Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

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.

Food allergies are often confused with a food intolerance. True food allergies affect a very small percentage of the population. Adults that fall into this category are estimated at two to three percent. Children are estimated at six to eight percent. The typical example of a food intolerance is lactose. Those with this intolerance find it hard to drink milk or eat dairy products without getting an upset stomach. Intolerance to a specific food is not considered an allergy until or unless the immune system is affected. A true allergy consists of the immune system malfunctioning. It reacts to a particular allergen as though it were a harmful substance. In this case the trigger would be the specific type of food.

Foods That Can Cause Food Allergies

Here is the typical list of offenders but keep in mind that almost any food can cause an allergic reaction.

• eggs

• soy

• milk

• wheat

• nuts

• fish

My sister has an allergy to eggs. She falls into the typical category of an allergy prone person. She has had severe eczema at times and even in her 40s still has asthma. Asthma and eczema usually indicate that you will be allergic to one or many things and that you might be more likely to experience food allergies. Food allergies can encompass a whole range of foods once identified. Think about the fact that eggs are used as an ingredient in so many foods. You always have to be conscious of the ingredient list even when you go to restaurants.

Symptoms of a Food Allergy

• itching

• hives

• swelling of the mouth (possibly including lips)

• cramps

• nausea

• diarrhea

• watery eyes

• runny nose

• dizziness

• difficulty breathing

• accelerated heartbeat

The symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. Seek medical attention immediately because the sooner you get there the more they can relieve your discomfort. Even if you have a mild reaction if it does not go away you should seek medical advice. Your primary care physician will more than likely refer you to an allergist to confirm that you have a food allergy and not just a food intolerance.

How to Treat Food Allergies

Once your allergist has diagnosed your food allergy the simplest treatment is to avoid the foods all together. Please keep in mind that mild allergies can be treated by over the counter antihistamines. If your food allergies cause a more severe reaction do not waste time. These reactions can be life threatening and will need professional emergency medical care. Whether you suffer from food allergies or food intolerance knowledge is power. Be vigilant when choosing what to eat.

Dog food allergies have jumped to the forefront of the news recently due to the Menu food’s dog food recalls. What you feed your pet unfortunately can be the difference between life and death. Food allergies are typically associated with people but pets can suffer from adverse reactions and intolerance too.

As with young children that can not speak dog food allergies can be difficult to diagnose in pets because the biggest problem is the pet’s inability to communicate their symptoms effectively. The owner can also be confused by possible other ailments that their pet has. You want to be sure to know the difference between these symptoms and poisoning!

What are the typical symptoms associated with dog food & allergies?

• ear infections
• excessive scratching
• hair loss
• skin infections

Antibiotics sometimes are used to treat skin infections. It helps to clear them up , but they will reoccur when the antibiotics are stopped. Itchy skin is typically associated with airborne allergies, if an animal with itchy skin does not seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, they may be suffering from dog food allergies. A food intolerance causes different symptoms. These symptoms may include diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, whether the animal is suffering from an allergy or an intolerance, once the proper diagnosis has been made, they can both be treated.

Nutrition is very important, since most canine meals are made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most dog food allergies are caused by one of these ingredients. The pet nutrition industry has picked up on the need to provide pet owners different options. They have come up with hypoallergenic dog meals that are supposed to help with most allergies. They also have tried other dog food allergy recipes like lamb and rice formulations. Veterinarians usually tell you it is not that simple though.

What approach will your veterinarian recommend to verify dog food allergies?

First they will rule out other possible causes, such as flea bite allergies, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections. Something else to keep in mind is that they have access to the latest studies. One study that I’ve heard of has found an association to a certain breed of dog. Dietary change is the number one approach veterinarians recommend. They will recommend a new food source containing protein and carbohydrate that should be the only diet of the pet for at least 12 weeks. This will help to determine which of the ingredients in their old pet food was causing the allergic reaction. Dog food allergies can be tricky and you may need to try this a few times as you reintroduce your old foods to see which one your dog is allergic to. The foods that produce reactions need to be eliminated.

The last options is one this is tried and true. Making your pet their food at home seems to be the surest way to avoid dog food allergies. If you don’t have any you can always look up some dog food allergy recipes online. Don’t let the media scare you but be smart about what you feed your pet. If you have the time and talent cook if you don’t test. There is a path to safe eating for your dog.

Do you think you have an MSG allergy? Going out to eat is always a challenge because typically you don’t know what is in the food you are eating. Whether you think its a food intolerance, an allergy or an adverse reaction you don’t want to be on the other end. MSG otherwise known as monosodium glutamate is used in more food than the average American thinks.

Monosodium glutamate is a chemical used by food manufacturers as well as Asian cooks. It is used to enhance the flavor of food. It does even more than this in that it and other chemicals are used in food to make them appear more abundant and nutritious than they are. It also makes people feel full faster. An MSG allergy is hard to manage when eating out because usually you can’t tell what the spices or chemicals are that may have been added to the food. You actually have to try asking the waiter and they sometimes are reluctant to give the full lists in their recipes.

MSG is thought to usually be found in ethnic foods, such as those cooked in Chinese restaurants but the reality is that the actual chemical monosodium glutamate is used in everyday things such as certain chip type snacks and instant soups. Even a well known fast food chicken restaurant is said to use it. If you have an MSG allergy, particularly if your reactions are severe, you should pick what you eat very carefully.

You may be asking what are the symptoms for MSG allergies?

Typical food allergies upset the stomach but it appears that those with an MSG allergy are usually plagued by headaches, some throbbing and severe. They can experience dizziness, tightening of the jaw and/or throat. If you suspect you are having an adverse reaction to msg check with and allergist who can provide you with a more comprehensive list.

So how do you prevent your MSG allergy?

• Ask for ingredient lists when you go out to a restaurant. Thought this still is a little difficult it is getting better as the US is passing laws aimed at getting restaurants to provide healthier foods. The banning of trans fats in some cities is a good example of this. Fast food restaurants in particular are attempting to provide some nutritional information. You just need to understand how complete it is though.
• Ask for a dish to be prepared without monosodium glutamate if at all possible. In theory this can be done the issue is whether the restaurant will be able or willing to accommodate you.
• Inform anyone cooking for you, even at home about your MSG sensitivity so they are looking at the ingredient list of anything they use in their cooking.

Reactions to MSG can be severe to the point of requiring immediate medical attention. An MSG allergy can best be identified by an allergist. Be sure to keep your primary care physician involved as well to make sure that your allergy is not something potentially more life threatening. The allergist has a better idea of the full range of foods that have MSG and therefore he will be able to help you identify which ones better.

As with any food allergy the key is to avoid it once you know what it is. An MSG allergy does not have to ruin your appreciation for food. You can still enjoy Chinese food. Just make sure to ask questions everywhere you eat food, the danger is in more places than you think.

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.