Allergies

Could Your Dogs Canine Skin Problem Be Caused By A Dog Allergy?

2009-01-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Could Your Dogs Canine Skin Problem Be Caused By A Dog Allergy?
By Jennifer P. April

Is she suffering from dry, itchy skin or constant hot spotsred sores on the skin?

A canine skin problem can be something as simple as over bathingwhich can dry out the skin or it can be something more serious and indicate an illness or allergy.

If your dog has a chronic skin condition you find difficult to get rid of or keep under control, she may have a dog allergy.

About 20% of dogs in the United States have a dog allergy and of this 20%, about 10% are allergic to food. The rest of allergies are a combination of flea, contact, inhalant (environmental allergies) and bacterial.

All of these allergies can be treated.

Of course, the first step is to determine what type of allergy it is. You can start with eliminating corn and wheat from your dogs dietthe most common food allergens. Check the dog food labels carefully. You may have to go to a specialty pet food store to find a brand without corn or wheat filler. Look for a protein source to be the first ingredient on the label.

Fleas can also cause canine skin problems, besides the usual irritation, your pet could even be allergic to them. If your pet has fleas then youll have to take drastic measures to de-flea your pet, yourself and your home. Fleas are small, dark creatures usually found close to your pets skin if she has them. Youll see them pretty easily, especially if your pet has a light colored coat. They can also live in your carpet and will resort to biting humans. They usually leave small red marks as an indication of their bites.

Besides allergies, your pet could have an infection like scabies or dermatitis. If youve already ruled out allergies, or you suspect its cause is something else you should visit your vet for a professional opinion.

Some things that can help soothe dry, irritated skin: *Oatmeal Shampoo used with periodic bathing. Monthly bathing is frequent enough. Every week is too often and will dry out a dogs skin.

*Omega 3 supplementsFish oil pills can be givenmy dog eats them like treats--or you can get a liquid to pour over the food, this will also help to give your pet a beautiful, shiny coat

*Diet Change eliminating corn and wheat as these are the most common food allergies

*A trip to the vet to eliminate an illness like scabies

A canine skin problem can have many culprits. It may take a process of trial and elimination before finding the underlying cause and the thing that most helps. But you can find help and your dog will feel so much better!

Jennifer April bakes healthy, natural dog treats and offers healthy dog treat recipes from her website, http://www.all-natural-dog-treat.com Your stop for all-natural-dog-treat recipes and tips on improving your dogs health and happiness all naturally.

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Holistic Approach to Dog Skin Allergy

2009-01-11T05:14:00.001-08:00

Holistic Approach to Dog Skin Allergy
By Mary Rose Antonio

The best way to deal with dog skin allergy is to approach the problem holistically. One dog allergy solution is to make sure your dog enjoys overall good health and has a strong immune system. This way, he'll less likely to react to allergies and develop uncomfortable symptoms.

The following are surefire ways to beat dog skin allergy:

1) Feed your dog some meat - gradually switch to a healthy diet made from high quality whole meats (not meat by-products). You can also try feeding him chicken, turkey, salmon, bison, rabbit, duck, or venison. Remember to rotate the meat.

2) Don't give your dog grains - and that means no corn, wheat and other grains. Try alternatives such as gluten-free brown rice, spelt, amaranth, quinoa, or kamut. These are available at health stores.

3) No preservatives - BHT, ethoxyquin, and potassium sorbate are common artificial additives that are toxic to your dog's health. Check your dog food's label if it consists of any of the above ingredients. If it does, buy other dog food. I use wellness for my dogs.

4) Give him supplements - Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E as well as CoQ10 and selenium strengthens his immune system and helps prevent allergic reactions.

5) Use natural pest control - Adding garlic, Vitamin B1 or brewer's yeast to his diet helps repel fleas. Commercial flea and tick powders, shampoos, and collars are made with toxic chemicals that can irritate your dog's skin and overburden his immune system.

6) Keep his area clean - avoid using chemicals to clean his area and surroundings.

7) Avoid over-vaccinations - over-vaccination damages immunity and can lead to the development of allergies and other problems.

8) Use herbs - They can help the body rid itself of toxins, including those substances that cause allergic reactions such as burdock, alfalfa, red clover, dandelion , and spirulina.

9) Keep your dog clean - avoid cheap commercial shampoos and conditioners - they dry out your dog's hair and skin and even aggravate his allergies.

Dealing with dog skin allergy holistically takes time and commitment but it is the best dog allergy solution you can give to your dog.

Mary Rose Antonio is a physical therapist for 20 years now, a great believer in natural healing and a proud owner of two dogs. She is also the owner of http://www.ultimate-guide-to-dog-care.com. She invites you to learn more about taking care of your dog.

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If Effective Drugfree Asthma and Allergy Treatments Really Exist Why Doesn't Your Doctor Know?

2008-12-09T06:32:00.001-08:00

If Effective, Drug-free Asthma and Allergy Treatments Really Exist, Why Doesn't Your Doctor Know?
By Susan Millar

This is an excellent and important question that many people ask about natural asthma and allergy treatments. There are several reasons why doctors may not know or even if they do know, why they won't tell you.

One reason your doctor may be unaware of an effective, natural drug-free asthma and allergy treatment is that they generally are very busy and simply don't have the time to do the research about it. Keeping up with all the current medical publications can easily be a full time job in itself. Sadly, the main reason is that many traditional doctors don't believe in natural treatments and think that drugs are the only acceptable routes to take. The reality is drug companies often fund medical schools. These huge multi-national drug companies spend billions of dollars a year to develop and promote drugs that they want doctors to prescribe and you to keep using. They spend multi-millions on advertising and funding medical schools to convince doctors and the public that drugs are the best and only solution to asthma and allergies.

The bottom line is money: they would like you to continue to buy their expensive drugs and doctors want you to continue visiting them or they would both be out of business. The sad part is these drugs are expensive, usually don't work very well since they only mask the asthma or allergy symptoms. Even worse, many of them also have dangerous side effects. If you currently take asthma drugs, knowing what the side effects are is important.

For a listing and description of asthma drug side effects caused by the drugs you may be taking please see http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/drugs.htm

Taking responsibility for your own health is the first major step and the fact that you are reading this indicates that you may be interested in investigating natural solutions for your asthma and allergy symptoms. If you are interested in learning more information about safe, effective drug-free solutions to your asthma and allergies please visit: www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com

Susan Millar is a former asthma and allergy sufferer. She is a researcher and the author of The Dramatic Asthma Relief Report, based on extensive research from internationally respected medical publications about a genuinely effective drug-free treatment for asthma & allergies, which helped her to eliminate her asthma and allergies. This book has helped many other sufferers worldwide to do the same.

Please visit her website for more information about asthma, allergies and the Dramatic Asthma Relief Report: http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/

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SKIN ALLERGY vs. Cleaning

2008-11-24T07:19:00.001-08:00

SKIN ALLERGY vs. Cleaning
By Amie Porter

Lots of people think that skin allergies are caused by pollution and dirty environments. This is true but the good news is that there are positive things you can do to reduce allergic reactions and symptoms, such as asthma.

Dust mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye. You can find all sorts of information about dust mites on the Internet. However here we will talk about how to control dust mites effectively and reduce symptoms from them.

* Change bed sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week. To kill dust mites, you have to wash bedding in a washing machine at a temperature of at least 130 F. So we recommend you to choose light coloured bedding so that their colour will not noticeably fade.

* Protect your mattress, box springs and pillows with allergy-proof covers. This keeps dust mites away from the flakes of dead human skin cells which are a primary food source for them.

* Keep stuffed toys away from your bed. You might be amazed to learn that stuffed toys can attract dust mites.

* Reduce humidity. It helps if you can lower the relative humidity in your house, normally lower than 50% is sufficent. When dust mites can't absorb moisture from the air they will shrink and die. You can use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to achieve this benefit.

* Use stone, hardwood or laminate flooring instead of carpet if possible This eliminates an ideal dust mite territory. If you cannot choose your flooring, make sure that you use asteam cleaner on your carpets at least once a year.

* Dust and vacuum your home at least once a week. You need to clean your house regularly. Find a cleaner if you cannot afford the time. Regular dusting and vacuuming will help to control dust and therefore dust mites in your house. Use a damp mop or damp cloths on hard floors and furnishings as dry cloths stir up dust mite remains. Vacuum carpets, sofas, curtains and window blinds regularly with a powerful vacuum cleaner, preferably with a special filter.

* Keep away furry and feathered animals from your bedroom. Your pets' dead skin cells are another food source for dust mites. So it's best to have your pets sleep as far away from your bedroom as possible. You can treat your pets' sleeping areas the same as yours, i.e. regular cleaning and use allergy-proof covers.

Every little helps. For more information, use our special cleaning team, if you are based in London or the South East.

Amie Porter recommends London Rate Cleaning Services to minimize your allergy to dust and dust mites. Visit us at http://www.londonrate.com for Cleaning Services London, Cleaners London, Builders London, etc.

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Allergy In Dogs What Do I Do?

2008-11-23T08:01:00.001-08:00

Allergy In Dogs, What Do I Do?
By Candice Lee

Oh no...allergy in dog...what do I do? Today there seems to be so many dogs with allergies. Pet owners are frantically trying to find answers to help their faithful companions. So what does cause allergies in dogs? One place to start looking for answers is right in front of your dog's nose...his dog bowl! So, what ARE you feeding your dog?

Dog food today is filled with all kinds of grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), and which are often used as a protein source instead of meat. Allergies in dogs are sometimes related to these grains in their food.

In an effort to feed our dogs a healthy diet, we are led to believe that these grains are good for them. But don't let that fool you......... it's not because it's healthy for our dogs. It's because the grain is cheap and dog food manufacturers make a much bigger profit using grains. So, just what is the best food for our faithful companions?

Often the answers to our questions can be found in nature. We need to remember that dogs are canines and their ancestry dates back to wild dogs and wolves. These animals hunted in packs. If you examine their teeth, you will find that they were designed to rip and tear flesh, muscle and bone.They were created to eat meat and by nature, they are carnivores. The Native Americans of North America raised dogs and their diets consisted mostly of protein.

Many of the maladies, diseases, and allergies that our dogs are experiencing today are, unfortunately, directly related to the food they eat.

Three years ago our dog Elly became very ill and had to have her spleen removed. After the surgery, we started researching about dog foods and what we found was very shocking. We decided to give her a dog food that was much more balanced and included more protein and antioxidants.

Gradually her health improved, her coat became full and soft, and today she is an active 11 year old dog and doing quite well.

We have a responsibility to take care of our faithful friends and giving them a good, balanced nutritional food, without added grains like corn and wheat, will help ensure a long and healthy life. And hopefully, allergy in dog, be gone!

Candice is a wife, mom, author and proud owner of her faithful companion Elly. If you'd like to know what we feed our dog Elly:-) visit: http://www.EllysFood.info

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The Flea Allergy in Dogs and Cats

2008-11-22T20:12:00.000-08:00

The Flea Allergy in Dogs and Cats
By Grace Palce

Fleas multiply fast and do not voluntarily leave the body of the pet, the flea allergy will last for a long time.

There are symptoms that will tell the pet owner that the dog or cat is being troubled by a flea allergy. Some symptoms displayed by dogs are slightly different to those found in cats. But in general, the symptoms of a flea allergy are continuous itching, loss of hair, occurrence of sores, and unexplained depression.

Among dogs, the specific symptoms are:

Massive loss of hair
Presence of red and swollen sores
Irritation and scratching in certain areas, such as:

Along the tail

On the rump area

All over the hind legs

The region of the groin, which is the sensitive area between the hind legs

Among cats, the symptoms of flea allergy are:

Constant scratching in various parts of the body
The formation of painful scabs in sensitive areas, such as:

The neck

The face

The groin

The main body

A diagnosis of flea allergy no longer involves skin tests and blood tests. The mere presence of fleas indicates that flea allergy has befallen on the pet. The owner can even conduct his own examination by looking for fleas in the coat of the dog or cat. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of their host. They are tiny but can cause powerful irritations. They are usually black in color, which makes them more difficult to detect especially if the coat of the pet is also dark-colored.

Fleas also move fast. This makes it impossible to individually catch the fleas. They scatter their dirt all over the pets body and this adds to the skin irritation. The flea dirt looked like regular black dust when dry. But when wet, the flea dirt shows a reddish old copper-like color.

Fortunately, there are proven ways to remove the fleas and allow the pets body to heal itself from the allergy.Using flea combs These devices can be purchased from any pet supply store or from the veterinarian. Flea combs are designed so that they can sweep out the fleas along with the flea dirt from the coat of the pet.

Bathing or immersing the pet in a recommended solution The solution is usually a mixture of water and a detergent which is recommended by the vet. The detergent can immediately kill the fleas and loosen their hold on the skin.

The pet owner will find the dead fleas floating in the bath solution. This solution may also turn reddish due to the presence of so much flea dirt.

Cleaning the environment A good general cleaning will get rid off the source of fleas. Cleaning the pet will not prevent the recurrence of flea allergy. The environment must be cleaned too.

Applying anti-itch medications These medicines can be administered orally or by direct application on the affected area. They will reduce the painful itching and prevent further infection.

Grace Palce is writing articles for pet meds 101, a comprehensive dog medicine site.

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How Food Allergy Can Kill Or Save You

2008-10-30T06:01:00.001-07:00

How Food Allergy Can Kill Or Save You
By Robert Thatcher

Allergies may seem quite a nuisance but few know that it is actually an attempt by our body to save our life! Allergies are our immune systems response to food allergens that can harm the body. People can be allergic to a whole lot of things, a wide range of things in fact, from pollens to cheese, to dust. Reactions are also wide range. Some only exhibit skin reactions such as rashes and itchiness while others report on physiological reactions such as nausea and breathing difficulties.

Allergic reactions are actually caused by our bodies attempt to neutralize the foreign substance through antibodies. This process releases a substance called histamine, which in turn causes the allergic reactions.

One of the most common types of allergy is food allergy. There are, in fact, millions of people who suffer from this ailment. In addition to being largely inconvenient, food allergy can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, finding out what food you are allergic to can only be done through the process of hits and misses. There is no clear cut procedure or diagnostic test that can tell you outright to what food you are allergic to. And like the diagnostic process, there is also no clear-cut procedure on how to treat food allergens. Although there are medicines that will help ease the symptoms and physiological reactions brought on by the allergens, there are no drugs that can completely get rid of the allergy.

Often, food allergens only cause mild symptoms such as itchiness, appearance of rashes that spread all over the body, itchy eyes and runny nose, bouts of sneezing and coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and earaches. While these symptoms can cause you a days work at the office, they are not exactly dangerous to your health. There are allergic reactions though that are so severe that it will impede your breathing. This occurs when the mouth, throat and the bronchial tubes swell so much that your breathing area gets blocked. This condition can be accompanied by rashes in the body and a really swollen face.

What is really difficult about dealing with food allergy is that you do not know just how much can you take and how your body will react when it ingests a certain amount. In addition to taking care not to ingest the type of food that you are allergic with, it is also good to determine early on if too much of the food allergen can cause your death.

Here are some of the common food allergens. Take a look and see if the food you are allergic on threatens your life

Peanuts is perhaps the most dangerous of the lot, not because of the bodily reactions that it can cause but because peanuts are often used as hidden ingredients in a lot of food mixtures. Because of this, people who are allergic to it are often caught unaware.

Another food used as hidden ingredients in so many food mixtures is soy. People should be really careful in eating foods that they are not familiar with especially if they know that their reactions to these foods are severe.

Fish and shellfish can cause severe reactions in some people including difficulty in breathing and nausea.

Milk allergies are also quite common. It involves an allergic reaction to casein, lactalbumin and lactoglobulins, which are all proteins found in milk. Allergic reactions to milk can range from something as mild as rashes to severe cases such as wheezing, asthma, rhinitis, pneumonia and anaphylaxis.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides allergy resources on http://www.your-allergy-resources.info

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How to Arrange Food Allergy Testing

2008-10-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

How to Arrange Food Allergy Testing
By Elizabeth Harfleet

If you have a food allergy it is essential that you identify it as soon as possible so that you can avoid problem foods.

Food allergy testing is the only way to identify a food allergy. Once you are aware of your food allergies, you can ensure that you do not eat the foods which are harmful to your body.

If you are allergic to certain foods your immune system releases large doses of chemicals when they are eaten to protect your body from them. The problem is that these chemicals produce a variety of symptoms that can be severe and sometimes, life threatening.

Food allergies can be identified by carrying out food allergy testing. However, there are only 90 NHS allergy clinics in the UK. This means that if you want food allergy testing on the NHS , you might have to wait a long time. Therefore, you might want to arrange food allergy testing privately. If so, you have two main options:

Food Allergy Skin Prick Test

The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?

2008-10-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?
By David Brooks

Scratching is a very common symptom in dogs, and you as an owner should aim to nip it in the bud early before self trauma causes secondary injuries to your dog. However, before wondering whether your dog could have an allergy, you must rule out the common parasitic (fleas and mites), bacterial (hot spots) and fungal (ringworm and yeast) infections. See my article Is your Dog Scratching to explore these in greater detail.

Just as allergies have become more common in children these days compared to several generations ago, veterinarians are seeing far more allergies in pets too. It is difficult to explain this phenomenon, theories range from alterations in the content of pet foods to the use of modern day household cleaning products or simply genetic evolution. One thing is certain, whatever the cause, allergic dogs benefit hugely from avoiding the offending allergen or, if that is impossible, appropriate treatment to minimize the itchiness.

Lets start with the presenting signs of an allergy in dogs. Itchiness can manifest itself not only as obvious scratching at the neck and flanks, but also as face rubbing, foot licking or chewing and over grooming. Foot licking, for example, is often perceived by owners as normal, when in fact the dog is responding to itchy feet in the only way it can, by licking them. The skin between the toes may turn red and sore due to the compulsive licking, and in white dogs such as West Highland White Terriers and Bichon Frises, the fur is stained brown by saliva.

Ear infections are another common sign of an underlying allergy. Though general waxiness, hair in the ear canals, lack of ventilation, bacteria and yeast may trigger the infection, an underlying allergy is often the root cause of the itchiness. If your dog gets recurrent ear infections, by eliminating an underlying allergy you may prevent your dog from going over the itchiness threshold and developing full blown ear infections.

So, what are the common allergies in dogs?

For convenience they are best separated into 4 categories.

1) Flea bite hypersensitivity
2) Adverse food reaction
3) Atopic dermatitis
4) Contact dermatitis

Flea bite hypersensitivity is relatively straight forward to cure. It is a simple case of eliminating every single flea on the dog and, crucially, in his/her environment. The itchiness is caused by an allergic reaction to the flea saliva, and so even a solitary flea can trigger a scratching frenzy. To rule out flea bite hypersensitivity, all animals in the house (dogs and cats) should be treated with a reputable veterinary spot on medication monthly without fail, and the house should be thoroughly sprayed with an insecticidal spray.

Adverse food reactions are more difficult to treat as it can be difficult to isolate the precise ingredient responsible for causing itchiness in your dog. Not only that, treating adverse food reactions requires owners to be exceptionally disciplined and motivated in preventing their pet having even a single treat unless the exact ingredients are known to be safe.

There are two ways of diagnosing an adverse food reaction (also known as a food allergy). For those readers for whom cost is not an issue, a blood test can be done to measure for ingredient specific antibodies in the bloodstream. The blood test is quite costly, and if combined with a blood test for environmental allergens is usually upwards of $400 (?200). The company performing the blood test then provides a list of ingredients (chicken, beef, pork, rice, wheat etc) and a score next to them, suggesting which ingredients are best avoided. The owner then picks a commercial diet which does not include any of these ingredients, or indeed a special home cooked diet. The second way to diagnose an adverse food reaction is to conduct a dietary trial. This involves picking a very bland hypoallergenic diet and feeding your dog exclusively that for at least a month, preferably 6 weeks. The author usually suggests turkey and rice, as less dogs are allergic to turkey than chicken. Of course if your dog happened to be allergic to rice or turkey, which is rare but nevertheless possible, you would be none the wiser as the itchiness would continue and you would assume you had ruled out a food allergy having done the turkey and rice dietary trial. Remember if you are doing one of these trials, then your dog must not be given any treats, especially not pigs ears, chews, boneos, dental sticks or any rawhide products. Literally nothing must be swallowed other than turkey and rice (and water!) for the entire trial period.

If you have ruled out flea bite hypersensitivity and ruled out an adverse food reaction, the next step is to consider an environmental allergy, also known as atopic dermatitis. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis usually begin between 1 and 3 years of age, though any age is possible. The itchiness is often seasonal, which is consistent with a pollen allergy, though some dogs are itchy all year round. There are certain breeds which are predisposed to this condition: Boxers, Bull Terriers, Dalmations, English Bulldogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Shar Peis, Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers being the most commonly affected. Diagnosis is usually made based on the history and ruling out all the other causes of itchiness, and many vets will treat the condition on these presumptions. However, definitive diagnosis can be achieved via a panel of injections into a patch of skin, or blood tests. Neither of these are particularly effective and generally not performed unless the owner is prepared to attempt a desensitization programme. This involves a long term course of injections given by your vet on, say, a monthly basis to desensitize your dog to the offending allergen, and so make the allergic reaction much smaller when he/she does come into contact with it.

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by your dog coming into contact with a chemical that is an irritant. It therefore only tends to affect the stomach, groin and feet of the dog, and is characterized by reddening and drying of the skin in these areas. It can also be seen when owners shampoo their dogs with a product that is not intended for use in dogs. Contact dermatitis is rare, but easily ruled out by careful use of cleaning products around the household. Just think, did the itchiness coincide with the introduction of a new carpet cleaner, washing powder or fabric softener?

By far the best treatment for any allergy is avoidance of the cause. By careful investigation and following the steps above this is often possible, especially for flea bite hypersensitivity, adverse food reactions and contact dermatitis. If avoidance is impossible though, as is the case for many cases of atopic dermatitis, then seasonal or lifelong treatment may be indicated. Steroids are very effective at stopping itchiness caused by allergies, but long term use can lead to undesirable side effects, such as adrenal gland disease. Long term steroid use should only be used as a last resort, when other medications have been tried and failed. These other medications include antihistamines, essential fatty acids and medicated shampoos.

Dr David Brooks is part of the online veterinary team at WhyDoesMyPet.com. Veterinarians, Vet Technicians, Nurses, Trainers, Behaviorists, Breeders and Pet Enthusiasts are here to answer your pet questions and concerns...Our dedicated community of caring experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.

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Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds Dogs For Allergy Sufferers

2008-10-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds - Dogs For Allergy Sufferers
By Jessica Grace

Loose skin flakes, known as dander, is what causes the allergic reaction to dogs for some people. Most people think it is the loose hair which they are reacting to, but it is actually the dander. There is a solution - a hypoallergenic dog. A dog with minimal dander which won't cause an allergic reaction in people who usually have allergies to dogs.

There's no such thing as 100% hypoallergenic dog, because all dogs release some dander. However, the following breeds listed shed very lightly and also release much less dander from their skin than other breeds:

Bedlington Terrier

Bichon Frise

Chinese Crested

Maltese

Irish Water Spaniel

Portuguese Water Dog

Kerry Blue Terrier

Poodle (toy, miniature and standard)

Schnauzer (miniature, standard and giant)

Xoloitzcuintli

These breeds will probably not trigger an allergic reaction. The Chinese Crested hairless variety and the Xoloitzcuintli both have no hair. As well as being the most hypoallergenic of all dog breeds, these dogs make very efficient hot water bottles.

Once you decide which of these dogs suits you, spend some time around the breed you've chosen to see whether you react. Spend a few hours in the home of the breeder, handling the dog and being in it's environment to see if you still have an allergic reaction. Chances are you won't.

Keep in mind that some people react to dog saliva when they are licked by a dog. Unfortunately, if you're allergic to dog saliva these breeds may not help you, because although they don't shed much dander, they will still lick.

For more information on hypoallergenic http://www.justdogbreeds.com

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Allergy Immunology

2008-10-10T06:04:00.001-07:00

Allergy Immunology
By Harry Rai

Allergy Treatment with Antihistamines and Decongestants

Allergy treatment with antihistamines and decongestants are common ways to control the symptoms of this problem. At best, allergies can be annoying and reduce the quality of life of the person suffering the allergic reaction. At worst, allergies can be life-threatening. For common, seasonal allergies, many people use antihistamines and decongestants to get through the allergy season but they may not know very much about the medication they are consuming.

Of course, the best way to control allergy symptoms is to avoid contact with the offending allergen. This may not always be possible especially if your seasonal allergy symptoms are triggered by blooming plants. It is difficult to avoid going outdoor entirely during allergy season which can span the spring, summer and well into fall, depending on what allergens trigger your symptoms.

Antihistamines are effective treatment for allergy symptoms. They can be obtained over the counter or as prescription medication. Unfortunately, almost all over the counter antihistamines have a sedating effect but many of the prescription antihistamines do not have a sedating side effect. These medications work by countering the reaction by blocking histamine in the body. They work best if taken before the encounter with the offending allergen. For example, if you are allergic to blooming flowers and must attend a wedding, you should take an antihistamine before attending the event rather than after. This can prevent many of the symptoms from appearing.

Allergy symptoms can cause the lining of the nose, sinuses, lungs and even the ears to swell and become stuffy. This can be quite a miserable feeling for the allergy sufferer and the nasal drainage can be even more annoying. The use of decongestants can relieve some of this stuffiness and make it easier for the person with allergies to breathe freely. Decongestants can be taken only when symptoms are present and can be taken with antihistamines. Some decongestants tend to have a stimulating effect and can raise blood pressure. People who have high blood pressure already must be careful when taking these medications.

Allergy treatment with antihistamines and decongestants can be quite effective, however, these medication have the potential to interact with other medications taken for other medical problems. If you take other prescription medication, you should always consult your doctor before taking any over the counter antihistamine or decongestant medications. If you have other health problems, you should also talk to your doctor to be sure what allergy medications are safe for you. We keep updating allergy immunology blog, please come back to allergy immunology

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Allergy-Immunology&id=174721

How to Ease Your Allergies: Quick Relief for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers!

2008-10-08T15:36:00.001-07:00

How to Ease Your Allergies: Quick Relief for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers!
By Adam Asar

You may be one of the masses who dont even realize that you have allergies! According to studies, there are about 17 out of every 100 Americans that are allergic, or hypersensitive, to some substances which are known to cause unusual reactions.

What are allergies? According to Wikipedia, an allergy is a condition of hypersensitivity to a substance (an allergen) considered harmless to most people. Hmmm, most people? In fact, 50 million Americans are estimated to have allergies.

There is no clear apparent medical reason why people contract allergies, but one thing remains clear: the condition is indiscriminate in its coverage and may affect us regardless of age, gender, or race. Commonly, however, the allergy manifests in our infancy or childhood, although some symptoms may appear at any age or may reappear after any period of apparent inactivity.

Most allergies are largely insignificant and may be dealt with by simple lifestyle choices; however, there is a possibility of them either adversely affecting our daily life, or perhaps life-threatening conditions.

As of this writing, if you run a Google search on the word allergy you will receive over 32 million results. Sure, some of those are duplicates but thats a pretty substantial number. And that doesnt include other simple search terms.

The bottom line here is that those 50 million Americans already know they have an allergy. That doesnt include all the people who are under the misconception that their suffering is not just a simple cold!

How would you know if you have an allergy?

Below are the most common types of allergies.

- Food Allergies - ignited by certain food types

- Anaphylaxis - triggered by drugs, food, or insect stings

- Respiratory Allergies - triggered by allergens which are airborn

- Contact Allergies - triggered by skin-affecting allergens

- Insect Sting Allergies - triggered by insect venom

Mild Symptoms:

- Tingling, itching, or swelling of your mouth, tongue, lips, or throat

- Tightness feeling in your throat

- Difficulty speaking or swallowing

- Nausea

- Indigestion and abdominal cramps

- Vomiting and diarrhea

- Skin rashes

- Coughing, congestion, wheezing, or sneezing

- Runny, stuffy, or itchy nose

Severe Symptoms:

- Breathing difficulties

- Sweating, dizziness, and faintness

- Rapid or sudden heart rate increase

- Sudden inability or hoarseness to speak

- Extreme and sudden facial itching and swelling

- Anaphylaxis

What Causes Allergies?

The immune system of a person with an allergy tries to combat allergens. It looks upon the small driftwood of everyday life house dust, pollen, animal dander, and mold as outsiders that are sure to do some dreadful damage.

In order to recognize and capture these strangers, it is important that people know who the culprits are. They should try to educate themselves on how allergies work and what causes them because these are the only means to find the solution to the problem.

Basically, allergies are agitated reactions of the immune system to certain foreign substances to the human body. These stuffs are known as allergens.

Allergens are then classified into four categories based on where they have come from. By knowing these four classifications of allergens, an individual could identify where he is allergic.

Normally, if a person is having persistent allergic symptoms, but he cannot isolate the allergen, it is a good idea to see an allergist, get tested, and find out what the allergens are. In this way, people can easily find out what causes their allergy and resolve the problem.

Who is at risk for allergies?

Among all known diseases, allergies are placed among the most universally manifesting diseases among humans. It does not discriminate among the individuals to be infected. People of all ages, gender, culture, nationality and skin color have equal chances of developing them.

Through the study of allergies and allergic attacks, it is apparent that some individuals have a higher probability of acquiring an allergic condition compared to other individuals exposed to the same particle.

Each age level is particularly prone to a certain allergen. This fact should provide you with an idea on how you can at least minimize, if not perfectly avoid, the attack of allergy. Research shows that 7 to 8 out of 10 newly born infants have a large predisposition in acquiring hypersensitivity to anything in their surroundings. Moreover, 1 out of 7 American adults suffer from at least one type of allergic condition.

Some even develop allergic reactions among substances used in clothing such as color dyes and bleaching chemical agent (contact dermatitis) and other forms of medications such as penicillin and other antibiotics (drug hypersensitivity).

Some young adults who have experienced lesser attacks or were not put into any allergic state earlier in their life are apt to develop such condition should adequate trigger attacks (allergen particles) are present.

What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are one type of allergic rhinitis. If you recall our chapter on allergic rhinitis you know that it is a type of allergy where breathing in an allergen becomes the source of an inflammatory reaction in the membranes of the nose. With this seasonal allergy, inflammation happens only during a particular period. This is most likely caused by molds, pollens, or other substances that are in the air during specific seasons.

What treatments are available for different types of allergies?Allergies affect almost everyone since almost anything can trigger an allergic reaction. These reactions are caused by the immune system over-reacting to an allergen or the substance that causes the allergy. These reactions range from violent sneezing to itchy hives or in a more serious form, breathing difficulties.

To address these reactions, the first line of defense is avoiding allergens that cause these allergic symptoms. Minimizing your exposure to allergens will translate less episodes of sneezing, coughing and itching.

But since avoidance isnt possible at all times, your doctor can prescribe allergy medications and treatments, the correct kind and combination of which depends on the kind of symptoms you exhibit. Allergy medications come in pill, liquid, spray, eye drop and topical forms. Some can be bought over-the-counter while others require prescriptions.

Always remember though that in taking medications whether OTC (over-the-counter) doctor-prescribed, consult with your doctor and inform him/her of your medical history before starting any allergy treatments.

Antihistamines

Histamines are chemicals released by the immune system as part of the reaction to an allergen. This substance is responsible for the inflammation or swelling of nasal passage, the skin or any other part affected by an allergy. As the name suggests, antihistamines prevent histamines to cause such reactions reducing redness, swelling, hives and watery eyes. They are prescribed in the form of liquids, sprays, pills and drops.Corticosteroids

With the exception of some OTC creams, corticosteroids require a doctors prescription. Forms of corticosteroids include:

- Eye drops relieve symptomatic itching and redness of the eyes due to hay fever. Contra-indications include eye infections, glaucoma, and pregnancy. So if any of these apply to you, avoid using corticosteroid eye drops. Contact lens users are also more susceptible to eye infections when using these eye drops.

-Nasal sprays

Since it is administered directly to the affected area, nasal sprays are the preferred treatment for hay fever or allergic rhinitis to relieve stuffiness, runny nose and sneezing. However, relief may take time to set in and in some cases, only after regular use. Some of the side effects are an unpleasant taste, irritation that may cause nose bleeding especially during the winter months.

- Creams that come in varying strengths of dosages are good for itching and scaling skin. However, be cautious of continued use as they can sometimes cause skin irritation.

- Oral corticosteroids are prescribed for short periods to address more acute forms of allergic symptoms. But the long-term use of such has been known to cause side effects like cataracts and osteoporosis so prescription is regulated. Leukotriene modifiers

These medicines work similarly to antihistamines in that they block the substances released by your immune system to aggravate allergic reactions. Leukotriene modifiers have been proven to treating allergic asthma and rhinitis.

Injectible epinephrine

Anaphylactic shock is a violent allergic reaction that affects key body functions such as the respiratory and cardiovascular system. This kind of reaction is similar to throwing a monkey wrench into a machine that puts the system in jeopardy. The danger of that kind of reaction is therefore very high.

Immunotherapy

If your condition doesnt see improvement in spite of medications or if taking them will incur adverse side effects, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy, which is the process of training your immune system not to react to substances that used to cause allergies for you. This can take as long as three to five years to finish. It is done by introducing extracts of the allergen into your body through a series of regulated injections. The goal is to make your body desensitized to the substance, which will eliminating or decrease your need to take medicines.

This method is especially effective for people allergic to substances that are found everywhere and cannot be avoided (such as dust and pollen). The procedure is also helpful in arresting the development of asthma in children.

Natural Remedies

A lot of people nowadays turn to a holistic health lifestyle and rally for natural remedies like homeopathy or herbs to recover from certain illnesses. Natural remedies or alternative medicine encompasses a number of non-traditional ways for a healthier lifestyle.

Some of these natural remedies are:

1. Apitherapy

Apitherapy is one of the natural remedies which makes use of bee products to help someone recover from a certain illness or condition. There are about 500 diseases that Apitherapy can heal.

2. Applied Kinesiology

Applied kinesiology can pinpoint body dysfunctions by identifying weak muscles.

3. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the science of using essential plant oils for the betterment of one's well-being.

The most common carrier oils are: sweet almond, olive, avocado, borage, apricot kernel, cocoa butter, sunflower, evening primrose, peanut, grape seed, hazelnut, sesame, jojoba, kukui, macadamia nut, pecan, rose hip, and shea butter.

4. Ayurveda

Considered the oldest health care system in the world that originated from India, Ayurveda stems from three biological principles: Vata which is the regulation of movement, Pitta for regulation of metabolism and Kapha for structure.

5. Biofeedback

Biofeedback is one of the natural remedies that use the body's signals for the improvement of health.

6. Bodywork

Bodywork employs deep tissue massage, balance of energy and movement awareness to improve one's health. It does not necessarily involve body touch but it takes care of the body's healing response.

7. Buteyko

One of the natural remedies to watch out for is buteyko which involves breathing exercises to help asthmatic people.

8. Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine has always been known as one of the most popular natural remedies. Chinese Medicine is rooted from the Taoist belief the law of Yin and Yang. The person will experience less illness if the Yin and Yang is well-balanced. Chinese medicine is famous for its herbs like the Ren Shen, Dang Gui, Dan Shen, Mu Li, Du Huo and Fang Feng.One cannot talk about Chinese medicine without mentioning acupuncture. Acupuncture is able to diagnose the illness by the flow of Qi (energy).

9. Color Therapy

Color Therapy uses the spectrum to enhance the energy center or Chakra of the body and also improve the body's healing process.

10. Flower Essences

Dr. Edward Bach discovered in 1930 that flowers contain energy that can put human discord to an equilibrium.

11. Gemstone Therapy

There is such a thing as a healing gemstone that can alleviate ill body conditions. A gemologist must be consulted as synthetic gems are useless.

12. Herbology

Natural remedies are immediately associated with herbs. Herbs are classified into aromatic, astringent, bitter, mucilaginous and nutritive. Proven to improve health, herbs are great sources of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A can be found in alfalfa, saw palmetto and dock, whereas bee pollen, juniper berry and peppermint are rich in Vitamin C. For one's calcium fix, there's aloe vera and fennel seed.

13. Homeopathy

Homeopathy involves the use of active ingredients in small doses together with natural substances for a healthier balance.

15. Iridology

Iridology is diagnosing through the irises, as they are human parts that show signs of physical and mental illnesses.

16. Macrobiotics

Macrobiotics is achieving over-all wellness by changing one's lifestyle, diet and attitude. It comes from the words macro which means great, and bios which means life.

17. Meditation

What can be more natural than just looking for a quiet spot and muse deeply on series of subjects that will eventually lead to enlightenment? Stress is dramatically reduced and the body is recharged by deeply meditating.

18. Music Therapy

Music is language of the soul, so it is not surprising that there is such a thing as music therapy. So far, music therapy has incurred differences and benefits to people who practiced it. This is a fortified healthcare profession that is designed to do the following: promote well-being, express emotions, manage and combat stress, improve memory and alleviate aches and pains.

19. Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine's principles are based on the belief that natural balances make up for a well-balanced internal chemistry.With those effective natural remedies, it is no wonder a lot of people have started employing each one of them in times of sickness. Most go for natural remedies just to maintain their healthy bodies.

Avoiding Allergic Reactions

Most allergens attack and trigger allergic reaction if they find themselves on the skin or inside the eye. Allergic reactions can happen through inhalation, ingestion or injectionand, as discussed previously, allergies can be seasonal as with the case of the hay fever or it can be drug or dust-induced and food-related.

The production of an antibody called immunoglobulin happens upon the first exposure to an allergen. This immunoglobulin or (IgE) attaches itself to basophiles, a type of white blood cell and mast cells. The initial exposure may have a person extrasensitive to allergen but the symptoms may not be there. Subsequent exposures can eventually lead to more reactions and tissue irritations. Reactions can be mild or severe.Avoiding an allergy simply translates to one commonsense fact: avoid the allergen. This means the person has to discontinue using a drug, have the dust removed, put the pet outdoors, install effective air filters and simply avoid eating a particular food. If the allergy is severe, the person may consider moving out and finding a place that does not contain the allergen.

Here are more ways to prevent an allergic reaction:

1. Ask the doctor for an allergy kit.

An allergy kit is used for severe allergic reactions, also called anaphylaxis. The kit must have the following: how-tos on using the kit, sterilized cotton swabs for cleansing the skin before and after the injection, Epinephrine which comes in a syringe and some Antihistamine tablets.

Remember that the medications inside an allergy kit may lose their efficacy if exposed to direct sunlight or high temperature. The patient must watch out for the color of Epinephrine. It must be clear. Once it turns pinkish brown, it must be thrown away.

2. You must wear a medical ID tag if you are susceptible to serious reaction so other people are alerted your allergy.

3. There must be a thorough discussion on allergy shots or immunotherapy with the doctor.

Allergy shots can reduce or totally ward off one's sensitivity to an allergen. These shots are for the following allergies:

1. Pollen (trees, grasses and even ragweed)

2. Dust motes and cockroaches.

3. Dander from dogs and cats

4. Fungus

5. Insect venom (from bees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and fire ants)

6. Medications

As children are more susceptible to allergic reactions, the parent must exert extra effort to keep any allergic reaction at bay. Schools are often considered breeding ground for allergens so the parent and school administrators must work hand in hand. The home must also be allergen-proof so the children can go about freely.

Allergic reactions are dangerous and fatal, if left untreated or if the person is more susceptible than usual. It is mandatory that preventive measures must be carried out to avoid the severe symptoms. For more information on allergic reactions, one must ask the family doctor.

Properly diagnosed and treated, allergies need not affect your life in any significant manner.

Adam Asar manages http://www.quranichealing.com for spiritual healing driven from the Holy book of Quran. He speaks three languages. Adam's sincere desire is to share the peace and love embodied in the (Holy) Quran teachings.

Adam is also the founder of http://www.howto101.info

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Allergy Free Dogs They're Nothing to Sneeze At!

2008-10-06T05:49:00.001-07:00

Allergy Free Dogs - They're Nothing to Sneeze At!
By Richard Livitski

Allergy free dogs are a great solution for would be dog owners that have allergies. Many dog lovers that thought they would never be able to own a dog because of the uncontrollable symptoms to pet dander, may not have considered a hypoallergenic dog. A small number of dog breeds are considered hypoallergenic, meaning they do not cause allergic reactions, either because they shed only small amounts of hair or because their dog dander is not allergy producing.

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or a non-shedding dog, a common misconception by some owners with allergy problems that purchase dogs believing they will be cured of dog dander issues.

Although the amount of allergy producing dander will be reduced with a hypoallergenic dog, owners still need to go through a regular routine to ensure that pet dander from pet hair is removed from their environment. It is important to recognize that it isnt the pet hair itself causing the allergic reaction, but the dander that comes off when the dog shedding occurs. Dogs that make little to no dander are the dogs that are considered hypoallergenic dogs and will be best suited for a home with someone who is allergy sensitive.

What Causes Dog Allergies...

As previously noted, it is not the actual dog or even the hair of the dog, but the dander that flakes off the skin and causes allergies. Unfortunately, this dander can easily be carried throughout the house when it attaches to the hair of the dog, falls onto the floor, couches or beds of a home, causing potential allergens to be spread throughout the home.

Keep in mind that many humans with allergies will make the mistake of buying a hairless dog or a short-haired dog thinking they will produce less allergens than a long-haired breed. This is not always the case. In fact, some medium to long-haired dogs produce little to no dander, while other short haired dogs produce a lot of dander. Remember that all dogs produce dander, it is just that some produce a great deal less than others.

Tips for Reducing Pet Allergens...

1. Purchase a high suction vacuum that can quickly and effectively remove almost all pet dander from the home. Use this on a daily to weekly basis as needed.

2. Find a large air purifier that can be used in the main areas of the house. Keep the air purifier running at all times in order to effectively reduce dander. Remember to clean the purifier on a regular basis as well.

3. Brush your pet 2-3 times a day. Give dogs a bath at least once a week to remove excess dander. Do this outside so that dander will not collect in part of the home.

4. Limit dog access to your sleeping and sitting areas. Regularly wash sheets, curtains, pillow covers, table clothes and any other removable upholstery covers.

A List of Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds...

Afghan Hound

American Hairless Terrier

Basenji

Bedlington Terrier

Bichon Frise

Border Terrier

Chinese Crested Dog

German Shorthaired Pointer

Greyhound

Italian Greyhound

Irish Water Spaniel

King Blue Terrier

Lhasa Apso

Maltese

Mexican Hairless

Peruvian Ina

Poodles (all)

Portuguese Water Dog

Schnauzers (all)

Shih Tzu

Yorkshire Terrier

Wheaten Terrier

Whippet

Also, if you have allergies and are considering the purchase of a allergy free dog, it might be wise to spend as much time as possible around the dog beforehand to see how you will react. By doing so, it might save you, and the dog, from the emotional turmoil of having to give up your new friend if you find your allergenic reactions too strong.

When Richard Livitski isn't busy running around after his own dogs, he's working on his dog names website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names as well as grooming, training, and dog care tips can be found.

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Bee Pollen Dog Allergy

2008-10-01T05:27:00.001-07:00

Bee Pollen Dog Allergy
By John Gibb

When speaking of bee pollen dog allergy it sort of makes you wonder why a dog would be taking bee pollen in the first place right? Dogs have been shown to highly benefit from the health advantages to adding bee pollen to the diet. Our canine friends are no exception to the rules.

However a bee pollen dog allergy can be a very serious thing. Dogs can suffer allergies much the same as a human being would. Bee pollen dog allergy can range from very severe to extremely mild and generally goes unnoticed. Although it is rare, some canines have been known to suffer anaphylactic shock and it can be life threatening.

Anaphylactic shock occurs when the body produces too much histamine to the point of swelling the throat and breathing passage closed. If your dog has ever suffered from this type of reaction from a bee sting or any type of bee pollen product, your dog likely has a serious bee pollen dog allergy and should not be fed any type of pollen products at all.

Aside from bee pollen dog allergy there is the little known fact that this miracle substance made by another creature of the animal kingdom can be beneficial in the treatment and overall health of the dog. As it does in human, bee pollen adds essential nutrients to the diet that cannot normally be made in the system such as vitamin C, and therefore helps with overall maintenance of general health. Bee pollen dog allergy is not something that is commonly found in fish or small houseflies.

It is essential that in order to treat bee pollen dog allergy that you recognize the signs of bee pollen dog allergy. Some of the signs can include noticing the dog having difficulty breathing and could be even throwing up.

It is often difficult to tell if dogs experience skin rash or hives but if you can identify those, you should immediately cease giving the dog any kind of bee pollen treatment. Excessive itchiness noticeable on the dog or swollen skin, which again can be hard to identify can be a sign that your dog is suffering from bee pollen dog allergy.

The product we personally use, located in the pristine source of New Zealand, is the most natural bee pollen source we have come across - http://www.bee-health-product.com

We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results. We have achieved a general sense of well being and new improved energy levels.

We highly recommend you check out our bee pollen supplement of choice for further information.

John Gibb runs a series of health websites. Check out our Bee supplement guide, for more information on bee pollen.

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Coping With Peanut Allergy

2008-09-25T08:36:00.001-07:00

Coping With Peanut Allergy
By Nadine OReilly

When your child develops a peanut allergy, the world instantly becomes a more dangerous place. One of the most difficult aspects of raising a child with a potentially lethal allergy is helping them develop a sense of joy and confidence. Growing up with a peanut allergy means knowing food can kill you, which in turn means growing up under constant stress. Studies have shown that children with peanut allergies live with high levels of fear and anxiety. Its important to find ways for your child to enjoy the world anyway.

How do you help your child live a normal life when there is so much they have to avoid or be vigilant about? Social situations for children with peanut allergy are difficult because events almost always include food. Peanut allergies can destroy the carefree joy of childhood because of the required constant monitoring for potential dangers. As a parent, you understand well just how harmful the world is for your child, yet its so important to help them enjoy life and learn to function in the world and in society as well.

One thing a child with a peanut allergy often faces is exclusion. As a parent, I have learned that children can be cruel. As a school psychologist, I have witnessed and intervened when children have called a student with a peanut allergy the peanut kid, or said such hurtful things like, get out of my way or Ill throw a peanut at you and youll die. Yes, these are true instances and they aimed to hurt the child just because he had a peanut allergy.

Other children may find a food allergy strange, but they will generally accept it and continue on with their friendship. You may find it helpful to donate books to your childs classroom that talk about food allergies and the dangers, such as Peter Cant Eat Peanuts.

While other children may handle your childs peanut allergy well, their parents may not. Adults have a tendency to shy away from children with such severe allergies, and this can pose problems and pain for your child in the form of being left out of activities, not invited to parties, not chosen to work on projects.

On one hand, its not hard to see why people dont want to deal with the liability. How would it feel to know you were responsible for killing, or almost killing, a child because you offered them the wrong treat? If this were not your child, but a friends child who suffered from a peanut allergy, can you honestly say you would volunteer for the responsibility of caring for them? (Yes, we say, because its hard to be objective in our positions but really, really try to think about it.) Yet understanding a persons inherent reluctance to be involved with a child with a peanut allergy doesnt salve the wounded feelings of a child when they are the only one in the class not invited to a birthday party.

As the parent of a child with a potentially fatal peanut allergy, you may find that you have to be more involved and more willing to go the extra mile than other parents. Talk to the parents of your childs friends one on one, or arrange at the beginning of the school year to meet the parents of your childs classmates, through the teacher. Explain your childs allergy, then volunteer your services for things like bringing treats to class or helping with birthday parties.

You should be gentle and make sure the other parents know that you understand their potential worries about including your child in activities. Explain that you are concerned about your child being hurt by being excluded, and your main concern is that he or she gets to enjoy being as normal as possible. Show a positive attitude, and it will come through loud and clear that youre willing to work with everyone involved. Take the pressure off other parents in order for your son or daughter to have a more normal life, and make peanut-free snacks to give to your childs teacher so that birthday parties at school can be enjoyable for your child.

When you do find people who want to help your child with a peanut allergy to be included, they might not be sure what to do, what they can do, or how they should react to an emergency. Informed people who know how to handle a situation in the event of an allergic reaction are typically more relaxed and confident about being around a person with special needs (yes, peanut allergy is a special need. Dont let teachers/administrators tell you otherwise.) Teach everyone with whom your child has contact how to use an Epi-pen, and make up laminated emergency cards with instructions and contacts to distribute to people who will be around your child regularly.

Some parents still wont get it, or will be too uncomfortable to be involved. Thats certainly their right, and its good to explain such situations frankly to your child. They have to understand that people arent always going to change to accommodate their peanut allergies. They have to learn to maneuver through the world and still get joy out of it. Its kind of like learning to lose gracefully.

An important thing to remember is that your child is going to have to learn to have these discussions about their peanut allergies with other people themselves. Youre not always going to be able to manage his or her social situations, especially as he or she grows. If you have a toddler or a youngster, give your day care provider a labeled photo of your child and make sure it is prominently displayed for all to see.

Does your child know how to respond to people who offer treats and may cajole or pressure them into accepting? Even when a child knows their safety is at stake, its hard to get past that desire to be liked and approved of. Your child needs to know how to talk to other people, even grownups, about their situation and explain how the other person can help them. Prepare your child by role playing and acting out situations they may face and attitudes they may have to deal with. Peter Cant Eat Peanuts is an excellent tool for toddlers who are just beginning to cope with the differences in their lives caused by their peanut allergy.

In some ways, coping socially when you suffer from a peanut allergy is getting easier. Peanut allergy has gotten a lot of media attention lately, from dramatic stories such as the girl who died after kissing her boyfriend because hed eaten a peanut-butter sandwich. Medical studies are providing other news stories, showing the dramatic rise of peanut allergies appearing in children. The publicity is helping alert the general population to the seriousness of this allergy, and perhaps instructing well-meaning people on how even tiny bits of peanut in the cookies they baked will hurt your child.

One final note: Dont get so caught up in the social aspect of coping with peanut allergies that you miss the simple things that can bring your child joy. Its especially important that we emphasize that food is not the enemy, so adventures in food are a perfect bonding opportunity one that allows for quiet time, during which you can actually reach your child in these hectic times. There are a great many restaurants your child will never be able to eat at because of his or her peanut allergies. So, become a great cook. Take classes if reading a cookbook isnt enough to help you master the kitchen. This way you can safely introduce your child to cuisine that might be deadly in a restaurant, such as Chinese food which is so often cooked in peanut oil.

While youre at it, teach your child to cook as well. Not only will you be providing a source of fun and adventure, youll be arming him or her to be able to keep their world as peanut-free as possible.

Nadine O'Reilly, M.A. is a doctoral-level school psychologist and Coordinator of Special Services in northern New Jersey. She creates 100's of accommodation plans for disabled children each year. Nadine is the author of Peter Can't Eat Peanuts and the Empowered Toddler series of books. Nadine's son, Brendan, has a potentially fatal peanut allergy, and is asthmatic.

Contact Nadine at nadine@access4allergickids.com
http://www.access4allergickids.co

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Some Hints To Help You Live With An Allergy To Peanuts

2008-09-25T03:07:00.001-07:00

Some Hints To Help You Live With An Allergy To Peanuts
By Gregg Hall

8% of children and 2% of adults in the United States are estimated to be affected by some form of allergy to food. Of that percentage, the most common food to elicit some form of allergic reaction is peanuts, which affects about three million Americans.

When the immune system overreacts to a usually safe food, it is called an allergic reaction. The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis (a sudden drop in blood pressure) can sometimes, but rarely be fatal (killing about 1 of 2.5 million). Otherwise, common symptoms of food allergy are things such as hives, eczema, asthma and gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping).

Why do some people get food allergies? Could it be a result from genetics? Because previous twin studies have shown that there does seem to be a high rate of heritability of allergic diseases, a British study was conducted to compare the incidence of peanut allergy among siblings with general population incidence. The study involved 58 sets of twins, 14 of which were identical, and 44 of which were fraternal. These twins were recruited for having at least one member of the pair having a peanut allergy. 70 of the 115 had a history of peanut allergy.

64% of the identical twins both had allergic reactions to peanuts, which was followed by a mere 7% between the fraternal twins. The conclusion was that based on the data and a model considering environmental and genetic factors, researchers calculated a heritability rate of 82%-87% for peanut allergy. The problem with this conclusion? Though the British study showed a genetic component in peanut allergies, environmental factors may have biased the results.

When they did not consider genetic factors, the rate dropped to just under 19%.

A group of researchers in the July 2000 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) agree that Genetics play a significant role in peanut allergies.

Lead researcher Scott Sicherer, M.D. along with some of his colleagues from Virginia and Belgium performed a twin study. Their intent was to see if genetic factors influenced peanut allergy. They were checking this by comparing the incidence of peanut allergy between the identical twins and the fraternal twins. Twin studies are used frequently to provide information on how environmental and genetic factors should be compared and treated.

Because there has yet to be solid evidence that there is a direct link between hereditary and allergies, many agree there needs to be more research and more studies dedicated to examine the role between genetics and allergies, so that we may reach a conclusion to this question.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Peanuts, Almonds, Nut at http://www.favoritesnacknuts.com

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Peanut Allergy Prevention is the Cure?

2008-09-21T05:05:00.001-07:00

Peanut Allergy - Prevention is the Cure?
By Allen Matthews

It seems only a careful inspection of every meal and every purchased food item (and some non-food items) is the cure for a food allergy.

Careful avoidance of any trace of nut in your foods is paramount. With 50-100 American deaths caused by a peanut allergic reaction every year, an allergy to peanuts is not something anyone can afford to take lightly.

However, there may still be hope for those who suffer severe reactions to peanuts.

U.S. researchers may have created a drug that could help prevent severe allergic reactions to peanuts. A study, presented at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology conference in 2003, claims to have created a drug that stops severe reactions to peanuts by trapping the molecule that causes the bodies allergic reaction to nuts.

However, such research, even now, is still very much in its developmental stage.

So if you are new to peanut allergies, or you have a family member or a close friend suffering from an allergy to peanuts, here is a general list of items that are likely to have peanuts or traces of peanut in them:

Strict Avoidance Items include -

Peanuts, peanut by-products (such as peanut butter, peanut brittle and so on), chocolate bars (possible cross contamination), health/energy bars, cakes and cookies

Double Check The Label Items include -

Pastries (if you can't confirm what they have been made with), sauces (praline sauce, pesto sauce, worcestershire sauce), marzipan, gravy and cereals

Keep An Eye Out Items include -

Shampoos, soaps and hand creams

Its been said before, but it always pays to be reminded again, that you must always read the label but don't rely on it. Even be prepared to go as far as calling the food manufacturer of the product, simply to make sure.

Having a peanut allergy can at times prove to be frustrating. But it need not stop you from doing what you want to do. It simply requires you to be a bit more careful about your food choices. So remember, until the cure arrives, prevention IS the cure...

Allen Matthews is the main editor for http://www.PeanutAllergyFacts.com, and is one of many peanut allergic people in the world today.

If you would like more information about this food allergy, visit http://www.PeanutAllergyFacts.com for free articles and all of the latest news about Peanut Allergies.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Peanut-Allergy---Prevention-is-the-Cure?&id=199812

Allergy Air Purifier: Get Rid Of Allergy Attacks All Together

2008-09-18T09:21:00.001-07:00

Allergy Air Purifier: Get Rid Of Allergy Attacks All Together
By Nathalie Lafleur

For some people, merely breathing in the air in their homes can cause an allergy attack. Thats because the air we breathe can be filled with all sorts of impurities and substances that, if the person is allergic to them, can cause an attack thats so severe that its scary not only to the sufferer but to those who have to witness it. If you find yourself constantly having an allergy attack, even in the comfort of your own home, its best to think about buying an allergy air purifier. An allergy air purifier will eradicate those substances in the air that are causing those attacks, allowing you to breathe easier and allowing you to stay attack free.

See An Allergist To Determine What Youre Allergic To

The first thing you should do if you are having allergy attacks is to see an allergist. An allergist will give you an allergy test to see exactly what you are allergic to. Of course, in the mean time, you should get an allergy air purifier, just in case it is something in the air thats causing your attacks. However, if youre not sure what youre allergic to, your allergist will let you know. It could be that youre allergic to something youre eating or touching. More than likely, however, its because of the air you breathe.

The air we breathe is filled with all sorts of impurities, such as pollen, grass, dirt, dust, pet dander, and more. All of these things can bring on a severe attack if someone is allergic to them. Thats where the allergy air purifier comes in. The allergy air purifier will take whatever it is that youre allergic to out of the air so that you never have another attack.

This is especially useful as you sleep. If you have an attack when you are sleeping, you could stop breathing and not even realize it. This is very dangerous and shouldnt be chanced. Buy an allergy air filter and stick it in the corner of your bedroom. You can even put one in every room of your house just to make sure that you are cleaning the air in your home efficiently.

If youre having allergy attacks and you think its caused by the air youre breathing, stop suffering even one minute longer. Go out to your local department store or search online for an allergy air purifier. Just because youre allergic to certain things doesnt mean you must be forced into breathing them in. Get those things out of the air you breathe and go allergy free for once in your life.

Get your free downloadable 43-page report: Air Purifiers Exposed at our brand new website on Air Purifiers. Discover more about some of the most popular Air Purifiers brands, like Oreck, Austin, Alpine, etc.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Allergy-Air-Purifier:-Get-Rid-Of-Allergy-Attacks-All-Together&id=367488

Mold Allergy How To Get The Help You Need

2008-09-18T09:06:00.001-07:00

Mold Allergy How To Get The Help You Need
By Peter Crump

A mold allergy can be misdiagnosed as being an allergy to a scent or a food. The most common allergy to mold manifests itself as asthma, but people who do have an allergy to mold or mildew can also have watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, a cough or a skin rash. If a person already has asthma, mild exposure to mold can bring on an attack, where as a person without asthma may not even be bothered by it. Small amounts of mold, such as that on a shower curtain, are not serious and will not cause a mold allergy.

If you are exposed to large amounts of mold or mildew, you should take steps to get rid of the source of mold. Some kinds of mold produce mycotoxins and the symptoms of this is much more severe than a mold allergy. Black mold, for example, results from heavy water damage, such as in a flood. You can usually smell the mildew in a home when you first enter it, but for those living there they are so used to it that they dont recognize it as the cause of their mildew allergy.

Moisture and warmth are the two conditions under which mold spores grow at a rapid pace. Even though you may take extra care with cleaning, if some of the water seeps into cracks and crevices, mold can grow in very tiny places and this could be the cause of your mold allergies. Just because you cant see the mold or mildew doesnt mean that it isnt there. Sometimes, you can smell it before you see it and it is them you realize that what you thought was sinus problems could be a mold allergy instead.

To keep your mold allergy to a minimum, you can make sure that you control the level of humidity in your home. The normal level should be below 40% and by using air-conditioners and dehumidifiers you can help prevent mold and mildew from developing. Under ideal circumstances, you should remove carpeting from the bedrooms of your home, or at least from the room of anyone that has a mold or mildew allergy. Foam rubber pillows and mattresses are also breeding grounds for mold and because they are dark, closets are also likely places where you can find mold.

When someone in your home has a mold allergy, it does mean you have to make sure you dry everything before you put it away. Boots and shoes should be thoroughly dried before you put them in the closet and you should use bathroom cleaning products designed to kill mold. An exhaust fan in the kitchen will help moisture from cooking to build up and you should empty the garbage container before it starts to smell. All of these tasks are normal things you can do on a daily basis to help prevent another outbreak of a mold allergy.

To find out more about Mold removal visit Peter's Website The Mold Removal Guide and find out about Mold Removal Products and more, including Mold allergies and toxic Mold.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Mold-Allergy---How-To-Get-The-Help-You-Need&id=155642

Getting Allergy Relief Inside

2008-09-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

Getting Allergy Relief Inside
By Kerry Rodden

If it is allergy season, you know it. You dont need someone on the news telling you the levels of pollen in the air. You dont need to be told that there is a cat lurking in the home. You dont need this because you feel it. If allergies are what cause you so many untold problems each day, you should always be on the look out for products that can help you to find some relief. The good news is that besides the allergy medications you need to take, there are other ways that you can improve your condition.

For one, consider an air purifying system in your home. Since most of the allergens that effect those that live in your home are lurking in the air, adding a tool to help clean out the air will help you to find some benefits. If you have ever been in a home that uses an ionic air cleaner, for example, you may have felt a lesser allergy attack there. Thats because these units help to trap the allergens inside filters, or will react with them right in the air and neutralize them. That means that you dont have to breathe them in.

Air cleaning products are widely available. If you decide to purchase one, make sure to find one that provides for allergen removal, specifically the type of allergy that you have. Finding a product that removes pollen, dust, dander, bacteria and other elements that are lurking in the air will be important to your overall well being. You can even purchase smaller units for your car or to wear around your neck to help reduce the allergens that you come in contact with while being out and about.

Using an air purifier, you can find many benefits in overall health and well being. You can lessen the effect that your allergy has on you.

Kerry Rodden is an expert on air purifiers, and has written many articles on air purifiers, fans, vacuum cleaners, air fresheners and a lot more.

You can read more of Kerrys articles about air purifiers at http://www.lowplaces.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KerryRodden
http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-Allergy-Relief-Inside&id=397718

Food That May Cause Allergy to Children

2008-09-16T09:04:00.001-07:00

Food That May Cause Allergy to Children
By Susan Carey

Children are prone to food allergic (especially toddler). Re-introduction of offending foods can be attempted, but should be done under medical supervision. When eating out, ask about the ingredients and preparation of menu items before you order. If unsure, play safe by ordering plain.

Be cautious of cross-communication. Remember to wash hands and clean work surfaces/ utensils if you have handled any of forbidden foods before handling your child's food.

If you take the safety precautions outlined below, you will be able to reduce the exposure of your child to potential allergens. Ensure that you know what to do in the event of food-allergy related reaction.Family history of allergies - for infants with a family history of allergies, the following foods should not be introduced before one year of age:

eggs
wheat and other gluten-containing cereals (oats, barley, rye)
fish
shellfish
citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemon)
nuts and seeds

Food that may cause allergic reactions in kids - There are some foods commonly associated with food allergies in children. Most of them contain protein. Here are some foods you should be wary of:

milk
soy
eggs
wheat
peanuts
shellfish (shrimps, crabs, lobsters)
fish
tree nuts (such as walnuts, cashew nuts, pecans)
legumes (beans and peas)

Children are more likely to outgrow allergies to milk or soy than allergies to peanuts, fish or shrimps. Re-introduction of offending foods can be attempted, but should be done under medical supervision. In addition, foods which cause life-threatening reactions (for example, difficulty in breathing) should never be re-introduced.

If you suspect your child has a food allergy, the first step is to keep a diet and symptom diary - write down everything that your child eats and drinks, and note down any symptom, as well as the quantity and time it took for the symptoms to occur. Speak to a physician to evaluate the suspected food allergy. This may require certain tests to be done to investigate and diagnose the allergy.

The author is a big fan of cooking recipes. Visit the following website for more info about health and cooking recipes.

http://www.101vegetarianrecipes.comhttp://www.herbs-spices-recipes.comhttp://www.101cookingrecipes.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Food-That-May-Cause-Allergy-to-Children&id=223113

The Must Know Info on Allergy

2008-09-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

The Must Know Info on Allergy
By Ashely Farrar

Peanuts could lead you breathless, a bowl of pulses may cause swelling of the tongue and throat, or a fish preparation may lead to redness of skin and an incessant rash. The list is endless, and these are just a handful of the common allergies that people suffer from. While their occurrence may be common, what really makes the task difficult is that there is no cure for an allergy, and the only way out is by preventing the intake of food that causes allergy.

Simply defined, an allergy is intolerance of the immune system to specific foods. You are allergic to food when your body reacts adversely to it, thereby producing excess histamine, which triggers a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system.

Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables and meat, its protein-rich food that more than 80 per cent of the people are allergic to.

You could either be allergic to specific food items, or preservatives. In case of food, allergies are generally caused by protein rich food stuffs like peanuts, fish, egg, soy, wheat and pulses.

While an allergy may develop at any age, there is no specific cure, which can be prescribed. Doctors prescribe anti-histamine drugs and may even have to inject steroids in severe cases, but these only subdue the effects after an allergy has occurred. There is no long-term cure or means to get rid of any allergy and the only way out is to prevent the intake of food that causes the allergy.

The symptoms vary from urticaria - red patches, indicating excess of blood supply to that region of the body, to general body rash and itching. In severe cases it may lead to breathlessness and angioneurotic oedema, where the wind pipe is blocked.

Patch test to find out the specific food that causes allergy exist. These are restrictive in nature and can only test allergy to 50 to 100 food stuffs. The method of exclusion serves best. Doctors recommend maintaining a diary. Once you know that you are allergic to something, start recording everything that you eat in a diary. It will be easier to detect the particular food whenever you develop symptoms next.

Once you determine what you are allergic to, it is important to learn to read food labels and thereby avoid eating food that you are allergic to. The dictum, prevention is better than cure, works best in case of allergy.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he/she is allergic.

1. Tingling sensation in the mouth

2. Swelling of the tongue and throat

3. Difficulty in breathing

4. Vomiting

5. Abdominal cramps

6. Diarrhea

7. Drop in blood pressure

8. Loss of consciousness

Symptoms may be mild or very sever, depending on how much of the food you have consumed and extent that you are allergic to it.

Ashely Farrar also writes on Kidney Stone. More info: Kidney Stones

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=AshelyFarrar
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Must-Know-Info-on-Allergy&id=142594

Soy Allergy

2008-09-14T08:15:00.001-07:00

Soy Allergy
By Joe Marafioti

Soy allergy is an immune system response to soy. At least 16 potential soy protein allergens have been identified but their relative clinical significance is unknown.

About 0.5% of the population has soy allergy, that it is more common in infants: the average age at which the allergy manifests is 3 months but the majority of infants outgrow it by the age of two. Adults with soy allergy are rare.

The reported symptoms of soy allergy include: acne, angioedema, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, bronchospasm, colitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, dyspnea, eczema, enterocolitis, fever, hypotension, itching, laryngeal oedema, lethargy, urticaria, vomiting and wheezing.If soy allergy is suspected, soy should be completely removed from the diet for several days. Soy products can then be cautiously returned to the diet to see if symptoms return. Intolerence reactions can occur as long as 48 hours after ingestion of an offending substance.

The way soy is processed can affect allergenicity and many people allergic to soy are may also cross react to other foods, especially other legumes such as peas, peanuts, lentils and garbanzo beans.

Soy has a long history of use in managing cow's milk allergies in infants. However, up to 50% of children with cow milk allergy are also allergic to soy protein. In addition, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UKs Chief Medical Officer do not recommend soy products for use in infants due to concerns of phytoestrogens, in addition to their lack of hypoallergenic.

More information on Act Against Allergy

by AAA Editorial Board

Date of publication: 01/02/2006

Source: Soy Allergy site

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Soy-Allergy&id=569793

Allergy Relief Air Purifier Can be a Friend for Life

2008-09-14T07:54:00.001-07:00

Allergy Relief Air Purifier Can be a Friend for Life
By Nathalie Lafleur

Anyone who suffers from allergies will know how terrible life is when you are attacked by their symptoms. The doctor is always ready to offer some medication or another when this happens, and with a little effort the allergy abates. However, many people remembering the advice of the doctor to avoid any and all allergens, install an allergy relief air purifier in their house. This is one very efficient way to remove all possible allergens from the air, and keep healthy.

How to Choose the Best Allergy Relief Air Purifier for Your Home

Once you have decided to buy an allergy relief air purifier, go right ahead and do it. There are times when acting on an impulse is quite fruitful this is one of those times. When you are shopping for your allergy relief air purifier, you will need to know however, about certain aspects such as requirements for the size of your house or room, the process by which it effects the purification, the recurring cost, the total cost, and lastly its efficiency in maintaining the house's air.

You will need to measure your room and find out which size allergy relief air purifier would work best. In order to get the best advice, you will need to have the measurements accurately recorded so the shop sales person you visit can calculate and tell you what capacity allergy relief air purifier you will need to use.

Present allergy relief air purifiers use diverse methods of filtering the air one type works with replaceable filters where the filters have to be cleaned periodically to ensure the air circulation. The other type uses filters that need to be replaced directly instead of cleaned, ensuring exceptional purification properties.

The recurring cost for the cleaning of the filters, or exchanging the filters should be known before purchasing as this aspect will be often overlooked. You will need to find out in detail, how the allergy relief air purifier is maintained. The store may underplay instead of tell you accurately about the costs involved, so research well.

The total cost of the allergy relief air purifier would depend upon your budget. There are models available for each and every budget, so you should always ensure that you buy something qualitative, impressive looking, but also within the budget. .

The capacity of the purifier is meant for a certain cubic area, so you will need to know the exact dimensions of the house or room it will be in. Only then can the store be able to indicate the right one for your room capacity.

Download our free 43-page report entitled Air Purifiers Exposed. No name or email required. Simply click and download. To get your report, visit our brand new website on Air Purifiers.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Allergy-Relief-Air-Purifier-Can-be-a-Friend-for-Life&id=370010

Dog Allergies Including Dog Food Allergy Reduce Happiness

2008-09-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

Dog Allergies Including Dog Food Allergy Reduce Happiness
By Barbara Kremers

How allergy signs can affect your life. This is the story of an otherwise very happy Labrador Retriever with concurrent allergies. It is based on an interview held with Nell Kremers.

Scratching for Relief

Demi is a friendly Labby, shes always happy and playful or at least she used to be up until one summer at 15 months of age. She then just started biting and scratching. As if the itching drove her mad she was literally rubbing and licking her skin away. The once beautiful chocolate-brown Labrador lost her shine.

She showed bald spots in her arm-pits and below her tail plus self-inflicted wounds in her face. Scratching for relief of allergy symptoms does cost a lot of energy.

At first it just seemed as if she had developed a bad habit and the owners at first tried to correct her for overdoing the scratching thing as perhaps she was just seeking attention being in the puberty age. Demi, the docile dog she is, obeyed and stopped the scratching as long as one of her human family members was around. But as soon as they left the room, she would make up for lost scratching time and hit it like crazy. Also when she got aroused and her blood started flowing more quickly through her veins, it appeared the itching increased.

Change to Hypo-Allergen Dog Food

And so it happened she was taken to the vet (well, not for the first time of course). She showed self-inflicted wounds and around her eyes virtually no hair had survived the intense scratching. The vet checked her for parasites and teeth problems (as she was scratching around her jaws as well) but found no problems in that area. He then advised to change her dog food from high energy Eukanuba to Lamb & Rice, to rule out a dog food allergy. Lamb & Rice is a combination that is often prescribed as a low-allergen dog food and the rationale behind it is that dogs wont have eaten this before. However, nowadays Lamb & Rice is not such an exotic dog food anymore and in this case this choice was not so fortunate for Demi.

Demi has a very loving owner who would sleep on the couch, during the heavy episodes, just to be in time to calm her down. No more scolding or shouting to try to stop her hurting herself, but instead remaining calm and trying to transfer tranquillity to her (as if giving Reiki to a dog). The owner would gently let her hands go over the itching spots, which gave Demi some relief. This was to avoid Demi mutilating herself as the self-inflicted wounds can progress and get infected (so called hot spots).

However, the symptoms did not disappear and she was taken to the veterinarian again. She received a medicine to relief the itching and, thank god, this worked so she could have some sleep again. Poor Demi had not enjoyed a good night of rest for quite some time and this was taking his toll as well, changing her behaviour and making her more nervous. She also got antibiotics and a skin sample was taken for further research. No parasites or scabies was detected.

Allergy Blood Test

Standard treatment in itching is to change dog food for about 3 to 4 months and to only give your dog that dog food, no treats, no snacks, no table scraps, nothing whatsoever. When symptoms remain, then a blood test is indicated. And Demi obviously qualified for this next step. Finally it all became clear. Just have a look at the results below.Demis allergy test revealed the following allergies:

*Food allergies: Rice, wheat, lamb, soy, carrots and nuts with highest score for rice and wheat.
*Contact allergies: Various mites and also flea bite allergy
*Inhalant allergies: Wheat (again), barley, corn, oats, stinging nettle and ribwort plantain.

Demi was suffering from multiple allergies such as grass allergy which explained the increase in allergy symptoms during summers (like the first episode) but also a very high score to rice and to a lesser extent to lamb as well, the main ingredients in her so-called hypoallergenic dog food. What an unfortunate choice this had been! With this new knowledge, she was immediately taken of Lamb & Rice and transferred to Duck & Potato Diet (Tovets DPD).

Desensitization via Allergen Injections

To deal with the inhalant and contact allergies for grain and grasses, immunotherapy was indicated. Its pretty easy to cure dog food allergies (the cure is to just eliminate the ingredients from the menu) compared to curing environmental allergies. It is often impractical to keep a dog away from offending allergens, so another solution than elimination is required. Based on the results of the allergy test a special mix was created in the laboratory to desensitize Demi to the identified culprits.

Since this involves weekly injections the owner had to learn how to inject Demi subcutaneously with these liquids. This kind of therapy thus requires a dedicated dog owner and it can be quite difficult to inject your own pet (well, thats my personal experience). The owner was given three kinds of fluids (red, green and blue caps) and the amount was set for a period of 6 months of therapy. There is a small risk of anaphylaxis, but still its the safest long-term treatment available. About 70% of treated dogs respond well to immunotherapy and the others at least show some alleviation of the clinical symptoms.

Learning to Live With Dog Allergies

Demi is now four years old and most of the time she is a happy dog. She will receive desensitization injections (maintenance dosage) probably for the rest of her life. To relief any itching that remains here's a tip from Nell that works for Demi: dilute some tea-tree oil in water and spray this on the inflicted areas. It reliefs the itching, desinfects the skin and helps the healing process of hot spots.

Knowing what allergies she has, she can enjoy an occasional treat again (though never dog biscuits or any other kind of treat that contains wheat such as most dental sticks). Luckily Demi just adores fruit and cheese which is safe to eat for her! You can make Demi really happy by offering her pineapple, mango, strawberries, cucumber, apples and pears. But she also loves a piece of bread, though shes allergic to the ingredients.

People passing by on the street sometimes want to offer a dog biscuit to this happy furry lady, but of course this is strictly prohibited. And since everyone would get tired of explaining the ins and outs of this decision, some people dont understand why this Labrador isnt allowed to enjoy a tasteful treat. Also bread left on the grass for the ducks to eat is a risk for Demi. Especially when walking in the dark its not always easy for the owner to intervene on time.

Should the allergy episodes worsen again, then there is one official remedy left: Prednisone injections. Antihistamines, though beneficial in allergic humans, give inconsistent results in dogs. So that leaves us with steroid treatment. Counter effects of prednisone are that it can damage the organs and as such may decrease life span. Though when all else fails its like Demis owner stated: Better be happy for a few years, than a very long life of discomfort and unhappiness.

However, before turning to Prednisone as final resort it appears good results are booked with a holistic approach in similar cases. This is a non-traditional approach in veterinary medicine exploring alternative and complimentary areas of health care. Let's hope new therapies and treatments are discovered to prevent and cure diseases in our beloved pets.

So what can we learn from this story about allergy:

*Prescribing Lamb & Rice dog food to rule out dog food induced allergies is not a good choice in all cases.

*Dog food induced allergies, inhalant allergies and contact allergies can occur at the same time making a clear diagnosis very difficult.

*When your dog is suddenly scratching a lot, examine his coat for fleas or other parasites and take him to the vet if your investigation was negative.

*When your dog suffers an attack of heavy itching and is relentlessly scratching for relief, try to transfer calmness to your pooch. Diluted tea-tree oil can give some relief.

*When you meet a person who is walking a dog that looks like he has some kind of contagious disease, dont immediately assume it is scabies and treat them like pariahs. You can just ask. When the other dog is suffering from allergic symptoms you need not worry. Let dogs be dogs if they want to play together. There is nothing contagious about allergies.

*Allergies cause great discomfort to both dog and owner and it is pertinent to try and identify the allergens that are causing this as quickly as possible.

*Holistic veterinary medicine may shine new light on this subject when traditional therapies fail.

For more information about dog allergies visit http://www.Best-Dog-Food-Guide.com Here you will find much more dog food related information. Subscribe to the e-zine to receive the free e-book 'A bit of Tender, Love and Care for Dogs'.To stay tuned to dog food news and trends please pay a visit to http://www.dog-food-blog.comAll the best, Barbara.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Dog-Allergies-Including-Dog-Food-Allergy-Reduce-Happiness&id=674909

The Sweet Smell of a Perfume Allergy

2008-09-11T10:53:00.001-07:00

The Sweet Smell of a Perfume Allergy
By Grant Segall

Ah.the sweet, smell of perfume! Todays market is flooded with hundreds and hundreds of different fragrances ranging from floral to woodsy. Most women love the smell of perfume, wearing it even when going to the grocery store. The problem is that perfume allergy for some women, is anything but nice.

Keep in mind that a perfume allergy is not limited to the woman who wears it. For some people, men and women, just being around someone wearing perfume can have a devastating effect. Even regular household cleansers, air fresheners, fabric softener, scented candles, potpourri, hair spray, and shampoo can produce the same reaction. Although the smell of perfume might trigger a headache or rash, the more severe problem is a full-blown asthma attack.

Having a perfume allergy is not something new. Unfortunately, many people are affected by the smell of perfume, especially when in a confined space. For instance, individuals working in an office environment might not have a choice but to be around someone wearing perfume. In this case, the only real solution is to request those individuals to stop wearing perfume to work (some may) or to ask if your desk can be seated in a different area. The problem is that not all companies are accommodating, meaning a new job must be found.

The good news is that because a perfume allergy can produce such a serious reaction as asthma or an anaphylactic shock, you will find a number of products now on the market that are fragrance free. Many of these items are found in organic stores although traditional grocery stores are now trying to cater to all customers. Because you cannot control who does and does not wear perfume, you have to take steps to protect yourself if you have a perfume allergy. This might include letting a job interview know, wearing a mask, or perhaps taking medication.

If you notice that you have symptoms of itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing, or coughing when wearing perfume or being around other people that do then chances are you are having a reaction. Interestingly, many people have a perfume allergy but blame it on other things, never even considering that fragrance could be the problem. Sometimes, even doctors miss a perfume allergy simply because they are more accustomed to treating seasonal allergies, pet allergies, and other forms of allergy.

In addition, remember that while you might be allergic to some perfumes, it is possible that not all fragrances will create a reaction. The reason is that performs are made up of varying chemicals so while one chemical may trigger a reaction, other chemicals might not. Therefore, it is important that you pay attention to your surroundings, taking note if you can pinpoint these symptoms specific to fragrance.

By Grant Segall RPh - You can find this article here - http://www.allergy-allergy.com/allergy-types/

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Sweet-Smell-of-a-Perfume-Allergy&id=136467

Help Living With A Cat And A Cat Allergy

2008-09-10T23:26:00.001-07:00

Help Living With A Cat And A Cat Allergy
By J. Lloyd

Has your doctor diagnosed you with an allergy to cats? Do you own cats? Do you consider them your babies? Can you not live without them? Just because you have an allergy to cats, it doesn't mean you necessarily have to give them away. There are some things you can do to help you and your beloved feline live together despite your cat allergy.

First, most people who say they are allergic to cats are really not allergic to cats at all but instead to their saliva. Because cats groom themselves regularly, their fur is covered with this dried saliva, or dander as it is called.

Since cats also shed regularly, their fur, which is coated in dander, is left where ever they may go in your home. It may settle in the carpet, on couches and drapes. Every time you clean this fur and dander is stirred up in the air, making your allergy symptoms worse.

If you find discover you have a cat allergy, the best idea is to keep your cat outside. If this is not possible because the animal is declawed, there are a few things you can do to make your life less miserable because of allergies.

First, you might want to limit your cat's roaming to only one or two rooms of your house. After petting or playing with your feline, wash your hands thoroughly, especially before touching your face or nose. Also, never allow the cats to sleep in your bed with you.

Next, there are several ways you can help reduce the amount of cat dander that stays in your home. You might think about replacing cloth curtains or drapes with plastic or wooden blinds.

It will also help if you remove the carpet from your house and replace it with linoleum, hardwood or tile floors. These changes mean you can clean your home better and get rid of more cat dander. While these actions may be costly, they are worth the effort for those who really love their cats.

If you can't replace your carpets because you rent your home or apartment, there are still several ways to clean more cat dander out of the existing carpet. First, there are new vacuums with extra powerful suction made specifically for removing pet hair from carpet, rugs and upholstery. Certain air filters and air cleaners can also help to cut down on the amount of dander floating in your air.

Another suggestion is to try is bathing your cat, or having him bathed, on a weekly basis. Although your cat wont like this idea that much, the weekly bath may help to cut down on some of the dander on the fur. Another option is to have your cat shaved.

While this may sound strange, many veterinarians' offices offer this service for less than $50. Cats with less hair will understandably have less dander. An added bonus is that they will also shed less and have fewer hairballs.

Finally, you might consult with your doctor to see if he can suggest an allergy medication that might with your cat allergy. He may suggest allergy shots, a prescription strength allergy medication or even an over-the-counter allergy treatment. You and your doctor can work together to find the best solution for your particular cat allergy.

For those who love cats, finding out that they have a cat allergy may be the worst news they can receive. While it may seem the only option is to give away their beloved pet, there are some things they can try in order to get allergy relief, but still keep their cat.

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 cat allergy.

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Up Your Energy with Allergy Techniques!

2008-09-10T04:00:00.001-07:00

Up Your Energy with Allergy Techniques!
By Heather Dominick

What we do is just as powerful as what we eat to keep ourselves operating at our highest energy. This especially applies during allergy season. Instead of just popping a pill and trekking ahead as usual, try taking care instead.

Know Your Season: If you know exactly what allergy triggers you are susceptible to (get tested by your doctor or carefully chart your reactions this year), you can take extra care by following this seasonal guide:

Alder: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Hazelnut: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Elm: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Birch: Mar, April, May, June

Maple: Mar, April, May, June

Oak: Mar, April, May, June

Sorrel: April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept

Stinging Nettle: April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept

Beech: April, May, June

Spruce: April, May, June

Buttercup: May, June, July

Mugwort: July, Aug, Sept

Horseradish: This condiment has an extreme ability to thin abundant mucus so it can drain from the nasal passages. Eat as much as you can tolerate (yummy on crackers!) or make a tea by combining horseradish, lemon juice and honey. Drink throughout the day.

Keep Windows Closed: It may seem simple and you may feel like you are missing the fresh air of spring, but it could save you money and sneeze power. Secure windows of your home and car during your tough season.

Reduce Dairy Intake: Especially for allergy sufferers, dairy products can inhibit breathing and increase mucus. Reduce dairy; increase breathing.

Showers and Baths: Take a shower at night to remove any pollen that may have collected in your hair or nails during the day. Take a HOT bath to raise your body temperature to help the body purge toxins. Add the essential oils (a11 natura1, no artificial fragrances) of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus to help with decongestion (You can also mix these oils with sweet almond oil and apply under the nose and on the neck during the day for easier breathing).

Vitamins C and E: These two power vitamins help support healthy immune function as well as prevent allergic response. Your best bet for intake increase: (Vitamin C ) citrus fruits, bell peppers, chili peppers, amaranth, berries, cabbage, parsley, potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes (Vitamin E) nuts, seeds, whole grains, dark green leaves of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, dandelion greens, sprouts, asparagus, cucumbers and spinach.

Heather Dominick, The Energy Expert is an energy and nutritionspecialist with over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Heathers primary focus is in helping others identify sources for increasing physical energy and making permanent lifestyle changes. To sign up to receive your free chapter of the famed e-Book Get EnergyRICH, for her freebie how-to articles and no-charge teleclasses on creating your most energized life, visit http://www.Individual-Health.net

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Allergies Allergy Shots

2008-09-09T08:32:00.001-07:00

Allergies - Allergy Shots
By Michael Russell

In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots? Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to. If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given. One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work? Well, in theory it's actually very simple. Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you. When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen. These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself. Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens. After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms. This relief should last for a very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots. They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever. They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies. In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms. Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots. Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take allergy shots. Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots. Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have. This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test. After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week. After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month. This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens.

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them. If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.

-------------------------------------------------------
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies
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Japanese Smart Technology Offers Allergy Relief

2008-09-08T05:58:00.001-07:00

Japanese Smart Technology Offers Allergy Relief
By Mark E. Richardson

Every Achoo filled Linda Meyers head filled with 2 things: congestion and frustration. I was desperate and frustrated. My sinus headaches would create miserable days and sleepless nights. The medications would make me drowsy and tired. I finally decided to look for natural allergy relief. I wanted to see if any alternatives to the allergy medications I'd been taking could help.

Linda is one of 65 million Americans who suffer from allergies, and according to her prevention is the best medicine: I've really tried to create a safe haven in my house, with allergy prevention to reduce my allergy attacks. I bought allergy resistant sheets, mattress covers, got rid of the carpeting, and bought an air purifier. I wanted to see if I could prevent allergies before the pollen count goes up.

NEW SMART TECHNOLOGY REMOVES POLLEN, DUST

Help may be on the way as the Japanese have developed new sensors that detect pollen, odor, and dust. Originally created for more accurate pollen reports, this new technology ihas paved the way for a new generation of Smart air purifiers and Smart home air cleaners. According to Sam Barfield - an air expert in Los Angeles: Air purifier technology hasn't changed a bit in over 40 years old. Technologies like negative ion, HEPA, and UV have been around a long time. The problem has been: Do Air Purifiers Work?, What technology is best? . This new technology solves these problems by continuously adjusting the air quality to be the very best based on what's in the air. It even saves electricity.

HAS IT HELPED?

According to Linda:

Rather than depending on anti-histamines and drugs I've been able to reduce my allergy attacks about 70%. Knowing I can get a good night's sleep also has reduced some of the stress. I'm still looking for a cure, but in the meantime I'm feeling better and feel more in control.

Mark Richardson is a Los Angeles based Health Practitioner and Author. He has been interviewed on over 300 radio and TV stations across the U.S. on how he cured his allergies and asthma by changing 3 things in his external and internal environment. To find Smart Allergy Air Purifiers try http://www.airpodcleaner.com. You can email Mark any questions at healthideal@hotmail.com

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Mechanisms of Food Allergy

2008-09-08T05:44:00.001-07:00

Mechanisms of Food Allergy
By Joe Marafioti

A food allergic reaction occurs as a result of some component of the immune system, which normally protects us from infectious agents, inappropriately reacting to the proteins in foods we eat.

Allergic reactions to foods can be broadly divided into immediate on-set and delayed on-set reactions.

IgE-Mediated Food Allergies

The parts of the immune system responsible for immediate on-set reactions (the most dramatic example of which is food anaphylaxis) are IgE antibodies.In allergic individuals (who are sometimes referred to as being atopic) eating certain food proteins (such as whey and casein protein contained in cows milk) results in the production of specific IgE antibody molecules directed against the protein. The second time the individual eats the food, these specific IgE molecules interact with each other, and the protein, to cause the release of harmful chemicals (such as histamine) from special mast cells. This causes the damage associated with the symptoms of food allergy. Damage may occur to the skin, respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract, where the symptoms of food allergy are almost exclusively seen.

Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergy

T-cells are the components of the immune systems responsible for delayed-type food allergic reactions. In individuals with a predisposition for delayed on-set food allergy, initial ingestion of food protein leads to the production of specific types of T-cell. When the food is subsequently ingested, the food protein is processed in a variety of ways and presented to the previously generated food-specific T-cells. These T-cells then invade the area of the body about to suffer damage EG skin, bowel. This processing, presenting and invasion can take 24-48 hours which explains the delayed response. T-cells release chemicals that, through a chain of events, lead to the damage associated with symptoms of food allergy.

More informations: Act Against Allergy

by AAA Editorial Board

Date of publication: 01/02/2006

Source: Milk Allergy site

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Three Surefire Ways To Avoid This Spring's Allergy Attack

2008-09-08T05:31:00.001-07:00

Three Surefire Ways To Avoid This Spring's Allergy Attack
By Jeanina Bartling

Daffodils and Robins are out and about, celebrating the coming of Spring.

Will you celebrate with them?

Or run for cover!

I can tell you this ~ more than 50 million Americans dread Spring.

And no wonder. In the U.S., allergies rank as the 6th leading cause for chronic diseases.

Sneezing and wheezing, runny noses, stuffed up sinuses, burning, itchy eyes ~thousands of people know these miseries well.

But they needn't. Nor need you!

Here's 3 simple things you can do to make this year memorably allergy-free.

The First Way: Protect Your Cilia

You simply must take care of your cilia.

What's that? You're not sure what cilia are, let alone whether or not you have any!

Oh yes, my friend, you have many cilia, and they serve you well as some of your most effective health guardians.

Cilia are tiny hairs found in the nose designed to catch and get rid of any intruders. Spring pollens, viruses, bacteria, all of these are trapped by the hairs and the sticky mucus which act in concert to deny an entrance to the body.

Unfortunately, today's harmful pollutants - cigarette smoke (either personal or passive), diesel fumes, emissions by vehicles and power plants and many otherpollutants - put our cilia at great risk.

Cilia moves to a beat. Usually about 8-15 beats a second. This transports the irritant toward the back of the nose where it's automatically swallowed and disposed of in the stomach.

Pollutants can slow or stop the beat. Cilia's partner, mucus, can be dried by too-dry air or not enough water in the body. These conditions allow the bacteria to attach themselves to a cell.

And that's when the problems begin.

Bacteria can't invade our bodies unless they're successful in getting a finger or toe hold onto one of our cells. The part of the cell that they latch onto is a specific sugar or sugar complex.

Which brings me to the 2nd way you can avoid this Spring's allergy attack:

The Second Way: Wash your nose with xylitol nose wash

Meet the new kid on the block ~ Xylitol, spelled with an x but pronounced with a z.

Actually not so new. In the late 1800's, Emil Fischer, a German chemist, discovered and manufactured this healthy 5-carbon sugar. Re-discovered by the Finnish Sugar Co. Ltd. in Finland during the sugar scarcity due to World War II, xylitol now continues to receive more and more attention.

What xylitol nose wash does is:

1. Keep your cilia healthy

2. Bathe your cells in a healthy,

alkaline sugar that bacteria don't like.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, xylitol is also being actively promoted by many dental associations.

It's become one of the most popular items in health food stores simply because of its many health benefits.

Eliminates allergy-causing irritants

in the nose

Prevents the growth of bacteria

Prevents tooth decay

Creates alkaline environment

Possesses a glycemic index of 7

Improves bone density

and more...

Our bodies manufacture a certain amount of xylitol. It's also found in fibrous vegies and fruits and trees. Most of the commercial xylitol comes from either the bark of birch trees or corn cobs.

A completely natural product with no side effects, xylitol is being championed for its health-giving properties.

Your health food store most likely carries xylitol nose spray. Or you can order some from the comfort of your home by going to EmeraldForestXylitol.com You'll find the folks there dependable and ethical with more fascinating information on this health-promoting product.

The Third Way: Drink Your Water

Water. It should top the list of The World's Most Wonderful Wonders.

It cleans. It satisfies. It gives life.

Serving time as a political prisoner in an Iranian prison, Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidjwas assigned the task of treating other prisoners who suffered from a variety of ills.

He had nothing with which to treat them. Except water.

You can read about some of his miraculous successes using only water in his book, Your Body's Many Cries For Water.

Our cilia needs water in order to do the job it's been earmarked to do. Most folks walk around in a semi-dehydrated state which leaves them vulnerable to many physical and mental disorders.

One good guideline: Drink enough water to make your urine colorless.

Well, there you have it. Three simple ways to help your body say NO! to any energy-sappers.

I hope you'll decide to step into this Spring with a new spring in your step.

Who wants a body and a mind you can be pleased with? How about stable emotions? Discover how easily you can enjoy even unexpected change. At http://www.thefeelgoodsite.comyou'll find a FREE mini-course on 10 Ways To Enjoy Change. You'll be delightfully surprised with these simple, yet innovative techniques. Jeanina Bartling is a published author of stories and articles for children who has now turned to the internet to share her passion for good health. http://www.thefeelgoodsite.com

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It's Allergy Season: Don't Let it Ruin Your Thanksgiving Plans

2008-09-08T05:22:00.001-07:00

It's Allergy Season: Don't Let it Ruin Your Thanksgiving Plans
By Susan Dunn

Writing this from Dallas, Texas one of the ragweed hotspots of the nation, I'm particularly aware of allergies and the havoc they can cause. Here are some facts about allergies:

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Ragweed pollen is probably the largest single seasonal allergen in North America. It is estimated that one square mile of ragweed plants would release 16 tons of pollen in one season. Even skin contact with ragweed can cause dermatitis.

An allergy is a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance (called an allergen) which causes the bodys defense system (the immune system) to overreact when defending itself. Normally, the immune system would only react if a harmful substance such as bacteria attacked the body. But for people with allergies, their own immune system is working too hard and it reacts even when relatively harmless substances such as pollen are present. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild discomfort to life threatening situations. [Source: www.pollen.com

Because of this assault on the immune system, its crucially important to take supplements that nutritionally support the immune system. By the previous definition, you can see that an already assaulted immune system becomes further weakened with allergens. Our immune system is our health, our first line of defense for bacteria, for instance, and our ONLY line of defense for viruses. While we have antibiotics for bacteria, there is no know cure for a virus, as you know.

Its smart to prepare ahead of time by getting the necessary information. Sign up at http://www.pollen.com/Pollen.com.asp and be alerted in the morning of conditions likely to exceed the trigger point, the point where most allergy sufferers will start to experience symptoms.

If you have a website, you can be of service to others. Probably 25% of your website visitors suffer from allergies. At http://www.pollen.com/Pollen.com.asp, you can get the html to put a pollen alert box on your website either a zip code entry box or for any town in the U.S.

The most extreme allergic reaction is called anaphylactic shock. Immediately after contact the individual will suffer difficulty breathing, itchiness, welling of the lips and throat, and drop in blood pressure, and finally collapse. If you've ever suffered anaphylactic shock, you should carry injectable adrenaline from your doctor and keep some at home as well. Have the 911 number handy, and seek medical attention immediately.

Its also important to know that subsequent contact with a particular allergen can be much worse then the first time; for instance, if youre stung by a bee. Instead of building up resistance, you build up sensitivity. That's why people talk about their allergies coming on suddenly. Everythings fine, theyre 30 years old, and one night they have beer and shell fish and end up in the ER. Out of the blue, we say. It never happened before!

Likewise, normally innocent foodstuffs such as peanuts, which dont bother one person can actually kill someone else whos susceptible. One way to determine what you're allergic to is to see your personal physician and get an allergy test.

Allergic conditions include:

(1)Hay fever and allergic asthma. Pollen from grasses, ragweed and trees, mold and dust can all cause respiratory and nasal problems.

(2)Eczema. A special form of skin reaction. Cement dust isparticularly likely to cause this.

(3)Urticaria (itchy hives). Most of us get this from nettles. You can also get this from strawberries, seafood, cheese; it depends.

Once the allergy is established, you must remove the cause or avoid it. Here are some tips:

1.Wear hypoallergenic gloves.

2.Use a filter in the vacuum cleaner to remove dust mite droppings and an air filter on your A/C which you clean often. Also clean the ducts.

3.Remove heavy drapes and bedspreads from the bedroomand replace with blinds. Take up old carpeting and replace with tile or wood flooring. Do not use area rugs.

4.Keep your immune system built up with a product like Arbonnes DefenseBuilder or rebuild it with Get Well Soon Dietary

5.Use protective clothing when handling material such as cement.

6.Use a filter face mask when in dusty areas and when mowing the lawn in high pollen areas.

7.Check food labels for potentially allergenic ingredients such as peanut products, wheat, gluten and corn. Again, an allergy test from your personal physician can alert you to potential problems.

It is extremely important that you avoid irritants such as mineral oil, fragrances of any sort, and impure ingredients in your cosmetics, shaving cream, makeup, and skin lotions. What you put on your skin irritates there, and then is absorbed into your blood stream where it causes further problems. Choose well-researched, dermatologist-approved, fragrance and mineral-oil free, scientifically-proven nutritional supplements, cosmetics, lotions and shaving cream.

There is some evidence that allergen sensitivity builds from a too-early introduction to certain substances. Consider the generation born in the late 40s that is basically allergic to orange juice because of having been introduced to it in the hospital, virtually at birth since there was no other way to prevent scurvy at the time and it was considered good medicine. No pediatrician these days would recommend you give orange juice, egg white and other things to your child before the age of one year. Continue this prudent and safe care by using only safe baby products for skin and bath.

Living with allergies and allergens is a 24/7 prospect for all of us. You cant move away from them, and you cant get rid of them all, so eliminate the offenders that you can since the effect is cumulative, and stay informed.

Susan Dunn, MA, EQ coaching, http://www.susandunn.cc, mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc. Individual coaching, business programs, EQ Alive! #1 rated program to increase your EQ simple, no memorizing, it works. Email for information, and free ezine.

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Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing

2008-09-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing
By Elizabeth Harfleet

The number of people in the UK suffering from food intolerance and allergies is increasing. Scientists believe that this is partly because of our love affair with junk food as well as our exposure to harmful toxins present in many foods.

However food intolerance and allergies can also be triggered by food that has not been exposed to chemicals. Recent research, for instance, suggests that eating peanuts when pregnant can cause the baby to develop a peanut allergy.

This can have very serious consequences as having an allergic reaction to peanuts can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock. Peanut allergies are often so severe that even a slight trace of peanut dust can produce itching, rashes and stomach problems in sufferers.

However, not everyone who has a problem with certain foods is allergic to them. Sometimes they can simply have a food intolerance rather than a food allergy. Food intolerance and food allergy are both caused by inappropriate immune responses to problem foods. However the reaction is very different. Food allergies provoke an immediate and sometimes severe reaction whilst food intolerance produces symptoms which can take hours or even days to develop.

Of course the best thing to do is identify whether you have a food intolerance or allergy and then eliminate the problem foods altogether from your diet. Food allergy and food intolerance testing is a quick and easy way to find out if there are foods that are making you feel ill. You can arrange food allergy and food intolerance testing online or by visiting your GP.Whilst identifying the culprit substances and removing them from your diet is an important starting point, strengthening your immune system is also very important.

Since much of the immune system exists within the digestive tract one of the best ways to support it is by ingesting particular vitamins and minerals.

Foods that are rich in anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E, such as fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in your daily diet. The mineral Selenium can also be a useful inclusion, as can garlic. Pycnogenol, a dietary supplement made from pine bark extract is high in anti-oxidants and can help alleviate allergic reactions as well as help cardiovascular health.

Food intolerance and food allergies can make you miserable. By identifying whether you are a sufferer and what foods are causing you problems you will be able to improve your sense of wellbeing. Food allergy and food intolerance testing can help you do this whilst strengthening your immune system is the starting point on the road to better health.

Elizabeth Harfleet, is a leading a UK based nutritional therapist who sells food intolerance testing kits via her website.

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Dealing With A Cat Allergy

2008-09-07T01:21:00.001-07:00

Dealing With A Cat Allergy
By Michelle Bery

Anyone who suffers from allergies can undoubtedly tell you of the irritation and discomfort associated with its consequences. In order to minimize symptoms, allergy sufferers do well to identify their personal allergy triggers so that they can successfully avoid them. For cat lovers especially, a cat allergy can mean a host of problems when it comes to choosing or keeping a pet.

A cat allergy generally stems from a persons particular sensitivity to cat dander the skin cells that shed through the cats fur. This sensitivity to cat dander can range from minimal resulting in coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching to severe resulting in everything from swelling to shortness of breath.

Clearly, those who have a cat allergy do best to not bring any cats into their home or to enter the homes of those who have cats in residence. But there are some who do not even discover that they have a cat allergy until theyve brought their new pet into the home.

First and foremost, a severe cat allergy may require you to find an alternative living arrangement for your cat. Work with your doctor to ascertain the severity of your cat allergy. In the likely case of a minimal to moderate cat allergy, however, there are ways to combat the cat allergy so that you and your furry friend can live together harmoniously.

When it comes to your home, be sure that you are providing adequate ventilation with the use of an effective quality air filter. Be sure to vacuum frequently to rid your house of as much dander as possible. Have your animal groomed at the veterinarian or another location outside the home so as not to expose yourself to cat hair shed during the grooming process.

If you are aware of your cat allergy before you purchase a cat, look into the shorter-haired cats. These cats require minimal grooming and shed far less than their long-haired counterparts. In fact, you may find that you are less allergic to the shorter-haired breeds.

As a final and ongoing solution you may want to work with your doctor in terms of allergy shots or medications. This can save you a significant amount of aggravation and discomfort going forward keeping you comfortable in your own home as well as the homes of other cat owners.

Ultimately, determining if your cat allergy is something that should hinder you from cat ownership is up to you and your doctor to decide. Most importantly, you should not put your health at risk. But if you are able to manage both your allergy care and the care for your pet, then you and your cat can happily co-exist.

For easy to understand, in depth information about cat allergies visit our ezGuide 2 Cats.

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All About Pet Dogs and Dog Allergy

2008-09-07T01:16:00.001-07:00

All About Pet Dogs and Dog Allergy
By Charlene Nuble

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or AAAAI estimates that about 10 million pet lovers or pet owners in the United States are allergic to animals fur.

More and more households in the country are adopting or sheltering a pet dog, which is considered mans best friend even from the time of the ancient civilization.

Dogs are canines that are perceived as intelligent and trainable among all other animals. We see dogs everywhere, in the movies, in cartoons, in the television (remember Lassie?), and even in high-security areas like malls. In the latter case, dogs are trained to sniff bombs, drugs and other illegal substances in the surroundings.

The world is a dog eat dog world and it can be even found truthful if you are allergic to dogs.

Dog allergies and cat allergies in similarities and contrast

However, there are more reported or diagnosed cases of cat allergies than dog allergies all throughout the world because cats are more inclined to spread their danders through their habitual and constant grooming or bathing session by rubbing saliva all throughout their body.

Dog allergy can be found in people with specific allergies to dog furs and those who have history of asthma. Asthma is another reaction triggered by exposure to allergens or allergy-causing substances.

Modern science and recent findings indicate that people who were exposed to either cats and dogs while they were infants will unlikely develop cat or dog allergy. It is because their immune system will get accustomed to the two animals danders at an early stage.

Also take notice that people who have developed cat or dog allergy grew up in households where there were no cats or dogs around. Start asking now, or likely, begin by looking at yourself or somebody you know. The assumption is accurate, right?

Symptoms of dog allergy

Just like in any other form of allergy, symptoms or manifestation of dog allergy include wheezing, coughing, itchy and/ or teary or watery eyes and constant sneezing.

Severe dog allergy attacks can be indicated by difficulty in breathing, which is similar to a severe asthma attack. If left untreated, the persons life could be in danger.

But remember, treatments for asthma and other allergies, including dog allergy are only treatments or relievers. They are not meant and they can not ensure long term cures.

Allergies are not curable, they are only treatable. Hence, dog allergy if successfully treated will reoccur if the person or the patient exposes himself again to dog fur or danders.

Treatment and avoidance

The best treatment is always prevention. As they say, an ounce of prevention is far better than pounds of cure. So it is in the case of dog allergies.

To treat dog allergies, the patient will have to be advised that he should avoid getting near or cuddling dogs. Through that, dog allergy can be successfully controlled or curtailed.

But if that basic prevention measure is ineffective, the patient will have to take either antihistamines, decongestants or corticosteroids. Antihistamines are the common drugs taken during asthma or other allergy attacks.

Decongestants decongest breathing areas or tubes in the body by reducing swellness of nasal tissues thus relieving breathing.

Corticosteroids on the other hand, are drugs that reduce or eliminate inflammation of organs or tissues in the body that may have resulted from the onset of the dog allergy.

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Charlene J. Nuble 2006.

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about dog allergy, please go to: http://dog-allergy.allergyanswers.net/ or go to: http://allergyanswers.net/

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Air Purifier for Pet Allergy

2008-09-06T18:29:00.001-07:00

Air Purifier for Pet Allergy
By Ed Sherbenou

Are you allergic to your pet?

Approximately two percent of the U.S. population, between 6 and 10 million people, is allergic to pet cats. One third of these insist on keeping kitty, despite prodding from medical professionals. Add dogs, birds, hamsters, and other pets, and you have a near majority of the population. Many people are allergic to a pet belonging to a loved one, which they may see only on occasional visits.

The good news is that no boa constrictor allergies have been reported.

Allergies to pets can take years to develop. Signs and symptoms, which can come and go with immune system depressing factors, may be mistaken for a series of colds. Eventually a chronic condition develops which is diagnosed by provocative testing as an allergic reaction.

For many, this is a heartbreaking discovery, especially where the pet has been a lifelong companion.

Assuming the allergic person does give up the pet, cleaning can begin. After the pet is gone, it can take months or even years to remove pet allergen from a contaminated home. Yes, an air purifier will reduce airborne dander, allergen, and odor while pets are still present, but do not expect full allergy relief.

Pet allergen comes mainly from the animal's saliva, it is a protein transmitted by licking. Dogs show affection with direct licking and cats groom themselves with their tongues.

When her fur is clean and dry, with saliva proteins ready to fly off, kitty feels pretty and ready for petting. The very behavior that makes a particular animal a great pet, their ability to demonstrate affection in a manner humans can see, spreads the allergens.

Humans, after interaction with pets, carry the allergenic particles on their hands, clothing, and in their hair. Pet allergen can be scientifically measured. These tiny proteins are found in schools, hospitals, doctor's offices, and anywhere pet owners congregate.

Furniture and especially carpet form a reservoir for pet allergens. Foot traffic will stir them up far into the future. Animal dander (skin flakes), while only a carrier of the proteins, is very tiny and light, it floats in the air indefinitely.

Pet allergen protein particles are one tenth the size of mold spores or pollen, in the .1 micron range. This particle size is difficult to filter effectively. Particles carrying pet allergen collect on surfaces high in rooms, where cleaning is difficult. Any draft will start them floating again.

Air purifiers chosen to deal with a pet allergy situation will need to remove .1 micron sized protein fragments. Only a few premium air purifiers can do this consistently. A top of the line HEPA such as IQAir air purifier, or a HEPA equivalent air cleaner such as Blueair, would be better for pet allergen removal.

If you choose, as many will, to keep your pet, get a powerful air cleaner. It won't be cheap. Then try to restrict your pet from your bedroom. Close off your sleeping area and try to get it clean. The air purifier should be run on higher speeds days and at the highest speed you can sleep with at night, even if symptoms subside.

The author, Ed Sherbenou, has air purifier experience dating back to 1977. He offers fact, opinion, and the most detailed air purifier reviews on the web at http://www.air-purifier-power.com.

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Vacuum Cleaners Can Help Keep Your Home Cleaner And Provide Relief For Allergy And Asthma Sufferers

2008-09-06T06:34:00.001-07:00

Vacuum Cleaners Can Help Keep Your Home Cleaner And Provide Relief For Allergy And Asthma Sufferers
By Abbie Frank

We're always looking for the best buy and lowest cost on anything we need to get. Although it's not good to pay to much, many times getting the cheapest product is no bargain. Our thought is that if we get a good quality product at the best price possible, it also tends to be a better vacuum that has the ability to better capture the dust and dirt. By controlling the dirt in the air, we limit the possibility of aggravating you or your families allergies. But you don't need to have allergies to need a good quality vacuum.

The idea is that with a better vacuum cleaner, your home is cleaner and with less dust so there's less opportunity to cause breathing problems. But even if you or a member of your family don't suffer from allergies, isn't it good to know that your vacuum is collecting all the dust possible instead of just redepositing it back in the air to land somewhere else? (of course it is!)

Vacuum cleaners have been around since the early 1900's. Although the technology has evolved from simple suction to the newer industrial look bagless cyclonic action uprights. The choices continue to rise as high technology computer based vacuum cleaners also continue to gain in popularity. These robotic wonders are taking the idea of easy cleaning to a new level. But no matter what type of vacuum is of interest, none of us want to pay to much for one. Value is getting the highest quality and the lowest possible cost.

Still, it's important to remember that the basic function of vacuums are to remove dirt and debris from your carpets and floors. Dust is usually human skin cells or dirt that has entered your home through the windows and doors. There is simply no way to keep a house clean all the time if it has any openings like doors and windows to the outside. This means that we're in a never ending cycle of controlling the dirt in our homes. This is where the vacuum cleaner can really shine.

There are many types and styles of cleaners from the old and trusted Hoover canister or upright vacuums to the latest technology bag and bagless wonders. If you're shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, it's important to shop for features and not just on price. The basis for your selection should be on the important features, the service life then the price of the unit that you really need.

The service life is the usable lifetime of the vacuum cleaner itself. Higher quality units typically have better warranties and last longer. The warranty period is a good indication of the reliability and useful life expectancy. A company wouldn't offer a 3 or 5 year warranty if they didn't have a lot of confidence that the unit would stand up to that much use would they? But remember. it's only an indication of the quality of the machine based on average use. If you're like my neighbors family that includes 8 kids, you will no doubt be using your vacuum a lot more than the twenty somethings or empty nesters where they both work and no ones home during the day.

If considering a major upgrade in the vacuum cleaner category you would definitely want to consider central vacuum cleaners. Now these are whole house centralized units and although they cost more, are some of the most convenient and versatile vacuums available today. The central vacuum system could be considered a floor dirt collecting monster that can also easily clean draperies, linens, ceiling fans and many other home furnishings.

Still, if you're looking for a good portable quality unit, you really need to consider some of the more affordably priced units from many of the popular manufactuerers. These units have good service warranties and do have a definite place in the market.

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, health, and education. For More information on Vacuum Cleaners and Allergy or Asthma information visit the sites at http://www.best-vacuumcleaner.com and http://www.asthma-treatment-resources.com/asthma-allergy-solutions.html

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A Natural Approach to Allergy Therapy

2008-09-05T16:32:00.001-07:00

A Natural Approach to Allergy Therapy
By Bryan Brodeur

Allergies are essentially a situation in which your immune system responds too strongly to a stimulus. While this sounds like a good situation, it is a toxic and potentially deadly situation for your body. Your immune system is powerful enough to destroy any invader if co-ordinated properly. Co-ordinated improperly, your immune system will destroy your own vital components; it will cause you sinusitis, skin conditions, asthmatic reactions, stomach and intestinal diseases, and more.

Medicine has no cure for allergies, only drugs for their symptoms. These drugs are, ironically, designed to weaken your immune response. The 'anti-histamines' often prescribed to combat asthma daily can be deadly. They are associated with heart problems, and in a Canadian Study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute anti-histamines can increase the rate of growth of cancerous tumours in lab rodents.

What you need to learn are the approaches to allergy therapy that will make good health sense, working in a productive manner to keep you healthy for the long term.

The primary control system of your allergic response is your nervous system. Your nervous system is likely to be irritated physically on several levels if you do have allergies, and it is important to reduce these sources. The systems that you can use to reduce these factors vary, and it is important to understand the method you choose thoroughly. Secondary to controlling your immune system, you must discover the types of foods that will empower your body to function properly through a healthy diet.

It is equally important that emotional stress in your life be reduced. Many people are walking emotional wrecks and are ignoring the damage this is doing to their health. The secrets to overcoming emotional problems are simple and straightforward honesty and courage in dealing with each situation that provides you with emotional instability or stress. Focusing on the health of the mind and body are essential steps for reducing the emotional barriers that your personal history has burdened you with. These steps can be empowering, and they are healing.

With allergies, as with any chronic condition, proper styles of living will reduce your symptoms and may even eliminate them. The important aspect to this process of self-learning and self-healing is to take on new ideas and new concepts while reducing the blurring effects of old concepts slowly. Examine issues over and over again with a new perspective and you will slowly learn the underlying steps to a stronger level of health, both mentally and physically.

About the Author:

Dr. Bryan Brodeur is the owner of VitalityHouse, and the author of Vitalism. Download a free introduction for this health and fitness e-book.

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Fix a Dog Allergy

2008-09-05T16:26:00.001-07:00

Fix a Dog Allergy
By Eric Hartwell

Aside from needing their basic needs fulfilled, dogs may also need help regarding some health problems. Dogs are actually susceptible to medical conditions like allergies which the owner should quickly take note of and have cured to prevent the condition from worsening.

Making Your Dog Itch: Allergy Possibilities

Allergies cannot be prevented unless the owner is aware of which allergens his dog is allergic to. Here are some helpful tips and hints to fix this problem just in case they come up.

Inhalant Allergy
Most common of these dog allergies is inhalant allergy. The most common symptoms are scratching of the genital areas, abdomen, armpit or face, and prolonged chewing and licking. Upon close inspection, the dog develops a reddish area caused by too much licking.

If you suspect that your dog has this allergy, then you must bring him to your vet. A veterinarian can diagnose this accurately through allergy testing.

Bacteria allergy
Bacteria can be another cause of dog allergy. Bacteria allergy (specifically Staphylococcus allergy) is not a very common condition. Only a few canines react negatively to this bacteria; most other dogs have become accustomed to it.

If your dog is allergic to bacteria, they can easily develop crusts on his skin or even lose some hair on the spot that he normally scratches. You need to bring your dog to a vet before the patches of exposed skin becomes infected.

Flea allergy
Flea, per se, does not cause the dogs allergic reaction but the fleas saliva is the main culprit. A vet or even the owner can easily figure this out.

If you see your dog scratching himself frequently, then you should check his coat thoroughly to see if he has fleas. If you see fleas, thats a pretty good indication that its causing your dogs discomfort. Since there can be other causes aside from fleas, though, its better to bring your dog to a vet and have him diagnosed and tested for allergies. If its flea allergy after all, then you should ask your vet for his recommended flea shampoo and medication.

Food Allergy
Allergy to food is also possible. Manufactured dog foods are a combination of a variety of ingredients, one or a few of which can be causing your dogs allergies. Your dog may have this type of allergy if he keeps on scratching or sneezes a lot, vomits, loses control of his bowels, etc.

Diagnosis of food allergy can be quite difficult. You need to fix a different meal for a certain period of time to see which is causing the allergy. Thus, in one period, you can give your dog chicken meat. Then, on another the diet can be restricted to pork and so on and so forth. Should the dog develop an allergy at anytime a certain ingredient was used, youll know that its causing the allergy so you should avoid serving your dog this food again.

Contact allergy
This is an allergy caused by an object that the dog is in constant contact with. It could be his food bowl, his collar, or another thing entirely thats causing the allergy. Since this is the least common, you must rule out all other allergy causes. After that is done, start eliminating the things he is in contact with to isolate the main cause.

You can find out more about dog care here or you can share your opinions at the world's best homepage.

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Love Cats But Be Sure To Be On The Lookout For Cat Allergy

2008-09-05T15:46:00.001-07:00

Love Cats But Be Sure To Be On The Lookout For Cat Allergy
By Charlene Nuble

Did you know that cat allergy is the most common and popular form of allergy in the US according to medical statistics for allergies? Yes, it is true.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or AAAAI even have the figures to show that almost 10 million pet lovers and owners in the country show allergic reactions to cats especially their fur.

Cats, together with dogs are the most loved pets in the country, there is no question to it. About half or 50% of all American households with pets own dogs and cats.

However, you may also have noticed that households with pet cats have more than one cat, compared to dog-loving households which mostly own just one dog on the average.

What causes cat allergy?

Dusts produced by cats bodies are in the form of dander. These danders consist of dried shed skin of cats in the form of tiny and very minute flakes.

Cats danders are the main cause of cat allergy. Take note that the danders may enter your respiratory system and cause your immune system to react violently bringing up symptoms and allergic reactions.

Cat danders have proteins that are perceived by the immune system as a threat to your health. Thus, cat allergy is not exactly a disease but a reflex reaction of your bodys anti-disease system to the foreign substance or allergen.

Cat allergy occurs often and in rapid pace because allergens from cats are constantly spread out through their blood, saliva and urine. These cat excretions are very sticky and light. They can adhere to different places even if the cat is not present.

Cats saliva, danders and urine can also be found in air ducts and walls. Remember, you know that cats always groom themselves (or should you say bathe themselves) constantly and continually through rubbing saliva into their fur.

This action of cats make the spread of cat danders and allergens effective and dangerous. There is nothing you can do about it, though, because that grooming process is an animal instinct.

When cats do that, the allergens are transported throughout the surroundings and will find its way towards your system, making symptoms show up.

Signs and Treatment of cat allergy

A person is under a cat allergy attack if he or she sneezes, wheezes, coughs, itches, have watery eyes and experience difficulty in breathing, which does not normally and usually occur.

It is very rare that a person with such symptoms also has fever and chills, but if that occurs, chances are it is not cat allergy but another disease that must be identified immediately by your doctor.

Cat allergies are almost always treated using antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines are the usual drugs that are taken by a person under asthma attack or any other form of allergy. Decongestants are taken by people with cough to relive swollen nasal tissues.

Allergy shots can also be a good treatment and some doctors administer it as a mode of prevention, just like how vaccines are taken to lessen the possibilities that a disease will infect a person.

As always, doctors and therapists will always reiterate that the best treatment is always and deliberate avoidance. To prevent the onset of cat allergy, it is important to get rid of cats when you are allergic to its fur.

No other way can topple that preventive measure. It can be tough and be the harshest decision in life (imagine throwing away your beloved Garfield), but it can be all worth it. Health is far better than the luxury of cuddling your Persian cats, right?

Charlene J. Nuble 2006.

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about cat allergy, please go to: http://cat-allergy.allergyanswers.net/

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Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

2008-09-04T22:25:00.001-07:00

Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?
By Blake Kritzberg

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help clean up the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, remarkable beach wedding favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous and unique wedding favors.

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What Is An Allergy And What Can I Do?

2008-09-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

What Is An Allergy And What Can I Do?
By Ron King

Normally your immune system's lymphocytes (white blood cells) travel to all parts of the body scanning the outside of proteins for chemical signatures. If it finds an invading protein, then the white blood cell returns to a lymph node where it becomes a plasma cell and generates antibodies to destroy that specific protein.

An allergy sufferer has a genetic defect that causes the white blood cells to misidentify protein and overreact to a foreign substance. If a person with a seafood allergy eats seafood, the white blood cells mistakenly think that the body is being invaded and produces many times more antibodies than are needed to fight the invaders.

Since there isn't a real threat (and therefore nothing to attach to), over the next 7 to 10 days, the antibodies attach themselves to mast cells that store histamine. This is known as sensitizing to an allergen.

The next time your body is exposed to that allergen, a cascading allergic reaction occurs. During a cascading reaction all the antibodies are triggered and destroy all the mast cells they are attached to, thus releasing an abnormally large about of histamine causing runny nose, itchy skin and other symptoms.

What Happens During An Allergic Reaction?

The reaction is caused by excess amounts of histamine being released rapidly. Here are typical effects:Histamine tries to protect the body by isolating the area with the allergen. Blood vessels shrink to reduce blood flow. This can cause drowsiness, unclear thinking and even organ failure.

As the cells and blood vessels shrink, the gaps they leave fill with fluid causing puffiness and soreness. This swelling can become severe enough to prevent sight, hearing, and breathing and make movement uncomfortable or impossible.

Skin contact with an allergen usually causes hives, itchiness and localized swelling.

Airborne allergen contact often makes breathing difficult as the throat and lungs contract. The lack of oxygen may cause drowsiness, make walking impossible, and can result in death.

The introduction of an allergen by way of blood often is the most severe. This can happen by a sting or food being digested. Blood can circulate throughout the body within 6 minutes, allowing the allergen to come in contact with all organs.

What Can You Do To Avoid A Reaction?

There are three things to help prevent an allergic reaction:

1. Avoidance. The first and most important step is avoidance of the allergen. The more exposure you have, the more likely you are to be sensitized and then have a more severe reaction. While it may be easy to avoid seafood, it isn't for things like pollen. The following environmental things may help.

a. Air filtering. A good air filter will reduce the amount of airborne allergens.

b. If it is an airborne problem, wear a surgical mask while it is at its peak. The mask will filter out the majority of the pollen that would have been breathed in, thus reducing the effects of the allergen.

c. Remove carpets, keep furniture slightly away from walls and increase airflow. Carpets catch all sorts of allergens that can get stirred up each time you walk around. Moving furniture away from the walls allows air to move through the home. If air does not move freely, pockets of pollutants can build up in unused areas.

d. Make sure your vacuum and furnace have good filters. Vacuums pull up a lot of pollutants from the carpet, so be sure that they are all captured. The furnace is the primary defense against airborne allergens, since it is responsible for circulating air throughout the home.

2. Medication can greatly reduce the risk of allergic reaction as well as containing them. Antihistamines, decongestants, cromolyn sodium, corticosteroids and epinephrine are examples of things that may help. Many people find taking an antihistamine once a day during pollen season is enough to relieve their symptoms, if avoidance doesn't work.

3. Immunotherapy is the clinical introduction of the allergen on a regular basis and in increasing larger doses. Immunotherapy is the closet thing there is to a cure for allergies. It must be done regularly, is possibly risky and expensive, but it might work.

Visit Allergy Help to learn more. Ron King is a full-time writer and web developer, visit his website Articles for authors

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Dog Food Allergy The Treatment and Diagnosis

2008-09-04T22:08:00.001-07:00

Dog Food Allergy - The Treatment and Diagnosis
By John Hinkley

All dog breeds are often affected by allergies, such as dermatitis or other allergic reactions, from parasite bites. Another one that is less frequently met is the dog food allergy, that usually occurs with dogs around two to seven years. This allergy has no preferences regarding the shape, size or breed of your pet. It can occur within any sort of dog breed.

The symptoms are like the ones of any other allergy that the dog might have previously encountered. The allergies are sometimes hard to identify, though as soon as you think there might be a dog food allergy, you should remove the problem and prevent other critical health problems that may occur.

How is the Dog Food Allergy Developed?

Dog food allergies develop slowly and in time your pet may show a negative reaction to certain ingredients. If your pet has never encountered problems with a particular kind of food and unexpectedly develops a reaction, it is most likely due to food allergies. The immune system reacts to an allergen and in time, the more the system is exposed to it, the more powerful the response to it becomes.

If previously, your pet had no reaction to a certain ingredient, things may change. Due to the frequent contact to it, the dog may have an allergic reaction. A clear-cut distinction must be made between dog food allergies and the fact that sometimes, something in the food causes diarrhea or stomach aches.

How can I Diagnose the Dog Food Allergy?

To diagnose dog food allergy is a serious task because it is not a very common allergy and because its effects are similar to other kinds of allergies. Vets usually carry on different tests for skin or blood in order to find the allergy that troubles the dogs. Often, these methods seem to not be very successful and eventually a tests with a controlled food examination is the best solution in diagnosing any dog food allergy.Thus, ordinary dog food is limited to a special diet between eight and twelve weeks which contain high-carbohydrate food, proteins, water and nothing else that the dog has consumed before. It is important to make no concession with the new diet, in the sense that it must contain none of the food that your pet used to consume. If in three months time, the dog's state of health has gotten better, than surely, the former dog food is to be blamed for the allergies. Nevertheless, you could also check this diagnosis by turning back to the old diet in order to conclude your theory. It would be best to continue the new diet if there are any improvements. How can I Treat the Dog Food Allergy?

There is no need for an extra treatment as long as you have already detected the allergy. Still, you should continue the diet that your dog is not allergic to. Your dog may also become allergic to the new food as well. For preventing this occurance , avoid buying food that comprises fillers, which usually allows your dog to show an allergic reaction to it, so take care of the food you make at home, as your dog needs minerals and vitamins for it's health. Gradually, add new ingredients to the homemade food, but doing so, take care that there is nothing that could develop a new allergy. As soon as you identified and took the necessary steps to defeat the allergy, your pet will become happier and healthier.

Usually, it can be problematic to find and treat a dog food allergy. Having surmounted this problem and acting accordingly, your dog will be happy and most important, healthy!

Receive a wealth of dog food nutritional facts, dog food health tips, and large dog breed profiles at LargeDogBreedz.com

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How To Cure Your Incurable Nasal Allergy

2008-09-04T21:28:00.001-07:00

How To Cure Your Incurable Nasal Allergy
By Alexander Chong

Immunoglobulin E is an antibody, which is secreted from the white blood cell as a defense agent in our body. It helps us defending bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, which attack our body. Once the immunoglobulin E attaches to the mast cell, histamine chemical will be secreted from this cell. Histamine is the main cause of nasal allergy. It causes the blood vessel in the mucous membranes swelling and leaking of fluid. Swelling causes congestion inside the nasal passages and the leaking of fluid causes runny nose. When the nasal allergy becomes critical, mucous membranes will become inflammatory and itching.

Because the main cause of the nasal allergy is histamine, therefore, scientist has synthesized a few types of antihistamine medications to block the reaction of histamine with its receptors on cells and reduce the severity of the allergic symptoms. These medications are like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, fexofenadine, loratadine, cetirizine, terfenadine, clemastine and astemizole. Diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, cetirizine and clemastine will cause drowsiness. While, fexofenadine and loratadine will cause less drowsiness. Terfenadine and astemizole wont cause any side effect but they have interact effect with some of the antifungal and antibiotics medication

Besides, corticosteroids hormone is used to reduce the inflammation and itching in the nasal passages. Usually, inflammation is coming together with the nasal allergy. Actually, our body could secrete this hormone by itself from the adrenal gland. It controls the sensitivity of our body immune system. If the level of this hormone in our body is too high, it may cause our immune system inert to the attack from viruses or bacteria. If its level is too low, it will cause us become hypersensitive. Nasal allergy is due to the low level of this hormone. Therefore, applying this hormone onto the mucous membranes (topically) as a nasal spray or taken by mouth (orally) could reduce or prevent inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes by altering the actions of various cells of the immune system. Nowadays, this hormone is the most common medication that the medical doctor will prescribe to the patient who suffers critical nasal allergy. However, utilizing this hormone too frequent could cause some side effects such as burning sensation in the nose, unpleasant aftertaste and nosebleeds.

Nasal allergy could be cured by practicing yoga. Yoga is a stretching exercise combing with deep breathing. Many people are turning to yoga to cure various types of illness such as insomnia, anxiety disorders, back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia , infertility, menopause, shingles, stress and varicose veins. Practicing yoga is more natural than taking medicine and it does not have any side effect as long as you learn it from a qualify instructor. Once you have mastered the technique, you can practice it anytime when you are free.

Nasal allergy also could be cured using natural crystal. The main compound in the crystal is silicon dioxide. The variety of the crystal color is due to the existence of trace amount of transition elements. Different color crystal has different energy. We can see this energy using aura spectrophotometer. Nasal allergy is due to the insufficiency of certain energy in the patient body. By using crystal, nasal allergy patients can increase this energy in their body by absorbing from the crystal. Crystal is a tool that is used to transfer energy from the earth to our body. Our earth is a living planet and there are a lot of creatures living on its surface. Once the crystal energy has been completely consumed, we usually bury this crystal under the soil and let it absorbs the earth energy. Using crystal to cure nasal allergy is the most economic way and easiest method because it can be wore in our body as a wristlet or necklace whenever we want.

About The Author

Alexander Chong

Author of How to cure your incurable nasal allergy without using any synthetic drugs, herbs and expensive devices.

http://www.cure-nasal-allergy.com

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Multiple Food Allergy and Intolerance

2008-09-04T21:26:00.001-07:00

Multiple Food Allergy and Intolerance
By Joe Marafioti

Food allergy is an adverse clinical reaction to food due to any type of abnormal immune response to food protein.

Food intolerance is a reproducible adverse reaction to the ingestion of food or to any of its components ie proteins, carbohydrates, fats and additives. Such adverse reactions include metabolic reactions, enzyme deficiencies etc.

In more than 50% of children with food allergy, adverse reactions to more than one food are seen. Children with allergy to several common food proteins like cow's milk, egg and peanut are termed as having oligo food allergy.

Multiple food protein intolerant (MFPI) infants are distinguished from oligo food allergic patients due to their intolerance of soy and extensively hydrolysed formula, in addition to a range of other food proteins. Infants with MFPI often come from families with an atopic (allergic) history. MFPI is also recognised to occur in breast-fed infants. Most infants with MFPI tolerate low-allergen foods such as grain, vegetables, fruits, and meats in the second year of life.

A better prognosis is associated with an earlier diagnosis, predominant digestive symptoms and the absence of associated allergy to other foods. Therefore in infants with late diagnosed MFPI, dietary exclusions are often required up to 3 years of age.

Infants with multiple food protein intolerance are allergic to soy, extensively hydrolysed formulae (eHF) and a wide range of other foods. They have complex nutritional problems and should be distinguished from those with sensitivity to common food proteins such as cows milk, egg and peanut but who tolerate eHF and soy.Infants with intolerance to extensively hydrolysed formulae and soy can be safely and effectively treated with amino acid-based formulae.

More informations on Act Against Allergy

by AAA Editorial Board

Date of publication: 01/02/2006

Source: Food Allergy site

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoeMarafioti
http://EzineArticles.com/?Multiple-Food-Allergy-and-Intolerance&id=569801

15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds

2008-09-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds
By John Hinkley

Unfortunately, there are no cures for dog allergies. However, there are several things you can do to make life with your dog more comfortable:

1. Wash your hands frequently.

Wash your hands with soap and hot water immediately after handling your dog. If you are unable to wash your hands right away, avoid touching your hands with your face especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you have severe allergies and are in close contact with your dog, you may need to take frequent showers and change your clothes throughout the day.

2. Feed your dog a well-balanced diet.

Your dog's diet should include some natural fat. This fat helps to make your dog's skin less dry, resulting in less shedding. Talk to your vet about his recommendations on how to safely add fat to his diet.

3. Don't allow your dog in the bedroom.

This tip takes a lot of discipline, but it does make a big impact on your reaction to allergies. Keeping your bedroom door closed is ideal because it keeps airborne particles away. Sleep on mattresses and pillows with hypoallergenic polyester fillings. Also, as an extra precaution, cover your pillows, mattresses, and box springs with plastic, zippered, allergy-proof covers.

4. Brush your dog often.

It is ideal to brush your dog daily. However, if you suffer from allergies, you'll need to give another family member the responsibility of brushing the dog. If possible, the dog should be brushed outdoors. If you live alone with your dog, consider taking him to a professional groomer. You could wear a dust mask and gloves for brushing him in between grooming visits.

5. Bathe your dog often.

Check your dog's current shampoo. It should be ahypoallergenic or oatmeal based shampoo. If it's not, try switching brands. If your allergies can't handle the bathing, have another family member be responsible for giving baths. Or, have your dog visit a groomer.

6. Wash your dog's belongings.

Get into the habit of washing your dog's bed, blankets, and toys on a weekly basis either by hand with a safe soap or in the washing machine.

7. Check your vacuum.

Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filtration system. This type of system will help pull up and trap more of your dog's dander from the floor.

Note: vacuuming is recommended over sweeping because sweeping can stir the dander into the air, rather than trapping and removing it.

8. Have carpets cleaned regularly.

Even though you use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system, it is important to still have your carpets steam-cleaned throughout the year. Try to have this done at least quarterly.

9. Dust often.

Use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces such as tables, shelves, window sills, wall hangings, lamps, and other furniture and accessories. If necessary, wear a dust mask as you clean. Reccomended cleansing solutions:Oti-Clens Cleansing Solution

10. Keep the air fresh.

Use an air purifier one that contains a HEPA. This type of system will help eliminate dander from the air.

The less a dog sheds the less dander it produces. The following breeds typically produce less dander:

Airedale

Basenji

Bedlington terrier

Bichon frise

Chinese crested

Irish water spaniel

Italian greyhound

Kerry blue terrier

Maltese

Poodle

Portuguese water dog

Schnauzers

Shih tzu

Soft-coated Wheaten terrier

Tibetan terrier

Wire-haired fox terrier

Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless)

To read the Entire Article and the remaining allergy prevention tips go to: http://largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/large-dog-grooming-techniques/dog-allergy-prevention-tips.html

For more Dog Breed Health Tips, Large Dog Breed Profiles, and details on specific Dog Training Exercises, visit us at http://largedogbreedz.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JohnHinkley
http://EzineArticles.com/?15-Helpful-Dog-Allergy-Prevention-Tips-and-Dog-Allergy-Friendly-Breeds&id=446063

The Sweet Smell of a Perfume Allergy

2008-08-19T20:06:00.001-07:00

The Sweet Smell of a Perfume Allergy
By Grant Segall

By Grant Segall RPh - You can find this article here - http://www.allergy-allergy.com/allergy-types/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=GrantSegall
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Sweet-Smell-of-a-Perfume-Allergy&id=136467

Three Surefire Ways To Avoid This Spring's Allergy Attack

2008-08-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Three Surefire Ways To Avoid This Spring's Allergy Attack
By Jeanina Bartling

Daffodils and Robins are out and about, celebrating the coming of Spring.

Will you celebrate with them?

Or run for cover!

I can tell you this ~ more than 50 million Americans dread Spring.

And no wonder. In the U.S., allergies rank as the 6th leading cause for chronic diseases.

Sneezing and wheezing, runny noses, stuffed up sinuses, burning, itchy eyes ~thousands of people know these miseries well.

But they needn't. Nor need you!

Here's 3 simple things you can do to make this year memorably allergy-free.

The First Way: Protect Your Cilia

You simply must take care of your cilia.

What's that? You're not sure what cilia are, let alone whether or not you have any!

Oh yes, my friend, you have many cilia, and they serve you well as some of your most effective health guardians.

Unfortunately, today's harmful pollutants - cigarette smoke (either personal or passive), diesel fumes, emissions by vehicles and power plants and many otherpollutants - put our cilia at great risk.

Cilia moves to a beat. Usually about 8-15 beats a second. This transports the irritant toward the back of the nose where it's automatically swallowed and disposed of in the stomach.

Pollutants can slow or stop the beat. Cilia's partner, mucus, can be dried by too-dry air or not enough water in the body. These conditions allow the bacteria to attach themselves to a cell.

And that's when the problems begin.

Bacteria can't invade our bodies unless they're successful in getting a finger or toe hold onto one of our cells. The part of the cell that they latch onto is a specific sugar or sugar complex.

Which brings me to the 2nd way you can avoid this Spring's allergy attack:

The Second Way: Wash your nose with xylitol nose wash

Meet the new kid on the block ~ Xylitol, spelled with an x but pronounced with a z.

What xylitol nose wash does is:

1. Keep your cilia healthy

2. Bathe your cells in a healthy,

alkaline sugar that bacteria don't like.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, xylitol is also being actively promoted by many dental associations.

It's become one of the most popular items in health food stores simply because of its many health benefits.

Eliminates allergy-causing irritants

in the nose

Prevents the growth of bacteria

Prevents tooth decay

Creates alkaline environment

Possesses a glycemic index of 7

Improves bone density

and more...

Our bodies manufacture a certain amount of xylitol. It's also found in fibrous vegies and fruits and trees. Most of the commercial xylitol comes from either the bark of birch trees or corn cobs.

A completely natural product with no side effects, xylitol is being championed for its health-giving properties.

The Third Way: Drink Your Water

Water. It should top the list of The World's Most Wonderful Wonders.

It cleans. It satisfies. It gives life.

Serving time as a political prisoner in an Iranian prison, Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidjwas assigned the task of treating other prisoners who suffered from a variety of ills.

He had nothing with which to treat them. Except water.

You can read about some of his miraculous successes using only water in his book, Your Body's Many Cries For Water.

Our cilia needs water in order to do the job it's been earmarked to do. Most folks walk around in a semi-dehydrated state which leaves them vulnerable to many physical and mental disorders.

One good guideline: Drink enough water to make your urine colorless.

Well, there you have it. Three simple ways to help your body say NO! to any energy-sappers.

I hope you'll decide to step into this Spring with a new spring in your step.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JeaninaBartling
http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Surefire-Ways-To-Avoid-This-Springs-Allergy-Attack&id=170758

A Natural Approach to Allergy Therapy

2008-08-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

A Natural Approach to Allergy Therapy
By Bryan Brodeur

What you need to learn are the approaches to allergy therapy that will make good health sense, working in a productive manner to keep you healthy for the long term.

About the Author:

Dr. Bryan Brodeur is the owner of VitalityHouse, and the author of Vitalism. Download a free introduction for this health and fitness e-book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=BryanBrodeur
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Natural-Approach-to-Allergy-Therapy&id=198816

15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds

2008-08-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds
By John Hinkley

Unfortunately, there are no cures for dog allergies. However, there are several things you can do to make life with your dog more comfortable:

1. Wash your hands frequently.

2. Feed your dog a well-balanced diet.

3. Don't allow your dog in the bedroom.

4. Brush your dog often.

5. Bathe your dog often.

6. Wash your dog's belongings.

Get into the habit of washing your dog's bed, blankets, and toys on a weekly basis either by hand with a safe soap or in the washing machine.

7. Check your vacuum.

Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filtration system. This type of system will help pull up and trap more of your dog's dander from the floor.

Note: vacuuming is recommended over sweeping because sweeping can stir the dander into the air, rather than trapping and removing it.

8. Have carpets cleaned regularly.

Even though you use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system, it is important to still have your carpets steam-cleaned throughout the year. Try to have this done at least quarterly.

9. Dust often.

10. Keep the air fresh.

Use an air purifier one that contains a HEPA. This type of system will help eliminate dander from the air.

The less a dog sheds the less dander it produces. The following breeds typically produce less dander:

Airedale

Basenji

Bedlington terrier

Bichon frise

Chinese crested

Irish water spaniel

Italian greyhound

Kerry blue terrier

Maltese

Poodle

Portuguese water dog

Schnauzers

Shih tzu

Soft-coated Wheaten terrier

Tibetan terrier

Wire-haired fox terrier

Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless)

To read the Entire Article and the remaining allergy prevention tips go to: http://largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/large-dog-grooming-techniques/dog-allergy-prevention-tips.html

For more Dog Breed Health Tips, Large Dog Breed Profiles, and details on specific Dog Training Exercises, visit us at http://largedogbreedz.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JohnHinkley
http://EzineArticles.com/?15-Helpful-Dog-Allergy-Prevention-Tips-and-Dog-Allergy-Friendly-Breeds&id=446063

Up Your Energy with Allergy Techniques!

2008-08-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

Up Your Energy with Allergy Techniques!
By Heather Dominick

Alder: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Hazelnut: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Elm: Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Birch: Mar, April, May, June

Maple: Mar, April, May, June

Oak: Mar, April, May, June

Sorrel: April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept

Stinging Nettle: April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept

Beech: April, May, June

Spruce: April, May, June

Buttercup: May, June, July

Mugwort: July, Aug, Sept

Reduce Dairy Intake: Especially for allergy sufferers, dairy products can inhibit breathing and increase mucus. Reduce dairy; increase breathing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=HeatherDominick
http://EzineArticles.com/?Up-Your-Energy-with-Allergy-Techniques!&id=184669

Getting Allergy Relief Inside

2008-08-14T23:42:00.001-07:00

Getting Allergy Relief Inside
By Kerry Rodden

Using an air purifier, you can find many benefits in overall health and well being. You can lessen the effect that your allergy has on you.

Kerry Rodden is an expert on air purifiers, and has written many articles on air purifiers, fans, vacuum cleaners, air fresheners and a lot more.

You can read more of Kerrys articles about air purifiers at http://www.lowplaces.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KerryRodden
http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-Allergy-Relief-Inside&id=397718

Family Health: Coping With Hay Fever Allergy & Asthma

2008-08-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

Family Health: Coping With Hay Fever, Allergy & Asthma
By I-key Benney

If you suffer from hay fever, allergies or asthma, you know how annoying and frustrating they can be.

Hay fever is a chronic condition characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, runny and itching nose, palate, ears and eyes.

If you recognize any of these symptoms chances are, you or some member of your family has experienced hay fever at one time or another.

Here are some family health insights to help you cope.

Doctors call it allergic rhinitis. Most people know it as hay fever and if you've got it - - as 22 million Americans do - - you're likely to be plagued during the spring and fall seasons by such annoying symptoms as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy throat and red, watery eyes.

Allergy has different names.

Allergy reactions occurring in the nose and sinus are called sinus or hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

And when allergy reactions occur in the chest we call it asthma. Allergy reactions in the skin are named hives or angioedema.

So you see, allergy has different names depending upon where in your body it occurs.

One out of every six Americans suffers from an allergic condition. Allergy may be an inherited trait, a genetic susceptibility towards the production of certain allergy anti-bodies.

Hay fever is basically an allergic reaction to pollens from trees, weed and grasses.

Unlike garden flower pollen, which is carried by insects, the dry lightweight pollens which cause allergic rhinitis are generally spread by wind currents which make them difficult to avoid.

In fact, samples of ragweed pollen have been found 400 miles at sea! While most people suffer mild discomfort with hay fever, it is estimated that more than 40 percent of the 5.8 million children who have respiratory allergies miss some school, stay in bed or feel upset by the condition.

Additionally, complications from allergic rhinitis can be serious. The same allergens that cause hay fever can reach the lungs causing asthma and other complications.

Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus cavities) and nasal polyps (small outgrowths of the mucous membrane of the nose) may develop. Secondary infections of the ear, larynx and bronchial tubes may occur.

Also, prolonged year-round nasal stuffiness and mouth breathing may lead to facial bone growth changes in children.

Surprisingly, many parents realize that their children have asthma before their physicians do.

An accurate diagnosis, however, is most important in helping to determine an appropriate individualized treatment program.

Physicians specializing in allergy/immunology have special skills in the area of asthma management.

The allergy and asthma specialist will detect and determine those environmental elements (pollens, molds, dust mites, animal danders, workplace chemicals) which may be the cause of a patient's asthmatic condition.

A careful medical history, physical examination, selective allergy skill testing and lung function studies are typically performed. Occasionally, blood tests, home and workplace evaluations, and x-rays of the sinuses and lungs are required.

Unlike hay fever, asthma is a more complex disease involving a reversible constriction of the muscles lining the human airways.

It is more often associated with allergy immune cells and can get progressively worse reaching life-threatening stages if not properly controlled. It can be treated more effectively when it is diagnosed early.

The best therapy of all, however, is avoidance of those things which produce asthma symptoms. This includes allergens, such as house dust mites, pets and irritants, such as tobacco smoke and chemical fumes.

May these family health insights help you to live a longer, healthy and happy life.

Warmly,

I-key Benney, CEO

I-key, a Millionaire CEO from New York City is the creator of Mscsrrr: Millionaire Secret Cash System, (forex market) program which has helped thousands of ordinary people from all over the world to attain financial security and shining success during the past 2 yrs.

Mscsrrr Millionaire Secret Cash System helps you to generate $1,500+/Week for life, from home or office, part time or full time. No large investment or hassles. Win $1000-$2000 free cash

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=I-keyBenney
http://EzineArticles.com/?Family-Health:-Coping-With-Hay-Fever,-Allergy-and-Asthma&id=19178

Vacuum Cleaners Can Help Keep Your Home Cleaner And Provide Relief For Allergy And Asthma Sufferers

2008-08-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

Vacuum Cleaners Can Help Keep Your Home Cleaner And Provide Relief For Allergy And Asthma Sufferers
By Abbie Frank

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=AbbieFrank
http://EzineArticles.com/?Vacuum-Cleaners-Can-Help-Keep-Your-Home-Cleaner-And-Provide-Relief-For-Allergy-And-Asthma-Sufferers&id=290349

What Is An Allergy And What Can I Do?

2008-08-12T01:49:00.000-07:00

What Is An Allergy And What Can I Do?
By Ron King

What Happens During An Allergic Reaction?

Skin contact with an allergen usually causes hives, itchiness and localized swelling.

Airborne allergen contact often makes breathing difficult as the throat and lungs contract. The lack of oxygen may cause drowsiness, make walking impossible, and can result in death.

What Can You Do To Avoid A Reaction?

There are three things to help prevent an allergic reaction:

a. Air filtering. A good air filter will reduce the amount of airborne allergens.

Visit Allergy Help to learn more. Ron King is a full-time writer and web developer, visit his website Articles for authors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=RonKing
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-An-Allergy-And-What-Can-I-Do?&id=155603

A New Nutritional Approach for Both Pet Allergies and Allergies to Pets

2008-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

A New Understanding of Allergies

Allergies of all kinds seem to be on the rise--both for people and for their pets. The exciting new science of Glycobiology points strongly to a common basis for many of these allergies; and the revolutionary new nutritional technology of glyconutrition, which has developed from this new science, is proving to be a very effective--and natural--way to help both pets and their owners get marked relief from their allergies.

A recent 12-year longitudinal study with people who began the study as young, healthy adults found that the functional level of their immune systems declined, on average, at the rate of about 3% per year. This rapid decline is correlated with a corresponding increase in the incidence of auto-immune diseases and a proliferation of allergies of all kinds--including allergies to pets.

Ironically, however, pets also are commonly afflicted with stubborn allergies that are a source of much distress--and expense--for their owners. And, very commonly--just as with their owners--medical interventions that mainly focus on treating the symptoms are quite ineffective.

The findings of Glycobiology suggest that this prevailing approach may be barking up the wrong tree, so to speak, and that a nutritional intervention that, instead, supplies the body with crucial micronutrients that are lacking is likely to be far more effective.

Glycobiology has now established that every cell in the mammalian body requires eight necessary sugar molecules in order to function effectively. These sugars combine with protein and fat molecules into glycoforms that attach themselves to the surfaces of every cell in the body. Under an electron microscope, they look like weird trees growing on the cell surface. One of their most important functions there is to allow cells to communicate effectively with each other.

To the degree that these "super sugars" are deficient, cell-to-cell communication tends to break down and some form of illness starts to develop.

An insufficiency of these sugar molecules is particularly disastrous for the immune system, because it causes the cells of the immune system to become, in effect, partially blind. These cells can then become over-reactive in attacking allergens of all kinds and even in attacking the tissues of the body; on the other hand, ironically, they may become under-reactive in attacking true pathogens that are serious threats to the body.

Unfortunately, six of these crucially-important sugar molecules are seriously lacking in the modern diet. They are commonly found, however, in vine-ripened fruits and vegetables and also in many of the wild foods that our stone-age ancestors consumed in abundance.

When these glyconutrients, as they are called technically (glyco from the Greek word for "sweet"), are provided in adequate quantity to the body through supplementation, all of the cells in the body start functioning much more effectively. This is especially true for cells in the immune system. As cell-to-cell communication improves in this system, it tends to become better modulated--that is, less likely either to over- or under-react. Correspondingly, allergies and auto-immune conditions tend to diminish or disappear.

Just as these crucial glyconutrients are lacking in the modern diet for humans, they are similarly deficient in nearly all commercial pet food, which is also loaded with artificial dyes, perservatives and additives. The ancestors of our canine and feline pets--just like our human ancestors--have spent eons eating wild, natural foods, and this is what their systems are designed for. It is only in the last several decades that they--along with their owners--have been exposed to commercially prepared foods, as well as the chemicals these foods contain - chemicals that their bodies (as well as ours) cannot tolerate. In addition, artificial ingredients in these foods can trigger an immune response that, quite literally, can make pets sick.

An Example of Applying this New Approach

The following true story illustrates just how effective glyconutrition can be in helping to restore balance to a pet's over-reactive immune system.

Ted, a Golden Retriever, is the pride and joy of his owner, Mary. His chronic, severe ear infections and skin rash, therefore, distressed her very much. She consulted with various Veterinarians and tried every kind of treatment she heard of to get them under control. But nothing worked.

When a friend recommended glyconutritional supplements as a possible remedy, she was very skeptical. After giving Ted a teaspoon of glyconutritional powder, mixed with ice cream, once a day for about two weeks, however, his ear infections and his skin rashwa went away. Her skepticism continued, however, so she stopped giving it to him when her supply of these natural sugars ran out. Almost immediately, his ear infections and skin rash came back.

Still skeptical, Mary got some more of this product and resumed the previous regimen; and again, after just a few days, all of his symptoms went away. Around this time, a close friend and dog lover who knew Ted very well and who didn't know that he was receiving this daily supplement, commented to Mary that she had never before seen his coat looking so healthy and shiny. And then, as they both observed Ted more closely, they noticed to their surprise, that he had grown eyelashes that he didnâ€™t have previously!

Ted then continued to be symptom-free for a period of several months. But then, once again, when the supplement supply ran out, Mary thought that he might not need it anymore. But, again, all of his symptoms quickly returned when she stopped giving it to him. She then quickly started him on this nutritional regimen once again, and this has continued to be a part of his daily diet to the present timeâ€”about two years since he first started. He remains completely free of his original symptoms and both he and his owner are delighted. After examining him, a Veterinarian who had treated him unsuccessfully for many years, was very impressed and decided to try this new nutritional approach with some of her other pet clients.

Impressive though they are, very similar results have been reported for animals subject to a wide array of health challenges that have also received glyconutrients. Some of these results have been presented on an audiotape by Arthur Young, DVM, a homeopathic Veterinarian with over 50 years experience. (Information about how to obtain a copy of this tape is available from the author.)

Anyone interested in learning more about glyconutrition--for their pets and/or for themselves--can do so by clicking on the URL below.

George Shears is a retired psychologist and wellness consultant living in northern Minnesota. He is deeply committed to promoting health and wellness. His main mission is to help people discover important alternatives to mainstream medicine in preventing and reversing chronic degenerative diseases.

http://www.mannapages.com/mildredshears

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Shears

Natural Herbs for Allergies - Treat Allergies Without Medication

2008-07-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Modern medicine has made many advances over the years in treating allergy symptoms. Sometimes the cure may be worse than the illness. Many decongestants will lead to a dry mouth and a rise in blood pressure. Antihistamines tend to make you drowsy and groggy.

Are there any natural herbs that will help treat the symptoms of allergies without all of the unpleasant side effects? The good news is that you can find many natural herbs for allergies that will offer relief from your symptoms the holistic way. Natural herbs that will actually help to prevent the symptoms rather than treating them once they start. This can be an effective way of managing many of the seasonal allergies that a number of people suffer from.

I have heard about antihistamines, but what are they?

Antihistamines prevent the body from producing histamines. Histamines are a chemical by product when antibodies attack a foreign substance in the body. For allergy suffers, the body has mistakenly identified a benign substance to be a threat to the body. The immune system has created an antibody to attack and destroy this threat. Histamines create the allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and coughing, so when your body cannot produce as many, your symptoms are reduced as well.

Herbal Antihistamines

Stinging Nettle - This herb works very well as a natural antihistamine, without the drowsiness that comes from using many of the over-the-counter medicines that are available. Stinging nettle can be purchased in capsule form from many natural food and vitamin stores today.

Butterbur - Another herbal antihistamine, which is a harder herb to come by in the United States, but nevertheless effective as a natural means of treating allergies.

Quercetin - Is another good natural herb for allergies, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural antioxidant that can reduce the risk of some types of cancer.

Plantain - Has been used for a long time in treating respiratory complaints including cough and inflammation. It also has anti-catarrhal and antispasmodic properties.

Chamomile - According to German studies it may slow allergic reactions, such as those that trigger asthma attacks, by increasing the adrenal glands' production of cortisone, which reduces lung inflammation and makes breathing easier.

Before taking a natural herb to treat your allergies, consult with your allergy doctor before taking anything. Some herbs can have side effects with other herbs. They can also have potentially dangerous interactive effects when taken with other over the counter and prescription medicines.

For more information on living an allergy free life try visiting http://www.allergyanswersguide.com, a popular allergy facts website that offers advice and resources on allergies in children, dogs for people with allergies and yeast allergies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Willhelm_Williams

Allergic inflammation

2008-07-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Allergic inflammation is an important pathophysiological feature of several disabilities or medical conditions including allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and several ocular allergic diseases. Allergic reactions may generally be divided into two components; the early phase reaction, and the late phase reaction. While the contribution to the development of symptoms from each of the phases varies greatly between diseases, both are usually present and provide us a framework for understanding allergic disease

The early phase of the allergic reaction typically occurs within minutes, or even seconds, following allergen exposure and is also commonly referred to as the immediate allergic reaction or as a Type I allergic reaction The reaction is caused by the release of histamine and mast cell granule proteins by a process called degranulation, as well as the production of leukotrienes, prostaglandins and cytokines, by mast cells following the cross-linking of allergen specific IgE molecules bound to mast cell FcεRI receptors These mediators affect nerve cells causing itching smooth muscle cells causing contraction (leading to the airway narrowing seen in allergic asthma) goblet cells causing mucus production and endothelial cells causing vasodilatation and edema

The late phase reaction is also sometimes called the Type IV allergic reaction or delayed type hypersensitivity and may take as long as 6 – 12 hours to fully develop following an encounter with allergen The products of the early phase reaction include chemokines and molecules that act on endothelial cells and cause them to express Intercellular adhesion molecule (such as vascular cell adhesion molecule and selectins), which together result in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes from the blood into the site of the allergic reaction Typically, the infiltrating cells observed in allergic reactions contain a high proportion of lymphocytes, and especially, of eosinophils. The recruited eosinophils will degranulate releasing a number of cytotoxic molecules (including Major Basic Protein and eosinophil peroxidase) as well as produce a number of cytokines such as IL-5 The recruited T-cells are typically of the Th2 variety and the cytokines they produce lead to further recruitment of mast cells and eosinophils, and in plasma cell isotype switching to IgE which will bind to the mast cell FcεRI receptors and prime the individual for further allergic responses.

Allergy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allergies Cause

2008-07-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

Allergies Cause
Risk factors for allergy can be placed in two general categories, namely host and environmental factors. Host factors include heredity, sex, race, and age, with heredity being by far the most significant. There have been recent increases in the incidence of allergic disorders, however, that cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. The four main environmental candidates are alterations in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes

Allergy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allergies Signs and symptoms

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Many allergens, such as dust or pollen, are airborne particles. In these cases, symptoms arise in areas in contact with air, such as eyes, nose and lungs. For instance, allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, causes irritation of the nose, sneezing, and itching and redness of the eyes. Inhaled allergens can also lead to asthmatic symptoms, caused by narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction) and increased production of mucus in the lungs, shortness of breath (dyspnea), coughing and wheezing.

Aside from these ambient allergens, allergic reactions can result from foods, insect stings, and reactions to medications like aspirin and antibiotics such as penicillin. Symptoms of food allergy include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, itchy skin, and swelling of the skin during hives. Food allergies rarely cause respiratory (asthmatic) reactions, or rhinitis. Insect stings, antibiotics, and certain medicines produce a systemic allergic response that is also called anaphylaxis; multiple organ systems can be affected, including the digestive system, the respiratory system, and the circulatory system. Depending of the rate of severity, it can cause cutaneous reactions, bronchoconstriction, edema, hypotension, coma, and even death. This type of reaction can be triggered suddenly, or the onset can be delayed. The severity of this type of allergic response often requires injections of epinephrine, sometimes through a device known as the Epi-Pen auto-injector. The nature of anaphylaxis is such that the reaction can seem to be subsiding, but may recur throughout a prolonged period of time.

Substances that come into contact with the skin, such as latex, are also common causes of allergic reactions, known as contact dermatitis or eczema. Skin allergies frequently cause rashes, or swelling and inflammation within the skin, in what is known as a "wheal and flare" reaction characteristic of hives and angioedema

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allergy is a disorder of the immune system

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Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees

Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.

A variety of tests now exist to diagnose allergic conditions; these include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific IgE. Treatments for allergies include allergen avoidance, use of anti-histamines, steroids or other oral medications, immunotherapy to desensitize the response to allergen, and targeted therapy.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia