What Is The Milk Ladder
Your doctor or dietitian may recommend gradually reintroducing cow’s milk products into your baby’s diet when they are a year old. This process is often called the ‘milk ladder’ and involves introducing your baby to specific foods that contain cow’s milk. The process can be used in children who have had skin or gastrointestinal problems.
However, it is important not to attempt to reintroduce cow’s milk to your baby at home if they have previously suffered from breathing problems or floppiness after consuming dairy.
What Are The Common Allergy
A very large number of substances can act as allergens. Most are proteins of insect, plant, or animal origin, but small chemical molecules can also cause allergy. Examples of common allergens are pollens, mold spores, dust mites, shed skin cells , insect proteins such as flea saliva, and some medications.
Which Areas Of The Body May Be Affected
People experience different symptoms, depending on the allergen and where it enters the body. Allergic reactions can involve many parts of the body at the same time.
Nose, eyes, sinuses and throat
When allergens are breathed in, the release of histamine causes the lining of the nose to produce more mucus and become swollen and inflamed. It causes the nose to run and itch, and violent sneezing may occur. Eyes may start to water and people may get a sore throat.
Lungs and chest
Asthma can be triggered during an allergic reaction. When an allergen is breathed in, the lining of the passages in the lungs swells and makes breathing difficult.
Stomach and bowel
Foods that commonly cause allergy include peanuts, seafood, dairy products and eggs. Cow’s milk allergy in infants may occur and can cause eczema, asthma, colic and stomach upset. Some people cannot digest lactose . Lactose intolerance causes stomach upsets, but should not be confused with allergy.
Skin
Skin problems that can be triggered by allergy include atopic dermatitis and urticaria .
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Avoiding Exposure To Allergens
The best way to keep your symptoms under control is often to avoid the things you’re allergic to, although this isn’t 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
Read more about the treating anaphylaxis.
They Revolve Around The Seasons
You may also notice that you tend to feel a certain way at different times of the year. The spring, summer, and fall tend to be the times of the year when people are most affected by outdoor allergies. If you notice that you have allergies during these seasons, then you are likely dealing with seasonal allergies.
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What Is Food Allergy And How Is It Treated
Food allergy or food hypersensitivity can develop to almost any protein or carbohydrate component of food. It most commonly develops in response to protein of the food dairy products, beef, wheat gluten, chicken, chicken eggs, lamb, and soy are commonly associated with food allergies in dogs. Food allergy can develop at almost any age. Food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. A dog may have multiple types of allergy, such as both food allergy and atopy making the exact diagnosis of a dogâs itching quite challenging.
“Food allergy typically does not respond well to corticosteroids or other medical treatments.”
Food allergy typically does not respond well to corticosteroids or other medical treatments. Treatment requires identifying the offending component of the diet and eliminating them. The most accurate way of testing for food allergies is with an elimination diet trial using a hypoallergenic diet. Because it takes at least eight weeks for all other food products to be eliminated from the body, the dog must eat the special diet exclusively for eight to twelve weeks. If a positive response and improvement of your pet’s clinical signs occurs, your veterinarian will advise you on how to proceed.
“If the diet is not fed exclusively, it will not be a valid test.”
Mild And Severe Reactions
Symptoms can involve just one area of the body, or more than one area.
- A mild reaction involves a mild symptom that affects only one area of the body.
- A reaction that involves any severe symptom is a severe reaction.
- A reaction that involves mild symptoms in more than one body area is also a severe reaction.
Severe reactions can quickly progress to anaphylaxis, a condition that can be life-threatening. For this reason, severe reactions must be treated with epinephrine.
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You Have The Symptoms
The easiest way to tell if you have seasonal allergies is by knowing what the common symptoms are. If you are suffering from the following, then you likely have seasonal allergies:
While you may have these symptoms, you may be worried that you might have something more. A good way to tell that you might have something more serious is by having these symptoms:
- A severe headache
What Are The Symptoms Of An Allergy
An allergy occurs when the bodys immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction. The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens. Allergens can get into your body many ways to cause an allergic reaction.
- You can inhale allergens into your nose and your lungs. Many are small enough to float through the air. Examples are pollen, house dust, mold spores, cat and dog dander and latex dust.
- You can ingest allergens by mouth. This includes food and medicines you eat or swallow.
- Your body can have allergens injected into it. This includes medicine given by needle and venom from insect stings and bites.
- Your skin can absorb allergens. Plants such as poison ivy, sumac and oak can cause reactions when touched. Latex, metals, and ingredients in beauty care and household products are other examples.
The severity of symptoms during an allergic reaction can vary widely. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Chest tightness and losing your breath
- Feeling faint, light-headed or blacking out
- A sense of impending doom
Some of these symptoms can be sign of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
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What Happens At Your Appointment
A GP may arrange some allergy tests or refer you to a specialist allergy clinic to have them.
Tests you may have include:
- a skin prick or patch test where a small amount of the allergen is put on your skin to see if it reacts
- blood tests to check for allergens that may be causing your symptoms
- a special diet where you avoid or eat less of a food you might be allergic to, to see if your symptoms get better
Getting Help For Allergies
If your pharmacist thinks you might have a mild allergy, they can offer advice and treatment to help manage the condition. See your pharmacist if you think you or your child might have had an allergic reaction to something. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can also be caused by other conditions. Your pharmacist can help determine whether it’s likely you have an allergy.
If your allergy is particularly severe or it’s not clear what you’re allergic to, the pharmacist may advise you see your GP who may refer you to an allergy specialist for testing and advice about treatment.
Read more about allergy testing.
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When Is Allergy Season And How Long Do Seasonal Allergies Last
Actually, there isnt just one allergy season. Instead, there are certain times during the year when allergy symptoms may be more severe, depending on what youre allergic to.
As for when allergy seasons start and stop, it depends on where you live. If you have indoor allergies, you could experience allergy symptoms year-round including in the winter. But generally, there are three seasons when outdoor allergens trigger annoying symptoms: Spring, summer and fall.
Recognizing And Treating Reaction Symptoms
Learn how to distinguish mild and severe food allergy reactions, and always treat severe reactions with epinephrine.
The first symptoms of an allergic reaction usually appear between a few minutes and two hours after exposure to a food. Symptoms can affect different parts of the body, can occur alone or in combination, and can range from mild to severe or even life-threatening.
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Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance.
It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and may lead to damage in the digestive system .
It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including skin problems, gastrointestinal issues, mood changes, and more.
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of celiac disease.
How To Treat An Allergy Cough
Oral antihistamines are the first-line treatment for allergy symptoms, blocking the underlying mechanisms that can lead to an allergy cough.
Second-generation antihistamines are the preferred option because they are less likely to cause drowsiness. With that said, first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl may be a good option before bedtime if allergy symptoms are interfering with sleep.
To treat the cough itself, you can consider the following options:
- Take an over-the-counter expectorant like Mucinex to loosen phlegm.
- Use an over-the-counter decongestant Sudafed to open nasal passages.
- Use a nasal steroid spray like Nasacort to relieve inflammation and ease breathing,
- Suck on a cough lozenge, especially ones containing eucalyptus.
- Use a saline nasal spray or irrigation, like a neti pot, to clear nasal passages.
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer to help moisturize the air.
- Inhale steam either with a commercial inhaler or a heated pot of water to loosen mucus and ease throat irritation.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies
Allergy symptoms are classified as mild, moderate or severe:
- Mild reactions include local symptoms such as a rash or hives, itchiness, watery/red eyes, hay fever and runny nose. Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of your body.
- Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of your body. Symptoms may include itchiness, hives, and/or swelling and trouble breathing.
- A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which your bodys response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of your eyes or face. Within minutes, more serious symptoms appear, including throat swelling , abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hives and swelling . You may also have mental confusion or dizziness, since anaphylaxis may cause a drop in blood pressure.
Immediate Cow’s Milk Allergy
There are two types of allergies depending on how the immune system reacts. “IgE mediated reaction is also known as Immediate CMA. Symptoms can occur minutes after consuming cow’s milk and up to two hours afterwards,” Else explains.
“Symptoms are usually severe and can include skin rashes, itching, hives, and tingling or itching around the mouth. It can also cause swelling to lips, face or around the eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, wheezing and in the most severe cases, anaphylaxis.”
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy. Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, a fast heartbeat, confusion, collapsing and losing consciousness.
Immediate CMA can be diagnosed with a skin prick test or a blood test. If this type of allergy is suspected, the child would usually be referred to a paediatrician who would arrange for the test to be performed in hospital.
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Why Are Cow’s Milk Allergies So Common
“It is estimated that up to 7% of babies under one year of age have a cow’s milk allergy,” says Else. “Globally, food allergy is on the rise and cow’s milk is one of the most common allergies in childhood. It is unknown why this is but it is thought to be related to environmental factors and our lifestyle.”
Topical Treatments For Itchy Swollen Watery Eyes
For itchy, swollen eyes, oral medication does not tend to work as effectively as topical eye drops. Allergy eye drops generally contain topical antihistamines. Avoid the use of any product that contains a vasoconstrictor for more than two to three days to avoid rebound redness. Rebound redness is the recurrence of symptoms and can lead to eyes becoming dependent upon eye drops. Artificial tears will also help soothe irritated eyes.
Ask your pediatrician or nurse practitioner if you are interested in exploring other medication options or in long-term treatments such as immune therapy .
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Signs Your Child May Have Seasonal Allergies
Symptoms of seasonal allergies include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, sore throat, cough, and dark circles under the eyes.
Seasonal allergies can be more than just a mild annoyance. Some of the consequences of allergies in children include:
- Fatigue and poor concentration in school due to lack of sleep
- An increase in ear and sinus infections
- Asthma exacerbations
- Behavioral issues from discomfort and lack of sleep
Effective Prevention And Treatment Options Are Available
Allergen avoidance or minimisation relies on identifying the cause of the allergy and taking steps to reduce exposure to the allergen. For example, reducing dust mite in the home may help reduce symptoms in people who are allergic to mites.
Medications
- Antihistamines block histamine release from mast cells, reducing symptoms. Non-sedating antihistamine tablets are available from pharmacies without a prescription. Antihistamine nasal and eye sprays can also be used.
- Intranasal cortiocosteroid nasal sprays are effective for treatment of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis when used correctly. A prescription may be required for stronger dose INCS. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
- Combination therapies are used for treatment of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and offer the advantages of both medications.
- Medicated eye drops can be helpful in some cases, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Adrenaline – is used for first aid emergency treatment of life threatening severe allergic reactions . Adrenaline is usually given using an adrenaline autoinjector that can be given without medical training.
Non-medicated treatments such as saline sprays are used for treating allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Allergen immunotherapy is a long-term treatment which changes the immune system’s response to allergens. It involves the administration of regular, gradually increasing amounts of allergen extracts, by injections or by sublingual tablets, sprays or drops.
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Causes Of Seasonal Allergies
Hay fever happens when your immune system identifies an airborne substance thats usually harmless as dangerous. It responds to that substance, or allergen, by releasing histamines and other chemicals into your bloodstream. Those chemicals produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Common triggers of hay fever vary from one season to another.
What Are Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies strike at different times of the year. Also known as allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, seasonal allergy symptoms occur when airborne irritants, or allergens, enter the eyes, nose and throat, setting off an allergic reaction.
In the spring, flower and tree pollen are common culprits. Grass pollen starts in late spring and peaks in the summer months. Weed pollen and mold spores plague kids mainly in the late summer and fall.
Since children need to be exposed to an allergen before they can be allergic to it, children under two years of age are less likely to have environmental allergies.
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Living With Allergic Rhinitis
Living with the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can affect your daily life. Nasal symptoms can be worse when lying down. This can disturb your ability to sleep well. Fatigue and headaches can affect your ability to function at school and work.
There is also a link between asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, getting good control of allergic rhinitis is crucial for maintaining good control of asthma.
There are many medicines and treatments that can help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor as soon as you feel that your symptoms are getting worse or are not easy to control. Your doctor can help you come up with the right plan to control allergies so they dont affect your ability to live your normal life.
How Are Allergies Diagnosed
If you think you have allergies, don’t wait to see if your symptoms go away. When your symptoms last longer than a week or two and tend to come back, make an appointment with an allergy/immunology specialist.
Allergy skin testing may be used to identify the allergens that are causing your allergy symptoms. The test is performed by pricking your skin with an extract of an allergen, and then checking your skins reaction.
If a skin test cant be performed, blood work may be obtained. This test is not as sensitive as a skin test. The test evaluates the number of antibodies produced by your immune system. Higher levels of certain antibodies suggest possible allergy to that allergen.
Other types of allergy testing are available too.
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What Causes Allergic Rhinitis
If you have allergies, your body releases chemicals when you are exposed to an allergen. One such chemical is called histamine. Histamine is your bodys defense against the allergen. The release of histamine causes your symptoms.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen comes from flowering trees, grass, and weeds. If you are allergic to pollen, you will notice your symptoms are worse on hot, dry days when wind carries the pollen. On rainy days, pollen often is washed to the ground, which means you are less likely to breathe it. Your allergies can vary depending on the time of year:
- Allergies that occur in the spring are often due to tree pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the summer are often due to grass and weed pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the fall are often due to ragweed.
Allergens that can cause perennial allergic rhinitis include:
- Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, and mulch. This allergy is usually worse during humid and rainy weather.
- Animal dander.The skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets such as cats and dogs are allergens. You can be exposed to dander when handling an animal or from house dust that contains dander.
- Many allergens, including dust mites, are in dust. Dust mites are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. They live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust.
