Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Pet allergies can be pretty tough on you but they are even harder when you are actually an animal lover. I’ve mentioned my sister and her cat Topaz before. He recently passed on and even though she is allergic to cats she went out and bought 2 new cats. Pet allergies can be managed which is why she has chosen love over convenience.

Animal lovers worldwide shudder to think of themselves being unable to care for and play with their favorite pets, yet this happens to many people each year. Pet allergies cause many would-be pet owners to turn away from buying that cherished pet because of fear of the uncomfortable allergic reactions they have to pets. While some people are extremely allergic to pets of any kind, most people are only allergic to one variety of pets, and that is most commonly the cat. Still, pet allergies can be debilitating if one hasn’t figured out the cause. They may compound the problem by continuing to keep their animals indoors. There is help for those who want to have pets and who deal with allergies too. Steps can be taken to reduce the allergy symptoms associated with your pet.

Pet Allergies and Reduced Exposure

The first helpful tip for those who have pet allergies but want to own a pet or keep the ones they have is to possibly move the animal from the indoors to the outdoors. Many people have been able to continue owning pets while being allergic to them because they simply don’t keep them in the house where all the dander can build up and cause problems. It is definitely easier to have a dog outdoors than a cat. Carpets are a place where much of the allergens like to hide, so cleaning these carpets is also required in order to reduce one’s exposure to them. Pet allergies can often be helped by keeping the animal confined to one or two rooms of one’s home. Though this can be challenging it can be done with the entire family’s help.

Pet grooming has taken off. It is interesting to see shops popping up everywhere. There no doubt must be an association between a clean pet and less allergies. People are more aware now that having a pet groomed or grooming one’s own pet is another way to reduce exposure to the harmful allergens that can cause reactions. Shampooing and brushing can also be helpful when dealing with these annoying pet allergies. Washing rugs, curtains, and other decorations that can collect dander and fur is important as well in order to keep the allergen from accumulating in the home.

An interesting approach to take for finding out if you have pet allergies is to take care of a friend’s pet for a period of time in your own home. This will confirm what type of allergy symptoms you may experience and also see what it really takes to take care of a pet day in and day out. If you are an animal lover don’t despair. With the proper research and strategies you can find the right pet for you.

When I think of soy I don’t think that it is a common type of food ingredient. I typically associate it with Chinese food and soy sauce so I thought a soy allergy shouldn’t be that big a concern. Unfortunately for those that have a soy allergy it is contained in more foods than I thought.

When a person develops a food allergy like a soy allergy the immune system malfunctions and identifies a type of food as a potentially harmful substance to the body. The immune system responds by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin (IgE’s) that create histamines to help protect the body from these “harmful” substances. The result is symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes, hives and itching, wheezing and gastrointestinal problems. Some people will have an intolerance to certain types of food instead of an actual food allergy. While this condition may include similar symptoms to a food allergy as far as a stomach upset and pain, the immune system is not involved. Food allergies can be a reaction to nearly any type of food, but the most common triggers are milk, eggs, fish, and legumes which can include soy products.

So Where is Soy Found?

Soy can be used as an ingredient in many foods that you would never consider. Some of these are:

• Ice Cream
• Tofu
• Vegetable Broth
• Vegetable Protein
• Salad Dressings
• Vegetable Oil
• Mayonnaise
• Margarine…

Since soybeans are a legume, if you suffer from a soy allergy, you may also have a reaction to related foods like beans, peas and peanuts as well. The symptoms of soy allergies can run the spectrum. Some reactions to these products will be mild and include itching, wheezing or diarrhea. There are many other symptoms that can appear as well, and some can become quite severe.

Can a Soy Allergy be Prevented?

While food allergies affect a small percentage of the population, the number can still translate into millions of people in this country who suffer from some type of food allergies. Statistics show that the percentage of the population who is diagnosed with a soy allergy is at about .5%. Often this type of allergy is found in children, and many times it is not detected until the second or third exposure to the food.

There are some ways to cut down on the chances of developing a soy allergy. Doctors recommend that mothers nurse their babies for at least the first six months of life. It is also a good idea to wait until your child is at least six months old before offering any solid foods. This will not only reduce the risk of an infant soy allergy, but may cut down on the incidence of other food allergies throughout life as well.

A soy allergy is a potentially dangerous condition and should be definitively diagnosed by your doctor and allergist. You should also see a dietician whenever a food allergy is involved. They can help you not only avoid the food involved but also lead you toward choices that can replace some of those cravings a soy allergy can deprive you of.

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When most people think of mold they think of the mold in damp basements or the mold and mildew associated with bathroom cleaning products. A mold allergy in that case would have been thought of to result from somehow touching the mold. The reality is that a mold allergy is typically triggered by the mold spores that become airborne at certain times.

There are a number of triggers that can cause seasonal allergic rhinitis. Most of these identified allergens are airborne. Typically they include the pollen that is blown about from trees, plants and grasses. Another type of airborne allergen, mold spores, is the seasonal culprit that causes mold allergies.

This type of allergy is generally found from spring to early fall, with a peak in the late summer months, although other types of mold can cause symptoms almost year-round. The allergens that cause mold allergies are generally found in humid climates, and moist areas like rotted logs and compost piles. They can also be found indoors in damp basements or closets, or even lurking in your shower stall. Fresh food storage areas are also a popular hangout for mold spores, as well as house plants and certain pieces of furniture.

How are Mold Allergies Triggered?

If you suffer from a mold allergy, your immune system has incorrectly identified mold spores as a threat. The response of your immune system is to produce antibodies called immunoglobulin that will create chemicals that will fight off these potentially damaging substances. The result is the typical symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes and itching. In the case of a mold allergy, the mold spores are airborne and inhaled into the body through the nose. This is why nasal congestion and coughs are common complaints of mold allergy sufferers. The amount and severity of symptoms from a mold allergy will depend on the amount of the allergen and the ability of the air currents to spread the spores. The weather can affect these patterns making mold counts somewhat ineffective in determining the severity of your exposure.

Treatment of Mold Allergies

A mold allergy remedy is usually one that is good for treating rhinitis. Because mold allergies are airborne, they usually result in the symptoms of rhinitis, which will include nasal congestion, watery eyes and coughing. The best treatment for rhinitis is generally an over-the-counter antihistamine, decongestant or nasal spray to treat the inflammation and congestion. If over-the-counter medications are not effective in treating your mold allergy symptoms, you should see your doctor for possible prescription relief for your mold allergy.

There are a number of medicines that your doctor can recommend to treat your mold allergies through the use of prescription antihistamines and steroidal nasal sprays that will reduce the inflammation in your sinus passages. Allergies to molds and other airborne allergens can cause seasonal or even year-round rhinitis.

As can be seen by the above a mold allergy can be treated like most airborne allergies. Being aware that you can have this type of allergy and confirming it with your allergist are the first steps in managing your symptoms. Allergy relief may just be a trip to the pharmacy away.

If you are a glass is half full person you may think that a yeast allergy is the greatest thing since sliced bread, please forgive the pun. If you are not that type of person you might not be happy with your food choices. It might not matter that the low carb diet brought about by a yeast allergy can lead to a smaller waistline.

Most people love their bread, though it’s not always good for their waist lines. Carbs are everywhere and they are particularly tempting for those on a low carb diet. You never realize how many carbs you eat until you are forced to eliminate them from your diet. What would happen if you couldn’t eat bread because of an allergy? That’s right, there are people with a yeast allergy, who can’t eat or drink anything with yeast as an ingredient. You may not realize it, but many things are made out of yeast. And, depending on the severity of your yeast allergy, you may not be able to enjoy bread, beer or any other yeast oriented products ever again.

Yeast can be broken down into 2 categories, baking yeast and brewers yeast. Baking yeast is used to aid in the cooking of baked goods like bread, cookies and cakes. Brewers yeast is used in the making of beer but is also known to be used in supplements. An allergy to brewers yeast would be very tough for a beer lover.

A yeast allergy for carb lovers can be devastating. As with many allergies some people go through life feeling the discomfort of allergies but not knowing that they have them. They don’t realize that they are causing themselves the discomfort by not identifying their yeast allergies. If your allergist tests you and confirms your yeast allergy you will then have to deal with the reality of having to manage your allergy in a world full of foods that contain yeast.

If your allergy isn’t that severe, you may be able to get by eating only certain foods with very little yeast in them. There are also some supplements and medicines that you can take to alleviate the symptoms of yeast allergy or at least lessen them. With these you may be able to enjoy your favorite foods without fear of a yeast allergy attack. Symptoms of a yeast allergy can include:

• fatigue
• constipation
• diarrhea
• depression
• dizziness
• muscle and joint pain

These are just a few of the symptoms that have been associated with a yeast allergy. If your allergy is severe it is highly likely that will have to give up yeast products altogether.

So your best bet is to look at the bright side. Yeast allergies can force you to change your diet for the good. A low carb diet has already been shown to help you shed unwanted pounds. Make sure to check with both your allergist and dietician about your allergy. They can provide you with the balanced plan to not only eat right but avoid those yeast allergy attacks that could have been plaguing you for years.

Some people think they have a sugar allergy. Confirming this type of allergy can be devastating since so many foods contain some form of sugar. It is almost as tragic as a caffeine allergy for those who can not function without that first cup of coffee in the morning. Food allergies can be confused with food intolerance so it is important to know which you have. Some of the symptoms associated with an allergic reaction can occur but there is a good chance they are caused by an intolerance of refined sugar.

For many generations, parents believed that too much sugar caused their children to be hyperactive. While science has found no link between an over active child and the amount of sugar they eat, they have determined that too much sugar is never good for children. Reasons for less sugar consumption include increased risk of cavities, obesity and the possibility of developing an intolerance for sugar.

An intolerance to sugar has been shown to cause a resistance to insulin as well as rapid weight gain if ingested in too large a quantity. It can also lead to fatigue, joint pain, forgetfulness and confusion. The thinking process may also be affected by reducing neurotransmitters leading some people to think that a true sugar allergy has caused this reaction.

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Restlessness and inattention may be signs of a sugar intolerance, often confused as a sugar allergy. This is especially true for school-age children but while sugar intake will need to be monitored, it is not considered a true sugar allergy. When the body develops an allergy to a certain food, it is confusing that food with an allergen. The immune system responds to attempt to eliminate the threat. While many foods cause an allergic reaction in many people, studies have not supported the confirmation of sugar allergy.

Many allergic symptoms may appear in a person with an intolerance to refined sugar. They should therefore stay away from it in all forms. Elimination diets are usually needed and recommended for determining whether you are truly allergic or intolerant. If you believe that it is sugar, eliminate all forms of added sugar for a period of time, at least one week Keep track of what forms of sugar are ingested. If you find that your symptoms are less then you know you are on the right path to pinpointing your intolerance.

Since sugar is such a common ingredient it is important to keep a diary of all the foods you eat and to note the ingredients. An elimination diet can be pretty tricky for someone who has a sugar allergy or an intolerance to sugar. You definitely need the guidance a professional like an allergist or at the very least your primary care physician. With the proper testing and tracking of what you eat you may also be able to find substitutes like brown sugar and natural sweeteners that you may have less a reaction to.

Are you one of those people that loves to clean in bursts? A dust allergy may cause you to adapt a new strategy. Instead of waiting until spring cleaning to do a major clean up you should consider taking out the feather duster more often. If you find yourself sneezing and wheezing and you can’t figure out why, you might just have a dust allergy. A dust allergy occurs when dust enters your system. You can either breath it in from the air or you might come in direct contact with it.

There’s little you can do about a dust allergy, except for cleaning the dust in your house with a feather duster. Just make sure that when you are cleaning the dust in your house that you don’t spread it around. Clean it softly so that you contain it as much as possible. If you or someone in your house has a dust allergy you don’t need to stir the dust up since it will just cause more problems.

Dust is Everywhere

Even if you don’t have a dust allergy you might be amazed at the amount of dust that can accumulate in a matter of days. You may even be someone who already cleans regularly yet the dust always seem to appear. Dust can accumulate in any space that’s not cleaned on a regular basis and this can sometimes mean daily.

Common Places Where Dust is Found:

• Television
• Bookshelves
• Computers
• Tables
• Under Beds
• Behind Doors…

A dust allergy can make someone crazy because the job of cleaning the dust never seems to end. Dust is comprised of everything from dead skin cells to dirt to anything else that can accumulate in areas that aren’t cleaned regularly.

To maximize the cleaning of dust, and to alleviate the bad affects of your dust allergy, make sure, when you do clean your house, that you use a feather duster and go slow. Get all the areas that you might frequent, so that you can prevent breathing in the dust that makes you sneeze, cough, wheeze, or whatever else it makes you do.

Vacuum cleaners are a great option. You can get a small vacuum cleaner that will also help you suck up the dust without spreading it around. The benefit of a vacuum cleaner is that you collect the dust in a bag, or whatever kind of receptacle the vacuum uses, and then you can just throw it away and replace it when you’re done. Unlike a feather duster, a vacuum has less of a chance of spreading the dust all around your house. Air purifiers are also good at keeping the amounts of dust down and furthermore help remove other allergens from the air as well.

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If you have a dust allergy you should of course consult with an allergist. I have heard that they might have vitamins to prevent dust mite allergies. Until they come up with a cure for dust allergies regular cleaning is your best bet to help avoid and manage your dust allergy. Regular cleaning may be a pain but on the good side it will help you avoid that huge spring cleaning project.