Everything Allergy

I am a 26 year old female with long history of allergies. I have been told that a chiropractor can help me cure this agonizing problem. Any thoughts?

2011-03-05T11:51:00.001-08:00

To put things into perspective; chiropractors are not doctors, they do not prescribe and have little formal training in clinical medicine. Chiropractors manipulate joints, massage muscle and muck around with the bones. Allergies occur when the body reacts intensely to a foreign item, which may be food, pollen, dust, mites or smoke. Allergies involves the immune system, skin and the airways.

When the allergen comes into contact with the immune system, there is a cascade of event that take place and most of this communication involves an interaction between various cells and organs of your body. No amount of manipulation of your body from the outside can affect these tiny cells and their reactions. How is manipulation of your nose, eyes, or skin going to treat or prevent your allergies? If you have any common sense, you should avoid going to people who know very little about the disease. So save your money; go and see a bona fide doctor who specializes in allergies.

Unfortunately, many of these so called allergy doctors go to the other extreme and start performing unnecessary tests and want to give you shots which do jack shit.

I have terrible allergies and my doctor gave me a prescription of cyproheptadine. Is this a good medication?

2011-01-31T15:08:00.001-08:00

If ever a medicine sucked for allergies, then it has to be cyproheptadine. If you doctor gave you a script of this medication, it means you are getting second-rate medical care from a buffoon. Cyproheptadine is one of the oldest drugs in medicine and is almost never prescribed today.

The drug is classified as an anti-histamine and it is unlikely that any doctor trained in the modern era of medicine would ever prescribe it, unless he owns the pharmaceutical company. The drug has many side effects and it is most likely that that the pharmacy is trying to get rid of its supplies from the 1950s.

If you have allergies, you first need to change your doctor and then seek an allergy specialist. Ask for a second generation anti histamine.

I am allergic to latex. Are there any non latex condoms available?

2011-01-08T19:53:00.001-08:00

Sure, there is a big industry making everything non-latex these days and condoms are a big part of the business. For decades no one complained about latex condoms but in the last decade many reports about allergy to latex have cropped up. Non-latex condoms are available for those who have allergy and are just a wee bit more expensive. The studies so far have shown that that non-latex condoms do not work as well as the latex condoms in preventing pregnancy. The non-latex condoms are also more prone to breakdowns from small perforations. However, most consumers prefer the non-latex variety because they feel natural and have a certain eroticism.

What can I do at home to relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?

2010-12-26T16:49:00.001-08:00

The first thing you should do is avoid the allergen. At home you should apply cool compresses to your eyes several times a day.

If your conjunctivitis is from a bacteria or a virus, then you may need to apply a warm compress. If only one eye is affected, try not to use the same cloth or touch the unaffected eye. Conjunctivitis can easily spread to the other eye.
There are many over the counter eye drops that can help relieve the eye redness and irritation. Some of these drops contain anti histamines that can help reduce the tearing and the scratchy feeling in the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, you must stop wearing them until the eye symptoms have disappeared. In most cases, you may need to throw away your disposable contact lenses as well as the cleaning solutions and Vial. If your contact lenses are not disposable, they should be cleaned with a special solution before re-use

How should I treat my allergic conjunctivitis?

2010-12-26T16:45:00.001-08:00

There are a number of anti allergy eye drops available for allergic conjunctivitis. The most common medications used to treat allergic conjunctivitis are the anti histamines.

In addition, most people with recurrent allergic conjunctivitis also require decongestants, steroids and some type of non anti inflammatory drugs. However the best way to treat your allergic conjunctivitis is to prevent it in the first place. This means avoiding whatever is causing your allergy.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this very annoying problem. The majority of drugs either do not work or have terrible side effects. You may want to try Intal or Zafirlukast, which are prescription medications used to prevent allergic attacks.

Can one develop allergy to an IUD?

2010-11-25T04:38:00.000-08:00

Sure, some women do develop an allergy to an IUD, but the allergy is usually to the copper, which is part of the device. To check for copper allergy one can have a simple skin test at the doctor’s office. Of if, you want to save money, just apply a piece of copper jewelry on your skin for a few days and see what happens. In most cases, if you are allergic, the skin will go red and will become itchy. Today, there are IUDs available that do not contain copper.

Transmitting peanut allergy during pregnancy!

2010-11-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

Why so many children are developing peanut allergy has become a mystery. At least 6% of children under the age of 3 suffer from some type of food allergy. Approximately 2% of these children are allergic to peanuts. What has become worrisome is that the numbers of children with peanut allergies has grown exponentially in the last 2 decades. How young children become sensitized to peanuts so early and what is the source of this allergy are two questions that have never been adequately answered.

Now there is some evidence that perhaps the allergy to peanut may have its roots in pregnancy. A recent study led by Dr Scott Sicherer at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York suggests that that there is a strong link between pregnancy and this common skin disorder. Dr Sicherer discovered that infants, who had signs of allergies to milk and egg at a young age, also had higher levels of antibodies to peanuts especially when the mother ate many peanuts during pregnancy.

Dr Sicherer and his group focused on babies who reacted to milk and eggs because these children are also likely to have peanut allergy.

Dr Sicherer did point out that just having high levels of antibody to peanuts does not directly suggest allergy to peanuts but it is strong sign that there is a greater risk of developing allergy in the near future.

This study has now opened up a Pandora’s Box. Should pregnant mothers now watch their diet to reduce the risk of allergies in their children?

In the past the America Academy of Pediatrics has been fluctuating in its advice for mothers-to-be regarding food allergies and diet. Most pediatric physicians have advised women with a history of food allergies to avoid highly allergenic foods such as peanuts during pregnancy. This belief is based on the hypothesis that if the mothers eat less allergenic foods, the infant will have a reduced chance of developing allergies to foods.

So should mothers start stop eating peanut? Dr Sicherer says not yet because there have been no follow up studies on these infants to determine if they actually develop allergies to peanut. There are also some experts who believe that the increased allergies may be related to the environment and not to the peanuts as such. Some allergy experts believe that newborns are now begin exposed to much more cleaner environments after birth and somehow the body reacts more intensely to foreign protein such as food under the erroneous mistaken that these are harmful toxins.

To further complicate matters there is also evidence that suggests that gradually exposing peanut allergic infants to increasing amounts of peanuts may be a way to desensitize them. So for the moment, there is no solid evidence to advise mothers one way or the other about eating peanuts. However, common sense suggests that one should be cautious about exposing the fetus to allergenic foods, especially if there is a family history.

Finally a pill for hay fever?

2010-02-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

A recent study from England shows that a pill may substitute for allergy shots in people who want to stop allergies.

The drug called Grazax is prescription medication in Europe and is approved for the treatment of allergies to grass pollen

Grazax is an alternative to allergy shots. Allergy shots or immunotherapy are often given to people whose medications do not control symptoms. The aim of allergy shots is to desensitize the immune system to the allergen. The allergen shots are given in a series for a few months. The shots do not cure the allergy but lessen the symptoms. Most people do not like the allergy shots because of the expense, inconvenience and discomfort. In the USA, many physicians make a living out of giving patients unnecessary allergy shots. Overall less than 10% of individuals benefit from these shots.

Grazax contains a tiny amount of grass pollen extract and is placed underneath the tongue. The drug is taken daily for several months and needs to be continued for several years.

In the British study, researchers noticed that individuals who took Grazax had fewer hay fever symptoms and needed to use less anti histamines or other allergy medications. The only side effects were itching, throat irritation and swelling around the mouth in 15 percent of patients.

So is Grazax the panacea for individuals who have hay fever?

Absolutely NOT. Read below

Final point: the researchers in the above had received funding from the maker of the pill and this makes all the results useless. Lately it has become clear that the majority of scientists who perform research studies and are paid by the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the pill and as always the results are always positive. Pharmaceutical companies have in recent years been found guilty of paying scientists who never report any negative results and make it sound that the drug is excellent. In fact more data indicate that most drug company sponsored research is bogus.

So for the time being, if you have allergy, stick to the anti histamines and bear with the symptoms.

Is Zyrtec good for my allergies?

2009-06-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Zyrtec is a second generation anti histamine pill and very effective for the treatment of allergies and related problems. It is also sold as Cetrizine. The drug acts by blocking histamine and thus reduces symptoms of allergy. Zyrtec is indicated for both adults and children 6 months or older to relieve symptoms caused by allergies, hay fever, and rhinitis. Individuals who take Zyrtec immediately obtain relief from a runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy nose, or sneezing.

Zyrtec is available in various formulation including tablet, capsules and liquid. There are also some formulations that combine Zyrtec with a decongestant (Zyrtec D).

Zyrtec is generally well tolerated and serious side effects are very rare. The most common side effects include anxiety and lack of sleep. In some elderly individuals, Zyrtec may cause lowering of blood pressure, lightheadedness, and sedation. Urinary retention, dry mouth, and headaches may also occur in some individuals.

Even though Zyrtec is a safe drug, it is not recommend for women who are pregnant or those who are breast-feeding.

Overall, most of these side effects are short lived and the drug is well tolerated.

Zyrtec is available as a 5 mg and 10 mg tablet. Zyrtec D contains 5 mg of Cetrizine and 120 mg of pseudoephedrine.

Unlike many other anti histamines, Zyrtec tends to work a lot faster and does not cause any sedation. Zyrtec is a good first line drug for the treatment of both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. Its effects may last up to 24 hours.

One should always start on the 5 mg pill. Remember, the higher the dose, the more chance of developing side effects, like sedation.

The patent on Zyrtec has expired and the pill is available over the counter.

On average, the cost of Zyrtec or Cetrizine ranges from $20-$30 for 90 tablets. For allergy sufferers this will help you get by 3 months of the allergy season.

Another option is Claritin, which is also just as effective as Zyrtec, does not cause sedation, and is also cheaper. Today, it is the rare patient who needs a prescription to buy expensive anti allergy medications. Just because the newer anti histamines are more expensive does not mean they are more effective.

For more information on allergy supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com

Can cooking oil worsen my allergy?

2009-04-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Summer season is not far and all allergy sufferers who barbecue, deep fry or eat oily foods- take note. Many individuals wonder if use any particular type of cooking oil makes a difference in their allergies. First of all, all the oils are made of fat. Allergies are generally due to proteins. However, there are some oils that are also made from peanuts, grape seed, coconut, or other nuts. There has not been enough research to determine if the (protein) peanut content in these oils is high enough to worsen allergy. As a precaution, individuals who are allergic to peanuts, nuts, or coconuts should avoid such oils.

There are also more processed oils that are often sold in health food stores with terms like “Extruded” or “Cold Pressed” on the labels. These oils tend to have more protein and should also be avoided.

The safest oils for an allergy sufferer are sunflower, safflower, olive, corn, or canola. All these oils also contain a fair amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are important in decreasing cholesterol and heart disease. Moreover, there are many other benefits of these fatty acids. Which of these oils tastes better is a universal argument. All these oils taste the same- the taste is only better in the head.

All consumers should know that saturated oils are the ones that should be avoided. Despite the fact that olive oil and sunflower seed oils contain a lot of omega 3 fatty acids and can help reduce cholesterol, excess consumption of these oils can lead to weight gain. There are many others ways to obtain supplements of omega 3 fatty acids, and excess use of these oils is not one of them. Finally, instead of deep-frying, grill or bake your foods. The oil content will be less, the food will taste better, and you will be safe from both allergies and calories.