Reason #2 Provide Support And Acceptance
When the whole family dines allergen-free, the family members with a particular diet need will also feel supported and accepted. Many times a unique dietary need can feel lonely and isolating. While each of us is unique, differences can also help us stand out from the crowd for the wrong reasons. And everyone wants to feel accepted at home if nowhere else. Imagine how easy a diet change is when the whole family supports the new change.
Why Is Wool Hypoallergenic
How Are Allergies Treated
Although avoiding the allergen is an important treatment approach, it usually doesnt completely end the allergic reaction.
Medications such as antihistamines , decongestants , or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications, are used to treat your allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays such as topical nasal steroids , cromolyn sodium, and topical nasal antihistamines also can be used to treat allergy symptoms.
Asthma medications, which reduce allergy symptoms, include:
- Inhaled bronchodilators.
- Oral anti-leukotrienes .
- Injected medications, such as omalizumab , dupilumab , reslizumab , benralizumab , or Mepolizumab .
Immunotherapy or allergy oral immunotherapy is recommended if your symptoms arent adequately controlled with a combination of avoidance measures and regular medication use. This shot has been shown to be effective in properly selected patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma.
Another treatment option is saline irrigation using a sinus rinse kit. These rinse kits are sold over-the-counter or can be made at home. To make your own rinse, combine one-half teaspoon non-iodinated salt with one-half teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of distilled or boiled water. This mixture rinses out allergens and decreases the amount of inflammation they cause.
Also Check: Does My Child Have A Gluten Allergy
We All Have Many Of These Life Or Health Events That Can Inspire A Diet Change
Perhaps you have planned a diet change in your life as a New Years resolution, after a health concern or new diagnosis, or even due to a general life event such as a birthday or milestone that inspires you to change. One thing that all of you reading this most likely have in common is that you have embarked on a diet change due a medical concern or food allergy diagnosis, either for yourself or a loved one.
A diet change for any reason is usually just considered for the family member who needs the diet change alone. This is the main reason why many who require a special diet often feel alone, deprived, and are ultimately unsuccessful in incorporating a new diet as a lifestyle vs. a momentary change. This is also why so many people perceive the word diet as a forbidden 4-letter word to be avoided at all costs.
Instead of all the negative connotations that come to mind when thinking about a diet, what would it be like if this new diet change needed for your family member was celebrated and embraced? Taking it one step further, what if the whole family participated and enjoyed the same allergy-friendly foods? Lets talk about 4 quick reasons why you should be an allergen-free family if possible, where everyone digs into and savors the same allergy-friendly foods required by a family member.
But What Actually Is An Allergy
First of all, the beds are clinically treated against allergens, while mattresses and pillows are covered with soft, certified anti-dust mite encasing. This is then wrapped in hypoallergenic quilts.
On a daily basis, all surfaces are cleaned with a special biocleaner system that sanitizes and gets rid of all the tiny particles. In these rooms, fresh air gets a whole new meaning: a sanitization system with active oxygen ensures natural air purification!
These guidelines have been developed by Allergy Free Hotels, the first project recognized by the major quality labels and medical certifications in Europe. This system has created a natural prophylaxis and ecological system that makes the elimination of microorganisms and allergens in hotel rooms possible! These include pollens, dust mites, mould, biological and chemical contaminants that are found in the air, bed, fabrics and all surfaces in the room.
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What Do Allergy Blood Test Results Mean
Everyone has some IgE in their blood, but elevated levels may indicate an allergy. Different labs use different brands of allergy blood tests, so the scoring system for results can vary from brand to brand. Allergy blood tests dont indicate the severity of an allergy. So if you do have an allergy, talk to your doctor about the risk of anaphylaxis. You may need to carry an emergency epinephrine injection with you at all times.
Asthma And Allergy Friendly
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Asthma & Allergy Friendly is a registered certification mark operated by Allergy Standards Limited in association with not-for-profit asthma and/or allergy organizations, labeling products which have been put through and have passed standardised testing. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program was created to scientifically test and identify consumer products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies.
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How Would You Define An Allergy
This is a follow-up to Wednesdays post entitled, Urgent request for support to help impact REAL, impending food allergy legislation!
In that post, I asked if you would take a few minutes to answer the question, How would you define an allergy-friendly restaurant?, in order to help me advocate as strongly as possible in discussions this week that will lead to real, forthcoming food allergy legislation.
Many of you posted comments on this blog and even more sent direct emails to me at . I want to thank those who took the time to do so were off to a great start!
Id like to make one more appeal for participation. Optimally, Id have another 20-50 additional comments to present. This is a golden opportunity that I dont want to slip by!
So if you havent shared your thoughts yet, please consider doing so now . And if you have already sent me your response, please consider asking at least one other person to help us out.
Again, this is so easy. Just two steps.
We struggle all the time, as a community, to gain recognition and acceptance for food allergy awareness and to exact positive change. This is our chance! This is our moment! The change we impact here to a legislative body already working to help us will set a template for states and municipalities around the country for years to come!
What Does Tpu Mean
TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It is our waterproofing material and is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly options out there.
- TPU is Oeko Tex certified.
- TPU is Greenguard criteria friendly and has passed the applicable internal test. Greenguard standard includes health based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.
- TPU is a non-toxic and 100% food-safe material. TPU does not contain any chemicals that interfere with endocrine and hormone systems, nor does it contribute to PH change in soil or water. It contains no dangerous ingredients according to REACH Compliance No 1907/2006.
- It is FDA approved, safe for babies, used in diapers and more….
- There is no outgassing as it is solvent-free, not chemically treated, and it is fully biodegradable.
- TPU’s “breathability” refers to its ability to circulate the air and at the same time trapping the moisture/perspiration. TPU does it better than PUL or Nylon.
- It also beats other waterproof options.
From our R& D, TPU is the least “plastic” feeling waterproof material comparing to PUL or Nylon.
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What Makes Asthma And Allergy Friendly Products The Best Available Products
Certification by the asthma and allergy friendly® Certification Program means that very strict scientific tests are carried out on the product. Many of these tests are unique to the asthma & allergy friendly® certification and manufacturers voluntarily submit their products for our independent tests to validate the claims they wish to make.
Air Cleaners, vacuum cleaners, HVAC/furnace filters and cleaning products are just a few of the wide range of household products and building materials that are CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®.
Air Cleaners
Choosing an effective air cleaner means considering the following factors:
- It is important that the air cleaner can remove allergens from the air, and that these are captured in the filter of the air cleaner, not just redistributed around the room.
- Different allergens act differently in the air because they have different sizes and features, so the air cleaner must be capable of removing particles of different sizes.
- Emission of ozone from the air cleaner must be within the Code of Federal Regulations Guidelines.
Our Certification criteria require that an air cleaner demonstrates a reduction in airborne allergen of 75% or greater. This is done by collecting and filtering the air in the room after running the air cleaner for an hour. For thoroughness, the walls and surfaces of the room are sampled too.
Vacuum cleaners
HVAC/Furnace Filters
Cleaning products
When Is An Allergy Blood Test Needed
You may need an allergy blood test if you have:
- Allergic rhinitis , usually the result of pollen, pet allergies or mold .
- Anaphylaxis, which is a severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction to certain foods, insect stings or other allergens.
- Contact dermatitis, caused by contact with irritants such as chemicals, detergents, poisonous plants or certain metals .
Allergy symptoms may include:
- Wheezing, tightness in your chest or allergic asthma.
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Knauf Insulation Earns First Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification For Fiberglass Acoustic Panel
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, a month dedicated to building understanding, educating, and advocating for the 65 million Americans who live with asthma and allergies. Optimizing indoor air quality is critical, as indoor air has been found to be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the EPA. Knauf’s Performance+ products are designed for sound control, low dust and superior
Everything You Need To Know About Certification
The facts about the program
Many products promise to help control allergens. But some products make false or exaggerated claims. This makes it hard for consumers to know the best products to buy.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America joined with Allergy Standards Limited to create the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program. This program helps people make informed purchases for a healthier home. We test household products against strict standards. If products pass our tests, they earn the CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®mark.
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What Is An Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to the allergen. A chain of events occur that result in an allergic reaction.
If you are prone to allergies, the first time youre exposed to a specific allergen , your body responds by producing allergic antibodies. The job of these antibodies is to find the allergens and help remove them from your system. As a result, a chemical called histamine is released and causes symptoms of allergies.
Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program
Many products promise to help control allergens. But some products make false or exaggerated claims. This makes it hard for consumers to know the best products to buy.
AAFA joined with Allergy Standards Limited to create the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program. This program helps patients to understand product claims and make informed purchases. We test household products against strict standards. If products pass our tests, they earn the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Mark. When you see this Mark, you know the product is proven to be better suited for those with asthma and allergies.
Look for this Mark!
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Overview Of The Standards
Standards assess products for the presence of allergenic dyes and sensitizing chemicals as well as the capacity for allergen retention and ability to withstand eradication techniques such as repeated washing machine cycles. Product areas that have been certified include textile materials, electrical appliances, building products and kids toys.
Restaurants Can Reduce The Risk Of Food Allergy Reactions
Key Takeaways from Our Research
We found gaps in restaurant knowledge and practices about food allergies. However, restaurants and environmental health programs can work to reduce the risk of customer food allergic reactions in their restaurant.
Taking the following steps can prevent allergic reactions:
- Train staff on food allergies, especially less experienced staff. Many restaurants had staff who had not received training on food allergies and lacked key knowledge about allergens. Staff with less experience in the restaurant had less knowledge about allergies.
- Use separate equipment and areas to prepare and cook meals for customers with food allergies, when feasible. Many restaurants did not prepare allergen-free food on separate equipment or surfaces. If a separate cooking or prep area is not available, the person cooking should thoroughly wipe down surfaces and wash equipment before preparing food for customers with allergies.
- Provide ingredient lists or recipes for menu items. Some restaurants did not have lists of ingredients or recipes available for their menu items.
- Have a plan for serving customers with food allergies. Restaurant staff knew more about food allergies if they worked in restaurants with a plan for serving customers with food allergies.
Staff knew more about food allergies if they
- Worked in restaurants with a plan for serving customers with food allergies.
- Had more experience in their restaurant.
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What It Means To Be An Allergy Free Bakery
If you suffer from food allergies, then youre all too familiar with how difficult it can be to find places to eat out and buy food For those who have celiac disease, even the slightest contamination with gluten can have severe consequences. The same goes for those with nut allergies.
Most bakeries and cafes serve both cows milk and plant-based milk using the same coffee machine. If youre lactose intolerant, then the last thing you want is to be mistakenly served a cows milk latte.
Thats why bakeries must be transparent about the ingredients they use and where cross-contamination could have occurred so that those with allergies can make informed decisions.
We are very aware of the struggles faced by those with food allergies and the risks. That is why we are happy to operate in a facility that is free of many common allergens.
And Heres Why It Matters
Its almost an understatement to say Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are a popular candy. Many consider the combination of peanut butter and chocolate downright heavenly. Its certainly not something individuals with a peanut allergy can attest to. However, some peanut allergic folks can enjoy a closely replicated experience with sunflower butter cups . Unless, of course, they happen to be one of those folks that also has a sunflower seed allergy.
Likewise, applesauce is considered a reasonable substitute for egg when baking. It can give egg-allergic individuals the option to enjoy adapted recipes. Unless, of course, that person also happens to be allergic to apples.
When we make the assumption that avoiding the top 9 is enough to be allergy-free we exclude or worse, put in danger a host of individuals who have allergies outside the major allergens.
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What Happens During An Allergy Blood Test
An allergy blood test only takes a few minutes. A healthcare provider called a lab technician usually takes blood samples in your doctors office or a lab.
Heres what you can expect:
- The phlebotomist takes blood from a vein in your arm using a thin needle.
- The needle might cause a mild pinch and some discomfort.
- The phlebotomist fills a collection tube with blood and then removes the needle.
- They place a small bandage on your arm.
What Is Allergic Rhinitis
Nasal allergy symptoms and hay fever are referred to as allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is nasal allergies that change with the seasons because of pollen from plants . Seasonal symptoms arise during the pollinating seasons for particular plants. Because you can be allergic to more than one thing, your symptoms may get worse at different times throughout the year, or may be constant.
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