Monthly Archives: February 2016

Allergy Clinic: Debunking Common Allergy Myths

Since there seems to be no specific cause for allergies, there are many myths surrounding the topic. Here are the common myths:

Children always outgrow their allergies

While most children outgrow food allergies such as eggs, milk, soy and wheat, there are some who don’t outgrow them. There are some food allergies such as tree nut and peanut that very few children outgrow. According to allergic doctors, allergic rhinitis (itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose and postnasal drainage) is carried on throughout life. If your child has had the symptoms before, he/she will carry them for life unless you desensitize them by visiting an allergy doctor who will administer shots.

Whenever you have allergy symptoms you should take antihistamines

While allergy pills give you an immediate relief, you shouldn’t rely on them whenever you have allergic symptoms. Sometimes the problem can be more complex than you think. The best way of going about it is visiting your local allergist who will undertake tests on you and recommend the best medications. The doctor may give you medications that might heal the condition permanently.

Fewer childhood infections mean more allergies

This idea was proposed in 1989. It proposed that children that get ill less often tend to have more allergies when they grow up. While exposure to microbes during the early stages of life is critical to the development of the immune system, there is no evidence that shows that you develop more allergies if you don’t get sick more often when you are a child.

Excessive cleanliness causes allergy

There is a theory that suggests that one gets allergy due to a weak immune system. There is another theory that states that living in extremely clean environments results to a weak immune system. While cleaning a house gets rid of dirt and debris, it doesn’t get rid of micro-organisms. Since you are always in contact with microbes, your immune system is always alert. There are microbes in food, pets, and even on our bodies. If you are one of the people who believe that your clean environment is the reason you are having allergic infections, it’s a lie. To treat the condition you should visit an allergy clinic and the doctors will give you the best medication.

Conclusion

These are the allergy myths that you should know about. Whether you have a food allergy or any other allergy, you shouldn’t treat it by yourself—contact a professional doctor.

Asthma Treatments: Taking A Look At The Best Natural Treatments

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is characterized by difficulty in breathing due to narrowing of the nasal passageways. This is accompanied by coughing, wheezing and constriction in the chest.

Since there is no clear reason why some people have the condition and others don’t, it’s believed that the condition results due to allergy.

This theory is backed by the fact that the condition comes about when people are exposed to triggering factors such as cold air, pollen, dust mites, physical activity, and strong emotions and stress. When you have an asthmatic attack you should visit an allergy doctor.

Natural asthma treatments

While there are conventional asthma treatments that you can get from your local doctor, there are natural asthma treatments that you can use. The cool thing with the natural treatments is that they are affordable. They also don’t have side effects.

Here are a few of the treatments that you can go with:

Ginseng: asthma is an inflammatory disease. Since ginseng has anti-inflammatory properties it easily manages bronchial irritation.

Magnesium supplements: you can get the supplements from a professional allergist. The supplements open up lung air passages. You should take 500mg of magnesium daily. By taking the supplements you widen your bronchial tubes thus facilitating easier breathing. This reduces your chances of getting severe asthma attacks.

Nuts and fish: the two contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to effective in reducing swelling in lungs of asthma patients. In addition to nuts and fish, also consider taking flaxseed oil and seeds.

Licorice: also known as coleus, locorice is an effective asthma treatment that reduces lung inflammation. You should take at least 50 mg of the supplement 2-3 times a day.

While the supplement is effective in its working, you should be cautious as it increases effectiveness of steroids. To avoid complications, get advice from an allergy specialist.

Vitamin C and E: you can take vitamin supplements or take foods that are rich in the vitamins. If you have food allergy consult your doctor on the best foods that you should take.

Conclusion

If you have already visited an allergy clinic and taking the conventional treatments you shouldn’t take the natural allergy treatments. Some of the natural treatments can react with the conventional treatments thus endangering your life.

Before you take any medication consult your doctor. The doctor will recommend the right medication for your specific condition.

Seasonal Allergies: 6 Of The Best Foods To Treat Seasonal Allergy

Food is known to cause allergy. The same food can cure allergy. Twisted world, right? If you are looking for natural ways to cure your seasonal allergy, here are some of the best foods recommended by an allergy doctor:

Raw local honey

Honey relives allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, congestion, excessive mucus and general symptoms of hay fever. Take a few tablespoons of honey every day. If you are having excessive mucus, take honey with spicy foods such as cayenne pepper. You can also add garlic, ginger, and cinnamon to thin the mucus and allow it to be more easily expressed.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains high levels of vitamins B and C. It also contains Bromelain enzyme. These nutrients work together at reducing your reaction to seasonal allergies. Bromelain reduces swelling in the nose and sinuses thus relieving hay fever symptoms.

Meat

Meat contains proteins that boost your immunity thus helping you fight allergy symptoms. For better quality proteins, eat grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish and free-range poultry.

In addition to taking meat you should also consider taking bone broth. Take broth from beef, chicken, and lamb. Bone broth is effective at easing respiratory problems and expelling excessive nasal mucus.

Leafy greens

The leafy green family is rich in vitamin E, C and folate. Just like proteins, the vitamins boost the immune system thus providing you with a better protection against allergies.

To maximize on the nutrients, you need to prepare the greens properly. Cook them until they just start to soften and turn vibrant green. For better results take the greens with grass-fed butter or natural herbs.

Apple cider vinegar

It serves many roles including: breaking up mucus, boosting the immune system and supporting the lymphatic drainage. For fast results take vinegar three times a day. To make it palatable, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with ½ tablespoon of local raw honey and 1 tablespoon of free-squeezed lemon juice. Mix thoroughly then drink.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons contain high levels of hesperitin which are potent phytonutrients. The phytonutriets lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and kill free radicals through oxidation. The fruits also reduce wheezing, hay fever and shortness of breath.

Conclusion

These are the foods that you should take as a treatment for your allergies. If you take the foods and the symptoms don’t go away, consult an experienced allergist working in a reputable allergy clinic.