Monthly Archives: August 2017

What You Need To Know About Ocular Allergies

Ocular allergies are no different from the other types of allergies. This is because they are brought about by almost the same allergens. The most common allergen triggers are: grass, dust, weeds, pollen, pet hair, and even medicines and cosmetics. When you are suffering from this type of allergy, you tend to experience redness, tearing, blurred vision, mucous production, eye swelling, and burning sensation.

Types of eye allergy

There are two main types of eye allergies that you can be suffering from: seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis. You are said to be suffering from seasonal eye allergy if the symptoms appear for only a short while and then go away. You will also be said to be suffering from the condition if you are bothered by grass, weed, or tree pollen. Just like when suffering from seasonal allergies, the symptoms of this condition disappear after a given time and then reappear usually in winter.

You are said to be suffering from perennial allergy if the allergy symptoms last throughout the year. If you are bothered by indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and cockroaches you will be suffering from the perennial allergy. If you suffer from these allergies, you will notice that they get worse when the seasonal allergens kick in. For example, when you are exposed to the pollen.

Conditions that you can mistake for eye allergy

Since symptoms guide you, it’s common to mistake certain conditions for eye allergy. Some of the common conditions that you can mistake are:

Dry eye: You are said to be suffering from the dry eye when you have reduced tear production. The main symptoms of the condition are: grittiness and burning sensations. You will often feel as if you have something in your eye.

Tear duct obstruction: The condition comes about when a blockage forms in the tear duct passage that travels from the nasal cavity to the eyes.

Conjunctivitis due to an infection: Eye infections are due to viruses or bacteria. When you have a bacterial infection, the eyes are bright red. Viral infections, on the other hand, cause only slight redness and glass appearance in the eyes.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about eye allergy. To be on the safe side when suffering from this condition you need to avoid the allergens. For example, you need to avoid the pollen and other factors that might cause it. To understand your situation better, consult your allergy doctor.

Food Allergy Tips To Consider

Food allergies can be very daunting when dealing with them and the effects range from mild to deadly effects. Allergies don’t have any cure so anyone with a food allergy must be very careful and avoid certain foods that may trigger a reaction. Below are tips to consider when dealing with a food allergy:

Tips to consider when suffering from food allergy

Always remember to carry your medication: If the doctor, for example, prescribed an emergency medication, always remember to take it with you everywhere you go so that you can be prepared when it decides to strike. You should note that different people require different types of medications. To ensure that you take the right ones, speak to your doctor.

Read labels: Many food labels nowadays contain important allergy information like whether a certain type of food was produced in a place where they process nuts or whether the additives contain any by-products of wheat or milk. Read each label every time and even if you may have purchased an item and it normally doesn’t give you any reaction, this doesn’t mean that they will always be allergy free since manufacturers tend to change their ingredients after some time thus an allergen might be part of a new creation.

Be careful when cooking: When every member of the family isn’t on an allergen free diet, you may need to be extra careful so as to avoid cross contamination, therefore it might be a good idea to always have two sets of utensils and also two sets of cooking; one for the allergic members and another for the allergy-free members. Also, remember to wash the utensils using hot water and wash thoroughly.

Know the signs and symptoms to watch out for: It is very important to know how bad a reaction might be, so watch out for any signs like itching, wheezing, swelling, vomiting, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, shock etc. This will help you be able to manage the reaction before it gets worse.

Conclusion

These are some of the tips you should consider when you are allergic to certain foods. While the allergy symptoms might seem minor at the start, they can be lethal especially when you allow them to last for a long time. Regardless of how minor the symptoms are, visit an allergy doctor who will recommend the best medications. As rule of thumb ensure that the professional is highly experienced in handling the issues.

Taking A Look At Spring Allergy Treatment Options

In spring we always look forward to warmer weather, blooming flowers and the chirp of birds. But there is a down side, more pollen and mold that cause sneezing, itchy runny nose and terrible nasal congestion. In this article we are going to look at some simple spring allergy treatment options you can settle for to alleviate the suffering.

Take medication

When that itchy runny nose kicks in, take antihistamines. These medications offer relief by blocking your body’s response to allergies. Always read the medication instruction well and follow the directions. Never take more than the dose indicated as these drugs tend to cause drowsiness. Opt for nasal sprays if the nasal congestion is severe. To avoid complications, don’t take the medications before you consult an allergy doctor.

Minimize outdoor times during spring; most plants tend to release their pollen grains in the air, this pollen travel into our lungs via the nose and at times eyes causing allergic reactions. Minimize the time you spend out and if you have to be out, get a filter mask and some protective eyewear like sunglasses. Always change your clothes when you get back to the house and shower too.

Herbal Remedies

Many natural herbal remedies might offer relief too. Go for some that contain ginkgo biloba leaves, a Chinese remedy that when taken provides relief for up to 8 months later. Consult with your doctor before trying any herbal remedies as people react differently to these medications.

Preventive measures

When it comes to spring allergy treatment, the best way to deal with it is to start taking your medication a week before the season kicks in. This will give your body ample time for the medication to get into your system before the allergic reactions manifest.
Make changes in your home: Start making basic but vital changes in your home. Keep windows shut and avoid using the fun as this will stir up the pollen and mold that might be in your home already. Use air conditioning system that filters the fresh air from outside. Thoroughly clean your house using a vacuum cleaner that has particulate air filters to trap all the tiny particles while on the job. Also, request guests to leave their shoes outside to prevent allergens from getting to the house.
Follow these simple treatment options to reduce allergy symptoms you might experience during spring. As mentioned above, don’t start taking the medication before you visit a reputable allergy clinic.

Understanding Nasal Allergy

There are quite some symptoms that characterize nasal allergy, of which relatively vary from one person to the other. The allergic reaction can affect individuals of any age group, but the severity will always vary based on body resistance and other related medical factors. However, statistics indicate that this type of allergic reactions is always under treated and underestimated. If left untreated, it can always hurt your health and even cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Causes of nasal allergic reactions

These are caused by allergens (relatively harmless substances that lead to allergic reactions). For instance, pollen is the most common culprit that makes people suffer the different signs and symptoms, but this can as well be caused by grass, perfume, cigarette smoke, and mites. It is equally important to know that if prolonged then leads to hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Common signs and symptoms of the condition

It is important to note that people with nasal allergy will tend to exhibit some signs and symptoms, and these include but not limited to; congestion, stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pressure (sometimes pain), itchy eyes, watery eyes, dark circles appear under the eyes, frequent headaches, fatigue, hives, and postnasal drip. Based on these signs and symptoms some patients might feel very weak making it impossible for them to carry on their daily routines, and thus negatively affecting their productivity in the long run.

Dangers of ignoring nasal allergies

It is important to deal with this problem the moment it appears, if not then other conditions might be aggravated. Allergy doctors advice on seeking specialized health, and grab over the counter medication that might not just work. Or, you might be having an underlying complication
which if not diagnosed and treated within a real time might lead to other health issues.

Treatment Options

While over-the-counter might be good for mild allergic reactions, you are advised to visit a medical doctor for a comprehensive test to deal with root-cause of the problem. You can also use decongestants or go for the Antihistamines. There are times the allergist might prescribe steroid nasal sprays based on the severity and health condition.

Immunotherapy might also come in handy for people suffering from this type of allergic reactions. To have an easy time it is highly recommended to start treated during the first few days when you to start exhibiting the different signs and symptoms.