Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

In the previous post I highlighted a product that may help those who think they have an allergy to down comforters. I was exposed to these types of products because of my children but I am also finding they apply to me. I had no clue that I could be allergic to my down comforter. Many people don’t realize that the symptom they are having at night are allergies. The type of heat you have can be a trigger and most people attribute their reactions to that or maybe some pollen that snuck through an open window.

An allergy to down comforters can have a significant impact on your quality of life. A bad night’s sleep makes for a very unhappy and often unproductive person. The allergy to down comforters comes from an allergy to the down feathers that make the down comforters so soft. This down isn’t just found in comforters. Pillows, duvet sets and other bedding can also be to blame. If the thought never crossed your mind that you are allergic to your down comforter now may be the time to get tested.

Not ready to get tested? Here are some things to try depending on the severity of your symptoms, the amount of money you are willing to spend and other possible allergens that you are exposed to.

If you have pets in the house they may be leaving pet hair on your pillows and bedding. If you have open windows you might be allergic to pollen coming in the window. You might even be allergic to dustmites which can be anywhere, particularly in beds. Lastly it could an allergy to a down comforter. The other allergens mentioned are small in comparison to the full list of things that could be causing your allergy symptoms at night.

The above may seem laughable because at the end of the day you are nowhere. You still can’t pinpoint the cause of your sneezing, coughing and discomfort at night. I just wanted to prove the point that an allergy to down comforters can only be verified by being tested by a certified allergist.

If you suspect an allergy to down comforters and your health insurance does not cover allergy testing you can try switching bed covers for a few nights. If you replace your down comforter with a regular bed spread, and you go through the night without any allergy symptoms, then you may have an allergy to down comforters.

Your allergy to down comforters does not have to condemn you to no longer feeling the comfort of down comforters. As seen in my previous post Natural Comfort has a luxurious down alternative. There are other imitation down comforters you can get that will help you sleep comfortably at night. They can do this because they are made of material that won’t cause the discomfort of allergy symptoms. They are also soft enough to satisfy your comfort needs. Comforter covers are also an option.

Allertech® Ultimate Cotton Comforter Covers - Full/Queen 86″ X 86″

An allergy to down comforters does not have to ruin your life. Make the necessary changes. As you can see the options are out there. More importantly when possible verify that you truly are allergic to this and not something else by getting tested. A positive attitude and some research on soft alternatives will again make your bed the place of renewal that is supposed to be.

Allergies in children are a big concern for today’s parent. As mentioned in the previous article my 2 young children are experiencing allergy symptoms and I want to make sure to do what is best for keeping them comfortable and safe. My initial concerns with my children came up pretty early particularly with my son who developed asthma as a baby.

If you send your child to preschool odds are you get exposed to germs that cause anything from colds to major diseases so sometimes it is hard to tell whether your child has allergies or is experiencing the latest bug at daycare. Being sick and allergies in children are two different things and should be handled differently. To get to the truth you need to to watch and pay attention to your child to determine patterns in their reactions. Sometimes it feels like you are on an episode of CSI but it is important to look for clues to what your child is allergic to. For instance, if they are always sneezing when they come in from outside, or if they constantly get headaches at the daily and at the same time, it may be time to discuss the issue further with your pediatrician.

Allergies in children can be different than allergies in adult. That is why if is good to consult with your pediatrician first. They can help you decide whether it is time to see an allergist. If the pediatrician agrees then its time to get your child tested for allergies. An allergist will test your child for allergies and will then determine what they are allergic to. This is the ammunition you need, as a parent, to help your child manage their allergies.

The symptoms of allergies in children vary. Some children have food allergies like milk and get severe headaches or stomach aches. Food allergies in children are so common nowadays that daycare, preschools and even summer camps have strict rules about bringing something as innocent as peanut butter to school, the allergic reaction can be that severe. Other children are allergic to pets and can’t stop sneezing when they are around. Then, there are some allergies in children that are caused by something as common as the dust in your house. Only an allergist will be able to tell you for sure if your child has allergies.

Paying attention to your child is the key to controlling their allergies. Allergies in children are very common and you don’t want them to suffer silently since they don’t know enough to help themselves. You can help them learn to eliminate whatever causes them discomfort and teach them to look out for whatever triggers their symptoms, so that they can learn to make better choices on their own. Adopting the right lifestyle to manage their allergies is the key to living a normal, comfortable life. If symptoms become unmanageable then it may be time for more aggressive treatments with the guidance of your allergist.

Allergies have plagued me since my late twenties. I was surprised to think that I would be allergic to anything since I had always been the picture of health in my family. I always thought I was getting a cold. My sister and my mother both had asthma which is usually a good indication that you are prone to allergies so unfortunately they did run in my family. Now that I am in my forties and have 2 children that also exhibit symptoms it is time to get to the bottom of the mystery.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology “Estimates from a skin test survey suggest that allergies affect as many as 40 to 50 million people in the United States”.

Allergies can affect people at different ways:

• at different times of life
• during different seasons
• different allergen source

There are a number of different culprits that can cause an allergic reaction in people. The include but are not limited to pollen, dust mites, mold and foods. If you think that you are suffering from allergies, you should make an appointment with your doctor to find out what you are allergic to and what your best treatment plan options are.

Allergies are generally inherited as seen above my mother has allergies while my father doesn’t. If one or both of your parents suffer, you stand a good chance of having them also. Surprisingly you can’t assume that because your mother is allergic to eggs, you will be also. You may instead develop a reaction to pollen or mold. The genetic link is simply in whether or not you are predisposed to developing an allergy. Another possible reason for developing a reaction to a particular substance is exposure to that substance when your immune system has been weakened. After my second pregnancy I developed shingles due to exhaustion which compromised my immune system. This was in the spring and that was my worst season ever.

What Specifically is an Allergy Anyway?

Allergies occur as a result of your body’s immune system reacting incorrectly to some sort of foreign substance. Your immune system will see dust or pollen as a harmful substance to your body and react accordingly. The end result can be watery eyes, sneezing, itching, hives, and severe reactions trouble breathing. For many, the reaction will be mild and require little or no medical intervention. For others the reactions may cause a life threatening condition called Anaphylaxis. This requires immediate medical assistance. During an extreme allergic reaction, , you may initially feel itching which will quickly progress to swelling, pain and vomiting.

How can these Allergies be Managed?

Antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays are usually the first line of defense advised by doctors. Some allergies my require lifestyle changes to help you reduce your exposure to the allergen. You may have to keep your pets out of the house or attempt to maintain a dust-free environment. If your allergies become unmanageable, your doctor may also recommend immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, to “cure” your allergies and help you to have symptom-free days. Nowadays there are many options for managing your allergies. The first step is to accept that you have them. I know it took me a long time to do so. Knowledge is the key and this site will continue to explore all the developments in the areas of allergies and allergy relief.