Healthy Tips For Better Live

Common causes for skin allergies are : Jewelry metals such as Nickel (found in belts, coins), gold, various substances used in cosmetic products (fragrance mix, Quaternium 15, Formaldehyde, Ethylene diamine, etc), rubber (gloves, shoes), some plants, etc. Skin allergies can also be caused by food intolerance or food allergy – symptoms may include rashes or hives and may last from one minute to hours or days. Finally, Skin allergy may be due to dust mites, various air borne particles such as pollen, house dust, etc

Allergy skin testing is a safe and simple procedure that can provide useful information about your allergic sensitivities.

Term Eczema is broadly used in many persistent skin conditions which cause dryness and recurring skin rashes (The term eczema is sometimes interchanged with another skin allergy condition called dermatitis. Eczema is acute dermatitis)

Rosacea is a common skin disorder and can affect people of any age (usually starts in the 30s and 40s), It begins as erythema (flushing and redness) on the central face and across the cheeks, nose, or forehead but can also less commonly affect the neck and chest.

Urticaria (or hives) is a skin condition, commonly caused by an allergic reaction, that is characterized by raised red skin welts.

Urticaria symptoms : red, itchy, swollen area of skin that often appers in circular, raised welts in clusters (Hives can vary in size and usually affects the throat, arms and legs). Hives are usually caused by adverse reaction to medication, foods (e.g. peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish) insect bites or other irritants. When the rash lasts less than 6 weeks it’s called acute urticaria. When the rash lasts more than 6 weeks it’s referred to as chronic urticaria.

Contact with even small amounts of some substances can cause skin allergies. Common causes of work-related skin allergies include acrylate glues (super glues), epoxies, textile dyes or resins, and latex.

Definition of Allergy skin test

Allergy skin test: Test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (the allergen) that is triggering the allergic reaction.

A small amount of the suspected allergy-provoking substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle.

If the skin reddens and, more importantly, if it swells, then the test is read as positive and allergy to that substance is considered probable.

What to do: Consult a doctor who might prescribe a corticosteroid cream if the eczema is very persistent. Bathe in warm, rather than hot, water with an emollient and wear cotton next to the skin whenever possible. It can be helpful to identify triggers such as eggs or dairy foods and to see if eliminating them helps.

Allergies are an indication of a compromised immune system. We unfortunately can not rid all allergens from the dog’s environment, but we can control some. We can eliminate fleas, adjust the diet and boost the immune system.

Researchers in Britain looked at both normal and extreme exposures to the biological washing powders and liquid detergents, which digest dirt and strain, and found that they do not exacerbate skin complaints.

Other causes include hair care products, including hair dye and permanent solution, and face makeup products.

THE WORST OFFENDERS ARE:

·    fragrance ingredients found in perfumes

·    after shave products and bath powders

·    preservatives and

·    household products

Neem Oil:

The vital ingredient of this cream is Neem Oil.

Neem oil obtained from crushing the seeds of the neem tree has a wide range of benefits and is highly medicinal in nature. Neem preparations can get rid of Fungal Infections effectively, quickly and safely. Neem has been found to be deadly to 14 different common fungi including those that cause infections of the vagina, skin, hands and lungs (Candida), athlete’s foot and “ringworm” (Epidermophyton). Neem oil is also used for skin diseases likes scrofula and indolent ulcers.

Green People: Caring for allergies and skin conditions naturally

At Green People, we combine plant extracts, oils and essences to create organic lotions which gently assist the skin’s processes to restore its natural balance. They help to soothe irritated skin, helping to relieve the itching and stinging which can cause much discomfort.

The symptoms of skin allergies usually occur shortly after the body contacts the allergen, within no more than 48 hours. Common symptoms of the skin allergies consist of redness, blistering, itching, swelling of the skin that affect the epidermis under the form of rashes, hives, eczemas etc.

Prevention Plan

1. Change the Diet — You Must Feed an Anti-Yeast Diet

An anti-yeast diet is one that includes meats, most vegetables and some diary. An anti-yeast diet will starve the yeast and aid in the healing process. However, diet alone will not control the problem, it is only the first step. Keep in mind a restricted diet does not have to last forever. Once your pet’s health improves, you will be able to expand on what you feed.

Rhinitis during pregnancy can be due to allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, or non-allergic rhinitis. If the woman has had allergic rhinitis prior to pregnancy, this could worsen, stay the same, or even improve. This change in symptoms may be dependent upon many factors, including the presence of seasonal allergens and increase in pregnancy hormones.

Non-allergic rhinitis in pregnancy may also be due to an increase in pregnancy hormones, leading to nasal congestion, runny nose and post nasal drip. This is called “rhinitis of pregnancy”. The symptoms may mimic allergies, but since they are non-allergic in nature, do not respond to anti-histamines.

The pregnant woman with rhinitis may be concerned about the safety of medications during pregnancy, and therefore avoid taking medications.

If avoidance of allergic triggers is not possible or successful, medications may be needed to control symptoms.

Diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis During Pregnancy

Allergy testing includes skin testing or blood tests, called a RAST. In general, allergy skin testing is not done during pregnancy, given the small chance of anaphylaxis which may occur. Anaphylaxis during pregnancy, if severe, could result in a decrease in blood and oxygen to the uterus, possibly harming the fetus. Therefore, allergy testing is usually deferred during pregnancy, although a RAST would be a safe alternative if the results are needed during pregnancy.

Safety of Allergy Medications During Pregnancy

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no drugs are considered completely safe in pregnancy. This is because no pregnant woman would want to sign up for a medication safety study while she is pregnant. Therefore, the FDA has assigned risk categories to medications based on use in pregnancy.

Pregnancy category “A” medications are medications in which there are good studies in pregnant women showing the safety of the medication to the baby in the first trimester. There are very few medications in this category, and no asthma medications.

Category “B” medications show good safety studies in pregnant animals but there are no human studies available.

Pregnancy category “C” medications may result in adverse effects on the fetus when studied in pregnant animals, but the benefits of these drugs may out weight the potential risks in humans.

Category “D” medications show clear risk to the fetus, but there may be instances in which the benefits outweigh the risks in humans. And finally, category “X” medications show clear evidence of birth defects in animals and/or human studies and should not be used in pregnancy.

Before any medication is taken during pregnancy, the doctor and patient must have a risk/benefit discussion. This means that the benefits of the medication should be weighed against the risks – and the medication should only be taken if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Treatment of Rhinitis During Pregnancy

Nasal saline. Rhinitis of pregnancy tends not to respond to anti-histamines or nasal sprays. This condition seems to respond temporarily to nasal saline (salt water), which is safe to use during pregnancy (it is not actually a drug). Nasal saline is available over the counter, is inexpensive, and can be used as often as needed. Generally 3 to 6 sprays are placed in each nostril, leaving the saline in the nose for up to 30 seconds, and then blowing the nose.

Anti-histamines. Older anti-histamines, such as chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine, are the preferred agents to treat allergic rhinitis during pregnancy, and are both category B medications. Newer anti-histamines such as over-the-counter loratadine (Claritin/Alavert and generic forms) and prescription cetirizine (Zyrtec) are also pregnancy category B medications.

Decongestants. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, many generic forms) is the preferred oral decongestant to treat allergic and non-allergic rhinitis during pregnancy, although should be avoided during the entire first trimester, as it has been associated with infant gastroschisis. This medication is pregnancy category C.

Medicated nasal sprays. Cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom, generics) is helpful in treating allergic rhinitis if it is used before exposure to an allergen and prior to the onset of symptoms. This medication is pregnancy category B and is available over the counter. If this medication is not helpful, one nasal steroid, budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua), recently received a pregnancy category B rating (all others are category C), and therefore would be the nasal steroid of choice during pregnancy.

Immunotherapy. Allergy shots can be continued during pregnancy, but it is not recommended to start this treatment while pregnant. Typically the dose of the allergy shots is not increased, and many allergists will cut the dose of the allergy shot by 50 percent during pregnancy. Some allergists feel that allergy shots should be stopped during pregnancy, given the risk of anaphylaxis and possible danger to the fetus as a result. Other than anaphylaxis, there is no data showing that the allergy shots themselves are actually harmful to the fetus.

Skin Allergies are different for every person. Someone who gets a skin allergy can get it in a confined area or over their entire body. There are even times when a person can get them on their hands and feet, making it difficult to do every day tasks. When a person gets a skin allergy, it’s called allergic contact dermatitis. The skin has a chemical reaction to the substance it has come into contact with. In these cases, you have to physically touch it to get the allergy. Some of the culprits may even surprise you.

Testing for Skin Allergies

One way to figure out what causes skin allergies is by playing a guessing game. However, there are no winners in this one. You would test products on your skin to see if have a reaction. Don’t worry, there is an easier way. Doctors will do patch testing. They take a small piece of skin (this doesn’t hurt) and then put each patch of skin in contact with the common allergens. They look to see if there is a reaction. The doctors do all the hard work for you and you don’t have to suffer.

These are some of the most common causes of skin allergies:

1. Nickel and gold. These metals are usually found in jewelry. The nickel is found in clasps or buttons. Gold is a little more common. Many pieces are made or plated with gold. If you have an allergy to either of these metals, usually a rash will break out where the metal touched your skin. Many people tend to have a reaction to costume jewelry.

2. Balsam of Peru. This fragrance is found in many lotions and perfumes. Another name for it is myroxylon pereirae. If this is the culprit of your skin allergy, check the ingredients in perfumes and lotions you use to see if this is present.

3. Neomycin sulfate. This substance is commonly found in first aid creams and ointments. Unfortunately, a doctor might prescribe a topical cream for a previous skin rash, only for the patient to find out they also have skin allergies to this substance. It can also be found in cosmetics, soap and pet food.

4. Bacitracin. This is a topical antibiotic. Some people might use it on cuts or burns.

5. Cobalt chloride. This is a real problem for some people because this is normally found in antiperspirants. However, there are other places cobalt chloride shows up such as hair dye and pieces plated in it (buttons, snaps, tools).

6. Quaternium 15. This is a preservative found in many products than women tend to use. It can be found in self tanners, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen. Try to find products that do not use this if you have skin allergies to Quaternium 15.