Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

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.

Food allergies can affect many lives. I have written about a variety of foods and ingredients that can cause allergies. An egg allergy is one of those in the top 4 that are usually mentioned, milk, fish, peanuts and eggs. Until January 2006 manufacturers were not required to identify what products contained eggs which made it very difficult for those with an egg allergy.

Food allergies are found in about one percent of the population in the United States. While this may seem like a small number, this statistic actually translates into millions of people who are dealing with this condition. Egg allergies can include reactions from a mild case of hives and a stomach ache, to severe symptoms that include difficulty breathing and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. These severe cases are known as anaphylaxis, and can be life-threatening in some situations. This is why it is so important to understand and identify any allergies that you might suffer from, and know exactly how to manage them.

Egg allergies are typically found in young children, and the lucky ones outgrow them by the time they are five years old. The most common cause of an egg allergy is the egg white. Some proteins found in egg yolks can also cause an allergic reaction in some folks as well. An egg allergy occurs when the immune system in a person’s body mistakenly identifies the protein in an egg as a harmful substance. The body then produces antibodies like histamines that will cause symptoms like wheezing, runny nose, hives and a stomach ache. These symptoms can affect the skin and a number of the bodies systems including the respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Learning More About Your Egg Allergy

If you suspect that you have an egg allergy, you have probably experienced some of these symptoms shortly after eating an egg product. Your doctor can confirm your suspicions with a blood or skin test, although he may refer you to an allergist for testing and expert guidance in managing your allergy.

While the obvious solution to preventing an egg allergy is simply to avoid eating eggs, this can be much easier said than done since eggs are hidden in many of our food products. As mentioned in the beginning of this article manufacturers are required to identify when they use eggs as an ingredient but it isn’t that easy when you go out to restaurants.

I went to dinner with a friend who has an egg allergy and we chose a Chinese restaurant. In the middle of dinner she told me she was starting to get an itchy throat and that she probably had eaten something with eggs. I was really concerned because I know that anaphylaxis is a possible reaction to this type of allergy. Fortunately this wasn’t one of those times.

So the reality is you need to be aware of all the possible ways you can be exposed to eggs. If you have a child you may also have to be more careful since an egg allergy and immunizations can be a lethal mix. Many of the shots given to our children are exposed to eggs in the development process. It is up to you and your doctor to keep up on the latest ways to keep you safe.

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.

Let’s face it, my sister has a hard life. She has been plagued by allergies much longer than I have. Not only does she have the normal airborne type of allergies but she also suffers from dairy allergies. This is a sad diagnosis for a cheese lover but she has found ways to adapt. She carries around cans of soy milk for her coffee just in case they don’t have it. She also does her best at using the substitutes provided by dairy allergy recipes that she has found.

The moment you find out you have dairy allergies, it is life changing. At least it is for those who love their dairy products. Can you imagine being told that you can’t ever have milk, cheese or any other dairy product ever again? Unless of course if you are willing to put up with the suffering. That suffering varies from person to person when it comes to dairy allergies. One person could get major migraines after they drink a glass of milk while another gets very bad intestinal reactions. Don’t despair though because you should be able to enjoy dairy by following a certain dairy allergy diet and having a prevention plan. This of course is determined by how severe your dairy allergies are.

Your Dairy Allergy Gameplan

First of all, you have to determine if you are, in fact, allergic to dairy products. The first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with an allergist. An allergist will test you to determine if you have dairy allergies. They will test you with small amounts of dairy products to see if you have a reaction.

If you do have a reaction, usually your skin will turn red and inflamed, that’s when your allergist will inform you of your specific allergy and should give you a dairy allergy diet and prevention plan.

The most common dairy allergy diet and prevention plan is to refrain from the dairy products that cause you the most discomfort. This is basically an elimination diet. This is different for each person with dairy allergies. For example, some people may have dairy allergies when it comes to milk but they may be fine when they eat ice cream. That would mean that there is something specific in the milk you’re drinking that might not be in the ice cream you’re eating that is causing you to have a dairy allergy reaction. Even further some people can tolerate skim milk better than regular whole milk.

Your allergist may also prescribe certain dairy allergy supplements. Vitamin stores carry such products for those with lactose intolerance. This may help in some cases, but again, it all depends on the severity of the dairy allergies.

The right attitude is the key to dealing with any food allergy. Dairy allergies are no different. As my sister has shown you learn to change your routine and your diet so that you can maintain the quality of life you want. With the help of a dietician and your allergist you can find ways to adapt and every once in while you might want to take the hit for that one little piece of cheese.

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.

Sophie-Safe Cooking: A Collection of Family Friendly Recipes that are Free of Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish