You have probably experienced the upper respiratory or skin symptoms of an allergic reaction at some point in your life. In fact, an estimated 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies. Sometimes, your allergies can be so frequent and draining that you require allergy shots to help you get through your day. Although everything from food to insect bites can stimulate an allergic reaction, one of the most common causes of allergies are airborne particles.
First, it is important to understand why allergies occur. Essentially, an allergic reaction is solely the result of your immune system’s overreaction to a common, non-harmful item. The immune system is “plastic,” or easily adaptable. As you encounter pathogens, your immune system develops antibodies to recognize and attack these invaders. Sometimes, though, these antibodies can be targeted to regular things in your environment, such as dust. Then, every time you encounter dust, your antibodies attack.
When your immune system believes it is under attack, it releases many chemicals such as histamine into your body. Normally, these chemicals help you fight a true invader. However, if your body is not actually under attack, the histamine can cause the painful, irritating symptoms of an allergic reaction. Common airborne particles that can be mistaken for invaders include:
-Dust mites -Animal dander -Mold spores -Pollen -Air pollution
As your immune system overreacts to one of these substances, you can suffer from a debilitating allergic reaction. Normally, airborne allergens affect your upper respiratory system as this is where you are first exposed to the particles. You can develop symptoms such as:
-Runny nose -Red, itchy eyes -Watery eyes -Congestion -Sneezing -Scratchy throat -Itchy nose
Allergies can make you feel miserable. If your symptoms are frequent and severe, you may want to take allergy shots in order to help reduce your immune system’s response to airborne allergens. However, it can be difficult and costly to seek this medical care every two to four weeks. Thankfully, though, you can find a health insurance plan that fits your needs. To find the right health insurance plan for your needs, contact a California health insurance agent from Catherine Michaels Insurance Services today.
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Posts Tagged ‘Mold Spores’
Feb
22
Feb
17
You get the effects of allergies when your system over-reacts to certain substances found within the environment that are usually harmless. The miserable feeling that they cause is still with you as long as the condition exist.
When a person breathes in these substances called allergens, your body releases chemicals and histamines to counteract them. Often this will cause itching, swelling, runny nose and in cases that are more serious even hives or a rash. Different things may occur from person to person.
There are many allergens in the air that may come in contact with people’s eyes, or they can also be inhaled. The results often affect the skin, eyes, and your breathing. Many get allergy reactions from indoor or outdoor particles. Mold spores are a common carrier both indoors or outdoors, they can be located anywhere damp conditions occur. The outdoor molds are in the ground; compose piles or any damp vegetation area such as wet leaves or grasses.
The allergies from animals normally come from the dander that animals shed. Some people also react to other things from animals if touched.
Dust particles are carriers of many tiny particles such as pollen, mold, fibers and even insect mites. Dust mites seem to found in higher concentrations within bedding, mattresses and your box springs. Washing bedding often in hot water, vacuum mattress and box springs can reduce the effects of these mites.
There are several other allergy-producing items within our environment that can cause people various reactions. Just to name a few of them such as smoke, powders, fumes, trees, grass, and detergents for example can create the condition you least desire.
If common sense controls you have tried do not seem to solve your condition, then you should consult a doctor for further testing. Testing can be done to determine just which things are causing your reactions. Simple skin test is the most common method. Several different allergens are exposed to the skin and the reactions are noted. In some cases, blood testing may be required.
Many items can be easily treated and controlled. There are many different over the counter medications to help control the problems caused by allergies. The cases that are more severe may require injections under the directions of your doctor.
Jul
17
Generally, allergy is a word that describes as reaction of body tissues in certain individuals, which is uncommon in substance and has no noticeable or characteristic result on other people. Studies have shown that out of every one hundred Americans seventeen of them are indeed hypersensitive to some substances that are known to cause uncommon reactions, in other words they are allergic to common sources of allergens. These allergens may range widely from varies sources of irritants. For instance, some individuals show signs of allergies when introduced to certain annoyances such as dust and pet dander as well as insect venom, mold spores and pollens. Others may show signs of allergies when exposed to flowers and yet other individuals may show signs of being allergic to certain soaps.
Common Allergies:
1. Anaphylaxis – generated by food, insect stings or drugs
2. Contact Allergies – activated by skin-affecting allergens
3. Food Allergies – provoked by certain types of food
4. Insect Sting Allergies – produced by insect venom
5. Respiratory Allergies – prompted by airborne allergens
In view of the fact that all individuals may display reactions unique to their own bodily system, allergic reactions may vary widely as well as show signs to all or some of the reactions listed below. Always seek advice from your physician if any allergic reaction becomes severe or persistent. Here you will find symptoms, which are associated with common allergy types, these symptoms may range from mild to very severe.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction that has sudden and severe affects on varies areas of the body. This allergic reaction is most commonly found resulting from food or drug allergies as well as from insect stings. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. Anaphylaxis is generally noticeable very soon after the exposure of the affecting allergens, and can very well bring on a life endangering shock. As well, other signs of Anaphylaxis are distress of the respiratory system, swelling in certain areas of the body or the total body and an extreme itching over the total body.
Anaphylactic symptoms include:
1. Abnormal heartbeat
2. Tightening sensation of the chest
3. Difficulty in swallowing and breathing
4. Swelling of the throat, mouth and tongue
5. Flushing of the skin
6. Tingling or itching throughout the body
7. Agitation, anxiety or distress
8. Confusion or disorientation
9. Dizziness or lightheadedness
10. Fainting or nausea
11. Stomach upsets such as abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea
Since some severe cases of anaphylactic shock, can occur and can prove to be life threatening it is best to get proper medical treatment immediately. As a sudden drop in blood pressure, which results from the dilation of blood vessels may also cause the loss of consciousness and the swelling of the body’s bronchial tissues can cause choking before the loss of consciousness.
Contact Allergies
The symptoms of contact allergies normally occur within a few moments of exposure to the allergen; however, it is possible for reactions to the allergens to show up several hours after exposure. There are many common allergens such as poison oak and poison ivy as well as medications, latex, dyes, fragrances or perfumes and cosmetics, preservatives and nickel, rubber and hair dyes. Nickel is a frequently used metal in jewelry, hairpins, buttons and zippers as well as snaps and metal clips and is frequently associated with allergies. Some individuals may also display signs of being allergic to the exposure of the sun.
Mild Symptoms:
1. Eczema
2. Hives
3. Redness or swelling of the skin
4. Itchy or a bumpy rash
5. Skin bumps that are filled with fluid
Severe Symptoms:
1. Anaphylaxis
Food Allergies
Certain types of food, which normally occurs within a few minutes, generally bring on a food allergy symptom. As well as showing, up several hours after the food consumption. Although it is possible for food allergies to involve many areas of the body, it is usually seen around the areas of the mouth and lips as well as the digestive tract. Foods that are commonly known to cause allergic reactions are milk, nuts, eggs, wheat and soy as well as shellfish and fish products.
Mild Symptoms:
1. Tightness of the throat
2. Difficulty in swallowing or speaking
3. Itching, swelling or tingling in the areas of the mouth, throat, tongue and lips
4. Wheezing
5. Sneezing
6. Coughing or congestion
7. Rashes of the skin
8. Itchy, stuffy or runny nose
9. Nausea
10. Abdominal cramping and indigestion
11. Diarrhea and vomiting
Severe Symptoms:
1. Difficulty in breathing
2. Sudden increase of heart rate
3. Sudden hoarseness or inability to speak
4. Extreme facial swelling
5. Sudden outbreak of facial itching
6. Dizziness and fainting
7. Sudden and profuse sweating
8. Anaphylaxis
Insect Sting Allergies
Although it is possible to develop symptoms of allergies to insect stings can occur several hours after exposure, most symptoms of allergies from insect stings normally happen just a few moments after being stung. Allergic reactions from insect venom can come from such insects as bees, hornets and wasps as well as yellow jackets and fire ants.
Mild Symptoms:
1. Swelling of the tongue
2. Tightness of the chest
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Fever
5. Nausea or fatigue
6. Hives
7. Swelling in other areas of the body, including the stung area
8. Itching in other areas of the body, including the stung area
9. Pain in other areas of the body, including the stung area
Severe Symptoms:
1. Anaphylaxis
Respiratory Allergies
Respiratory allergies symptoms generally occur after several hours of exposure, which is normally provoked by airborne allergens, such as dust mites, plant pollens, and pet dander and mold spores.
Mild Symptoms:
1. Itchy, watery, red swollen eyes
2. Impaired sense of smell
3. Postnasal drip
4. Runny or stuffy nose running with clear thin mucus
5. Sneezing
6. Wheezing
7. Coughing
8. Itchy nose or throat
9. Congestion
10. Hoarseness of the throat
11. Conjunctivitis
12. Fatigue
Severe Symptoms:
1. Pain and tightness in the chest
2. Difficult or shortness of breathing
It is vital to understand that many allergies have symptoms similar to other diseases or conditions. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you consult with your physician while assessing a condition and getting a proper diagnosis.
Jan
21
When it comes to allergies there are all kinds of cause and all kinds of symptoms. Do you suffer from a single allergy symptom? Or many symptoms? There are some common symptoms seen among most:
1. Sneezing with either a runny nose or clogged nose
2. Coughing
3. Postnasal drip
4. Itchy eyes and/or nose
5. Sore throat or itchy throat
6. Watery eyes
7. Conjunctivitis which is an inflammation of the membrane the lines the eyelid which causes swelling of the eyes.
You need to know what the most common airborne allergens are and find out the main allergy symptom or symptoms.
1. Pollen Allergy – this is an allergy that strikes every spring, summer, and fall as tine particles are released from the various trees, weeds, and grasses. These particles are pollen and the main allergy symptom they cause is hay fever. Pollen is the most common allergy out there. With a host of people suffering at different levels. There are many excellent natural products that can help you a lot. If you can determine what is causing your allergy you will be in much better shape. It is the makeup of the pollen that causes the allergy symptom known as hay fever.
2. Molds – Mold spores can pop up anywhere and dealing with it requires that you get down and dirty. It will take some elbow grease and some persistence. If there is mold it can result in an ugly allergy symptom that affects the respiratory system. Mold will grow many places.
If mold is a problem you need to lower the humidity in the house and add fans for ventilation. Remove any visible mold. To clean mold use a product like Captan’s Powder or Orthocine.
3. Dust Mites – you might be surprised to discover that dust mites can produce an allergy symptom like asthma. Dust mites are a microscopic organism that lives in the dust. They are not a single substance. Instead they are a combination of fiber, fabrics, animal dander, food particles, and the list goes on and on. These little creatures are virtually impossible to get rid of so you will want to control your allergy symptom. Of course using hepa filters and dusting and vacuuming regularly will really help.
4. Animals – Pets are one of the most common reasons for developing an allergy symptom like runny watery eyes. Of course there are many different allergies that can be caused by the dander from your pet. There is actually a higher rate of allergies with cats. Pet allergies can actually take up to two years to develop. The allergy symptom can be one or many and it can be no more than an annoyance through to very serious
Whatever your allergy symptom trying to discover the cause is worth your effort because you may be able to eliminate the cause or you may be able to find a natural product that can help you.
An allergy symptom is your clue that your immune system is malfunctioning. It’s time you worked to straighten it out with herbal remedies..