By: William Babette

It’s that glorious time of year where the days are getting longer and the flowers are blooming. It’s been a long cold winter. There’s a palpable sense of joy as people walk down the street wearing shorts , and there’s not a jacket to be seen. But you can hear the sneezing a mile away. Spring is the season of the sneeze. It’s the price we pay for the lovely weather as trees and budding plants of all types bloom their flowers and spew their pollen for all the world to inhale. Itchy eyes and throats, runny noses and even headaches and coughs run rampant through the ranks of anyone who displays just the slightest allergy to plant borne particulates.

Even though allergies are not commonly life threatening, they can have an acute effect on quality of life. Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can also play a major role in conditions such as asthma. Perhaps the most common allergy is rhinitis, or sneezing and runny nose. But in some people, severe reactions to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.

Like the common cold, there is no known cure. Allergy shots can sometimes go a considerable distance to relieve symptoms, but generally speaking, shots - which desensitize the body's response to a given allergen - have a mixed record of success. Most treatments out on the market today primarily deal with the alleviation of symptoms, and not the essential cause of allergies.

The Cause of Allergies

The casual mechanisms that bring out allergic reactions are very complex and beyond the bounds of this article. But simply put, an allergy is your immune system overreacting. At its most basic level, an allergic reaction occurs when a given allergen comes into contact with the body’s mast cells and basophils. If surrounding T and B white blood cells have been sensitized to this particular allergen, the mast and basophil cells will release histamine and other inflammatory chemical mediators (cytokines, interleukins, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) into the surrounding tissue, causing several systemic effects, such as vasodilation, mucous secretion, nerve stimulation and smooth muscle contraction. This results in rhinorrhea, itchiness, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis. Depending on the individual, allergen, and mode of introduction, the symptoms can be system-wide (as in life threatening classical anaphylaxis), or localized to particular body systems. For example, asthma is localized to the respiratory system and eczema is localized to the dermis.

Allergies can come in a broad array of categories from food allergies to drug /medication allergies as well as insect stings to even jewelry. Perhaps the most common allergies are reactions to dust, mold, pollen, and animal dander. These are also among the most difficult to control as they permeate so much of our environment. After all, we have to breathe, don’t we? But when these allergens are trapped inside a house or business their effect can be intensified. Even people who are not overtly prone to allergies can have their immune systems compromised by mold, dust mites and particulates that can remain trapped in a house. Carpets pose a particular problem, as they are notoriously difficult to keep clean. Try and vacuum carpets as often as possible. Better yet, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service . Professional services are markedly more effective than consumer vacuums, as they tend to use highly pressurized steam cleaning techniques, combined with very high pressure vacuuming to rid the carpet pile of built up particulates and residue.

Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or down and dirty carpet buildup, taking a few simple, preventative measures can make the world of difference, and boost your quality of life for pennies on the dollar.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com

About William Babette

This article was written by William Babette. William, an allergy sufferer himself, searched online for both Carpet Cleaning Boston and Carpet Cleaning Lexington to find a professional carpet cleaner closest to his neighborhood. He found AvishayCarpet.com to be the best carpet cleaning service to alleviate his indoor allergies and get his carpets smelling like new again.

By: David Cowley

If you are allergic to poison ivy then you suffer from allergies Type 4 or delayed allergies. Up to 90 percent of people are allergic to the urushiol oil that causes the poison ivy rash. Over half of the population will experience a rash with the first contact of the poison ivy plant and is considered the most common allergy in the country.

Symptoms of poison ivy allergy is a severe itching of the skin that later develop into an inflammation of the skin. Red oozing sores or blisters can develop in sever cases and the fluid will have a slight yellowish color.

Some of us can roll in poison ivy and come out without any problems, while others can merely brush up against a few leaves of the stuff and they are scratching for weeks. In most cases, allergies are more annoying that debilitating but to the extreme allergy suffers life can be pure misery or even death.

Just because you do not develop systems the first few times you come into contact with poison ivy does not mean that you are immune. It may take several exposures to poison ivy before symptoms develop. The more times you are exposed to the usushiol the more likely it is that you will break out in a rash. Symptoms usually occur within 2 to 3 days.

It only take 1 billionth of a gram to cause the rash. 1/4 of an ounce of urushiol is all that is needed to cause a rash in every person on earth.

The usushiol oil can still be found on dead poison ivy plants for up to five years. Direct contact is the most common way of catching poison ivy however, you can catch poison ivy by just being close to the plants if the urushiol oil becomes airborne due to the plants are being burned, like in a forest fire, or because of the actions of a lawnmower or weed trimmer.

Scratching or rubbing the rashes will not spread the poison ivy rash unless you still have the urushiol oil on your hands. This also means that poison ivy is not contagious and you will not be able to give it to another person. Scratching can lead to scaring and infection of the affected area so it is not recommended.

Over the years I have developed poison ivy rash numerous times and I have tried many different treatments and I have found only two treatments that work for me. The first is with my Doctor giving me a steroid shot of Prednisone. Symptoms usually start to improve within 24 hours.

The second treatment is one that I have never found documented anyplace else. Back in the early 60s an old country doctor told me of this treatment. Go to your pharmacy and get a solution of 5 percent carbolic acid in olive oil. Rub the solution on the rash. Within minutes you will see a yellowish fluid appearing on top of the red sores or blisters. Mop up the fluid and when no more fluid develops after several minutes reapply the carbolic acid in olive oil solution. This treatment will start to relieve the symptoms with an hour or two but will take 1 to 2 weeks to cure the poison ivy rash. The carbolic acid in olive oil solution seems to act as some type of drawing agent and I have successfully used it on bee stings and insect bites.

Avoidance is the best advice for Posion Ivy Allergy. Leave of three then let them be.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

About the Author
David Cowley has created numerous articles on allergies. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to allergies and how to treat them. Visit http://www.allergies-team.com

By:Colleen Finnegan

Part 1: Understanding the Allergy Basics

Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or indoor allergies to dust mites, molds and pet dander, you may be regularly faced with allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or more. You may experience allergy symptoms while outside as a result of seasonal allergies. Or, your allergic reactions can come about due to exposure to indoor allergens while cleaning, coming into contact with pets or even while sleeping! In order to understand the secret to living with allergies, you must educate yourself about allergic triggers, environmental controls and what causes your allergy symptoms. As Part 1 of the Allergy Control Products series on The Secrets to Living with Allergies, learn some time-tested allergen avoidance steps toward living a healthier life that is free of allergy symptoms.

Step 1: Diagnose the Allergy Triggers that Cause Your Allergy Symptoms

Any allergy sufferer knows the misery that can be caused by allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, itching, rash and even severe symptoms such as asthmatic reactions. What some allergy sufferers don’t fully know is what may be triggering their allergies, and the key to managing these symptoms is diagnosing precisely what causes allergic reactions. It may be surprising that many allergy sufferers who have mild allergy symptoms may not be able to pinpoint what they are allergic to. Without consulting with a physician to understand the nature of their allergies, these allergy sufferers are unable to proactively control their allergies.

In some cases, identifying allergy triggers is easy. For instance, if you sneeze and have trouble breathing when around cats, it’s likely that you have a pet allergy. Certain food allergies, contact with allergen sources or exposure to obvious allergy sources (such as dusty or moldy rooms) may also be easy to identify. However, many people are unaware that they can come into daily contact with large allergen sources throughout the home that cause or worsen their allergy symptoms. Understanding your sensitivity and resulting allergy reactions to these indoor allergens can have a profound impact on alleviating your allergy symptoms.

For the best understanding of your specific allergies, see your physician or allergist for allergy testing. A skin test may be performed in order to determine whether you many be allergic to dust mites, pollens, pet dander, fungi or other sources. Allergy medications or allergen injections may be recommended. Physicians can help you outline a plan for addressing your exposure to allergy triggers in order to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Step 2: Identify the Dust Mite as One of the Biggest Culprits in Causing Indoor Allergies

The top 3 indoor allergens are dust mite allergens, molds and pet dander. All three can be found in most homes and millions of dust mites can be found in even the cleanest of homes. One easy way to find allergy relief is to reduce your allergen exposure within your home. Many people who have allergies are allergic to dust mites and because they cannot be seen by the naked eye, you could be totally unaware of how much you come in contact with dust mite allergens.

Dust mites are relatives of the spider, and they thrive in the dark, warm and humid environment found in pillows, mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Dust mites excrete fecal particles and it is these particles, as well as their dead bodies, that cause your allergic symptoms. In fact, “dust” is made up of dust mite allergens and other allergen particles. Inhaling these particles triggers your allergies.

Around the home, you come in regular contact with indoor allergens, but the greatest allergen exposure is to dust mite allergens. A large dust mite allergen source is your bed. If you wake up feeling congested, sneezing, with swollen eyes or a runny nose, or with other allergy symptoms, inhaling dust mite allergens while you sleep is to blame. You spend up to 8 hours a day in bed, inhaling these allergens and unwittingly aggravating your allergies. The second largest source of dust mite allergens is found in carpeting. Since many homes have carpeting, the carpet is another large area for causing allergy symptoms.

Step 3: For Indoor Allergy Relief, Control Your Environment to Eliminate Allergy Triggers

The good news is that simple steps around the home could alleviate allergy symptoms and possibly reduce your need for allergy medications and treatments. The first step is to address the bedroom due to the large amount of time spent there each day. Cover your pillow, mattress and other bedding in allergy bed encasings to create a barrier between you and the dust mite allergens in the bed. Wash your linens frequently in hot water to remove allergens. Treat your carpet with special allergy-removing carpet products, or remove carpets in favor of hardwood floors or tile. Vacuum weekly with a quality HEPA vacuum, which will contain allergens while you clean, and wear a face mask while cleaning. Keep your home’s humidity level below 50% as low humidity discourages dust mite and mold growth.

For more tips on controlling dust mite allergies in your home, request a copy of the Allergy Control Products Improving Life Indoors catalog or visit the Allergy Control® Allergy Learning Center for more allergy education. Also, visit allergycontrol.com for upcoming topics regarding The Secret to Living with Allergies. Next, Allergy Control Products will cover Addressing Pet Allergies and future series will include Controlling Mold in Your Home. Don’t miss these helpful allergy tips from the allergen avoidance experts!


For 25 years, Allergy Control Products has been recommended by thousands of physicians as the most trusted allergy company for revolutionary products for indoor allergies. For an air purifier or hypoallergenic bedding – we have quality products and information at affordable prices.

by Mike Singh

The word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Eczema is a specific form of dermatitis. Some physicians use the word eczema to describe internally-provoked inflammation of the skin, usually due to allergies, which may affect some people more than others. Dermatitis, on the other hand, also includes conditions that are caused by external factors and affect everybody in the same way, such as sunburn . The distinction between eczema and dermatitis is not important for their treatment, so the terms are used interchangeably here.

In addition to inflammation of the skin, eczema is characterized by redness and flaking and/or blistering. Eventually, the skin in the affected area becomes thickened and changes color.

There are many types of eczema. Several of the more common varieties that adults get follow.

Contact dermatitis: This condition is caused by an allergy to certain substances that may touch the skin. If you are highly allergic, for example to poison ivy, the dermatitis develops within 48 hours after contact. The skin becomes red and itchy, even beyond the point of contact, and tiny blisters develop. These may join to form large blisters, which then break and crust over. If minute traces of chemicals from the plant are accidentally transferred from one part of the body to another, contact dermatitis may develop on the second part also.

Some forms of contact dermatitis are much less pronounced. For example, allergy to contact with nickel (on the underside of a wrist watch or earrings, for example), produces a red, flaky, itchy patch of skin, which may take weeks or even months to develop.

If an irritant remains in constant contact with your skin, the dermatitis will spread.

Seborrheic eczema: This type of eczema affects adults and young infants in different ways (for seborrheic eczema in infants,). In adults, the creases from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth may become red, flaky and itchy. In men, this inflammation may extend to the beard area and the hairy parts of the chest and back. The condition may also affect other skin creases such as the groin, armpits, and under the breasts. If it is found in a fold of skin and is moist, it is also known as intertrigo. Seborrheic eczema in a mild form also causes dandruff .

The cause of seborrheic eczema is not known. It tends to run in families, and usually comes and goes over several years.

Housewife's hand eczema: People who are constantly using dish washing liquids, detergents, household cleaners, and shampoos often damage the skin on their hands. The skin becomes dry, rough and reddened, particularly over the knuckles. It may thicken, crack, flake and itch. A similar type of eczema occurs among people whose hands are exposed to irritant chemicals on their jobs. Irritant eczema: The skin of an elderly person tends to be dry, particularly on the legs. This can lead to mild redness, flaking and irritation. If you take hot showers, you may get this type of eczema.

Dyshidrosis: In this type of eczema, itchy blisters erupt on the palms of the hands and the sales of the feet. Some of the blisters may burst and weep, and the surrounding areas may become inflamed and tender. Other blisters do not burst, but die down to form a flat brown spot under the skin. An attack of this type of eczema usually lasts two to four weeks and then clears up of its own accord, though attacks tend to recur. At its worst, this type of eczema can be incapacitating.

Discoid eczema: Discs of red, flaking, weeping, itching skin appear, most commonly on the arms and legs. The condition lasts for several months, then usually clears up on its own, permanently. Its cause is not known.

What are the risks?

Seborrheic eczema, housewife's hand eczema, and irritant eczema seem to be more common than contact dermatitis, which is more common than discoid eczema and dyshidrosis. Eczema and dermatitis are not dangerous to your health, but they can be a nuisance. However, if blisters burst or if you scratch them, they may become infected by bacteria and look very unattractive.

What should be done?

If you have housewife's hand eczema, contact dermatitis of which you know the cause, or a mild form of any other eczema, try the self­help measures that follow. If they fail, or if your eczema is severe, see your physician.

What is the treatment?

Self-help: Eczema on the hand will improve if you wear rubber gloves over white cotton gloves when in contact with any irritants such as dish water. Dry your hands thoroughly after washing them, and apply an unscented hand cream several times a day.

If you avoid whatever is causing contact dermatitis, the condition should disappear within a few weeks. You may speed up the process by using a steroid cream that contains 0.5 per cent hydrocortisone. Such creams are available without a prescription.

Professional help: For any of the types of eczema described, your physician may prescribe a steroid cream or ointment of a different strength or substance. These preparations involve some slight risks.

Severe itching may be slightly relieved by antihistamine tablets. However, these cause drowsiness and impair driving ability, so your physician may advise you to take them only at bedtime. Eczema worsened by a bacterial infection may be treated with antibiotics.

If your physician suspects you have a contact dermatitis, he or she will discuss the possible causes with you. Then patch tests (applying suspected irritants to the skin) can be used to try to identify the specific cause.

About the Author

Mike Singh writes for http://www.diseases-treatment.com . Get information and facts about diseases and ailments with tips about the treatment and prevention of disease

by Ivan Hince

Often we would have to rush him to Hospital to be given life saving treatment, so when I began to look into this subject it bought back many frightening memories. The hours my Wife and myself have spent waiting in Hospitals listening to every breath he took, and thankfully there was always great Doctor's and Hospital staff to help, and understand what you and our Son was going through.

It was quite an eye opener as we tried different things to combat different allergies, as along with the Asthma came Eczema as well. We already new about Dust Mites from our local Doctor, and the vacuum cleaner was always out day and night. Many things were tried like Goat's Milk, and it almost seemed so frustrating as the more things you tried the worse things seemed to get.

To a certain extent we were lucky that our local Doctor was a Chest Specialist, and he was always sympathetic to our Son's condition. We learnt a lot in those days, and I guess were still learning now although my Son is now an adult, and rarely suffers.

Having an interest in Alternative Medicine I came across a website that kept me enthralled for quite some time. Now I have to say at this point that some Medical articles, or some Medical website's can be quite boring, but this one was a breath of fresh air. (No pun intended) It was written by a Lady by the name of Karen Beattie who like my own son had serious Asthma problems. She tells how with the aid of clinical trials she has learnt to overcome the effects of Asthma without the aid of drugs. Also she explains how the same report can help sufferers of Sinus and Allergies.

All this helps her to lead a normal life, and also enables her to sleep better, and she claims that this will work with anyone who uses the report. I don't at this stage want to make this sound like an advert as Asthma is a serious thing, and should be treated with respect.

Over the years you learn all sorts of information like that of my Father who also was a sufferer. We lived out in the country with a lot of land, and at a certain time of year a weed would grow which caused to severe attacks. Our job then as a family was to pull out or cut down this weed, and then burn as much as we could to alleviate his problems.

For those who don't know anything about Asthma I'll give a brief description, although I have to say I'm no medical expert. In Asthma attacks the airways in the lungs are constricted which causes the sufferer to gasp for breath as most of the lungs are closed off for a normal air flow. Not having oxygen in the lungs tends to want to shut the body down. The attacks can be caused by all forms of allergies, and the most common is Dust Mites, or animals such as Cats or Dogs. From my own point of view it's nice to know that there are alternatives as I shudder to think about the amounts of drugs my Son has gad to take.

source:www.goarticles.com

by: Gaetane Ross

Generally, allergy is a word that describes as reaction of body tissues in certain individuals, which is uncommon in substance and has no noticeable or characteristic result on other people. Studies have shown that out of every one hundred Americans seventeen of them are indeed hypersensitive to some substances that are known to cause uncommon reactions, in other words they are allergic to common sources of allergens. These allergens may range widely from varies sources of irritants. For instance, some individuals show signs of allergies when introduced to certain annoyances such as dust and pet dander as well as insect venom, mold spores and pollens. Others may show signs of allergies when exposed to flowers and yet other individuals may show signs of being allergic to certain soaps.

Common Allergies:

1. Anaphylaxis - generated by food, insect stings or drugs
2. Contact Allergies - activated by skin-affecting allergens
3. Food Allergies - provoked by certain types of food
4. Insect Sting Allergies - produced by insect venom
5. Respiratory Allergies - prompted by airborne allergens

In view of the fact that all individuals may display reactions unique to their own bodily system, allergic reactions may vary widely as well as show signs to all or some of the reactions listed below. Always seek advice from your physician if any allergic reaction becomes severe or persistent. Here you will find symptoms, which are associated with common allergy types, these symptoms may range from mild to very severe.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction that has sudden and severe affects on varies areas of the body. This allergic reaction is most commonly found resulting from food or drug allergies as well as from insect stings. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. Anaphylaxis is generally noticeable very soon after the exposure of the affecting allergens, and can very well bring on a life endangering shock. As well, other signs of Anaphylaxis are distress of the respiratory system, swelling in certain areas of the body or the total body and an extreme itching over the total body.

Anaphylactic symptoms include:

1. Abnormal heartbeat
2. Tightening sensation of the chest
3. Difficulty in swallowing and breathing
4. Swelling of the throat, mouth and tongue
5. Flushing of the skin
6. Tingling or itching throughout the body
7. Agitation, anxiety or distress
8. Confusion or disorientation
9. Dizziness or lightheadedness
10. Fainting or nausea
11. Stomach upsets such as abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea

Since some severe cases of anaphylactic shock, can occur and can prove to be life threatening it is best to get proper medical treatment immediately. As a sudden drop in blood pressure, which results from the dilation of blood vessels may also cause the loss of consciousness and the swelling of the body’s bronchial tissues can cause choking before the loss of consciousness.

Contact Allergies

The symptoms of contact allergies normally occur within a few moments of exposure to the allergen; however, it is possible for reactions to the allergens to show up several hours after exposure. There are many common allergens such as poison oak and poison ivy as well as medications, latex, dyes, fragrances or perfumes and cosmetics, preservatives and nickel, rubber and hair dyes. Nickel is a frequently used metal in jewelry, hairpins, buttons and zippers as well as snaps and metal clips and is frequently associated with allergies. Some individuals may also display signs of being allergic to the exposure of the sun.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Eczema
2. Hives
3. Redness or swelling of the skin
4. Itchy or a bumpy rash
5. Skin bumps that are filled with fluid

Severe Symptoms:

1. Anaphylaxis

Food Allergies

Certain types of food, which normally occurs within a few minutes, generally bring on a food allergy symptom. As well as showing, up several hours after the food consumption. Although it is possible for food allergies to involve many areas of the body, it is usually seen around the areas of the mouth and lips as well as the digestive tract. Foods that are commonly known to cause allergic reactions are milk, nuts, eggs, wheat and soy as well as shellfish and fish products.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Tightness of the throat
2. Difficulty in swallowing or speaking
3. Itching, swelling or tingling in the areas of the mouth, throat, tongue and lips
4. Wheezing
5. Sneezing
6. Coughing or congestion
7. Rashes of the skin
8. Itchy, stuffy or runny nose
9. Nausea
10. Abdominal cramping and indigestion
11. Diarrhea and vomiting

Severe Symptoms:

1. Difficulty in breathing
2. Sudden increase of heart rate
3. Sudden hoarseness or inability to speak
4. Extreme facial swelling
5. Sudden outbreak of facial itching
6. Dizziness and fainting
7. Sudden and profuse sweating
8. Anaphylaxis

Insect Sting Allergies

Although it is possible to develop symptoms of allergies to insect stings can occur several hours after exposure, most symptoms of allergies from insect stings normally happen just a few moments after being stung. Allergic reactions from insect venom can come from such insects as bees, hornets and wasps as well as yellow jackets and fire ants.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Swelling of the tongue
2. Tightness of the chest
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Fever
5. Nausea or fatigue
6. Hives
7. Swelling in other areas of the body, including the stung area
8. Itching in other areas of the body, including the stung area
9. Pain in other areas of the body, including the stung area

Severe Symptoms:

1. Anaphylaxis

Respiratory Allergies

Respiratory allergies symptoms generally occur after several hours of exposure, which is normally provoked by airborne allergens, such as dust mites, plant pollens, and pet dander and mold spores.

Mild Symptoms:

1. Itchy, watery, red swollen eyes
2. Impaired sense of smell
3. Postnasal drip
4. Runny or stuffy nose running with clear thin mucus
5. Sneezing
6. Wheezing
7. Coughing
8. Itchy nose or throat
9. Congestion
10. Hoarseness of the throat
11. Conjunctivitis
12. Fatigue

Severe Symptoms:

1. Pain and tightness in the chest
2. Difficult or shortness of breathing

It is vital to understand that many allergies have symptoms similar to other diseases or conditions. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you consult with your physician while assessing a condition and getting a proper diagnosis.

http://allergysecretsexposed.com

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Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle. Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of everyone she meets by providing advice on Healthy Living.

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