Symptoms That May Accompany A Food Allergy Rash
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The best way to identify a rash as a food allergy rash is to watch for other symptoms that may indicate that youre having an allergic reaction. Depending on the severity of the reaction, you may notice all of the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- severe swelling around the face
- tingling lips, hands, and feet
- wheezing
Seasonal Allergies In Atlanta Are At Their Peek
If you have recurring or worsening allergy symptoms, the culprit may be staring right at you when you look in the mirror, according to a recent FOX News Health article. That is right, you may be the reason your allergies will not go away.
You will be surprised how seemingly harmless routine daily habits or your environment can aggravate allergy symptoms. Knowing what some of these common allergy-causing culprits are will help you minimize allergy flare-ups.
Avoiding Exposure To Allergens
The best way to keep your symptoms under control is often to avoid the things youâre allergic to, although this is not always practical.
For example, you may be able to help manage:
- food allergies by being careful about what you eat
- animal allergies by keeping pets outside as much as possible and washing them regularly
- mould allergies by keeping your home dry and well-ventilated, and dealing with any damp and condensation
- hay fever by staying indoors and avoiding grassy areas when the pollen count is high
- dust mite allergies by using allergy-proof duvets and pillows, and fitting wooden floors rather than carpets
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Treatments To Minimize Pain And Swelling
You can treat the discomfort that comes with food allergy rashes. These treatments should not be considered an alternative to medication, or attention from a doctor. They can help you manage pain or itchiness while youre waiting to take the next steps.
Rinse all affected areas: You should rinse all affected areas as soon as you see evidence of rashes. Rinsing can wash away trace amounts of allergens that have been left behind on the skin. This can prevent rashes from spreading.
Apply a cold compress: A cold, wet cloth can be compressed onto the rash as a fast-acting treatment. While it wont remove the rash, it will make the pain and itchiness a lot more manageable.
Apply a baking soda paste: A paste made of baking soda and water is effective as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic solution. That makes it effective against both discomfort and the possibility of infection.
Apply soothing gels or creams: Gels or creams can be used to soothe the pain.
Soak the affected areas in Epsom salt: Epsom salt is widely available and known to relieve the pain that is caused by rashes.
Relieving minor pain may not be enough. If you are concerned about stopping the spread of rashes or preventing allergies from flaring, you should consider medication.
What Causes Gut Inflammation
Many lifestyle habits and food choices can weaken your gut lining over time, making you more prone to inflammation and allergies. When you have leaky gut syndrome, foreign proteins get into your system and place your body on red alert to react to many harmless triggers in your environment, such as tree pollen. What contributes to leaky gut?
Here are a few sources:
- Acid reflux medication, such as proton-pump inhibitors. When you are taking medications for reflux this takes out the first line of defense your stomach acid.
- Food sensitivities. When your gut barrier gets weakened from chronic exposure to foods that irritate your gut, you’re more likely to experience inflammation.
- SAD. The Standard American Diet is a source of chronic inflammation including intestinal inflammation.
- Antiobiotics. When the good gut bacteria get out of balance from antibiotics, you can develop a
- Stress. It’s a cause of so many symptoms and gut inflammation is one of them.
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Are You Really Struggling With Allergies
Stay out of the pollen and talk to an eCare medical provider anytime, anywhere 24/7 for nonurgent health issues, including cough, sinus discomfort and sore throat.
An allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a substance, such as pollen, and releases histamine, a chemical found in some of the bodys cells. After histamine is released, symptoms appear in the nose, sinuses, eyes, throat and even ears, skin and stomach. Many times the result is a runny nose, sneezing, headaches, itchy and watery eyes and sore throat.
If youre struggling, there are some things you can do to reduce your reactions and also soothe your symptoms, according to Rachel Alexander, APRN, Norton eCare:
1. Limit your time outdoors. Pollen counts are highest in midday, early evening and when its windy.
2. Use air conditioning both in the car and in your home. Consider a HEPA filter for your home.
3. Shower in the evening to wash the pollen off before bedtime. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hair. The steam from the shower is sometimes beneficial in relieving symptoms.
4. Use a saline rinse to clear pollen from nasal passages. There are several varieties out there, from neti pots to special sprayers and even electronic devices. Talk to your health care provider about the best options for you.
5. Keep pets out of your bedroom if they have been outdoors. This reduces the amount of pollen in your sleeping area.
6. Dry clothes in a dryer, not outdoors on a clothesline.
What Can You Do About Drowsiness From Allergy Medicines
Some antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness than others. Reactions vary considerably from one person to another. What relieves your symptoms without making you sleepy may be different from what works for someone else.
When you find one that works for you, stick with it check chemical ingredients and dosages before changing brands or generics. On the other hand, if one doesnt work for you, try another type.
First-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine usually cause drowsiness because they are less likely to affect the histamine produced in the brain or have other unwanted effects in the brain.
Newer, second-generation antihistamines such as cetirizine , fexofenadine and loratadine marketed as nonsedating usually cause less drowsiness. An added benefit is that second-generation antihistamines last longer than Benadryl. Allegra is generally the least sedating.
Nasal spray antihistamines are also somewhat less likely to make you sleepy, since they target nasal passages directly rather than sending medicine throughout your body in the bloodstream. These are available only by prescription.
Regular use of an intranasal corticosteroid is not only safe but also an effective way to reduce use of antihistamines. They take a few days to start working, so you need to be patient. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using an antihistamine with an intranasal corticosteroid the first few days. Some intranasal corticosteroids are available over-the-counter.
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How To Make Hives Go Away
Hives, also known as Urticaria, is a condition in which the skin breaks out in clusters of raised, red bumps that cause intense itchiness and stinging. At times, hives may have a light reddish appearance with a pale center. Hives may appear on any part of the body and may occur as small patches or may even cover large skin areas.
Hives appear as a result of allergic reaction of the bodys immune system to certain allergens like insect bites, nickel, certain foods like nuts, chocolate, fish, stress, viral infections, etc. As a response, the immune cells release a chemical substance known as histamine that causes the blood vessels to become leaky due to which fluid oozes out of the blood vessels and collects in tissues, causing swelling.
How To Cope With Hay Fever Symptoms
Regardless of whether your allergies are mild or severe, or if it is a skin or eye allergy, it doesnt take long for you to start feeling lousy after seasonal allergy symptoms strike. So how do you prevent seasonal allergies from getting in the way of your day? Here are some helpful tips to reduce or keep symptoms from worsening.
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Reduce The Pet Dander In Your Home
If you are allergic to dog dander, that means that your immune system sees the dander as a threat to your wellbeing.
Although your immune system is only supposed to attack and expel dangerous things that could make you sick , some people suffer from immune systems that target pollen or pet dander.
This is why allergies feel so much like a common cold. Your body is offering the same reaction to pet dander as it does to sinus infections.
Pet allergies are caused by dead skin cells, saliva, or urine that your pet leaves behind. While saliva and urine can be allergy triggers, most people are allergic to pet dander, or dead flakes of skin.
The idea of your dogs dead skin sounds pretty nasty, but even worse is the news that you cant escape itever.
Just about every household in America, as well as every store and public place, contains some level of pet dander. Dander floats in the air and sticks to surfaces, so it travels easily and is hard to remove.
That being said, there are ways you can reduce the pet dander in your home, thus lightening the strain on your poor sinuses.
First, you can purify the air. Pet dander is light, and it floats around your house. If you get an air purifier with a filter, youll be able to see just how much dander is in the air!
Youll also notice a huge change in the air quality of your home.
Its best not to over-vacuum. If you can replace your carpet with hardwood or tile floors, this would make a world of difference.
Keep The Dog Off The Bed And Couch
Beddings couch and upholstered furniture are some of the risky places that leave room for an allergen to stick onto. Run to teach your dog not to jump on the bed or couches as they are soft spots for dander landing. Purchase allergen-resistant furniture and bedding to help reduce the exposure of allergens.
Learn to keep your dog in a specific place, away from family members to help reduce the dander level in the household. Wash your cushions, mat, beds, dog rugs, and toys once in a while to avoid the accumulation of dander on the listed products.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Allergies
Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be serious, like difficulty breathing .
Some types of allergies cause multiple symptoms. And in rare cases, an allergic reaction can become very severe this is called anaphylaxis . Signs of anaphylaxis include trouble breathing or swallowing swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body and dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis usually happens minutes after exposure to a trigger, such as a peanut, but some reactions can be delayed by as long as 4 hours. Luckily, anaphylactic reactions don’t happen often and can be treated successfully.
Dont Touch The Dog Too Much
We all love squeezing our dogs, but if cuddling your pet sets your eyes watering, you may need to keep your distance.
Avoiding too much contact with your dog will keep you from getting pet hair or saliva on your body. This in turn will reduce your chances of getting hives or the sniffles.
This is especially important if you have an allergic reaction to dog saliva. Even if you cant stop scratching those cute little ears, refrain from kissing your dogthats a sure-fire way to set off your allergies!
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But Ive Got Allergies Now
I know 4 weeks+ is a long time to get your gut repair on when youve got symptoms now. Never fear! Theres help! to learn which of my favorite herbal medicine and nutritional supplements for allergies work wonders for more immediate relief. Many of my patients who switch to them do not have to use OTC or prescription allergy meds anymore. If you dont do the 4R program, symptoms may come back, so youll need to keep treating with these natural supplements.
If you choose to do the 4R program, you may find that like me, changing your diet not only frees you from being dependent on a food industry that is not in our best health interest, but it also frees you from seasonal allergies 4Ever.
References
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Living With Your Decision To Keep A Pet
If people keep the pet, they will almost always need more medication to control their symptoms, says Dr. Miranowski. For someone with allergies, this could include takingor upping the dosage oforal antihistamines and intranasal steroids, she says. And people with asthma may require higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids or the addition of other medicines, such as leukotriene inhibitors. In some cases, patients may decide to get allergy shots that boost immunity to the allergen, a strategy that can be effective, according to Dr. Nish.
The cost of these additional medications can add up, and some carry a potential risk of long-term side effects. Though allergy and asthma medications are relatively safe compared to some other drugs, when taken consistently in high doses, they can cause bone density loss, glaucoma, and other problems.
The impact of pet allergens on allergies and asthma isn’t entirely clear. Some highly publicized research in recent years has suggested that having pets around young children may actually protect children from allergies later in life , but the validity of this research has been questioned. And, significantly, the same effect does not apply to children who already have pet allergies. Studies have shown that pet allergiesespecially cat allergiescan lead some children to develop asthma if they are exposed to pets, and can make asthma worse later in life.
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Using Homeopathic Remedies For Allergies
Consider using homeopathic remedies to combat your allergies. Many people take medication, but there is no harm in trying homeopathic remedies. Typically, these treatments do not cause any side effects like many drugs.
They are also usually more effective than drugs. Check your local health food store or drug store and you can find some natural homeopathic remedies to try.
Staying outdoorscan lead to an accumulation of air allergies on hair, skin, and clothing. Somake sure you shower on occasion and get rid of these. This will get rid of anyallergens that have built up on your skin. Both your hair and skin are prone tothe build-up of these types of allergens.
A Neti pot might be just what you need for a sinus infection. You can find a Neti pot at many health food stores. It can flush pollen out of your nostrils and thin your mucus. Mix a teaspoon of sea salt and half a liter of warm water. Then rinse your nostrils twice a day.
How to reduce allergens at home
Remove permanentcarpeting to reduce allergens at home. Carpets often collect hair and dust,which can cause allergies. If instead you lay wooden floors and add a rug fordecoration. This carpet can be cleaned to remove allergens.
If you have latexallergies, dont assume that healthcare professionals will notice that as theyread your chart. Dont be afraid to tell them directly so you can avoid anunpleasant or serious allergic reaction.
Are you allergic to latex?
Dealing with seasonal allergies
How To Prevent Summer Allergy Symptoms
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend every day at the beach dealing with watery eyes and phlegm. To prevent your summer allergies from ruining the season, Dr. Parikh recommends booking an appointment with an allergist to go over your summer allergy symptoms and come up with a treatment and management plan, such as the use of controller medicines, which prevent breathing symptoms in folks who have asthma. “The key is starting early before everything flares up,” she says. “So if you know you’re prone to allergies in summer, it’s good to be proactive with it ahead of time.”
It’s also beneficial to reduce your contact with allergens. Summer allergy symptoms are “dose-dependent,” meaning the greater the exposure, the worse the side effects, says Dr. Parikh. “If you’re outside more, especially in the early morning which is when the pollen counts are typically the highest in the U.S., you’ll probably suffer more than if you’re spending your summer inside indoors,” she explains. To keep your symptoms to a minimum, avoid heading outside for a run and opening your windows up in the early morning and chat with your doc to figure out your triggers and other ways to curb your exposure, says Dr. Parikh.
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How To Get Rid Of Seasonal Allergies Permanently
By Fritz
Allergies affect alot of people and can cause a lot of pain and frustration. Fortunately, there are several effective treatmentoptions for allergy sufferers. Check out the tips below on what detailed methods you canuse to effectively reduce the severity of allergy symptoms.
If you are dying to go on vacation, you might be tempted to pick a random, exotic location. People with severe allergies can expose themselves to high concentrations of allergens in unknown places. Before choosing a travel destination, do your homework to find out about the weather conditions, pollen count, and other potential allergy triggers.
How To Reduce Facial Swelling Due To An Injury
Sustaining an injury to your face can result in swelling in the area where the injury occurred. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, you may also have swelling in other areas. These factors will determine the approach you take to reduce the swelling.
To reduce swelling due to an injury, the best thing to do is ice the area of injury as soon as possible, says Nesheiwat. The severity of the injury will determine your next steps. Nesheiwat says if you have any headaches, bruising, or bleeding, you need to see a doctor immediately.
External signs and symptoms, such as bruising or bleeding can also indicate an internal facial or head injury.
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