Allergy Testing: Helping You Avoid Your Allergy Triggers

An allergy occurs when an individual's immune system has a negative reaction to normally harmless substances (dust, fish, nuts or pollen) in their surroundings. An allergen is what causes the allergic reaction and the reactions are usually rapid, predictable, and acquired. An allergy is classified into 4 kinds of hypersensitivity, and formally referred to as type I hypersensitivity (immediate).

If you or a family member is suffering with the reactions of an allergen, you can call a professional allergy clinic and schedule an appointment. Here, an immunologist/allergist who is specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage your allergies, will customize a treatment plan that is right for you.

In order to determine which allergens you are sensitive to, your allergist will conduct allergy testing on you. These tests can be performed using blood serum or on the skin. The skin tests are the most common and involve potential allergens being placed on the surface of the skin where the doctor will observe the reaction. If you receive positive reactions from any of your tests, this can narrow down what is causing your allergy reaction. When you are aware of what allergens trigger your allergic reaction, you can avoid or eliminate that substance from your life. Allergy testing is also done on individuals that have skin rashes, eczema, or asthma that is difficult to manage to determine if an allergy is responsible for making the condition worse, or for even causing the condition.

Your allergist may recommend allergy shots to treat your allergy problems. More than 85 percent of patients on allergy shots have a positive response to this treatment. These shots can be effective in reducing your need for allergy medication. An allergist/immunologist usually recommends allergy shots for patients that have severe allergy symptoms that may not respond well to medication, or for individuals that may not be able to tolerate allergy medicines. Another effective treatment to help control allergy reactions is taking allergy medication. Many medications can help manage your allergy conditions such as antihistamines that treat hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and conditions like hives.

If you have been suffering with a condition that you do not know quite what it is but you have symptoms such as constant coughing and sneezing, hives, rashes and more, it might be time to see an allergist for allergy testing. A board certified physician will do an assessment of your situation and will help find the right treatment to manage your condition.

Completely-Natural Whitening Formulas Versus Chemically-Based Bleaching Creams

Once upon a time, lab-created products were considered the highest quality merchandise in the marketplace because the majority of consumers felt that laboratory workers were upheld to exacting standards. But the passing of time has revealed man-made products are not without faults and in most cases, the chemical elements utilized for project preparations are causing more harmful results as opposed to helpful assistance for customers. Therefore, a major percentage of wise shoppers are embracing products consisting of nature-made ingredients, hoping they will discover an great alternative to chemically-infused products.

The Two Basic Skin-Whitening Options

Skin-whitening technology is an industry that offers two basic options - chemically-based bleaching creams and completely-natural whitening formulas. But the question of which is better still remains. It may be helpful to draw a comparison between both classifications of skin whitening products. After you gather the pertinent information about each choice, you will have the knowledge to answer your own questions.

Effectiveness

First, just about every potential whitening-product customer will think about a particular formula's or cream's effectiveness before pulling out their wallets. The main goal of someone who wishes to whiten their skin is permanently ridding themselves of black, darkened areas on the skin. In cases such as this, whitening users will most likely find equal success with natural or chemical whiteners. However, sometimes a certain mixture of all-natural ingredients will create the exact same active ingredient found in its chemical cream counterpart.

Safety

Next on the must-consider list is the safety of all skin whiteners. Regrettably, there are a few manufacturers that have chosen to cut corners or altogether ignore the issue of safety. Most people who have experienced negative side effects when using chemical creams are those who are pregnant or have skin sensitivity issues. Since many ingredients found in today's skin whitening products are acquired through synthetic processes that occur in the laboratory itself, it is not surprising to learn that there is a bigger risk of skin damage while using them.

Many consumers should ponder the risk of triggering allergies as not many products undergo specific allergy testing before being released to the public. If reducing the risk of a severe allergic reaction is a major concern for you, many all-natural whitening formulas minimize this risk factor by utilizing commonly at-home eaten and prepared foods. And since most allergy sufferers know their allergy triggers, they can completely avoid an episode.

Price

The final piece of information to review is the product's price. While the cost of typical chemical-based bleaching creams varies by the included ingredients, brand name or manufacturer, completely-natural whitening formulas boast smaller, more stable price tags since the ingredients used are easy to find and inexpensive to buy.

Besides the benefits listed above regarding natural whitening products, remember that natural products are always made fresh by the actual patient. There is obvious simplicity in making natural skin whitening products, applying them and waiting to see results.

The Impact of Allergy-Restricted Breathing on Anxiety

If anyone ever tells you that your allergies do not contribute to stress and anxiety, they are dead wrong. Allergies are closely linked to anxiety disorders but, unfortunately, many people fail to make this connection. Now, don't get me wrong; I am not saying that all of the anxiety in the world is precipitated by allergies, or, that everyone who has allergies will experience anxiety. It is however, important for those who suffer from anxiety to consider the impact that their allergies may have on their sense of well being.

Most allergy sufferers would agree that symptoms caused by seasonal or perennial allergies are annoying and sometimes debilitating. I wondered though, how many people make the connection between their allergies and their anxious thoughts or moods? 

Years ago, at an appointment with my allergist, I posed the following question to him:

"How many of your patients complain of mood swings and anxiety?" 

His reply? 

"Most."  

In order to determine what we can do to reduce the impact that allergies have on our anxiety, it's important to consider the specific reasons that allergies contribute to the anxiety response.

Most importantly, allergies have a significant impact on our breathing. Inflamed and congested nasal passages and airways do not allow for the efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; a function that is extremely important for good health. One of the most prominent symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack is shallow breathing or hyperventilation. Most allergy sufferers take short, quick breaths through their mouths (because of nasal congestion) whereby they essentially induce mild hyperventilation on themselves.

Allergic asthma creates a tightening sense of pressure on the chest and shortness of breath which are other common symptoms of anxiety. Clinical studies have shown that those who experience anxiety symptoms while taking part in bronchial challenge testing (which is used to detect allergic or occupational asthma) do so because of their accurate perception of the physiological changes causing airway obstruction. Said more clearly, the feeling of not being able to breathe correctly has the potential to invoke anxiety.

Improper breathing as a result of allergies can cause other anxiety-related symptoms as well, including chest pains. I noted above that allergic asthma can cause feelings of chest pressure, but in addition, constantly breathing through the mouth results in us "swallowing" air which can contribute to gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux. Heartburn-related chest pains will no doubt increase the perception of anxiety in our minds.

Many individuals who have suffered with allergies for years develop a condition known as Hyperventilation Syndrome, a breathing-pattern disorder which closely mimics anxiety and panic. 

So, what can we do to minimize the anxiety that is caused by our allergies?

First, with the help of your allergist, find treatments that are the most effective in helping you clear your nasal passages. Most importantly, practice allergy avoidance techniques as your first line of defense. 

Second, educate yourself and work to overcome any breathing-pattern disorders that you may have developed which are causing or contributing to your anxiety. After doing so, you will be amazed at the sense of peace that you feel as your health is restored and you are once again able to enjoy life!  

Volatile Organic Compounds Causes and Prevention

Volatile organic compounds known as VOC's are organic chemicals that are harmful to both plants and animals. Although they are not really toxic, constant exposure to this chemical type causes chronic results that can be dangerous to anything or anyone who comes in contact with it.

Some of the known effects of chronic exposure to volatile organic compounds include headaches, nausea, dizziness, skin allergy, damage in the nervous system and many more. In fact, the chemical compound is also a suspected cause for cancer in humans, making it vitally important to avoid the material as much as possible. One of the problems why VOC is hard to track and prevent is because although problematic, the concentration of the compound in the environment is low, making symptoms hard to diagnose because of the slowness of its onset.

Causes of Volatile Organic Compounds

There are many causes for VOC's including the emission of some cars. This is one of the reasons why emission testing has become a must in some cities in an attempt to minimize the pollution in the area. The chemical compound is also present in other materials including paint which is one of the reasons why VOC indoors seem to be in higher concentration the VOC outdoors.

How to Minimize VOC Concentration

Currently, there are VOC Sensors available on the market for those who are concerned about the concentrations in their house. In the even that volatile organic compounds become too high within the house, then ventilating the area would be easy. Simply open up all door and windows in order to allow the VOC components an exit point. Vehicles have also been found to emit VOC through fuel evaporation, making it necessary to keep the equipment in good working order all the time. For those who reside in areas where emissions testing is mandatory, this could be easily addressed by their emission test and repair providers.

Volatile organic compounds are harmful chemicals despite the fact that they are not yet well-known for some people. One thing to keep in mind in order to minimize exposure to these materials is ensuring that an area is properly ventilated every time. Since VOC amounts are more prevalent indoor that outdoor, getting a good amount of fresh air in the park or by the sea would be an excellent way to avoid inhalation of VOC as much as possible.

Acupuncture to Treat Allergies

Allergies are a condition when the body becomes hypersensitive to an external object. The symptoms of allergies vary from person to person. Symptoms may include watery ot red eyes, skin irritation and rashes, breathing problems and weakness. Once diagnosed, the best treatment for any kind of allergy is to avoid exposing the body to the object that provokes allergy. There are many ways by which allergies can be treated. They are medication, acupuncture, homeopathy, yoga and various other therapies.

Acupuncture, as an option for treating allergies is becoming more widespread. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of healing by inserting thin, fine needles into specific points in body to control and relieve pain and cure or prevent certain diseases.

Acupuncture is based on the principle of balancing "Qi" which is the vital energy that flows throughout the body. According to Chinese, any imbalance and disruption of the flow of Qi in the body affects the health of the individual. The points or the energy flows are stimulated and balanced throughout the body by inserting needles and hence health is restored. Acupuncture to treat allergies can be used alone or as a combination treatment with any other therapy or medication. Acupuncture is generally preferred over strong medication because it has no side effects. The acupuncturist develops a plan to relieve a patient from the allergy symptoms while focusing on the underlying cause of the problem and curing any imbalance in the immune system. Allergy creates different reactions in different individuals; hence the acupuncturist decides the placement accordingly. He determines the direction and the depth to which the needles are to be inserted in the patient's body. Each session can range between 20 minutes to about an hour. The time taken to respond to acupuncture may vary in each individual.

I Don't Have Food Allergies - Do I?

Most people have food allergies and are not aware that they do. Why? Because the common conception of food allergy is that your throat closes up and you have to rush to the hospital after eating something you are allergic to. There are many different forms of food allergy, some doctors refer to the less severe reactions as food sensitivities or intolerances rather than allergies. What's the difference? Your immune system produces five different types of antibodies - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.

IgE Antibodies

IgE antibodies are responsible for the more severe, potentially life threatening allergic reactions like what we associate with peanut allergies. Most people who have these are aware that they have them because the reaction is so immediate and severe. The type of symptoms people can experience with an IgE mediated food allergy reaction are lips tingling, itching in the mouth, throat tightening or closing, difficulty breathing, hives and full blown anaphylactic reaction, usually fairly immediately after exposure to the food allergen. Medical doctors test for IgE related allergies by a skin prick test. IgE antibodies tend to hang out in the skin, so a skin prick is a viable means of testing of this type of antibody.

IgA Antibodies

Celiac disease is an IgA related food allergy to gluten or gliadin a protein similar to gluten. Both are proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. Oats are often contaminated with gluten from being processed in the same facilities as gluten containing grains. Common symptoms of celiac disease include: anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bloating, and irritability. Celiac disease can have severe consequences if sufferers are not following a gluten free diet, so thorough testing for celiac disease is vital. Testing should include blood tests for tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysial antibodies, IgG and IgA antibodies to gluten/gliadin.

IgG Antibodies

IgG antibodies to foods are extremely common. In testing several hundred patients, only three of them haven't had any IgG antibodies to foods. The rest have had multiple food intolerances, usually 8-12 and were not aware they had any food allergies. However, once all of the food allergies were known, and these foods were excluded simultaneously, people will usually notice dramatic improvement. The type of symptoms people experience with IgG food allergies are skin rashes like acne, eczema and psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, mucous in the stool, rectal itching, rectal leaking, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sinus congestion or recurring sinusitis, vaginal irritation not related to yeast, environmental allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or lupus. IgG antibodies tend to be located in the blood stream, so the best means of detecting IgG food allergies is a simple blood test.

IgM and IgD antibodies are not generally tested for food sensitivities.

Can Milk Induce Asthma?

A question that I've heard a lot is "can milk induce asthma?"

The answer is that yes, milk can cause asthma problems in some people. I know this from research, as well as from first hand experience. On days when I'm having asthma problems a glass of cold milk or even a bowl of cereal can worsen my breathing problems.

The reason why milk causes asthma problems isn't so clear. Asthma experts have to possible theories. The first is that milk causes the creation of excess mucus in a person's airway. So someone with asthma, who already has problems breathing, milk can make the problem worse. The other theory is that many people have dairy allergies, so it's therefore a trigger of asthma attacks. Or it could be a mix of both for some people.

The problems don't stop with milk. They include other foods in the dairy group like butter, cheeses and yogurts.

If you have problems with milk and asthma, you have to be careful with what you eat and where you get it. Many restaurants put butter on their steaks. Many butchers slice meat and cheese on the same machine, so even if you're not getting cheese, you might have problems. It comes down to knowing what's on your food and what you're putting in your mouth.

The best solution is to no longer eat or drink the food item that's causing your problems. Of course, this is easier said than done, but in the long run it's worth it. On days when I'm having asthma problems, I switch to soy milk, which seems to not cause any problems for me.

You can also prevent the problems by taking allergy medicine.

Other Foods That Cause Asthma Problems

The bad news is that problems for asthmatics can extend throughout the whole grocery store.

Peanuts can be one of the most dangerous foods when it comes to causing breathing problems. Even a small bite can trigger a serious attack in some people.

Even foods made of wheat like certain breads and cereals can cause asthma problems in some people.

Another common problem food is fish. And even people with egg allergies can have problems with asthma.

The easiest solution is to find out what your allergic to and to avoid it as much as possible.