Grass allergy is one of the most common and prevalent form of allergy that affects people with histories of it during certain seasons.
Grass allergy normally occurs all throughout the spring season and during the onset or ending of the summer season. Grass allergy is somehow directly linked to hay fever, because their symptoms and causes are somehow similar to each other.
Grass allergy can also take the form of an inhalant kind of allergy similar to asthma. It is noted that in the United States alone, about 30% of overall yearly allergy reported or recorded is in the form of grass allergy.
Grass allergy is caused by an allergen that invokes discomforting reaction upon body contact.
Cause of grass allergy
The most usual allergen or substance that cause or triggers grass allergy is pollen. Pollens are very tiny and small particles of ovulation structures owned by plants.
During your primary education and even in your previous Biology classes, you have encountered the word pollen on subjects related to the proliferation or reproduction of plants’ flowers.
Take note that pollens are so tiny and light that they can stick to the tiny feet of butterflies. Pollens are most of the time flying or are carried out in the air especially during summer and spring when trees, flowers, and mostly, grass pollinate.
Because pollens are so light weight and they are carried over through the air, people can inhale them. Inhaling pollen can cause or trigger adverse reactions to the person.
Symptoms of grass allergy
Manifestations that indicate the onset of grass allergy are usually identified with breathing disorders.
The most common symptom of grass allergy is severe or constant dry cough. Usually these cough will occur with sore throat. It can never be mistaken for a common viral colds or cough.
The person with grass allergy also experiences difficulty in breathing. It s because the air passages are narrowed or constricted as a result of the body’s defense mechanism against grass pollen.
It can be noted that since the air passage constriction is a body defense mechanism, it is not dangerous. The danger occurs when the person experiencing it panics and feel a thriving discomfort.
Itchiness which can appear in several areas of the body can also occur at the onset of a grass allergy attack.
In rare occasions, fever can also be detected. However, in such occurrences, immediate help from doctors and medical practitioners should be sought to detect the presence of complications.
Fevers indicate the presence of viral and bacterial attacks in the body and should therefore be immediately attended at to avoid further complications.
Treatment and prevention of grass allergy
The most effective treatment for grass allergy is also its most potent prevention. That is, to avoid the grass allergy causing allergens, which are usually grass pollen.
To avoid exposure to grass pollen or the possibility of grass pollen inhalation, people with histories are advised to stay indoors especially during summer and spring when grass pollens are carried out in the open air.
Doctors also advise such people to install a working air conditioner in their home and room to make sure the ventilation is good and the probability of air contamination with grass pollen is reduced.
Otherwise, medications are available both through prescription and over the counter. Allergy shots can immediately relieve and soothe the symptoms. Antihistamines are also usually prescribed to curtail grass allergy development among patients.
—————————————-
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR’S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
—————————————–
Archive
Posts Tagged ‘Allergen’
Jan
23
Jan
10
In the last few years, there have been emergent concerns about the allergic potential and the toxicity of a lot of raw materials used in fragrances. The issue is pretty sensitive; however any chemical taken in large amounts would harm you. As a matter of fact, the doses of chemicals in colognes or perfumes are not little. Any perfume or cologne contains a mixture of natural raw and synthetic materials. Perfume materials are not drugs or toxins, however since you would be spraying only 10 milligrams of cologne on your body; it would act as a routine cleanser on the skin.
Every substance can potentially become an allergen. Generally, if you are exposed to one chemical for longer periods of time, there are chances that you may develop an allergy. As far as perfumes or colognes are concerned, some amount of strong-smelling molecules are used which can trigger allergies in some individuals. There are many who suffer from severe respiratory allergies that can obstruct the airways and may perhaps be life-threatening. For such people, it would be suggestive to carry a list of known allergens while shopping for their perfume. In case it turns out to be too late and you have already come in contact with the allergen, then you must take appropriate steps to remove the allergen as soon as possible.
Some people develop some kind of skin rash after applying a specific perfume or cologne. In case if you wish to stay free from allergens then you may apply the fragrance on the fabric instead of applying it directly on your skin. Headaches are often a common reaction by individuals who are exposed to an increased amount of fragrance. There are special cases where people may be sensitive to the slightest amount of fragrance. It would be suggestive to keep these people away from all kinds of cologne or perfume.
Sep
08
The immune system is composed of many different organs, cells, and molecules. During an allergic reaction, the white blood cells, including T-helper cells, B-cells (which produce antibodies), and accessory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells, are involved. Antibodies are protein-based structures that bind to allergens, which are also often proteins or protein fragments themselves. The antibody that is the cause of all classic allergic reactions is IgE (Immunoglobulin E). IgE’s normal function is to fight parasites in the human body. This may be a main reason why people in developed countries tend to have more allergies than people in developing countries: the environment of developed countries is relatively parasite-free, and thus “too clean”. One of the emerging theories is that: the IgE antibodies in humans, who live in developed countries, have nothing to fight against except foreign substances in the body, such as pollen, food, and certain drugs.
During the first exposure to an allergen, B-cell bound IgE antibodies that are specific to the allergen bind to it, which then triggers a change in the B-cell to make more IgE antibodies specific to that allergen. Some of these allergen-specific antibodies end up binding to another immune cell called a mast cell, which contains large amounts of the inflammatory hormone histamine. Mast cells are found both in mucous membranes, such as on the mouth and lungs, and also in connective tissue. However, during the first immune reaction, the IgE antibodies will simply bind on the surface of mast cells and sit there, waiting for the second round of allergen to bind to the antibody on its surface. When a second allergen exposure occurs, the immune system is ready for the threat: the allergen will bind to IgE antibody on the mast cells, which then are programmed to release inflammatory molecules, including histamine. Histamine is a main cause of allergic symptoms.
The four common allergic reactions are: food allergies, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and rhinitis, or hay fever (1); the two main topics in this article will focus on food allergies and bronchial asthma. Only about 1% of Americans have a true food allergy (2), but they can be a serious problem for those who have them. As the Roman Lucretius said in 50 B.C. “What is food to one person may be bitter poison to others”. This saying has later evolved into the more current one: One man’s food is another man’s poison. The most common food allergens are: eggs, wheat, and cow’s milk. Yeast and yeast-containing products, pork, beef, and corn are also common allergens.
Allergy to pork and beef may actually be sensitivity to the inflammatory fats in those foods. There could also often be a sensitivity to additives in the foods above, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartate and/or phenylalanine (Nutrasweet), nitrates and nitrites, or sulfates and sulfites. In addition some foods and drinks such as strawberries, chocolate and coffee may not be true allergens, but may contain a good amount of the inflammatory hormone histamine. Foods and drinks like those mentioned above may also contain chemicals that trigger histamine release in the body through non-traditional allergic pathways. Interestingly, alcoholism may be linked with food allergies (3). There are several theories for the origins of chemical sensitivity, including: enzyme damage and/or depletion, pollution, immune-system-mediated damage, yeast overgrowth (candidiasis), chronic inflammation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and sensitization of key parts of the nervous system (4).
Allergies may also be worsened by incomplete digestion of food, particularly protein. Normally, proteins are digested in the stomach into very small chains of amino acids, which are further degraded into individual amino acids in the small intestine. The amino acids are then absorbed in to the bloodstream. The immune system does not react against individual amino acids. In fact, the smallest amino acid chain (called a peptide) that can be recognized by an antibody are three linked amino acids. However, incomplete digestion in the stomach and small intestine may not be able to break down all proteins into individual amino acids. If there is any “leakiness” in the wall of the small intestine, some of the small peptides could enter the bloodstream later. Since the immune system is not trained to recognize these food peptides as harmless, it may initiate an allergic reaction against them. The above sequence of events is termed the “leaky gut syndrome” by holistic practitioners. Yeast may also contribute to leaky gut syndrome, since they can assume a mycelium form that can branch out into the intestinal walls (4).
If you suspect a food allergy, you can test for it at home. Take your resting pulse before a meal by putting your index and middle finger on the side of your other wrist. Look at a clock and count the pulse beats in one minute. Eat a small portion of the suspected food, wait twenty minutes, then take your pulse again for one minute. If your resting pulse has rose more than ten beats per minute, you are probably allergic to at least one of the ingredients in your last meal. Food allergy testing can also be done by eliminating a suspect food for several days or weeks, then reintroducing the food and observing any reactions. This technique is relatively safe, but may take a long time to complete, since only one type of food at a time can be reintroduced. A food rotation diet can also be tried, where foods that cause only mild to moderate reactions are eaten only once every 3-4 days. This allows the body and the immune system to recover somewhat between offending foods. I personally do not food rotation diets, unless the person has too restricted of a diet and must eat some allergenic foods.
Technologically speaking, conventional allergy testing is in many ways still in the stone age. The two main types of allergy tests are the skin test and the blood test. Skin tests may be more accurate than blood tests. However, a control for the skin test is often phenol, which is a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical. Inhalation tests with the irritant Methacholine can determine how reactive a person’s airways are. Not only can this chemical induce asthma and related breathing problems, it can also be fatal. Some conventional allergy treatments can also be dangerous. Desensitization treatments involve either oral or injected allergens to hopefully produce a tolerance to the allergen. Unfortunately, desensitization therapy has also caused fatalities.
There are many different nutrients that can help relieve allergies and asthma. Vitamin C indirectly inhibits mast cells from releasing histamine (5). The bioflavonoid quercetin has antihistamine activity, but it is not easily absorbed (6). A magnesium deficiency can aggravate allergies (6). Unfortunately, many allergy medications lower magnesium levels (7). Some nutritionists and doctors believe that taking vitamin B3 (niacin) is useful for people with allergies. Niacin releases histamine, often causing a reddened facial flush soon after the vitamin is ingested. Repeated dosing with niacin may eventually lower the body’s stores of histamine. In theory, this may then lower the intensity of any allergic reaction in the future (3). The above natural therapies have obvious advantages over many of the synthetic antihistamines on the market, such as Benadryl. One study found that driving after taking the first-generation antihistamine Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can cause impairment equivalent to driving drunk (2).
There is a theory of cerebral allergies, in which allergens cross the blood-brain barrier. The resulting allergic reactions can such symptoms such as: headache, anxiety, dizziness, and depression (3). Since children do not have a completely formed blood-brain barrier, they may be particularly susceptible to cerebral allergies. This may lead to behavioral problems and inability to cope with stress (8). In fact, one of the most important things a person with allergies can do is avoid stress. Stress itself can cause the internal release of histamine (9).
Many inhaled allergens cause symptoms of coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. These are symptoms of bronchial asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children (2). About 30% of asthma is caused by non-immune reactions, including: cold, drugs, and even exercise (1). Antihistamines are not used to treat asthma (asthma is usually treated with either steroids or stimulants). Many people take bronchodilators to open up their airways during an episode of asthma; however, this is increasingly being discouraged. Overuse of bronchodilators can cause desensitization of the drug receptors (drug tolerance), which means a person must use more and more of the inhaler to get the same airway-opening effect. In some cases, when a person really needs the bronchodilator to work, it may not, and the person can die. In fact, asthmatics who frequently use bronchodilators are 2 ½ times as likely to die from an asthma attack as asthmatics that don’t use a bronchodilator (10). As you have read from the information above, there are many natural alternatives for drug use to control allergies and asthma. A person with allergies and/or asthma has to work hard to find the sources of their condition, but in the end it is worth their time and effort.
References:
1 Abbas, A., Lichtman, A. & Pober, J. Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 4th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.
2 Litin, S., ed. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Books, 2003.
3 Haas, E. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1992.
4 Gibson, P. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2000.
5 Nandi, B., Subramanian, N., Majumder, A., & Chatterjee, I. (1974). Effect of ascorbic acid on detoxification of histamine under stress conditions. Biochemical Pharmacology, 23, 643-647.
6 Feinstein, A. Healing with vitamins. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, Inc., 1996.
7 Reavley, N. The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs. New York, NY: M. Evan & Co., 1998.
8 Calam, R., et. al. (2003). Childhood asthma, behavior problems, and family functioning. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 112, 499-504.
9 Brown, R., Stevens, D., & Haas, H. (2001). The physiology of brain histamine. Progress in Neurobiology, 63, 637-672.
10 Vayda, W. Attack Asthma: How to Conquer Environmental Illnesses and Allergies Without Drugs. Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Griffin Paperbacks, 1994.
Jun
15
Your skin is the first thing people see when they look at you. Even when you meet someone it is common to shake their hand in greeting in the United States. Skin allergies can affect that first impression. If you don’t suffer from skin allergies you may think of it as a cosmetic problem but anyone who has them knows that a skin allergy can be very uncomfortable and at times painful.
Some people may not realize that the skin is the largest organ that we have. We all want to take good care of our skin even though it can be challenging at times even when you don’t have skin allergies. We want our skin to look healthy, radiant and smooth. Unfortunately, many live day in day out with a variety of skin disorders usually caused by allergic reactions. There is hope for managing these allergies. The key is to be informed.
What Can Cause a Skin Allergy?
Here is a list of some typical triggers that cause a skin allergy:
*Chemical Household Cleaners
*Latex
*A Variety of Foods
*Pollen
*Dust
Chemical Household Cleaners: These cleaners have strong chemicals that are very harsh. If you are not wearing gloves the chemicals can not only cause rashes but they can even cause burns. I was cleaning my grill yesterday with an oven cleaner and thought I could get away with not using gloves. I was mistaken since I burned my thumb. Skin allergies are also known as allergic contact dermatitis because they generally surface when you come into contact with the allergen line the cleaners in this instance.
If you are affected by this type of skin allergy there are alternative natural cleaning products that you can use if you have been highly sensitive to these types of products. These products are made of less toxic and less harmful materials.
Latex: This material can cause skin allergies as well. Those who wear latex gloves may be sensitive to the latex that is used when these gloves are manufactured. When the latex comes in contact with the skin rashes, bumps, and other reactions can occur. You may also experience severe itching.
There are other gloves that are manufactured that do not have latex. Nowadays daycare and childcare facilities are really on top of allergies. They ask questions about your children’s allergies including latex since these facilities use gloves to keep from spreading germs when they change the children’s diapers.
Variety of Foods: Food sensitivities or intolerance can cause skin allergies. Unfortunately they are hard to diagnose because of the delayed reaction most people experience. Hives can occur rapidly after a certain food has been eaten. Some may be surprised to know that eczema can develop if a food is continually eaten. Eczema is a common skin disorder that has been linked to not only allergies but asthma as well.
Infants and children can develop reactions to dairy but older people can be affected as well. The person is usually reacting to the protein in the milk itself called casein. This reaction causes underlying skin irritations such as dermatitis and rashes. Wheat , citrus, peanuts, and eggs are other foods that can cause skin allergies to erupt.
Pollen and dust can also cause skin allergies but they are commonly known more for reactions affecting your breathink like wheezing, congestion and coughing.
Can Skin Allergies be Treated?
There are a variety of treatment options for treating these skin reactions. Doctors can prescribe certain creams and lotions that can reduce the inflammation or get rid of the rashes and itching. You may also want to consider natural or alternative treatments as well. Keep in mind once you identify your allergy you should do your best to avoid what causes your skin allergy.
May
24
Many people do not think that young children can have allergies as doctors at one time believed since the nasal cavities are not completely developed then allergy problems should not exist.
Today, we now know allergic rhinitis is one of the most chronic childhood diseases. The main reason some children have allergies and some do not, comes down to heredity. If only one parent has allergies their children have a 30% to 50% percent chance of developing allergies and if cases where both parents have allergies the percentage goes up to 60% to 80%.
The most common allergy seen in both infants and children is an allergy to cows milk protein. This usually happens during the first year. Before a child can develop an allergy, he or she must first be exposed to a substance that may later be considered an allergen.
Besides food, some allergies that children may have include indoor allergens such as molds, household dust mites, and pets, outdoor allergens include weeds, tree pollen, and grasses.
If you think that your child may have allergies, then there are some physical symptoms that might help you make an educated decision prior to visiting your doctor.
Symptoms of food allergies in infants can cause your little one to be colicky, vomit, have diarrhea, rashes, eczema, cry more than they should, and have cold like respiratory congestion.
Physical symptoms that may show that your child has an allergy include bluish/brownish discoloration around both eyes, puffiness under the eyes and the eyes may look red and irritated, and the ears and cheeks may appear flushed. Your little one may not be able to explain to you how they feel but you may notice them breathing through their mouth, rubbing their noise, sniffling, sneezing, and have congestion that may make it hard for them to breath.
If you notice that your child is always complaining of a sore throat, has nasal congestion quite a bit and has had to be treated for chronic ear infections you may want to ask your doctor is your little one could be suffering from allergies since these also accompany allergies.
Remember, allergies can cause excess mucus secretions, this causes swelling of the nasal cavity and breathing can be difficult when your child lies down. It can be so bad that he or she may gasp for breath, cough or awaken in the middle of the night unable to breathe properly. If disturbed sleep does occur from allergies, it can result in sleep apnea.