How to Treat an Allergic Reaction

How to Treat an Allergic Reaction - There are thousands of people that die each and every year due to an allergic reaction. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the administration of basic medications. What is really surprising is that most of these victims knew that they were susceptible to certain allergens. People may go years without an incident and as a result they become complacent and this is the biggest contributor to their death.

People that have allergies to certain foods or insects are cognitive that they should carry their Auto-Injector. Their Doctors will usually prescribe a drug called Epinephrine. The medication is contained inside a vial that is preloaded in a self administered Auto-Injector. When the person begins to have an allergic reaction, they can self administer the Epinephrine into their thigh or shoulder.

As a bystander, you may be asked by the person to assist in the administration of the medication. Instructions are listed on the Auto-Injector. They are very simple and provide a small example on how to load, lock and deliver the medication. Sometimes the individual who is having the allergic reaction may become unconscious and unable to fire the Auto-Injector. You will have to load, lock and deliver the injection to the victim in order to save his or her life.

The problem with Auto-Injectors is that many of these individuals with allergies become lazy and will not carry the medication. Once they come into contact with their allergen, it may be to late for them to be saved. If they do not have their Auto-Injector available, try to get the victim some liquid Benadryl. The liquid works much faster than a tablet and will slow the chemical reaction that is taking place inside the body. If a Benadryl tablet or gel cap is all you have, then give it to the patient if he or she is still conscious.

Call 911 ASAP for the Paramedics will be able to administer Epinephrine to the victim upon arrival. Try to keep the patient calm as this will help to keep the heart rate low which will slow the amount of Histamine flowing through the bloodstream. Get the patient to lay flat on the ground for this helps to keep the Blood Pressure within normal limits. Keep the patient warm to maintain normal body temperature.

As a good Samaritan, we can help many people by carrying a simple First Aid kit. The kits have Auto-Injectors available for allergic reactions. Benadryl is in the kit as well. The bottle will be labeled as Antihistamine. Remember, you can save someones life by being prepared. Be ready for the unexpected and do not become complacent.

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Fighting Allergic Reactions

Fighting Allergic Reactions - Allergies can appear at any given time in a person's life and can severely hinder the person's quality of life. Not only are allergies a pain to deal with, but they can cost somebody their life. Allergies can be caused by a myriad of different things - including but not limited to: pets, foods, medicine, seasonal allergies, and even, some unique ones like allergies to the sun and light sensitivity. For the person with severe allergies, every day tends to be a battle.

Allergies can present themselves with sneezing, coughing, rashes/hives, convulsions, difficulty breathing, and so on. If you have any of these symptoms develop, you should contact your doctor immediately. S/he will probably refer you to an Allergist whom can test you for what affects you.

To treat allergies, there are many options. First of all, allergy treatment depends on how frequent your reactions are, what you are allergic to, and how severe your allergies are. Once the Allergist tests you, s/he will let you know what you allergic to. Oftentimes, if the allergy is related to food, season changes, or things like dust or pet hair; s/he will tell you to stay away from these things or to take an allergy medicine such as Benadryl before and after being around these triggers.

However, if your reaction is to certain ingredients in medicine - for instance, you may have an allergy to an inactive or active ingredient - you will need to figure out which ingredient it is and stay away from it. Common medicine allergies occur with the ingredients Magnesium Stearate or Sulfate - however, there are many more ingredients that you may be allergic to.

When you find out what you are allergic to, make sure that you take every opportunity that you have to fight these. You do not have to suffer with your allergies, but you can fix what is undone. Also, having allergies does not mean that you have to change your life; it just means you need to know what you are allergic to and how you can fight it. You can discuss with your doctor about how to combat your allergies and get the upper hand on your ailments.

S/he will let you know if you need a lifestyle change or just to take certain anti-histamines to block the allergic reaction from occurring. Do not delay; your health should be taken with the utmost respect. Once you get your allergies figured out, you will be able to enjoy your life more thoroughly. So, choose today to fix your allergies; get an appointment with your doctor today.

Avisha writes for Texas Allergy Center. Dr. Raja is an allergist Austin providing residents with solutions to allergies, asthma as well as skin care http://www.txallergycenter.com/

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Important Facts About Dust Mite Allergy

Any individual who is allergic to dust is actually to one or more substances that are present in dust. The components of dust differ significantly depending on the condition in which it accumulates.

Dust that are present in construction sites, bakeries, mines, factories, and storage facilities can all pose dangers to the respiratory system as well as occupational ailments because dust are common. House dust can generate various allergens, however, cat dander, cockroaches and dust mites far exceed all other when it comes to occurrence and severity. Special dust mite mattress covers can bring relief to those who suffer from dust mite allergy.
What is Dust Mite Allergy?

Dust mite allergy is a hypersensitive response to protein as a product secreted by dust mites. The protein attacks the respiratory passages which cause asthma and hay fever. It will worsen atopic dermatitis in individuals who are prone to this problem.

Occurrence of Dust Mite Allergies

Dust mites are found internationally, however, they are not all abundant at higher elevations and in drier climates. As a result, the areas where dust mite allergy is most common and severe are in humid regions like England, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and United States. Other factors that cause dust mite allergies are the building of houses, and the amount of time individuals spend inside them.

Severity of Dust Mite Allergies

When it comes to severity, dust mite allergies far exceed other house allergens for two reasons:

The allergens generated by dust mites have been associated conclusively to the development of asthma and the aggravation of symptoms in individuals who are already suffering from asthma

Their existence doesn’t depend on socio-economic class and human lifestyle.

Dust mite allergens are exceeded by cockroach allergens in tenements, ghettos, slums as well as in other crowded, substandard housing conditions. The most potent indoor allergens are cat dander allergens, yet cause quite weak reactions, frequently restricted to watery eyes, sneezing and stuffy nose.

Why Dust Mite Allergy Occurs?

Certain substance that are produced inside the body of dust mites act as allergens when they become airborne, which stimulates a hypersensitive immune reaction in some individuals but not everyone. Thus, allergies occur because of your own personal immune system going into overdrive and this becomes your worst enemy. The allergic reaction is a defensive response all out of part to the real threat. Your body is going nuclear on what are fundamentally particles that are harmless.

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Important Facts About Dust Mite Allergy

What An Allergy Specialist Can Do For You

Sneezing itching, redness, and puffiness are all common allergy symptoms in individuals. These symptoms as well as others are all signs of allergies. People can be allergic to anything from foods, to plants, to insects to chemicals among other things. Sometimes reactions can be so bad that it is hard to enjoy your daily life. Not everyone has their reactions under control. But today you will learn how an allergy specialist can diagnose and discover the right treatments for each individual. Nobody should have to suffer in misery when there are solutions available. No matter how severe a reaction is, it can be avoided by having the proper treatment.

An allergic reaction is basically an unusual response from the immune system to a regular substance. When an individual comes into contact with certain elements, their body responds by discharging chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. Some allergies are more serious than others. It just depends on the person and their particular allergens. People develop certain antibodies, or proteins, against some elements. When allergens are exposed to these proteins, this is when symptoms are triggered. This could be anything from itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat or whatever the symptom.

You may not have known that such a thing as an allergy specialist even existed. There is a great need for those who treat patients with allergic issues. Reactions range from many things such as sneezing to swelling. Most people learn exactly what they are allergic to. As a result they may spend tons of money on over the counter medicines to try and help the problems they have. And sometimes these medicines are found ineffective. But believe it or not there is a treatment out there that can help each person's individual issues. This can only be discovered by the help of a professional.

Sometimes patients make appointments with their primary care physicians to try and get solutions for these allergic reactions. But oftentimes these doctors cannot solve the problems. They are unsure of the causes. This is when the patient should consult an allergy specialist. All it takes is a simple appointment. Some examples of allergies are really quite obvious. For instance there are millions of people who get sneezing and runny noses when pollen becomes thick. Others are allergic to certain foods. There are people who break out or may experience swelling of the tongue or throat after having seafood. Others experience swelling and discomfort after insect stings or bites. These are all scenarios you may have heard of or either experienced yourself! They are actually quite common. But the right professional can help you to discover how to not have these issues at all. There are medications that are guaranteed to combat reactions by protecting the body.

You may live in an area where there are allergens, or triggers, all around you. This doesn't have to stop you from living your life. You may have reactions to your own pets! Count on an allergy specialist to figure out how you can get some relief in your own home, or wherever it may be that's causing the issue. Help is available!

A Fairfield OH allergy specialist can help if you are having trouble living you ife due to reactions. Take a look here: http://www.drchaitent.com.

By A Aaronson

Article source : What An Allergy Specialist Can Do For You

Allergy Symptoms

You known you're allergic when you react to certain substances you've been exposed to before. For instance, you may have eaten shellfish before but the next time you eat foods containing shellfish, you develop rashes.

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to things that don't normally cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens and your body's overreaction to them are what causes allergy symptoms.

Common Allergy Symptoms


* Runny nose
* Watery eyes
* Itchy nose, eyes, and roof of mouth
* Sneezing
* Stuffy nose
* Pressure in the nose and cheeks
* Ear fullness and popping
* Dark circles under the eyes
* Hives

What Causes these Allergy Symptoms?

No one really knows why someone develops allergy. Studies have shown that allergy may be hereditary or genetic. Others say that allergy is just something that develops over time and disappears, also over time. But one thing is certain, there are certain specific factors found in the environment that can trigger the body to develop allergy symptoms.

The most common allergen is pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Allergy symptoms caused by these allergens often occur in the spring (late April and May) and may also occur late in the summer (late May to mid-July). Ragweed allergens may also cause allergy symptoms in the fall (late August to the first frost).

In direct contrast to pollen, which is airborne, molds are contracted by contact through the skin. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles, and leaf litter. Allergy symptoms caused by molds become worse during humid and rainy weather.

Another common type of allergen is animal dander. These are proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets, such as cats and dogs. You can develop allergy symptoms from handling an animal or from coming into contact with house dust, containing dander.

Various more allergens are contained in dust. One of them is dust mites, which are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. These mites live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust, and coming into contact with them may result in allergy symptoms.

How to Control Allergy Symptoms?

Unless you live in a vacuum, it is extremely difficult to avoid allergens all together. But with a little management and control, you can reduce the occurrence of allergy symptoms caused by these allergens.

Keeping clean is always the first step in controlling allergy symptoms. Before bedtime, it is advisable to shower or bathe to wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and skin. You can also reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently cleaning those places where mold often accumulates.

Avoid going outside the home during dry, windy days. Keep windows and doors shut, and use an air conditioner at home and in your car. This is one way to keep yourself from developing allergy symptoms caused by pollen and other airborne allergens.

by: Ian Tse

Article Source : Allergy Symptoms

Alternative Options for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Here in northern California, allergies are a significant health problem leading to fatigue, sick days from work and school, and secondary infections. Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to seasonal airborne allergens. It affects about 7 percent of the population of North America and is a risk factor for 88 percent of asthma patients. We have some excellent prescription medications for treating this, and there are many over-the-counter medications available also. However, BEWARE of the sedating effects of those nonprescription medications!!! Recent studies have shown that an individual on a therapeutic dose of diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a more dangerous driver than one who is legally drunk on alcohol.

Fortunately, there are also some effective alternative therapies for allergic rhinitis.

Remember: no matter what method you use to treat your allergies, nasal rinsing to clear the mucus membranes of trapped allergens is essential. It only takes about 30 seconds, doesn't hurt a bit when done correctly, and makes all the difference. I recommend Nasopure®, a product developed by Dr. Hana Solomon, a pediatrician who has put together in one simple kit all you need for successful nasal rinsing. There is an excellent article about this on the Nasopure website (www.nasopure.com). If you are regularly using your Nasopure®, and still having difficulties, you can try some of the following remedies without significant side effects.

Vitamin and mineral supplements:

* Vitamin A - 10,000 IU/day

* Vitamin B6 - 50-100 mg/day

* Vitamin B5 - 50-75 mg/day

* Vitamin C - 1,000 mg/day in 3 divided doses

* Vitamin E - 400 IU/day

* Zinc - 20-30 mg/day

In addition some herbs and nutrients can help:

Quercetin has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects if you take it 250mg two or three times a day.

Freeze-dried stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis at a dosage of 300mg twice a day.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also called fish oil, can help asthma patients with allergies by stabilizing the airways. They come in capsules and the total dose of the combination should be 2-4 g/day.

Acupuncture has given many patients significant relief. The Chinese medicine paradigm is very different than Western medicine, so I can not explain the mechanism of action. But I know that it is effective!

See your doctor about allergy symptoms if you are unable to manage them on your own - the nonsedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays available today are excellent in treating this significant health problem!

by: Stacey M Kerr MD

Article Source : Alternative Options for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Gluten Allergy, Celiac Disease and Weight Loss

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness month. One of the conditions associated in some people with IBS is Gluten allergy. It is a highly under-diagnosed condition, therefore worth spreading public awareness about it. Gluten is a Protein, which can be found in Wheat, Barley, and Rye. The disease associated with gluten intolerance or allergy is called Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine that affects some people with genetic predisposition. The inflammationi damages the mucosa of the small intestine, which results in a lot of the symptoms and deficiencies associated with gluten allergy. About a third of Caucasians are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, but not all of them get Celiac disease. Usually avoidance and exclusion of Gluten resolves symptoms of Celiac disease.

Women are twice as likely to be affected and diagnosed with Celiac disease than men. Some autoimmune conditions like Type-1 Diabetesi, Sjogern's disease, lupus, thyroid disease and some adrenal diseases (Addison's disease) are also associated with Celiac disease. People who have Down's syndrome also have a high chance of having Celiac disease.

People classically are present with symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, lactose intolerance, frequent constipation, severe abdominal pain and obstruction, vomiting, and infertility. Chronic gluten intolerance results in osteoporosisi and iron deficiency anemia mainly due to poor absorption of minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Vitamin D, and iron from the gut. However, unless gluten is excluded, taking vitamins or minerals won't result in reversing the disease or brittle bones.

Gluten Allergy can be diagnosed through blood tests, endoscopy with biopsy of the duodenal mucosa, and genetic testing. However, if you're already on a gluten free diet, genetic testing is the only test, which will show Gluten allergy.

If you have celiac disease, lifelong avoidance of gluten is strongly recommended. Also you need to have your levels of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, B12, folic acid, zinc and copper checked frequently. There are a lot of support groups for people with Celiac disease and gluten allergy as well as a general public awareness and availability of Gluten free products in a lot of mainstream supermarkets. Visiting a dietitian and/or a physician who has expertise dealing with people with Celiac disease is also highly effective.

If you have any of the symptoms above, please make an appointment to get tested for Gluten sensitivity. If you are not on a Gluten free diet, Celiac disease can be diagnosed through a blood test.

If you are suffering from the symptoms above and find yourself eating less, but still not losing the weight we have 9 tips and suggestions for you.
Here are some Tips to help you out:

1. Get enough Sleep at night.

Sleeping about 5-6 hours per night is necessary to make sure that your metabolism won't slow down due to hormonal imbalance. Also when you are sleepy you crave more food especially sugary ones.

2. Count the protein intake per meal.

Eating salad doesn't give you enough calories, so you will get hungry soon. Or if you stuck up your plate with blue cheese and candied walnut you probably will have as much calorie as a burger with fries.

Make sure to have a 3-4 oz. of lean protein with each meal to prevent your craving for sugar and carbohydrate. Protein digestion will help your body to use the energy and burn some fat.

3. Too much exercise is not the answer.

No.In order to lose one pound of fat you need to burn 3500 calorie which can be very time consuming and ineffective, so we should focus on having a daily regimen of 75% good nutrition and 25% exercise to lose weight properly.

4. Refrain from Eating a lot of high-calorie health nuts?

Just because something is healthy it doesn't mean that you can eat a lot of it. Changing from white bread to whole wheat, Butter to Olive oil, chips to nuts are good, but portion control is important since these are all high-calorie substitutes.

5. Do not eat too early in the evening.

It's good to eat less food in the evening, but if a person eat at 6pm, and go to bed at 11pm they might have to be careful about the calorie intake after dinner. The body might crave food after 3-4 hours. So no matter how late you eat your dinner try to have less than 30% of your calorie intake after 7pm.

6. Eat snacks in between your meals.

To keep your metabolism at its peak you have to take something every 3to 4 hours.

7. Keep a food diary.

Study shows that most of the people who keep diary about their daily food intake will lose weight faster, since they're more aware of what they put in their body.

8. Eat a full, protein rich Breakfast.

Study shows that people who eat breakfast have a healthier weight. When you skip breakfast your body goes to starvation mode, and as a result your metabolism slows down.

9. Put the apron on, and start cooking in your own kitchen.

Restaurant meals have a lot of hidden calories; try to eat half of your order if you must have eat out; otherwise try healthy simple recipe's at home where you can reduce the amount of hidden calories from your meal.

Panthea Shafipour is a general practioner for Wellesley Medical in Los Angeles, CA. We also have nutritionists, nutrition consultants and physicians at our weight loss clinic.

Article by : Panthea Shafipour, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Panthea_Shafipour