Posted by admin on January 29th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Tattoo Allergies – An Uncommon But Real Problem
Once seen as something only the bad boys did, tattoos have gone mainstream in the past decade or two. Now it is seen as something cool, a way to express yourself in the most permanent manner. While most people have no lingering side effects once the tattoo scabbing and healing process is over, there are a small percentage of people who experience some type of allergic reaction. Tattoo allergies are often the result of the type of inks used.

Ink Ingredients

Most tattoo artists don’t really read the ink labels to see what ingredients are in there but if you are prone to allergies, chances are your tattoo allergies will be the result of red or yellow ink. In the past, many brands of tattoo ink used mercury in them but this practice has greatly declined because of its harmful effects.

However, inks today that can cause tattoo allergies contain such elements as nickel, cadmium and chromium. While you may not really run across cadmium or chromium much, many earrings and other pieces of jewelry have nickel, so if you have ever had a reaction to it, chances are that you will develop some type of reaction to a tattoo.

Telltale Signs

It is important to note that not everyone who will suffer from tattoo allergies will exhibit signs immediately. Some people won’t develop a rash or inflamed redness for a month or two or even years later, which is the reason why a skin patch test is not really conducive to detecting allergies before getting a tattoo.

For people with tattoo allergies that present themselves years later, the reaction could be itchiness and even raised bumpy areas in certain colored parts of the tattoo. Sometimes, it is the weather that can cause a reaction or even a raised body temperature. The heat, whether it is from body temperature or the weather can cause the skin to swell slightly, which could affect the tattoo. If your own tattoo feels particularly itchy during hotter weather, this could be the reason for your tattoo allergies.

Treatment

If you develop tattoo allergies not long after you get your inked masterpiece, you can apply over the counter treatment onto the rash or affected area. Antibiotic ointment or hydrocortisone creams often bring relief, as do regular anti-itch creams and cold compresses. If the area does not clear itself within a week or so, it would be wise to visit a dermatologist who will likely prescribe some type of steroid to combat your tattoo allergies.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 26th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms

Lake Water Allergies: Understanding Swimmer’s Itch
If you are one of those people who simply can’t resist a good swim, you might think twice about wading and swimming into some lakes and ponds no matter how clear the water may appear to you. According to experts, lake water allergies can cause a lot of discomforts to people and may even leave some ugly marks on your skin.

What Is Lake Water Allergies?

Lake water allergies also known as swimmer’s itch is the skins allergic reaction to infection cause by contaminated water. Contamination in the water does not mean industrial contamination or anything of that sort. What we mean here is the natural forms of contamination which is caused by birds and mammals that are living near the lake.

Note that many lakes in the country contain parasites of birds and mammals that can cause allergies. These allergens in the water are especially common during the summer time when more birds and mammals visit the lake. Since we cannot really prevent birds and mammals from getting into the lake and it would be downright inhuman to deprive these animals of their natural habitat, the only solution here is to avoid swimming into the lake especially if you are prone to lake water allergies.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lake Water Allergies?

The most common symptoms of lake water allergies is tingling, burning or itching of the skin within a few hours after you waded or swam in contaminated lake water. Many people also develop reddish pimples all over their bodies within 12 hours after they went into contact with the water. If not treated properly, these reddish pimples may develop into ugly blisters. Yes, things can really get quite ugly when this happen and you could suffer from a lot of discomforts for around a week or two. Fortunately, applying anti allergy cream and ointment on the affected areas of the skin will make the blisters go away within the next few days so you need not go to the hospital.

On the other hand, there are some people who develop more serious lake water allergies symptoms. Continuous or prolonged exposure to contaminated water often aggravates the situation. If you develop more serious forms of allergic reactions to contaminated lake water such as shortness of breath, huge lesions in your skin, fever and the likes, you should see your doctor immediately. You may be suffering from complications so do not ignore your symptoms.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 22nd, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, What Causes Allergies, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Tying Together Allergies And Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is a common enough problem for men and women with urinary tract infections, prostate problems, diabetes and other health conditions. However, did you know that allergies and frequent urination can go hand in hand, depending on the allergic trigger? That trigger most likely is due to allergies to various types of food depending on your sensitivity.

Celiac Issues

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

High Acid Food And Drink

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

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

Theories Still Guess Work

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

Allergy Medications

Allergies and frequent urination could also be tied together due to your reaction to the medication used to treat the allergies. Not all drugs are infallible and many of them come with a laundry list of side effects, one of which could be frequent urination. If frequent urination is a problem, be sure to rule out other health conditions like an enlarged prostate or urinary tract infection first before considering an allergy.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 20th, 2008 in Mold Allergies, Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Consider Fluconazole For Mold Allergies
If you have ever had chronic sinus problems or allergies that never seem to lessen in severity even when pollen counts are low then you just might have mold to blame. Mold is everywhere and even though it can be a major problem, it is one of the last things that doctors consider when treating sinus problems and allergies. Typically a prescription of fluconazole for mold allergies is what clears many symptoms up and brings relief.

Make sure that your doctor takes a culture of your nose to determine that mold is indeed the culprit. Many times the lab that analyzes the culture can say what type of mold is causing the problem and recommend a good anti-fungal medication in addition to fluconazole for mold allergies.

The Many Forms Of Mold

Mold is a mighty fungus and its many forms run into the hundreds of thousands with some just being minor irritants while others like the dreaded black or toxic mold can be life threatening. Every home has some mold growing whether it is that lab experiment in the refrigerator or some fuzzy appearances where there was a plumbing leak in the ceiling.

Mold in the home can cause illness, especially in the very young and very old who do not have strong immune systems. Therefore, when you present symptoms of allergies, sinus issues or even asthma, tell your doctor about the possibility of mold. He will likely prescribe fluconazole for mold allergies.

Treatment

Fluconazole for mold allergies is an expected treatment once other medications have been exhausted. You might know this drug as Diflucan, which not only treats mold allergies but also infections caused by various types of yeast, which are in the fungus family, the same family as mold. Therefore, you should be able to see the relationship and the reason why fluconazole for mold allergies is a logical move.

Fluconazole comes in both pill form as well as oral suspension and typically adults will receive the pill form while children receive the liquid. If you are on any other medications, you should let your doctor know before you fill the prescription fluconazole for mold allergies. Some diabetic medications as well as those for insomnia and high blood pressure can cause reactions and there may be some over the counter remedies that can also be a problem.

Of course, fluconazole for mold allergies can also present some side effects in a small percentage of people but most do go away on their own. Diarrhea, nausea and even loss of appetite are temporary effects but anything more serious should be reported to your doctor.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 19th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Don’t Let Fruit Allergies Limit Your Diet
Fruit is one of the tastiest ways to get the important vitamins, minerals and fiber your body needs to be strong and healthy. However, for a small percentage of the population, fruit allergies are a way of life and can greatly inhibit the fruit portion of their diet. These allergies manifest themselves in a variety of ways and almost always people can attribute symptoms to a specific fruit because the reaction is quick.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

A large portion of people who suffer from fruit allergies exhibit mild to uncomfortable itching, tingling, burning and even swelling of the oral areas. Anywhere where the fresh fruit touches the tongue, lips, mouth and throat are subject to these symptoms. These symptoms are all a part of what is known as oral allergy syndrome.

This syndrome not only covers fruit allergies but also vegetables as well and it has to do with mixed chemical reactions of the proteins in the food as well as pollen. In fact, most people with fruit allergies also have allergies to various types of pollen. What is curious is the fact that vegetables and fruits, when cooked, do not usually cause allergies. This is likely due to the fact that the pollen and proteins present are leeched out in the cooking process.

In a small percentage of people who have fruit allergies skin rashes, redness and irritation may also result. In very rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur which is basically when your blood pressure drops, restricting oxygen flow to the brain and also mouth, throat and air passageways can swell, restricting breathing. Death can occur if this condition is left untreated.

Pollen And Fruit Associations

If you have fruit allergies, you may notice that you are not allergic to all fruits, just certain classes of them. In fact, these allergies are often times closely related to your other allergies that you might have. For instance, if you are allergic to ragweed, then chances are if you develop fruit allergies, they would likely be from bananas and various types of melons like honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.

Birch tree allergies may precipitate fruit allergies like apple, pears, cherries, kiwi and stone fruits like peaches, apricots and plums. For the few individuals with allergies citrus, oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits are likely to cause some symptoms, probably due to the acid content.

Treating Fruit Allergies

Avoidance is the best solution when fruits cause allergic reactions, whether it is swelling and irritation around oral areas or even skin rashes on the body. Some people have developed a tolerance of some fruits due to allergy shots but this solution does not work for everyone. Besides cooking fruit or eating them processed, like applesauce or canned peaches, there is little you can do about fruit allergies.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 17th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Nasal Allergies Are Nothing To Sneeze At
You can blame your own body’s immunological response as well as genetics for your tendency toward nasal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis. Of course, nasal allergies can also occur from prolonged exposure to certain substances called allergens or even exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke or being born with a low birth weight.

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

Pollen

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

Dust And Animal Dander

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

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

Symptoms

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

Treatment

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

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 15th, 2008 in Mold Allergies, Common Allergies-Symptioms, What Causes Allergies, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Understanding and Preventing Mold Allergies
Allergies are a common ailment among many folks today, and the substances that people are allergic to can vary greatly. For those who are suffering from mold allergies, it may be difficult to cope with the symptoms. The reason that mold allergies can be such a challenge is that there is not a set season for mold to appear, and some sufferers can experience symptoms year-round. The good news is that these types of allergies are relatively rare; when you consider the number of molds that we might be exposed to every day. It is also possible to effectively treat mold allergy symptoms, so you that you do not have to suffer unnecessarily with the sniffling and sneezing that can arise with exposure to the dreaded substance.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mold allergies are similar to those of other allergic reactions, and can include nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and a skin rash. If you experience these symptoms while raking leaves or mowing grass, you might be suffering from mold allergies. Likewise, if you notice these symptoms when you enter a musty basement or other moist area, mold may indeed be the culprit. To determine if your allergies really are caused by mold spores, you can have an allergy test done at your doctor’s office. There are two types of tests that are done; a skin test or a blood sample. Either test can give your doctor a good idea about the substances that you might be allergic to so that he can treat your allergies in the most effective way.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for any type of allergy generally includes over the counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines. For more severe symptoms, your doctor can prescribe similar medications in stronger doses. You can also opt for steroidal nasal sprays to keep nasal passages clear, or inhaled medications if you also suffer from asthma. Many of these medications are safe to take over a longer period of time, making them a good option for mold allergy sufferers who might experience symptoms year round.

While there are numerous treatments for allergies that can be very helpful, another good way of reducing symptoms is by prevention. This usually entails an avoidance of the allergy triggers – which in this case would be mold spores. Prevention of mold allergies might include avoiding food that has a greater chance of harboring mold, like cheese and mushrooms, or staying away from damp areas like basements. It is also a good idea to change your furnace filter frequently to prevent mold from developing. With a combination of prevention and treatment options, you can successfully keep your mold allergy symptoms at bay.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 15th, 2008 in Allergy Symptoms Relief

Common Peanut Allergies Can Cause Fatal Reaction
People suffering from peanut allergies need to extremely careful about just about anything they eat as many items made from peanut shells and oil can trigger as bad a reaction as experienced by eating peanuts. Many times people with peanut allergies do not understand that anything made from peanuts, even without the whole peanut being present can trigger a reaction, which could develop into anaphylactic seizure and death, depending on the degree of allergic reaction.

When most people of peanut allergies they think of the typical peanut, which in reality are legumes and many people with peanut allergies are also allergic to peas and beans, members of the same family. Although they are probably also allergic to nuts that grow on tress such as almonds, pecans and cashews. Some of the indications of peanut allergies include a tightness in the throat, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. While mane people have developed an allergy to nuts, it is fairly common in children and more children are developing the allergy than they have in the past.

Contrary to popular belief, it is very rare for a person to outgrow an allergy. In some cases, a person may have been misdiagnosed as having peanut allergies and years later it is determined their immune system can, in fact tolerate its ingestion. An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system sees a nut as a dangerous object and mobilizes its defenses to fight it off.

Nuts Often Hidden In Foods

Peanuts are a widely used food product and can show up in places many people would never expect them to be found. While peanut butter is an obvious source of peanuts and is taboo for those with peanut allergies, many may not realize that crushed nuts are often used in sauces and in Asian foods such as pad thai. Additionally, an Italian sauce called Pesto is made from crushed nuts.

Many health food and energy bars contain nuts as do bouillon some favoring sauces. When a person has been diagnosed as having nut or peanut allergies it can be a life-saving decision to stay away from all foods containing them Even if not listed in the ingredients, persons with a high susceptibility to peanut allergies can suffer an attack with even a trace amount in the product.

Many of the fruit flavored cereals also contain nuts as do many candy bars and salty snacks. Potato chips can also be fried in peanut oil, which can cause and attack of peanut allergies in just about everyone.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 15th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

How To Cope With Seasonal Allergies
According to studies, around 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. The causes of seasonal allergies vary but some of the most popular causes of these types of allergies are pollen, mites and molds. Pollen is especially hazardous to people who have allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Once the pollen gets into contact with the mucous membranes that protects the nasal passage, the membrane gets irritated and may become swollen, making it difficult for that person to breathe. In most cases, the inflammation of the nasal passage will result to itchy throat, runny nose, swollen sinuses and watery eyes. For some people, the reaction can be more severe. It is not uncommon for people to get hospitalized because of severe reactions to pollens. To cope with seasonal allergies, here are some tips for you.

Preventive Measures

One of the best ways to prevent seasonal allergies is to increase your dietary intake of the essential fatty acids. According to studies, fatty acids from fish and flaxseed can help prevent allergic reactions in most people. Taking increased dose of vitamin C can also lower the levels of histamine in the blood so make sure that you eat plenty of fruits. Fruits and juices are better compared to synthetic vitamin C in capsules. Most experts agree that fresh is best so do double you intake of those vitamin C capsules. Instead, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Another way to prevent seasonal allergies is to monitor the level of pollen and mold inside and outside of the house. If the pollen and mold level outside is high, keep your windows and doors tightly shut to ward off these microscopic things. Do not wander off outdoors too much especially when weeds, trees and shrubs around the area are in bloom. Note that trees, weeds, grass and shrubs release pollens into the air during this time. If you must go outdoors, cover your mouth and nose with surgical mask to filter the air that you inhale. The surgical mask can only hold so much of the pollen and molds at bay so try not to stay outdoors for too long. Let someone else do the yard work for you.

Once you get back indoors, take off your clothes and put them in the washer immediately to ward off seasonal allergies. Molds and pollen tend to cling to your hair and clothes so make sure that you wash your clothes or stash them away. Furthermore, you need to wash your hair before you hit the bed. Note that the pollen and molds that clung to your hair could easily find its way into your nostrils when you sleep.

No Comments

Posted by admin on January 15th, 2008 in Common Allergies-Symptioms, Allergy Symptoms Relief

Skin Allergies Account For Most Complaints

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

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

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

Common Items Cause Uncommon Problems

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

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

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

No Comments