Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Is man’s best friend becoming your worst enemy? People who suffer from dog allergies can feel pretty conflicted. On one hand they love their canine friend but on the other they suffer with a variety of symptoms that can make their lives miserable. If you aren’t sure whether you are allergic to dogs or want to figure out strategies for managing your symptoms so that you can keep your Lassie, then this article is for you.

Pets are pretty common in American households 6 out of 10 homes have one. Unfortunately the numbers also show that 1 out of every 10 people suffers from some sort of animal allergy. When it comes to pets cats tend to be the worst culprit in causing allergies but dogs are right behind them. Since dog allergies are a common problem, the good news is that there is a lot of information available on how to treat and manage an allergic reaction to your pet. If your reaction is not severe, and if you do not have other serious complications such as asthma, you should be able to successfully manage your allergic condition so that you can experience many symptom-free days.

How to Identify Your Dog Allergy

The most recommended strategy for identifying dog allergies is to remove the person you suspect is allergic from the environment. This can be done for a week or two to see whether the person experiences any of the symptoms they were complaining about. You might think it would be easier to remove the dog but pet dander can remain in the environment that the animal lives in for up to six months after the pet is removed. If moving the person away for a couple of weeks is too difficult, you can also ask your doctor to perform an allergy test in his office to see if the person indeed has a dog allergy.

What Treatment Options Do You Have?

Dog allergies are usually associated with dander or saliva of the animal. These allergens tend to cling to many surfaces. They also can hang around for a long time. This quality makes it difficult to completely rid a home of the allergens responsible for dog allergies, even if the animal is removed. It generally will take up to six months for the home to become free of allergens once the pet is removed.

The drastic treatment is to give the dog to another good home. This can be a big problem because family members are usually attached to the dog and consider him a part of the family. This option can be the last resort unless you have someone that just can not live with their symptoms. An example of this would be someone with asthma.

If the symptoms are mild there are other options. First, keep your pet out of the bedroom. This is an area where you spend a significant amount of your time, particularly sleeping. Get rid of old carpet that can harbor the allergens. Go for bare floors, in our house we always start out with hardwood floors and use throw rugs that can be washed in hot water. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can also be an effective way to keep allergens at bay in certain areas of your house, Oreck has a great line of air purifiers that can help.

Dog allergies may be a common problem but you can learn to manage them. If all else fails and you do have to get rid of your beloved pet you might be able to replace them with a dog breed that is known to cause less dog allergies.

Allergy shots are usually considered a last resort in the fight to manage your allergies. This tends to make them more mysterious than they really are. Treatment of allergies through immunotherapy has been around for quite some time. It can “cure” some sufferers of their allergies.
Here is what you need to know about allergy shots.

What horrible symptoms are you living with? Millions of people are affected by irritating symptoms that often accompany their allergies. These symptoms can include skin disorders, stomach upset, sinusitis and chronic ear infections. Most people have difficulty finding effective treatments. Typically many therapies particularly the over the counter ones only work for short periods of time. When these treatments fail an allergist usually comes into the picture. After testing they will probably recommend allergy shots, particularly if you suffer from pollen allergies. These shots contain a small amount of the substance to which one is allergic, whether it is dust, ragweed, or pollen. Though the effectiveness of this treatment of allergies is still being debated, many feel they have experienced positive results.

How do Allergy Shots Work?

After testing to determine what the person is allergic to a person receives allergy shots containing a dilution of that allergen. The body begins to produce antibodies to that particular allergen. This helps your body to fight the allergen. This is similar in approach to the vaccines that children receive to build their immunity to certain diseases.

The result of the shots is that the next time you come into contact with the allergen, these newly created antibodies can help to block the allergic reaction. This also helps reduce the severity of the symptoms. Relief builds up over time should last for a long time. The most common reason for receiving allergy shots is for pollen allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Asthma may be improved in some people with the use of allergy shots and are particularly recommended for children over 5 that do not have severe asthma. T

Allergy shots are not recommended for everyone, as mentioned if someone suffers from severe asthma or any heart-related problems, then allergy shots are usually not recommended. Children who are under five years old are also not good candidates.. During pregnancy, this type of immunotherapy should not be started, as little is known what the effects on babies. Usually, the shots are administered about 2 times a week at the beginning. Then after six months, one can begin maintenance shots once a month.

Treating your allergies with allergy shots is an important decision. Try other strategies first and consult with both your primary care physician and your allergist. Allergy shots are not your only immunotherapy weapon when it comes to the treatment of allergies. Allergy drops are also making some headway here in the United States.

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.

What allergy medicine is best used for the treatment of allergies? The reality is that it all depends on what you are allergic to. Allergy medicine can be confusing because there’s a great variety ranging from over the counter, to prescription and other treatments that are given in doctors offices.

An allergic reaction can be energy sapping. You may find yourself coughing, sneezing, having problems seeing, or worse yet puffing up or having your breathing passages swell up. Some people experience migraines(myself included) because of their allergies. Let’s not forget about the scary and dangerous reaction of anaphylactic shock. Bottom line is that every allergy is different and most medications can’t treat every allergy. The right allergy medicine can be found by talking to your doctor or allergist.

Step 1 is to Test!

When an allergist tests you for allergies, they have to test you for many different substances. There are so many things in our environment nowadays that unless they do this they will have a difficult time pin pointing your specific allergy. They usually inject you down the length of your spine, with several different substances, they can include dairy products,dander, grass and even dust. Your allergist is looking for is a certain type of reaction. A sure sign of allergic reaction is that your skin will become red and raised. Once the allergist sees the reaction they can then prescribe the proper allergy medicine.

Do You Need a Prescription?

The right allergy medicine is crucial to restoring a good quality of life. Some medicines only treat mild allergies and are typically over the counter medications like Benadryl. However if you are severely allergic to something like shell fish or eggs. You can blow up like a balloon or feel your throat starting to constrict every time you eat these. You may even have to be rushed to the emergency room. An over the counter allergy medicine won’t do anything for you then. You need to get a prescription as well as know enough to avoid whatever causes you these severe reactions.

Make sure you pick the right allergy medicine that works for you. You may find that some work better for you than others. Claritin for some reason does not help me but Benadryl does. Unfortunately it also makes me pretty sleepy. Don’t get discouraged from trying different ones and discussing the issue with your allergist. They may even recommend advanced treatments like allergy shots or allergy drops. Time is a precious commodity and if the right allergy medicine can help you enjoy every last minute then you should continue to look for the right one for you and your specific allergy.

Allergies can make life miserable. I know because some of my allergies cause migraines that practically stop me in my tracks. Many others are affected by other terrible symptoms that can severely affect the quality of their lives and their ability to work. Can any allergy treatment help us? The good news is yes but first we need to understand what the different types are and what allergy treatment may make more sense for you.

Not all people have the same allergies. Some are affected by one allergen like pollen but may not be affected by mold. Some may have a terrible reaction to dust mites but have no problem being exposed to the smell of a recently mowed lawn. Airborne allergies are not the same as food allergies. You get the picture, given the many allergens out there today allergy treatments don’t work the same on every allergy and may not work the same from person to person.

The first step is to identify what your allergen is. The best way to find this out is by working with an allergist. They can put you through a battery of tests that may include scratch tests, elimination diets and blood tests. This will help them narrow down the possible allergens. You can be a big help by identify trends and patterns that surround your allergic reactions. Do you start to sneeze or get a stuffy nose when your neighbor mows the lawn? Do you only get your symptoms at night, when you are sleeping(or trying to sleep)? Do you get a headache after you have breakfast every day?

Answering these types of questions and working with an allergist will help you identify the source of your allergy and can therefore lead to recommendations regarding what allergy treatment is right for you.

Allergy Treatment Types

• Basic
• Medications
• Advanced

Basic treatment of your allergy once you identify what it is is to avoid it. If you know your neighbor mows the lawn every Saturday morning close the windows or better yet go grocery shopping or something. Forced hot air exacerbates my allergy to dust mites so my husband and I decided not to buy a house with that type of heating system. These things may seem simple but they help. Unfortunately some things you can’t avoid which leads us to allergy treatments to manage the symptoms that we do get.

Medications are aimed at relieving the allergy symptoms so that you can function day to day. This probably the most common allergy treatment people use today since so many medications are available over the counter. These medications include antihistamines, decongestants, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. Allergy medications are usually available in a variety of forms, including pills, nasal sprays, eye drops and topical creams. Epinephrine is used to treat the severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This reaction is life threatening and involves difficulty breathing due to swelling of the breathing passages.

Advanced treatments are also available that not only attempt to relieve the allergic symptoms but to cure them as well. These usually include allergy shots or allergy drops. These are forms of immunotherapy that seek to make you immune to the affects of your allergy but exposing you to that allergy in certain doses over a certain period of time.

An allergist can discuss which allergy treatment is right for you. Now you know that you do have options. You don’t have to live with the discomfort of allergies. Take the step to visit an allergist today.

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.