Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

An allergy to deodorants doesn’t have to leave you without friends. Deodorants can sometimes cause allergic reactions and many people are afraid to talk about it. They are very self-conscious because an allergy and deodorant combination doesn’t seem to leave you with many options for smelling fresh. People use deodorant to prevent body odor. They wear it under their arms where we tend to sweat the most and the sweat mixes with the deodorant to produce a more pleasant odor. However, what happens if you are allergic to the very deodorant that you are using to help you smell better?

First Confirm Your Allergy to Deodorants

If you’re not sure if you are allergic to deodorant, there are certain signs that you can look out for. For instance, if, after applying the deodorant, you notice a rash of any kind, or a series of red and inflamed bumps, or anything else out of the ordinary, it’s recommended that you stop using that deodorant immediately. Just because you have an allergic reaction to one deodorant doesn’t necessarily mean you are allergic to all deodorants. Try switching brands.

In some ways an allergy to deodorants is like a perfume allergy. If you’ve ever walked into a department store you know what I mean. As soon as you pass the perfume counter you get sprayed with the latest scent. I personally can only use certain perfume brands. Some of the others are too strong and give me sinus problems.

Switching Brands Doesn’t Work

If you find that after trying many brands you still are experiencing allergic reactions it is time to explore some alternatives. Yes, smelling good did exist before Secret or Old Spice! You need to find options to control your sweat and help you smell good. If you have children you might have something right in your bathroom that works. The baby powder you use on your baby can help you both control the sweat and keep you from smelling as though you just came from the gym. Since it isn’t the standard stronger deodorant that people use you may consider carrying some around with you to be prepared to add more when needed.

Seek an Expert Opinion

If you’re still not sure whether or not you’re allergic to deodorant, consult an allergist. An allergist can test you to see what you are really allergic to. Other possible allergens could be perfume or soap. Trying unscented brands of deodorants and soaps may help but only an allergist can confirm whether you truly are allergic to deodorants. An allergy and deodorant combination does not have to leave you out in the cold. Confirm your allergy and then try some of the options mentioned above. Your allergist can also provide you with alternatives since they deal with these things regularly.

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.

When my son was around 2 years old my pediatrician started to suspect that he might have a possible gluten allergy. I, of course, had never heard of this. I didn’t even know what gluten was. It was a scary diagnosis because the more research I did the more I knew this could change my son’s life forever. I was even further terrified by the possibility that it could go beyond a gluten allergy into the realm of celiac disease.

What is Gluten?

There is a rubbery like protein in various grains that is causing a many problems for a growing number of across our country and around our world. This substance has been around for thousands of years, and is a naturally occurring one. This protein is called gluten and is found in wheat, rye, barley and a low level in oats as well. This protein helps bind the dough together, causing it to rise when baked. These grains can cause a gluten allergy in those who are sensitive, yet other proteins in the grains can also cause symptoms as well. There are four primary proteins that are found in gluten-containing grains. These are albumin, globulin, gliadin, and glutenin.

Symptoms of Gluten Allergy

The symptoms from any of these proteins can be quite similar.

Symptoms of gluten allergy can include:

• abdominal cramps
• swelling
• vomiting
• asthma

Symptoms could potentially be life threatening if you are very sensitive.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Often, many people have gone many years with problems from gluten allergy before being properly diagnosed. It is very important to locate a trained professional who is skilled in these types of issues when dealing with gluten allergy. My pediatrician sent me to a specialist to dig into my son’s symptoms further.

A skin prick can sometimes be used to detect an allergy to wheat but a true gluten allergy is more often confirmed through a blood test. Since wheat is found in so many daily food items, it is difficult to find the true culprit of the symptoms sometimes. Yet, with diligence, it can be done. If a gluten reaction is very severe, then the patient should be told to eliminate all gluten-containing products from one’s diet. However, some doctors suggest that if the gluten allergy is minor, that small amounts may be introduced with time. More people agree that an elimination diet is a far better approach.

Gluten Allergy versus Celiac Disease

Gluten allergy should not be confused with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, which is a hereditary disorder and is auto-immune in nature. The gluten actually damages the intestinal lining in this disease, causing food to be improperly absorbed by the body. Celiac disease requires that gluten be eliminated from the diet totally and for life. Celiac disease is more prevalent in certain races and since I am married to an Irish man I thought this could explain why I had never heard of it since I am of Latin descent.

Luckily for us when the dust settled my son was diagnosed with a mild lactose intolerance but the experience opened my eyes to the challenges someone could have if they had a gluten allergy or worse yet Celiac Disease. While living with a gluten allergy or intolerance can be a challenge learning how to manage it through your diet is definitely worth it.

Many people seemed to think that dogs are immune from many of our ailments but they are not. Dogs get skin allergies just like some of us do. Dog skin allergies can make your dog’s life miserable. Most dog owners think of their pet as a member of their family so you want to make sure that you help them feel better if you can. They can’t talk so it is up to you to notice their symptoms.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies?

If your pet is consistently scratching or sneezing whenever they come in from outside, or if you notice a rash on their skin, your pet may have dog skin allergies. Dog skin allergies can cause your pet to break out in rashes. In many cases they can even lose their fur in certain areas of their body. Depending on the severity of the dog skin allergy, you should take your pet into the vet at the first sign of an allergic reaction to determine what is causing your dog’s skin allergy.

The Vet is Your Best Bet

A variety of things can be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. Only a visit to your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions. If this is the case, your vet can test your pet to see what he or she is allergic to and what is causing their dog skin allergic reactions. If it’s something that’s in your yard, such as a certain plant or flower, you should get rid of it immediately. Similarly, if it’s something in your house that is causing your dog’s skin allergy, you should remove that, as well. Your vet may also be able to prescribe some kind of medication, either topical or ingested, that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they are experiencing.

Dog is man’s best friend and, for that reason, you want to make sure your pet is in top physical condition. If they are constantly suffering and you make no effort to find out why, you aren’t showing your pet the love they deserve. Make an appointment with the vet to see what is causing this discomfort. If your vet determines that your dog has dog skin allergies, ask what can be done about it. If something needs to be removed from your house or yard, then remove it, your pet is well worth it.

Your Dog Can Have a Normal Life

Dog skin allergies can affect the quality of your dog’s life. It is up to you to pay attention to them and examine them when they are showing symptoms of dog skin allergies. Your veterinarian will give you the strategies and treatment options to help you manage the dog skin allergies. It is up to you to make sure you do everything to make sure the canine member of the family is feeling as well as he can.

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?

Dogs for people with allergies do exist. Many people these days would love to have the companionship provided by a dog of their own but suffer from allergies that prevent them from this pleasure. If you would have asked me if there were really options for people who suffer from dog allergies a few years ago I would have said to go get a bird or a fish but now I have discovered that there are a wide variety of dogs for people with allergies. Science has played a role by cross breeding certain types of dogs.

If you are like the many people allergic to dogs you may find yourself sneezing when you are around them or in a house of a dog owner. These allergy symptoms can be caused by the dogs fur or the dander that comes off their skin. Dander is similar to the dandruff in humans.

One of the many hypoallergenic dogs available today is the Cockapoo. This dog is a mix of Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle. You may ask why this combination and the reason is a bigger sized dog that sheds less since Poodles don’t shed. If you are into smaller dogs a Poodle might be a good choice for you since they are one of the best dogs for people with allergies.

A great place to get a list and ideas for getting allergy free dogs is your local pet store. You may also find that some dogs may cause more severe allergic reactions than others. Just because your brother’s German Sheppard sends you into allergic fits doesn’t mean that all dogs will give you that severe a reaction.

So what are some good dogs for people with allergies?

Here is a list of some of the popular ones:

• Poodle
• Cockapoodle
• Labropoodle
• Yorkipoo
• Border Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Chinese Crested
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Mexican Hairless
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Maltese
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Spanish Water Dog
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Schnauzer

Be sure to ask your pet store or veterinarian about the sizes. Some people may prefer larger dogs versus smaller ones. Some people may want more macho looking dogs like the Labropoodle. You need to make sure you find the right dog that does not shed. As you can see by the above list there are many dogs for people with allergies. You too can find that special dog that is not only your pet but your friend. Don’t forget the basics of cleaning your dog regularly and vacuuming as well. This will help you have the best relationship you can have with your hypoallergenic dog.

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