Asthma and Allergies: News and Views
Articles on asthma and allergies: causes, symptoms and treatments

Archive for: April 2009



April 30, 2009

Eye Allergies And The Body Reactions

Filed under: Allergies - 30 Apr 2009

The most common symptom about having allergies is that they would occur mainly in the skin, or break out in some other form, like having indigestion or something equally unpleasant. But one thing that is often overlooked is the human eye, since it too contracts allergic reactions quite easily. There are often symptoms that can let you know
that you’re having an allergic reaction to a substance, identifying whether it’s from an allergy or something else that’s causing your eye irritation.

Signs Of Trouble In Your Eyes

A lot of common symptoms can be associated with multiple diseases. Itchiness in the eyes, redness, swelling, a burning sensation, it can all possibly be part of some other disease. Another common sign is known as pink eye, which has the entire clear membrane of the white of your eyes going pink, and possibly getting itchy as well. You
can find out the source of the irritation if it’s from a viral, bacterial, or allergic source.

If it only affects one eye, then the most likely cause is viral. A bacterial source of pink eye will also show because there is often a discharge coming out of the eye. However, if it’s not exclusively the eye that’s affected, then the source will most likely be allergic in nature. The doctor will most likely rule out all other possibilities once he or she finds out about the exact circumstances of the irritation.

Sources Of Eye Allergies

The eye, although protected from the outside by its lubrication, can still sometimes come into contact with possible allergens. The usual culprits in eye allergies include pollen, which occurs during the spring and summer months at its peak.
An unpleasant reaction to chemicals that enter your eye such as medication with side effects or eye drops can also cause an allergic reaction. Also quite common
is having allergies associated with pets, so be sure to check these sources.

What you can do

Of course, being an allergic reaction, the best thing that you can do to avoid having an unpleasant reaction to your allergen is to avoid it. You’ll have to make sure that you keep your surroundings clean from most airborne allergens, like vacuuming regularly around your house to keep dust, pollen, and pet hair from getting airborne and into your eyes.

But still, you can’t avoid being exposed to other environments, so if you’re allergic to airborne particles, you’ll have to check with your doctor to see if you can benefit from using over the counter medicines that you can carry around.

These can possibly alleviate the symptoms you have through their active ingredients. You can also probably find products that have antihistamines in them, lessening the allergic reaction and calming down things a bit when symptoms manifest themselves as
swelling and redness.

A direct application to the symptom site will have a faster reaction time than if you were to take the medicine in oral form like capsules or tablets.

However, consult your doctor on the effects of prolonged use of your medicinal treatments, as your eyes might become dependent on your medication. You don’t want to have your blood vessels being dependent on eye drops to become small again when they swell up during an allergy attack.


April 28, 2009

Being Allergic to Food

Filed under: Allergies - 28 Apr 2009

allergic to

Being allergic to food can put a person’s life in total chaos. The actual act of going out to eat can prove deadly if one is not careful. For example, if one is allergic to eggs, simply the smell of eggs cooking or being around someone who has a dish prepared with eggs can initiate an episode of that person breaking out in hives. Living with an allergy to foods can be a challenge, but if one knows the signs of an attack, their life can be managed much easier.

One of the first signs of being allergic to food is a tingling in the mouth. If one begins to experience this, then this could be the beginning of an allergic reaction. Another sure sign that a food allergy is taking place is when a person begins to develop hives and may see facial swelling. Swelling of the tongue, throat or other parts of the body may be an indication to get help as soon as possible. If one experiences a severe reaction caused from being allergic to food, then a trip to the emergency room may be needed.

Not everyone is allergic to food. Though, those who have a family history of allergies should be aware. Allergies are mostly inherited from parents and if one suffers from a specific food allergy, the chances are greater that their child will also suffer. If family history is not available, then a person can find out if they are susceptible to allergies or not by visiting a doctor and going through a series of tests to determine if an allergen is present.

Being allergic to certain foods is not the end of the world. Yes, one may not get to indulge in things that others relish and take for granted, such as peanut butter, but knowing the signs and symptoms can help a person deal with a reaction if one does occur. Many people can find free health information on the internet at sites such as Web MD or the Mayo Clinic. Here, a person can find a health guide that can help them learn to deal with having an allergy to food.


April 18, 2009

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Filed under: Allergies - 18 Apr 2009

Cow’s milk is the most common allergy-causing foods in children, and it’s the leading source of allergic result in especially young kids. Milk allergy disturbs in the region of 2 percent to 3 percent of children globally, and its symptoms and signs may be difficult enough to cause sorrow not merely for an allergic kid, but also for the child’s mother and father. But the good news is that most children grow out of the milk allergy by the age 2 or 3.

Allergic reactions typically occur a few minutes to a few hours after you consume milk
— but from time to time it can be days before symptoms and sign show. Signs and symptoms range from soft to serious and can consist of wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Very rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Three types of milk linked allergy symptoms have been accepted:

  1. Symptoms set in fast following ingesting cow’s milk. Reactions mainly affect the skin, causing hives and/or eczema.
  2. Symptoms commence several hours after ingesting cow’s milk. Symptoms of this type are mainly diarrhea and vomiting.
  3. Symptoms begin more than twenty hours after eating/drinking. The most symptom for this type is diarrhea.

Symptoms of milk allergy can affect the skin, causing rashes or hives; the digestive tract, causing bloating and diarrhea, and the respiratory system, causing runny nose and asthma.

Here is a more full list of symptoms:

  • vomiting
  • hyperactive behavior
  • diarrhea
  • asthma
  • hives
  • runny nose
  • rashes
  • stuffy nose
  • ear infections
  • bloating
  • watery eyes
  • eczema
  • allergic shiners (black around the eyes)
  • recurrent bronchitis
  • failure to thrive

The just mentioned symptoms are not restricted to people experiencing milk allergy. As you get to know food allergy symptoms, you probably notice that quite a few foods share a variety of common symptoms, such as: bloating, rash, and runny nose.

What is the Difference of Milk allergy and Milk Intolerance?

It is critical to differentiate a true milk allergy from milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. Milk intolerance causes different symptoms and involve diverse action than does a true milk allergy. Common signs and symptoms of milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk.

Milk Allergy Prevention and Cure

The single way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid milk and milk proteins altogether. This can be complex, as milk is a general food ingredient.
Despite your best efforts, you or your child may still come into contact with milk. Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce signs and symptoms of a milk allergy. These drugs can be taken after exposure to milk to control an allergic reaction and help relieve discomfort.
If you or your child has a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to the emergency room. If you’re at risk of having a severe reaction, you or your child may need to carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) at all times.


April 17, 2009

Instant Relief for Asthma Symptoms - Naturally

Filed under: Allergies - 17 Apr 2009

Many people suffering from asthma are looking for a natural asthma remedies in order to avoid filling their bodies with chemicals. Keep in mind, though, that asthma treatment using natural remedies hinges on the specific trigger at the root of the attack.

There are a number of ways that an asthma attack can be triggered. Among the many triggers are mold, perfume, food allergies, and cold temperatures.

The range of asthma treatments encompasses steroids, drugs and ongoing medical intervention. An immediate way to naturally treat your asthma is to avoid common triggers. Unfortunately, you can’t escape some triggers that are prevalent in the environment.

Natural remedies, including stress reduction, can be used to manage triggers like emotional stress. Others rely on organic foods and herbal supplements that can help reduce the possibility of suffering an attack.

Another treatment that provides immediate natural relief for asthma is to work toward prevention by improving the immune system and decreasing the constrictions of the bronchioles and alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. Adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to a humidifier enables the asthma sufferer to metabolize a greater amount of oxygen.

It’s been shown that using hydrogen peroxide in the humidifier raises the level of oxygen available for use. Hydrogen peroxide will help the vaporization process, but can unfortunately bleach the walls and curtains around the vaporizer. With the consent of your doctor and appropriate methodology the hydrogen peroxide can be added to the machines that deliver your bronchodilator.

This method works to eliminate attacks and helps to enhance your immune system, but it doesn’t get to the root causes of the disease. There are many other ways to manage emotional stress to provide quick natural relief of a stress related attack. Try using Reiki, which is a technique used to reduce stress, help you relax, and provide healing not only to your body but to your spirit.

In English, the meaning of Reiki is usually translated as “life force energy”. When your life flow is reduced, your chances of getting sick and experiencing stress are higher. With heightened Reiki comes more happiness, health and capability. Reiki is a wonderful therapy that quickly and naturally relieves asthma symptoms, and also benefits your spirit, mind, body and emotions.

By paying attention to preventative measures and reducing stress levels, you can decrease the use of meds and enjoy natural relief for asthma symptoms.


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