Hypoallergenic Brand Makeup - Tips For People Who Suffer From Allergies

If you are suffering from allergies it is important to avoid any stimulus that causes your allergies. People who are allergic to different foods need to make sure that they identify the foods and eliminate it from their diet. The same thing goes with makeup allergies. It is important look for hypoallergenic makeup brands that don't have the chemical that you are allergic too.

Anyone who is interested in getting allergy relief needs to know the chemical that they are allergic too. You could know that you are allergic to a specific product, but you don't know what chemical in the product you are allergic too. Talking to your doctor about the specific product can often give you information about ways to get testing to find out what allergy you have.

Once you know the chemical that you have allergies to, you will need to ensure that you avoid products that contain these chemicals. This is where learning how to read labels is important. If you know the chemical that you are allergic to you can avoid products that contain those products.

There are many different hypoallergenic makeup brands that offer a variety of different items that are meant to be allergy free. The important part about finding the right makeup is to avoid buying things that will cause your reactions to occur. There are a variety of different products that are available.

Because there is not regulation among different hypoallergenic makeup brands, it is important that you find something that can work for you. Look at different brands that have a good reputation when you are looking for something to purchase. This will ensure that you get the allergy relief that you need.

When Is Allergy Testing Necessary?

So, what's your primary allergy trigger? Pollen, mold or maybe your pets?

If you don't know what causes your allergies or asthma to flare, how can you avoid further contact with your particular irritant?

If you have suffered from allergies for a number of years, or have the added concern of allergy-triggered asthma attacks, it may be time to get tested. Allergy testing is the most efficient way to determine what exact element in your environment is causing your body to react. Rather than avoid all of the possible allergens both indoors and outside, once you know your allergy type, you can stop stressing and target the cause alone.

So, why lock yourself indoors to avoid pollen if you're really allergic to mold (that will grow in your home anyway?) Or why rip up your carpets and ditch your curtains to keep away dust mites when bathing your pets in anti-allergy shampoos would offer you more relief?

Here are a few common tests to determine the cause of your allergies:

RAST Allergy Test

For this test, a small amount of blood is drawn and tested. Later, a lab technician will add trace amount of allergens with some of the patient's drawn blood. Under a microscope, the amount of allergy antibody or IgE is produced by the blood is measured and used to determine how allergic you are to the allergen. Usually this method is better in cases of severe reactions, because only a small sample of blood is reacting to the allergens instead of your whole body.

Skin Prick or Scratch Test Allergy Test

This is the most common type of allergy testing- it is very effective and inexpensive. This test involves placing a small amount of allergen on the skin of the forearm, upper arm or back and then scratching or pricking the skin so that the allergen penetrates the skin's surface. Any allergen that produces a reaction will cause the skin to turn a bit red and swell slightly, so that it looks a bit like a mosquito bite. Several allergens can be tested at the same time and it only takes 20 minutes to get the results.

Intradermal Allergy Test

This second method of skin testing is more sensitive and yields very consistent results. For this test, a small amount of allergen to be injected just under the skin's surface. Several allergens can be tested at once and after about 20 minutes, a small hive or red, swollen area with appear on the skin.

How to Prepare for Testing:

• Before being tested, stop taking all antihistamines or else the results of the test may not be accurate. Typically your doctor will tell you what medicines to avoid taking before the test.



• The allergist or healthcare provider performing the test will ask for a detailed medical history as well as questions about past illnesses, eating habits, lifestyle, work environment, emotional and social conditions, etc. All of this information helps them in determining the cause and prescribed treatment of you allergies.

What You Can Expect After an Allergy Test:

• In cases where your skin is pricked or scratched, you may feel mild discomfort. If you have a "positive reaction" (allergic reaction) to one of the sample allergens used in the test, the area may be itchy for a little while.



• If you are worried about having a severe reaction, bring along some benedryl or other antihistamine to take after the test is completed.



• After it is determined what allergens you are most sensitive to, you will be better able to avoid exposure, which in turn will reduce your dependency on medications to control symptoms.

The Link Between Black Mold And Pregnancy

Humans and mold have lived together since the very beginning, but mold has become a big health issue only recently. So many cases of toxic mold poisoning have come to light recently that people can't help but be concerned.

Because this concern is so new, we have only just begun studying the effects of black mold and pregnancy. There isn't much real evidence, but doctors are very concerned about how exposure to black mold during pregnancy can affect babies.

Black Mold and Birth Defects

There are countless stories of women being exposed to mold during pregnancy and suffering miscarriage or birth defects. However, there is not yet any solid hard scientific evidence that exposure to mold directly causes birth defects. Studies with animals have shown that there is a definite link between black mold and pregnancy, but animals are different than humans, so the results are somewhat inconclusive.

Still, most doctors assume that there is some connection, and that pregnant women should be careful about exposure.

Asthma and Pregnancy

Modern scientific studies say that the causes of lifelong chronic allergies are both genetic and environmental.

A lot of evidence states that the development of allergies and asthma actually begins in the womb. This is especially the case with asthma. Researchers are finding out that asthma may not be genetic at all. It is caused by triggers in the environment. Studies show that asthma sufferers develop the condition at some point in their lives due to exposure to toxins, such as mold. It may begin in the uterus.

SIDS And Mold

Some studies have suggested that there may be a link between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and exposure to black mold in the womb. There are also a variety of chronic fatigue illnesses that children who have been exposed to mold may suffer. Still, the studies have not been done to show whether this is fully the case or not.

What You Can Do

If you have just found that you are pregnant, or if you are just starting to worry about mold, you should get your home or workplace tested for mold. You can get a home testing kit from the hardware store. It is probably a good idea to start off your pregnancy in a mold-free environment. Nobody knows the exact relation between mold and birth defects, allergies and asthma, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

For your baby's health, it is also important to keep your house mold-free after birth. There are no studies showing that mold has an effect on breast feeding, but mold is definitely unhealthy for your baby's general health.

One more thing to think about is your workplace. Many women work in the early or middle stages of pregnancy and it is often more difficult to find mold in a building where you work than in your home. Ask your boss about mold inspections, especially if you work in an old building. If you can see or smell mold in your workplace, you are definitely in danger.

If your boss or supervisor will not do anything about the mold problem, you can seek a legal solution. There are laws to protect you and your unborn baby's health.

Food Allergies - When Good Foods Cause Bad Moods

When it comes to the topic of food allergies, many of us think of young children and peanut allergies. After all, the sometimes-fatal reactions of those with peanut allergies are responsible for warnings on food, in restaurants, and other establishments where one may come in contact with peanuts or peanut residue. You should know, though, that food allergies go well beyond peanuts, young children, and physical reactions.

In addition to health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and a host of obesity-related illnesses and complications, have you ever made a connection between food and mood? Not alcohol or other drugs, but foods. More specifically, food allergies may be responsible for a significant number of mental health related issues!

There are actually four different types of food allergies (IgE ,IgG, IgM, and IgA) that can have an effect on your digestive system and, in turn, your mental healthfulness. IgE allergies are the type of food allergies that get the most attention. Occurring in roughly 2-5% of the population, mainly children, these are the allergies that present in frightening suddenness. Delayed food allergies, IgG, or food sensitivities can show reactive effects up to several days later, so often the connection between an ailment and the food(s) eaten isn't even made by the sufferer or perhaps even any medical practitioners with whom they consult. Shockingly, 45-60% of the population suffers from delayed food allergies, many of them never being aware of it.

These delayed food reactions have been linked to over 100 different allergic symptoms and 150 different medical diseases. The mental health issues associated with delayed food allergies include: ADHD, anxiety, autism, chronic fatigue (which can go beyond just physical feelings and affect mental health, as well), depression, dizziness (often associated with anxiety), hyperactivity, lethargy, PMS, tension, weight gain and weight loss (both of which tend to have an effect on self-esteem).

So how exactly do these food allergies and reactions contribute to the mental health issues named above? Quite simply, studies have already shown a connection between stress, inflammation, and disease. If you ever eat as a result of feeling stress, your chances of developing inflammation and food allergies is increased. This then leads to the effects on mental and physical health.

The most common food sensitivities include: peanuts, cow's milk, eggs, sugar substitutes (aspartame, saccharine), soybeans, fish, shellfish, and wheat. For most of us, many of these are foods we eat frequently. And with a statistic like up to 60% of Americans have delayed food allergies, it is cause for concern.

There are different ways to test for food allergies. You can ask your general practitioner to test, you can ask for a referral to an allergist, there are even home blood and saliva tests. They can cost up to several hundred dollars but the investment in your health is well worth it, even if insurance does not cover them.

IgE Food Allergy Test

o Skin test. A skin prick test can determine your reaction to particular foods. In this test, small amounts of suspected foods are placed on the skin of your forearm or back. Your skin is then pricked with a needle, to allow a tiny amount of the substance beneath your skin surface. If you're allergic to a particular substance being tested, you develop a raised bump or reaction.

o Blood test or BloodSpot A blood test can measure your immune system's response to particular foods by assessing the amount of allergy-type antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is then sent to a medical laboratory, where different foods can be tested. IgG Food Allergy Test

o ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test analyzes IgG Food Antibody Profile measures levels of IgG antibodies for commonly offending foods. It clearly identifies those foods that may be causing health problems.

Other things you can do at home, to decrease your food reactions, are: exercise, take appropriate supplements, and avoid foods you think or know are problematic for you. If you find that eliminating certain food from your diet increases your wellness, it's entirely possible you were suffering from delayed food allergies!

Some of the most common supplements food allergy sufferers use include omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), and probiotics. It is always a good idea to check with your family doctor before adding supplements to your diet, especially if you are on any other medications, prescribed or otherwise. There can be interactions and other effects that will end up just adding to your problems. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

DNA Testing At Home

You can't watch a crime drama on TV, or the news (think Anna Nicole Smith) for very long nowadays without hearing about DNA. DNA testing can tell who fathered a child. It can rescue an innocent inmate from prison, or prove the case against a criminal. DNA testing can give you an idea of certain diseases you are more likely to develop than other people. DNA can also link you with your ancestors and show you where they might have come from.

But what exactly is DNA? Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a sort of blueprint for every cell in your body. Your genes are made from DNA. You get half from your mother, and half from your father. The only two people that can have identical DNA are identical twins. In every other case, DNA is a so-called genetic fingerprint. Because it is unique, police and prosecutors look to DNA samples to help catch and convict criminals. In the legal system, DNA samples must be handled carefully.

But people can take their own DNA tests in the privacy of their homes. A blood sample is not necessary. All that is needed is a few cells from the lining of the cheek. A scraping of the lining taken with a swab is enough to do DNA testing. It is most commonly used to determine paternity.

The kit for the test can be ordered online, or bought at a drugstore. The cost for a simple paternity test runs between $100 and $250. You take your own sample, and send it to the lab. If you are trying to establish paternity, you also need a swab of the possible father's cheek, and of the child's cheek. Most labs that do this testing say that they can tell you with greater than 99% accuracy if the person sampled is the child's father, and 100% if he is not.

There are also ways to get the possible father's DNA surreptitiously. Sometimes labs can run the test from a piece of chewed gum, or a hair. Each lab is different, and less-than-perfect samples cost hundreds of dollars more to test.

What else can you do at home? You can prove other familial relationships if there is some question. You can also have your DNA tested to look into your ancestry. The National Geographic Society is even collecting DNA samples from all over the world to create a sort of genetic world map. You can participate by conducting an at-home DNA test, which costs about $100.

Some other types of home DNA testing are probably best avoided. One company says it can tell you as early as 7 to 8 weeks into a pregnancy what the sex of the unborn baby will be. This is allegedly possible because some of the baby's blood mixes in with the mother's blood. You take a sample of the mother's blood at home. If the lab finds a Y chromosome in any of the sample, the baby will be a boy, because only males have a Y chromosome. If no Y chromosome is found, the baby will be a girl. This whole area of DNA testing is not proven, and there are lawsuits at the current time against companies that reported the unborn child's sex incorrectly. There are also ethical issues even if this test were to be perfect.

Another category of DNA testing exists, genetic testing for markers of certain medical conditions. Usually, if this kind of test is necessary, your doctor will order it, and it will be done in a lab that is certified to give accurate results. More importantly, your doctor can advise you what the test means. If you have a certain gene, you have an increased probability of developing a certain disease. It doesn't mean you will get the disease, and a negative test does not mean you won't.

You can do these tests at home. But you will not have anyone to explain what the results really mean. Still, people do these tests, sometimes for privacy, or in order to prevent health insurance companies from knowing the results and perhaps raising their rates. But to test for the right conditions and actually understand what the results mean, you should see your doctor, or in some cases, a geneticist.

As of today, at-home DNA testing is best used to determine paternity or other familial relationships when there is no legal requirement, or to get information about your ancestry.

The Hidden Truth About Allergies Revealed

Everyone knows that allergies cause sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and nasal congestion and that for some people these symptoms can be more severe than for others. For these people allergies can feel like a curse, making them feel sleepy, irritable and downright miserable. There are many medical explanations for allergies, including the theory that the body is overreacting to the typical allergens.

But there's one other reason why some people with allergies are more affected than others, and this has to do with their jaw size. If you had normal-sized jaw anatomy, then it's less likely an allergy attack would bother you; in fact, it's less likely you'll even have allergies in the first place. Let me explain.

Why Your Jaw Size Matters

If you have smaller than normal jaws, it means that there's less space for your tongue, so it takes up relatively too much space, especially when you're on your back due to gravity. Even worse, whenever you're in deep sleep, due to muscle relaxation, you'll stop breathing to wake up and turn over. During these breathing pauses, a vacuum effect is created temporarily, which literally suctions up your normal stomach juices into your throat and nose. It's been shown that stomach bacteria and digestive enzymes can be found in sinus and lung washings. This leads to inefficient sleep, which eventually makes your nervous system and immune system overactive.

This is why it's important to avoid eating too close to bedtime. The more juices you have in your stomach, the more it'll come up and cause nasal inflammation. And since alcohol is a strong muscle relaxant, indulging in a glass of wine before bedtime can make you stop breathing more often and cause more stomach juices to come up into your throat, in addition to heightening your immune and nervous systems.

What You May Not Know Will Surprise You

Sometimes, what seems to be allergy symptoms may not be related to allergies at all. Whether or not your allergy testing is positive, you may be suffering from non-allergic rhinitis or chronic rhinitis, which is linked to sleep breathing problems or silent acid reflux (LPRD). With non-allergenic rhinitis, your nose becomes sensitive to temperature, pressure, humidity changes, chemicals, odors, and emotions. Non-allergic rhinitis responds somewhat to allergy medications, so you may think you have an allergy problem.

One of the most under-appreciated things that most allergy sufferers (and doctors) don't think about is getting a good night's sleep. It's been shown that lack of quality (or quantity of) sleep can adversely affect your immune system through the following mechanism: a low-grade physiologic stress response is created which heightens your immune system, making it over-react to common pollens or other allergens. (The same process occurs with your nervous system, too). So how does this relate to allergies?

Hay Fever Defined

Hay fever (or allergic rhinitis) results in congestion, sneezing, runny nose, irritated eyes and other annoying symptoms for more than 35 million Americans every year. It occurs when your body has an allergic reaction to something in your environment. During this time of the year, ragweed is the most common cause of hay fever, though mold, pet dander, dust mites and cockroaches can also cause allergies year-round.

When your body comes in contact with these allergens, your immune system kicks into overdrive. At the initial allergen exposure, the body creates an antibody called immunoglobulin (IgE), which rests on a type of white blood cells called mast cells. After repeated exposure to the same allergen, a massive release of histamines and other inflammatory mediators occurs. The end result-runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.

When Allergies Cause You Misery

Obviously, a little sneezing and congestion never hurt anyone. For most people, these symptoms are no more than a mere nuisance and most can get by without any medications or for others, simple over-the-counter medications. However, some people with allergies feel completely miserable, with poor sleep and severe daytime fatigue.

Anything that causes swelling or inflammation in your nose or throat can set off a vicious cycle where due to narrowing of the upper air passageways, the soft tissues of the throat (palate and/or the tongue) start to obstruct your breathing, which creates a vacuum effect in your throat that suctions up normal stomach juices into your throat. This causes more swelling and inflammation in your throat and nose, aggravating this self-perpetuating cycle.

Steps You Can Take

During allergy seasons (trees during the spring, ragweed during the fall, molds all year round), there are a number of conservative step you can take to lessen your symptoms, to more formal medical treatments:

- Stay indoors during high pollen counts with air conditioning

- Wash your hair before going to bed if you've been outdoors during the day. You don't want to rub your face on your pollen-contaminated pillow all night long

- Most plants release pollens in the early morning, so if possible stay indoors until after 10AM. Pollen and molds can also be high in the late afternoon and early evening hours

- Wash your bedding every week in very hot water

- Invest in allergy-free bedding (if you're allergic to dust mites)

- Try the Asian custom of taking off your shoes before entering your living spaces. Think about all the microscopic dust, pollen, molds and dirt that get tracked into your house, where your toddler is crawling on.

- Invest in a HEPA filter for your bedroom

- Keep pets out of the bedroom

- Remove rug or carpeting from the bedroom

- Finish eating at least 3-4 hours before bedtime

- Avoid alcohol within 3-4 hours of bedtime

- Regularly practice yoga, breathing, tai chi, or some form rhythmic meditative breathing (which also includes swimming).

A few natural and/or herbal remedies include:

- Regular irrigation with nasal saline. There are many options, including a Neti-pot, saline sprays, mists, pumps and squeeze bottles. The key is to find something you're comfortable with that you'll use every day.

- Butterbur and stinging nettle extracts are two herbs that have anti-allergy properties. You can find them at any health food store or order them online. If the above conservative options are not good enough, you can try any of these over-the-counter allergy medications:

- Loratadine (brand name Claritin, Allavert, etc.) or Zyrtec. Zyrtec is stronger, but has a slightly higher chance of making you drowsy. If you take it regularly at night before you got to bed, this any potential drowsiness won't be an issue and this effect wears off after a few days.

- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This is an older, stronger antihistamine, which can definitely make you drowsy. It's also used to severe allergic reactions and rashes.

- Oxymetazoline (Afrin) can be used for severe nasal congestion only occasionally and should be used no more than 2-3 days at a time.

If you also have nasal congestion, then you can get the "-D" version of the various antihistamines. The D stands for decongestant, which is usually an oral version of phenylephrine or pseudo-ephedrine. This can sometimes be stimulating, so if you're sensitive to these medications, don't take it just before bedtime. If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, talk to your medical doctor before taking these specific medications.

There are a number of prescription medications for allergy: Allegra (which should be coming out over-the-counter soon), nasal steroid sprays (Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort, Nasacort, Veramyst), and Singulair. Astelin is an antihistamine nasal spray. Different people respond differently to each of these medications, so it's important to talk to your doctor about which one may be right for you. My preference for moderate to severe allergies is to use one of the topical nasal steroid sprays on a regular basis, since it works much better at preventing allergies, as well as treating it. In general, these sprays are not absorbed into the body in significant amounts and can be used for long periods.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are another option that you may want to consider if your allergies don't respond to medications or if you don't want to depend on medications as much. With immunotherapy, the sufferer receives regular injections of purified allergen extracts for between two to five years. The goal of immunotherapy is to rewire the immune system so it no longer overacts to allergens and causes hay fever.

Putting It All Together

If you have an underlying sleep-breathing problem such as obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome (most people to some degree), then it's likely that you'll have some kind of allergies or nonallergic rhinitis, whether mild or severe. Not only will your nose be overly sensitive to allergens or weather changes, it can also be irritated by your stomach juices.

This process supports observations that children who were bottle-fed as infants have higher rates of allergies later as children. It's been suggested that bottle-feeding promotes jaw narrowing and dental crowding, which leads to smaller airways. This occurs despite the protective effects of the mother's antibodies in breast milk, since it may be given in a bottle. So the next time you suffer from seasonal allergies or even year-round allergies, resist the temptation to simply take a pill. Go down the list of conservative options I've outlined, and most importantly, optimize your sleep quality. Any activity that's calming and relaxing to your nervous system (yoga, breathing exercises, tai chi, swimming) can also help to alleviate your symptoms. Many of you will be surprised to find that conservative and simple lifestyle changes can lead to many more allergy-free, symptom-free days.

Allergic Rhinitis Results From Multiple Causes

Every spring, Brian takes few hours to admire the tulips in his garden. However, every time he goes out to tiptoe among the tulips, he comes down with an awful case of hay fever. And every year, he is not really sure of the cause.

Allergies seldom travel alone
Could Brian's allergic rhinitis be caused by tulip pollen? Brian had been testing at the doctor's office and found that he was only slightly allergic to tulips, but maybe standing in an entire garden of tulips was just too much.

Could Brian's allergies be caused by trees blooming at the same as the tulips? Or molds growing on leaves that spent much of the winter underneath the snow? Or maybe the shoes he kept in a damp closet all winter before he decided to take his tiptoe through the tulip beds were shedding fungi that made Brian sneeze, wheeze, and tear.

Every environment is rich in multiple sources of allergens
The simple fact is, most allergic rhinitis have multiple causes. We inhale pollen from different kinds of plants at the same time. We inhale dander form our own pets, but also from any of the neighbors' pets with whom our pets interact during the day. We inhale fumes from our household care products, but also from our neighbor's household care products, and the products used at work, school, and the places we go for community events.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms are caused by allergic load.
The reality of multiple causes for allergy symptoms has caused some doctors to describe the triggers for allergy attacks in terms of allergic load. A person's allergic load is the total of airborne allergens, food allergens, and other toxins in the environment that generate symptoms that tell you something is wrong.

How high or low your personal allergic load may be depends on your general state of health, your genetics, your consumption of antioxidants from plant foods, and your use of medications. But most allergies are like the last straw that broke the camel's back. If you could remove just one allergy trigger from your life, you just might not have symptoms next time. Or you might find a novel and effective non-drug way to reduce your sensitivity to allergens without changing your environment.

Acupressure is one way to change your allergic load
In a study conducted at the School of Nursing at Chung Gong University in Taiwan, researchers found that acupressure treatments eliminated nearly 95 per cent of symptoms in clinical trial participants who suffered allergies and asthma. A review of 92 studies by the World Health Organization found that acupressure was as effective as prescription medication for relieving short-term symptoms and more effective than any other natural or conventional therapy for relieving long-term symptoms.

But what about cost? Does acupressure require trips to yet another expensive specialist?

Is there any way to do acupressure at home?
Providing just the right amount of pressure in just the right places. Acupressure nose massager extends the benefits of antihistamines, herbs, and good housekeeping. With the daily application of nose massage, you may get control over your allergy symptoms for good, without drugs, without shots, and without making major changes in your life.

Painless Wrinkle Filler - Could It Be True?

We all know that as we age, our skin changes. This process is influenced by many factors; it could be internal factors(genetics, age), external factors (sun-exposure, stress, smoking, drinking) and the combination of both. The development of wrinkles and facial folds stage a big dilemma for many of us.

In the fight against wrinkles best results can be achieved by combining a preventive wrinkle treatment with corrective wrinkle treatments. Although Botox簧 and Dysport??(or treatments alike) are highly effective wrinkle reducers, when it comes to wrinkles that have developed due to repetitive facial muscle movements, however these treatments are not suitable to be used as a wrinkle filler neither on already existing facial lines, nor on wrinkles caused by excessive sun-exposure.

But worry not! With the advantages of dermal filler injections, you can the erase the signs of aging. Filler injections can help by filling the existing facial folds, restoring lost volume and improving skin structure. Whether your need is to rejuvenate skin, smooth away wrinkles or enhance facial contours or lips - there is a dermal filler to do just that.

Wrinkle fillers are the perfect solution for people who prefer less invasive, non-surgical procedures. Advances in dermal filler treatments have made even full-face rejuvenations possible - without surgery. A highly effective non-surgical face lift usually consists of Dysport??or Botox簧 Cosmetic injections and a combination of facial line fillers.

Until recently, whenever people have talked about filler injections, they were referring to some type of collagen-based dermal filler. This type of collagen is a liquid protein that is extracted from cowhide. Because of the nature of this filler, some people have allergic reactions to it, therefore an allergy test is usually performed before it could be used on a patient.

To the contrary, some of the best wrinkle fillers are not derived from collagen, but rather, from substances naturally occurring in our bodies; such as hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite (a natural substance which exists in human bones and teeth). Since both of these substances occur naturally in the human body, these fillers require no allergy testing prior to treatment.

Radiesse簧 is one of the longest lasting wrinkle filler, its effects can last for 12-18 months. Radiesse filler is approved by the FDA, not only for cosmetic applications, but for medical uses as well. Its microspheres consist of calcium hydroxylapatite and they are suspended within a gel carrier. The gel carrier gradually resolves and is replaced with your own body's natural soft-tissue. Therefore it will remain soft and pliable and will take on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue. That makes Radiesse filler a great choice for non-surgical face-lift and facial contouring.

Typical Radiesse injections could be used in many ways: smoothing and contouring smile lines or nasolabial folds, acne scars, facial defects or recessions, frown lines and forehead wrinkles. As a facial line filler, Radiesse injection can also help by adding or restoring volume in and around the cheeks, or correcting asymmetrical features. However, when injected in the lips this substance can form nodules, or small lumps, in some patients.

For lip injections, Restylane簧 filler would be a great choice. Restylane簧 is made from non-animal based hyaluronic acid and it was developed as the first collagen-replacement therapy. It's proven to give long-lasting - up to 6 months - correction of moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles. Restylane injections could also be used for lip augmentation and/or enhancement.

Perlane簧 dermal filler was developed by the makers of Restylane簧 for the treatment of deeper facial wrinkles and folds, such as forehead wrinkles and nasolabial folds. It is excellent for non-surgical facial contouring. Perlane簧 is also a hyaluronic acid wrinkle filler that has been used across the world. It is also a popular dermal filler for the correction of facial depressions and scarring, and often used for lip injections.

Prevelle簧 Silk is another dermal filler that works by increasing the amount of hyaluronic acid naturally found in your skin, thus reducing the appearance of facial lines, wrinkles and folds. That's what makes Prevelle簧 Silk and excellent facial line filler.

Juvederm簧 filler is also made of hyaluronic acid. This injectable gel wrinkle filler was developed by the makers of Botox Cosmetic. Juvederm is ofter used in lip injections, as the gel base provides a very smooth, natural look. Studies show superior results of Juvederm簧 compared to a collagen-based dermal filler. In addition, Juvederm filler is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven to be safe and effective for persons of color.

Since these filler injections usually do not pose a threat in form of allergic reactions, side-effects are mostly injection-related. Some of these injection-related side-effects are swelling, itching and tenderness, but the most common issue is the pain and discomfort that is caused by the needle penetration and the suddenly expanding tissue.

That's what inspired some of the dermal filler manufacturers to provide patients with a more comfortable treatment. Thus the idea of a painless wrinkle filler was born. If you want a more youthful appearance, but you're concerned about the potential discomfort, now you can get the same results without the pain. These brand new fillers have the added benefit of a local anesthetic to reduce injection-site pain during the procedure. By combining lidocaine with these highly effective fillers, the solution itself helps reduce discomfort during and after treatment. And that reduces your downtime to the very minimum; you will be able to walk out of your doctor's office the minute your procedure is done, with smoother skin and soft, natural results.

Some of the biggest brand-names, that are currently offering this new line of wrinkle fillers are Restylane簧, Perlane簧, Juvederm簧, Prevelle簧 and Artefill簧.

How Chiropractors Take a Holistic Approach in Treating Allergies

Allergies are a common health condition many individuals experience. In the US alone, it is estimated that allergy-associated problems affect 20% of the total population - and that is a conservative estimate. It is believed that the figure is higher than that if 'non-traditional' allergies are included such as migraine headache or digestive reactions to foods and substances.

With the estimated figure above, no wonder that there are lots of individuals who are going to chiropractors asking help to address allergy-related issues. Many choose this alternative as it is a more natural approach compared to conventional medical treatments.

So, how do chiropractors address allergy problems?

Chiropractors take a holistic approach to treating allergy problems; they do not address the allergy alone but the root cause of the problem as well. Here are some techniques used by chiropractors to address allergies and sensitivities:

• Meridian Stress Assessment - it is a computerized analysis that measures the electrical (galvanic) conductivity in your acupoints. A chiropractor stimulates the body with sub-sensory electric signals, which serves as the 'electrical blueprints' of a suspected allergen. The result or change in readings of the acupoints is analyzed. An out-of-range acupoints reading indicates sensitivity and severity.


• Kinesiology - also known as muscle testing and is used to simple conditions. The procedure includes testing of a strong muscle with an allergen and examining that muscle if it weakens after the exposure.


• ASERT treatment - stands for Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination Reprogramming Technique, a unique procedure that involves laser stimulation of both the central nervous system and the acupoints with 'electrical blueprints' of the identified allergens, which reprograms the brain/body with the new message telling that these substances cause no harm.


• Nutritional and Lifestyle Counseling - in addition to some laboratory procedures, a patient with allergy issues may be given nutritional and lifestyle counseling, which helps that person adjusts to eating a much healthier foods and embrace a much healthier lifestyle. He may also receive customized or specialized diet guidelines (e.g. therapeutic elimination diet or cleansing protocols).

Finding a good chiropractor in your area

You might want to consider going to a chiropractor to seek for help so it is imperative that you go to a proven-reputable one. The Internet can be a great help to find some prospects. You can search through local directories such as Google Places, Yahoo Local, Yelp, etc. - they are huge repositories of local businesses info in your area, including chiropractor local listings.

Allergy Tests - Types and Uses

Allergies are common and can be caused due to a number of reasons. Depending on a person's body and its sensitivity towards various food items and environments, a person can turn allergic towards various food items and elements in the surroundings. If you think you or any of your family members has an allergy, the best thing to do is to go for allergy blood test. The test will help you find out if you have an allergy and if you do, what causes this condition. Once you'd know the cause, you will be able to manage the condition in a better manner and can prevent it from becoming worse.

There are some symptoms like fever that signal allergies due to pollens but it is always important to reach up to the root cause and understand the intricacies before the symptoms become too complicated. Undergoing allergy skin test or allergy blood test also helps in monitoring the condition and treating it the right way. Some children who have allergies when they're young but they get better with age and are able to get rid of them. This can only happen if regular allergy tests are performed to see if the condition is improving and if the medication is helping or not. There are various types of tests that are performed to check the type and cause of allergies. Here they are:

Blood test - Allergy blood test is also known as IgE test. In this test, human blood is tested to find out the amount of IgE antibodies. These antibodies are produced when our immune system responds to the allergen.

Food challenge - If you have an allergy due to a food item, this test is the best to determine the causes. These tests work accurately and are also known as oral challenges. To find out the causes of the food allergy, the patient is given food items that he thinks are the reasons behind the condition. The amount given is increased slowly over a period of time to see the body's reaction to it. The doctor will test on food item per appointment and will try to figure out the accurate reasons.

Skin prick test - Most of the doctors will generally perform this test before performing any other skin allergy test. This method of testing is safe, painless as well as quick. In this test, the suspected allergen is pricked into your body to find out if there's any reaction. Results of this test are made available in just 20 minutes.

If you think you're suffering from an allergy, make sure you reach out to your doctor to perform the above mentioned tests.

Walnut Allergy Information

Walnuts are nutritious and delicious and sadly often cause allergy symptoms. Walnuts are a type of tree nut - like Cashews, Brazil and Hazel nuts. An allergy to one of these types of nut often means that all other tree nuts need to be avoided because the walnut proteins that trigger the reaction are similar to other nut proteins.

It might be possible to eat peanuts, however, since they are very different to tree nuts and an allergy to peanuts depends on different proteins and has no connection to Walnuts at all.

The symptoms of a nut allergy may be confined to the mouth with tingling and or itching sensations in and around the mouth. This is often called Oral Allergy Syndrome. More serious symptoms are vomiting, hives and diarrhea. The most serious type of allergic reaction involves difficulty in breathing, is called anaphylactic shock and requires emergency treatment.

The treatment options of nut allergy are limited. Symptoms are controlled with anti-histamines from natural sources such as vitamin C and Quercetin or from standard pharmacy preparations recommended by your Doctor.

Otherwise we simply have to avoid eating walnuts and foods which may include them or other nuts. This can be very difficult and involve much study of food labels and long phone calls to food companies. Such diligence is essential if we want to avoid unpleasant or possibly dangerous reactions.

Another approach which may be worthwhile if the allergy reaction is severe is to completely redesign your diet so that you can be certain that you are eating good nutritious food free of nuts and from nut oil! Home cooking may be the safest course of action, even if it means spending more time in the kitchen.

If you are unsure of whether you are allergic to walnuts then an allergy test is the answer. An allergist will probably arrange a skin prick test in which small amounts of test solutions are scratched into the skin of your arm or back. This sounds painful but I've seen lots of people go through such allergy testing and it does not seem to hurt. Another option is to have a small amount of blood drawn and forwarded to an allergy laboratory where it is given a R.A.S.T. test in which a whole panel of possible allergies may be screened from one sample of blood.

Either way gives you a firm starting point from which to design a suitable diet and with which to control your allergy symptoms.

How to Cure Eczema Yellow Skin

Eczema yellow skin is a more difficult problem to solve than standard itching and rashes as with most common cases of eczema. It can be difficult to prescribe the right solution as it is more resilient to medication and dietary changes. However, it is still most certainly possible to quickly and easily solve this with the right lifestyle changes and the right medication from a licensed dermatologist.

Having eczema yellow skin and blisters is usually an indication of a rarer, more severe type of eczema known as dyshidrotic dermatitis. The lesions and swelling of the blisters is caused by allergic reactions, but is significantly more severe. Because of this, I don't recommend trying to heal this form of eczema with natural treatments alone. It usually requires a powerful steroid base medication either in pill form or from a topical cream.

Consulting a dermatologist is very important. It is not only important due to the severity of the condition, but also because prescription medication is often required to fix it. I personally recommend a combination of prescription medicine from your doctor as well as healthy lifestyle changes to eliminate allergens from affecting your skin throughout the day.

These allergens can be anything from pet dander and hair to eggs or fish. You have to determine your own skin allergens based on either elimination dieting or skin allergy testing. A licensed dermatologist can perform a skin allergy test that will determine what your skin is most sensitive to. This can eliminate the need to get rid of elements from your diet strategically until you figure out what affects your skin the most.

The test is simple and involves placing various substances on your skin to see what you react to the most. Common triggers of eczema that cause eczema yellow skin are eggs, fish, onions, wheat, food dye and citrus. Figure out which of these bothers you and get them out of your diet and out of your house for best results.

Bee Pollen Allergic Reactions - What They Are And How To Deal With Them

Although the number of people who have bee pollen allergic reactions are few the severity and seriousness cannot be ignored. The problem begins when people rush into using this supplement. It is with sincerity that we encourage new bee pollen converts to start slowly. Use the tolerance testing system to make sure you can handle the substance before taking the full dosage.

To avoid bee pollen allergic reactions you need to start small. This test that we are about to tell you of can be taken even if you have bought capsules. Since with capsules it is a simple matter of either twisting them open or using a sharp small blade to slit them open. These are the steps to follow:

1. Place one small granule beneath your tongue and allow time for it to dissolve completely. By placing it under tongue you are facilitating an increased absorption rate. The mucous membranes beneath the tongue are the best option to facilitate this form of testing.

2. If after taking the small dose you feel no change then put two grains under your tongue and wait for a reaction.

3. Continue in this manner until you have reached the maximum amount. If after taking a full dose you do not have a reaction, wait a day or two to be on the safe side. If nothing happens you are not allergic.

Now on the other hand the symptoms you are to look for are the following.

1. Pruritus - Itchy skin, but not just any itch this is an incapacitating itch that can lead to a very ugly rash. This problem can be solved simply by discontinuing the use of the pollen.

2. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is also another of the common bee pollen allergic reactions. The intestinal tract gets saturated by eosinophils, which is a type of white blood cells. They are normally at a level of 1-3% but in cases of allergic reaction they can get much higher. This overload can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Stop taking the pollen and seek medical attention.

3. The most severe bee pollen allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. This is the most dangerous reaction you can get. It happens immediately so if you are performing the tolerance test it will happen when you take the first granule. The person gets hives, a narrowing of the sir passages, a rapid or weakened pulse, vomiting, nausea, dizziness and fainting. If any of this happens seek medical attention right away.

As you can see we are holding nothing back. A fully informed person can decide for themselves what risks to take. The testing for bee pollen allergic reactions is one way to make sure you do not endanger your life. Another way to make sure that you get the the best possible supplement is to buy from a pristine source.

This is where we can help you once again, the people we buy from get their pollen from New Zealand. The reason we like this pollen is that it has the least possibility of being contaminated. To get a supply of this precious pure substance follow the link below. Http://about-bee-pollen.com

Can You Really Benefit From Jan Marini Products?

The hundred-dollar question is exactly that. What are the benefits? In reality only your dermatologist can help you decide that, as the products offered by this company are only sold through licensed professionals. The entire reach of such formulations is to solve specific underlying skin conditions, as developed by someone who is a practised researcher. This all looks good on paper, but what about the scientific proof?

Some extensive searching for the layperson tends to turn up very little. One would suppose then that this is because the product is not designed to be used without a dermatologist's supervision. In fact, one would go so far as to suggest that if someone was serious about trying these products that seeing a dermatologist would be the first step. It might even be worth it to have allergy testing done in the office to make sure that the investment (bottles can run in excess of hundred pounds) is actually something that one can use safely.

One thing that did turn up is that the access is limited to these products. This tends to make since, as when dealing with something as powerful as these seem to be one would not want them to be abused or used improperly. The company's sale growth, however, indicates that professionals worldwide do trust the research work being done, as the products are being bought and sold. One upside to this is that there are enough different products that when someone consults with their dermatologist about how to treat a specific condition the doctor has a nice range of options all from the same maker that are designed to work together perfectly from which to tailor a specific skin care regimen. There is a greatly reduced worry about chemical conflicts or other issues that might arise from mixing brands to treat specific problems.

There is a great benefit to this. For one, clients need not worry so much about strange interactions between products being used together, because it is assumed that each formulation is designed to work seamlessly with the others in the same product line. Secondly, it should be fairly easy to mix and match what is needed to address the issues being dealt with, be it poor skin condition, smoking damage, ache, rosacea, age spots, or just about anything else.

What is it about these formulations that are unique? They use glycolic acid to refine the texture of the skin. You can find vitamin A and vitamin C in a number of the lifting serums designed to assist with sagging that occurs in the deeper levels of the skin. Plus there are other advancements that have made their way into various products that make them condition better. For the professional all the offerings are easy to cross reference at any time. The bottom line is, this is not a company that makes things for the layperson. Rather, people should consult their dermatologist and work together with him or her to determine which is the best product options for them.

Common Triggers For Eczema Rashes - What Factors Can Cause Or Increase Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema is an itchy, red rash that for some begin as babies. Let's look at some typical triggers that can either be the cause or a significant aggravating factor for eczema rashes. There can be both food reactions as well as external irritants.

Home Factors

First, do an analysis of your home to see if there are problems with dust, pet hair, humidity issues or reactions to rugs. Whatever is on the bed should be washed in hot water with a detergent that is for sensitive skin. This includes not just the sheets and blankets but also stuffed animals. An allergist can do a skin prick test for dust mites to determine of the atopic eczema or dermatitis has that origin. In any case, vacuum regularly and use a humidfier if the air is dry in house due to forced heat.

What Are You Eating

Foods are known to cause skin rashes and the biggest culprits seem to be eggs, dairy, nuts and seafood. Again an allergist can help with testing or you can put yourself on a rotation or elimination diet. Watch out for fooddyes as well in food. I have had clients react to the food coloring in candies.Kids may not cooperate with dietary restrictions to test things so you may want to have allergy testing by an allergist instead to see if food trigger or aggravate the atopic dermatitis. This also applies to other forms of eczema such as nummular eczema eczema including contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or discoid dermatitis.

External Conditions

It's good to wear cotton clothing and avoid wool while you are sorting things out. Some people react to latex so be aware of your gloves. A mild soap like dove for sensitive skin works well as it contains no perfumes. For bathing use oatmeal baths rather than commercial bath soaks. Check your detergent to be sure it is dye free.

Do not use hot water for showers but instead use luke warm water. Avoid scrubbing the skin either with a towel or using abrasives. I once aggravated my eczema rash using a salt scrub harshly on my skin and paid for that dearly. If you work where they use lots of chemicals examine that. For other employment, find out when they clean and see if you can take a break during that time.

Understanding the Common Symptoms of a Latex Allergy

Latex allergies are something that was once a big problem with health care professionals. Now that they have other types of gloves the problem isn't as problematic. There are still groups of people who have allergic reactions to latex and for these people avoiding latex products is important. It is the rubbery substance that gloves are made out of that causes the allergy sufferers an outbreak, not latex based paints. Allergic reactions can have a delayed or an immediate reaction.

Immediate reactions have the potential to be fatal. Direct contact with latex can trigger allergic reactions. Within a short time, usually only minutes, of exposure the allergy sufferer begins to break out in hives. Shortly thereafter tightness in the throat starts, wheezing and breathing difficulties can quickly move to anaphylaxis and then death. For most people with serious reactions, it requires actual physical contact with latex, for some people their allergies are so serious and they are so sensitive that just taking a pill that was in a bottle having a latex stopper in it can cause a serious, immediate allergic reaction.

A delayed latex allergy can cause itchy reddened and mildly swollen skin in the area that the latex contacted about 12 to 24 hours after the contact. This is an annoying reaction but is generally harmless. This type of reaction is from the chemicals used in the process of making latex.

An allergy specialist can do a patch test by putting components of latex on the skin and reading the results in 48 to 96 hours to diagnose a delayed reaction. Immediate reactions are difficult to test for with skin tests due to a lack of latex extract instead RAST is used. Allergy tests should only be done by a licensed doctor who is experienced in allergy diagnosis.

There a few food allergies that often cause symptoms that are similar to those found in people who have latex allergies. These include avocado, banana, chestnuts, kiwi, and melons.

The best way to treat this type of allergy is to prevent exposure to latex. If you have already been exposed to latex the treating the symptoms to find relief is your next course of action. Latex balloons, condoms, and gloves used in cleaning as well as those used in medical practices should be avoided. This is only the beginning; there are latex pacifiers, latex nipples for baby bottles, erasers toys, rubber bands and more. Reading the labels on products before handling them if you are sensitive is of utmost importance.

If you are going to have surgery the hospital and the physician need to know of your allergy and they need to clean the rooms thoroughly and make sure to use only non-latex gloves and instruments that have not been in contact with latex products.

Allergy attacks should be treated by a physician immediately if there are any breathing difficulties. There are shots that can be given to help prevent allergic reactions. An epinephrine shot may be needed if the allergy attack is severe. Most people with severe latex allergies carry an EpiPen to treat immediate reactions.

5 Common Rashes That Can Cause Foot Pain and Irritation

Rashes aren't generally known for being terrifying. In fact, Hollywood has yet to produce a B-grade horror movie called, "The Rash That Came From Nowhere," or "The Rash That Ate Omaha." So, rashes don't really inspire a great deal of fear, but they are annoying and can be very uncomfortable. For some people (such as people with diabetes) they may even pose a significant risk if the skin breaks down (allowing infection to get in). But we don't have to sit back and let rashes invade our skin unimpeded. No, no. There are ways to fight these annoying irritations.

Rashes can be caused by many things, but we can break these causes down into a few general categories:

1) Eczema - The term eczema may actually refer to pretty much any time the skin becomes irritated or inflamed. Some people experience flare-ups when under emotional stress, or when the skin of their foot encounters an irritating substance, such as chemicals found in socks or shoes.

2) Psoriasis - This is likely to show up as dry, flaky skin, which may bleed when scratched off.

3) Primary Irritant Dermatitis - This type of dermatitis shows up when the skin of the foot is exposed to a harsh substance, such as chemicals that may be found at work, or when people soak their feet in vinegar, bleach, or other strong substances without direction from a doctor.

4) Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Rashes of this sort form when the foot is exposed to something that (surprise, surprise) causes an allergic reaction. Poison ivy is a relatively common culprit, and some people may be allergic to dyes or other chemicals in socks or shoes.

5) Athlete's Foot - Caused by a fungus, this type of rash thrives in moist environments (like sweaty feet).

Symptoms tend to vary depending on the type of rash you have. Typically though, skin becomes inflamed (red, warm to the touch, possibly a bit swollen) and itchy. Your skin may also appear dry, scaly, or may peel and crack. Or, pustules or blisters may form. (Perhaps Hollywood wouldn't be so far off in making an "Attack of the Rash" movie after all, eh?) Rashes from athlete's foot tend to show up along the bottom of the foot, or between toes.

Because rashes may have a variety of causes, your podiatrist may employ several different methods to determine from whence your rash hath sprung. He or she will likely ask you about your symptoms (such as how long you've been experiencing them, when they tend to show up, etc.) and will probably perform a physical examination of the affected part of your foot. If athlete's foot is suspected, the podiatrist may take a scraping of the skin to see if fungus is at the root of your problem. If you or your doctor believe you're experiencing an allergic reaction, you might need to undergo allergy testing to determine the exact cause.

How your rash is treated really depends on what is causing it. For instance, cool compresses tend to be beneficial for primary irritant dermatitis (which are basically chemical burns), while steroidal creams are often effective at toning down allergic reactions. Anti-fungal medications (creams, powders, or pills) may be prescribed to fight athlete's foot. However, treating your rash incorrectly could make the problem a lot worse. So, whether you're terrified of "The Rash That Came in the Night" or not, be sure to have it checked by a qualified foot doctor before you try to tackle it on your own.

Why Go To an Allergist for Diagnosis and Treatment?

If you think you have allergies, you should get to an allergist. Some people try to deal with this issue on their own, taking over the counter medications that do not always work. Others simply think a trip to their regular doctor should suffice. However, you should see a specialist for this condition due to a few reasons.

Your regular doctor is a good person to go to for a yearly check-up, or a diagnosis when you are sick. You can even schedule an appointment if you are not sure whether your issue is allergies or a cold. However, few doctors are as well-versed on this condition as allergists are. Your doctor may be able to tell you that you likely do not have a cold or any other temporary issue that would cause your symptoms, but he or she might not be able to accurately diagnose an allergy.

But an allergist can. This type of specialist has access to all the equipment and tests needed to decide whether you have allergies. In addition, doctors like this have specialist training, meaning they spend years learning about every type of allergy, and the typical family physician does not have to do this. This means you have a better chance of an accurate diagnosis, often within just a few visits. If you value your time and want to know for sure whether you have an allergy, an allergist is likely the best person to talk to.

Of course, once you are diagnosed correctly, you can begin the treatment process. This often consists of taking certain medications, unless of course you can simple stay away from the allergen that causes your symptoms. This is not always possible, especially if you are allergic to pollen or other items that are commonly in the air during certain seasons. Therefore, you will likely need to take allergy medications, and your allergist can let you know which one is best. This may require that you take a few different medications to find out which one works best, and during this time, you will be monitored by the specialist to determine what works and what doesn't. This process may take weeks or months, but by the end, you should have an answer.

If allergies are bothering you, your regular physician likely cannot help much unless he or she has treated several patients for this issue. This is why you should go to an allergist for help. You will likely be able to find the right treatment after taking some tests and trying out a few different medications, making your trip to this type of specialist worth your time.

Clearing Diaper Candida Rash in Baby's Skins By Colloidal Silver

My friend has a 7.5 month old daughter who has had a diaper candida rash-like for 2 months now. She is not sure if it is yeast-caused, because she can keep the yeast under control with topical nystatin, but the redness stays and gets worse when she poops. I have taken her to a pediatric allergist and she does not think its allergy related, and we did some allergy testing and it was all negative. Anyway, she also had a very mild case of thrush that went away easily with gentian violet, and also what she thinks is a vaginal yeast infection. But, she thinks the thrush may be back (her nipples are a little red) and she is having a little bit of vaginal itching as well. And the diaper rash is still there.

She has tried giving probiotics, but she is still refused taking solids yet and it is really hard to get it down her. She has tried all kinds of over the counter and even diflucan for a week on her. She is not sure if yeast is really the problem or just grows on her because of all of the irritation on her bottom. She has taken her to 2 pediatricians, and the allergist, as well as 2 family practice, which they all just say some kids skin are more sensitive and she will outgrow it. She just doesn't believe it and doesn't know what to do now.

It is true and I have to agree with the doctors told her that baby's skins are sometimes too sensitive. As a suggestion from me is that you really need to try spraying the colloidal silver along with MSM on the skin. I don't know if it works for you, but it is absolutely worth a try as I often did that.

The Loneliest Illness - Dealing With Depression

If you are one of the millions who suffer with the blues or fear you are on the brink of depression, you are not alone, even if it feels like it. This article is a call to action for anyone struggling with feelings of depression, feelings of hopelessness and feelings of emotional isolation.

In this article we are going to cover seven strategic steps that will help fight against the spiral of depression. Although it won't always be easy to implement them, you will find that after a short time, the pay off will be worth it.

1) Fight Isolation - Do a quick friend and family inventory and see who makes you feel better. Make deliberate plans to surround yourself with people that encourage and lift you up. If you can't think of anyone in your family or social circles, there are always online communities/forums that create fantastic opportunities to connect.

2) Get Moving - Yes I know that everything in you wants to pull the covers over your head or watch Two and a Half Men reruns, but taking even 10 minutes to get up and run stairs, walk around the block or dance like a maniac will give you a more immediate hit of feel good chemicals than any anti-depressant on the market.

3) Watch Your ZZZs - The blues can be made worse by not getting enough sleep, or by getting too much. Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night is a great goal. If you are having a hard time getting to sleep, try a natural supplement like melatonin or valerian root, to support your body's ability to relax and ease into slumber. If you are getting too much sleep than set goals and cut back on it. Don't take naps and commit to a wake up time every morning.

4) Get to the Root of the Problem - The fact that I am a counsellor may make me a little biased, but I have seen amazing results when individuals have taken responsibility for their feelings and taken action towards finding the cause of their feelings. This is a very empowering process and I have seen individuals stop depression in its tracks and transform their experience of life.

5) Nutrition - I know eat more vegetables...blah, blah, blah. This is how I felt too and then one day I started keeping a food journal for a course I was taking. I was shocked to notice that if I had a lot of sugar for more than three days in a row, I would begin to feel blue and lethargic. Food impact how we feel and there is a ton of scientific research to back it up, so make sure you are getting the nutrients you need. Also, be aware of how different foods impact you and consider allergy testing.

6) Natural Supplements - Before you hit the prescription anti-depressants, which can have a number of side effects, try a natural mood enhancer. Both GABA and L-5-HTP have been shown to be effective in supporting emotional health. There are also a number of herbal blends that are a combination of natural herbs proven to help mild depression and anxiety, such as Vitabase's Mood Support or Dr. Weil's Mood Support Formula.

7) Feed Your Spirit - This will look different for different people, but it is imperative to know what feeds your spirit. I have seen a number of people fall into depression by replacing a connection to their spirit with the business of life. I have also seen amazing leaps out of depression by individuals learning to establish a connection with their core. For some this is done in nature, through art or music, through developing a relationship with a higher power or by practicing living in the present. The list is endless, so grab a pen and paper and start writing down what makes you feel the most alive or grounded. What fills your cup?

None of the 7 strategies are quick fixes or solutions on their own, however using them, in the early stages of depression or in combination with the care of a physician, can be very effective. Depression does not have to be hopeless. For some, it can be an invitation to changes that will lead to a better, more fulfilling life.

Allergy and Asthma Toxins in Baby Bath Products

Is you baby being exposed to Asthma and Allergy toxins such as 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde? The answer is yes from a study conducted by "Campaign For Safe Cosmetics" in March of 2009. I would take a second look at your "Sesame Street" character brands and the "Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo. This is pretty serious for our children's health and must be remedied quickly or else the long term complications will arise out of their use on our children.

These chemicals, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known animal carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Individuals with Asthma, Allergies and The Chemically Injured can be affected by these products too. Formaldehyde is also known to cause skin rashes in allergic children. We have one client who's child is highly allergic to multiple baby shampoos.

According to a study conducted by "Campaign For Safe Cosmetics", additional products have also been identified for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane. The products are the following: Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Johnson's Baby Wash, Huggies Baby Wash and Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath. The tests also found the carcinogen in Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many other personal care products.

If you are concerned about your children developing Asthma, Allergies or becoming Chemically Injured, we recommend that you limit your children's exposure to these products until they can be further evaluated and tested more for long term effects. We are also concerned about the chemicals that can cause contact dermatitis in children in these products.

What this means to you as a parent: The FDA does not require contaminants to be listed on the labels or require companies to test for safety issues or contaminants before they go on the market. As a result of this investigation, Safe Homes is sure that the FDA will make some major changes in the way they do business. In the meantime, as Parents, take this matter into your own hands and try to limit your child's exposure to organic or Health Food Store products only. This should help your children and protect from these toxins in Baby Bath Products. It will also send a message to these companies which will require them to change their formulation and marketing approach.

In conclusion, children's products should be evaluated for the presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children. In the average home, some children can be exposed on a daily basis using the named products by "Campaign For Safe Cosmetics". We do not know the long term implications of this exposure to formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children but I would not let my children use such products.

Could You Be Suffering From Chemical Intolerance?

- 25 year old Peggy avoids cheese because they give her heartburn.

- Rob loves chocolate but he can't have them just before he goes to bed because it makes him restless at night.

- Angie cannot eat potato crisps because it makes her nauseous.

What's with these people and others like them? Or, is it something in the food?

Everyone wants food that looks good, tastes great and is easy to make and carry. Naturally, manufacturers have come up with a solution that keeps consumers happy - fast food. The preservatives, coloring agents and 'permitted' flavors (both natural and artificial) you take in through these foods are chemicals that are being introduced into the body. Then, there are the natural toxins and chemicals produced by plants and animals that enter the body from the food we take in. After a while, the stomach becomes a cesspool of dangerous chemicals.

We cannot keep on ingesting harmful chemicals and hope to carry on. At the end of the day, there is only so much we can stomach. Over a period of time, we step over the threshold limit of safe consumption. This is when chronic problems related to chemical and food intolerance hits us - in a big way.

The reason we are intolerant to chemicals is because of the body's innate inability to break down most of the chemicals we take in. While some people may not have the enzymes that break down toxins and chemicals, others may produce corresponding enzymes in very low quantities. When these chemicals are not broken down and absorbed, you develop symptoms of chemical intolerance. Chemical intolerance produces undesirable effects in the long term.

The most common symptoms associated with chemical intolerance include headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, aching joints, allergies, tiredness and mood swings. While some people suffer minor discomforts, others are hit by chronic problems. So, there are no stereotypes here. Depending upon our age, habits and constitution, our capacity to tolerate chemicals also varies. How much and what kind of chemicals you can tolerate is unique to you. The reactions you suffer from are also unique. In chronic cases, chemical intolerance can even cause arthritis, chronic backaches, asthma and eczema. But, if you're like most people who eat a lot of different foods, you will likely not realize that these symptoms are the result of chemical or food intolerance.

Most people are unable to identify chemical intolerance because the symptoms are insidious, subtle and often take some time to appear. Many times, even doctors miss the connection because of the time lag between food consumption and the appearance of symptoms.

So, here's a tip: If you find yourself suffering from headaches, listlessness, tiredness, general weakness and uncontrollable hunger pangs, you might be suffering from food or chemical intolerance. Several studies have shown how people suffering from various unexplained illnesses have recuperated wonderfully when they changed their diet. Identifying the chemical or additive that triggers reactions in you will help you avoid foods that contain the offending agent. That way, you will be safeguarding your health for a much longer period of time and living life more comfortably.

Asthma and Senior Citizens - Coping With Asthma Or Allergies

You have just retired and are looking forward to your new life and then it starts to happen. A cough begins and you go to the Doctor to find out what is happening. The Doctor says it is a minor cough. You go on with your retirement but the cough is persistent. Again, back to the Doctor, medical tests show nothing. The Doctor says it is probably an allergy. You accept that and go on with your retirement.

Asthma can begin at any age, especially when you may have had it as a child. From our experience at Safe Homes, we find a lot of Retirees that develop some form of Allergy or Asthma after they retire. Why is that your ask? To begin with, when you were working you were away from home a lot, then you started staying at home. Our experience at Safe Homes shows that this is an Environmental Factor due to something you are using in your home.

Allergy at home: how could that happen? First, your lifestyle has changed and you probably have become more aware of your Indoor Environment. You see more bugs at home that you did not see before you retired and now you decide to kill the bugs. You run out to Home Depot, Lowes or your local hardware store and get the best pesticide you can find. Come home and do your own application of the pesticides. Your job now is to kill the bugs and you will get rid of them no matter what.

First, did you ever stop to look at the warning label on the pesticide? Most people do not read the warning label and just start spraying to make sure they kill all the bugs they find. Some individuals even get a little crazy about killing the bugs and start fogging their houses. I had one house where we found in the garage five different types of pesticides they were using to kill bugs in the house besides the monthly service they had come to get rid of the bugs.

Here is a sample label on a Bug Spray Fogger: Overexposure to foggers can cause breathing problems, dizziness,and nausea. Foggers can also trigger asthma. This is a very serious warning label. The person fogging the house did not read the label and fogged one bedroom and closed the door figuring it would stay there and kill the bugs. They forgot that the A/C was on and it was drawn into the Living Room where they were watching television. They ended up in the Emergency Room from an allergic reaction.

Here is another sample label on a spray on mosquito spray: Hazards to humans--Warning: Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Harmful if swallowed. Do not get in eyes. Use of this product may cause skin reactions in rare cases. Wash treated clothing before wearing it again. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling, and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, or using tobacco. I am sure most individuals do not even think about the consequences of using this product, only the results of using it. This product was applied to a little girl at a Birthday Party who had an allergic reaction and ended up in the Emergency Room.

In conclusion, pesticides can aggravate any type of Allergy or Asthma condition. Use of these products should be monitored by a professional who knows that you have Allergies or Asthma. If the Professional knows you have Allergies or Asthma, they will do a less toxic form of baiting to kill the bugs. It takes a little longer but it does the same without spraying bug spray in your home. I personally use baiting traps in my home and have no ants or bugs for over 10 years now. They work and you will not poison yourself or aggravate your Asthma or Allergies. Remember to read the Warning Label!

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.

Food Lectins in Health and Disease: An Introduction

In recent years it appears there is a rising epidemic of people suffering from chronic digestive and autoimmune conditions. Food intolerance or sensitivities may lie at the root of the problem. Most people, including doctors, have little clue how foods they eat may be contributing to their chronic illness, fatigue and digestive symptoms.

There are, however, a lot of clues in the medical literature and the lay public's experience about how foods are causing and/or contributing to the current epidemic of chronic illness and autoimmune disease. There are several diets being used by many people with varying success to improve their health despite a general lack of iron clad scientific proof for their effectiveness. One of the clues to the cause and relief of food induced illness may lie in proteins known as lectins that are present in all foods.

Animal and plant sources of food both contain complex proteins known as lectins. These proteins typically have the ability to attach to sugars or carbohydrates on the surface of human cells. Some of these proteins can cause clumping of human red blood cells, a process that is called agglutination. The process of agglutination occurs when someone receives the wrong blood type during a blood transfusion. In fact, red blood cell agglutination specific to each person or groups of people is the basis for testing for blood types. There is some data that blood types may influence how people respond to certain foods though a blood type specific diet appears to have been disproven. The attachment or binding of certain food lectins can initiate a variety of cell specific effects. These reactions may mimic hormones or cause changes in cells. This is termed molecular mimicry.

Most plants contain lectins, some of which are toxic, inflammatory, or both. Many of these plant and dairy lectin are resistant to cooking and digestive enzymes. Grain lectins, for example, are quite resistant to human digestion but well suited for ruminants like cattle who have multi-chambered stomachs. Therefore, lectins are present in our food and are often resistant to our digestion and some have been scientifically shown to have significant GI toxicity in humans. Others have been shown to be beneficial and maybe even cancer protecting. Either way plant and animal proteins are foreign proteins to the body and are dealt with by digestion and our immune system in a positive or negative manner.

The human digestive system was created to handle a variety of plant and animal proteins through the process of digestion and elimination. Some plant and animal proteins or lectins are severely toxic to humans and cannot be eaten without causing death like those in Castor beans and some mushrooms. Other foods must be prepared before they are safe to be eaten. Preparations may include pealing, prolonged soaking and cooking like kidney beans. Other foods may be poorly tolerated because of a genetic predisposition or underlying pre-existing food allergy or intolerance. Others are tolerated to some degree or quantity but not in large amounts or on a frequent basis. People who are intolerant to the milk sugar lactose, because of inherited or acquired deficiency in lactase enzyme, may tolerate small amounts but may have severe bloating, gas, abdominal pain and cramps with explosive diarrhea when a large amount of lactose containing foods are eaten. Foods can become intolerable to some people after their immune system changes or gut is injured from another cause.

Of the food lectins, grain/cereal lectins; dairy lectins; and legume lectins (especially peanut lectin and soybean lectin) are the most common ones associated with reports of aggravation of inflammatory and digestive diseases in the body and improvement of those diseases and/or symptoms when avoided. Recent research by Loren Cordain PhD., has suggested that these lectins may effectively serve as a "Trojan horse" allowing intact or nearly intact foreign proteins to invade our natural gut defenses and enter behind the lines to cause damage well beyond the gut, commonly in joints, brain, and skin of affected individuals. Once damage occurs to the gut and the defense system is breached the result is what some refer to as a "leaky gut". Moreover, many people who develop a "leaky gut" not only have gut symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain but also other symptoms beyond the gut, or extra-intestinal symptoms. Commonly affected areas are the brain or peripheral nerves, skin, joints, and various body glands. With continued exposure of the gut by these toxic food lectins a persistent stimulation of the body's defense mechanism in a dysfunctional manner, occurs, i.e. autoimmune disease.

Wrong types or levels of good and bad bacteria in the gut, or intestinal dysbiosis, may contribute to this process of abnormal stimulation of the immune system. Research supports the strong possibility that such stimulation may be accentuated by interaction of the bacteria with food lectins. It is believed by some that this may further worsen gut injury and autoimmune disease. This latter concept is gaining acceptance and recognition by doctors in one form as the hygiene theory. It is speculated that our gut bacteria have become altered by increased hygiene and over use of antibiotics and that this phenomenon may be playing a significant role in the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and chronic intestinal diseases like Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Lectins as a cause however are largely being ignored in the U.S. though the field of lectinology and lectins role in disease is more accepted internationally. Avoidance of certain food lectins may be helpful in achieving health and healing of chronic gut injury. Healing of a "leaky gut" and avoidance of ongoing abnormal stimulation of the immune system by toxic food lectins and bacteria in the gut is the basis for ongoing research and probable success of several popular diets such as the paleo diet, carbohydrate specific diet and gluten-free/casein-free diet. More research is needed in this exciting but often neglected area. The Food Doc, LLC features a website http://www.thefooddoc.com that will provide physician authored information on food intolerance, sensitivity and allergy such as lectin, gluten, casein, and lactose intolerance with dietary guidance that will feature in the near future an online symptom assessment and diet-diary.

Copyright 2006, The Food Doc, LLC. All rights reserved. http://www.thefooddoc.com

Allergists Stop The Chain Reaction

When I became a teenager, some strange changes started taking place in my body. These were not the expected changes, like a screechy voice or hair growing all over my face. That happened as well, but these other changes were even more distressful. I started sneezing, even though I was not sick, and my skin got itchy in strange spots. My eyes would water for no apparent reason, and I occasionally had trouble breathing. Once, the breathing got so difficult that my parents took me to a doctor who, upon examination, informed my family that I was having an asthma attack, likely triggered by my recent onset of allergies. I was given an epinephrine shot and admitted to the hospital for a few days to ensure that I did not also have pneumonia, and once I had the all clear, I was sent to an ear, nose, and throat doctor so that he could put me through a battery of tests to determine what things I was now allergic to and to set up a regimen to desensitize me in order to help prevent future related asthma attacks.

The allergist used my arms and back to expose me to several different allergens, which involved small injections in a mapped out pattern all over my skin. I returned later so that they could measure my reactions, and it was determined that I was allergic to cottonwood trees, sage brush, and cigarette smoke, all of which were a part of my everyday life because of where we lived and the smokers in our family. From that point on, any time someone wanted to smoke, I or they would have to leave the house. In time, the reactions to cottonwood trees and sage brush were lessened, but to this day, whenever I am around cigarette smoke for any duration of time, I begin to feel ill. Just the same, the allergist made a huge difference in my life.

Allergy Skin Tests as a Method of Diagnosing Allergy in Children

Similarly like in the case of adults, skin tests can be performed in children of any age, but we know from experience that the skin of a child up to the 3rd year is very sensitive and reacts strongly to allergens, often in such a way that makes it difficult to make correct diagnosis.

One of the most common allergen upsetting small children and infants is the food (ingested allergene). It affects the child's skin more seriously than inhaled allergens. It may lead to an incorrect readings of tests performed in small children. The skin tests carried out on older children are much more reliable. A positive skin reaction occurs if a person is allergic to a particular allergen and if the mast cells of the skin contain the appropriate IgE antibody to this substance. During the skin tests, the mast cells of the skin undergo a process of degranulation in which histamine is released. It is the histamine which causes skin changes such as erythema or bumps. The mast cells of a child's skin contain smaller amount of antibodies and this may be the reason why we cannot observe a stronger reaction to the allergen.

Skin tests performed in an allergic child may turned out to be negative, when the child is administered antihistamines. Different medicines can also slightly influence the results of the tests. That is why it is necessary to know what medicines has been administered to the child by the child before scheduling the skin tests.

The following medicines should not be taken by the patient during the period preceding the skin tests:

* first-generation antihistamines (Clemastine, Fenergan, Diphergan, Hydroxyzinum) - for 3-4 days

* cetirizine (Zyrtec) - for 3-4 weeks

* loratadin (Claritine) - for 2-3 weeks

* astemizol (Hismanal) - for 4-6.weeks

* ketotifen (Zaditen, Pozitan) - for 2 weeks,

There are three main types of skin tests:

* puncture, scratch test ("prick test", percutaneous).

* intradermal test (intracutaneous),

* patch test (epicutaneous)

Patch tests are performed by a dermatologists if a contact allergy is suspected or other reactions typical to occupational allergy. The results can be obtained in 48 or 72 hours. Children are diagnosed using scratch tests. Such tests are considerably easy to perform and correlate well to the specific IgE antibodies in serum and to the appropriate inhaled provocative test under the influence of the same allergen. Skin reaction can be observed in 5-10 minutes after placing the allergen onto the surface of the skin.The test is carried out by placing a small amount of the suspected allergy-provoking substance on the skin. Next, the skin is gently scratched through a small drop of the allergen. The scratched place should not bleed. The results of the test can be collected in 15-20 minutes or even earlier if the blisters extend rapidly and form protrusions, which indicates an occurrence of pseudopodia.

The best place to perform a skin test is the inner part of the forearm or one's back. Children should be diagnosed by performing the tests on their forearm unless there are no visible skin changes. The skin tests can be considered to be done correctly if a positive control test (1 per cent solution of histamine) and a negative control test are carried out. The last one uses saline extra phenol added to the suspension of allergens as a preservative. If the results of the positive control are negative, the tests cannot be regarded reliable. In such a case, the reaction of the skin is inhibited by antihistamine medicines.

Such tests should be repeated after some time, having carefully examined the methods of the child's treatment within the last period of time. Sometimes, the reaction with the solution of sodium chloride can turn out to be positive. It may happen if the reagent has been contaminated or the child displays some symptoms of dermographism.

The extent of the reaction is determined by measuring the diameter of the blister using a special transparent scale. This is the most accurate testing method. A control histamine testing will produce a 5-7mm blister. In order to confirm a positive result of the test, the diameter of the allergene-provoked blister should not be smaller than 3mm. All tests carried out without positive and negative control testing are unreliable. Another method of determining the results of tests is marking the examined places with (+) or (-). If the diameter of the blister is at least 5mm, the histamine test result is marked with a triple pluses +++. In this method, which is not recommended, the smallest positive place is labelled with ++, which corresponds to a blister allergic reaction of 3mm. The blisters usually disappear after several minutes or after an hour. In some cases, after 4-6 hours, a delayed reaction may occur.

During intradermal tests, a small amount (0,05-0,1 ml) of a special allergen solution is injected into the skin. The readings should be made after 15-20 minutes. This test is more painful and it produces more false positive results.

Skin tests, which are the basic methods of diagnosing allergies, cannot be carried out on patients suffering from severe allergic reactions (e.g. an allergic shock resulted from a contact with allergen mentioned in the case history). In such situations, a safe method of diagnosis consists in isolating characteristic IgE in the blood. In some very rare cases, during performing the skin tests an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen may occur. Although such reactions are usually harmless, it is necessary for an allergist to have an anti-shock medical kit at hand in order to help the patient if necessary.

Copyright (c) 2006 Radoslaw Pilarski

Allergy Blood Test

These days, there are lots of people who are suffering from allergies. The only way to decide what an individual is allergic to is through taking an allergy test. You can find several tests that are being utilized in order to determine what an individual is allergic to. One of the most popular methods is the skin test. However, not all people can have the skin test, and as an alternative they need an allergy blood test. Young kids react better to one prick compared with having tons of skin tests done around the back and arms. Moreover, there are people who are under medication that cannot have skin test, making an allergy blood test the best option. This can be utilized when a person has specific skin problems like eczema. This is made up of drawing blood from an affected person to decide potential allergens. This test will only feel just like the usual ones, but laboratory technologist look for diverse factors.

In a blood test, medical experts search for antibodies within the blood. These antibodies show that the body is working to fight against allergens. An allergy blood test is as certain as a skin one, although it's helpful.

One of the most common allergy blood tests that has been widely utilized is the radio-allergosorbent or RAST. This is seeking for the particular antibody called immunoglobulin, which can be found in greater ranges to people who were having allergies or asthma. Whenever the sample is gathered from the test, it's sent directly to the laboratory where the lab tech adjoins allergens for the blood sample. The antibodies are being evaluated to find out if there's a potential result. The higher quantity of antibodies, the more likely a person is allergic to that allergen.

The reason why most medical professionals are favored to skin test because an allergy blood test will take several days to get the result, and it's more expensive compared to skin tests. Nevertheless, an allergy blood test is an amazing and efficient choice to determine what an individual is allergic to when a skin test cannot be completed.

Food Allergies - Flirting With Seafood

If you have a seafood allergy you will know the personal feelings and emotions that happen as you react to exposure to its allergens. You are not alone. This type of allergy is among the top eight most common, accounting for 90% of all food allergies. Seafood is given fourth place, below dairy and nuts as one of the worst offenders for adverse immunologic response to its proteins. So then, how can one flirt with seafood?

Here is the mystery with food allergies, while shellfish may present a clear and ominous danger for a full blown episodic response, there are other types of seafood such as tinned tuna, salmon, sardines, and deep sea codfish that may not. Occasionally, fish such as flounder, halibut, and bass offer some allergy challenges to some individuals, without warning and even after dining on their variety for many months.

There exists a masked perception among individuals with this type of allergy, one that assumes that you are back in control of your body, being able to pick and choose among crustaceans and shellfish. This is the primary reason why individuals will romance with seafood, testing their response to it with a backup system in place, usually an epinephrine kit or other form of anti-histamine drug to quickly halt any abnormal reactions. Unfortunately the craving for the food can sometimes overcome the fear of the allergic reaction.

Seafood allergies typically develop during ones adult life. As a child you may have been able to enjoy all types of seafood as it rarely occurs among young children. However, food allergies to fish, crustacean, and shellfish, once developed are usually lifelong conditions. The proteins contained in the varied types of seafood are the "invaders"; at least that is how your immune system sees it if you have an allergy, and is therefore the cause of any adverse response.

The quirks of the immune system
People who are allergic to one type of seafood like crustaceans (lobster, crab, crayfish, shrimp, prawns), fish, and shellfish (oyster, molluscs, etc.) may not be allergic to other types of seafood. This is where the confusion comes in, along with the hope of consuming at least one category of seafood. Several studies have confirmed that individuals with this type of allergy can often eat between categories of seafood according to the arrangement of proteins contained within each grouping. Therefore a person may be allergic to one type of seafood (crustaceans, shellfish, or fish) and not another.

Guidelines for safety
Individuals with severe seafood allergies only need to smell the vapours of fish or other seafood to respond adversely, with near fatal implications, such as with anaphylactic shock. It is the exposure to the proteins carried in cooking vapours which is the culprit (or allergen). An awareness of this fact is needed to guide an individual's decisions when dining out at restaurants, specifically at eateries that prepare and cook the dishes directly in front of patrons.

Food allergies and the kinds of responses to them are peculiar. Products that seem unlikely to contain seafood but do are:
• Spring rolls
• Gelatine and marshmallows
• Salad dressings
• Broths
• Sauces: marinara sauce, steak and Worcestershire sauce
• Garnishes/dips/spreads
• Deli meats, hot dogs (from gelatine)

Food allergies are a curious thing, and the scientific community is still at odds over the body's response to triggers, and unfortunately there are no straightforward answers.

But is it wise to flirt with seafood? A simple answer is, if you don't already know how you will react to a specific category of seafood it is prudent to stay away from it. You may consider consulting an allergist who will have you tested and provide you with professional guidance to how to proceed.

Asthma & Allergies - Why Does Mold Grow in My Air Conditioning?

The first point that is very important to remember about Mold and Air Conditioning is that: "Your A/C Unit is the perfect environment to grow Mold and Algae." Microbial growth is very common in your drain pan. It is a wet and humid area.

I can check my unit every month and will find a slime mold growing in the drain pan. Some people will put an anti-microbial tablet in the pan to help keep the levels down but it is only partially affective. Some microbial growth is unaffected by this process. Remember, Mold and Algae love to live in your A/C System because of the amount of water always present in the drain pan.

I know, you ask; " How Can I Stop This?" The answer is: "Turning off your A/C off is the only solution." In reality, this is impossible due to where some people live. Hot and Humid climates such as Florida make this impossible, especially in the Summer months.

Some A/C Contractors will recommend you get a UV Light, but remember, they are only partially successful. Plus, there are some individuals who are allergic to the low levels of ozone being generated by the UV Lights. I have multiple clients who cannot use UV Lights because of this problem. Another downside which we discovered recently, they tend to cause your plastic drain pans to deteriorate and crack. This is what I call a Catch-22 of one solution causing another problem.

The best solution is a high quality pleated filter to help prevent a build up of organic material in the first place. Remember that Mold and Algae need a food source such as organic material. Keeping the A/C System clean is your best solution. Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your A/C System clean. Also, not all Air Conditioning Contractors are created equal, some have a vast knowledge of Indoor Air Quality, others have limited knowledge concerning Indoor Air Quality.