What To Do With A Food Allergy?

For many, food centers on celebrations - holidays, school events, special occasions, and family reunions. Food is not only a source of energy and sustenance, but for some, food is a highlight at these events. Food is what we look forward to as we sit down at the big table to celebrate. But unfortunately, for an individual that is managing a food allergy, these joyous events can be uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing.

A food allergy is usually diagnosed during early childhood, but some individuals can develop an allergy to a certain food in the later stages of life. In order to make a proper diagnosis, an allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies, will begin testing. Testing may include a scratch test to expose the skin to possible irritants. If the skin reacts by exhibiting redness or swelling, the individual may have sensitivity to the corresponding type of food.

Ninety-percent of allergic reactions stem from fish and shellfish, milk, nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts and cashews, and eggs. Even though these foods account for a majority of the food allergy cases, some individuals may be allergic to any type of food such as fruits, vegetables, and certain types of meats.

When an individual has a food allergy, they may experience itching, hives, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, watery eyes, stuffy or itchy nose, and excessive sneezing during exposure to a certain food.

Occasionally a food allergy can lead to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes the body to react to the allergy within minutes or hours after being exposed to the food. At times, anaphylaxis can develop extremely quickly. During this type of reaction, an individual may experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, tingling sensations throughout the body, and tightness in the throat. Anaphylaxis can progress quickly and may become life threatening if treatment is not received immediately.

Dealing with a food allergy is sometimes difficult. Watching what you eat and being aware of the ingredients contained in food is very important. In order to be in control of a food allergy, individuals need to eliminate the food item from their diet. Medications are not available for food allergies, so the best course of action is to stay clear of the foods that are known to cause distress; this includes both the eating and touching of foods.

In addition to preparedness, communication is the key to successfully managing a food allergy. This includes asking the ingredients contained in menu items when eating out. Also, be sure to discuss a food allergy with a host of a party you are attending. Explaining a food allergy to the people serving the food will give you the important information you need to prevent becoming ill.

Being aware of the menu before an event and choosing the best available options can help minimize anxiety about having a reaction to a food allergy. Knowing what is available and reading the ingredient labels can assist individuals who suffer from a food allergy in making educated decisions; which can help return a passion for food and enjoyment to return to those joyous celebrations.

For more information on allergies try visiting http://www.theallergyeffect.com - a website that specializes in providing allergy related tips, advice and resources to including information on food allergy.

What To Do About - A Food Allergy

Food allergies happen when your immune system messes up. Your immune system is supposed to protect you from disease and germs. If you have a food allergy your immune system makes a mistake and thinks the food is going to harm you.

The response is the same whether it is a food allergy, an allergy to medicine, an allergy to a flower or tree, or an allergy to peanuts. Although the foods themselves are not harmful the reaction the body has can be life threatening.

In recent years we have heard a lot about the peanut food allergy mainly because the reaction is usually very severe leading to anaphylactic shock.

Here?s what can happen if a child or adult for that matter eats a peanut topped brownie which they have a food allergy to ? the antibodies in the body over react releasing histamine in the blood.

The histamine released eyes, throat, nose, respiratory, skin, and even the digestive system can be affected by the food allergy. The reaction could be mild or severe and it can happen almost right away or a couple of hours later.

Some of the first signs of a person suffering from a food allergy can be a runny nose, hives, itchy skin, tingling lips or tongue. Other signs can include tightness in the throat, hoarse voice, coughing, wheezing, stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.

And with a serious food allergy anaphylaxis occurs which is a severe allergic reaction that comes on suddenly and with several serious problems all occurring at once ? the heart, digestive system, respiratory all react at the same time and the breathing tube narrows while the tongue swells making breathing difficult if not impossible ? this is a medical emergency.

If you have a serious food allergy and not necessarily to peanuts you need to make sure you know exactly what you are eating. If there is any doubt don?t eat it. You might also carry the proper medication with you.

Kids often suffer from milk and eggs but the often will outgrow these. Severe allergies are commonly seen in peanuts, shrimp, and fish and these do not usually disappear with age.

Not sure how to tell if you have a food allergy? Sometimes it?s pretty easy to figure out. Hives may appear or perhaps stomach problems occur. But other times it?s harder to tell. And sometimes even if you know you have a food allergy determining to what can be really difficult.

Many medical professionals believe that allergies are genetic and inherited so if you have a parent that suffers from hay fever you can expect to do so yourself. Food allergies can resolve themselves over time.

It is important that you do not confuse a food allergy with food intolerance such as with lactose intolerance which can cause severe stomach pain and diarrhea. But that doesn?t make it an allergy.

For some food allergies it?s as simple as not eating the food anymore. Other food allergies are harder to diagnose and harder to avoid. You should see a doctor that specializes in allergies. The doctor will ask you a lot of questions to help determine if you have a food allergy.

A liquid extract of the food or foods that are suspect is used to determine the food allergy. A tiny scratch is made on the skin and then a drop of the extract placed on the scratch. The doctor will watch for the development of a red spot which will indicate you have a food allergy to that particular food.

Once a food allergy is determined the doctor will decide on the best course of action and whether treatment is needed. Once you know what your allergy is it becomes much easier to deal with.

Get all the latest information about Allergies from the only true source at http://www.1allergyinformation.com

Be sure to check out our food allergy pages.

Your Allergy Testing Map

It is helpful to know about your allergy testing options before you go to the doctor. The type of allergy testing depends on what you suspect you are allergic to and the severity of your reaction. Some tests work better than others depending on your case. Your allergy testing map ends at 3 different destinations.

The 3 type of tests are:

*Scratch Tests
*Elimination Diets
*Blood Tests

Scratch tests are the most common form of allergy testing conducted today. The results can be seen as quickly as twenty minutes. The actual test is conducted by placing a small amount of the suspected allergen onto the surface of the skin, usually along the spine or on the upper arm. The patient is then scratched or pricked on the same area allowing some of the substance to penetrate the skin. The area is then observed to see whether the patient has an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness or itching. This method of allergy testing is quick and can cover quite a range of possible allergens. That is why it is particularly good when you don't know what your allergies are. The test works well for insect bites, airborne allergens like pollen and food allergies as well.

Specific food allergies can be tested by using a different form of allergy testing that puts a patient on an elimination diet. For a period of several weeks the range of foods suspected of causing the allergy are eliminated from the patients diet. Then each food is then reintroduced individually to see whether the allergy symptoms come back. Of course, this method of allergy testing is better for mild food allergies. If you get severe allergic reactions bordering on anaphylactic shock then you should skip this test and the scratch tests and immediately go to your next option.

The last form of allergy testing on our list is a RAST(radioallergosorbent test) which most people just classify as a blood test. Blood is drawn from the patient and is then sent to a lab for testing. The blood is examined for the presence of immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies. The presence of these antibodies indicates whether the body's immune system is causing the body to have an allergic reaction. Elevated levels of these IgE's can tell your doctor whether you are allergic to certain types of allergens. This type of allergy testing has been known to not be as precise or accurate as other methods.

The last type of test that is provocation or challenge tests. This is where a doctor exposes you directly to what you think you are allergic to so that your reaction can be monitored. This can be very dangerous so definitely don't try this at home. Your reaction may be more severe than you think. This type of allergy testing is of course not that common.

In conclusion you should be prepared when you go in for your testing. The doctor will ask you for a thorough medical history and depending on the testing involved may ask you to stop taking any sort of medicine you have been taking to treat the symptoms of your allergies. This will make the allergy testing more effective.
Marilyn Franklin is a writer for AllergyFiles.com where you can also find information on allergy medicine.

Hay Fever Allergy

Allergy is the most common illness in the world. It is characterized by the immune system's reaction to substances that are viewed by the body as potentially harmful. The body launches an attack on these substances which is manifested by the symptoms experienced in an allergy attack. There are many substances that can cause an allergic reaction. Among them are peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, dust, insect bites and pollen.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is usually characterized by an allergic reaction to pollen. The illness is named after the "haying season" when pollen grains in the air are in abundance. Since pollen carried by the wind is the more popular culprit, you should be aware of the most common plants releasing these pollen grains in the air. Trees including birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, horse chestnut, willow, poplar, plane, lime and olive cause hay fever. Among these, birch and olive pollen are the most dominant. On the other hand, grass pollen from rye and timothy are responsible for about 90% of the total hay fever cases.

Effects of hay fever vary form person to person. Some experience mild reactions while others suffer severe reactions. Symptoms of the illness include coughing, headache, itching nose, runny nose and sneezing. You might also experience impaired smelling functions and sensitivity to flavors. Your eyes will water from the irritation in your nose. Sore throat, wheezing and conjunctivitis are also common reactions.

Hay fever is usually diagnosed by determining the patient's history of symptoms. Your doctor will ask you the frequency of your symptoms, severity and onset. Changes in your diet, exposure to pets and allergens as well as weather conditions will all be considered in the evaluation for hay fever. Skin testing is also performed to determine specific sensitivity to particular allergens. Since cross-reactivity is normal, your doctor will naturally check you for reactions to cross-reacting substances.

To prevent hay fever, you should avoid being exposed to pollen. If you must go outdoors, try to wear a protective face mask for filtering pollen. You should also avoid going out during the early mornings and evenings when pollen levels are high. When drying your clothes, never put them outside where they can be exposed to pollen. The pollen will attach to the clothes you placed outside for longer than a moment and if you wear these clothes it's possible that you could have an allergic reaction. Another activity you should avoid is mowing your lawn. This activity will disperse pollen in the air, increasing your chances for a hay fever attack. Some doctors recommend putting little cream on the nostrils and around the eyes to prevent pollen from entering these areas.

There are currently several available medications for treating symptoms of hay fever. These include fast-acting antihistamines, short-acting antihistamines, longer-acting antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, corticosteroid nasal sprays, topical decongestants, cromolyn sodium, allergy shots and herbal remedies. Any of these medications can relieve symptoms of hay fever effectively. You should make sure that when taking these medications, you will not be driving or operating heavy machineries since drowsiness can be experienced when taking medication like antihistamines.

Article provided by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - a site dedicated to different health related articles. Read more about Hay Fever

Alternative Therapies for Allergies: Allergy Allersodes

?Can I get another bottle of this? I?m out, it works great, and allergy season is here.? My clients ask, as they hold up the tell-tale little brown bottle with its yellow label.

I thought at first that I was manifesting a placebo affect because these products worked so well on my own allergies, but over the years clients have come in every other year or so just to pick up a bottle of Tree Mix I or II when they run out. I never see them any other time. And I figure if they work on animals that the animals will rule-out most of the placebo effect. A bottle lasts anywhere from one month to two years depending on what you are trying to manage, how much you need and how short the exposure is.

My favorite allergy remedies come from Professional Complementary Health Formulas. The remedies are called allersodes. Allersodes are homeopathic drops that minutely stimulate the immune system to recognize, glom onto, and expel the allergy-causing organism from the body, usually through the kidneys or bowels. These particular allersodes contain homeopathics to support the adrenal gland and liver as well. I think that is one reason why they work so well.

It has always been difficult for me to comprehend that the more you dilute a homeopathic substance, the stronger it gets and the faster it works. But, you may need only a few treatments (like when using the insect bite allersode.)

I use low-dose homeopathic remedies in my practice because I can?t monitor my clients on a daily basis and most of my clients have only recently been introduced to homeopathics and natural medicine. It?s extremely rare that anyone has side-effects with using them. They are safer and you can use them for several months at a time if necessary. Each bottle costs about $15, but often during an exam I will combine several remedies and make a custom formula for $20 (which saves a person quite a bit of money if they are shifting and changing and don?t need a whole bottle of several different remedies.) Local practitioners may vary in price and/or require an exam before dispensing the products. It's good to know your clients so you can be of better service for their individual needs. And it's good to build a rapport with people you think you would like to have on your healing team.

The dosage is normally 17 drops three times daily for acute situations and 15 drops daily for chronic allergies. Here are a few of the remedies my clients and I have utilized over the years for various allergies causing skin problems, rhinitis, itchy eyes, irritability, asthma, depression, feelings of spaciness, and a slough of other symptoms:

Animal Mix?for allergies to Camel, Cat, Chicken, Cow, Dog, Duck, Fish, Goat, Guinea Pig, Horse, Llama, Mouse, Pheasant, Pig, Quail, Rabbit, Rat, Sheep and Turkey.

Biting Insect Mix?for allergies to Bedbugs, Bees (5 Types), Chiggers, Cockroach, Deerfly, Flea, House Fly, Lice (Head And Body), Mosquito, Moth, Spider (5 Types), Ticks, and Wasps. Excellent product for your first aid kit because it doesn?t need to be refrigerated like epinephrine. I love this one. It works especially well.

Flower Mix?for allergies to Aster, Camellia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Daisy, Daphne, Gardenia, Gentian, Gladiola, Honeysuckle, Iris, Lilac, Lily, Larkspur, Lupine, Marigold, Oleander, Pansy, Petunia, Peony, Poppy, Rose, Snapdragon, and Tulips.

Household Dust & Molds?for allergies to Black Mold, Grain Dust, House Mold, House Dust, Lint, Mattress Dust, Mildew Dust, Paper Dust, Rug Dust, Upholstery Dust, Yeast (Baker?s/Brewer?s) and Dust Mites. This one also works quite well, but you still have to keep your house clean!

Grain & Seed Mix?for allergies to Barley, Corn, Cotton Seed, Flax Seed, Gliadin (whatever that is), Gluten, Millet, Milo, Oat, Poppy Seed, Rice (Brown/White), Rye, Safflower, Sesame, Sorghum, Soybean, Sunflower and Wheat.

Grass & Weed Mix?for allergies to Alfalfa, Amaranth, Bamboo, Chenopodium, Cocklebur, Dandelion, Fox Tail, Grease Wood, June Grass, Johnson Grass, Kapok, Lambs Quarters, Marsh Elder, Mugwort, Pampas Grass, Pigweed, Ragweed, Sage, Scale (All Scale/ Wingscale/ Lenscale), Scotch Broom, Sheep Sorrel, Yellow Dock, Red Top, Meadow Fescue, Sweet Vernal, Kentucky Blue, Orchard, Perineal Rye, Timothy, Red Clover, White Clover, Goldenrod, Velvet Grass, and Thistle. This one is really popular and a favorite for lots of clients (including myself).

Tree Mix I?for allergies to Alder, Ash, Birches, Cedars, Cottonwoods, Cypresses, Elms, Firs, Hemlock, Hickories, Junipers, Maples, Mulberries, Western Oaks, Eastern Oaks, Pines, Redwood, and Spruces. I use this one in the fall. For me, allergies exacerbate urinary incontinence. I?ve often wondered how many incontinent people have an underlying cause of allergy.

Tree Mix II?for allergies to Acacia, Aspen, Bay, Elder, Eucalyptus, Fig, Flowering Apple, Flowering Cherry, Lilac, Magnolia, Mesquite, Oleander, Olive, Pepper, Privet, Sycamore, Tulip, and Willow. Lots of people all over the United States appear to be allergic to Russian Olive, Willow and Walnut pollens and leaf molds, so this one works well.

Nightshade Mix?for allergies to Chilies, Eggplant, Ground Cherries, Mustard Greens, Peppers (Red/Green), Tobacco, Tomato, Potatoes (Red/White) and Mushroom.

These are just a few of my favorite combination remedies. There are lots more combinations out there, many of which are customized for local regions and areas. I know there are also different companies which make remedies such as this. I just know this particular company has high standards and I like that in a product line. Allergy allersodes are a good, safe alternative for allergy season. They are cheap, effective and worth a try.

Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter.

Surviving the Fall Allergy Season

Fall is the season of change. It is really beautiful to see the leaves go from a healthy green to a lively orange before the dead of winter claim them. I used to always look forward for fall when I used to live in upstate New York. However the changing weather, from summer to fall or from winter to spring find me at my most miserable time. You see, I suffer from various allergies and it is absolutely horrible with the running nose, the itchy and watery eyes and finally the marathon sneezing, as if my body is trying to break the world record for longest continuous sneezes. These are the worst of all symptoms because they leave me lifeless and exhausted.

To alleviate the symptoms, I left New York State, heck, I left the entire northeast section of the United States and moved to Florida to escape the changing whims of the weather to no avail. Don?t get me wrong, it was alleviated but I still suffered from time to time with allergies and the fall season seems to be the worst.

There are several ways to deal with allergies. You can move from one state to the other (like I did) or you can take one of the several classes of drugs available on the market: antihistamines, decongestants, mast cells stabilizers or leukotrienes modifiers or even steroids. Drugs such as diphenhydramine, loratadine(Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec) or clemastine (Tavist), montelukast (Singulair), . These are highly effective at alleviating the symptoms of allergies, especially the runny nose and watery eyes symptoms. However, they come with the side effects of drowsiness and the feeling that you are having an out of body experience. If you have tried these to no avail or you want to try something different, there is still hope for allergy sufferers in the form of natural remedies:

Antihistamines: These drugs block histamine, a chemical released by our immune system during an allergic reaction.

Grape Seed Extract, unique flavanoids, with very powerful antioxidant properties. Laboratory studies have shown that grape seed can be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in antioxidant capability.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), probably best known for its effects as an antioxidant and its role in maintaining proper immune function.

Leukotriene Modifiers: These drugs block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Such medications have proved most effective in treating allergic asthma, but they also relieve hay fever.

Butterbur, seems to significantly reduce the bothersome allergic symptoms (1). The doctors concluded that it is effective and well tolerated. In some cases doctors even recommended butterbur as first line therapy for seasonal allergies along such accepted conventional treatment as Zyrtec (cetirizine) (2). Petadolex is a patented form of butterbur extracted from the root and standardized to contain a minimum of 15% of petasin and isopetasin.

Mast Cell Stabilizers: Mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of histamine, the same inflammatory chemical that antihistamines stop. They may also reduce the inflammation associated with hay fever and allergic rhinitis.

Quercetin, may be useful in relieving hay fever and sinusitis as a result of its ability to reduce inflammation in the airways and the release of histamine. It appears to block allergic reactions to pollen as well.(3)

Stinging Nettles, preliminary evidence is showing that stinging nettle above ground parts might improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Starting stinging nettle at the first sign of symptoms seems to provide subjective improvement (4).

Natural D-Hist contains vitamin C, Quercetin, Stinging Nettles, Bromelain and N-Acetyl cysteine. So you get all the benefits of an antihistamine without taking too many pills.

In this allergy season, know your natural therapies options so that you don?t have to suffer through this bothersome disease and enjoy the fall foliage and the arrival of winter. I know I will.

References:

1. Schapowal A; Petasites Study Group. Butterbur Ze339 for the treatment of intermittent allergic rhinitis: dose-dependent efficacy in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004 Dec;130(12):1381-6

2. Schapowal A; Petasites Study Group. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ. 2002 Jan 19;324(7330):144-6.

3. Anon. Quercetin. Alt Med Rev 1998;3:140-3

4. Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990;56:44-7

Marie-Elsie Ade is a Pharmacist with a B.S from Long Island University in New York and a PharmD from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is a licensed pharmacist as well as a licensed consultant pharmacist (Florida license PS29264 and PU4703). She works for one of the premier health systems in South Florida. She has lectured on various topics at Senior Citizen Centers, Women?s groups and Community Fairs about generic drugs, herbal medications and drug interactions and the use of pharmaceuticals in general.

She believes that natural health and modern medicines can be complementary and has set out to inform patients about the effects of their prescriptions medications and their natural health or herbals products. Visit us at www.thenaturalhealingplace.com to ask questions about your natural and conventional remedies.

Pain, Allergy and Burn Relief Remedy

Blue Tansy's high azulene content gives it a vivid, deep blue color. It can stain so take care!

Blue Tansy's delightful scent is warmly herbaceous with a complex sweetness that to me is reminiscent of apples with a hint of spice.

Everyone invariably loves the friendly and inviting scent of Blue Tansy!

Its rapid anti-inflammatory action immediately calms the nervous system and associated muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Blue Tansy's natural anti-inflammatory action makes it an exceptionally good relaxant.

Use Blue Tansy for relieving muscular aches and pains, sprains and strains, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica.

Soothes nervous tension and relieves stress!

Blue Tansy is a natural antihistamine with anti-allergic properties.

Research shows Blue Tansy to be especially effective for allergy relief!

Useful in blends for asthma and emphysema due to its bronchio-dilating effect, blending with Lemongrass will enhance this effect.

Strong analgesic properties help reduce any swelling or itching associated with allergies.

Calms dermatitis!

Blue Tansy is excellent first aid remedy for radiation burns from cancer treatment, as well as for inflamed or sun damaged skin.

In Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the sweetly cooling and spicy aroma of Blue Tansy is ideal to regulate and pacify ALL the Doshas or bodymind types. Vata, Pitta and Kapha imbalances respond well to Blue Tansy's regulating influence.

Symptoms of Vata imbalance are premenstrual syndrome, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and worry.

Symptoms of Pitta imbalance are high blood pressure, anger, frustration and emotional upsets.

Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.

BLEND WITH: Lemongrass, Rosemary, Helichrysum, Cypress, Chamomile

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA. PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic essential oils. Remedies with Blue Tansy KG recommends: Click to learn about & order ALLERGY RELIEF Click to learn about & order ESSENTIAL OILS COMPLETE GIFT SET - INCLUDES BLUE TANSY Click to order BLUE TANSY More Info? Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Mahalo!

Learn How To Control Pollen Allergy Symptoms

There are many different types of allergies. Approximately 1 in 7 people are allergic to pollen. Pollens are small, egg-shaped male cells of flowering plants. The flowering plants produce these pollens as part of their reproductive process. All kinds of trees, weeds and grasses use wind pollination. These plants have dangling structures or anthers. This is where the wind captures the pollen. A large amount of pollen is released and transmitted through the air to a surface. It may land in your eyes or you could breathe it in. A few will land on a receptive stigma or female organ.

Some symptoms of pollen allergies are stuffy nose, itchy eyes, headaches, sore throat and trouble breathing. How much pollen that is in the air depends on the time of day and if the weather is windy and warm. The total amount of pollen in the air for a day is called the pollen count.

Pollen grains carry on their exterior coat 30-40 dissimilar proteins. The female parts of the flower need these proteins to distinguish the correct match for pollination. If you inhale in pollen grains or they get into your eyes, the proteins are discharged just as if they landed on a receptive female stigma.

Normally the immune system would take care of the foreign proteins by discarding them. Some people have an immune system that will not get rid of the pollen proteins. Instead, a process takes place that releases a chemical called histamine. The histamine causes the symptoms of the allergy.

Mid October to the end of March are usually the months when pollen is in the air. It depends on the region because of the plant's response to the climate. Trees flower when the weather starts to get warmer in the spring. The flowering time for each kind of tree lasts around two weeks but the peak pollinating period only last a couple of days. There are many varieties of grass and they each have their own flowering period anywhere between mid-December and mid-March.

There are a few ways you can lower your exposure to pollen. Pollen clings to clothes, skin and hair. Take a bath or shower and change your clothes after you have been outside. It is best to stay indoors during the morning hours between 5 and 10 a.m. Also try to avoid being outdoors on dry days or when the wind is strong. Wear a protective mask if you must work outside. Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner that catches all the airborne particles. You can also use a good air purifier to keep your indoor air clean. Taking herbs such as enchinacea and dandelion has been suggested to help allergy symptoms.

Learn as much as you can about the plants that cause your allergic reaction. This will teach to recognize the plants so you can stay away from them when they are pollinating. Keep all the windows closed during the day and run an air conditioner. Before the pollination period starts and after it is over you have nothing to worry about. You can even take a walk in a wooded area.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

Allergy Treatment And Care Guide

People face some type of allergy to all sorts of things, this may include environmental allergens, odors, fumes, food, and cigarette smoke just to name a few. Allergy treatment and testing is required when symptoms become uncomfortable and occur on a daily basis. With food allergies and small children, the process of elimination is the best way to determine which food is causing the allergic reaction. Allergy testing methods such as skin testing and blood testing are helpful, but some people may respond better to one than the other. Blood testing is particularly helpful in detecting food allergies, but if you know you?re allergic to a certain food, wouldn?t you just not eat it?

Environmental allergies are a little trickier amongst the different types of allergies. There are a number of possible triggers like weeds, trees, pollens, grasses, dust, dust mites, molds, pet dander, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke that are all popular offenders. Skin allergy testing is a popular method that is used to diagnose different types of allergies that are severe enough to warrant this approach. Allergy treatment can then be prescribed based on the level of reaction to certain irritants. Seeking assistance from a specialist is not required for everyone with allergies. You can find quite a number of over-the-counter medications that are effective in treating symptoms, but for cases where medications don?t work one would need to consult a professional. There are a number of times where allergies are present with other conditions such as eczema and asthma, and should be assessed in conjunction to allergy treatment as they all go simultaneously. As a result of treating allergies, related conditions will either resolve themselves or lessen considerably as allergy treatment progresses.

Prescribed allergy treatment usually consists of immunotherapy which is also known as allergy shots, that expose allergy sufferers to little amounts of the offending allergens in gradually increased doses that over time reduces symptoms. Make sure that substance that triggers severe allergic reactions, for example certain foods like (shellfish, eggs and peanuts) and bee stings is avoided completely. One must remember that avoidance is the only allergy treatment in this case, aside from using an Epi-Pen and/or Benadryl in cases wherein an accidental exposure may take place. People who are afflicted with allergies should try different allergy treatments and combinations in order to experience any significant relief. Over a period of time allergies decreases and may in due course disappear thus requiring a lesser amount of allergy treatment. There are a number of resources online you can look into about allergy treatments like http://ww.allergies.about.com, http://www.medicinenet.com, or http://www.drgreene.com where you will find a world of information about allergy treatments right at your fingertips.

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, fitness and other related information.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a super-sensitivity to a substance that is not harmful to most other people. These substances are called allergens. The common allergens include pollen, mould, dust mites, cockroaches and pet dander. Some people also have food allergies. Some people have symptoms with strong chemical fumes, odours (including perfumes, fragrances in household cleaners and detergents), smoke and air pollution. These compounds are chemical irritants and not true allergens. The common symptoms of allergy include hay fever, asthma, eczema or food reactions.

How do I know if I have allergies?

Hay fever is the most common allergy problem in Canada. The typical symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, a dry cough and itching. Asthma is a lung condition which can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing. Eczema is a skin condition which often involves a dry itchy rash. True food allergy reactions can include hives, itchiness, shortness of breath, throat tightness, lightheadedness or stomach pain after eating the food allergen. Allergies can be a serious medical condition and you should consult your doctor if you suspect you have them. A doctor may recommend allergy scratch tests (a type of skin testing in which suspected allergens are applied to the skin, scratched and observed for a reaction in 15 minutes). Skin tests should always be done under the supervision of a qualified physician with an expertise in allergy.

How are allergies treated?

The first step in an effective allergy treatment plan is to make some simple lifestyle changes that will limit your exposure to allergens. I would suggest having allergy scratch tests done before any major lifestyle changes are made. After the allergy scratch tests you will know the likely causes of the allergy symptoms. One can avoid pollen by keeping windows closed and air conditioning on during the high-pollen seasons. Most of the mould that causes allergies is from the outdoors. Therefore, keeping the windows closed is helpful. If you notice mould in the house it should be cleaned with diluted bleach. The best ways of avoiding dust mites are to purchase proper dust mite proof pillows and mattress covers, remove carpet from the bedroom, wash the bedding in hot water and to keep the humidity around 40 percent. Vacuuming and duct cleaning are actually not very effective at removing dust mites. The only way to remove pet allergens completely from the home is to keep the pet outdoors or to give the pet away. By keeping pets out of the bedroom, washing pets weekly and removing carpets from the bedroom, you can decrease your total pet allergen exposure. If you have a true food allergy, that food should be completely avoided.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which medications would help you manage your allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are the most common medications used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines block the action of histamine released by the immune system and are effective at reducing sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. They are particularly effective at relieving the symptoms of seasonal hay fever and should be taken as soon as an allergy attack develops. You may also need a decongestant to reduce nasal congestion. Some antihistamines can cause side effects such as drowsiness and they should be avoided if you have to drive, work or perform tasks that require you to be alert. There are several websites offering good information on allergies, for example, visit www.claritin.ca.

Dr. Harold Kim is an allergy specialist based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

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