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1.  MYTH:  Mold allergies can’t affect you if you stay away from “moldy” places like basements, cellars and other dark, damp places.

Mold spores are carried by the wind.  People who are allergic to mold suffer most in the summer and early fall with seasonal allergies.   In warm climates, they thrive year round.   Walking through tall vegetation or even cutting the grass can set off mold allergies.

2. MYTH:  Food intolerances and food allergies are the same thing.

Someone with a food intolerance is unable to digest and process the food due to a lack of a certain enzyme or enzymes.  A food allergy occurs when a person’s immune system generates an antibody response to the ingested food.

3.  MYTH:  Children usually outgrow food allergies.

Children are ten times more likely than adults to have food allergies–peanut allergies, wheat allergies, gluten allergies, etc.    Some researchers believe that as the gastrointenstinal system develops, it gets better at blocking the absorption of foods that trigger food allergies.  Over time, children usually outgrow allergies to cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and soybean products.  But allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish can be lifelong.  And, too, some children outgrow one or two allergies, only to develop others.

4.  MYTH: People who suffer from cat or dog allergy symptoms are allergic to their fur.

Ten to 15% of the population suffers from cat and dog allergy symptoms.  The allergen is a specific protein produced not in the animal’s fur, but mostly in its skin, and to a lesser extent, in its urine and saliva.   When the animal is petted or brushed, or even as it rubs against people or furniture, microscopic flakes of skin called dander become airborne.  All cats and dogs have skin, and so there are no non-allergic breeds.   However, short-haired pets have less hair to shed and send less dander into the air, making them preferable pets for people with allergies.  Dogs are half as likely to cause allergic reactions as cats.

5.   MYTH:  Moving to the Southwestern states will cure allergies.

There is no safe place beyond allergy symptoms.  Desert regions have no ragweed, but they do have plenty of other plants that produce pollen including sagebrush, cottonwood, ash and olive trees.  Relocating may help for the initial first months, but a new group of allergies to local plants will most likely develop after that.

6.  MYTH:  Eating raw local honey will help prevent and alleviate allergy and allergy asthma symptoms, as it builds up a tolerance to the area’s pollens.

A University of Connecticut 2002 study showed that local and nationally produced honey did not relieve or prevent symptoms better than a placebo.  Most studies have shown it not be effective as an allergy treatment  or in preventing allergy symptoms.

7.  MYTH:  Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, almonds and flax seeds are worthless against seasonal allergies and allergy symptoms in general.

A study from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, as well as other studies, found that foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease respiratory symptoms by lessening inflammation.

 

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1. The Facts About Allergies and What You Can Do About Them

Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

One out of six Americans suffers from allergic disease.  Millions of dollars are spent on medications, physician services and missed days from work and school.

What Exactly Is An Allergy?

You are well aware of what allergy symptoms an allergy produces in your body, but do you understand what an allergy is?  It is an abnormal over-reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen.  When an allergen such as dust mites allergy, pollen (especially in seasonal allergies), or latex, is absorbed into the body of an allergic person, the person’s body views it as an invader.  This institutes a chain reaction of events.  The immune system’s white blood cells produce IgE antibodies.  These attach themselves to special cells called mast cells.  This causes a release of histamine which are potent chemicals.  It is the histamines which cause the runny nose, watery eyes, itching and sneezing.

What are some common allergies?

You can be allergic to one substance or several.  The most common allergens are mold, pollens, dust mites, animal dander with dog and cat allergy symptoms, food allergies such as wheat, gluten and peanut allergies,   medications, cockroach droppings and insect stings.

Is there only one type of allergic reaction?

You probably know the answer to this one from trading allergy stories with friends and acquaintances.  A variety of allergic reactions are possible depending on the allergen and how it gets into the body.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a non-contagious rash that itches.  It most often occurs on the hands, arms, legs and neck, but it can cover the entire body.  This condition is frequently related to allergies.

A reaction affecting areas of the skin which become red, itchy and inflamed after contact with allergens or irritants such as plants, cosmetics, medications, metals and chemicals is called contact dermatitis.

Approximately 25 percent of the people in the U.S. will have an experience of having hives at least once.  Uticaria or hives are red, itchy, swollen areas of the skin.  They can vary in size and appear anywhere on the body.  The most common hive reaction is where the cause is identifiable as a reaction to a viral infection, medication, food or latex.  Some unfortunate people have chronic hives almost daily for months or years without an identifiable trigger.

Angioedema is a swelling of the deep layers of the skin.  It is not red or itchy.  It most often occurs in soft tissue such as eyelids or mouth.  Hives and angioedema may occur together or separately.

What exactly is an allergist?

An allergist/clinical immunologist is a pediatrician or internist who has spent two to three years of specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic and immunologic disease.   A first office visit with this type of doctor usually consists of giving a personal history including a detailed record of the illness, family history, a description of home and work or school environments.  Then the doctor will start allergy testing you by injecting minute amounts of allergens into your skin.   An allergist can help you create a safe management plan so that you might better control your environment.  Proper medication and perhaps immunotherapy may be included in this plan.

It is worthwhile to get screened by an allergist even if you have decided to forego conventional treatments and pursue natural allergy relief because he or she can provide suggestions for better managing your environment and your allergies.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy or “allergy shots” is recommended for patients who have symptoms for most of the year that are moderate to severe.  These are usually patients who do not respond sufficiently to medications, and whose symptoms are set off by allergens that are hard to avoid such as pollens or house dust mites (no matter how clean you keep your house).

Immunotherapy is used to treat patients who are sensitive to inhaled allergens such as pollens, molds, animal dander and house dust.  It also works well for those with insect allergies such as bee stings.  It is not recommended for food allergies because food allergies can be life threatening and there is a chance of a severe allergy reaction to the injection.

Can I ever be cured of my allergies?

The allergy tendency is genetically inherited.  Don’t look for a cure, but do work towards keeping your allergies under control.  Early detection, proper usage of medications and simple allergen avoidance techniques will keep allergies under control.

 

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Food allergy or food intolerance? It’s important to know the difference.

“If you have a food allergy, eating even the smallest amount of that food may trigger a serious reaction,” says James Li, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic allergy specialist, in the December issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource. “With food intolerance, you may be able to eat small amounts of problem foods without a reaction.”

With an allergy, the immune system mistakenly identifies a food as harmful, triggering immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the substance. Signs and allergy symptoms usually develop within minutes and may include tingling in the mouth, hives, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, wheezing or breathing difficulties, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. In severe cases, the airway can constrict.

Allergies can be diagnosed with skin and blood tests. Diagnosing food intolerance is a bigger challenge, requiring a thorough health history. Foods can trigger symptoms for a number of medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux and migraine.

A fatal food allergy can kill in two different ways. The first is from swallowing the food which causes instant swelling in the vocal cords, quickly stopping the breathing, and almost instantly killing before anyone recognizes what is going on. This is called laryngospasm. The second we are all more familiar with and it is called anaphylactic shock where it can take as long as two hours for the reaction to occur,  and it will kill if intervention is not sought.  Eighty percent of fatal or near fatal anaphylaxis cases in this country come from peanut allergy.

There are some excellent natural remedies that can help treat a non-life- threatening food allergy. A food allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system which is designed to fight disease and bacteria keeping us safe but sometimes it misfires.

For a mild to moderate food allergy you can look to some natural herbs and supplements for relief. (See articles on this website.)  You can also increase the amount of cold water fish your child eats or you can give them a fish oil supplement. You should also eliminate trans fats from their diet and increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they eat.

And of course you can always eliminate the food that causes the food allergy from your child’s diet.  For example if your child is allergic to dairy products restrict the child’s intake. This only works however if there is only a few food allergies. If your child is allergic to many foods you will want to look at alternatives.

Of course you will still most likely have to eliminate the source of the food allergy until your child becomes desensitized. With serious food allergies such as nuts do not play around trying to home treat. You should also make sure your child always has an anaphylactic kit on them and make sure everyone that will come in contact with your child and could be feeding him fully understands this food allergy whether its  peanut allergy, gluten allergy, wheat allergy or another type.

General guidelines suggest delaying the introduction of the most common dangerous food offenders for as long as possible in children–at least until age two. Exclusive breastfeeding the first four to six months of life appears to decrease the probability of subsequent food allergies.  The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following guidelines on when to introduce certain foods:

After age one – cow’s milk
After age two – eggs
After age three – fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts (such as almonds,
cashews, and walnuts).

The good news is that most children allergic to milk, soy, egg and wheat will lose their sensitivity as they grow.  About 2 percent will have food allergies as adults.

A study led by the John Hopkins Children’s Center, and conducted jointly with Duke University, showed that giving children with milk allergies increasingly larger doses of milk over time may ease milk allergy.  It may even help them completely overcome it.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), an FDA law implemented in January 2006, requires allergens to be listed on food labels in easily understood language. Always look at the listings on labels to determine the presence of the eight major allergens.

The eight most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanut allergy, tree nuts, soy, wheat allergy, gluten allergy,   fish, and crustacean shellfish. These eight foods cause 90 percent of food allergies.

Over 90 million Americans have a genetic variant that makes them sensitive to gluten.  Many people don’t know they are gluten sensitive because it can cause symptoms that don’t involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, like infertility and decreased cognitive function.

Since food and beverage manufacturers are continually making improvements, food-allergic persons should read the food label for every product purchased, each time it is purchased.   Would you suspect peanut contamination in frozen Chinese eggs rolls?  You should.

Other practical tips to manage food allergies:

1.  Plan ahead.  Make a list of foods that you like and can tolerate and find
recipes for them.  Consult with a dietician and dietary alternatives for
recipes that aren’t on your allergy list.  Try your local library for recipes
or to find allergy specialists who can provide more information on avoiding
food sensitivities and food allergies.

2.  When you are dining out, call the restaurant beforehand and let the chef or
host/hostess know about your dietary needs and restrictions.  Find out if
it is permissible to supply your own food.  Will they adapt the menu for you?
Discuss everything before you go so that you won’t be tempted to indulge in
trigger foods no matter how small your reaction to them.

3.   Take extra food supplies with you when you go out.  You may be gone from
home longer than you expect, and having food packed and with you can
reduce the temptation to buy foods from vending machines or restaurants
that may trigger your food allergy.

4.  Keep your list of foods that you tolerate well in your food diary.  Keep a foods
eaten and symptoms experienced diary so that when you do have a reaction
you can pinpoint the trigger and avoid it in the future.

5.  Let everyone know if you have a life-threatening allergy.  Get an ID  bracelet
with the allergic foods listed in case of a reaction so severe you can’t speak
so someone can help you.

6.   Bake and freeze favorite foods so that you have entrees and desserts when
others are eating foods to which you are allergic.

7.  When traveling abroad, be sure and have some allergy translation cards you
can show in stores and restaurants of various countries.   Also, when arriving
in a foreign city, make finding a near hospital or doctor your first priority.

Keeping a handle on food allergies can be a bit more problematic in younger children.   It is important that all caregivers, teachers, parents of new friends, and anyone else the child may be exposed to are fully aware of the allergy and its seriousness.

Natural relief of food intolerances and mild to moderate allergic reactions:

Some people with food allergies and food intolerances are finding relief in a bacteria known as lactobacillus acidophilus.  It is growing in popularity as an allergy treatment and provides natural allergy relief.  This treatment is also known as probiotics.  This good bacterium is vital in the resistance of a variety of infections to which humans are susceptible.

Some of the benefits of a probiotic such as lactobacillus acidophilus are that:

1.  It replaces the good intestinal bacteria that have been destroyed by antibiotics.

2.  It aids in digestion.

3.  It enhances immune response.

4.  It lowers the risk of activating allergies, including allergy asthma, hay fever,
skin reactions such as hives and food allergies.

Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements comes in granule, powder or capsule form, as well as liquid forms that must be refrigerated.  It is found naturally in foods such as milk and yogurt that contain L. acidophilus cultures.  (Read the labels.)

Give your body a good chance of overcoming allergy symptoms but don’t rely on the bacteria completely if you suffer from life-threatening allergies that could result in anaphylactic shock or laryngospasm.  Anaphylactic shock can take up to two hours for the reaction to occur.  Without intervention it is fatal.  Laryngospasm is the result of instant swelling in the vocal cords which quickly stops the breathing and can kill before anyone realizes what is going on without intervention.

Dining Out with Food Allergies

A recent survey of food establishments and restaurants reveals that for diners with food allergies eating out is a greater risk than they may realize.  A unique study found that food allergy training was conducted in only 42 percent of personnel at the 100 restaurants and food establishments surveyed.  This study was published in the “Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,” the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).

Approximately 90 percent of food managers, servers and chefs reported varying degrees of comfort with providing a safe, non-allergenic meal, but numerous misconceptions were disclosed.  For example, 24 percent of restaurant personnel thought that consuming a small amount of allergen is safe.  Thirty-five percent thought that fryer heat destroys allergens.

Registries of food allergy reactions in restaurants accounted for up to 25 percent of accidental exposures in persons with peanut allergy and tree nut allergies.  Fifteen of 32 fatal reactions to foods began from food obtained in a restaurant or food establishment.

You must be vigilant.  It is not enough to let the staff know you or your child have food allergies.  You must question the contents, preparation, contamination with other foodstuffs, and ask all other questions that seem pertinent.  This study carries an important lesson for allergic diners.

Keep your emergency medications, especially self-administered epinephrine syringes, with you when eating out.  Avoid problematic menus and dishes such as buffets and sauces.  Have a “Chef Card” listing allergies printed up to hand to restaurant staff to start a conversation towards having a safe meal.

Food allergies can be life threatening.  Knowledge about food allergies can save a life.

For more information:American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
Patient information and Physician Referral Line:  (800) 822-2762.
www.aaaai.orgThe Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Hwy
Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22033
(800) 929-4040
www.foodallergy.org

 

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