Skin Reactions To Fall Allergens
Allergic hives typically appear as raised red bumps or wheals that may change shape or size rapidly. If you press on the area lightly, the wheals tend to turn white. Sometimes, they disappear on their own once exposure to the allergen is eliminated. Other times, they might disappear and then reappear hours later or continue to worsen over time. Occasionally, in the case of a severe allergy, allergic hives can be accompanied by anaphylaxis, resulting in closing of the throat. Its critical to see a doctor immediately if youre having trouble breathing during a hives outbreak.
Allergic dermatitis, also known as eczema, can occur in conjunction with higher pollen counts during fall. Since eczema is produced by an inflammatory immune response, this is another common problem in the autumn season. Eczema usually appears as cracked, patchy red or brownish skin. Its often itchy, sensitive, and even painful to the touch.
What Foods Should I Avoid If My Dog Has Diarrhea
Combine the chicken with boiled white rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Avoid milk and dairy products, as many dogs have a lactose intolerance which could trigger diarrhea. This means no butter in the mashed potatoes. Bland food produces a low volume stool, so dont expect your dogs feces to look totally normal.
Infectious Causes Behind Itchiness In Cats
When a cats skin becomes infectedbe it with bacteria, fungi, or parasitesitchiness is usually the result.
When an itchy cat comes into the animal hospital, testing for the most common skin infections is one of the first diagnostic steps in the workup.
Ringworm
Dermatophytosis is the medical word for a ringworm infection, and its among the most common infectious causes of feline pruritus. Dermatophytosis can be passed to people, so testing for ringworm, either by fungal culture or a more modern laboratory test called PCR, is an important step, even if pet owners dont believe ringworm to be the cause.
Parasitic Infections
More commonly, parasitic infections can cause cats to become itchy.
Parasites that live on the skin are called ectoparasites, a term that includes fleas, ticks, mites, and other organisms.
Because many cats live exclusively indoors, administration of flea and tick preventatives is far less common in cats than in dogs. The reluctance of cat owners to administer these products in a consistent manner is due partly to the false perception that indoor cats cannot contract parasitic infections.
The owners of itchy indoor cats are almost always surprised when told that their cat has fleas, even though fleas are present in over 50% of itchy cat cases.
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Natural Remedies For Grass And Ragweed Allergies
Sniffle, cough, achoo! If the sounds of allergies have returned to your home, take heart. You dont have to let ragweed and grass allergy symptoms prevent you from enjoying fresh air. Learn about 6 effective herbal cures that can help you breathe easier â even when the pollen count is highâ¦For millions of people, the first sign of seasonal allergies is a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Thats the immune system overreacting to grass, tree and ragweed pollen, and producing inflammatory chemicals called histamines. In other words, hay fever. Officially called seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever symptoms affect one in five people, and can lead to problems as serious as asthma attacks or ear and sinus infections, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases . Over-the-counter and prescription allergy remedies can help, but sometimes cause side effects of their own, says Honolulu naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, N.D., author of Natural Choices for Womenâs Health .They speed you up, slow you down, make your head feel fuzzy, dehydrate your sinus membranes and give you cotton mouth, she says. Thatâs one reason to consider adding herbal cures to your anti-allergy war chest. They can be gentler and reduce hay fever symptoms with fewer side effects, Steelsmith says.
Avoid Allergens Like Pollen And Mold Outside
The best way to stop an allergic reaction before it starts is to avoid the allergen. With seasonal allergies, thats a bit easier said than done.
Unless you can spend the entire Fall season locked inside, with all doors and windows sealed, you arent going to completely avoid seasonal allergens. But you can reduce your exposure.
Time outdoor activities when pollen counts are low. Dawn and dusk are high pollen times. Try to run, golf, play tennis or enjoy other outside activities later in the morning or in the very early evening. Many weather apps provide pollen counts too. Use these apps to schedule your apple picking, picnics, hayrides and corn maze fun when possible.
Raking leaves sends mold spores airborne, where they are easier to inhale. Wear a pollen mask that stops mold spores from entering your respiratory system while you rake. The Q-Mask or Vogmask face masks stop particles as small as 2.5 micrometers and thats enough to stop seasonal allergens.
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What Is Eczema And Who Gets It
Eczema is the term for a few different skin conditions. But most of the time, it refers to a common skin disease called atopic dermatitis, which causes a dry, itchy, red rash. If you scratch it, it can start to ooze and crust over. Do it over time, and your skin can get thick and dark.
Most people with eczema get it as children. Symptoms often improve by age 5 or 6, and flare-ups stop for more than half of kids by their teenage years. But many people still have the disease as adults, though their symptoms tend to be milder. Itâs less common to get eczema for the first time as an adult.
Allergens That Cause Itchy Skin
Itchy skin that is caused by allergies generally comes on suddenly and intensely after you are exposed to the allergen. You will notice an urge to itch all over your body out of nowhere. Itchy skin may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as hives or redness of the skin, or it may happen independently.
Itchy skin can happen due to a variety of allergens. Keep in mind that not every allergen causes the same symptoms for every person. In fact, your symptoms may change over time when you get exposed to the same allergen. As such, if you are allergic to any of the following, you could have itchy skin as a symptom at point when you are exposed:
- Pet dander
- Atopic dermatitis
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Primrose And Fish Oils
Primrose oil and fish oil supplements provide minimal relief for itchy cats by themselves but can work synergistically with other therapies already being given to those cats. Because these supplements are so cheap, safe, and widely available, many cat owners will administer these supplements anyway in an attempt to reduce the chance that their cat will develop skin disease.
The efficacy of this method is currently unknown.
Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Your Skin Or Scalp To Itch
When you think of hayfever, you think of watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and wheezing. Do seasonal allergies have other symptoms? Can seasonal allergies cause your skin or scalp to itch? Yes, seasonal allergies release a neurotransmitter called histamine that causes blood vessels to dilate and this can cause your skin to itch and even rashes such as hives or eczema.
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What Does Allergic Reaction Mean
An allergic reaction is a sensitivity to something youve eaten, inhaled, or touched. What youre allergic to is called an allergen. Your body interprets the allergen as foreign or harmful, and it attacks it as a form of protection.
You can have an allergic reaction on any part of your body. The face is a common site for allergic reactions involving your skin.
Biopsies And Allergy Testing
Once infections have been ruled out or treated, cats that remain itchy will usually go through several other diagnostic tests to discover the cause.
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Biopsies, in which small, circular punches of skin are removed and submitted to a pathologist for review, are among the most useful diagnostics for skin disease. The downside to skin biopsies is that cats must be sedated or anesthetized to collect the sample.
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Intradermal allergy testing, which must also be done under sedation or general anesthesia, is useful for identifying the allergens that trigger your cat to itch. This can theoretically be done by your regular veterinarian but is almost always performed by veterinary dermatologists due to the importance of experience in interpreting the results.
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So Whats Causing The Allergic Reaction
Just like humans, a large number of substances can be allergens, and each dog is allergic to different things, according to Carvalho.
Some common environmental allergens are:
- Pollen
- Fungi
- Flea saliva
Also, just like humans, dogs can have food allergies too. In this article were focusing on seasonal allergies. However, if you notice any of the below symptoms, we always recommend seeing your vet for a proper diagnosis as both food and environmental allergens can cause similar reactions.
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Primavera
Spring conjures images of life renewed, flowery blooms, love and mating. But for one in five people, it means shutting the windows, missed days at work, and the annual pilgrimage to the local pharmacy to pick up allergy medications, antihistamines, decongestants, combination allergy medicines, and anti-inflammatory medications all with a list of possible adverse reactions, precautions and contraindications. The fact that none offers a cure but only relief is of no matter, because when allergies strike it is relief that is so desperately sought.
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The Skinny On Fall Allergies
While many associate allergies and the related symptoms with plant pollen so common in the spring, fall allergies can be just as prevalent. The symptoms that impact your immune system, overall health, and your skin can also be just as pesky as the temps cool and the leaves start to fall. What are the Common Causes of Fall Allergies?
What Are the Symptoms To Look Out for in Your Skin to Indicate You May Have Fall Allergies? In addition to the telltale signs of allergies, such as a runny nose and itchy throat, paying attention to whats going on with your skin can be a mirror of your overall health. These reactions in your skin can serve as an indicator as to whether you may be experiencing fall allergies. According to Zain Hussain, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, in Vienna, VA, the most common skin reactions triggered by fall allergies include hives dry, itchy skin dark, under-eye circles red, puffy eyes and eczema. Experiencing these symptoms in your skin as the season starts to change from summer to fall may be a clue that you are suffering from allergies. How Can You Prevent and Manage the Symptoms of Fall Allergies?
Keep Outdoor Allergens Outdoors
Pollen and molds can hitch a ride on clothes, hair, and shoes. Keep them outside by removing shoes before you come inside. Store jackets and hoodies on hooks by the door. They are likely loaded with pollen that you dont want in the rest of the house. In addition, shower, wash your hair and change clothes when you do come inside.
Dont change clothes in the bedroom or leave pollen-coated clothes in the bedroom. Change clothes in the bathroom. The abundance of hard surfaces in a bathroom makes it easier to clean and remove pollen hitchhikers. When you spread pollen in your bedroom, you will just end up sleeping with it. Thats a bad idea.
Since pets can bring pollen and mold in on their fur, its a good idea to keep them inside as much as possible. If they do enjoy time outdoors with you, brush their fur frequently to remove pollen before it can come inside. Brush the pet outside.
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Limit The Use Of Decongestants But Take Antihistamines
In the fight against other allergy symptoms, you may take decongestants. Decongestants bring relief to respiratory symptoms. But, they are dehydrating and can cause dry, itchy skin. Thats a terrible side effect when youre itchy to start. While taking decongestants, be sure to drink more than the recommended amount of water to keep your skin and the rest of your body hydrated.
Do take antihistamines to combat your itchy skin from seasonal allergies. Start taking your allergy medication at the first signs of symptoms and dont stop until allergy season ends. New generations of allergy medication dont cause drowsiness and are safe to take for an extended period of time.
A word of caution about discontinuing use of allergy medication: while the FDA doesnt officially recognize itching skin as a withdrawal symptom of cetirizine hydrochloride the internet is full of people that are faced with this side effect when they stop taking this allergy medication cold turkey.
Can Ragweed Pollen Trigger Other Conditions Besides Allergies
For most people, ragweed allergies can be managed with a simple but strict regime of antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants. For some people with more severe allergies, ragweed can trigger symptoms like asthma, chronic sinusitis, and headaches. Consult with a doctor to discuss additional interventions to address more severe symptoms related to your allergies.
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What About Herbal Remedies
Alfred Vogel, the well-known Swiss naturopath, was a great believer in treating the problem from the root. In this case, treating seasonal allergies can help the symptoms such as skin rash.
He devised a remedy for allergies consisting of seven different herbs to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, now found in Pollinosan Allergy Relief Tablets. It is a non-drowsy remedy which can be used alongside other seasonal allergies remedies.
If you are looking for a remedy specifically to soothe an allergy induced rash, then a cream containing Neem leaf extract may be effective. This can be found in herbal creams such as Neem Cream.
Can Ragweed Allergy Cause Itchy Skin Or Hives
Unfortunately yes. Along with other allergy symptoms, like sneezing and itchy eyes, ragweed can cause itchy skin and hives. Ragweed-related itchiness may also be accompanied by rashes. In addition to reducing your exposure to ragweed by limiting time outdoors, antihistamines can help reduce your ragweed related allergy symptoms. To learn more about itchy skin and hives, read Curist team member Waverlys story about her experiences diagnosing and treating itchy skin.
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How To Help Prevent An Allergic Reaction
Unfortunately, theres no cure for allergies. You cant prevent your dog from having allergies.
However, there are things you can do to help keep their symptoms and discomfort under control.
First, you have to identify the underlying cause, be it seasonal, food, flea, etc. From there you can help your dog avoid those allergens.
Carvalho explained that sometimes a prescription diet could be necessary along with using flea/ectoparasite control all year round. Pet owners should also keep an eye out for and treat any itches so that they dont lead to inflamed and infected skin and ears.
Because good health for your canine companion is always in season .
Why Is My Skin Itchy
Theres few things as irksome as itchy skin. Unfortunately, its an issue many people with allergies live with. Regardless of what you are allergic to, itchy skin is a pretty common symptom. Finding a long-term, effective solution requires you to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have skin that changes color, texture, or shape, or if it becomes itchy, its best to see an allergist.
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How Can You Find Relief
Preventing allergy rashes starts with treating the allergy. Your dermatologist may refer you to an allergist to diagnose and treat your skins sensitivities. However, if youre experiencing a condition like atopic dermatitis or eczema, a dermatologist can help you find relief. They may recommend an over-the-counter product or prescribe a cream. Just be sure to always talk to a dermatologist before trying a product on your rash.
If allergy season triggers your eczema, it can be helpful to keep a detailed log of your flare ups. This will help your dermatologist narrow down the cause of the flare up and recommend appropriate treatment. They may want to rule out other potential irritants like laundry detergent, fabrics, and other household items. And again, they may refer you to an allergist.
Overall, staying away from allergy triggers and covering up your skin can be helpful during allergy season. This is especially true when youll be spending the day outdoors. If you have indoor allergies, be sure to clean your home regularly to remove dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander from surfaces.
Food Allergies And Eczema
Children with eczema are also more likely to have food allergies. They often make eczema symptoms worse for kids but not for adults. If you have eczema, eating — or just touching — certain foods can make your skin flare up. Food allergies linked to eczema may include:
- Cow’s milk and other dairy products
- Soy
- Wheat
How can you tell which foods cause flare-ups? Sometimes, the best way is to look for skin symptoms after you eat that food. Your doctor can also give you a test called a food challenge. You eat the food that you think may cause the symptoms, and your doctor watches for a reaction.
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Symptoms Of Allergies In Dogs
The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.
In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Itchiness
- Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
- Red, inflamed skin
