Monthly Archives: September 2021

Can Allergies Cause Headaches?

If you are wondering, can allergies cause headaches? Yes, they can. The headache symptoms include throbbing pain, nausea, and localized pain in areas such as the sinus and the face. In some cases, you have a throbbing or stabbing on one side of the head. In rare cases, you will have nausea.

The symptoms are usually worse when exposed to bright light.

Which allergies cause headaches?

According to an allergy specialist doctor, the headaches can be brought about by plenty of allergies, with the common ones being:

Allergic rhinitis: Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is one of the leading causes of seasonal and indoor nasal allergies. The headache often comes about as a result of a blockage in the sinuses.

Food allergies: There is a direct relationship between food and headaches. When you take certain foods such as chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and aged cheese, they will mess with your stomach, which will, in turn, trigger a migraine in some people.

Experts believe that the headache is often due to the chemical in the food that triggers the pain and messes up the stomach.

Histamine: The body produces histamines in response to an allergic reaction. As they are fighting the allergens, the histamines decrease the blood pressure, which has been shown to lead to headaches.

What is the treatment for the headache?

Prevention is always better than cure, so before we even get to know the treatment of the condition, you must prevent it from coming about in the first place. If you know your allergy triggers, you should stay away from them. For example, if you are allergic to a certain food, stay away from it.

The same thing applies if you are allergic to pollen or any other material. Besides staying indoors when the pollen count is high, other things you can do to avoid headaches due to seasonal allergies include:

Install a dehumidifier
Keep the furnace filter clean
Vacuum and dust the house regularly
Remove the carpet from the living space
Wash as soon as you are back from the outside

Take allergy medications

If it’s too late to prevent coming into contact with the allergen, you should try controlling the condition. How do you do it?

Use antihistamines: From their name, antihistamines stop histamine production, a chemical produced by the body upon contact with an allergen. The antihistamines lessen the allergy symptoms.

Use decongestants: There are plenty of decongestants you can use to open up your stuffy nasal passages and ease the sinus pressure. When taking the decongestants, avoid steroid nasal sprays as they have been shown to worsen headaches.

Try allergy shots: Here, you will need to visit an allergy clinic and have allergy shots administered to you. The shots have been shown to cut back the headaches, and they become less severe.

What else should you do?

Besides the above, drink plenty of fluids that will keep the mucus thin. Water is the best fruit to take, but you can also take green tea that not only thins out the mucus but also contains natural antihistamines, which comes in handy at fighting allergy symptoms.

You also should rinse out the nasal passages to remove the allergens from the nose while cleaning the nasal lining.

When should you see a doctor?

Although most allergy headaches go away, sometimes they are too severe, and you have to see an allergy doctor Manassas VA. You should see a doctor if the headache is preventing you from going on with your regular life. Is the headache so severe that you can’t go to work or do any other thing? It’s time to see a specialist.

What To Avoid Before Allergy Testing

Allergies are caused by certain things which trigger the immune system and they are known as allergens. These allergens can be spotted in certain tests done by allergist specialists. These tests are performed to diagnose what type of allergy you are suffering from. Here are some things you should avoid when you are going for an allergy test.

Avoid Going On An Empty Stomach

It’s never a good idea to go on an allergy test on an empty stomach. You never know how long you have to wait for your turn and some people can get queasy when they are having their blood drawn out. So, it’s important that you eat a good meal before going to the allergy clinic.

Also, drinking a lot of water before the test will ensure that your blood is not too thick and the platelets are not too high, or else, this can cause an alteration in the results. So, eating a healthy meal and keeping yourself hydrated will get you through the test with much ease and comfort.

Which Medicines To Avoid Before Your Test?

Here are some medications you should avoid before the allergy test. You would want to take a professional opinion from your doctor about this as well. In any case, you will be required to cease the use of any type of medication, which are mentioned below, two weeks before the test. This will ensure better results and you can clearly see which allergen is causing you problems and severe allergic reactions.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are the biggest culprit which can alter your allergy test results. You need to stop taking any antihistamines, because you don’t want the allergen to be suppressed when it’s time for the test. You want the allergen to show all of its effects so that the test can detect it and therefore, come up with a solid diagnosis.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are also not good to take before an allergy test. Although they don’t mess around with your body as much as antihistamines do, there are certain relaxants in the antidepressants that can alter your allergy blood test.

Reflux Medicine

Any medicine which is used to jump start your system again after having problems are reflux medications. These include gastric medicine, heartburn medications and blood pressure medication. These can alter with the texture and composition of the blood and they can alter the allergens in your body too. So, they are not recommended to be consumed before an allergy test.

Steroids

Steroids are never good for you to take, especially if you are going for a skin allergy test. It will completely diminish the effect of the allergen on the body and you will be left at square one again, trying to figure out what your allergy is. Try not to take steroids at least 2 to 3 weeks before you plan to go for an allergy test.

Fever Medicine

Cough and fever medicine also contain antihistamines and these shouldn’t be taken before an allergy test. When going for a test, you want to make sure that your symptoms are elevated, so that there can be ease in diagnosis of your allergies.

Sleep Medicine

Sleep medicine can also alter the test results, so it’s best if you stop taking these a few days before your test, so that all of the sleep medications can be flushed out from your system.

Overexposure Of The Sun

If you are going to be tested for skin allergies, then make sure that you are avoiding too much exposure from the sun. If your skin is already sensitive, then it will be hard for the doctor to come up with a diagnosis. So, keep the sun at bay.

Applying Topical Creams

Your skin should be free of any topical creams or lotions before you go for an allergy test. There shouldn’t be a speck of anything external on your skin or it will alter the test results.

There you have it! If you avoid these things, the test results will not be altered and your allergist Manassas VA will have a clearer diagnosis of things which are causing these severe allergic reactions. This will help in prescribing the right medication to treat and prevent allergies.

What People With Allergies Should Know About Covid-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 is a reality. With time passing, there have been preventative measures taken from health organizations and COVID-19 vaccination has been introduced. It’s recommended to talk with your allergy specialist about COVID vaccination, however, we have also listed everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccination if you are suffering from allergies.

PEG Causes Allergies?

One of the many ingredients in the vaccination against COVID-19 is PEG, also known as Polyethylene glycol. This is an active ingredient in many vaccines and it is present in some COVID-19 vaccinations too. This can cause allergic reactions to some people who have a hard time adjusting to PEG.

There is usually a test done which shows your body’s sensitivity to PEG and it can be shown to your doctor before getting your COVID-19 vaccination. While the factors still aren’t clearly known why PEG causes severe allergic reactions to people, it is best to avoid vaccinations which contain this ingredient.

Moderna is the vaccination which contains PEG as an active ingredient and it can cause redness on the skin and formation of bumps if you are triggered by it.

What Are The Ingredients In The Vaccine?

It’s very important to know what ingredients are there in the COVID-19 vaccination, because you never know which ingredient you might be allergic to. Most vaccines don’t have a live virus in them, rather they have a similar mRNA in their composition which helps to protect your body against the novel coronavirus.

Along with that, some lipids and fatty acids are present, which help the protein to thrive in the body for longer. Sucrose is also another key ingredient which is also used to increase the shelf life of the protein and it gives the protein necessary energy to form antibodies in your immune system against COVID-19.

Aside from these, there are some acids and polyethylene glycol present in certain brands of the corona vaccination, but not all vaccinations contain polyethylene glycol. So, you can check the ingredients of the vaccination and make your decision then.

Is Vaccination Safe For People With Allergies?

If you take care that the Covid vaccine you are going for doesn’t contain any ingredients which you might be allergic to, then you can safely go for the vaccination. The time period between the 1st and 2nd dose is usually a month or 40 days. In this time frame, if you experience any sort of allergic reaction, then you shouldn’t go for the second shot and consult with a doctor immediately. But if there is no apparent allergic reaction between the time of your 1st and 2nd dose then it’s safe to say that you are not allergic to the vaccine and can get the second shot done too.

What To Expect At The First Shot?

Usually, no vaccine hurts when it’s being injected, but after the first shot, you can experience some soreness and tenderness in your arm, which is completely normal and it goes away on the same day or the day after the shot. You can also experience slight fever, sluggishness and a slight feeling of fatigue.

The thing to remember here is that these symptoms are very variable. Some people can experience them and some won’t feel anything at all. It is very difficult to say who will and will not suffer from these aftereffects.

What To Do When You Have Food Allergies?

If you don’t have any chemical allergies and you only suffer from food allergies like gluten and lactose intolerance, then the COVID-19 vaccination is safe for you. You don’t need to feel scared that the vaccine will mess with your body, because these injections don’t contain any ingredients which will trigger your food allergies.

It’s safe to say that you will hopefully not feel any sort of allergic reaction after your first shot. However, if you have certain chemical allergies, then it’s best to check the ingredients and talk to your doctor.

Conclusion

There you have it! These things are important to know before you go and get your COVID-19 shot. It’s good to know these things so that you can be prepared for any sort of medical emergency. For more details, go to a hospital or allergy clinic Manassas VA.

How to Help Allergies without Medicine

When you are suffering from seasonal allergies and other forms of allergies, it’s recommended that you visit an allergist and get some medication.

This is good, but there is one problem. What if you don’t like visiting a doctor or are in an area far away from a doctor? Does it mean you are doomed? Not at all. To help you out here is how to help allergies without medicine:

Take essential oils

Essential oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint oils are highly effective at relieving hay fever and associated symptoms. For the best outcome, use them in a room diffuser or combine them with coconut oil and massage them into your temples.

You can also use tree and lemon oils where you mix them with purified water, and a little vinegar, then spray them around your home. Inhaling these fumes relieves the symptoms.

Take vitamin C

Vitamin C is a known natural antihistamine, so it reduces the amount of histamine that your body produces in response to an allergen. When taken correctly, vitamin C is highly effective at reducing common allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes.

While vitamin C might seem harmless, taking high doses of it can be lethal. To avoid the side effects that come with it, take a dose of 2,000 milligrams per day.

Use Himalaya salt lamps.

These salts effectively remove dust, dander, and other particles from the air, leaving you with less allergy and significantly reducing the coughing.

Try probiotics

Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium longum that regulate the t-cells that produce a stronger immune response to the common allergens. Different probiotics work differently in different people, so you should research and find the ones that work the best on you.

Undertake saline nasal irrigation

A nasal rinse clears the mucus from your nose, and this significantly eases the allergy symptoms. When done right, the nasal rinse not only reduces the nasal drip, but also washes out the bacteria and other allergens you might have inhaled.

Stay away from beef

Studies show that people who take plenty of beef and dairy have high concentrations of trans oleic acid in their bodies, increasing their chances of developing hay fever symptoms. To fight off allergies during the allergy season, stay away from beef and dairy. Instead, take chicken and other meats that contain lower Trans oleic acids.

Take plenty of water.

Water, sugar-free juice, and other nonalcoholic beverages thin the mucus in your nasal passages, which comes in handy for allergy relief. Other drinks you can take to bring the condition under control include: warm tea, broth, and soup.

Inhale some steam

Inhaling steam eases a stubborn, stuffy nose, and you breathe easier. You don’t need to be fancy about how you go about it. Hold your head over a warm bowl or sink full of water, then place a towel over your head to trap the steam.

If this is too much trouble, turn on the water in the shower and stay there for a few minutes as you take a few deep breaths.

Wear a mask

The mask has become a commonplace with the covid-19 pandemic, but it has been a highly effective device for protecting you from developing allergy symptoms. The mask not only protects others from your cold and flu symptoms, but it also protects you from inhaling the allergens, so you don’t develop allergy symptoms. For the best results, allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA recommends you get an N95 mask.

How Long Does Allergic Rhinitis Last

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is a very common allergy that occurs during the summer and winter time and it can take a while for the symptoms to alleviate. Here is everything you need to know about allergic rhinitis.

What Is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever, is an allergic reaction which is caused by hay and it causes the nose to become extremely inflamed and it may lead to difficulty in breathing. Along with that, you will also experience cold shivers and a high fever which may need the attention of an allergy doctor. This will lead to you feeling sluggish and your body will ache all over as if you are suffering from the common cold or flu. It is a highly uncomfortable and unpleasant situation and you want to treat it as soon as possible to prevent the symptoms from deteriorating.

What Causes Allergic Rhinitis

Now that you know what allergic rhinitis is, let’s see how it is caused and what are the possible triggers.

Inflammation of the nose is caused by the triggers which go into your body and target the immune system. It is a natural defense mechanism of your body to show inflammation and redness around the nose.

The main trigger of hay fever is a small grass like stalk called hay. It is very common to occur in spring and summers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t rear its head during the winter. Hay and pollen are the main culprits of hay fever and they cause fever, body aches and redness and inflammation all over your face and sometimes your body too.

How Long Does It Last?

The symptoms and effects of allergic rhinitis on the body may prevail for months. It is not your usual common cold or flu which dies away in a few days or a week. Depending on how you take care of it, the time frame of hay fever’s effects is usually a month, at least. This is why it is advised and highly stressed upon that you take your medicines and use prevention so that you don’t get caught in the clutches of allergic rhinitis.

Treatment

Here are some treatment options hay fever.

Medicine

First and foremost, always carry your allergy medicines with you at all times. You never know when an allergy can strike and you want to be prepared for any allergic reaction.

Always have antihistamines with you. They will help with the inflammation and they even act as a makeshift fever medicine until you can get your hands on the real deal.

Nasal Spray

Nasal sprays are a great thing to carry if you have a blocked nose. Nasal spray will help clear out your airways and the saline will help to keep your nose hydrated so that triggers and allergens like pollen and hay don’t have anything to stick to. Keeping your breathing tract hydrated will keep you away from allergies.

Decongestants

If your chest is feeling congested and stuffed, you might want to consider taking decongestants. These are usually taken orally or in the form of some sort of spray. They are also present in nasal sprays, but oral decongestants do the trick almost always and they act fast too. So, always keep some handy in case you find your chest and nose feeling too stuffy and congested.

Prevention

As far as prevention is concerned, always wear a mask when you go outside. Especially during spring, where pollen and hay are just looking for potential allergy candidates.. You want to be protected.
Always wash your clothes after coming back from work or school or even going outside. Hay and pollen can get stuck to your clothes and it can find its way to your mouth or nose.
Keep your windows closed and use a humidifier if you feel as though the air is too dry for your liking. You want to be able to breathe easily.

Conclusion

There you have it! You need to take regular medicine and take care of yourself to prevent hay fever from going haywire. These things are important pointers which will help you get through hay fever. In severe cases, visit an allergy center Germantown MD immediately for treatment.

What Is The Best Drink For Allergies?

Alongside conventional medicines such as antihistamines and decongestants, drinks help in improving allergic symptoms. Wondering what is the best drink for allergies? Well, there are plenty of drinks you can go for, with the common ones being:

Water

According to an allergy specialist, water soothes a sore throat and comes in handy at reducing congestion by thinning mucus. And the beauty is you don’t need to go for a specific type of water—regular drinking water is enough.

Green tea

Green is a natural choice for tea lovers all over the world. Besides its light and refreshing taste, green tea has natural anti-histamine effects, so it comes in handy at alleviating allergy symptoms. There is no right or wrong green tea brand you can go for—it all depends on your taste and budget.

As a rule of thumb, go for green tea that you love and tastes the best for you.

Freshly squeezed orange juice

If you don’t like green tea, there is an excellent option you can go with—orange juice. Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, a natural antihistamine that comes in handy at fighting allergy symptoms.

When taking the orange juice, stay away from factory-made juice, as this juice contains other chemicals and sugars that are unhealthy for you. The best way to go about it is to buy it from a street vendor or buy oranges and make the juice at home.

Besides oranges, other excellent sources of vitamin C are strawberries, broccoli, and potatoes.

Peppermint tea

When you have an allergic reaction, your nasal passages swell, reducing airflow and bringing about congestion.

Peppermint tea is a highly effective decongestant that works by thinning out the mucus, allowing it to flow more easily.

The tea also produces steam containing heat and moisture that too loosens the mucus and eases congestion.

Smoothies

Many people having allergies often prefer drinks containing caffeine because they contain high histamine levels that are highly effective at alleviating allergy symptoms.

If you have tried the teas and they aren’t working for you, try out other drinks containing lower histamine levels. You can make a smoothie from almost anything. Your imagination is your limitation.

When preparing the smoothie, don’t use milk or yogurt as it contains high histamine levels and makes the mucus thicker.

There are plenty of healthy smoothie recipes you can use to your advantage. These recipes are rich in vitamin C and, at the same time, packed full of natural antihistamines that are highly effective at alleviating allergy symptoms.

Chamomile tea

When well prepared, chamomile tea is a highly relaxing and comforting drink that comes in handy at fighting allergies. The reason it’s such an effective drink is because it contains chemical compounds that fight inflammation.

Nettle tea

Most people associate this tea with a sting. While there is the risk of getting stung when you are getting the nettles, nettle tea contains plenty of natural antihistamines that are highly effective at fighting off allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion and itching.

Nettles are also rich in minerals and vitamins that are healthy for you.

If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you can make nettle tea using fresh, wild plants, but if you don’t want to risk a painful sting, allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA advises you get already made teas from your local shop.

The key to getting the most from the nettle tea or any other tea we have mentioned here is to get high-quality tea. This calls for you to buy them from a reputable shop. This way you are sure they haven’t been tempered with.