Allergy Symptoms - Confusing No More

Nowadays allergy symptoms plague a majority of Americans. I for one have continually struggled with understanding the signs that indicate an allergic reaction. Every day we are exposed to foods that could cause us food intolerance like lactose intolerance to drugs that can give us side effects that are due to our body reacting negatively to it. Even the simple pleasure of spending time in the backyard expose you to other possible allergens like grass and flowers.

Understanding your allergy symptoms and treating the underlying causes are two very important parts of finding an effective solution to improving your health and wellness. There are many ways that people treat allergy symptoms. The band-aid approach of treating the allergic reaction quickly is pretty popular, yet often these treatments are short-lived. With patience and research, one can learn to manage these otherwise debilitating allergies.

Common allergy symptoms are seen throughout the world by both Allergists and Family Practitioners. Doctors tend to categorize the symptoms as mild, moderate or severe. The most common fall into the mild and moderate category and include:

* Chronic Sinusitis
* Watery Eyes that can become Red and Itchy
* Rash
* Congestion
* Itchiness
* Difficulty breathing

Chronic sinusitis is possibly the most frequent sign of an allergy. This usually causes sinus headaches as the nasal passages are continually clogged and sometimes draining as well. Watery eyes are another very common allergy symptom which can cause painful irritation. This causes scratching which can make matters worse particularly in children who usually show no restraint. In order to treat these symptoms, there are a variety of medications available to help stop this reaction and inflammation process. Both prescription and over-the counter medicines are available. Eye drops like Visine are often used as well to take out redness and irritation from the eyes. Natural approaches popular for treating so many things nowadays are also an option when it comes to treating allergy symptoms as well. An example of this is the herb milk thistle which cleanses the liver and helps it to function properly which helps those with food intolerance.

Severe reaction otherwise known as anaphylaxis is more rare but is life-threatening. It may begin with a common symptom like itching of the eyes or face but will suddenly progress to include:

* Swelling that effects breathing and swallowing
* Abdominal pain
* Cramps
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Dizziness(possible mental confusion)

If you think you are experiencing anaphylaxis seek emergency help immediately.

Other allergy symptoms may cause more reactions that can occur even weeks after an exposure. This type of allergy is probably the most difficult to diagnose. Sufferers continue to experience problems for years. Some are continually misdiagnosed particularly for those with allergy symptoms that include gastro-intestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or diarrhea. Finding the food that causes these reactions and eliminating them is the only way to find relief. Depression and attention deficit have also surprisingly been linked as an allergy symptom to certain chemicals or food additives. Out of the box treatments such as acupuncture may help to find the root causes of these allergy symptoms.

Many times we like to brush off our allergy symptoms as minor nuisance. We would rather think we have a cold than address the process of trying to identify your allergies and treat them appropriately. We continue to eat some things that we know don't agree with us and just chalk it up to the latest stomach flu. Do yourself a favor and bring these symptoms up to your doctor. It doesn't hurt to ask and the answers could help drastically improve the quality of your life.

Marilyn Franklin is a writer for AllergyFiles.com where you can find more information about allergy symptoms

Self Help for Your Dust Allergy Symptoms

Self Help for Dust Allergies

About one person in ten suffers from an allergy to dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures of the arachnid family which also includes spiders and scorpions. Dust mites burrow deep into fibrous objects, such as clothing and carpeting. This makes it difficult to remove them by cleaning or vacuuming.

The World of Dust Mites

Dust mites thrive in indoor living spaces. They like temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees and the humidity levels of about 75%. Dust mites feed on shed scales from human skin, which is commonly found in carpeting, bedding, etc.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies

People are not allergic to dust mites themselves, but rather to their fecal matter and decaying body parts. These mite waste products continue to cause allergic reactions long after the mite that produced them has died. Itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, clogged and itchy ear canals, and other respiratory problems are the most common symptoms. Symptoms are often worst at night because dust mites thrive in blankets, pillows and other bedding materials. A little bit of tossing and turning is all is takes to make some of the allergens airborne.

Asthmatic people often have an especially difficult time with dust mites. Respiratory congestion, wheezing, and severe shortness of breathmay occur. Anyone suffering these symptoms should be treated by a licensed physician or asthma specialist.

Self Help for Dust Allergies

Reducing your exposure to dust mites will help to alleviate your symptoms. Here are some effective methods:

- Vacuums equipped with special filtering systems help to reduce the amount of allergens in your home or office.

- Dust mites live in areas with high concentrations of dust and debris. A cleaner house means fewer dust mites.

- Focus on your bedroom. You probably spent one-third or more of your time there and it is often the room with the most dust mites.

- Encase your box spring, mattress, and pillows in dust proof covers. An average bed can contain as many as ten million dust mites! Yikes!

- Use polyester fiberfill pillows instead of kapok or feather pillows.

- Use window shades instead of curtains or venetian blinds (both are dust magnets).

- Wash blankets in hot water. Do not use wool or down blankets.

- Avoid dust collecting knickkancks such as wall pennants, macrame hangings, throw pillows, and stuffed animals. Furniture should be wood, leather, plastic or metal--as upholstered furniture tends to trap dust and become a site for dust mites to grow.

- Use hard wood or linoleum floors in place of carpeting. Dust mites love carpeting because it keeps them and well fed with human skin cells and fingernail residue.

- Adjust the climate in your home. Use a dehumidifier and turn down the thermostat. Dust mites don't survive for long when the humidity below drops below 55 percent. Dust mites don't drink water like we do, they absorb it from the air through their skin. If it is too dry they will die of thirst.

- Use specially designed filtration systems for furnaces and air conditioning units. These filters capture airborne allergens. It is also a good idea to place a cheesecloth screen over your bedroom heating vents to minimize dust coming from a forced air style heating system.

Michael has published many free articles on Allergy Symptoms including Seasonal Allergy Symptoms and Wheat Allergy Symptoms

Allegra A Common Anti Allergy Drug

 More than 50 million Americans have allergies. Allergic rhinitis (inflammation in the nasal area) is the most common allergic disease, affecting at least 20 to 25 percent of the population. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.

For allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery/itchy eyes, or sneezing that occur infrequently, most individuals can be treated successfully with an oral non-sedating antihistamine such as Loratadine (Claritin), Desloratadine (Clarinex), Fexofenadine (Allegra), or Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or an antihistamine nasal spray.

Allegra is a common anti allergy drug available by prescription. Fexofenadine or Allegra is an oral, "second generation" antihistamine that is used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergy that are due to histamine. It is similar to the other second generation antihistamines like the Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Azelastine (Astelin). Histamine is a chemical that is responsible for many symptoms of allergic reactions, for example, swelling of the lining of the nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.

Fexofenadine blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Unlike the first generation antihistamines, fexofenadine and other second-generation antihistamines do not readily enter the brain from the blood, and, therefore, they cause less drowsiness.

Sanofi-Aventis announced this month that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Allegra(R), (fexofenadine hydrochloride), an oral suspension for the twice-daily treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergies in pediatric patients, 2 to 11 years of age, and for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children 6 months to 11 years of age. This approval makes available a safe and effective seasonal allergy treatment option that is non-impairing to pediatric populations as young as 2 years old.

Allegra side effects in children 6 months to 5 years old were similar to placebo. Side effects varied by age. The most commonly reported Allegra side effects were: vomiting, pyrexia, cough, otitis media and diarrhea.
An advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted overwhelmingly that three allergy remedies?Loratadine, Cetirizine, and Fexofenadine (Allegra) are safe enough to be bought at pharmacies and supermarkets without a doctor?s prescription. But the manufacturers of the drugs are resisting the idea.
Fexofenadine, marketed in the United Kingdom as Telfast and in the United States as Allegra, is available only on prescription in both countries. But you can check Allegra information available on various internet sites.

The three popular anti-allergy drugs marketed by Schering-Plough, Pfizer, and Aventis, are heavily advertised directly to consumers. The drug companies claim that they are better than the older drugs because they do not cause drowsiness.

Roger is an associated editor to the website http://www.allegrarelief.com . It is committed to provide visitors with complete information on allergy, Anti allergy Drug, Allegra Dosage & allegra effects. You can reach Roger at roger.sandler@gmail.com.

One Of The Biggest Obstacles To An Allergy Free Home Is Dust Mite Control

Dust mites are microscopic little creatures with eight legs that live in almost every home. These little critters do not bite but they do feed on dead skin from us and our pets. The biggest impact dust mites have on us is that they cause allergic reactions in many of us. To be more precise, it is not actually the dust mite that we are allergic but the dust that is produced from their droppings and from their bodies after they die. These particles are so small that they can become airborne when we clean, vacuum and move around our homes and that is when we are affected.

Some of the symptoms of dust mite allergies are sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes and respiratory irritations.

Opening your windows to ventilate your house may help if you are only allergic to dust mites but generally if you suffer from allergies, opening your windows will only allow other allergens into your home such as pollen, bacteria and mold spores.

There is no way to rid your house entirely of dust mites but you can reduce their numbers by following these simple steps.

How To Control Dust Mites In Your House

Vacuuming
Dusting
Humidity Control
Air Purifiers
Efficient Furnace Filters

It is very important to vacuum your home often but you can?t use just any type of vacuum cleaner. Regular vacuum cleaners are not efficient enough to trap very small particles and they simply pass through the vacuum cleaner and back into the air. HEPA vacuums are best for dust mite control. These vacuum cleaners use HEPA filters which are 99.97% efficient and are very effective at removing the smallest particles from the air. You should vacuum carpets, furniture and draperies often.

Dusting can also be very helpful in controlling dust mite populations. When dusting try to avoid using dry dusters because they tend to stir up a lot of dust. Use furniture polish or a damp cloth. Dusting in this way is over 90% more efficient than dry dusting.

Keep the humidity level in your home at about 50%. This will help to control dust mite populations. Like all living things dust mites need moisture to survive and they do best in high humid conditions.

Air Purifiers can be helpful in bed rooms or offices if you don?t have central heating or cooling. Air purifiers simply remove dust from the air as it comes in contact with the collector plates located in the unit. Air purifiers with fans are more efficient than those without because they draw the air through the unit rather than relying on natural air currents in your home. Air purifiers are not the most efficient method of dust control.

Furnace filters and air conditioner filters are one of the best solutions to dust control in your home. Most throw away furnace filters are not very efficient at only about 10% but HEPA, Electrostatic and Electronic air filters do a good job of dust control when properly maintained.

Air air conditioner filters and furnace filters are a very important part of controlling allergies in your home. electorstatic furnace filters, hepa filters and electronic filters are three of your best options for dust control.

Decrease Your Cat Allergy Symptoms

If you start to sneeze, develop teary eyes, a runny nose and a headache every time you get near your cat you might be having an allergic reaction. Cat allergens from the saliva and dander have to be airborne in order for you to breathe them in and then have an allergic reaction. Since they are airborne, they can circulate everywhere in your house and on you. Have yourself tested so you can be sure your symptoms are coming from your cat. Allergists can perform a scratch test on your skin that can reveal 70-80 possible allergens. Allergies to a pet can begin at any age. Many people that have pet allergies may have allergies to other things like molds or pollen. Allergies also tend to run in families.

Most people do not want to give up their cat unless they absolutely have to. If the symptoms are mild, you probably will be able to keep your cat. There are ways to decrease the unpleasant symptoms of the allergy.

Start by not letting your cats sleep with you anymore. In fact, keep them out of your bedroom completely. Wash your bedclothes in a hot water temperature of 140-degrees. This will eliminate any allergens while you are trying to get your symptoms under control.

Try to keep your cat confined to one area of the house until you have been treated and feel better. This might be difficult but it may be the only solution if you have severe allergies. A room you don't use could be a good area to keep your cat in temporarily. Make sure you put toys, food and water in the room. A room with windows with wide panes may be a good idea so they can sit and look outside. Have someone without allergies take your cat outside for a while every day.

Cats should be bathed regularly to control the quantity of allergens that are released. A good micro fiber cloth will also work. You can rub down their coat to eliminate any obvious dander. There are shampoos for pets that work to reduce the airborne allergens. Always wash your hands after touching your cat. There are medications that can be taken such as antihistamines, eye drops and nasal sprays. Allergy desensitization shots are another treatment option. The shots make the person immune to the allergies. Small amounts of allergens are injected at first and than slowly increased. Make an appointment with a holistic healthcare practitioner if you want a more natural way to control your symptoms. Nutritional supplements and herbs may decrease an allergic response. Your cat should also eat a healthy diet with omega-3 fatty acids. Cats produce less dander if they are healthy.

If for some reason you don't respond to any of the treatments then you might have to give up your pet. Of course, you want them to have a good home. Ask family members or friends if they would take your cat. Rescue groups are also good to call to help you find a place where your pet will receive excellent care.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

Natural Allergy Treatment; Just Wishful Thinking

More and more attention is being focused on a natural allergy treatment for a lot of us because of how prescriptions can cause other health problems. It seems that allergies are affecting a growing number of people each year similar to the growth rate of serious diseases like those plaguing our nation now. Luckily there is an remarkable allergy treatment found in a natural botanical.

This botanical reaches into numerous areas of your body and targets whatever needs the most attention, while correcting allergy problems too. There are centuries of folk lore and years of scientific proof behind it, and more universities are planning more studies. Some studies are focusing on the xanthone, which is proving to be a powerful nutrient. There are about 200 xanthones we are aware of, of which a majority are found in wood, and over 40 found in the mangosteen fruit. (not related to Mango)

Get An Allergy Test Done

If you go for an allergy test you'll be conscious of what to avoid in your diet or what to stay away from. This is obvious but neccesary, and doing that will mark the start of your allergy treatment. There are also a lot of allergens beyond your control so the next step is to improve your natural allergy defense.

A well prescribed allergy treatment will cast off discomfort, suppress the severity and maybe even go as far as eliminate your symptoms. Unfortunately, most medications are a temporary solution and in some cases don't do a proper job. If your allergies are a threat to your life, then you might want to carry an Epi-Pen with you and renew it each year.

In north america our health system is the best in the world in many respects, but ignorant in other areas. Many Doctors will never concede they don't understand your problem and resort to prescriptions because of their training. If they knew of an efficient natural allergy treatment, there's no doubt they would tell you about it.

Something To Think About

With the lengthy list of allergens that could cause your reaction, how effective is an allergy pill when it's just an antihistamine? It makes more sense when a natural allergy treatment is working with your bodies natural defences. Especially when it has anti-inflammitory properties to help with breathing, reduce swelling, hives and itching. It's even better when it's from a good tasting fruit that has a number of vitamins and minerals helping it out.

The natural allergy treatment I'm writing about is found in the Mangosteen fruit. Highly revered for its medicinal qualities, it contains a powerful nutrient called the xanthone. It's a super star on nutrients being closely watched by the scientific community for its healing potential. It's a double bonded molucule with side chains, and each side chain is usefull for specific health problems.

Xanthones; Natures Hero

It's important to know why a double bonded molucule is powerful, especially as an allergy treatment. Xanthones have a skeletal structure (the double bond) and side chains. Each side chain can address a different health issue and once set free to do its work will search for pathogens like viruses and parasites to destroy them. It will also strenghten vital organs by boosting your immune system.

A double bonded molucule is more powerful than an average molucule, not like antioxidants that expire on first contact with a free radical for instance. Because of the skeletal organization, the side chains are anywhere from 20 to 30 times more powerful than antioxidants found in raw vegetables and fruits. The astonshing thing is is how it out performs concentrated extracts like co-enzyme Q10 for instance.

The Easy To Swallow Allergy Treatment

As mangosteen becomes more widely known to local doctors, they are starting to use mangosteen before resorting to medications if a condition persists. The number of Doctors even aware of mangosteen is minimal, but you can tell your own doctor about mangosteen and maybe he will start prescribing it too.

Remember when aloe vera first came out in the late 70's? It quickly became a commonly known name and most homes had an aloe vera plant somewhere for scrapes and cuts. Today you can stroll into most health food stores and see numerous brands of aloe vera sitting on the shelf. Aloe Vera has one xanthone, Mangosteen has 43 and counting!

Mangosteen Facts You'll Want To Know

Along with many nutrients Mangosteen includes, Catechins, Polysaccharides, Stilbenes, Quinones, Vitamins and Minerals, and of course Xanthones. The COX 2 inhibitor properties found in mangosteen work a lot like the drugs Vioxx and Celebrex, but without the dangerous side effects. Xanthones are in every part of the fruit, but the highest concentration is found in the pericarp, which is the rind of the fruit. Remarkably, xanthones were tested against HIV at the University of Singapore. Two xanthones proved able to to interfere with HIV protease, causing the virus to remain immature and incapable of infection.

*** Use Mangosteen To Eliminate Allergies ***

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10 Simple Steps Help To You Bag Allergy-Causing Dust Mites

 

10 Simple Steps Help You Defeat Dust Mites

Beds are the most popular stomping grounds and breeding grounds -- for dust mites, those ugly, microscopic creatures that can cause allergies and make asthma worse.

Recently, researchers in coastal Australia -- which has a humid climate where house dust mite levels are high -- found that using special coverings on mattresses and pillows and specially washing other bedding reduced dust mite levels 30% after four weeks, and their levels remained about the same for the rest of the six-month trial.

It's not dust that causes people to wheeze and sneeze; it's the eight-legged arthropods, smaller than the period at the end of this sentence that are natural inhabitants of indoor environments. The droppings of these mites are the most common trigger of continual, nonseasonal allergies and asthma symptoms, especially in humid regions, where dust mites tend to thrive throughout the home.

The most important finding, according to lead researcher Carl Vanlaar, PhD, is that even in an environment where house dust mites thrive, it is possible for people to substantially reduce the mites and the substances they produce that cause allergies, called allergens.

Using simple procedures, such as putting special coverings on mattresses and pillows and rigorously washing the rest of the bedding, can help you score points in the war against these Star Wars alien-like creatures, says Vanlaar, who is an allergen research scientist at the Institute of Respiratory Medicine at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. The study appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, with funding from the Asthma Foundation of New South Wales.

In the trial, researchers tested 14 beds in seven households. In half the beds -- occupied by children with allergy symptoms -- they washed all bed coverings with Acaril, a mite killer containing 30% benzyl benzoate as the active ingredient. They also vacuumed the bedding and floors, and covered mattresses and pillows with special coverings. The benzyl benzoate wash was repeated every two months during the trial and again four months later.

In the other seven beds -- which were occupied by the allergic children's siblings -- the researchers did nothing special. They found that there was a substantial reduction in the amount of allergen caused by dust mites in the study children's beds compared to the other children's beds.

There have been several other studies looking at ways of controlling mites and their allergens in the home. Some methods, such as the use of benzyl benzoate powders, have been very limited in their effectiveness.

"Studies targeting allergens in beds -- such as our own study -- have had variable levels of success depending on the [method] used, or the studies took place in climates unfavorable for dust mite survival, such as in northern Europe," says Vanlaar. He adds that in this test, they opted for washing the upper bed coverings rather than encasing them because when the upper covering is encased, the bed can become somewhat hot and uncomfortable.

Michael Ruff, MD, spokesman for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, agrees with the Australian findings. "This study proves that even allergy and asthma sufferers living in areas with high humidity can benefit from these steps." Ruff says washing bedding in extremely hot water once a week and encasing pillows and mattresses in allergen-resistant covers are the easiest and most effective ways to reduce allergen levels in the home.

Vanlaar says the next step is to test whether this method of allergen control in bedding is enough to reduce allergy symptoms in individuals with current symptoms of asthma, and to help prevent allergies and subsequent asthma in high-risk infants.

"We are already investigating the second item by conducting a large ... trial -- the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study -- in which we are treating the cots of approximately 300 babies who are in a high-risk group for asthma, based on a family history of asthma," by washing and encasing the bedding like they did in the current study. To start your own grassroots campaign against the little critters, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that you follow these 10 steps for defeating dust mites in the home:

Start in the bedroom:

* Since most dust mites live in mattresses, put an airtight plastic or polyurethane cover on every mattress.

* Wash sheets and blankets in very hot water every week.

* Wash bed pillows every week or put a plastic cover on them. (The pillowcase goes over the plastic cover.)

* If possible, bedrooms should have a hardwood, tile, or linoleum floor. These surfaces are easier to keep clean than carpet.

* If you have to have carpet, try not to place the carpet on concrete. The warm space between a rug and concrete is a good place for mites to live.

* For carpeting, spray the rug with a solution of 3% tannic acid every two months to kill the dust mites. Ask your doctor how to use this solution, and whether it is right for your family.

In the rest of the house:

* Vacuum all carpets and upholstery every week. Vacuums with high-efficiency filters pick up more dust mites, but even standard vacuums work well.

* Furniture that has a polyurethane cover over its padding helps. Plastic or wooden furniture that doesn't have much padding can also help keep down the number of dust mites in the home.

* Because dust mites love warm, humid places, running your air conditioner and keeping the humidity low make a difference.

* Don't bother with special air filters -- they won't help children with asthma or allergies.

Check out this website to see more Carpet Cleaning Options http://www.la-carpet-cleaners.com/

Samantha is a writer, a market strategist and an online business entrepreneur, that writes articles to help people be aware of important information and facts that they might not know.

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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