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How to Prevent Food Allergies in Kids

Food allergies are a constant concern for parents. Almost 6 million children become affected by food allergies, and food allergy prevalence of food allergy has a 50% increase since 1997. Having a sibling or parent with allergies increases the risk of a child developing allergies. Therefore, if you or your partner is among the 9 million adults that suffer from food allergies, you could be wondering how you can prevent the same for a child.

You can go to an allergy doctor during your pregnancy to get the best advice on what to do so you can prevent allergies as much as possible. There are always treatments you can get, but it is a lot better if you do not have to at all.

Do Not Restrict the Diet of Your Child

Maternal diet while pregnant or in lactation must not be restricted because it is a way of preventing the development of food allergies.

The main point has been the topic of debate for so many years. Based on the discussion, it is the desire for parents to lessen the chance that their child is going to develop food allergies. An older piece of advice has suggested avoiding allergenic foods while pregnant and during breastfeeding as a way to decrease food allergy risks. Unfortunately, this strategy is not proven to be effective when it comes to reducing food allergies.

Breastfeed Your Baby

Breastfeeding your baby can help prevent the development of food allergies. Since breastfeeding is connected to a lot of health benefits, it is recommended that you breastfeed your baby beyond 2 years old.

Introduce Common Food Allergens When they are Ready for Solid Foods

For most babies, this is about 6 months. Your baby can have solid foods when they can already do the following:

  • Hold their head up
  • Tell you when they are already full
  • Sit and lean forward
  • Pick up food while bringing it to their mouth

You should not introduce solid foods before 4 months old. Your baby is not going to be ready. It is not going to help reduce the risk of your baby developing a food allergy.

Once you have introduced only a few other solid foods, you can offer food allergens all at one time. There is no research showing that you have to wait a certain number of days between those.

Foods You Can Take to Help Prevent Allergic Disease

When you are an expectant mother and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, you can decrease the risk of allergic diseases in your child. This appears to be true if you have asthma and you have a male child.

Foods high in omega 3 are:

  • Sardines
  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Oysters
  • Chia seeds
  • Mackerel
  • Flaxseeds
  • Walnuts
  • Fortified foods like certain brands of yogurt, eggs, milk, and juices

Eating foods rich in vitamin D also reduces the risk of food allergy and asthma in children.

Foods high in vitamin D are:

  • Fish
  • Dairy products
  • Mushrooms
  • Egg yolks
  • Vitamin D-enriched foods such as soy milk, cereal, and orange juice
Early Introduction can Help Prevent Peanut Allergy

Studies have shown that giving foods that contain peanuts early to high-risk infants can prevent peanut allergies from developing.

Giving foods that contain peanuts early to an infant can help prevent peanut allergy. Based on the study, a group of infants that are at risk of peanut allergies that were given 2 grams of peanut thrice a week had a lot less peanut allergy when they reached 5 years old.

You can talk to an Allergist Germantown MD if you need more advice about this.

Tips on How to Use Your Inhaler More Efficiently

Humans develop habits throughout their lives. Most of the time, the same route should be taken to your office or you put your shoes in the same spot every day when you come home. Some of those habits are ingrained that they have become a routine such as drinking a cup of coffee or brushing their teeth. They have become a natural part of your daily rhythm that you feel like something is missing if you forget to stick to it.

For those who have asthma, making the inhaler a regular part of their routine goes a long way when it comes to maintaining good health. Your asthma doctor will be happy if you use the inhaler correctly.

Here are tips for you:

Start Small but Do it Right

A bad habit is the hardest break. Therefore, it is a good idea to remember that while you make the inhaler a regular part of your daily life, you should ask your doctor to make sure you are using it correctly. Keep in mind to always follow the instructions for the medicine and the ones given by your healthcare provider. For instance, you can learn how deeply and quickly you should inhale when you take medicine and while you hold your breath, helping you make sure that you are getting the best form of asthma treatment.

Use a Spacer

A spacer is an important device to make sure that the medicine goes where it needs to go, which is deep inside your lungs. When you seal your mouth around the spacer, you need to spray one puff and slowly and deeply inhale. You should hold your breath and count to 10, then slowly exhale. For young children who use a spacer, make sure the child is taking five to six full breaths.

Doing Two Habits at the Same Time

Combining the inhaler you use with another habit is similar to brushing your teeth is a way to make sure that you can get it done. Even in the morning when you rush out the door, you do not neglect taking care of your teeth, and when you connect two habits, you are less likely to forget to use the inhaler.

Take One Puff with Every Breath

If your doctor already prescribed a dosage of one puff or more, you need to take each one separately. Do not spray multiple puffs of the medicine into your spacer. It is because multiple puffs will not work for one breath.

It Should be Stored in a Safe Place

If you do not see an object all the time, there will come a time when you will forget about it. When you store your inhaler in a place where you can see it, like on top of a makeup table or a spot you can frequently access is going to serve as a reminder that it should be regularly used. It is also worth it to make sure that you need to store your device very well.

Replace Your Inhaler Before it Runs Out

A lot of inhalers have counters with canisters. You must keep an eye on the counter and replace it before the medicine runs out. You should not put the canister in water to check if it is empty because it does not work. Take your inhaler with you when you go to clinic appointments, so your doctor can make sure that you are using the inhaler correctly.

You can go to an allergy specialist doctor Germantown MD to ask if you are using your inhaler correctly to get the most out of it.

How Allergies Affect Your Mood

Chronic Hives

Many studies revealed that people who have allergic rhinitis suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and nasal congestion. They can also suffer from depression and nasal fatigue.

Allergic rhinitis makes it more difficult to concentrate at school and work which affects your energy level and sleeping habits. If your life is disrupted by seasonal allergies, you need effective allergy relief that is important to your well-being. You should be aware that going to an allergist specialist doctor is one of the most considerations you need to make. You are going to be educated regarding the impact of allergies on your mood and daily life in general. Make sure to read this article until the end to learn more.

Fatigue

Studies have discovered that fatigue is common among people who experience seasonal allergies. The truth is, daytime tiredness, while it happens less often than the nasal symptoms, seems to be more common compared to itchy eyes or post-nasal drip.

There is one study that recorded fatigue in 60% of those with allergies, which is very common among people who say they feel tired because of allergy symptoms.

Increases Stress

Sneezing, itchy eyes, breathing difficulty, and congestion are not fun for anyone. This impacts your daily function and the way you sleep. That spills over into any day. All this adds up to increased stress and it gets worst when it becomes chronic.

Physical Symptoms Can Affect You Mentally

When you deal with constant congestion, itchy eyes and runny nose leads to frustration and depression. They are going to prevent you from engaging in fun activities like hiking in a state park.

Allergy symptoms can disrupt your sleep as well. This can make your fatigue worse and it negatively impacts your mental health.

Mood

Aside from fatigue, or maybe because of it, more than 1/3 of people who experience allergies in one study feel depressed. And more than half of the respondents felt miserable or terrible because of their symptoms.

Some studies have discovered that clinical depression is twice as common in those who suffer from allergies.

In other ways, looking at allergies and their connection to your mood can be like a chicken and egg question. Is it the nasal allergy symptoms, maybe it is accompanied by embarrassment over these symptoms, which is the cause of your funky mood, or is it the funky that makes allergies more obvious?

Medications

It can be possible that your allergy medication can worsen your mood. Corticosteroids that are inhaled or injected are linked to manic depressive episodes. The same was not found in topical corticosteroids.

Allergies Can Sap Your Energy

Poor sleep normally causes low energy levels. In addition, allergies can cause fatigue. They make your immune system kick in, similar to if you had a virus or cold. In case your body uses energy to fight anything, it naturally means you have less vigor. In addition, some allergy medications will list drowsiness or fatigue as a side effect, so it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you think your medication should be blamed.

Cognitive Effects

A lot of people already noted that their allergies make them “slower.” Regardless if these cognitive symptoms are because of fatigue, the side effects of allergy medications, or because of some mechanism because of the allergies, research can back them up.

People who have allergies experience slow verbal reasoning, slower decision-making, and reduced psychomotor speed. So, they react slower than usual during the times when they are most affected by allergy symptoms.

You can visit an asthma doctor Germantown MD anytime.

Tips to Improve Indoor Allergens in Your Home

The control of asthma and allergy starts at home. A lot of people who have allergies stay in their homes when the outdoor air has a lot of spores and pollen. However, dust mites, animal dander, and cockroaches can cause problems indoors. If you want to reduce indoor air pollution, you need to have adequate ventilation, control pollution sources and clean your indoor air.

After you see an allergy specialist, you should also do your part by controlling indoor allergens in your home. If you want to know what to do so that the allergens in your home are kept at bay, this article is going to give you what you need. Read on to know more.

Control Dust Mites

Keep surfaces in your home clean and uncluttered. The best ones are bare walls and floors, specifically the one in your bedroom where you spend most of your nights. If you have a carpet, throw rugs that are washable or low-pile carpets are even better.

The most important method is to put zippered allergen impermeable or pillow covers, box springs, and mattresses. Encased mattresses work better compared to air cleaners in order to reduce allergy symptoms. You should wash your bedding, uncovered pillows, and stuffed toys every week in hot water.

If you are turning on the heat, allergens such as pet dander and dust are lurking in the air ducts. It is recommended that you use a high-efficiency furnace filter to lessen indoor allergens that circulate in your home. It is recommended that you immediately change your filters every 90 days. You should start to change it with the seasons so that you can remember.

Limit How Much Pollen Goes Inside Your Home

You should ask as much, to keep your window closed if you require air conditioning to keep pollen from being blown inside your home. Remember to take off your shoes outside, or put a mat outside the door so you can wipe dirt off your feet. When you keep temperatures inside cool is also helpful in preventing humidity. This creates the best environment for dust mites and mold.

Clean Your House Regularly

Vacuuming your home with a HEPA filter weekly will also cut down allergens indoors like pet dander and dust mites. When you dust around your knick-knacks and books, you should use electrostatic cloth or microfiber that holds dust instead of only moving it around. As you dust and vacuum, dust is going to get stirred up in the air, so if you are allergic, you can use an N95 filter mask while you clean.

When it is possible, you should use wall-to-wall carpeting, even in the bedrooms. Hardwood floors become easier to clean because you can see the dust while cleaning. However, you can use washable area rugs as well to cut down allergens.

Avoid Any Mold Spores

You should reduce moisture around your bathroom, kitchen, and other water areas in your home. Dehumidifiers are also helpful in reducing dust mites and mold. You should limit yourself to a couple of house plants. You should fix every leak and other cause of the damp areas in your home. Clean the moldy surfaces. Get rid of the moldy firewood, and piles of weeds and leaves.

Keep the Cockroaches Controlled

You should not leave any garbage or food uncovered. You should use boric acid, poison baits, and traps instead of chemical agents that will irritate your rhinitis and/or trigger asthma.

If you cannot control indoor allergens, you can always contact the allergy doctor Manassas VA.

How to Make the Most of Your Allergy Appointment

Maybe you tried to eat something new and after that, your body starts acting up causing you to vomit and break out into hives. Maybe you suspect environmental triggers such as pollen or dust are making you suffer from congestion. This will be why your doctor has referred you to an allergist.

The allergist will use your medical history and perform a physical exam to help point out allergies and figure out what triggers them.

If you need help in finding out what to expect during your first visit, you must read this article on what you can do so that your first appointment is not wasted.

What You Must Check Beforehand

You must speak to your allergy doctor to make sure that you do not have medications that might cause problems during your appointment.

That is because some medications interfere with others, especially antihistamines. Your allergist might ask you to stop taking certain medications for a few days before seeing going to your allergist for testing.

However, you must ask your healthcare provider before you discontinue any medications because you do not want to sacrifice one for the other.

Your Medical History and Symptoms

Your allergist is going to ask everything about your medical history. Aside from that, the specialist is going to assess any pre-existing conditions that you might have. People with asthma might have more complex and severe allergic reactions that require non-stop treatment.

In addition, observe where your symptoms occur. The signs you must look for are:

  • Raised skin spots (hits)
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest tightness
  • Swelling and inflammation of different body parts

The doctor might ask you different questions to support your medical history that is related to possible and common allergens. You can expect questions about your pets, environment, proven allergic reactions, and current medications.

Questions to Ask

Aside from writing down your symptoms, there are questions you need to ask.

  • What foods will I be tested for? Why?
  • What will the test results mean?
  • Do I require testing for this kind of allergy?
  • How can I determine and avoid the triggers of my allergies?
  • How serious are these symptoms?
  • What are the available food allergy management tools?
  • How can people best manage their food allergies?
  • What should be monitored after my visit?
  • When should I do a follow-up at the office?
  • Do allergies worsen over time or can they improve?

If your allergy is diagnosed, including asking questions about how to treat questions, and concerns about the side effects of medications.

Treatment Plans

Your diagnosis will tell you what the appropriate treatment is. Commonly, your allergy doctor will ask you to avoid things that can trigger your allergies. The doctor might also prescribe medications like antihistamines.

What Happens After

As part of the first assessment, your doctor might also check your skin, nose, throat, and lungs. If your diagnosis is related to food or airborne allergies, they will need to run tests after that.

You might be asked to undergo allergy testing. In case this happens, your skin will also be tested for any reactions to different substances. According to the results, your doctor is going to recommend a treatment, which includes:

  • Allergy shots
  • Prescription medications
  • Avoid certain triggers
  • Make some lifestyle changes to reduce your symptoms, especially if your triggers are food-related or because of some environmental factors.

In case your allergy symptoms do not go away with regular treatment, you might have to undergo immunotherapy.

If you need to find an allergy doctor Manassas VA, do not hesitate to contact them and book an appointment.

Surprising Things that Make Allergies Worse

If you have seasonal allergies, you most likely avoid triggers that cause itchiness, sneezing, and sniffling. However, even if you stay inside even on high-pollen days, there are some everyday habits that you might not think could be allergy triggers. They can wreak havoc on your allergies without being aware of them.

An allergist will tell you that you are not the only one who suffers from this because some of the everyday habits you do cause allergy reactions. There are seasonal allergies like they only come out during summer, spring, winter, or allergy to peanuts or cats is all-year-round. You need to limit exposure to allergens, and the symptoms can be treated by taking medication.

Here are some of the weird or surprising things that make allergies worse.

Clothes

Pollen can easily get stuck to the fabric, and after you spend a day outside, you are bringing those irritants at home. You will spread them to your bed, couch, and other parts of your home. If you want to keep the pollen from proliferating, you must change your clothes right away once you get home. You can also shower before bed to remove pollen from your skin and hair.

Your Shoes

If you have a rash or poison ivy after you wear leather shoes, there is a possibility that you are allergic to chemicals that are used in leather tanning. This kind of allergy is known as “contact dermatitis”, and a patch test can diagnose it. Contact dermatitis is a general term for the usual skin conditions that are caused by contact with allergens or irritants.

Red Wine

A glass of red wine might be good for unwinding, but it will not help with your allergies. Alcohol causes your blood vessels to widen, which causes a runny and/or stuffy nose. That is because alcohol is a vasodilator. Alcohol aggravates allergy and wine has an extra punch because of the sulfites it contains that cause some people to have a reaction. Red wine is high in sulfites, and fermented red grape skins have protein allergens.

Exercise Allergy

This kind of allergy was only reported 1,000 times since it was discovered in the 1970s. Exercise allergy causes urticaria, hives, but it can cause anaphylaxis in more severe cases. Anaphylaxis is a dangerous condition when your blood pressure suddenly drops and you will have a hard time breathing. There are 2 kinds of exercise allergies. One that occurs after you eat food within 2 hours after exercising, and the other one happens if you do not eat food. If you experience either one, you should stop your exercise, but you can prevent the food-related type by not eating anything before exercising.

Not Going to the Gym

It is difficult to find motivation when you feel like your face is about to explode, but working out brings some allergy relief. That is because of the stress hormones you release during exercise, and the blood vessels calm down so you can breathe better. This effect is only temporary, but you will get a break from congestion – together with the other benefits of exercise.

Swimming Pools

Chlorine dries out skin and irritates the airways of people with allergies like coughing, congestion, and itchy skin. Luckily, your allergy doctor can help you manage these symptoms so you can still go swimming whenever you like. Avoiding the pool because of your allergy is not the only solution, so make sure to ask your doctor what you can do.

You should go to an allergy specialist doctor Germantown MD if you want to manage your symptoms that are interfering with your everyday life.

Home Remedies for Asthma Attacks

 

Having asthma is not cool. It can affect your everyday life even if it’s not really a serious medical condition. But it can potentially endanger your life if you ignore it. If you experience asthma attacks, you should consult an asthma doctor for proper treatment.

Asthma can be caused by certain allergies. Among common allergens include:

  • Pet dander
  • Foods (shellfish, eggs, nuts, etc.)
  • Dust and pollen
  • Chemicals in household products
  • Insect bites (bees, mosquitoes, etc.)

Allergic reactions happen when our body responds to certain allergens that are deemed harmful. Reactions vary from person to person. For example, some may experience skin rashes after eating foods that cause their allergies. Others experience asthma attacks when they come into contact with dust, pollen, or pet dander.

There are asthma treatments available upon a doctor’s prescription. It may not be a life-threatening condition – at first. But if it happens more often and you ignore it, it can lead to fatal consequences or even death. In such cases, you should consult an allergist to help you manage asthma attacks.

What happens during an asthma attack

One common symptom of an asthma attack is wheezing. It also occurs if you have colds. It should not really cause an alarm. However, you should see a doctor immediately if it’s recurrent and accompanied by breathing difficulties. Also, it can be a medical emergency if the person’s skin is starting to turn blue due to lack of oxygen.

In most cases, an inhaler will come in handy and help in relieving asthma attacks. It should be availed upon prescription by an allergist doctor. Meanwhile, some prefer using natural home remedies to get relief from an asthma attack. But if the situation worsens, it is best to rush to the emergency room immediately.

Natural ways for asthma relief

Speaking of home remedies, there are a lot of natural ways to relieve symptoms of asthma. In fact, a lot of people swear by the effectiveness of these natural remedies. However, there may be doubts whether these can really relieve asthma symptoms. This is due to a limited scientific understanding regarding their effects on the human body.

Among commonly-suggested natural ways to relieve asthma include:

  1. Acupuncture

Apparently, acupuncture can help reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. However, it is not scientifically proven yet. But you can give it a try if you want.

  1. Yoga

One major trigger of asthma is stress. Yoga can help relieve stress through correct breathing. In effect, it can help lessen asthma attacks.

  1. Health supplements and herbs

Herbs and plants have been around since time immemorial. Our ancestors mostly relied on nature to treat illnesses, among other things. Some plants and herbs were said to help treat asthma. Likewise, health supplements such as antioxidants and Vitamin C are said to lessen asthma attacks. However, there are no scientific studies that can back up these claims.

  1. Coffee/tea

It is said that the caffeine content in coffee and tea can provide relief from asthma. Drink it warm, not piping hot, for better results.

  1. Essential oil (Eucalyptus)

Eucalyptus has a minty, menthol scent that is also a common cure for cough, colds, and other illnesses. It can also provide relief from asthma attacks. Put a few drops of the oil into a cup of hot water or an oil diffuser. Slowly breathe in the vapor deeply.

During an asthma attack, try sitting upright. This will allow for easier breathing. Also, try to breathe slowly and deeply. It can be hard to do while having an asthma attack. But it can help you stay calm and loosen up your chest so you can breathe better.

Are they safe?

An allergy specialist may not recommend home remedies for asthma relief. For one thing, most supplements and other so-called home cures are not scientifically-proven as of now. Likewise, these remedies are not regulated by the FDA. Some of these natural remedies (which are taken with some other medications) can cause adverse effects and do more harm on the patient than good. It is best to consult an allergy physician before using any home remedies for asthma.

When to seek medical help

Prescribed medications can usually provide relief from asthma attacks. But if symptoms persist or worsen to the point of life-threatening, you should go to an allergy specialist doctor in Manassas VA or elsewhere near you for immediate treatment.

How to Manage Drug Allergies

Drug allergies result when the body immune system reacts to medication. A drug allergy is different from a drug reaction or toxicity. A reaction is already anticipated by the drug manufacturer while an allergy may not be. Different people react differently to medication and it’s therefore important that you see an allergy doctor when you experience any symptoms after taking a drug.

Symptoms of Drug Allergies

  • Skin rashes or hives
  • Itching and breathing problems
  • Swelling of the mouth and throat
  • Congestion
  • Anaphylaxis which is life-threatening.it can cause breathing issues, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, high pulse rate, and confusion. Contact the allergy doctor immediately to avoid fatalities.

The symptoms of a drug allergy can occur immediately they are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Drugs that Cause Allergies

Below are the drugs that are likely  cause allergies;

  • Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline
  • Nonsteroid like ibuprofen   and aspirin
  • Sulfa drugs
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy
  • HIV drugs
  • Insulin
  • Antiseizure drugs
  • Muscle relaxers
  • Penicillin
  • Anticonvulsants

How to Diagnose Drug Allergies

To diagnose the drug allergies, visit the allergy clinic for a drug allergy test. The allergy specialist will carry out a skin test or a drug challenge. A skin test is accurate when testing for penicillin.

How to Manage Drug Allergies

  • Avoid drugs that cause allergies
  • Visit the allergy physician immediately to avoid the symptoms from worsening
  • Inform your family and health care providers of any previous allergies.

It’s hard to diagnose drug allergies. The symptoms of drug allergies resemble other types of allergies. Symptoms such as rashes and hives and asthma may result from other allergies and it’s important to visit the allergy clinic for a diagnosis. Below are some of the questions the allergist is likely to ask

  • What drugs did you take and which one do you think caused the reaction?
  • When did you start taking the drug that caused the allergy and are you still taking it?
  • After how long did you notice the drug symptoms and what symptoms did you notice?
  • How long did the symptoms last and how did you relieve them?
  • Have you taken any other medication or over the counter medication?
  • Did you take any other medication to relieve the symptoms allergies?
  • The allergist will also want to know whether you have a reaction to any other drug. It’s good to bring the drugs you have taken to the allergy specialist.
Facts About Drug Allergies

Below some facts about allergies;

  • Anybody can have drug allergies.

Prescription medication and over the counter medication can cause drug allergies. Some triggers such as antibiotics and pain relievers are more likely to trigger allergic reactions than other.

  • Symptoms may start right away or after weeks

Drug allergies can cause symptoms as soon as the drug is ingested or may take minutes or weeks. It may become hard to figure out the cause of the allergy and it’s therefore important to visit the allergy clinic for allergy testing.

  • Drug symptoms may range from severe to mild. Mild symptoms include rashes or give and may affect your nose, throat, and ears. Severe symptoms may be life-threatening.
  • A drug allergy is different from drug side effects. Drug side effects are expected while an allergy is not.
  • A drug allergy can occur at any time. A drug you have taken for a long time can result in an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction may not occur the first time you take a drug. It may occur the second time you take the drug.

  • Having other allergies increases the chances of a drug allergy. Having the below allergies will increase the risk of drug allergies

Hay fever

Previous drug allergies

History of allergies in your families

Diseases such as leukemia, HIV

You can manage drug allergies

It’s important that consult the allergy physician who will give you alternate medication. Make sure you notify the allergy doctor as soon as you get the symptoms

Make sure that you consult the allergist Manassas when you experience the above signs to avoid any fatalities. Visit the allergy clinic and take an allergy test to diagnose which drug is causing the allergies. If the drug causing the allergy has no alternative, the allergy specialist will advise on how best to take the medication.

 

How to Manage Seasonal Allergies

About 9% of American experience seasonal allergies. Hay fever is a seasonal allergy that occurs in certain seasons. It occurs when the body reacts to an allergen such as pollen causing an allergic reaction. It’s important to see an allergist Manassas if you experience severe allergies. Pollen is the largest cause of seasonal allergies but below other allergens that may cause allergies.

  • Weed such as ragweed’s, and tumbleweed
  • Grass-like an orchard, Bermuda

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

  • Runny and watery eyes
  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Itchy eyes and noses
  • Ear congestion.

Less common symptoms of seasonal allergies

  • Headaches and wheezing
  • Coughing and shortness of breath

If you have asthma hay fever will make asthma and may lead to an asthma attack. It’s therefore important that you visit the allergy clinic if you experience any severe symptoms

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

Hay fever results when the body encounters an allergen and release histamines. Histamines cause allergic reactions. Causes of hay fever depend from one season to another.

Spring

During spring trees are the biggest cause of seasonal allergies. Trees such as birch, cedar, alder, chestnut, and other trees produce pollen and that cause allergy. It’s important to determine when the pollen levels are high and avoid going out when the levels are high.

Summer

Summer is the hay cutting season and that’s when hay fever is most common thus the name hay fever. The main cause of summer allergies is weed and grass such as ryegrass. During summer make sure you know the levels of pollen and avoid having activities when there is a high pollen level.

Autumn

One of the main causes of allergy during fall is ragweed which has more than 40 species. Pollen from ragweed can cause severe allergies and it’s, therefore, important to ensure that avoid the plant.  Other plants that may cause allergies include nettles, sorrels and fat hens plants. In case of any severe reactions make sure you visit the allergy doctor immediately for medication. Make sure the garden around your house is free of ragweeds or any other allergen.

Winter

During the winter most allergens are dormant due to the cold. There are minimal chances of getting hay fever because you spend most of the time indoors. Winter season allergies are mostly caused by indoor allergens such as mould, pet dander, dust mites, and cockroaches. Simple home remedies will ensure you get rid of the allergens. Below some tips to follow to get rid of the winter indoor allergens.

  • Clean your bedding with hot water once  a week to keep away allergens such as dust mites
  • Make sure you cover your bedding in allergen-proof covers
  • Avoid having carpets and upholstered furniture
  • Make sure your bedroom is not stuffed with items such toys
  • Make sure there are no leaks that will cause moulds and other pests that can cause allergies.
  • Keep your house sparkling clean to avoid moulds. Invest in humidifiers and swamp coolers to keep moulds from forming in your house. Install dehumidifiers to reduce moisture.

How to Diagnose Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can be diagnosed using blood or skin test. The allergist put a small portion of the allergen on the skin and observe. The allergen will cause the skin to turn red and itch.

If the allergy cannot be diagnosed through a skin test the allergy physician will use a  more detailed blood test.

Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can be treated using

  • Antihistamines and decongestants
  • Nasal sprays and corticosteroids
  • Eye drops and nasal irrigation
  • Immunotherapy

It’s best to visit the allergy clinic and let the allergy doctor diagnose and give you medication. Make sure you follow the prescription given by the allergy specialist to help ease the allergic reaction. If the allergies are mild home remedies may help prevent the allergies. It’s important that you discuss the home remedy to follow with the allergy specialist.

Tips to Ease Seasonal Allergies
  • Stay indoors when the pollen count is high
  • Use air purifiers and air conditioners to keep the air in your house clean and fresh. Make sure the air filters are cleaned regularly. Also, ensure any other space that lets in fresh air is clean.
  • Clean beddings and rugs in hot water often to kill dust mites and other allergens
  • When cutting grass in your lawn wear a mask to prevent coming into contact with pollen
  • Change clothes and shower after going outside. Don’t stay in the same clothes after going outdoors as they harbour pollen

 

Seasonal allergies can be prevented by using simple home remedies. It’s however important that you visit the allergy specialist and consult on how best to avoid the allergen that is causing your allergies. Make sure you follow the home remedy diligently to ease the allergy symptoms

 

How to Enjoy Outdoors When You Have Allergies

Allergies can wreak havoc in your life but with proper management, you get to enjoy your life like everyone else. It’s therefore important that you visit the allergy clinic and consult the allergy doctor on how you can manage your allergies. In this article, we go through simple tips that will help you enjoy doing your outdoor activities by managing your allergies. You need to visit the allergist first and get your allergies assessed and then you can follow the below tips

Tips on How to Enjoy Outdoors When You Have Allergies

  • Have a Pollen room in your House

Have a room where you leave clothes that you wear when going outdoors. After gardening doesn’t go into other rooms with the clothes instead leave them in the designated pollen room. That helps to prevent the spread of pollen to the rest of the house. Make sure you take a shower after going outdoors and then wear a fresh set of clothes. Pollen may also hang on hair so it’s important that you ensure you thoroughly clean your hair. Choose the room near the exit door.

  • Follow the Allergy Physician Prescription

Visit the allergy specialist and understand the kind of allergy is affecting you. If its food allergy make sure you know the kind of food affecting you. The allergist will give you medication and advise on home remedies that will ease your allergies. Make sure you diligently follow the instruction from the allergy specialist. Be keen and in case of any other symptoms speak to your allergy physician and get the right remedy. Some simple home remedies, when followed diligently, will help ease your allergies. Make sure you take your medication on time

  • Stay Updated on the Pollen Count

Check the local forecast for the pollen count. Make sure you are informed on the pollen count and the type of pollen. The guide will help you know which areas to avoid to keep your allergies at bay. The pollen count guide will only work if know the kind of pollen that causes your allergies.

  • Wear Protective clothing

If you have to go to the garden when the pollen count is high making sure you invest in pollen filter mask. The mask will block the allergen. If you have mowed your lawn make sure you are protected. It’s, however, better to have someone else mow your lawn if you are allergic to grass pollen. Invest in some glasses to ensure that pollen doesn’t irritate your eyes.

  • Choose the Right Time for Outdoor Activites

Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is high. Between 5 am and 10 am the pollen count is high. If its windy the pollen count may also be high. Allocate that outdoor activity when the pollen count is low. Seasonal allergies will act up when its windy and there is low humidity

  • Have an Allergen Free Garden

Make sure the garden that surrounds your house has no allergens and will minimize exposure to pollen. Plant flowers that have low pollen counts such as roses and hibiscus.

  • Know What to do When Allergy attacks Occur

Its imperative that you know what to do in case of an allergy attack occurs. Allergy attacks may occur despite being careful and its therefore important that you know what to do. Make sure you arm yourself with medication and home remedies that may ease allergy attacks. Inform the caregiver and your family of your allergy situation and teach them what they should do in case of an attack. In case you have asthma inform them how they should administer the asthma treatment. Pin the allergy specialist contact on a wall where everyone can see them.

  • Anticipate Allergens when Travelling

If you travel outside your normal residence, anticipate the presence of allergens and make the necessary adjustments. It’s best to do a research on the area you are travelling and know when the pollen count may high. Knowing the kind of allergens you expect will help you be well prepared.

It’s important that you discover what you are allergic to. Before you declare any item as the cause of your allergies visit the allergist Manassa for allergy testing. Knowing what causes your allergy will make it easier to manage your allergies. Follow simple tips from the allergy specialist on how to ease allergens and you can enjoy your outdoor activities.