Understanding Sun Allergies

Sun allergies can be a dangerous reaction to the sun especially when many people who suffer from sun allergies don’t even know they have it. Sun allergies can resemble sunburn. This is why many people don’t even realize that they are allergic to sunlight. This is commonly called photosensitivity.

There are some things to look for, though. If you are outside for only a few minutes and already notice redness to exposed parts of your body, you want to be careful when outdoors. Try to cover up these parts of the body by wearing loose, light fitting clothing, a hat and staying in the shade. Some of the more common places are the hands, forearms, legs and back of the neck.  The rashes could be itchy or burning and last for a few days. It can go away by itself, or you
may need to see a doctor. Treatments for sun allergies range from oral beta-carotene to topical creams. Some more severe cases can include blisters or hives over the body. You should be especially careful if you develop these symptoms on parts of the body that were clothed, like your chest and back.

A doctor may perform some more serious tests such as a biopsy or blood test to rule out any other problems. There are also medications and lotions that can make the skin more susceptible to sun allergies. Read the label of all products to be safe.

There is a difference between sunburn and sun allergies. Sunburns occur when the body’s protective skin pigment can’t protect the skin well enough from ultraviolet light. When you have an allergy to sunlight, your body’s immune system reacts against it. This is what causes the breakout on your skin.

To avoid sun allergies, just a follow a few simple tips:

1. Don’t go outside during peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Your body will have a quicker
reaction at this time of day.

2. Don’t deliberately sunbathe, even in tanning beds. Those with sun allergies won’t be happy
with the results.

3. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors. Apply it every two hours, after swimming
and working out.

4. Dress properly. Wear light clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Remember, even if you do not suffer from sun allergies, you should always be safe while outdoors. You can get skin cancer and wrinkles from over exposure to the sun. Wear sunscreen and don’t stay outside during peak sunlight hours longer than you have to.

Tattoo Allergies

Tattoos are becoming a popular trend these days. Anyone can have a tattoo, even the most unlikely of people. However, with the onset of the tattoo craze, a problem has emerged — tattoo allergies.

The ink in the artwork contains ingredients that cause the tattoo allergies. The most common allergen is found in red and yellow ink. The problem with tattoo ink is that it is unregulated.  Almost anything can be used to create the pigments that make up the ink. Some of the more common ingredients include nickel, mercury (although less and less), cobalt and cadmium.

Signs of the allergy include itchiness around and on the tattoo, raised bumps, redness, irritation or hives. Worse case scenarios include pussing and oozing around the tattoo and sores. When this occurs, the person has to see a doctor immediately. Usually, a steroid will be given at the  site of the problem that will eliminate the allergy.

Just because you get a tattoo and do not have a reaction a week later does not mean you are in the clear. Tattoo allergies sometimes do not show up right away. There have been cases where the allergy did not show up until years later. Usually, there is something that triggered the reaction to take place such as another tattoo (creating more exposure), change in weather or even a sickness. The treatment at this point is the same.

If the allergy is severe, the ink can be removed by a doctor using a laser. If the allergy is not that bad where you just suffer from occasional itching or swelling, over the counter anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine creams should do the trick. If you ever noticed that during the summer months, your tattoo gets itchy or a little red, this could be due to a tattoo allergy. Most people who do have this moderate reaction tend to just deal with the problem.

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing you are going to have tattoo allergies. There are no tests that can be done beforehand. You can’t have a small piece of skin that is out of the way tested because of the length of time some tattoo allergies take to appear. The only time people find out they have a tattoo allergy is after the tattoo is already on their body.

Take careful consideration on what the tattoo artist tells you about cleaning your tattoo. This prevents any immediate reactions your body may have and also an easier way to watch for signs of an allergic reaction. Keep in mind tattoo allergies are rare, so don’t shy away from them if you really want to get one.

Preventing Mold Allergies In Your Home

Allergies are a common ailment among many folks today, and the substances that people are allergic to can vary greatly. For those who are suffering from mold allergies, it may be difficult to cope with the symptoms. The reason that mold allergies can be such a challenge is that there is not a set season for mold to appear, and some sufferers can experience symptoms year-round.

The good news is that these types of allergies are relatively rare; when you consider the number of molds that we might be exposed to every day. It is also possible to effectively treat mold allergy symptoms, so you that you do not have to suffer unnecessarily with the sniffling and sneezing that can arise with exposure to the dreaded substance.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mold allergies are similar to those of other allergic reactions, and can include nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and a skin rash. If you experience these symptoms while raking leaves or mowing grass, you might be suffering from mold allergies. Likewise, if you notice these symptoms when you enter a musty basement or other moist area, mold may indeed be the culprit. To determine if your allergies really are caused by mold spores, you can have an allergy test done at your doctor’s office. There are two types of tests that are done; a skin test or a blood sample. Either test can give your doctor a good idea about the substances that you might be allergic to so that he can treat your allergies in the most effective way.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for any type of allergy generally includes over the counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines. For more severe symptoms, your doctor can prescribe similar medications in stronger doses. You can also opt for steroidal nasal sprays to keep nasal passages clear, or inhaled medications if you also suffer from asthma. Many of these medications are safe to take over a longer period of time, making them a good option for mold allergy sufferers who might experience symptoms year round.

While there are numerous treatments for allergies that can be very helpful, another good way of reducing symptoms is by prevention. This usually entails an avoidance of the allergy triggers – which in this case would be mold spores.

Prevention of mold allergies might include avoiding food that has a greater chance of harboring mold, like cheese and mushrooms, or staying away from damp areas like basements. It is also a good idea to change your furnace filter frequently to prevent mold from developing. With a combination of prevention and treatment options, you
can successfully keep your mold allergy symptoms at bay.

Treating Fruit Allergies

Fruits are very important in a diet as they supply all the vitamins, minerals and fiber that the body needs to maintain strength and health. But not everyone is able to consume fruit as some people find that taking fruits can cause allergic reactions in their bodies. The allergic reactions which fruits cause can be easily recognized and it is always quite easy to say which fruit is allergic to a person. So once the fruit is identified as causing an allergy the person can best
avoid the fruit.

Oral allergy syndrome is very common to fruit allergies as consuming a certain fruit will cause swellings in certain parts like the tongue, mouth, lips and throat etc. The moment the fruit comes into contact with our mouth or lips they begin to burn or swell.

This syndrome is not restricted to fruits alone but also vegetables. Many people display the same allergic symptoms when they eat certain vegetables. This is caused by the chemical reactions which take place between the pollens and proteins. It is common that people who have fruit allergies are also allergic to pollens. Only when the fruits and vegetables are eaten fresh do they cause allergies in people not when they are cooked and eaten. This is because
the pollens and proteins which are present get destroyed when cooked.

Some of the other symptoms which fruit allergies cause are skin irritations, redness and rashes or hives. Sometimes due to fruit allergies the blood pressure can also drop drastically cutting off oxygen supply to the brain. The mouth throat and airways begin to swell restricting air to the lungs and this leaves the person gasping for breath which in turn leads to death.

We sometimes notice that only certain classes of fruits tend to cause allergies to us. Like for instance if we are allergic to rag weed then we will find that when we eat fruits like bananas, and melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew will also cause allergy reactions.

In the case of Birch tree allergy you will find certain fruits like apples, pears, cherries, kiwi and stone fruit which are more likely to cause allergies also. Certain other fruits like lemons, oranges limes and grapefruit which belong to the citrus variety can also cause allergies. This is mainly due to the acidic nature of the citrus fruits which cause allergic reactions.

The best way to avoid fruit allergies is not to eat those fruits so that all that rashes, swelling and skin irritations can be avoided. There are people who have become resistant to fruit allergies because of the allergy injections which they have taken. Though there is another option which is to have the fruits cooked and eaten to avoid allergic reactions in your body.

Food That Can Cause Allergies

Isn’t it annoying when you smell the delicious aroma of a meal only to find out that it has an ingredient to which you are allergic? Ah! The demise of every person with food allergies! It is no fun to watch other people devour food that seems so delicious but you can’t take part of the experience. How many times have you encountered comments like, great food isn’t? And sometimes you just can’t bear to admit you are allergic and just smile as if you knew how it
tasted.

Then you try to ask questions, what is food allergy? What are causing these annoying symptoms? What’s happens inside the body during allergic reactions? Ah! Understanding ones own health condition will better help them accept and overcome whatever’s bothering them.

To start with, food allergy is unusual reaction to certain type of food allergen. An allergen is the substance or thing that causes the allergic reactions. Exposure to the allergen sets off the alarm in the human immune system which consequently releases antibodies to fight off the invasion of the perceived foreign body that is the food allergen. It then causes the symptoms you would see when you are in a state of allergic reaction.

The aforementioned is just an overview of the whole picture. Looking more closely, allergic reactions undergo two courses of action. The initial course is the release of immunoglobulin E or IgE by the immune system into the blood stream. IgE is a food-specific antibody and a protein that is the body’s immune defense against the food allergen.

Following the initial response is the attachment of the IgE to the mast cells. These mast cells are present in body tissues specially locations of the body where allergic reactions are common. These locations may include the lungs, skin, nasal and oral cavities, and the gastrointestinal system.

As for the food itself, you may have noticed that you are not just allergic to one type of food.  There are instances that you experience an allergic reaction to oyster and then later you found out that you are also allergic to crabs and other sea foods. This occurrence is what medical professionals call cross-reactivity, wherein an individual can be allergic to closely related or similar types of foods.

The only way to deal with this unfortunate mishap is to try as best as you can to avoid the foods that set off allergic reactions in your body. There is no cure to food allergy but there are medications out there that can alleviate its symptoms. With the help of a medical health professional, you can be assisted in the ways you can avoid exposures to food allergens.

Nutritionists may teach you alternative ingredients or foods to replace the food that will be eliminated from your diet. Also, make it a habit to check food labels for possible ingredients that you may be allergic with and do not hesitate to warn the restaurant employees, like the waiter, about your food allergy to prevent any unwanted accidents.

Individuals who are highly allergic are advised to put on medical alert necklaces or bracelets which declare your condition. As for the medications, some patients who are very vulnerable are also advised to bring with them at all times a self-injectible epinephrine, which is prescribed by the doctor, that can be of great help during sudden attacks of allergic reactions before seeking out for the assistance of an emergency team.

Other medications are antihistamines, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. Antihistamines help improve symptoms of rhinitis, hives, rashes, and gastrointestinal problems. Corticosteroids alleviate the severity of inflammations of the skin and in other areas of the body. While bronchodilators are utilized to open up air passages of the respiratory tract that has become inflamed which would have resulted to breathing difficulties.

To understand more about your food allergies, you can consult your physician. There are also comprehensive books in the market that can be easily understood by just about anybody that has complete information about food allergies and how to fight it.

Dealing With Seasonal Allergies

Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows how daunting spring can be. The flowers are in bloom, the birds are coming back from their southern vacation and you can’t stop sneezing. There is nothing like a cool, spring morning when the pollen count is so high, you can’t go outside or you will suffer from sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and an itchy throat. Seasonal allergies — your worse nightmare.

The routine is the same every year and the medicine cabinet is filled with anti-allergy medication. There are those who suffer differently from season allergies. While the common symptoms affect many people, seasonal allergies are worse in people who suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergies aren’t just an inconvenience anymore, but become a medical problem. People are hospitalized every year from seasonal allergies.

There are ways to help yourself to make the seasonal changes easier.

- Eating essential fatty acids is one of the ways to lower the symptoms from seasonal allergies. Studies that have been done have showed that essential fatty acids and flaxseed help reduce allergic reactions in many people. Increase your daily dose of these essential fatty acids.

- Get extra Vitamin C. This vitamin can lower the amount of histamine found in the blood. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C to ward off any potential problems. You can even help your body fight off any colds.

- Monitor pollen and mold counts. If you keep a close eye on the pollen and mold counts, you will know when it is safe to venture outdoors. Keep the windows and doors sealed tight to prevent seasonal allergies. However, check the house for mold as well. These can keep your allergies going if there is mold in the house.

- Wash clothes when coming in from the outside during pollen season. The pollen that sets off your seasonal allergies is the microscopic kind. You can’t see it, but it gets into your system, which is what drives your body crazy. If you were gardening or went for a walk, take of the clothes you were wearing and wash them as soon as possible. This will help with keeping the pollen at bay.

- Wash your hair before bed. If you were outside during the day, pollen could be trapped in your hair. What you don’t want is the pollen going from your hair to your pillow. At that point, you are doomed because you will suffer from seasonal allergies all night long. Wash your hair before going to bed to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Seasonal allergy sufferers don’t have to be discouraged any time a brand new season starts.  There are ways to prevent seasonal allergies and tricks to make the allergy season more bearable.