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

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?

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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?

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?

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

Copyright 2006 Ron King.

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Dog Food Allergy The Treatment and Diagnosis

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

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

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

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15 Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips and Dog Allergy Friendly Breeds

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

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