Pollen Allergy Symptoms

Common Pollen Allergy Symptoms

Pollen allergies also known as hay fever are very common and its estimated that anywhere between 5%-10% of people suffer from pollen allergy symptoms. Pollen allergies are caused by plants that reproduce through wind pollination. Male pollen cells are spread through the air using this method. Unfortunately they are also the cause of pollen allergy symptoms.

Pollen Allergy Symptoms

    itchy skin and eyes
    stuffy nose, possibly nose bleeds
    headaches
    sore throat
    trouble breathing
    dark circles under eyes
    plugged ears
    sneezing
    coughing

What Season Do Pollen Allergy Symptoms Occur?

Well the answer is it depends. Pollen allergies are also known as hay fever because they most commonly occurred during the haying season, but pollen allergy season lasts from spring till fall . Of course climate and geography also effect when plants will pollinate. In the spring trees and many flower plants pollinate. The summer is when grass pollinates and fall is the season for ragweed. Pollen allergy symptoms can also be responsible for triggering other health problems like asthma.

Tips For Dealing With Pollen Allergy Symptoms

    Check the allergy levels daily
    Stay inside on bad days, keep windows closed
    Change clothes when coming in from outside, shower if possible
    Wash bed sheets in hot water weekly
    Ask your doctor for a antihistamine or decongestant
    Natural antihistamine or decongestants
    Some believe honey (local) can help
    Try a alternative treatment to compliment your current treatment under guidance of a doctor
    Acupuncture
    EFT
    Aromatherapy
    Homeopathy

You can also try immunotherapy if all else fails. Over the course of time allergy shots can make your pollen allergy symptoms go away but they do not work for everyone. Dealing with pollen allergies can be a matter of trail and error until you find what works best for you, in the mean time avoidance to pollen will be your best cure.

Will Taking Local Honey Reduce Pollen Allergy Symptoms

There is a popular notion that taking local honey will reduce ones pollen allergy symptoms. The theory is that by consuming the local honey you will build up immunity to local pollens. While there is no scientific proof that this theory works, there is one major flaw to the theory.

Bee’s collect pollen from flowers which have pollen that is very heavy and not easily spread by the wind, which is why the bee’s help is needed. Most pollen allergies come from grass, tree or weed pollen which is lighter and relies on the wind for pollination. This is not to say that it does not work as there could be another reason why it helps.

Toothpaste Allergy

Is There Really Such A Thing As A Toothpaste Allergy?

If your like most people you many not of even heard of toothpaste allergies or know what the toothpaste allergy symptoms are. Although it is considered rare to have a toothpaste allergy it is also often misdiagnosed or not reported which may account for its rarity. Toothpaste contains a wide variety of natural and unnatural ingredients that can cause allergic reactions and even in rare cases death when a person goes into anaphylactic shock.

Ingredients That May Cause a Toothpaste Allergy
cinnamon
fluoride
aluminum
sodium benzoate
propylene glycol
Papain

Toothpaste Allergy Symptoms

    Rashes or contact dermatitis are the most common toothpaste allergy symptoms. They generally start in the corners of the mouth and if untreated spread downward and sometimes goes around the lower lip.

    Canker sores can also develop and in some situations the gums will become inflamed or will be very sore soon after brushing.

    Gastrointestinal problems can develop from ingesting small amounts of a ingredient you may be allergic to.

    Even respiratory problems can in some instances be blamed on a toothpaste allergy.

How To Eliminate or Reduce Toothpaste Allergy Symptoms

    We have all noticed from time to time we have toothpaste residue left on the corners of our mouth after brushing. This is the area were rashes often start and spread. Make sure you wash your face after brushing and pay particular attention to the corners of the mouth.

    Try different toothpastes, or try using a toothpaste that has the fewest ingredients.

    Natural toothpastes can sometimes work but keep in mind they also contain rare mixes of herbs that can cause allergic reactions.

    Try using a smaller amount of toothpaste about 1/4 or 1/3 less to reduce your exposure, and rinse well with water right after brushing so that smaller amounts are ingested.

See your doctor to get treatment for any toothpaste allergy symptoms while you try and figure out what ingredient is causing your problem.

Yoga Could Provide Natural Allergy Relief

Unfortunately many people with allergies get sinus and chest congestion and are unable to do much exercise, especially those which are aerobic. Certain yoga poses and breathing exercises could provide natural allergy relief. The benefit of yoga is that it can massage and relax your lungs making breathing easier. This does not mean that you need to do hours and hours of yoga. If you are turned off by the thought of yoga do not even think of it as yoga but more like doing advanced stretching.

One pose you might try is the fish pose. The benefit of the fish pose is that it stretches the lungs and is fairly easy for the beginner to do. A good breathing exercise which could help in sinus relief is known as the breath of fire. When doing yoga for the first time do not worry if you are not able to do a pose or exercise exactly like it should be done. It takes time for your bodies muscles to learn some poses. You should do them as complete as you can and try to get the spirit of the movement. Never continue to do anything that causes you pain or discomfort. The video below shows the fish pose which is not to hard to do. The second video is of fire breathing.

The best thing to do would be to get professional instruction to get the most benefit. You could also buy a dvd or book to help you if you are to shy to go to a class in person. It is important not to push yourself and to know your own bodies limits. If your immune system has been really beat down its best to avoid any form of exercise including yoga. The best thing to do is give your body the rest it needs so that your immune system can have a chance to rebuild and recover.

Will yoga help you with your allergies? Well maybe, if you are looking for something to provide natural allergy relief its worth a try. Its free and each exercise only takes a few minutes a day to do if you can find ones that help. Nothing works for everyone as everyone’s body is different so you shouldn’t be afraid to try different things or discouraged if they do not work.

Cat Allergies and Hypoallergenic Cats

Cat allergies are caused by a protein found in cat saliva, dander and blood. Most exposure is from cat dander which is really dead skin flakes. The microscopic particles are easily airborne and can migrate quickly through out a house. Cat allergy symptoms are itchy eyes, wheezing, runny nose, and coughing. The symptoms are close to those of other allergies and it can be very hard to tell if your suffering from a cat allergy or some other allergen is causing the problem. Often a person who has another allergy like hay fever will find that their allergy symptoms will become much worse from being exposed to cat dander. The effects of cat dander are cumulative and add up when combined with the exposure to other allergens.

The only solution for those who have a extreme allergic reaction to cat dander is to get rid of the cat. People who have mild to medium reactions to cat dander can often find ways to cope. It helps to confine the cats to certain areas of your house and keep them out of the bedroom. HEPA filters can greatly reduce cat dander levels, both a air purifier and vacuum with a HEPA filter are recommended for people with allergies. Regular vacuuming of carpets, furniture, drapes and other areas where cat dander is found will help. Over the counter medications and allergy shots could also reduce or eliminate cat allergy symptoms. There is hope for cat lovers who have extreme cat allergies.

Science may have the answer for cat allergy suffers as a US biotech company, Allerca has developed a hypoallergenic cat. The cats were not genetically modified as many people believe. The company simply looked for rare cats that did not have the protein that causes allergies and used them for breeding. Since its very rare genetically to find cats without the protein as only 1 in 50,000 cats does not carry the protein it was no easy task. The hypoallergenic cats have taken years to be developed and breed in significant quantities. The initial cost of these kittens has shocked many buyers, each kitten cost just under $4,ooo US. Hopefully the price will come down over time and those who love cats but can’t tolerate their cat allergies will be able to afford them.

What Are The Best Dogs For People With Allergies?

So you have just got a new puppy and everything is fine for a few months and your thinking that nobody in the house is allergic to dogs. Than one day you wake up your eyes itchy, and a runny nose but surely it is not caused by your puppy as you have had him for months with no allergy symptoms. The problem is that pet allergies are caused by pet dander. Dander is basically old skin and puppies do not have a lot of old skin. It generally takes months for a puppy to develop dander. During this time you may have been tricked into thinking everything was alright. So what are the best dogs for people with allergies?
Best Dogs For People With Allergies-Photo Gallery

Its estimated roughly 30% of Americans may suffer from pet allergies. With so many having problems it might be wise to play it safe and figure out which are the best dogs for people with allergies. It can be very hard to remove a puppy from the home if you find out later your children can’t cope with their pet allergies symptoms. All dogs produce dander and there is no dog that is truly 100% allergy free the list below of dogs for people with allergies are those that produce far less dander, these dogs are known as hypoallergenic dogs. There are many to chose from both standard and miniature sizes.

Best Dogs For People With Allergies

    - American Hairless Terrier: The terrier breed was originally used to kill rats and other vermin. Pound for pound there is no breed braver, though they can be a little on the hyper side.
    - Airedale Terrier
    - Basenji: Has its origins in Africa as a hunting dog and they tend to be very quite which accounts for their nickname “the barkless dog”.
    - Bedlington Terrier
    - Bichon Frise: Intelligent and people friendly would best describe the Bichon Frise, though grooming is required.
    - Border Terrier
    - Cairn Terrier
    - Havanese: See Bichon Frise as they are closely related.
    - Poodle: The breed comes in various sizes but was used as a retriever so they love to  play fetch but are also happy as a lap dog. Highly intelligent though they do tend to have some breed specific health trouble.
    - Portuguese Water Dog: As the name suggest they are perfectly at home in the water and worked side by side with early fishermen retrieving nets and other tasks. They are very alert and will let you know when the house is being approached but won’t bark needlessly. They require extensive grooming.
    - Shih-Tzu: One of the oldest breeds originating in China. The Shih-Tzu is playful  and friendly though not considered as intelligent as a poodle. They do not require much walking because their size and can have difficulty breathing in very warm weather.
    - Spanish Water Dog: Similar to Portuguese Water Dog.
    - Standard Schnauzer: A working dog first used in herding, very intelligent but a loyal friend. A medium build with a big bark to  scare away any intruders.
    - Tibetan Terrier
    - Labradoodle: The cross breed is relative but popular newcomer who as expected is intelligent and sociable.
    - Italian Greyhound: The speedster of the group, though somewhat small they can run like the wind. They are intelligent though can be a little skid-dish at times, because of their short coat they  are not fond of cold climates.
    - Yorkshire Terrier
Worst Dogs For People With Allergies

Contrary to low dander dogs for people with allergies, these dogs are among those that have the most dander as they renew their skin more than other breeds

    - Cocker Spaniels
    - Hounds
    - German Shepherds
    - Irish setters

Even if you select a hypoallergenic dog or one on the list of dogs for people with allergies  you should still use a air purifier and vacuum with a HEPA filter to eliminate as much dander as possible from your home. Be very careful not to over bath hypoallergenic dogs as their skin can become extremely dry and this could lead to a dander problem.

Take your time when selecting a new dog or puppy the worst thing to do is buy on impulse even though it can be hard to resit walking by the the pet store and that puppy looking back at you.

When picking out your new member of the family don’t forget the most important thing, look for the right breed that fits your family. Do your research!

Air Purifiers For Allergies

Breathing is something most of us take for granted until we have difficulty doing it or start having allergy attacks. The average healthy person breathes in over 3000 gallons of air per day without really thinking about the quality of the air. We have all experienced how hard it can be to breathe on hot smog filled days but few realize that indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside. The air indoors can contain dust mites, mold, pollen, bacteria, pet dander and man made pollutants like formaldehyde. Adding to the problem is the fact that many home have poor air circulation.

The human body is equipped to handle some pollutants naturally but the problem is some are to small to be expelled. These very small particles become trapped in the lungs where they can damage the respiratory system and cause allergy attacks, fortunately air purifiers can help trap these smaller particles. There are many air purifiers on the market but the best air purifiers for allergies use a HEPA filter, A HEPA filter can catch over 99% of these smaller particles in some cases. With so many air purifiers on the market selecting one can be very difficult.

Its important that you chose a air purifier that can handle the size of the room you put it in. Be sure that you check the manufactures maximum square footage. You also might want one that is very light and portable so you can move you air purifier from room to room easily. Make sure you consider the noise level that the unit makes as well. A loud noisy air purifier can be very annoying to listen to hours on end and many people stop using them for this reason.

Air purifiers must be properly maintained, filters must be changed according to manufactures specifications. Many units come with a indicator light to let you know when the filter needs to be changed. Most filter will last 6-12 months but this depends on the amount of hours they are used and how badly polluted the air is that they are filtering.

Consumer Reports rates the Whirlpool Whispure AP 45030S as the best air purifier for allergies and cleaning the air among the 27 they tested. Consumer Reports is well known and trusted for their independent and honest review of products. Click here to view their article on air purifiers. The Whispure 510 (AP51030S) is the same mechanically as the Whispure 450 (AP45030S) it is just a bigger unit to handle larger rooms. Using a air purifier for allergies can eliminate many allergy symptoms and many people who have pet allergies even find they can co-exist with their pets, thanks to a purifier.

Not Recommended (Ioinic Breeze or Oreck)

Among larger Air Purifiers we recommend for allergy relief the IQair Healthpro. IQAir has a history of quality and is extensively used in hospitals. It was given the seal of approval by the American Lung Association and is its exclusive partner.

Aromatherapy For Allergies

Many of the aromatherapy for allergies techniques can be traced backed to the Egyptians. In ancient Egypt scent was very important for both men and women. The Egyptians invented a distillation machine and used aromatherapy spiritually and medicinally. Much of what was later used in Greece and other ancient cultures was passed on from the Egyptians.

Aromatherapy for allergies uses essential oils to try and loosen mucus and relieve congestion from allergies. Essential oils are extremely strong and are used in very small quantities, usually a few drops at a time. There are several methods of using essential oils, these can include direct inhalation, massage or diffusing. Never ingest essential oils!
Aromatherapy For Allergies-Essential Oils

    Eucalyptus: Used to loosen mucus and help with respiratory congestion.
    Chamomile Roman: Treats nausea, vomiting, and heartburn
    Frankincense: One of the favorites among hay fever sufferers
    Lavender: Used by those suffering bronchitis and asthma
    Lemon: Suppose to bolster the immune system.
    Rosemary: Used for respiratory congestion

The oils can be mixed in various combination.