Monthly Archives: July 2017

Seasonal Allergies: Guide On How To Survive The Allergy Season

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that when the season strikes you are usually very uncomfortable. The cool thing is that there are plenty of things you can do to survive the horrifying season. Some of these things include:

Understand the triggers

Different people are affected by various things during the allergy season. Some are affected by pollen from trees, others from pollen from flowers and so on. Before the season begins, take the time to understand the allergy triggers. This calls for you to visit a specialist who will undertake the tests.

By understanding the triggers, you not only know what to avoid, but you are also able to predict the severity of the allergies. All you need to do is follow the weather calendar, and you will know the plants and flowers that are more likely to be growing, and you will be able to tell what to expect.

Create a comfortable zone

This is a zone that reduces your interaction with the triggering factors as much as possible. Once you have known your triggers from the allergy clinic, your next move is to stock up your fridge to minimize the frequency of which you have to go outside. You will be able to survive the season better if your work allows you to work indoors.

In addition to having everything you need in the house, you also need to ensure that the house is clean all the time. You also should keep windows and doors closed all the time to ensure that no allergens get in.

Get medications

While you should work at preventing the symptoms from coming about as much as possible, it’s wise to protect yourself in the event something happens. Before the season begins, visit your allergy doctor who will give you the right medications that will help you fight the condition.

Some people make the mistake of taking the first allergy medication that they come across or the one that is recommended to them by the pharmacist. This is wrong. To be safe, visit your doctor, and he/she will undertake some tests on you and make the right recommendation.

Conclusion

These are some of the things you need to know allergies. While most of the symptoms are minor, they can sometimes get severe resulting in complications. To be on the safe side, get spring allergy treatment from a reputable allergy doctor as soon as you notice even the slightest of symptoms.

Asthma Treatments: What You Need To Know About Asthma

You are said to have asthma when the airways are always a little bit swollen. When you exercise or inhale any products that irritate the lungs, the lung muscles start tightening resulting in a plethora of symptoms that include: wheezing, coughing, and a choking sensation.

If you don’t take asthma treatments at the right time, the condition can get worse and have a difficulty breathing. There are two main types of the condition: allergic and endogenous asthma. Allergic asthma is common in children while endogenous asthma occurs in adults. In addition to the mentioned details, other things you need to know about asthma include:

Many factors trigger it

The condition comes about due to many things. Some of these things include: polluted air, dust mite, pollen, hair, pet excretions, and car fumes. The condition also comes about when you are suffering from respiratory tract infections or unhealthy lifestyles such as strenuous physical activities, depression, or emotional anxiety.

You can prevent it

Even if you are prone to the condition, you can prevent it from occurring. Some of the things you can do to keep it from coming about include:

Keep the house clean: This calls for you to do plenty of things. Some of the things you can do is to avoid carpets, pillows, and other things that can harbor dust. You also should regularly clean your clothes and place them in the wardrobe. Blinds can’t hold dust thus you should go for them instead of curtains.

Avoid polluted air: As mentioned above, the quality of the air you breathe has a great impact on whether you will develop the symptoms or not. To avoid the symptoms, be cautious of the air you take in. To ensure that you always have clean air, keep your house well ventilated. You also shouldn’t allow people to smoke in the house. Finally, avoid places with plenty of dust. These include construction sites and crowded areas.

How to keep your asthma in check

Even with the best preventative measures in place, it’s common for asthma to develop at any time. To have an easy time managing it you should always have the allergy medications with you all the time. Before you travel or change medications, visit your allergy doctor to have the condition analyzed and be given the best medication.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about asthma. You should note that the condition is dangerous and it can lead to grave consequences if you don’t manage it at the right time.

Things You Should Do When Visiting An Allergy Clinic

When you decide to visit an allergy clinic to seek better treatment for your reoccurring allergies, you need to do a number of things. People often keep ignoring their symptoms until the time comes when they’ve had enough. Which is wrong. This guide will help you know what to expect when you visit an allergy doctor for the first time.

Remember the allergy symptoms

It is very important to think about all the scenarios or a particular situation when you experience symptoms. Think these with clear mind before visiting the doctor, because that will be your first part of interrogation. By doing this you might give the doctor an idea as to what allergen is causing your allergy so that he can choose a required treatment.

Know your symptoms better than anything. How they start, how long they last, and the doctor will need you to narrate your symptoms in chronological order. Major part of diagnosis by an allergy doctor is made by considering your past medical history.

Be prepared to answer a series of questions which stand utmost importance. Besides this, you’ll be asked all about the time of the year when you experience symptoms, any particular season that affects you, your allergy triggers etc.

Remember the family history

We all come from different backgrounds. As you know, allergy is partly a genetic condition thus it can be passed down the family tree. If you have an allergic condition that is common in your family, you should make note of it. This information too contributes to a great extent in forming the diagnosis. Hence, before visiting an allergy expert, make sure you know every bit of your family history.

Be ready for allergy testing

If this is your first time visit, you will most probably be required to have an allergy testing. The aim of the allergy test is to help the doctor make an informed diagnosis. Make sure to ask prior to your appointment whether you should arrive empty stomach or not, and then do as needed. Most commonly the doctors perform skin test to know your hypersensitivity. To know a particular allergen, doctors might recommend you a blood test.

Conclusion

These are some of the things you should know when you are visiting an allergist. You should visit a professional who has been in the industry for a long time. This is to increase your chances of getting a favorable diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding Drug Allergy

Drug allergies are abnormal reactions in your body that occur due to specific medications. Usually, your body tries to fight such reactions by creating antibodies and administering a disease-fighting response. However, drug allergies are uncommon, and most people will live for years without experiencing an allergic reaction.

Causes of the Allergy

The most popular sources of drug allergy are antibiotics. Other drugs might also trigger allergic reactions if taken in certain amounts. Here are examples of drugs that have higher chances of causing allergic reactions.

Insulin: Pork or beef insulins
Anticonvulsants: Dilantin, Depakene, Tegretol, Lamictal
Aspirin and non-steroidal medications
Antibiotics
Cephalosporines: Cefzil, Suprax, Vantin, Ceftin, Keflex
Penicillins: Amoxil, Penicillin, Ampicillin
Sulfa: Bactrim, Pedizazole, Septra

Symptoms Of Drug Allergy

Some of the common symptoms of the allergy include swelling of the skin, runny nose, itching, and redness. The symptoms often occur within the first minutes of taking the drug, or they can start a few days after taking the drug. Most symptoms should go away after 3-5 days. Consult your allergy doctor if you feel the symptoms are becoming unbearable. Some drugs can treat an allergy; antihistamine (Benadryl or Chlortrimeton) being one such example.

However, there are serious symptoms of a drug allergy that if not taken care of, may cause severe reactions. Anaphylaxis is an acute symptom which usually occurs immediately after taking a drug. The patient experiences symptoms like decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. If you suspect that you are developing similar reactions, you should immediately stop taking the drug and seek medical help.

Avoiding the Allergies

The key to avoiding the allergies is avoiding the drugs you are allergic to. When you visit a hospital or clinic, let the doctor know about your allergies. It’s common for doctors to administer a drug that you might be allergic to.

Conclusion

It’s good to note that taking the wrong medication can lead to grave complications. If you notice the signs of allergy, contact an allergist as soon as possible. Ensure that you can remember the drug that you took. For example, if you become allergic to medications such as Amoxil, you are probably also allergic to other penicillin drugs like ampicillin.

However, if you have to take a drug that you are allergic to, an allergist might administer drugs that “de-sensitize” the effects. As rule of thumb, never try fixing the condition on your own.