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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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An allergy is an immune system over-reaction that causes the body to have a hypersensitive reaction to a normally benign substance.  An allergy test is needed to determine which allergens are causing the problems.

In warmer parts of the country outdoor allergens may be present year-round.  For the rest of us, it normally begins in late winter or early spring and continues through late summer or early fall, depending on the climate.   As the season progresses, varied pollens are present to trigger allergic reactions.

The Allergens That Cause Seasonal Allergies

The first to pollinate are usually trees, in late winter and early spring.  Trees are followed by the pollination of grasses in late spring and summer.  Weeds can pollinate at different times.  The infamous ragweed pollinates in late summer and
early fall.

Ragweed is the number one cause of seasonal allergy symptoms.  Allergic rhinitis can develop into other complications.  These complications may include ear infections, sinusitis, recurrent sore throats, cough, headaches, and it can trigger allergy asthma attacks.   This is why it is important that the allergy symptoms be well controlled.

Increasing amounts of ragweed pollen can trigger serious allergic asthma symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.  Children who are allergic to ragweed are especially at risk of developing asthma during peak pollen season.  A three-year study of children with seasonal allergies found that one in five experienced asthma symptoms during pollen season despite no previously reported history of asthma.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that more than 50 percent of current asthma cases can be attributed to allergies.  Of these, approximately 30 percent are attributed to cat allergy.  Asthma in the U.S. is one of the most common illnesses and affects more than 22 million people.

Outdoor molds usually reach their highest levels in late summer or early fall.  Some regions such as Florida  can have high outdoor mold counts throughout the year.

It sounds overwhelming, but you are not powerless against seasonal allergies.  There are traditional and natural allergy treatments that can provide relief of allergy symptoms.

Allergy Treatments

Traditional allergy treatment means taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as Claritin or Zyrtec.    You may opt to get a series of immunizations after your allergist tests you for specific allergy reactions.  These immunizations, or allergy immunotherapy, usually are given over a period of years, but many people do find some eventual relief of respiratory allergies to pollen, dust mite allergy, and outdoor molds after completing the series.

Nasal sprays, another traditional allergy treatment, can reduce or block seasonal allergy symptoms.  They help reduce inflammation and counteract the allergic response.

Non-traditional or natural methods of coping with seasonal allergies  are varied.  Research studies have found some of these natural allergy relief treatments to be as effective as prescription and over-the-counter drug remedies but without the side effects usually experienced such as fatigue, grogginess, drowsiness, etc.  They are for the most part cheaper.  They also provide relief without having to be dependent on an artificial chemical(s) for those who dislike taking drugs of any kind.

Quercetin, an antioxidant, belongs to a class of water-soluable plant substances called flavonoids.  It has yet to be proven by research that it is effective against hay fever.  However, it is thought to prevent the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine from immune cells called mast cells.  Sneezing and itching involve histamines.

Quercetin can be found in certain foods such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers and black tea.  It is also available as a diet supplement.  The typical dose for hay fever is between 200 and 400 milligrams three times a day.

Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments.  The most popular of these is beta-carotene.  No controlled studies show that carotenoids are effective against hay fever, but a lack of them in the diet is thought to promote inflammation of the airways.

There are no guidelines to suggest a recommended daily intake against hay fever.  But many people don’t eat even one serving of carotenoid-rich foods a day.  Those with seasonal allergies should try to digest at least two servings per day.

Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash and collard greens.

Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.  One German study involving 568 people found that a high content of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet was associated with decreased risk of hay fever.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oil capsules, flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon two to three times a day) and walnuts (1 ounce or 14 halves a day).

The herb butterbur (see article on this website) has been proven to block the action of histamine and leukotrienes, the inflammatory chemicals involved in allergic reactions.   It is available as a supplement.  Be sure the label says “P.A. free.”

Mangosteen, a tropical fruit, (see article on this website) is in a powerful class of antioxidants called Xanthones that have proven to be a great source of natural allergy relief.   Mangosteen juice is available at health food stores.

Herbal relief – (See accompanying article on this website.)

Acupuncture and accupressure may also provide relief of seasonal allergy symptoms, although not enough research has been done to prove this absolutely

Seasonal allergies can be debilitating, but today there are a host of effective treatments that will not cure them, but greatly reduce their  symptoms. .  It’s up to you as to whether you want to go with traditional therapies, alternative/natural treatments, or a combination of the two.

 

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