Many individuals are allergic to fragrances and in today’s scented world of products that can be a bad thing. Today just about every product you can think of has a natural fragrance or has had a scent added to it in order to make it more appealing to the consumer. The sad part of this merchandising strategy is that many consumers have fragrance allergies and the scented products can actually make them sick!

Someone with a fragrance allergy may have any of the following symptoms when they come into contact with a product that has a scent: hives on the skin, headache, uncontrollable sneezing, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and watery eyes.

Fragrance allergies or sensitivities can range from mild to severe. Repeated exposure to these allergens can actually bring about more symptoms.

In the past, fragrances were reserved for luxury or special occasion products. Starting in the 1970s consumers began to see daily use products with fragrance added. During the 1950s the use of fragrance in products increased ten-fold and by the 1980s the fragrance industry had doubled in size.

The products that contain fragrances are staggering when you think about the fact that consumers can find the anywhere from the expected such as candles, perfumes and bath products to the unexpected house hold products, pesticides and tobacco products and even cosmetics.

A person with fragrance allergies or sensitivities will have a reaction to a scent even if they are not wearing or using the product that is scented. Someone with a fragrance allergy can experience symptoms by simply standing in line next to someone wearing perfume, or scented hairspray. They can experience hives on their skin after wearing clothing washed in scented laundry detergent. They can also walk into someone else’s home and develop symptoms such as a headache or become nauseous because someone in the home is burning a scented candle.

Individuals with fragrance allergies may not even know that they are having symptoms as the symptoms can be those we do not normally associate with allergic reactions such as: having an inability to concentrate, and headaches (we may think they are just ordinary headaches). Some reactions can be severe such as those leading to breathing difficulties.

The fragrance industry is growing at an alarming rate such that there are approximately 5,000 different fragrances and a host of different combinations of these fragrances in the daily products we use. This can indeed all add up to a toxic brew if you happen to be allergic to fragrances as one does not necessarily have total control over being exposed to them.

We can be discriminating when it comes to purchasing products for our home by selecting unscented items but when it comes to public places like where we work, shop, eat, or go to school; there can be little we can do about our olfactory sensory overload (what we smell).

To the individual who is allergic to fragrances it is much like being forced to breath in secondary smoke. You dislike it intensely, but have little control over what others are doing. Scents are in the air, on fabrics, carpets, curtains and clothing; you really can’t get away from items that are scented when you want to.

Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they have eaten and wonder if they have a food allergy. In adults, the most common foods to cause an allergic reaction include shellfish, peanuts, fish, and eggs. Food normally does not provoke a response from the human immune system, the body’s defense again microbes and other threats to health. In food allergies, two parts of the immune response are involved. One is the production of an antibody called immunoglobulin that circulates in the blood. The other part is a type of cells which is called a mast cell. Mast cells occur in all body tissues, but especially in areas that are typical sites of allergic reactions. These areas include the nose, lungs, skin, throat, and gastrointestinal tract.

Most people inherit the ability to form immunoglobulin against food. Those more likely to develop allergies to food come from families in which allergies such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema are common. Food allergy patterns in adults differ somewhat from those in children. The most common foods to cause allergies in adults are lobster, crab, shrimp, and other shellfish. Peanuts are also one of the chief foods responsible for severe anaphylaxis, walnuts and other tree nuts, fish, and eggs. In children, milk, eggs, peanuts, soy and wheat are the main culprits. Children typically outgrow their allergies, but most adults do not lose theirs.

Currently, the only way to treat food allergies is to avoid the foods which trigger reactions. Even the most diligent label readers are likely to be inadvertently exposed to proteins that elicit an allergic response at some point. Anaphylactic allergic reactions can be fatal even when they begin with mild symptoms such as a tingling in the mouth and throat or gastrointestinal discomfort. Antihistamines and bronchodilators can be used to treat less severe symptoms. Food manufacturers and consumer groups are working with the Federal Drug Administration to increase public awareness of the seriousness of food allergen reactions and to ensure that allergens are appropriately labeled in food products.

Food allergy reactions can vary from person to person. Some reactions can be very mild and only involve one part of the body. Other reactions may be more severe and involve more than one part of the body. Reactions can occur within a few minutes or up to a few hours after contact with the food. A serious allergic reaction with widespread effects on the body is known as anaphylaxis. This sudden and potentially life threatening allergic reaction involves two or more body areas. In addition, there may also be swelling of the airway, serious difficulty with breathing, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and in some cases, even death. The primary caregiver will look for any other condition that could cause the symptoms. If the doctor suspects a food allergy, the patient will likely be referred to an allergy specialist, who will ask in depth questions, perform a physical exam, and perform tests to help make a diagnosis.

Allergy food treatment is a very serious affliction with very serious consequences.

Many food allergy victims suffer the most common symptom: swelling of the mouth and throat obstruction with difficulty in breathing normally.

Testing can be extremely difficult without a full knowledge of the food ingested by the afflicted. Treatment can only be implemented when fully convinced of the type of allergy.

There are four food reactions one should be aware of:

* The classic food allergy – let us take the classic fish/peanut allergy where the immediate effect can be seen with the swelling of the throat. Here the allergy food treatment requires adrenaline injections and oral resuscitation. Another such allergy is triggered by fruit and vegetables, such as apple, tomato, peach and celery; here almost the same phenomenon occurs with the allergy located in the mouth and throat.

* Food intolerance – this is caused due to enzyme deficiencies and other mechanisms that copy allergic reactions but do not involve the immune system. Here malabsorption may occur or adverse reaction to natural chemicals that food contains as well as allergy to food containing preservatives and colorants.

* Food toxicity – this is caused by contaminated (bacterial endotoxins) or poisoned food. These toxins may naturally exist in foods such as alkaloids in potatoes. A reaction takes place and the skin starts itching, rapid pulse as well as skin flushing occurs.

* Food aversion – where the person self induces the allergy, believing that a particular food gives him/her the allergy.

Food allergy treatment can only begin once you have determined what type of allergy you are suffering from. In order to get the right treatment in time, you must consult your doctor as soon to explain your reaction. Food allergy treatment can be crucial; the situation can quickly turn fatal with dire consequences.

Some potentially allergic foods in adults

* Tree nuts – Brazil nut, hazelnut, almonds, walnuts, pistachio, cashew etc.
* Fruit such as – peach, apple, strawberry etc.
* Vegetables such as – tomato, parsley, celery, potatoes etc.

Up to 15% of the general population has reported some sort of adverse food reaction. The general feeling amongst the common individuals is that doctors under diagnose and of course the doctors feel that they over diagnose. Some individuals just note having developed an adverse reaction with a particular food item and instead of seeking food allergy treatment they simply avoid the food without ever consulting a doctor.

Gluten allergy in kids refers to an intolerance and/or allergic reaction response to the protein gluten that is found in a variety of grains. It is important to identify gluten allergy in kids so that an effective dietary management plan can be put in place.

Gluten Allergy Basics

There seems to be some debate over what is and isn’t true gluten allergy in kids. Some professionals say that gluten allergy in kids is only an allergy where the classic immunoglobulin E antibody can be traced. Often, medical professionals will say that gluten allergy is the condition most commonly known as Celiac’s Disease or Celiac Sprue. But there is little point in arguing over the semantics because in the end the result is the same-the child’s body reacts to the gluten protein in such a way as to cause mild, moderate, and serious food allergy symptoms.

Gluten allergy in kids is particularly concerning because it affects the ability of the intestines to function properly and absorb much-needed vitamins and nutrients in the body. Gluten allergy in kids causes allergic reactions that eventually cause irritation in the small intestine and destruction of the intestinal lining. Once the intestinal lining is damaged by a child’s gluten allergy, the body can no longer effectively process foods and loses its ability to absorb vital food elements. In turn, this causes poor health, gastrointestinal problems, and malnutrition.

These symptoms are often the exact symptoms that lead to evaluation and diagnosis of gluten allergy in kids. Children stop growing at an acceptable rate, lose weight, and become generally unhealthy. In addition, a host of other symptoms may emerge, such as

* Diarrhea

* Frequent fatigue

* Weakness

* Gassiness

* Cramps

* Abdominal pain

* Appetite loss

* Bloating of the abdomen

Eventually, other parts of the body may come to be affected, including the bones, organs, blood, and reproductive and nervous systems. It is now believed that gluten allergy in kids can also cause headaches, mood disorders, and depression.

The Key To Living With Celiac Disease Or Gluten Allergy

Following diagnosis, the one key to ongoing maintenance of gluten allergy in kids, the one key to living well and maintaining a healthy diet, is to seek the services of a qualified dietician. A dietician or nutritionist is an expert who can help eliminate all of the offending foods from the diet of kids with gluten allergies and replace them with healthy foods that will not cause allergic reaction or damage to the digestive track.

Since gluten is found in the four major grains and grain flours-wheat, barley, oats, and rye-it is very difficult to remove from the diet, and very difficult to remove it without seriously affecting the child’s good nutrition. A nutritionist or dietician will help parents of kids with gluten allergy

* Identify foods that contain gluten

* Identify food products that contain gluten, even those that are unexpected

* Identify foods that are safe for kids with gluten allergies

* Learn what kids with gluten allergies need to be cautious of in regards to malnutrition and vitamin, mineral, and essential food element loss

* Learn about cross-contamination

* Learn how and where to buy safe foods that are free of gluten and gluten cross-contamination

* Learn where to go for information and support

* Learn how to read food labels

* Learn how to eat in public, and how to order gluten-free foods in a restaurant

* Give parents gluten-free recipes

* Be an informational resource for kids and parents dealing with gluten allergy

If the work of a dietician helping a family to manage a gluten allergy sounds complex, it is. Over time, though, living with a gluten allergy takes on a sort of second nature, and the child, the parents, and other household members learn how to live seamlessly at home, in school, and in public with a gluten allergy.

Air filters are very useful in preventing various diseases caused due to airborne particles. Hay fever is a very common form of allergy caused due to pollen grains suspended in the air along with the dust particles. Allergy is caused when the immune system starts responding to substances, which are not harmful to other people in general. Pollen grains are one such substance, which can lead to allergy and cause hay fever. The symptoms of hay fever are like sneezing, runny nose, itchy throats, postnasal drainage and many more. The pollen grains causing hay fever are generally from the plants which are wind pollinated because the pollen grains of the wind pollinated plants are very light in weight. These pollen grains are very tiny in size and are invisible to naked eyes. Thus pollen grains should be avoided and to do this air filters are very effective tool.

Usage of air filters

Air filters are devices, which remove contaminants, which are often solid particulates such as dust, pollen grains, molds and bacteria from the air. They are used in places where the quality of the air is of prime importance. The places where it is generally used are internal combustion engines, gas compressors, ventilation systems and many other places. Various materials like paper, foam, synthetics and cotton are used to filter the air. The incoming air is being subjected to the thin sheet of the air filters. Due to the nature of the material of the air filters the solid particulate materials get stuck to the air filters and the clean air passes through the air filters. Thus they are very useful in ensuring clean air.

Types of air filters

There are five main types of air filters. First are the papers filters, they are generally used in the automobiles because they are inexpensive and disposable. Next are the synthetics air filters. These filters are made of polyester fibers, which are formed into a web for the purpose of air filtration. Due to their high temperature rating they are widely used in the industrial, commercial and residential purpose. Then there are foam filters, which are often used. Then there is cotton which is regarded as the best material for air filtration because the holes in the cotton mesh are comparatively loosened to ensure high air flow and due to its nature like impaction and diffusion it can hold solid particulates much smaller than the actual holes. The last one is the oil bath filter where rows of brushes are arranged in a cylindrical shape to filter the incoming air.

Thus air filters can be very useful to prevent the dust particles and the pollen grains coming along with the incoming air to cause damage to the health.

Not only vampires are allergic to the sun. Although we don’t often hear cases of sun allergies in the country, this type of allergy is actually common. In most cases, people who have mild sun allergies do not even realize that they have this type of allergies. In most cases, people who have a mild case of this type of allergy would think that they are suffering from sunburns after spending a short period of time under the sun.

Understanding Sun Allergies

Sun allergies can be attributed to the immune system reaction to sunlight. There are some people whose immune systems have problems coping with excessive sunlight that they end with itchy red rashes after spending a few minutes under the sun. In most cases, the itchy red rashes appear at the back of the hands, the surface of arms and legs and in the neck area.

These itchy red patches usually go away after a couple of days so there is really no need to be alarmed over the situation. There is no need to rush to the hospital and demand for treatment or something. Just buy some over the counter anti allergy lotion or cream and spread it on the affected area. A nice warm bath can also help sooth the itchiness away. Do not scratch the itchy skin to avoid causing more damage.

On the other hand, although most people who suffer from sun allergies do not really develop severe symptoms, some people do develop small blisters and hives not only in the skin areas that are exposed to the sun but also in those areas which are clothed. In cases like these, it would be better to see a doctor before you put something on your raw skin.

Yes, over the counter creams and medicated lotion may work but it is always better to be safe. Note that blisters and hives can become infected so be sure to get medical help before you develop something serious. Besides, you do not really want to cause more damage to your skin. Always remember that damages skin on your legs and arms can look really ugly.

For people who have the tendencies to develop severe reactions to the sun, it is not really safe to do some sun bathing even for just a few minutes. People with sun allergies who need to work outdoors must wear protective clothing and sun block to minimize the effect of sunlight on their skin.

Dogs are like humans in that they also suffer from allergies. The most common symptom of dog allergies is itching, but the respiratory tract may also be affected, which could lead to coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. There are also cases where the eyes and the nose are affected by dog allergies, developing a discharge, or the digestive system becomes troubled, causing vomiting or diarrhea.

In the United States, approximately 20% of dogs suffer some type of allergy, including atopic dermatitis, flea allergy, food allergy, inhalant allergy, contact allergy, or bacterial allergy. These dog allergies differ in their symptoms and treatment used. Below are brief discussions of each of these dog allergies.

Atopic Dermatitis

One of the many dog allergies is known as canine atopic dermatitis. The condition is caused by the dog’s immune system hypersensitivity to common substances in the environment, like dust mites or molds.

Atopic dermatitis usually occurs during the first two years of a dog’s life. One of the veritable first signs of this type of dog allergies is excessive grooming, with licking or chewing of the paws, abdomen, and hind quarters. You can also check the following areas for signs:

Ears to see if they are reddened and hot to the touch
Armpits, between the toes of the paws, and groin
Saliva to see if there’s staining
Abdomen to see if it changes color from a pinkish to angry red or black mottling (chronic cases only)

Flea Allergy

Out of all dog allergies, flea allergy dermatitis is the most common. The allergy is actually caused, not by the flea itself, but by their saliva, which causes the allergic reaction. Symptoms may be reduced through strict flea control regimen, but you should be careful that the flea preparations used are not harmful to the dog.

Inhalant Allergy

Dogs, like humans, may also be allergic to pollens (tree, grass, and weed), dust mites, molds, and chemicals. Inhalant dog allergies are typically caused by any or all of these environmental factors.

Pure bred or mutts can acquire inhalant allergies, but there are certain breeds that are especially susceptible to react:

Terriers (especially the West Highland white terrier, Skye terrier, Scottish terrier, and Boston terrier)
Golden retrievers
Poodles
Dalmatians
German shepherds
Chinese shar-peis
Shih tzus
Ihasa apsos
Pugs
Irish setters
Miniature schnauzers

This type of dog allergies exhibit symptoms like scratching, biting, chewing at the feet and constant licking.

Food Allergy

Dogs can become allergic to food they’ve been eating for years. That’s why many people overlook the possibility of a food allergy. Unlike other common dog allergies, food allergy only accounts for 10 percent of allergy problems in dogs. The foods that dogs often cannot tolerate include:

Soy products
Wheat
Corn
Beef
Pork
Chicken
Milk
Whey
Eggs
Fish
Chemical preservatives
Artificial sugars

There are several other dog allergies, of course, that it’s nearly impossible to name all of them. For more information on the symptoms and what you can do to help your dog, contact your local veterinarian for some advice.

A lot of people who suffer from sinusitis say that the condition is a huge pain in the…nose. It hurts. It reduces your energy. It can cause mental fog. It interferes with sleep. It can dull your senses, make you hoarse, give you bad breath. It can do a lot of things, actually, except give you relief.

But what exactly is sinusitis and how is it related to allergy? Are there ways for you to get allergy and sinus relief?

Read below for a brief discussion on the two conditions.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. Your sinuses are those hollow areas somewhere under the bridge of your nose where the air you breathe passes through. With the onset of a bacterial infection, your sinuses get irritated, causing an inflammation that can last from a few days to longer than three months.

If your sinusitis is the longer-lasting type, then the condition is chronic. Chronic sinusitis is often preceded by a cold, flu, or allergy attack, which inflames the sinus membranes and blocks the sinuses’ drainage openings. As mucus collects, because of the blockage, bacteria find themselves good ground for breeding.

What is allergy?

An allergy is the result of a hypersensitive immune system. When a foreign substance enters the body, the immune system thinks that it is harmful and so starts building up antibodies to combat it. So, the next time the same substance is granted entrance, the body will have a way to “protect” itself. The problem with an allergic reaction is that the immune system produces antibodies en masse, often far too much than what is really required. As a result, the body reacts, thus causing the symptoms of allergies, such as nasal congestion, respiratory swelling, itches, rashes, difficulty breathing, and even fatal anaphylaxis.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of both sinusitis and allergy are often similar. That’s why diagnosis of either condition can be quite tricky. Sinusitis, however, is more often accompanied by facial pressure or pain, particularly when bending over, thick yellow or green mucus rather than clear or whitish mucus, and post-nasal drip, particularly at night, leading to a sore throat. In addition, chronic sinusitis can last longer than allergic reactions. For more information, check with your ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) doctor.

Allergy and Sinus Relief

Because allergy and sinusitis have more or less the same symptoms, the same treatment can be used for both. The purpose of allergy and sinus relief often is not to treat the condition itself but to alleviate the symptoms. Below are our top picks of products that offer allergy and sinus relief:

Nasal/Sinus Irrigation Systems

If you’re looking for a therapeutic measure to provide you with allergy and sinus relief, then try nasal/sinus irrigation systems. They are soothing, drug-free device designed to relieve symptoms caused by sinus infections, allergies, and even the common cold. This allergy and sinus relief device helps reduce:

Post nasal drip
Cough
Congestion
Sinus headaches
Irritated nasal passages

Nasal Spray

Have you noticed how it can be very difficult for you to breathe when suffering from an allergy or sinusitis? Nasal sprays are the perfect allergy and sinus relief products to help ease your breathing. The device is formulated to approximate the body’s natural salinity and electrolyte composition.

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.