Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

This is just a brief post to announce a new service for our website visitors. We have added a directory of allergy related videos. We feel it is a great addition to the information that we provide in our guide. The full directory of allergy related videos is here. Whereas we will provide periodic picks on on our allergy videos page.

We hope that you enjoy the wide range of videos available on this topic. As with any other information please be sure to check with your doctor. The amount of videos really demonstrate to me how big the problem of allergies is. It also helps to know that we are not alone…

Many people can go into anaphylactic shock as a reaction to their nut allergies. If you suspect that you or a loved one are allergic to nuts it is very important to know the signs of anaphylaxis and to understand where the threat can come from. Nuts are used in many ways in today’s cooking. They are also hidden in common foods that you may not be aware of.

Contamination of food can happen in the production of foods that though they don’t have nuts in their recipe can have trace amounts due to the equipment used in the production of the food. Many people think they can manage their nut allergies by just avoiding the nuts but in order to really be safe you need to ask questions and be savvy about what foods may or may not contain nuts. Keep in mind that a nut allergy is not just peanut related. You may be allergic to nuts like walnuts or cashews. Tree nuts are sometimes used in shampoos and lotions so it is important to carefully check the labels of all products you use if you suffer from nut allergies.

Here is a short list of some foods you may not have thought of as possibly having some form of nuts:

• grain bread
• certain ice cream flavors
• cookies
• candy
• granola bars
• salad dressing
• marzipan

Many multicultural dishes may have nuts in them. Some possible dishes are oriental foods such as Chinese, Thai and African dishes. products.

It is unknown why some people have nut allergies and why some suffer more severely than others do. Some of the lucky ones can outgrow their allergies. Peanut allergies in infants can actually change over time.

Anaphylactic Shock: The Body’s Response

Anaphylaxis is the body’s allergic response to nuts. Nut allergies can cause swelling, reduced blood pressure and dilated veins and arteries. Typically, a person will go into anaphylactic shock, which if not treated quickly, can cause coma and can sometimes be fatal.

Nut allergies are also very sneaky in that the first episode or reaction to an allergy may just be uncomfortable, while subsequent episodes could be fatal. Immunoglobulin E, is created by the immune system to fight a usually harmless substance, in this case nuts and when it appears the first time, your body may produce antibodies, but will not react. However, if a person with nut allergies is exposed again the antibodies will produce large amounts of histamines causing the symptoms to appear.

Typically, anaphylaxis begins within minutes of exposure by someone with nut allergies with itching in the eyes and face and quickly advance to difficulty breathing and swallowing. It may also be accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. Angioedema, swelling under the skin can also be present. When the symptoms first appear it is imperative that you seek medical help immediately as it can quickly cause an increase in your heart rate, rapid drop in blood pressure, shock and possibly death if left untreated.

As you can see nut allergies are not something you can take lightly. It is very important to be aware of the severe reaction that can be caused by nuts. It is especially important if you have children or are responsible for the care of children. Typically child care providers should be trained in first aid which includes diagnosing possible anaphylaxis. Though treatments like epinephrine pens and pills can help it is usually the best bet to seek emergency care immediately since nut allergies can be fatal.

Our feline friends can sometimes be closer to us than many people yet if you suffer from cat allergies this relationship can be challenging. How do you cope? Pets have become such a great part of our lives. They provide comfort in times of loneliness and a hobby that helps to pass the time. Though the typical household pets are cats and dogs, pets can be any animal like rabbits, fish, and birds. Some people even like snakes and lizards. All that said cats are one of the most popular which can cause problems for household members that suffer from cat allergies.

Allergic reactions to cats can range from mild to severe so before you buy one you should definitely assess whether you might have any cat allergies. Unfortunately many people find out about their allergies after the fact. Asthma has been found to be a determining factor in how allergic you may be. 4 out of 10 asthma sufferers have cat allergies. On top of that they experience more symptoms when exposed to cats than to dogs.

What causes such an allergic reaction? A protein that is found in the cat skin and saliva seems to be the driver. When cleaning themselves cat lick their fur, depositing the protein on their fur. This allergen will produce a reaction to those that are sensitive similar to reactions to other allergens like pollen, dust or dander. When the protein becomes airborne and the allergy sufferer comes into contact with it the symptoms begin.

While there appear to be dog breads that are somewhat hypo allergenic (produce fewer allergic reactions), male cats cause more allergic reactions than female because of the testosterone level in the male cat’s glands. This testosterone in turn increases the protein. The cat allergen is found mainly in homes where cats live but due to the nature of it can be found wherever a cat owner may go. The protein allergen is quite sticky and can be carried on people’s clothing from place to place. The protein particles which cause the cat allergies can remain in the air for long periods of time.

If you are allergic you will more than likely have a rapid reaction as soon as you enter the room. If there is a cat or multiple cats in a room the reaction can be severe. The most common symptom of cat allergies is wheezing and can begin by just entering a room with cats. However, there are more subtle, delayed reactions as well that may last longer. If you are continually exposed you may experience chronic asthma. Eczema or hives are other possible symptoms.

The safest bet for coping with cat allergies is to avoid these animals as much as you can. Sometimes that is not a practical option and you may want to try to manage your symptoms for the sake of others in your household. In this case it is recommended that you try to confine your cat to certain areas of the house. Keep them out of your bed and bedroom for sure. Also purchasing a hepa air purifier and cleaning regularly will help in managing your cat allergies.

Bringing your newborn home is a happy time but if your baby develops infant allergies your happiness can turn to misery very quickly. Nowadays mothers are advised to breastfeed their baby for a variety of good health reasons. I myself struggled through the challenges of breastfeeding for both my babies. Unfortunately for some mothers this benefit can bring on other challenges associated with infant allergies.

The first challenge is identifying whether your baby has allergies at all. Many doctors confuse allergic symptoms with other problems associated with newborns. Colic is often blamed and the parent is told to wait until the child outgrows it which can take as long as six months. This can be a challenge since a baby’s main way to express their discomfort is crying which makes for more sleepless nights.

So What are Some Infant Allergy Symptoms?

Itchy skin is a main symptom, besides crying the baby may also roll and struggle trying to scratch the offending area. Dry skin may be visible behind the ears and on the scalp and may be thought to be cradle cap. Any pediatrician will tell you that studies have found a link between eczema, asthma and allergic symptoms. The dry skin behind the ears is typically diagnosed as eczema and you are advised to use eczema creams and lotions to help clear it up. Swelling may also occur in the face or lips. If swelling is observed, the baby’s breathing must be monitored. This is very important because as with most infant allergies the throat may also swell and which could lead to anaphylactic shock and possible death.

Some infant allergies may show up as breathing problems or a runny nose and be treated for colds. Sinus problems also can also occur that cause the baby to develop a cough due to nasal drainage into the throat while sleeping. This can possibly be diagnosed as asthma.

Infant allergies can be caused by many things including food, inhalants and environmental causes like mold and dust. Many allergic reactions can show up quickly, especially when they are breastfeeding. Many health professional advise mothers who will breastfeed their baby to shy away from foods known for causing allergic reactions. These foods such as nuts, corn, wheat and seafood, among others can cause an immediate problem for your baby. A lesser known allergy to gluten causes repetitive diarrhea. Infant milk allergy symptoms can include constant gas, bloated stomach,and throwing up. In most cases with infant allergies, eliminating dairy products from the mother’s diet will generally ease the symptoms. Don’t forget there are other causes of infant allergies besides food.

How to Avoid Infant Allergies?

Try using laundry detergent without perfumes or dyes as well as fabric softeners without perfumes as well the brand Dreft is probably the best known brand. Do not spray chemicals in the child’s bedroom, such as air fresheners with perfumes or window cleaners and furniture polish. Keep the baby’s room as free of dust as possible to avoid the possibility of an allergy to dust mites. Until the cause of your infant allergies are identified, do not allow pets into the baby’s room. Change your child’s clothing at nap time and bed time to get rid of anything that may have been picked up during the day. Giving your baby a bath at bedtime will be even be better.

Dog food allergies have jumped to the forefront of the news recently due to the Menu food’s dog food recalls. What you feed your pet unfortunately can be the difference between life and death. Food allergies are typically associated with people but pets can suffer from adverse reactions and intolerance too.

As with young children that can not speak dog food allergies can be difficult to diagnose in pets because the biggest problem is the pet’s inability to communicate their symptoms effectively. The owner can also be confused by possible other ailments that their pet has. You want to be sure to know the difference between these symptoms and poisoning!

What are the typical symptoms associated with dog food & allergies?

• ear infections
• excessive scratching
• hair loss
• skin infections

Antibiotics sometimes are used to treat skin infections. It helps to clear them up , but they will reoccur when the antibiotics are stopped. Itchy skin is typically associated with airborne allergies, if an animal with itchy skin does not seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, they may be suffering from dog food allergies. A food intolerance causes different symptoms. These symptoms may include diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, whether the animal is suffering from an allergy or an intolerance, once the proper diagnosis has been made, they can both be treated.

Nutrition is very important, since most canine meals are made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most dog food allergies are caused by one of these ingredients. The pet nutrition industry has picked up on the need to provide pet owners different options. They have come up with hypoallergenic dog meals that are supposed to help with most allergies. They also have tried other dog food allergy recipes like lamb and rice formulations. Veterinarians usually tell you it is not that simple though.

What approach will your veterinarian recommend to verify dog food allergies?

First they will rule out other possible causes, such as flea bite allergies, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections. Something else to keep in mind is that they have access to the latest studies. One study that I’ve heard of has found an association to a certain breed of dog. Dietary change is the number one approach veterinarians recommend. They will recommend a new food source containing protein and carbohydrate that should be the only diet of the pet for at least 12 weeks. This will help to determine which of the ingredients in their old pet food was causing the allergic reaction. Dog food allergies can be tricky and you may need to try this a few times as you reintroduce your old foods to see which one your dog is allergic to. The foods that produce reactions need to be eliminated.

The last options is one this is tried and true. Making your pet their food at home seems to be the surest way to avoid dog food allergies. If you don’t have any you can always look up some dog food allergy recipes online. Don’t let the media scare you but be smart about what you feed your pet. If you have the time and talent cook if you don’t test. There is a path to safe eating for your dog.

Do you think you have an MSG allergy? Going out to eat is always a challenge because typically you don’t know what is in the food you are eating. Whether you think its a food intolerance, an allergy or an adverse reaction you don’t want to be on the other end. MSG otherwise known as monosodium glutamate is used in more food than the average American thinks.

Monosodium glutamate is a chemical used by food manufacturers as well as Asian cooks. It is used to enhance the flavor of food. It does even more than this in that it and other chemicals are used in food to make them appear more abundant and nutritious than they are. It also makes people feel full faster. An MSG allergy is hard to manage when eating out because usually you can’t tell what the spices or chemicals are that may have been added to the food. You actually have to try asking the waiter and they sometimes are reluctant to give the full lists in their recipes.

MSG is thought to usually be found in ethnic foods, such as those cooked in Chinese restaurants but the reality is that the actual chemical monosodium glutamate is used in everyday things such as certain chip type snacks and instant soups. Even a well known fast food chicken restaurant is said to use it. If you have an MSG allergy, particularly if your reactions are severe, you should pick what you eat very carefully.

You may be asking what are the symptoms for MSG allergies?

Typical food allergies upset the stomach but it appears that those with an MSG allergy are usually plagued by headaches, some throbbing and severe. They can experience dizziness, tightening of the jaw and/or throat. If you suspect you are having an adverse reaction to msg check with and allergist who can provide you with a more comprehensive list.

So how do you prevent your MSG allergy?

• Ask for ingredient lists when you go out to a restaurant. Thought this still is a little difficult it is getting better as the US is passing laws aimed at getting restaurants to provide healthier foods. The banning of trans fats in some cities is a good example of this. Fast food restaurants in particular are attempting to provide some nutritional information. You just need to understand how complete it is though.
• Ask for a dish to be prepared without monosodium glutamate if at all possible. In theory this can be done the issue is whether the restaurant will be able or willing to accommodate you.
• Inform anyone cooking for you, even at home about your MSG sensitivity so they are looking at the ingredient list of anything they use in their cooking.

Reactions to MSG can be severe to the point of requiring immediate medical attention. An MSG allergy can best be identified by an allergist. Be sure to keep your primary care physician involved as well to make sure that your allergy is not something potentially more life threatening. The allergist has a better idea of the full range of foods that have MSG and therefore he will be able to help you identify which ones better.

As with any food allergy the key is to avoid it once you know what it is. An MSG allergy does not have to ruin your appreciation for food. You can still enjoy Chinese food. Just make sure to ask questions everywhere you eat food, the danger is in more places than you think.