Pets Don’t Just Cause Pet Allergies

Much as we all love our pets they can cause major problems for allergy sufferers. When most people mention allergies and pets they think of pet allergies but pets can be a problem for those of us who have other allergies even if we are not allergic to pet dander. The problem is that cats and dogs bring allergens from the outdoors inside the house with them.

Allergens like mold spores and pollen can easily hitch a ride indoors with your pet. We all know that dogs love to roll around in the grass or cats like to hunt for mice in a field. Pets are like a 5 year old they just can’t help but get dirty. Even though they are good at grooming themselves and getting clean this usually happens in your house after you let them in.

Make sure your pet is clean before coming into the house. This can be easier said than done if your pet is crying scratching at the door to get inside. Make sure you dry any wet areas of your pet. If your a dog owner its best to get into a routine of spending 5 minutes cleaning and brushing your dog before you come inside. After your pets come in after being outside keep them off your furniture, bed and couches. Generally if you have given your dog a decent walk he is ready for a nap and a treat, so make it a practice putting that favorite bone or treat on their doggy bed so they will get in the practice of laying down there and taking a nap.

Dogs and cats that are clean are generally healthier and less prone to things like flea infestations. The best dogs for people with allergies are those that produce less dander. Well groomed pets can also help reduce allergy attacks for those with minor pet allergies. Air purifiers can also reduce pet dander. There are also sprays on the market for pet dander. Pets can be a great source of enjoyment in our lives but we need to be responsible and take proper care of them for their health and ours.

Mother Nature’s Natural Allergy Cures

Herbal allergy remedies are mother nature’s natural allergy treatment. Ancient and Native cultures relied on herbs for allergies and many other ailments, unfortunately many of these remedies have disappeared along with the ancient cultures that used them. You should always consult a doctor before taking any herbal supplement and treat them with the same respect you would modern medicine. Its important to be careful because some herbs like cilantro can cause allergy symptoms.

Natural Allergy Cures

1) Stinging Nettles have been used for hundreds of years for joint relief. The active compounds act as a expectorant, which makes it very popular for respiratory symptoms and sinus problems caused by allergies. It may also have anti-viral properties and can be taken in a capsule form.

2) Lemon Balm is known for its mild and soothing properties. It can be enjoyed as a nice hot cup of tea. Lemon Balm is said to help relieve upset stomachs and digestive problems that can be cause by food allergies. Limited studies have shown that Lemon Balm acts as a antibacterial.

3) Butterbur plants are part of the daisy family and can be found in many parts of North America. The plant has become very popular among those who suffer from hay fever allergies. Butterbur contains a toxic known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause cancer. The toxins must be removed to make the Butterbur pure and usable.

4) Gingko Biloba has a long history in Chinese medicine and is still very popular today. China is one of the few places that the tree is found and it is considered sacred. Herbalist claim that Ginkgo Biloba increases blood flow thus increasing the supply of oxygen. Herbalist most often prescribe if for patients who have sinus and eye pressure as it as said to be beneficial for micro circulation.

5) Aloe Vera was probably first used by the Egyptians and legend has it that Cleopatra used it as a beauty aid. One of the most embarrassing symptoms of allergies are those that cause skin rashes. The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant contain a gel that can be soothing to the skin and reduces redness and itchiness. Aloe Vera cream can be easily found in most drug stores.

6) Eyebright originated in Greece and is gets its name from its traditional use for healing diseases related to the eye. In recent years Eyebright has become very popular for congestion of the chest and sinus cavity. Hay fever suffers may find it reduces their allergy symptoms. Eyebright is one of the more affordable herbs and is readily available.

7) Echinacea was a one of the Native Americans natural allergy cures and has become known for its immune boosting properties. Allergies break down your immune system, echinecea may help build it back up enabling it to fight your allergy symptoms

Its is impossible to give a complete list of herbal allergy cures, there are so many that claim to do so much. You should do extensive research before taking any herbal supplement. The above list is a small sample of natural allergy cures that cover different symptoms but there are literally volumes of books on herbs. The key is finding the right one to reduce your allergy attacks. Natural allergy cures generally have less side effects but they should still be taken with respect. Please feel free to leave a comment with any natural allergy cure that helps you.

Vacuum Cleaners For People With Allergies

Are there vacuum cleaners for people with allergies? Isn’t it enough to vacuum often? Many people do not realize that some vacuums may actually be causing more of your allergy symptoms than reducing them. If your using a traditional vacuum you may just be blowing the allergens around and making them airborne so that they can be easily inhaled.

The best vacuum cleaners for people with allergies are those that have a HEPA filter. The problem with most vacuums is that they can not trap smaller microscopic particles. The HEPA filter was invented by the military and stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA filters have been used for years in the medical community and have proven themselves to be effective. Vacuums with HEPA filters can trap over 99.9% of particles .3 micrometers or bigger. The problem is that it is the tiny particles that cause many allergy symptoms. The body can handle many larger particles on its own but it has a problem with smaller particles. These small microscopic particles can not be trapped by most ordinary vacuums and get trapped in the lungs where they can damage the respiratory system. Vacuums with HEPA filters are a must for those with pet allergies. When combined with a good air purifier that has a HEPA filter many people with moderate to mild pet dander allergies find their allergy symptoms have been reduced or eliminated thanks to the HEPA filters, making it possible for them to co-exist with cats and dogs. Even if you don’t have allergies a HEPA filter will remove all kinds of toxic chemicals like lead and asbestos. These toxins might have a long term impact on your health.

Unfortunately the HEPA filter has become a real buzz word for those who sell and market vacuums and they place HEPA filters in very poor quality machines. Many of these lower quality vacuums lack the power that is needed and these smaller particles never even reach the HEPA filter. You should also look for a filter that is after the vacuum motor so that it can catch all the particles that come from the motor. So don’t be fooled into buying the cheapest vacuum you find just because it has a HEPA filter you still have to consider quality. Some top machines have two HEPA filters. Make sure that the vacuum you purchase has a true HEPA filter system and its not just there for decoration.

Best Vacuum For Allergies

    - Dyson DC07
    - Miele Callisto S5280
    - Bosch Premium Electro
    - Electrolux Harmony HEPA
    - Miele Powerhouse HEPA
    - Sanitaire SystemPro SP6952A
    - U5507-900 Elite Vacuum
    - Absolute Animal DC17 Dyson
    - Boss 3670G Vacuum
    - DC24 All Floors Vacuum

Try Green Cleaning Products for Natural Allergy Relief

You might get natural allergy relief by eliminating toxins from your household. Going green isn’t just for the environment, your health will benefit as well. Traditional household cleaners are often a combination of toxic chemicals that are not easily broken down by your body or the environment. These cleaners eventually end up in our water supply. This alone is enough to start using green cleaning products. There is a added benefit to green cleaning products as many people who start using them have noticed their allergy symptoms have been reduced or eliminated. Normal cleaners contain ammonia, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, toluene, xylene and thousands of other chemicals.

Many of these chemicals are known in higher doses to cause cancer, liver failure and damage the nervous system. Even in low doses there are not a lot of long term studies as to what these chemicals do to the human body. The majority of these chemicals only started being used in households after WWII. Another problem is some people seem to be super sensitive to chemicals and metals and react almost instantly. To make matters even worse many people mix these products making them even more dangerous. The bottom line is the bacteria on the sink might be less dangerous to your family than the chemical soup you leave behind when you clean it. Children and the elderly might be the most at risk with their underdeveloped and weakened immune systems. If you expect to get long term natural allergy relief you need to try and eliminate toxins.

Many everyday household cleaners could be replaced by baking soda, vinegar, carbonated water, salt, lemon juice and other everyday items. Unfortunately they do not have the million dollar marketing teams to promote them that chemical cleaners do. There are also some terrific green cleaning products on the markets currently. This new generation of green cleaning products replace petroleum and chemical bases ingredients with more allergy and eco friendly plant and vegetable ingredients.

Thankfully the general public is becoming more and more aware of the problems related to chemical cleaners and going green. You may not find a magic pill or natural allergy cures from a herb but eliminating toxins and living clean will definitely help your immune system and the environment.

House Plants For Allergies

Top 5 House Plants For Allergies

1. Spider Plants
2. Orchids
3. Snake Plants
4. Ant Plant
5. Lilly

(Not Recommended, African Violet or plants with fuzzy type leaves)

Natural allergy relief does not always need to involve herbal supplements and pills. Making changes to your environment can often result in a reduction of the frequency of your attacks as well as reduce the severity of your symptoms. Though there is conflicting evidence on house plants for allergies, if you do not have plants you might want to try adding a few slowly and if they help add more. House plants can be a economical and fun way to help clean the air in your house.

House plants have been studied by NASA for their ability to clean the air around them. They can help reduce benzene, pet dander, dust mites, other allergens and pollutants. Plants absorb these allergens through their leaves and release clean oxygen. Soil may also play a role in trapping and filtering allergens from the air. Plants also give off moisture which reduces airborne allergens. Certain plants have proven to be more effective at cleaning the air. Plants like spider plants and orchids are two favorites. Make sure that you do not pick a plant that releases large amounts of pollen. Plants with smooth leaves are better as those with fuzzy type leaves can sometimes be a magnet for dust and allergens.

If you have house plants its very important that you maintain them properly. Unhealthy plants can actually increase allergens like mold. Make sure that plants are trimmed properly and that any dead growth is removed. Do not over water your house plants as over watering can cause damage and is a invitation to mold. Never keep your plants in wicker type baskets and make sure they get the proper amount of sun during the day. If you keep your plants healthy they will return the favor and keep you healthy. Very young children like to help take care of plants and they are learning about science and nature without realizing it.

Plants also add to the mood of a room and give off a calming effect. Some research suggest that house plants might be similar to pets and might even reduce blood pressure. Try and add a plant to every room of your house. Make sure you do not forget the bedroom where air quality is the most important. Plants have been helping to clean the earths environment for thousands of years so why not give them a try for your own natural allergy relief.

Allergy Free Bedding Products

If you wake up congested, with a runny nose and itchy eyes you may have a dust mite allergy. Allergy bedding products and some basic maintenance could help many people who suffer from dust mite allergies. Unfortunately most people don’t even realize dust mites are the problem. It is possible to control dust mites and reduce your exposure to them.

There are millions of dust mites in the average home and they feed on dead skin and organic matter from you and your pets. Its not dust mites themselves that cause allergies but dust mite excrement. Dust mites like nice warm cozy places like your bed, where they wait for you to lie down for their next feeding. Fortunately there are many things you can do to reduce their population like keeping a clean bedroom and allergy free bedding .

Maintenance and Cleaning

Frequent Vacuuming of your mattress as well as under and around it is recommended. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is needed to trap and contain dust mites. You should also try and keep your home clutter free. Don’t leave clothes and towels on the floor, these are prime spots for mold, mildew and dust mites. Washing your bedding’s frequently will also help reduce the population of these microscopic critters. You should keep all pets off your bed and furniture to help keep these areas clean. If you have a serious problem or really want to get rid of these dust mites you may want to make changes in the bedding itself to allergy free bedding  .

Allergy Free Bedding Products

Allergy free bedding products are a terrific way to kill off the dust mites living in your bed. Allergy free bedding covers are easy to put on and they zip up tightly over your mattress, pillow and duvet. Allergy free bedding products differ from traditional bedding fabrics which contain large pores that allow dust mites and organic matter to pass through but allergy free bedding products are woven tightly so that dust mites can not pass through them. Once you cut the dust mites off from their food source they quickly die off. Allergy free bedding products can be easily taken off and are machine washable.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on allergy free bedding products they are fairly inexpensive. You can shop for discount allergy free bedding online where pillow case covers can be found for less than $10. If your having problems with dust mites or think they might be the cause of your problems keeping a clean sleeping area and allergy free bedding might be your solution.