If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you are definitely not alone. When it comes to dreadful times, the phrase “allergy season” is up there with “tax season”, “finals week”, and “the yearly visit with the in laws”. Allergies affect millions of Americans every year. Although there is no way to eliminate allergies altogether, there are some things you can do to avoid some of the most common allergens.
The main allergens include pollen from trees, grass and weeds, mold, animal dander, and dust. Allergies that occur in the spring often arise from tree pollen. Allergies in the summer are often from grass and weed pollen, and allergies in the fall are often from ragweed. Mold allergies are usually worse during humid and rainy weather because mold is more common where water collects. Proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets such as cats and dogs are allergens. Many allergens, such as dust mites, are in dust. They live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust.
There are some things you can do to help avoid these common allergens. To avoid pollens, it’s good to shower at bedtime in order to wash off pollen in your skin or hair. Staying indoors as much as possible on dry or windy days may also reduce your allergies. You can minimize the amount of mold in your house by frequently washing shower curtains, windows, and other places where mold may grow. Opening doors and windows and using fans can increase air movement and prevent mold. Unfortunately the only way to avoid pet dander is to give away your pets, or stay away from other people’s as much as possible. No matter how cute Rover and Trixy are, they won’t help your allergies. As for dust mites, frequently cleaning carpets and curtains, and dusting appliances and other surfaces will reduce your allergies.
Also, remember that allergies can make you more susceptible to a catching a cold. Be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid touching your eyes and nose, and wash your hands often.
If you are one of the many people suffering from these seasonal allergies, there are things you can do to lessen the severity of your symptoms. Follow these simple tips as best you can and the term “allergy season” won’t give you that sick feeling in your stomach anymore!
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Posts Tagged ‘Pet Dander’
Jan
23
Jan
11
Pollen allergies develop in humans due to the natural reproduction for plants which is done through pollination with the help of the wind. Often, pollen allergies are referred to as ‘hay fever’ because people noticeably suffer from them during haying season, but a pollen allergy can happen in spring, summer or fall because various plants pollinate at different times of the year. Symptoms can vary depending on general climate and how severe the reaction is to different types of pollen. Pollen allergies can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are very similar to other types of allergy symptoms like those that are noted with pet dander and mold.
Generally, the symptoms of pollen allergies include itchy eyes and skin, a stuffy nose with the possibility of nosebleeds. Sometimes this leads to trouble breathing. Often headaches are included in the list of symptoms, as are sore throat and dark circles under the eyes. Symptoms can also include coughing and wheezing as well as asthma attacks. Increased congestion is a frequent symptom, along with sneezing and runny nose. Feeling tired and weak or drowsy is one of the more common symptoms. However, sometimes food allergies are mistaken for pollen allergies.
Some of the differences include rashes and hives in food allergies in addition to itchy skin, or not just sneezing, but watery eyes and an itchy throat at the same time. Food allergies can also cause nausea, burping, vomiting or diarrhea, where usually pollen allergies do not. Sometimes food allergies increase allergic asthmatic reactions to dust and mold and make them worse without the symptoms being obvious right after eating the food.
Pollen allergies are the main allergies in the United States, especially during the seasonal allergy months, which are spring and summer. Wintertime is usually less of a problem for allergy sufferers, but there are still some plants that release pollen in the middle of winter. Because the symptoms often mimic other types of allergies, it is a good idea to visit a doctor to determine exactly what kind of allergy you are suffering from so that you can get proper treatment. Though you may want to, you really can’t diagnose yourself, and may try to treat one allergy with the remedy for another, which usually doesn’t work. All in all, pollen allergies are suffered by many people, and there are various effective treatments to help, but you should visit an allergy specialist to be evaluated and properly treated for the specific type of allergy you may have.
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.
Mar
27
Every year millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergy. However, a certain percentage of those who suffer from seasonal allergies dismiss it as chronic cold. To better understand this, we need to define and differentiate it from the common cold.
Unlike colds that occur during winter or usually when there is a sudden change in temperature, allergies are caused by allergens. This causes an allergic reaction on the bodily function of a human sensitive to that particular allergen which is not experienced by the average individual.
Allergic rhinitis can be classified as perennial and seasonal. Perennial allergies happen any time of the year as long as the individual is exposed to the allergen such as house dust mites and pet dander. Seasonal allergies on the other hand happen at the same time every year or during particular seasons, hence the term. These are caused by pollens of flowering plants which are transported thru the air during the process of pollination.
When a person has colds, he starts to sneeze then later begins to have runny and congested nose. Sneezing is less common after the initial phase. If one has allergies, symptoms happen at the same time. Sneezing is more frequent coupled with runny nose and watery eyes. Itching of the nose and eyes are particularly bothersome in allergies. In several cases though, this develops into allergic rhinitis and asthma. And unlike colds that usually last from 7 to 10 days, allergies continue until the person is no longer exposed to the allergen.
Ragweed allergy, also known as fall allergy or hay fever, is the most common seasonal allergy. This occurs from mid August until October. About 75% of allergic individuals develop become allergic to ragweed pollen. Ragweed thrives in vacant lots and roadsides. Studies also mentioned that that most of those allergic to ragweed also develop allergic reactions to other pollens. Thus it is not surprising that they develop allergic symptoms during spring and summer when pollen grains from flowering trees and grasses are present in the air.
The nasal discharge of people who have colds is usually yellowish which means that it is caused by an infection. Sometimes colds are also accompanied by fever. Those who suffer from seasonal allergies do not usually have fever, and since it is not caused by any viral or bacterial infection, the nasal discharge is clear and watery.
Whether the sickness is caused by a cold or is a sesonal allergy, it still takes a toll on one’s health. In both cases there is a loss in appetite and sleeping problems also occur that disrupts how a person conducts his normal activities. Prevention is still the cure. Proper information too helps in the diagnosis of the ailment so that the appropriate medication can be taken.