Food allergies account for over 10 percent of all allergies seen in dogs and cats. It is the third most common cause after flea bite allergies and inhalant allergies, also called atopy. Lamb and rice diets have been shown to prevent or treat food allergies, but in many cases they do exactly the opposite. The process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood.

Food allergies affect both dogs and cats. There is no strong link between specific breeds of animals and food allergies. Food allergies tend to affect both males and females. They can show up as early as five months of age to as late as 12 years of age. Most cases occur between 2 and 6 years of age and many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies. There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems typically associated with canine and feline allergies. Food allergies can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people who get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating certain foods. However, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

The diagnosis for food allergies is very straightforward. Due to the fact that many other problems can cause similar symptoms, it is very important that all other problems are properly identified and treated prior to undergoing diagnosis for food allergies. Atopy, flea bite allergies, intestinal parasite hypersensitivities, and sarcoptic mange can all cause similar symptoms as food allergies. Once all other causes have been ruled out or treated, it is then time to perform a food trial. Veterinarians used to recommend that a pet only needs to be placed on a special diet for three weeks, but new studies show that in dogs, only a small portion of those with food allergies responded to treatment.

Once a positive diagnosis is determined, the treatment is very straightforward. The owner of the animal has two choices. They can choose to feed the animal a special commercially prepared diet or a homemade diet. Ingredients in some pet foods may cause an allergic reaction in hypersensitive cats and dogs. Reactions are characterized by itching and gastrointestinal disorders and are usually responsive to a protein or carbohydrate source in the diet. Food allergies are the third most common cause of itching and account for about 10 to 15 percent of all allergic skin diseases in canines.

To treat an animal with allergies, the allergen must be identified and removed from the animal’s diet. If present, secondary skin infections are controlled using antibiotics or antifungal treatments. Concurrent allergies must also be controlled. Anti-itching medications may be used in the initial stages of treatment, but generally these drugs are not effective for curing food allergy symptoms and have to be discontinued to allow the correct assessment of food trials.

High humidity causes dust mites to multiply quickly and can cause mold to grow. Our dehumidifiers can lower humidity levels to reduce growth of dust mites and mold. Keep an eye on the humidity level in your home with our digital humidity gauges. Knowing when the humidity level is high makes it easier for you to know when you need to take extra steps to combat growth in dust mites and mold.

Moisture control techniques

Manage water outside the foundation walls; the ground the homes foundation should be graded to slope down and away from the house linear foot to drain surface water away from the house. Water from down spouts should be directed away from the house, discharging at least a few feet from the foundation. Manage water inside the foundation walls and in the basement or crawl space floor. If the basement or crawl space has a dirt floor, cover it with 6 mil poly, overlapping edges by at least 12 inches. Seal any cracks or joints in the foundation wall or slab with an electrometric caulk. Use construction techniques to control water, air movement, vapor diffusion, and condensation. Use construction methods and materials which promote the drying of building assemblies.

It is important that the roof and flashing details and construction effectively keep water out of the house. It is also important that the roof and attic design addresses the issue of moisture in the form of water vapor to avoid condensation in building cavities. Ensure the home is properly ventilated, with at least exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen and preferably a mechanical ventilation system designed to ventilate the entire house. By air-sealing and using energy-efficient construction, uncontrolled air leakage is greatly reduced, a more controlled indoor environment is created, and moisture can be maintained at acceptable levels without the use of a humidifier. Humidifiers require maintenance to avoid becoming breeding grounds for biological contaminants.

Keep away hay fever

Humidity is one of the reasons for hay fever attacking. Hay fever can be avoided using other remedies like closing the windows at night, performing yoga, taking regular exercises, drinking herbal teas, cleaning drainage system, keeping house clean, etc. Avoid things that causes hay fever, so avoid humidity and remain hay fever free.

There are many air borne allergies but the most prominent one amongst them is hay fever. Almost half of the people in this world are affected by this particular allergy i.e. hay fever. Hay fever is generally caused by the dust mites, dander, pollen grains etc. It is a collection of symptoms predominantly in the nose and in the eyes that occur after exposure to airborne particles of dust, dander, or the pollens of specific seasonal plants in people who are allergic to these substances. As these symptoms are caused by pollens, the allergic rhinitis is commonly known as “hay fever”. Hay fever is also called as pollinosis. So we must take certain steps so that we don’t give refuge to such dust mites or pollen grains.

Using solid surface flooring

In our homes we tend to put carpets in the floor so that the floor gets covered and also so that the house looks good. But we forget that in making the house look good we are giving refuge to unwanted particles in our house which in turn are harming us. The major drawback of using carpets is that they become a very nice place for the dust mites and other suspended particles in air to hide. Also it becomes a very conducive environment for the molds to grow. The dust mites and the dust particles gets trapped in those carpets and doesn’t get cleaned even with a vacuum cleaner because they totally stick to those carpets. Therefore it becomes very difficult to clean them.

So the best solution to this problem is to use solid surface flooring. This prevents the dust particles to hide anywhere and can be cleared just by normal cleaning or by the usage of vacuum cleaners. Moreover solid surface floors inhibit the growth of molds also in the house.

Conclusion

So we can see that by using solid surface floors we will curb the growth of any such factors which leads to allergies such as hay fever. There are many more ways to make your house look good but at the cost of your health is never advisable.

Today, there are approximately 44 million people in the United States of America suffering from allergies and the numbers are increasing. Allergies are caused by hypersensitivity in the body’s immune system. The triggers could range from natural environmental factors like pollen, dust, mites, or mold to external factors that your body comes into contact with, such as food and chemicals in food.

Just as the cause of allergies can be varied, its signs and symptoms could also differ greatly. Some symptoms, like itching and swelling of the throat and nose discharge, are only mildly inconvenient. Others are uncomfortable, such as difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. But in extreme cases, allergies could cause unconsciousness, anaphylaxis (collapse due to allergies), and sometimes even death.

Treatment and Allergy Relief

One form of allergy relief or treatment for people with allergies is injections of small amounts of the substances they are allergic to. The method is called immunotherapy and it is based on the concept that once the immune system gets used to these substances, it will no longer overreact when they see them entering the body’s cellular structure.

But such allergic relief treatment can take time. With each allergy relief injection, the dose is increased, until the patient becomes hyposensitized (less allergic) to the allergens because then, the body becomes more tolerant of these offending substances. As a result, relief from allergy is at hand and the symptoms, including sneezing and watery eyes, plus the need for medication, are reduced or disappear.

Who Should Get the Allergy Relief Shots?

The obvious answer would be those people who very clearly have allergic reactions to certain types of food or environmental factors.

“Shots work extremely well in patients that clearly have allergic symptoms, either allergy in their nose like allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma, where outdoor allergens like tree, weed and grass pollens seem to be a major cause,” says Stanley P. Galant, M.D., an allergist in Orange County, California, and a clinical professor and director of pediatric allergy at the University of California, Irvine.

He further adds that allergy relief shots don’t have quite the same effect on patients with allergies to molds, house dust mites (microscopic insects that feed on human skin cells found on furniture, bedding, and carpets), and animal dander (tiny skin flakes animals continually shed) as those allergic to outdoor allergens. However, with the standardization of extracts for cat dander and dust mites and overall better preparations have helped increase the odds.

Immunotherapy, however, is not used as an allergy relief unless skin tests or blood tests have been conducted and the exact culprits have been identified.

John Yunginger, M.D., a member of FDA’s Allergenic Products Advisory Committee and a pediatric allergist at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, says, “You have to show that (the patients) have IgE antibodies to the allergens in question.”

IgE, or immunoglobulin E, is an antibody that the immune system produces the first time it is exposed to an allergen. The next time the allergen is produced, massive amounts of these IgE released by the immune system are what triggers the allergic reaction.

According to studies, around 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. The causes of seasonal allergies vary but some of the most popular causes of these types of allergies are pollen, mites and molds. Pollen is especially hazardous to people who have allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Once the pollen gets into contact with the mucous membranes that protects the nasal passage, the membrane gets irritated and may become swollen, making it difficult for that person to breathe. In most cases, the inflammation of the nasal passage will result to itchy throat, runny nose, swollen sinuses and watery eyes. For some people, the reaction can be more severe. It is not uncommon for people to get hospitalized because of severe reactions to pollens. To cope with seasonal allergies, here are some tips for you.

Preventive Measures

One of the best ways to prevent seasonal allergies is to increase your dietary intake of the essential fatty acids. According to studies, fatty acids from fish and flaxseed can help prevent allergic reactions in most people. Taking increased dose of vitamin C can also lower the levels of histamine in the blood so make sure that you eat plenty of fruits. Fruits and juices are better compared to synthetic vitamin C in capsules. Most experts agree that fresh is best so do double you intake of those vitamin C capsules. Instead, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Another way to prevent seasonal allergies is to monitor the level of pollen and mold inside and outside of the house. If the pollen and mold level outside is high, keep your windows and doors tightly shut to ward off these microscopic things. Do not wander off outdoors too much especially when weeds, trees and shrubs around the area are in bloom. Note that trees, weeds, grass and shrubs release pollens into the air during this time. If you must go outdoors, cover your mouth and nose with surgical mask to filter the air that you inhale. The surgical mask can only hold so much of the pollen and molds at bay so try not to stay outdoors for too long. Let someone else do the yard work for you.

Once you get back indoors, take off your clothes and put them in the washer immediately to ward off seasonal allergies. Molds and pollen tend to cling to your hair and clothes so make sure that you wash your clothes or stash them away. Furthermore, you need to wash your hair before you hit the bed. Note that the pollen and molds that clung to your hair could easily find its way into your nostrils when you sleep.

How are food allergies treated? Read on and let your mind be stuffed with this new knowledge.

The Necessity of the Treatment

The allergic reactions to food need to be treated in several directions via the same time. The procedure takes on the actions like that of eliminating the allergen, modifying the immune response of the patient, and that of handling the patient’s nutritional status. It is not only the doctor who has the responsibility on this matter. As a sufferer, you must get yourself involved too!

What must you do then? It is vital that you observe your own allergic reaction. How often does it come? When does it go away? What triggers it? As soon as you begin feeling and seeing the signs and symptoms, you must review those things that you have eaten, touched, and the likes. Take note that the reactions can be quite complicated. There are cases when the allergic reaction can be fatal. Thus, it follows that you seek medical attention at once.

You know your own body more than anyone else in the world. For you to be in the most perfect shape, you have to deal with the responsibility. That means that you must watch out for the triggering allergens. Be well abreast of the causes and the treatment that you need. So much more, it is essential that you exercise self control and avoid those things that may cause your immune system to react to a naturally harmless substance.

A Review of the Treatments

As a basic thing, getting on with a special diet counts a lot as a treatment to food allergy. If the patient is discovered to be allergic to at least one or two types of food, then the best way to handle it is by getting rid of those offending foods. This is true with the children who happen to be inflicted with the so called peanut anaphylaxis.

For those who suffer from multiple food allergies, the process of rotation is applied. It means that the offending food needs to be taken at intervals and that means to eat it about four up to five days or even longer. The usual case is that suffering from multiple allergies means that you have the same overt allergies to other types of food which are basically thought of to be safe. By eating them in rotation, you will be able to lessen your own exposure and the effects as well and it can help build your tolerance for them.

Supplements and medications are also used to address the problem with the allergy signs and symptoms. They are able to provide the relief that the patients really crave for. The drugs typically repel the production and release of the histamine and other related chemicals. However, it must be done prior to the exposure to the allergens.

The digestive enzymes also have their own roles to take since they chunk down the food into smaller particles so they tend to become lesser allergenic.

Vitamin C is also eyed as an anti-allergy kind of supplement. It aids in the stabilization of the mast cells so they don’t get to release the histamine and other chemicals.

Food allergies have to be treated at a medical perspective. It is only appropriate to get to know these remedies before it gets too late.

Many kids and adults have food allergies and need to cope with being social and still maintaining safety when it comes to eating out. Some people prefer to stay at home and forego the enjoyment of eating out because of fears associated with food allergies. It has become increasingly safer to eat out today as more establishments are becoming aware that lots of restaurant patrons have food allergies. Approximately 2 million Americans suffer from mild to severe food allergies. To accommodate this large a group of potential customers, restaurants have adapted food preparations, and menus to be more food allergy conscientious.

Many businesses in the food industry have trained staff in ways to accommodate those with food allergies including what to do if they notice that a patron is having symptoms of a food allergic reaction.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and the National Restaurant Association devised a training program for restaurants to become for aware of food allergies making it safer for their patrons to order at their establishments. The program is both educational and an informative tool that makes staff better prepared to deal with preparing foods and to be more aware of what might happen should a patron have an allergic reaction in the restaurant.

Even though restaurants may be more aware of food allergies does not take the responsibility away from the individual who has the allergy or their parents in the case of kids. There are steps that can be taken to help protect the individual who is allergic when dining out.

Since food allergens can be hiding in ingredients such as those in breading, dressing, sauces or baked goods the safest route to take is to tell the waiter and the chef in advance that you have a food allergy and what the food allergen is. Call ahead to the restaurant to give the chef advance notice that you will be dining there and tell exactly what the food allergy is to so that your dishes can be specially prepared.

It is also a good idea for you to know what hidden sources of food are possible for the food allergen that you are allergic to. Here are some common food sources:

Milk/Dairy

Here are some hidden sources – hot dogs, canned tuna, certain chewing gum, margarine made from corn oil (skim milk powder), granola bars, chocolate chips, and also desserts that contain caramel coloring. Some flavorings also contain milk/dairy such as caramel coloring, brown-sugar flavoring, coconut-cream flavoring, and natural chocolate flavoring. Grilled steak can contain butter if restaurant staff rub the steak with butter after grilling it to give it more flavor.

If you are allergic to eggs some hidden sources may include Milky Way or Snickers Candy bars because they contain nougat, which contains eggs. Any baked well that has a shiny surface probably contains egg. Bagels and pretzels contain eggs. The foam on some coffee drinks contains eggs. Pasta and prepared foods like soaps also contain egg.

Nut allergies can also have hidden sources such as barbecue sauce, bouillon, chili (nuts are used as a thickener).

Wheat/Gluten allergies have hidden sources too such as hydrolyzed wheat protein that is sometimes listed only as a flavor enhancer or a binder in some prepared foods and sauces. Alcoholic beverages contain wheat, hotdogs, ice cream cones, licorice, soup mixes, and even coffee creamer substitutes can be grain based. Butter flavoring, caramel coloring, and some brands of butter contain wheat or gluten.

Believe it or not even seafood allergens can be in hidden places like in Caesar Salad (anchovies), Pizza (anchovies), caponata (Italian relish has anchovies), and foods fortified with omega-3 fatty acids such as those labeled with (fish source). Some orange juice, baby cereals, and even soymilk can contain seafood.

It is a medical condition caused by an allergy to pollen or mould spores. It is not an all season medical condition. It affects only during spring and summer. If you are allergic to pollen and your dwelling is surrounded by trees and plants then you will suffer the effects. The cure, move to a city dwelling – jokes apart, it is not a very serious medical condition, although the symptoms can be very unpleasant for a sufferer, it can be controlled. One way to keep away while you are home is close your windows at least while you are sleeping.

Hay fever

Open windows let the entry of all the dust, dirt, pollens and also the insects that carry the germs along with them to gift us with some fever. While the window is open apart form all this there is also a lot of noise that may disturb your sleep. So also the lights coming form the streets may not help you sleeping. Keeping the windows closed leads to a better sleep and also keeps away from the hay fever. Good sleep keeps you fresh and all fine and fit the following day. Have a good sleep to help in your health conditions. Windows should be kept open only during daytime, letting the sun and the fresh air enter your home and let your room look more fresh and airy. And also letting the insects out which may have entered during the night time. During night as there is no sun so the insects multiply and so also the pollens fly as there is a comparatively windy.

Follow simple things, and be away form hay fever

Keep your room clean to be away from hay fever as it is likely to attack. Eat a proper healthy diet and exercise daily to remain fit and letting your body to fight against the hay fever attackers. If you are fit and fine you can work well throughout and also be away from the so called hay fever. One simple way of being away from hay fever is to close windows. So close windows while sleeping.

One might think that food allergens would be the easiest to avoid. After all, everybody knows what foods they eat, right? Not always. Common food allergens can be found in many surprising places.

Take peanuts, for example. They are found as ingredients in many foods. It’s easy enough to read labels or ask the waitress if a dish contains them, but these measures are not enough. Many foods that do not contain actual peanuts are manufactured on equipment that is also used to manufacture foods that do. The foods that do not contain peanuts may contain small amounts of peanut dust, and this could be enough to trigger an allergic reaction.

Foods prepared in restaurants may also contain allergens that you would not expect. Cooks may use ingredients that contain traces of peanut dust without realizing it, so when you ask if the dish contains peanuts, they say that it doesn’t. Or a bit of shellfish could end up in the sauce for another dish, and that could cause a reaction in someone who is allergic to shellfish.

While such situations are rather tricky, they can often be avoided. Here are some tips:

* Read labels thoroughly. Labeling requirements state that foods that may contain certain allergens such as eggs, wheat or peanuts must be clearly identified. It won’t be on the front label in big bold letters, but should be prominently stated in the ingredients section.

* Speak to the waiter or waitress when you go to a new restaurant. Make it clear that you cannot be exposed to certain food allergens, and ask if the foods you want to order could possibly contain those allergens. If your server is unsure or unhelpful, ask to speak to a manager or a cook.

* Stick to restaurants you are familiar with when possible. The staff at restaurants you frequent will be more likely to be familiar with your needs and accommodate them.

* Avoid places where you may come into contact with the food allergen, even if you will not be eating anything that may contain it. Some restaurants allow patrons to throw peanut shells on the floor, for example. Just breathing the dust from the shells may be enough to cause an allergic reaction in particularly sensitive individuals.

Food allergens often cause severe reactions, so avoiding them is very important. Those who have food allergies should always carry an EpiPen in case of an anaphylactic reaction. Avoidance is the best course of action, but there is always the chance of inadvertent exposure.

Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They have been effective against everything from insomnia to chronic pain. But for some reason, few people consider using herbs against allergies. Perhaps this is because they associate plants with allergy symptoms.

Actually, there are several herbs that can be of benefit to allergy sufferers. Some of these are:

* Nettle – When it comes to natural allergy treatments, nettle is one of the most recognizable. Recommended by many naturopaths, nettle is a natural antihistamine. This herb may be cultivated or purchased in freeze-dried form.

* Ginkgo biloba – Ginkgo biloba is famous for its positive effects on memory, but it may also be used to fight allergies. It contains substances called ginkgolides, which can stop allergy attacks.

* Green tea – Green tea is packed with health benefits. It contains vitamin C, which aids in proper immune function. It also contains quercetin, which is the same natural antihistamine found in nettle. Together, they can be highly effective against allergies.

* Butterbur – This herb that was once used to keep butter cool has shown great promise in the treatment of allergies. A study showed that it is as effective as Zyrtec against allergies. Butterbur is one of the few herbs that should be taken in supplement form, because it contains compounds that are toxic to the liver in its pure form.

* Licorice root – Licorice root has been used as a cold treatment for many years. It works by promoting the production of hormones that fight cold and allergy symptoms and reduces inflammation.

* Astragalus – This herb is great for the immune system. It also increases metabolic activity, which can help rid the body of allergens faster.

* Capsicum – Usually used in the treatment of colds, capsicum can also help fight allergies. Like green tea, capsicum contains quercitin and vitamin C.

* Goldenseal – If you suffer from inflammation related to allergies, goldenseal can help.

* MSM – Short for methylsulfonylmethane, MSM is a naturally occurring compound that is available in supplement form. Studies have shown that it is very effective against cough, congestion and other symptoms of seasonal allergies.

These herbs can be powerful allies in the fight against allergies. When used in conjunction with avoidance of allergy triggers, allergy symptoms can virtually be eliminated.