Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Have seasonal allergies affected you this year? I was looking at the latest videos posted regarding allergies and found a recording of Robin Roberts from Good Morning America talking about what appear to be pollen allergy statistics for 2006. Though the data is dated it got me thinking about how the last few years have been particularly hard on me and my kids for spring allergies.

We live in the Boston area and in the video it talks about the worst and best cities. Boston was the worst that year. I found a new report for 2008 for the Worst Cities For Allergies provided by Forbes. Boston is down to 59 out of 100 but I found their measurement method interesting. They factor 3 things:

• a pollen score
• a medicine utilization score
• a score based on number of Board Certified Allergists per Patient

Boston scores above average for number of allergists per patient. In the older video it talks about warmer winters being the culprit and we indeed have experienced those in the NorthEast.

I find the Forbes list interesting but as with any study potentially flawed. Though Boston has dropped in standings many seasonal allergy sufferers are treating themselves nowadays with over the counter medicines like Claritin and Zyrtec. Pharmacies even offer cheaper versions with similar ingredients that I have tried and worked for me. Our higher allergist ratio also suggests to me that patients may have identified their allergies with their allergists in years past and are now educated enough to help manage them.

Whether you believe in Global Warming or not it is not hard to see the changes in our weather patterns will continue to affect seasonal allergy sufferers. As the allergists in the older video mention visiting your allergist to pinpoint your exact allergies can help, especially if the over the counter allergy medicines don’t work for you. Also be sure not to confuse cold medicine with allergy medicine. Allergy medicines contain antihistamines which cold medicines do not.

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…

When you are at your wits end you may want to look into finding an allergy research group near you. Similar to the studies that can produce the latest drugs an allergy research group may help you identify your allergy and possible remedies.

If you have allergies they can often make life unbearable. This is especially true if you are allergic to something that you come in contact with every day, such as the pollen in the air, or a certain plant in your yard. You might even be at the point where you don’t want to go outside for fear of the allergic symptoms and reactions that will find you.

Some people are allergic to certain foods and some are allergic to certain products. However, no matter what you are allergic to, you should have at least some comfort in knowing that there is an allergy research group that specializes in identifying and possibly treating your allergies. Your life can be made more comfortable through this research.

An allergy research group takes different approaches with all sorts of allergies. They ascertain what causes a person to have a bad reaction to whatever substance they are allergic to, and then they try to find ways to help that person live their lives normally. Their goal is to eliminate or minimize the painful or uncomfortable allergic reactions.

The allergy research group will test people who have allergies. They will determine the severity of their reactions, they will test them to see if they can further pin point exactly what they are allergic to, and then they will test certain medications, supplements or any other products that may help to alleviate, or eliminate, the allergic symptoms altogether.

Be sure to research the allergy research group beforehand. Consult with your doctor as well so that they are kept abreast of what you are doing. Though they may not always agree with out of the main stream methods they definitely will want to know anything that can affect your health.

It should make you feel good that there is an allergy research group in place to help you out, the allergy sufferer. If you want further information ask your doctor about an allergy research group in your area. Sometimes, if you have allergies, you can volunteer to be a part of their studies. It can be a good last resort when you have tried everything else in vain. You can find out more about your allergy and maybe even walk out with the relief you so desperately need.

You will find many places both online and off that recommend allergy products. Allergies come in so many different forms that not one thing works for every person but when you are struggling with allergies you are usually willing to try just about anything. Before you dive in let’s break down what the typical list of allergy products is and then you can decide with the help of a doctor preferably what strategies you want to take.

First Have an Allergy Test

Trying to manage and prevent your allergies can be like finding a needle in a haystack particularly if you have not been tested. Your allergist will test you for allergies by making small injections of various substances, just under the surface of the skin, around the your spine. What your allergist is looking for is some kind of reaction that confirms your allergy to a specific substance.

Once your allergist determines what you’re allergic to, then they can give you some tips as far as allergy products go. Sometimes, your allergist will know of certain allergy products that you may not have known about or used for your particular allergy. After all, that’s what allergists do, they spend all day dealing with people with allergies, so they should have no problem recommending allergy products for you and your allergy.

As an example you may find that allergists may recommend allergy supplements to help to manage your symptoms. If you have dust allergies they may recommend vacuum cleaners with a hypo allergenic focus. Airborne allergies like pollen and mold spores might be prevented or minimized by the use of air purifiers. The easy choice is some form of allergy drug but most allergies need a comprehensive strategy that just doesn’t treat the symptoms but tries to prevent or minimize them. An allergy product can be something as simple as a recipe book for people with a nut allergy or a milk allergy.

All allergy products don’t work the same for everyone so even if you find information on the internet that recommends a certain product it is best to consult with your doctor before trying it. If you don’t have the money to be tested the internet can be a good source of information for trying to identify your allergy but be wary of straight medical advice unless it’s from your doctor.

Allergy products are being invented and developed regularly so if you haven’t had success in the past don’t be afraid to take another shot. The key to managing and possibly preventing allergies usually is in your hands since you know your day to day symptoms and your day to day habits and routines.

If you have allergies and haven’t considered using an allergy supplement you may be missing out on something that can help you better manage your allergies. Anyone who has experienced the discomfort and pain of an allergic reaction knows how crippling allergies can be. Nowadays vitamin supplements are taken for anything from calcium to help your bones stay stronger to garlic which is supposed to help your immune system so why not an allergy supplement or combination of supplements to help manage your allergies?

What is an Allergy Supplement?

The kinds of allergy supplements that are available vary, depending on what type of allergy you suffer from. For example, if you are allergic to milk, or dairy products, you may simply be able to take a lactose intolerance pill and that would be considered an allergy supplement. An allergy supplement is any product or substance that contributes to alleviating, or stopping, any attack or symptoms brought on by an allergic reaction. Your allergist can explain further. You may even be able to get some guidance at your closest nutrition store like a GNC.

Testing is the Key

When an allergist tests you for allergies, they attempt to determine exactly what substance you are allergic to. That isn’t as easy as it sounds. For instance, if you are constantly sneezing in your own house, you are obviously allergic to something, but what could it be? Could it be the cat, or maybe the dog, or what about the pollen that’s suddenly so abundant in the air? Could it be any of these things? Your allergist can’t recommend anything if they don’t know what you are allergic to specifically. Your vitamin store clerk won’t be able to help you either without that information. Be sure to ask about allergies to the vitamins themselves. I have heard that some people can have allergies to vitamin b and even c and e but on the flip side I have also heard that there are vitamins to prevent dust mite allergies.

An allergy supplement should be considered another tool in your arsenal of weapons in the treatment of your allergies. Your allergist and doctor should be your most trusted source for guidance since they should know more. However you should not let the burden fall totally on them. You are the one who has to live with these allergies every day. Know your allergy and know what allergy supplements are known to help. I have even noticed online vendors selling “allergy packs” and “digestion packs” that include supplements that are known to help specific conditions. Of course, your should consult your doctor before you use any allergy supplement.

Nowadays your daily allergy alert can seem as important as the terror alert level. This may seem like an exaggeration but if you experience allergy symptoms daily you need to know when to seek allergy relief. Sometimes getting your treatment beforehand can make the difference in whether you will be able to do your day to day chores or not.

Allergy Relief Does Not Always Come in a Pill

As an alternative to prescription allergy medications and over-the-counter drugs, many people are seeking help for controlling their allergies by natural and alternative methods and treatments. The first helpful approach that many look to is that of herbal remedies. Various herbs offer help for allergy relief, such as garlic. Garlic helps to draw inflammation out of the body in areas such as the sinuses and lungs. It helps to expel excess mucus as well, helping the overall allergy symptom to be reduced. Sinus and allergy relief continues to get more important as more people experience chronic sinus infections associated with allergies.

Allergy Relief from Food Allergies

Other herbs such as slippery elm also have soothing qualities to the intestinal lining, which help to alleviate many allergic reactions from foods.
Making positive changes in one’s diet can also affect the sensitivity of allergic reactions as well. Often, people are allergic to a food that they are ingesting, yet they have no idea that this is what is causing their symptoms. Allergy relief comes as a result of finding our what foods you are allergic to by getting tested. Allergists then typically recommend an elimination diet. The most common sources of food allergies are dairy, wheat, eggs, citrus and peanuts. When a person adopts a healthier diet of whole foods, fruits, clean meats and vegetables, then they begin to experience allergy relief that may have eluded them through other allergy treatments. Other treatments that are being used for allergy relief are acupuncture, iridology, and massage therapy. Each of these therapies has good qualities that will help a person to overcome serious and chronic allergies.

Allergy relief can also come in the form of minerals, vitamins and other supplements. Ensuring that one gets the proper amount of calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or flax oil are very important in helping to maintain a healthy immune system. Taking B-vitamins and a good multi-vitamin can also be useful when trying to get allergies under control.

As can be seen by the above options allergy relief can be found by exploring all of your options. Don’t narrow down your options to the over the counter standard that your neighbor may recommend. Natural, alternative options as allergy treatments continue to grow. Don’t be afraid to try something you might consider exotic like acupuncture. You may even be able to manage your food allergies solely by natural allergy treatments and dietary intervention. Isn’t your health worth exploring all your options?