Seasonal allergies caused by pollen and other allergens affect 40 million Americans and cost more than $1 billion in annual treatment costs.

Seasonal Allergies

Manifestations of Seasonal Allergies

Although it’s usually not a dangerous condition, it can be very uncomfortable and, for some people, can severely interrupt daily activities. The standard reactions of seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy throat, headache, swollen sinuses, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

Differentiate Seasonal Allergies From Common Cold

Symptoms of seasonal allergies occur suddenly and continue as long as the person exposed to the allergen ” cause of allergy”.  Fever is not usually present but sneezing is a prominent feature and more commonly associated with wheezing. Nasal discharge is usually clear, watery  and less viscous than that of common cold.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

Airborne pollen from various plants—or, in some cases, spores from mold—find its way into the body through the eyes, nose, or throat, and trigger an allergic reaction. In normal individual, the immune system does not respond to mild substances like pollen and mold. But in sensitive individuals -genetically susceptible-, the body’s defense mechanism views these allergens as it would an infectious agent and mounts an attack. Once the immune system has detected the “invader,” it triggers a cascade of chemicals such as histamine and other compounds causing inflammation that leads to irritation and discomfort.

How to Avoid Seasonal Allergies

Avoiding the allergens is the No.1 measure suggested by allergy experts. There are many steps you can take to eliminate or minimize your exposure to allergens and improve seasonal allergies symptoms. Here are some from WebMD:

• Wear a protective mask when gardening or doing yard work.
• Modify the indoor environment to keep out allergens, says Clifford W. Bassett, MD, vice chairman of the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. For instance, use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in air conditioners to better trap pollen spores. “Change air condition filters often,” he says.
• Check pollen counts before you travel to avoid seasonal allergies. “If you are traveling with allergies, consider vacations near the ocean or bays,” Bassett says. “Pollen counts there are typically lower.” To find pollen counts, contact the National Allergy Bureau ( www.aaaai.org/nab), which offers reports to the public.  Or check your local weather report; some provide pollen and mold spore counts.
• Protect your eyes. On vacation and at home, wear sunglasses when outdoors to reduce the amount of pollen coming into the eyes, Bassett suggests.
• “Wash your hair at the end of the day to wash out pollens,” Bassett suggests. That will help avoid pollen transfer to the pillowcase.
• Exercise in the morning or late in the day, Bassett says, when pollen counts are typically lower than at other hours. Know that pollen counts typically are higher on a hot, windy, sunny day compared with a cool day without much wind.
• Check the dog. “Pets can bring in pollen,” says Pamela Georgeson, DO, member of the AAAAI Public Education committee and an allergist in Chesterfield Township, Mich. You might consider rinsing off the dog if he was outside on a high-pollen day, she says.

Skin Allergy

One of the most common complaint people see an allergist for is skin rashes. Usually confined to small area that has come into contact with an offending allergen, it can spread and cause additional problems if left untreated. Similar to other types of irritations, skin rashes can be anywhere from inconvenient to debilitating and can be caused by a number of things, many that are found in a variety of products making isolation difficult except with patch testing.

Many skin rashes can develop later in life, while other become apparent at the first sign of exposure. Many of the items to which people are allergic are common and seem almost innocuous as to causing skin rashes. Products made of jewelry metal such as gold, silver and nickel are often cited as the cause of irritations, and in some people, and even the smallest trace of the element can trigger a break out.

While the most common cure for skin rashes is to avoid contact with the offending product. Corticosteroid cream has shown to offer relief for irritation on the skin, but of those used to test its effectiveness against skin rashes, three percent developed an allergy to the cream.

Common Items Cause Uncommon Problems

In addition to jewelry metals, ingredients in many common items are known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Thimeroral is a mercury compound often found in antiseptics and vaccines can cause skin rashes in some patients. A common ingredient in cosmetics, deodorant, soap and pet food, neomycin sulfate has also been know to cause rashes in some users.

Quaternium 15, commonly used as a preservative in self-tanning lotions, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen can also cause skin rashes and bacitracin, used as a topical antibiotic is blamed for rashes on many users. The ingredients in products meant to protect most folks from irritating skin rashes can cause a reaction in others.

Formaldehyde is often used in medications, household cleaners and cosmetics and has been known to cause severe rashes in some people, and if used on an existing rash can exacerbate the problem. Cobalt chloride in hair dye, antiperspirant and alloyed with metals for buttons and snaps can also be a problem for allergic users. Figuring out the exact cause of skin rashes can be a time-consuming process and the current patch test is about the only way to narrow down the choices. Contacting an allergist for persistent skin rashes can determine if the test is necessary to isolate the offending product.

Nasal Allergies

You can blame your own body’s immunological response as well as genetics for your tendency toward nasal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis. Of course, nasal allergies can also occur from prolonged exposure to certain substances called allergens or even exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke or being born with a low birth weight.

Doctors don’t really know why some people have more sensitivity to one substance over another, but they do know your body’s response to these allergens. What happens is that when an allergen gets past your nasal defenses, your immune system perceives it as an attack and will retaliate. During this retaliation, your body releases a chemical called histamine, which is the reason why your eyes will get teary and your nose starts to run. Some people may develop breathing problems, wheezing or even sneezing.

Pollen

Many causes of nasal allergies are from airborne allergens that are breathed in through the nose but the sources are vastly different. Pollen is by far the most prevalent reason why allergies are formed in the first place and different areas of the country will have different levels of pollen, depending on what is growing and flowering at the time. Ragweed travels far and wide so even if you don’t have any growing in your area, you can still be allergic to it. Grass, flowering bushes, and a variety of trees can cause nasal allergies thanks to the pollen and other natural substances they release.

Dust And Animal Dander

Dust often tickles the nose and makes people sneeze but it does not always cause nasal allergies. However, if you have dust mites, tiny microscopic organisms, in your mattress, furniture or carpeting, these could be the true culprits. You will know for certain if your allergies persist even during winter months when outside pollen is at an all time low.

Animal dander can cause real problems with allergic reactions as well. Dander settles into carpets and furniture so even if you get rid of your cat or dog, you can still experience nasal allergies. Only a thorough vacuuming and carpet and upholstery shampooing can greatly lessen the dander population.

Symptoms of Nasal Allergies

Typically, the symptoms of nasal allergies start off with some nose itching as well as sneezing, which is the body’s way to try and get rid of the allergen. From there, your nose could start running which is the body’s way to wash the foreign substance away. From there, you start to develop a stuffy nose and develop sensitivity to other irritants a few hours after your initial exposure. This allergic response could potentially last for weeks or until the pollen or irritant is gone. For some people, nasal allergies are a major pain in the rear and sometimes can develop into more serious illness like sinus infections and asthma.

Treatment of Nasal Allergies

Relief from your nasal allergies will depend on the type of medical treatment you receive. There are anti-histamines, which help with the runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants help relieve the stuffiness and can be paired with anti-histamines. Allergy shots and steroid nasal sprays are other possible treatments. Between you and your doctor, you can experiment until you find the right combination of drugs to best help relieve your nasal allergies.

Eye Allergy

Allergies can invade the eyes as well, leading to symptoms like itchy, watery eyes that can become red and swollen. The good news is that just like nasal allergies, eye allergies can be effectively treated with over the counter and prescription medications. It can also be helpful to follow the principles of prevention when it comes to eye allergies. But before we discuss how to treat them, it is important to understand why they occur.

Causes of Eye Allergies

When you consider the cause of eye allergies, it is actually not surprising at all to realize how many people might suffer from allergy symptoms in this part of their bodies. Our eyes are exposed to our environment and its allergens every day. And unlike the nasal passages, there is no means to protect the eyes from many of these harmful substances. While the nose contains cilia, which are tiny hairs that filter out many of the environmental particles, the eyes have no such built in protection system. This leaves our eyes vulnerable to the effects of our environment and the allergens within it.

It is thought that of all of the people who suffer from allergies of one type or another, nearly half of these folks will also suffer from eye allergies. This means that if you experience seasonal allergy symptoms, you have a higher chance of having eye allergies as well. You might also have an increased risk of allergies to this area if you have atopic dermatitis or a family history of allergies. The good news is that there are options for treating eye allergies, so that you can find comfort once again.

Treatment of Allergies

In many cases, the best way to treat eye allergies is through prevention. This means avoidance of known triggers. It also includes not touching or rubbing your eyes, especially if your hands have been in contact with an allergen. Rubbing can also bring on an allergic reaction in some people. If prevention and avoidance of your allergy triggers is not sufficient to bring relief from your itchy, watery eyes, there are medications available as well. Some are found over the counter and others are prescribed by your doctor. Most of these medicines are allergy eye drops that can be used once or twice each day.

Consult your doctor for the best treatment for your eye allergy as every eye has its own nature.

What You Should Know About Dairy Allergies

Dairy Alergy

Dairy allergies are becoming one of the most common causes of ailments in both children and adults. Although some people do not really experience strong symptoms from dairy allergies, there are some people who react strongly to dairy products that they end up with some incapacitating symptoms and may even have to be hospitalized for a few days. If you are one of those people who have strong allergic reactions to dairy products, here are some of the things that you should know about dairy allergies.

What Is Dairy Allergies?

Medical professionals define this type of allergy as hypersensitivity to milk or egg protein. The allergic reaction to these otherwise harmless types of food can be quite crippling for some people. The most common symptoms of this type of allergy are diarrhea, wheezing and vomiting. Children who are prone to dairy allergies should never be given these types of foods to avoid any medical complications. Milk is known to be mucus forming, thus, people who are suffering from asthma should limit their intake of milk or simply do away with milk.

Shouldn’t children be given milk and eggs to help them grow? Yes, your children needs eggs and milk to help them grow but if they are allergic to these food, you just have to find other types of food for your children. Instead of giving your children milk based products, you might want to give them more fresh fruits and vegetables. There is really no point of tempting fate is so if your children manifest allergic reactions to milk and eggs, ovoid giving them these types of foods to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions and medical complications. Always remember that it is best to be safe than sorry.

Lactose Intolerance Versus Allergies

Many parents mistake lactose intolerance for dairy allergies. According to medical professionals, these two are really not the same. While dairy allergies are the negative reaction of the body against the nutritional components of dairy products, lactose intolerance is simply the inability of the body to digest the sugar found in milk.

In most cases, lactose intolerance will cause stomach cramps but it does not really trigger the other symptoms associated with allergic reactions. However, although the symptoms of lactose intolerance are not really serious, the effects of lactose intolerance can be quite uncomfortable.

You should avoid milk based products if you have lactose intolerance.

One of the most common symptoms of allergies, skin rash can be anywhere from simply irritating to hives with a debilitating itch.

alergy skin rash

There are some allergies in which a skin rash is present and is often confused as a skin rash, with the root cause of the rash overlooked. When it causes a misdiagnosis of allergies, skin rash can allow the real cause to get worse, causing a hypersensitive reaction to exacerbate into severe medical problems.

An allergy is believed to be caused when the immune system misidentifies an object entering the body as an enemy and sends out the troops to combat the intruder. This triggers many different symptoms of allergies, skin rash being one of the most common. When accompanied by a runny nose and watering eye or difficulty breathing it may become apparent the rash is not the result of a skin rash and other treatment made available.

Although there are many natural and synthetic products that can cause a skin rash, allergies often present them as a warning that something is not right. Typically, the first reaction a person experiences to an item to which they are allergic will be mild. However, there are some who suffer as severely as anaphylactic shock the first time their body reacts to a substance.

Close Examination Of Rash Can Identify Cause

There are many skin diseases that can be contracted that may appear as though they were caused by allergies, skin rash examination by a doctor or allergist can identify the real culprit and treatment can begin. In some cases with the sudden appearance of a skin rash, allergies may not be suspected unless the person has a history of allergies. If it is the first time and an allergic reaction is suspect, allergy testing may be needed to determine the cause of the allergic reaction and the subsequent rash.

While some skin rashes are the result of exposure to known allergens such as poison ivy and poison oak, the rash is easily identified and topical treatment can relieve the itching and the potential spread of the rash. Other causes of skin rashes may not be as readily identified and additional testing will be needed to correctly identify the culprit.

Feeling you need scratch the rash?? Please don’t!

It could cause spreading of the rash as well as create cuts on the skin. Once the skin is opened it could allow pathogens in the rash to get into the blood stream,worsening the allergic reaction.

Tying Together Allergies And Frequent Urination

Did you know that allergies and frequent urination can go hand in hand, depending on the allergic trigger? That trigger most likely is due to allergies to various types of food depending on your sensitivity.

Celiac Issues

People with celiac disease have a problem with the digestion of gluten products and any ingestion of such products can cause a variety of intestinal issues. A byproduct of this condition with some people is frequent urination. Many foods like bread and pasta contain wheat flour which has gluten properties in it and thus trigger a reaction when eaten. These wheat based allergies and frequent urination are tied together in this respect and only a totally gluten free diet can alleviate the symptoms.

High Acid Food And Drink

Your regular diet could have many potential allergic triggers which can cause frequent potty breaks. Mostly food and drink high in acids can cause allergies and frequent urination but many people may not clue into this cause for quite a while. Only through daily food and drink journals, cataloging everything consumed can the cause of these allergies and frequent urination be pinpointed.

While this food and drink high in acid may not upset the stomach, the way your body digests it could trigger some type of allergic reaction causing the excessive bathroom breaks. No one really knows why this occurs but if frequent urination is interrupting your life, you might want to consider banning high acidic foods and drinks like salsa, sodas, teas, coffee and cranberry juice.

Theories Still Guess Work

The tie between allergies and frequent urination is still somewhat nebulous and some people just seem to have atypical allergic reactions to various substances. The basic consensus is that whatever allergic trigger you have creates a chemical chain reaction in your body. Some people may form hives from eating certain foods while others have diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping. The same food that caused the allergies and frequent urination may not do the same thing later when consumed again. Your body is really one big biological, chemical being and your immune system could have simply been malfunctioning at one point.

Allergy Medications

Allergies and frequent urination could also be tied together due to your reaction to the medication used to treat the allergies. Not all drugs are infallible and many of them come with a laundry list of side effects, one of which could be frequent urination.

If frequent urination is your problem, be sure to rule out other health conditions like an enlarged prostate or urinary tract infection first before considering an allergic reaction.

Common Allergy Symptoms