Baby Food Allergies – All you Need to Know
In recent year we have seen an increase in the susceptibility of allergies. Baby food allergies are of particular concern as the source may be difficult to detect.
Baby food allergies are as common as adult food allergies.
If your baby appears distressed for no apparent reason or has unexplained areas of itchiness to the skin, then perhaps he or she has a baby food allergy.
What is an Allergy?
An allergy can be defined as an intolerance to a particular substance when touched, inhaled, injected or ingested.
When our body is exposed to a substance that causes an allergic reaction the response may be nasal or respiratory congestion, itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, or itchy rashes anywhere on the body.
Baby Food Allergies – Can My Allergies be Passed on to my Baby?
If you tend to have an allergic reaction then your baby may have a tendency to be allergic also.
However you and your baby may not share the same food allergies or be allergic to the same substances.
You may have asthma, while your child may develop hay fever.
Baby Food Allergies – How to detect them
It can sometimes be difficult detecting the cause of baby food allergies. If you think your infant has a baby food allergy, eliminating the following products from their diet may help.
• Milk and dairy products
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Shellfish
• Citrus Fruits
Once you have eliminated each of these food groups from your baby’s diet, you can begin to reintroduce them gradually one by one.
Wait a few days before the introduction of an additional food group and do not mix food groups.
If your baby has a baby food allergy you be able to detect it by monitoring his or her reaction to the introduction of these individual food groups.
Baby Food Allergies – Can they be prevented?
Breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of his or her life helps to reduce the incidence of allergies earlier on in life.
Try to avoid giving your baby pre-prepared foods that contain additives, or tinned or packaged foods.
Baby Food Allergies – When are they Most Likely to Occur?
Baby food allergies can occur at any time. Many babies are allergic to, or have an intolerance to cows milk and your baby may develop an allergy to other milk or wheat products, shellfish, nuts or citrus fruits.
If your baby has an allergic reaction after eating a particular food, you should see the signs within an hour.
Baby Food Allergy – Signs to Look For
The symptoms of a baby food allergy could include swelling or itchiness of the lips or tongue, wheezing or a skin rash.
Some babies may develop an intolerance to particular food groups.
If your baby has a food intolerance, symptoms might include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, colic or wind.
Treating Baby Food Allergies
As long as you can find the cause, then the best way to treat a baby food allergy is to refrain from giving your baby that particular food.
If your baby is experiencing related symptoms then the allergy could be pollen related rather than a baby food allergy. Non food substances that could also cause an allergic reaction include pet hairs, tobacco smoke, feather pillows, perfume or dust mites.
Baby Food Allergies – Healthy Alternatives
If your results indicated that your infant is experiencing baby food allergies, here are some non allergic foods that you can try introducing into their diet.
• Mangoes, apples, grapes
• Barley, oats, rye
• Cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes
• Chicken, salmon
If in any doubt you should seek professional help to determine whether it is a baby food allergy or something more serious.
Baby food allergies are quote common and with a little work are fairly easy to detect. Once you have detected the source of your baby’s food allergy, the simplest way to eliminate the symptoms is to remove the cause.
By: Sacha Tarkovsky
About the Author:
Baby food allergies are as common as adult food allergies.
If your baby appears distressed for no apparent reason or has unexplained areas of itchiness to the skin, then perhaps he or she has a baby food allergy.
What is an Allergy?
An allergy can be defined as an intolerance to a particular substance when touched, inhaled, injected or ingested.
When our body is exposed to a substance that causes an allergic reaction the response may be nasal or respiratory congestion, itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, or itchy rashes anywhere on the body.
Baby Food Allergies – Can My Allergies be Passed on to my Baby?
If you tend to have an allergic reaction then your baby may have a tendency to be allergic also.
However you and your baby may not share the same food allergies or be allergic to the same substances.
You may have asthma, while your child may develop hay fever.
Baby Food Allergies – How to detect them
It can sometimes be difficult detecting the cause of baby food allergies. If you think your infant has a baby food allergy, eliminating the following products from their diet may help.
• Milk and dairy products
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Shellfish
• Citrus Fruits
Once you have eliminated each of these food groups from your baby’s diet, you can begin to reintroduce them gradually one by one.
Wait a few days before the introduction of an additional food group and do not mix food groups.
If your baby has a baby food allergy you be able to detect it by monitoring his or her reaction to the introduction of these individual food groups.
Baby Food Allergies – Can they be prevented?
Breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of his or her life helps to reduce the incidence of allergies earlier on in life.
Try to avoid giving your baby pre-prepared foods that contain additives, or tinned or packaged foods.
Baby Food Allergies – When are they Most Likely to Occur?
Baby food allergies can occur at any time. Many babies are allergic to, or have an intolerance to cows milk and your baby may develop an allergy to other milk or wheat products, shellfish, nuts or citrus fruits.
If your baby has an allergic reaction after eating a particular food, you should see the signs within an hour.
Baby Food Allergy – Signs to Look For
The symptoms of a baby food allergy could include swelling or itchiness of the lips or tongue, wheezing or a skin rash.
Some babies may develop an intolerance to particular food groups.
If your baby has a food intolerance, symptoms might include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, colic or wind.
Treating Baby Food Allergies
As long as you can find the cause, then the best way to treat a baby food allergy is to refrain from giving your baby that particular food.
If your baby is experiencing related symptoms then the allergy could be pollen related rather than a baby food allergy. Non food substances that could also cause an allergic reaction include pet hairs, tobacco smoke, feather pillows, perfume or dust mites.
Baby Food Allergies – Healthy Alternatives
If your results indicated that your infant is experiencing baby food allergies, here are some non allergic foods that you can try introducing into their diet.
• Mangoes, apples, grapes
• Barley, oats, rye
• Cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes
• Chicken, salmon
If in any doubt you should seek professional help to determine whether it is a baby food allergy or something more serious.
Baby food allergies are quote common and with a little work are fairly easy to detect. Once you have detected the source of your baby’s food allergy, the simplest way to eliminate the symptoms is to remove the cause.
By: Sacha Tarkovsky
About the Author:
MORE FREE INFO
On all aspects of health and more on babies visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html
Food Allergy Versus Food Intolerance
Among the allergies rampant in American lives today, food allergy is one of the top three. However, some people misdiagnose food allergy as food intolerance. There are certain similarities but one must be careful in administering medicines to a person with an allergy.
The wrong medicine for the wrong condition can increase the allergic symptom resulting in anaphylaxis and even death. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction where all the symptoms swiftly attack the entire body all at the same time.
Symptoms Of Food Allergy
Food allergy is an allergic reaction to certain types of food. The most common food allergens are: cow’s milk, wheat, peanuts and other tree nuts, eggs, fish, soybeans, shellfish, meat and certain types of drugs. The allergic reaction can vary depending on the type of allergen but they have the same number of symptoms:
- Rashes or hives begins to appear on the skin. In extreme cases, the swelling and hives can spread to the entire body.
- Swelling of the certain areas near the mouth.
- Swelling of the ear
- Redness and itchiness of the eyes.
- Runny nose
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing and wheezing, sometime signs of asthma
Food intolerance has much of the same symptoms except the runny nose and watery eyes. Most often, food intolerance results in diarrhea and swelling of certain areas of the body.
Aside for the similarities in symptoms, a food allergy is more severe than food intolerance. Someone with food intolerance can eat small portions of the food he is allergic to. They can still enjoy the food, though in small quantities. But to a person with food allergy, that small portion can immediately trigger an allergic reaction. And if not treated at once, the patients can go into anaphylaxis.
What makes a food allergy more life threatening is because of the immediate threat to the person. Someone with food allergy can have an anaphylactic shock and start to experience the swelling of the throat muscles. This can block the air passage of the person and could result to death.
Another real danger is the sharp drop in the blood pressure of the patient. In this case, the person with food allergy may experience mental confusion and dizziness.
Food Allergy Treatment
A food allergy can be treated as soon as the symptom occurs. For rashes, there are skin creams available to ease the swelling and itchiness. The antihistamines will give relief to symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes and swelling. These medicines can be bought right in the local drugstores and does not require a prescription.
For those who experience the severe food allergy reactions, a dose of epinephrine (adrenaline), either self- injected or given by the doctor can immediately reverse the symptoms. As of now, a shot of epinephrine is the most effective treatment for food allergy and other types of allergies.
Preventing Food Allergy
Although food allergies cannot be prevented, the best way to defeat it is by staying away from the food a person is allergic to. Taking a risk will only cost you more pain in the future. So it is best to see the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat.
Making the right diagnosis on food allergy versus food intolerance can be tricky. It all depends on how severe the allergic reactions are and the number of symptoms that show up on the person when exposed to the food allergen.
By: Charlene J. Nuble
About the Author:
The wrong medicine for the wrong condition can increase the allergic symptom resulting in anaphylaxis and even death. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction where all the symptoms swiftly attack the entire body all at the same time.
Symptoms Of Food Allergy
Food allergy is an allergic reaction to certain types of food. The most common food allergens are: cow’s milk, wheat, peanuts and other tree nuts, eggs, fish, soybeans, shellfish, meat and certain types of drugs. The allergic reaction can vary depending on the type of allergen but they have the same number of symptoms:
- Rashes or hives begins to appear on the skin. In extreme cases, the swelling and hives can spread to the entire body.
- Swelling of the certain areas near the mouth.
- Swelling of the ear
- Redness and itchiness of the eyes.
- Runny nose
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing and wheezing, sometime signs of asthma
Food intolerance has much of the same symptoms except the runny nose and watery eyes. Most often, food intolerance results in diarrhea and swelling of certain areas of the body.
Aside for the similarities in symptoms, a food allergy is more severe than food intolerance. Someone with food intolerance can eat small portions of the food he is allergic to. They can still enjoy the food, though in small quantities. But to a person with food allergy, that small portion can immediately trigger an allergic reaction. And if not treated at once, the patients can go into anaphylaxis.
What makes a food allergy more life threatening is because of the immediate threat to the person. Someone with food allergy can have an anaphylactic shock and start to experience the swelling of the throat muscles. This can block the air passage of the person and could result to death.
Another real danger is the sharp drop in the blood pressure of the patient. In this case, the person with food allergy may experience mental confusion and dizziness.
Food Allergy Treatment
A food allergy can be treated as soon as the symptom occurs. For rashes, there are skin creams available to ease the swelling and itchiness. The antihistamines will give relief to symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes and swelling. These medicines can be bought right in the local drugstores and does not require a prescription.
For those who experience the severe food allergy reactions, a dose of epinephrine (adrenaline), either self- injected or given by the doctor can immediately reverse the symptoms. As of now, a shot of epinephrine is the most effective treatment for food allergy and other types of allergies.
Preventing Food Allergy
Although food allergies cannot be prevented, the best way to defeat it is by staying away from the food a person is allergic to. Taking a risk will only cost you more pain in the future. So it is best to see the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat.
Making the right diagnosis on food allergy versus food intolerance can be tricky. It all depends on how severe the allergic reactions are and the number of symptoms that show up on the person when exposed to the food allergen.
By: Charlene J. Nuble
About the Author:
Charlene J. Nuble 2006. For answers to All your frequently asked questions about food allergy, please go to: food-allergy.allergyanswers.net or go to: allergyanswers.net blog.
Do Allergy Shots Help in Reducing the Allergy Symptoms?
Itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and redness are some of the common symptoms that majority of the people experiences as allergy symptoms.
The most effective way to fight against particular allergen is immunotherapy or allergy shot, but some people will get frightened to get allergy shot.
Allergy shots hold a little amount of substance that fights against the particular allergen. For example, if the person is allergic to pollen, a small amount of substance called pollen will be added to the shot.
A small amount will be given so that the body will get used to fight against the allergen and if the body comes in contact with that substance next time, body will be familiar with that.
Who are not eligible to take allergy shot?
Allergy shots are not safe for everyone. Although most of the people experienced positive results from these shots, they are not suitable for all. People who are suffering from asthma, heart attack, and respiratory problems, pregnant women, and children under age of five are not recommended to receive allergy shot.
Alternatively, certain individuals are experiencing some side effects such as:
• Feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
So, for these reasons, the patient should stay in the doctor’s office for at least fifteen to twenty minutes after receiving the shot.
Benefits of allergy shots:
• Allergy shots improve allergic rhinitis, hay fever, bee sting allergies, drug allergies, and eye allergies.
• In some cases, allergy shots improve asthma symptoms also. The most common reaction to allergy shot is swelling at the place where the shot is given.
The success of this immunotherapy varies from person to person depending on the severity of the person’s allergy and the number of substances the person is allergic to.
In addition to the traditional allergy shots, there are new approaches to immunotherapy procedures to treat allergies.
Oral immunotherapy works similar to the allergy shot. In this method, increasing doses of allergen will be given to slowly build up the patient’s tolerance. The only difference with oral immunotherapy from allergy shot is with oral immunotherapy extract of allergen is used as drops. In this method, generally the drops are placed under the tongue and then swallowed.
Intranasal immunotherapy method involves intranasal administration of grass and house dust mite allergen extracts, which reduces the nasal symptoms such as “nasal allergy”.
The side effect with intranasal immunotherapy is nasal irritation. When compared to the traditional allergy shots, intranasal immunotherapy has no long lasting benefits.
Rush immunotherapy involves quick build up to the maintenance dose of extract. In this method of treatment, during early phase increasing doses of allergen will be given every few hours rather than a few days. Since there is a great risk involved with this rush immunotherapy, this should be done in hospital under close supervision.
Some people will experience severe reaction to the allergy shot, which is called “anaphylaxis”. In case of bad reaction with this shot, physicians will do appropriate treatment to stop this reaction.
Since allergy shots are not good for everyone, talking to the physician before taking this shot is more advisable. Visit Allergy Symptoms
By: Neelima Reddy
About the Author:
The most effective way to fight against particular allergen is immunotherapy or allergy shot, but some people will get frightened to get allergy shot.
Allergy shots hold a little amount of substance that fights against the particular allergen. For example, if the person is allergic to pollen, a small amount of substance called pollen will be added to the shot.
A small amount will be given so that the body will get used to fight against the allergen and if the body comes in contact with that substance next time, body will be familiar with that.
Who are not eligible to take allergy shot?
Allergy shots are not safe for everyone. Although most of the people experienced positive results from these shots, they are not suitable for all. People who are suffering from asthma, heart attack, and respiratory problems, pregnant women, and children under age of five are not recommended to receive allergy shot.
Alternatively, certain individuals are experiencing some side effects such as:
• Feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
So, for these reasons, the patient should stay in the doctor’s office for at least fifteen to twenty minutes after receiving the shot.
Benefits of allergy shots:
• Allergy shots improve allergic rhinitis, hay fever, bee sting allergies, drug allergies, and eye allergies.
• In some cases, allergy shots improve asthma symptoms also. The most common reaction to allergy shot is swelling at the place where the shot is given.
The success of this immunotherapy varies from person to person depending on the severity of the person’s allergy and the number of substances the person is allergic to.
In addition to the traditional allergy shots, there are new approaches to immunotherapy procedures to treat allergies.
Oral immunotherapy works similar to the allergy shot. In this method, increasing doses of allergen will be given to slowly build up the patient’s tolerance. The only difference with oral immunotherapy from allergy shot is with oral immunotherapy extract of allergen is used as drops. In this method, generally the drops are placed under the tongue and then swallowed.
Intranasal immunotherapy method involves intranasal administration of grass and house dust mite allergen extracts, which reduces the nasal symptoms such as “nasal allergy”.
The side effect with intranasal immunotherapy is nasal irritation. When compared to the traditional allergy shots, intranasal immunotherapy has no long lasting benefits.
Rush immunotherapy involves quick build up to the maintenance dose of extract. In this method of treatment, during early phase increasing doses of allergen will be given every few hours rather than a few days. Since there is a great risk involved with this rush immunotherapy, this should be done in hospital under close supervision.
Some people will experience severe reaction to the allergy shot, which is called “anaphylaxis”. In case of bad reaction with this shot, physicians will do appropriate treatment to stop this reaction.
Since allergy shots are not good for everyone, talking to the physician before taking this shot is more advisable. Visit Allergy Symptoms
By: Neelima Reddy
About the Author:
Allergy Asthma blog helps you learn everything you need to know about allergy relief. Know more about asthma control & protect yourself to improve your quality of life. Visit http://www.allergyasthmazone.com
Stop Allergies with Allergies Treatment
On the average, a person could experience several allergic reactions to one or more things. This happens when we breathe in something that is usually harmless and our immune system (the body’s barrier against viruses and bacteria) classifies it as harmful and attacks. These are the allergens that we need to avoid exposure to. The hard part is, it is difficult to avoid allergens if we don’t know specifically what we are allergic to. Much harder still, allergens are everywhere. They can be in the form of plant pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, mold, chemicals, and so forth. It makes it thrice as hard to avoid because pollen and mold may become airborne and can travel easily for miles.
Those affected with allergic rhinitis, also called nasal allergy, pollinosis, or hay fever is commonly caused by plant pollens. Some weeds depend on the wind for cross-pollination than insects to produce seasonal allergies. This makes allergies hard to avoid. Allergies symptoms are a result of the release of histamine, a very important protein in the body which mediates inflammation and is involved in many reactions. Here are the common symptoms that you may experience: itchy, puffy, and watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, decreased sense of smell, headache, and wheezing. This makes it very bothersome as aside from these, one can experience shortness of breath because the airways become constricted as the body’s response to the allergens. Should the immune system over activate and not be treated, it may result to complications and life-threatening situations. Relief of symptoms is a must!
Allergies treatment is a big factor to those who have allergies. For one, it would be less bothersome for them if they have relief from their symptoms. Having itchy eyes and a runny nose is not exactly a recipe for a happy day. Having it for three consecutive days is already a burden, what more if it extends to more than that? The symptoms also get worse during different seasons. It is important to know what to do and prevent it from occurring before the season changes.
To be diagnosed accurately, check with your physician and let him help you determine which particles you are allergic to. For all the over-the-counter-medications, which includes the anti-histamine medications, that is available in the market to provide symptomatic relief, still the best way to treat the allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to allergens. It is also the most cost-effective way in managing allergies. It is best to remove pets from the house to avoid animal dander, staying indoors when there are high pollen counts, control dust mites by using plastic-lined covers for mattress and pillows, and remove any that could absorb minute particles of dust such as stuff toys, carpets and drapes. Allergies treatment may include over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief and shot for uncontrollable symptoms or unavoidable allergens (or those present all throughout the year).
Do not be afraid to have your allergies checked. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain. It is important that you know what you are allergic to so you could have better prevention. Enjoy life without the burden of allergies symptoms!
By: Ragweed Allergy
About the Author:
Those affected with allergic rhinitis, also called nasal allergy, pollinosis, or hay fever is commonly caused by plant pollens. Some weeds depend on the wind for cross-pollination than insects to produce seasonal allergies. This makes allergies hard to avoid. Allergies symptoms are a result of the release of histamine, a very important protein in the body which mediates inflammation and is involved in many reactions. Here are the common symptoms that you may experience: itchy, puffy, and watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, decreased sense of smell, headache, and wheezing. This makes it very bothersome as aside from these, one can experience shortness of breath because the airways become constricted as the body’s response to the allergens. Should the immune system over activate and not be treated, it may result to complications and life-threatening situations. Relief of symptoms is a must!
Allergies treatment is a big factor to those who have allergies. For one, it would be less bothersome for them if they have relief from their symptoms. Having itchy eyes and a runny nose is not exactly a recipe for a happy day. Having it for three consecutive days is already a burden, what more if it extends to more than that? The symptoms also get worse during different seasons. It is important to know what to do and prevent it from occurring before the season changes.
To be diagnosed accurately, check with your physician and let him help you determine which particles you are allergic to. For all the over-the-counter-medications, which includes the anti-histamine medications, that is available in the market to provide symptomatic relief, still the best way to treat the allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to allergens. It is also the most cost-effective way in managing allergies. It is best to remove pets from the house to avoid animal dander, staying indoors when there are high pollen counts, control dust mites by using plastic-lined covers for mattress and pillows, and remove any that could absorb minute particles of dust such as stuff toys, carpets and drapes. Allergies treatment may include over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief and shot for uncontrollable symptoms or unavoidable allergens (or those present all throughout the year).
Do not be afraid to have your allergies checked. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain. It is important that you know what you are allergic to so you could have better prevention. Enjoy life without the burden of allergies symptoms!
By: Ragweed Allergy
About the Author:
To Find out more on allergic symptoms or if you are in the Cincinnati who are willing to participate on a research study on investigational oral immunotherapy, please visit http://www.ragweedallergycincinnati.com or call 859-371-3797 for more info.
The Secret to Living With Allergies
Part 1: Understanding the Allergy Basics
Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or indoor allergies to dust mites, molds and pet dander, you may be regularly faced with allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or more. You may experience allergy symptoms while outside as a result of seasonal allergies. Or, your allergic reactions can come about due to exposure to indoor allergens while cleaning, coming into contact with pets or even while sleeping! In order to understand the secret to living with allergies, you must educate yourself about allergic triggers, environmental controls and what causes your allergy symptoms. As Part 1 of the Allergy Control Products series on The Secrets to Living with Allergies, learn some time-tested allergen avoidance steps toward living a healthier life that is free of allergy symptoms.
Step 1: Diagnose the Allergy Triggers that Cause Your Allergy Symptoms
Any allergy sufferer knows the misery that can be caused by allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, itching, rash and even severe symptoms such as asthmatic reactions. What some allergy sufferers don’t fully know is what may be triggering their allergies, and the key to managing these symptoms is diagnosing precisely what causes allergic reactions. It may be surprising that many allergy sufferers who have mild allergy symptoms may not be able to pinpoint what they are allergic to. Without consulting with a physician to understand the nature of their allergies, these allergy sufferers are unable to proactively control their allergies.
In some cases, identifying allergy triggers is easy. For instance, if you sneeze and have trouble breathing when around cats, it’s likely that you have a pet allergy. Certain food allergies, contact with allergen sources or exposure to obvious allergy sources (such as dusty or moldy rooms) may also be easy to identify. However, many people are unaware that they can come into daily contact with large allergen sources throughout the home that cause or worsen their allergy symptoms. Understanding your sensitivity and resulting allergy reactions to these indoor allergens can have a profound impact on alleviating your allergy symptoms.
For the best understanding of your specific allergies, see your physician or allergist for allergy testing. A skin test may be performed in order to determine whether you many be allergic to dust mites, pollens, pet dander, fungi or other sources. Allergy medications or allergen injections may be recommended. Physicians can help you outline a plan for addressing your exposure to allergy triggers in order to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Step 2: Identify the Dust Mite as One of the Biggest Culprits in Causing Indoor Allergies
The top 3 indoor allergens are dust mite allergens, molds and pet dander. All three can be found in most homes and millions of dust mites can be found in even the cleanest of homes. One easy way to find allergy relief is to reduce your allergen exposure within your home. Many people who have allergies are allergic to dust mites and because they cannot be seen by the naked eye, you could be totally unaware of how much you come in contact with dust mite allergens.
Dust mites are relatives of the spider, and they thrive in the dark, warm and humid environment found in pillows, mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Dust mites excrete fecal particles and it is these particles, as well as their dead bodies, that cause your allergic symptoms. In fact, “dust” is made up of dust mite allergens and other allergen particles. Inhaling these particles triggers your allergies.
Around the home, you come in regular contact with indoor allergens, but the greatest allergen exposure is to dust mite allergens. A large dust mite allergen source is your bed. If you wake up feeling congested, sneezing, with swollen eyes or a runny nose, or with other allergy symptoms, inhaling dust mite allergens while you sleep is to blame. You spend up to 8 hours a day in bed, inhaling these allergens and unwittingly aggravating your allergies. The second largest source of dust mite allergens is found in carpeting. Since many homes have carpeting, the carpet is another large area for causing allergy symptoms.
Step 3: For Indoor Allergy Relief, Control Your Environment to Eliminate Allergy Triggers
The good news is that simple steps around the home could alleviate allergy symptoms and possibly reduce your need for allergy medications and treatments. The first step is to address the bedroom due to the large amount of time spent there each day. Cover your pillow, mattress and other bedding in allergy bed encasings to create a barrier between you and the dust mite allergens in the bed. Wash your linens frequently in hot water to remove allergens. Treat your carpet with special allergy-removing carpet products, or remove carpets in favor of hardwood floors or tile. Vacuum weekly with a quality HEPA vacuum, which will contain allergens while you clean, and wear a face mask while cleaning. Keep your home’s humidity level below 50% as low humidity discourages dust mite and mold growth.
For more tips on controlling dust mite allergies in your home, request a copy of the Allergy Control Products Improving Life Indoors catalog or visit the Allergy Control® Allergy Learning Center for more allergy education. Also, visit allergycontrol.com for upcoming topics regarding The Secret to Living with Allergies. Next, Allergy Control Products will cover Addressing Pet Allergies and future series will include Controlling Mold in Your Home. Don’t miss these helpful allergy tips from the allergen avoidance experts!
By: Colleen F Finnegan
About the Author:
Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or indoor allergies to dust mites, molds and pet dander, you may be regularly faced with allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or more. You may experience allergy symptoms while outside as a result of seasonal allergies. Or, your allergic reactions can come about due to exposure to indoor allergens while cleaning, coming into contact with pets or even while sleeping! In order to understand the secret to living with allergies, you must educate yourself about allergic triggers, environmental controls and what causes your allergy symptoms. As Part 1 of the Allergy Control Products series on The Secrets to Living with Allergies, learn some time-tested allergen avoidance steps toward living a healthier life that is free of allergy symptoms.
Step 1: Diagnose the Allergy Triggers that Cause Your Allergy Symptoms
Any allergy sufferer knows the misery that can be caused by allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, itching, rash and even severe symptoms such as asthmatic reactions. What some allergy sufferers don’t fully know is what may be triggering their allergies, and the key to managing these symptoms is diagnosing precisely what causes allergic reactions. It may be surprising that many allergy sufferers who have mild allergy symptoms may not be able to pinpoint what they are allergic to. Without consulting with a physician to understand the nature of their allergies, these allergy sufferers are unable to proactively control their allergies.
In some cases, identifying allergy triggers is easy. For instance, if you sneeze and have trouble breathing when around cats, it’s likely that you have a pet allergy. Certain food allergies, contact with allergen sources or exposure to obvious allergy sources (such as dusty or moldy rooms) may also be easy to identify. However, many people are unaware that they can come into daily contact with large allergen sources throughout the home that cause or worsen their allergy symptoms. Understanding your sensitivity and resulting allergy reactions to these indoor allergens can have a profound impact on alleviating your allergy symptoms.
For the best understanding of your specific allergies, see your physician or allergist for allergy testing. A skin test may be performed in order to determine whether you many be allergic to dust mites, pollens, pet dander, fungi or other sources. Allergy medications or allergen injections may be recommended. Physicians can help you outline a plan for addressing your exposure to allergy triggers in order to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Step 2: Identify the Dust Mite as One of the Biggest Culprits in Causing Indoor Allergies
The top 3 indoor allergens are dust mite allergens, molds and pet dander. All three can be found in most homes and millions of dust mites can be found in even the cleanest of homes. One easy way to find allergy relief is to reduce your allergen exposure within your home. Many people who have allergies are allergic to dust mites and because they cannot be seen by the naked eye, you could be totally unaware of how much you come in contact with dust mite allergens.
Dust mites are relatives of the spider, and they thrive in the dark, warm and humid environment found in pillows, mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Dust mites excrete fecal particles and it is these particles, as well as their dead bodies, that cause your allergic symptoms. In fact, “dust” is made up of dust mite allergens and other allergen particles. Inhaling these particles triggers your allergies.
Around the home, you come in regular contact with indoor allergens, but the greatest allergen exposure is to dust mite allergens. A large dust mite allergen source is your bed. If you wake up feeling congested, sneezing, with swollen eyes or a runny nose, or with other allergy symptoms, inhaling dust mite allergens while you sleep is to blame. You spend up to 8 hours a day in bed, inhaling these allergens and unwittingly aggravating your allergies. The second largest source of dust mite allergens is found in carpeting. Since many homes have carpeting, the carpet is another large area for causing allergy symptoms.
Step 3: For Indoor Allergy Relief, Control Your Environment to Eliminate Allergy Triggers
The good news is that simple steps around the home could alleviate allergy symptoms and possibly reduce your need for allergy medications and treatments. The first step is to address the bedroom due to the large amount of time spent there each day. Cover your pillow, mattress and other bedding in allergy bed encasings to create a barrier between you and the dust mite allergens in the bed. Wash your linens frequently in hot water to remove allergens. Treat your carpet with special allergy-removing carpet products, or remove carpets in favor of hardwood floors or tile. Vacuum weekly with a quality HEPA vacuum, which will contain allergens while you clean, and wear a face mask while cleaning. Keep your home’s humidity level below 50% as low humidity discourages dust mite and mold growth.
For more tips on controlling dust mite allergies in your home, request a copy of the Allergy Control Products Improving Life Indoors catalog or visit the Allergy Control® Allergy Learning Center for more allergy education. Also, visit allergycontrol.com for upcoming topics regarding The Secret to Living with Allergies. Next, Allergy Control Products will cover Addressing Pet Allergies and future series will include Controlling Mold in Your Home. Don’t miss these helpful allergy tips from the allergen avoidance experts!
By: Colleen F Finnegan
About the Author:
For 25 years, Allergy Control Products has been recommended by thousands of physicians as the most trusted allergy company for revolutionary products for indoor allergies. For an air purifier or hypoallergenic bedding we have quality products and information at affordable prices.