Monthly Archives: March 2018

How to Treat Hives and Skin allergy with Home Remedies

At one point in our lives, we have experienced itchy and bumps on the skin that we couldn’t tell the cause. Hives and skin allergy are as a result of an allergic reaction to something ingested or that comes into contact with our skin. They can result from a drug allergy, food allergy or stress. The allergic reaction can happen to anyone and at any age. It’s Therefore paramount to understand how to deal with the allergy. In case you experience any severe allergic reactions ensure you visit your allergy doctor.

Natural Remedies to ease Hives and skin Allergy

  • Skin Massage

Massage the affected areas with coconut oil twice a day. Coconut oil has moisturizing properties and antimicrobial properties that will ensure your skin is protected from any bacterial and fungal infection and also relieves the itching. Ensure that the coconut oil is not refined as this is likely to cause the allergic reaction to worsening.

The second option to you can use to massage using baking soda paste. Mix baking soda and water and massage the paste over your skin and leave it to dry. After drying clean up and repeat this twice a day. Baking soda is alkaline, and that soothes the skin reducing the allergic reaction.

The third Option to use for a massage is aloe vera gel. Take an aloe vera lea and squeeze out the gel and apply on the area where you are itching. Leave it on your skin for some time and then clean it up. Aloe vera accelerates the healing process as it has glucomannans that reduce the itching quickly

  • Taking a Bath

Take a cold bath in ground oatmeal. Soak in the bath for a while once a day. The cold bath will shrink the skin pores and ease discomfort. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties.

  • Drinks that ease the allergens

Mix one teaspoonful of turmeric with water and drink twice a day. You can also make a turmeric paste and apply on the affected areas. Turmeric has curcumin which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antihistamine abilities thereby easing your allergy.

Drinking two to three cups of green tea will reduce inflammation on your skin. Green tea mixed with a little honey has antioxidants and antihistamine properties which ease the allergic reaction.

A Mixture of ginger and honey will eliminate the itching and purifies your blood. The mixture also has anti-inflammatory properties that the reduce the effect of the allergens.

Symptoms to look out for before taking the natural remedy

  • Itching
  • Skin swelling and bumps on the skins
  • Welts on the skin that are red

If you experience the above symptoms for more than six weeks, then you need to see an allergist as this is considered chronic hives and skin allergy. It’s important to state that if the home remedy doesn’t relieve your symptoms visit your allergist Burke VA immediately.

How to Minimize Effects of Allergy During Spring

Spring is a time of joy and outdoor activities, but no so for everyone who suffers from allergies. During spring the amount of pollen is high and will cause untold suffering especially if you have hay fever.In spite of there being no cure for allergies, there are simple procedures to follow that will reduce the effect of the allergens. If you have a severe allergic reaction, immediately visit your allergy doctor near you and get the medication to ease the allergy.

Symptoms and Triggers of Allergy in Spring

The most prominent allergen during spring is pollen which is released into the air by trees, weed and grasses. Once you come into contact with the pollen, the body will release histamines which cause the allergy symptoms. The amount of pollen in the air will tend to increase especially if there is wind. The main allergic symptoms you are likely to experience are

  • Running nose
  • Sneezing and itching
  • Watery eyes and coughing

How to Minimize the Effect of Allergens

  • Avoid Being Outdoors when Pollen Levels are high

Pollen will be high especially if its windy and early morning hours. When you are outdoors, to work or run errands ensure you wear protective gear like masks and sunglasses to ease the allergic reactions. After the outdoor activities ensure you take a shower to clean any pollen in your body and to keep out the allergen out of the house

  • Medicine

Take medication early enough before spring starts and that way you will protect yourself from the effect of the allergens start to kick in. In case of any severe allergies don’t hesitate to seek allergy treatment immediately.

  • Clean and Keep Your Home allergen free

Simple ideas will reduce allergens  in the house during spring. Shut the windows especially during the windy sessions. Ensure there is clean air circulation in the house by vacuuming the house. Machine wash the clothes as taking them out they will collect pollen.

  • Natural Remedies

Natural remedies will go a long way in reducing the effects of mild allergies. Baking soda and salt will clear out mucus and clear out sinuses. Stinging nettle minimizes the histamine in the body reducing the impact of hay fever.

  • Avoid deep Cleaning the house

If you need to deep clean, the house looks for help. Dust and cobwebs will increase the allergic reaction. If you have to deep clean, ensure that you wear protective gear like masks and gloves.

Avoid lifestyle habits that will make your allergies worse. Smoking and drinking alcohol will increase your body production of histamine which in turn will cause allergies. Stress will increase the production of proteins that cause allergy symptoms thus increasing the allergic reactions. Visit your best allergist Gainesville VA if you have any persistent symptoms

Simple Ways to Keep Your House Allergen Proof

The air inside our houses may can contain allergens more than the air outside. Common indoor allergens include dust, pet furs, mites, mold and cockroach droppings. It’s necessary to ensure that the house is free of any allergens as that is where we spend most of our time. The most practical way to manage allergies is to ensure we rid the home of the allergens. Regular house cleaning will ensure that your home is allergen free reducing the number of trips you make to the allergist

Simple Tips to Rid your House of Allergens

Get an Air Filter

Get an air filter that can handle the small dust and dander particles. High particulate air filters are made to remove small dust particles from the air. It’s ideal to have the air filter in the room where you spend the most time which is most likely the bedroom. It’s vital to regularly clean the air filter to ensure that it doesn’t contaminate the air.

Keep out Mites

Dust mites will trigger allergy and asthma. Mites will hide in rugs, boxes, and beddings. It’s therefore essential you do away with rugs and clean the bedding often to ensure there are no mites. Use allergy-proof covers and wash the bedding in hot water to keep away the mites. You can also keep the dust mites out by ensuring that the house is cold as they don’t survive in cool temperature. Keep the cockroaches away by thoroughly cleaning the house and sealing any holes to ensure that there are no entry spaces for the roaches.

General Cleaning

Ensure you thoroughly clean your house every week as this will ensure that your house is allergy-proof. Clean under the beds, seats and all the places with a clean mop and soap. A wet mop will trap the allergens instead of releasing them into the air. Vacuum clean all the carpets and the back of the seats. Wipe off the dust from windows, doors and all other surfaces. Make sure that there are no molds in the bathroom. Ensure that you don’t use scented cleaners as that may attract more allergens.

Keep out the Clutter

The cluttered items such as magazines, old books and clothes will host dust, cockroaches, and mites. You should ensure that you limit dust traps by keeping fewer items such as books, magazines, and frames. Remove old rags from the house to avoid hosting dust.

Other tips to Keep Allergens out of Your Home

  • Declutter the house, as this will keep out dust, mites, and cockroaches
  • Dry clothes using a dryer as air drying may increase allergens in clothes
  • Always wear a mask while cleaning
  • Avoid clothing made from animal fur
  • Ask a family member who doesn’t have allergies to dust out the pets
  • Ensure your house is humid, you can use a hydrometer to measure humidity
  • In case of an allergic reaction while cleaning, consult your allergy doctor va

Everything You Need to Know About Drug Allergy

Different people react differently to medicine, one person will have a severe reaction, while the other person does not react to the same medicine. Most medications have side effects, but only a small percentage of the reaction is a drug allergy. Differentiating between side effects and allergies is essential. Drug allergy can be mild or life-threatening cases, and it’s, therefore, crucial to follow the prescription as advised by the doctor.

Signs of Drug Allergies

If you experience any of the below allergies, ensure you visit your allergist for a check-up

  • Hives or skin rashes
  • Wheezing and breathing problems
  • Itching and swelling
  • Anaphylaxis which may result in shock if severe. In case you experience severe allergic reactions to more than one body, immediately consult an allergy physician.

Drugs that cause most allergic reactions

  • Antibiotics that contain sulfamides
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such ibuprofen, and medications such as aspirins
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Anticonvulsants

How to Diagnose drug allergy

Before the doctor takes the allergy test, he will seek to know the following

  • How long you have had the allergy reaction
  • Description of the symptoms and when they began
  • All the medication that has been taken

To precisely differentiate between side effects and drug allergies, the following test can be done

  • Skin Test

The test will mostly show penicillin allergy

  • Blood test

The allergy doctor may order for a blood test to rule out any other cause of the reaction other than the drugs. Although this test is rarely used to test allergies because their accuracy is unknown

  • Drug Challenge

The process involves ruling out which drug is causing the reaction out of the all the drug one is taking. The doctor will inject a small amount of the medications you are taking to help rule out any other

Drug Allergy Treatment

Treatment for drug allergy will include the following

  • Treatment for the drug allergy one is currently facing
  • Medications to enable you to take the drug causing an allergy if it’s vital for your well-being, and there is no better supplement

Treatment of symptoms one is currently facing will involve

  • Withdrawal of the drug causing allergy

The allergy physician will prescribe a different drug and withdraw the one causing the allergy

  •  Medication

Antihistamines

The  allergy doctor will prescribe an antihistamine to treat the allergy symptoms

Ora or injection of corticosteroids will treat more severe inflammations

Treatment for drugs that one must take

The allergy doctor will carry out a procedure known as drug decentralization. The doctor will give you the medications in small doses until there is no more allergic reaction. If the drug causes life-threatening reactions, then the doctor will have to discontinue the medications.

Once the drug allergy reaction starts, ensure you visit an allergy clinic in va immediately for a check-up. Ensure you give a detailed description to your doctor of all the symptoms.