skin allergies. Mashed almond leaves are also said to be helpful for calming the symptoms of an allergic skin reaction. Drink some orange juice or take a daily Vitamin C supplement – some research suggests that this vitamin can help reduce the severity and occurrences of allergic reactions. For rashes over various parts of the body, try soaking in a tub with roughly a cup of uncooked oatmeal. Poultices are not just for treating animals – make yourself a poultice to treat a skin rash. Combine yellow dock root, dandelion, chaparral, and water in the blender (about a handful of each herb will do nicely, along with enough water to make a paste). Place the poultice over the affected area and then cover it with bandages or cheesecloth. For extremely dry and rough skin, try massaging pure coconut oil or olive oil into those areas. To help prevent allergic reactions, squeeze half of a fresh lime into a glass of room temperature water and then add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink this daily in the morning as a preventive measure.

As you can see, there is hope for people with sensitive skin. Some people have found that by eliminating certain foods from their diet, they’ve enjoyed freedom from many of their symptoms. Foods such as tea, coffee, chocolate, soda, and other products high in sugar or chemical preservatives should be considered when trying to figure out what is possibly causing your allergic reactions. Try these home remedies and see if you don’t enjoy relief from your allergy symptoms!

Allergies – an inflammatory response to any number of things you may be exposed to each and every day.