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Cutaneous symptoms of urticaria, angioedema, flushing, and pruritus are the most common manifestations of IgE-mediated food-allergic reactions. Cross-linking of food-specific IgE on cutaneous mast cells results in mast cell degranulation. Allergic mediators released locally include histamine, which causes pruritus, and vasodilatory mediators, which cause local swelling. In urticaria, mast cells in the superficial dermis are involved, resulting in “hives,” which are pruritic, erythematous, raised, and well-demarcated or coalescent plaques, often with central pallor and blanching upon pressure. In angioedema, mast cells in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues are involved, resulting in leakage of plasma into subcutaneous or mucosal tissues. Swelling due to angioedema is characteristically asymmetric, nonpitting, and in non-gravitationally-dependent areas, such as the face, hands, buttocks, genitals, abdominal organs, or the upper airway. When evaluating a patient with swelling, the presence of accompanying hives is often helpful in distinguishing mast cell-mediated angioedema from nonallergic causes of edema.
IgE-mediated food allergy should be considered in patients presenting with acute urticaria shortly after exposure to a culprit food, particularly if the food has reproducibly triggered allergic symptoms. Approximately 20% of acute urticaria is attributable to food allergy.16,17 However, it is important to note that chronic urticaria, in which hives persist for greater than 6 weeks, is unlikely to be related to food allergy. Although as many as half of patients with chronic urticaria believe foods cause their symptoms, only 2% to 10% actually have food-induced urticaria in placebo-controlled oral food challenges.
Ingestion of a food allergen is a common route of exposure by which urticaria and angioedema may result; however, direct contact of the food allergen with skin can also cause cutaneous symptoms. Acute contact urticaria refers to reactions in which hives are localized only to the areas of food contact. Although any food may trigger IgE-mediated cutaneous symptoms, the most commonly implicated foods are cow’s milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Contact urticaria may be triggered by those foods, as well as by raw meats and raw fruits and vegetables allergy medications online phenergan Canada.
Although hives and swelling are common signs of IgE-mediated food-allergic reactions, it is critical that health care providers be aware that skin manifestations are not always present. In up to 20% of cases of anaphylaxis, there are no associated skin symptoms. The absence of skin findings may contribute to delayed recognition and treatment of systemic allergic reactions. For example, in one study, 80% of children or teenagers with fatal food-induced anaphylaxis had no associated skin findings. Providers should be careful not to exclude the diagnosis of an IgE-mediated food-induced reaction, simply due to the absence of cutaneous symptoms.

Ragweed allergy symptoms are among the most painful of all seasonal allergies. They are the last blow that hay fever inflicts on sufferers of seasonal allergies just before the winter months bring relief from pollen allergies.

For those who also suffer from spring or summer allergies, ragweed allergy season will be much harder on you than others. The pollen from ragweed is far more potent than the pollen that comes from trees in the spring, and from grasses in the summer. Its light weight allows it to be carried for hundreds of miles, while its high reactivity means that only a few grains per cubic meter of air can cause a dreadful reaction.

However, if you are looking to treat your ragweed allergy symptoms, it is first recommended that you understand them thoroughly. There are many similarities between ragweed allergies and a common cold. Knowing the difference is the key to determining the proper treatment techniques.

Common Symptoms

• Itchy Eyes
• Stuffy Nose or Runny Nose
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Skin Itchiness

More Severe Symptoms

Ragweed allergies can lead to many more symptoms than just itchy eyes and runny noses. If ignored for too long, they can result in a number of more serious symptoms such as:

*Difficulty Breathing
*Wheezing
*Skin Rashes
*Cramps or Abdominal Pain
*Vomiting or General Nausea
*Confusion

Many of these more severe symptoms can indicate that you are at risk of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction that causes difficulty breathing due to restricted airways. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, or consider a rush to the emergency room if you have difficulty breathing.

Diagnosing Ragweed Allergies

Many people often confuse ragweed allergies with other health problems such as colds or even chemical sensitivity. Colds are notorious for producing the same symptoms including stuffy noses, sneezing, or headaches. Chemical sensitivities can lead to rashes, itchy eyes, or irritation that is mistaken for allergies.

If you suspect that you may have an allergy to ragweed, it would be a good idea to visit an allergist. There are a number of different tests that allergists can perform in order to identify what allergens are causing your problems. If you don’t particularly care to visit an allergist, you can identify the cause of your symptoms in other ways. This includes understanding the symptoms, and looking at common resources like local pollen counts. By understanding when your symptoms are occurring, and what allergens are present in the air at that time, you can pinpoint the likely cause.

Treatment

Treatment of ragweed allergy is the same as treating any other seasonal allergy. This is because they are all caused by pollen. Avoidance is the recommended method of dealing with pollen allergies. Staying indoors during peak pollination hours, using avoidance techniques, or even running an air purifier are all great ways to reduce your exposure to ragweed pollen.

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Chronic sinus infections can cause headaches, nasal congestion, pressure, watery eyes, fever, and a general sense of malaise. These symptoms lead to a decrease in quality of life and can effect the ability to work and perform normal daily activities. Fortunately there are several options for those who suffer from chronic or recurrent sinus infections.

The first step in treating sinus infections is an accurate diagnosis. Consultation with a primary physician or an ear, nose, and throat specialist can make that determination. Initial management is generally done with medications and over the counter treatments. Nasal saline irrigation, such as the Neti-Pot or SinuRinse, self made nasal saline irrigation solutions, and antihistamines are mainstay of over the counter treatment. First line prescription medications include nasal steroid sprays, leukotriene inhibitors, antibiotics, and short courses of oral steroids. If an aggressive course of medical treatment is not successful at alleviating symptoms or the symptoms recur frequently, surgery may be needed to correct an underlying anatomic problem.

If surgery is considered, the first step is to obtain a CT scan of the sinuses to define the underlying nasal anatomy. Septal deviations, sinus ostial obstruction, nasal or sinus polyps, and certain anatomic abnormalities can all contribute to chronic sinusitis and be easily fixed surgically.

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The newest technology in sinus surgery is the balloon sinuplasty. Using technology from the cardiac field, small catheters can be inserted into the natural openings of the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses. Once inserted, balloons are threaded over the catheters and inflated to make the natural sinus openings bigger. In select patients, this can be performed using only local anesthesia. This means that there is not the risk or recovery associated with general anesthesia and patients with medical conditions that would not be candidates for general anesthesia can still have surgery. Long term studies of the technology have shown promise that it will lead to a permanent solution for sufferers of chronic sinusitis.

Even with surgery, some patients may require long term allergy treatment including medication or allergy shots. Consultation with an ears, nose, and throat physician is the first step to formulating a treatment plan which can lead to long term results. If you are thinking about surgery, be sure to ask if local anesthesia balloon sinuplasty is an option and if the surgeon performs the procedure. Sometimes a second opinion may be necessary to determine if you are a candidate for the latest advance in sinus surgery.

Many of us experience an allergic reaction to something. Those who have different food allergies in their families are more likely to also have them. Later generations will often have allergies to asthma, a topic dermatitis, pollen, and mold if they are present in earlier family members. The tendency to have an allergy to something is one of those things that can be passed from generation to generation.

Keep in mind that beginning with prevention of allergies early in life is a good thing. A mother ought to breastfeed until a baby reaches one year. An allergy to milk is common, and if you worry your child then breastfeeding is one way to defeat that kind of reaction. However, many women simply aren’t able to breastfeed, and so hydrolyzed milk formula can help in the prevention of an allergy. You may consider also avoiding particular foods while you are pregnant to prevent allergies later on in life.

At times children outgrow allergies, and most will outgrow allergies related to foods such as wheat products, dairy items, chicken eggs, and soy when they turn five. However, more care needs to be taken with certain allergies to nuts, since they are altogether different. Keeping children away from cigarette smoke is a good idea since it can actually make a child more susceptible to allergies. Second hand smoke and the clinging smoky smell that sticks to items such as clothing and hair are included.

An allergy to nickel is an odd one that will pop up suddenly after many years. Nickel is in things that people wear, believe it or not. Buttons and snaps in jeans or other items usually contain nickel, as well as some types of common jewelry. A rash can develop in the area that is exposed to the nickel. If you see a rash near the stomach, neck, finger or earlobe it could be caused by exposure to nickel in an allergic person.

Avoiding allergic reactions whenever it is possible is smart, but not always an easy task. Of course not smoking anywhere near children is best for them. Even working inside a smoke-filled room is not good since smell attaches to everything item. Also, if you are buying a new product you may want to look for a label that ensures they are hypoallergenic and free of fragrances. Quite often the part of the product that will have you suffering from an allergic reaction is the part that smells good.

Allergies are one of the most difficult things to live with and can be quite devastating for some. An allergy is defined by the medical community as an irrational response to environmental factors such as food or pollen. The most common allergy that affects millions of individuals is pollen and it is at its highest levels during the spring time season as the trees begin to regenerate their leaves. Although there is no cure for allergies there does exist ways of reducing the effects of its symptoms.

One of the ways is to actually utilize special medication in conjunction with a nebulizer in order to lessen the effects of the condition. A nebulizer is a health device that is made specifically to be used by allergy sufferers in order to deliver specialized medication. What the device does is that it takes the prescription medicine and transforms it into mist form which is then breathed in by the individual. The benefit of transforming it into mist form is the fact that it can actually be absorbed far more quickly by the body and as a result begins to reduce the symptoms faster.

A common example is that an individual that suffers from allergies can take their nebulizer device with them wherever they go. If you desire to go on a trip to Europe and you know that you have allergies then what you can do is plan to take your device with you along with the special medication that works for you on your trip. Whenever you feel that your symptoms are acting up then simply take out your portable device and then within minutes you are ready to take in the medication for relief.

The other beneficial aspect of the nebulizer system is the fact that it is completely portable. With the ability to take it with you wherever you go you can rest assured that you can have easy access to aid your health whenever you need to. The device actually comes with several different sizes of masks that can be used to help adults as well as children. Many children begin to develop allergy symptoms at a very young age and as a result it is important to begin early to help their condition. There is however different medication for children than there are for adults and as a result a physician needs to be consulted in order to prescribe the correct allergy prescription.

People who are suffering from various allergies typically have a harder time choosing the right kind of mattress to buy. It can be terribly inconvenient to spend all night itching and sneezing because you are allergic to your own mattress. Fortunately, you don’t have to change your mattress just to prevent an allergic reaction each time you lie down on your bed, as protective mattress covers are now widely available. These covers serve to protect the mattress from damages and the hypoallergenic variety also serves to protect the user from dust mites and other particles in the mattress that may cause an allergic reaction.

Most protective mattress covers are as thick as comforters so they don’t only protect you from dust but they can also make your bed much more comfortable to sleep in. There is a mattress topper that is especially designed to work against dust mites, which is why it is ideal for people with allergies. The key to hypoallergenic covers is the material used for them. A mattress topper made out of latex is ideal, as it can keep the particles in the mattress from escaping. Vinyl is also a good material if you don’t want to purchase latex. The great thing about these covers is that the special material is typically placed underneath the cover so the top part can still be soft and comfortable.

Instead of enduring uncomfortable allergic reactions that give way to red eyes, a runny nose, and rashes all over your body, it is better to purchase a cover for your mattress to prevent this from happening. Protective mattress covers can help you sleep better at night, as you won’t have to worry about dust mites or bed bugs from getting to you while you lie comfortably on your bed. While you can always buy a hypoallergenic mattress, if your current one is still in good condition, it would be a waste of money to completely change your mattress when you can use a hypoallergenic cover instead. Even if you have a hypoallergenic mattress, it would still be ideal to get bedding that serve the same purpose to ensure your protection.

People with allergies are more particular about their surroundings, as a little dust can trigger an allergic reaction, which can worsen if the mattress they sleep in is not made out of hypoallergenic material. This is why protective mattress covers are very useful, as you can purchase several pieces for each bed in your home without having to spend as much as you would if you bought a new mattress.

You can find a wide range of mattress covers. Whether you want the topper variety, which can be placed on top of the mattress like a bed sheet or you want to completely cover your mattress for added protection, you can find many options. They even come in a wide range of designs and colors, though it would be best to get a plain one, as it is meant to be placed underneath your bed sheet anyway. Protective mattress covers are a worthy investment that can keep your allergies away at night and allow you to completely relax so that you will feel rested and refreshed when you wake up in the morning.

In some cases allergens serve to exacerbate the condition, in other cases the allergen itself is the root cause of the problem. The bottom line is that the identification of and elimination of these allergens is paramount to the maintenance of one’s health.

Allergies have been associated with anxiety, aphthous stomatitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, ADHD, autoimmune diseases, chronic candidiasis, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, dermatitis herpetiformis, epilepsy, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, multiple sclerosis, otitis media, peptic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, sinusitis and probably countless others.

Here are a few of the listed health problems that have an association with allergens:

1. “Canker Sore” (aphthous stomatitis): It goes without saying that our mouth (lips, gums, cheeks) is exposed to food allergens (e.g. gluten). What might not seem as obvious is that it is also the first site of contact for inhaled allergens. The appearance of the cells of an ulcer, the antibodies found in the blood and the associated atopy all suggest an allergic association. According to Murray and Pizzorno frequent allergens not related to food include: Benzoic acid; Cinnamaldehyde; Nickel; Parabens; Dichromate and Sorbic acid.

2. Asthma: There are many studies demonstrating the important role that food allergies play in asthma. The reactions could be immediate or delayed. Allergens shown to have an immediate response include: egg, fish, shellfish, nuts, and peanuts. More delayed responses have been seen with milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus, and food colorings. When there is a strong family history of allergies, elimination of common allergens for the first two years of life is suggested. Airborne allergens like pollen, dander, and dust mites may play a significant role in asthma as well.

3. Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Studies have shown breastfeeding to offer significant prophylaxis against eczema and allergies in general. There may need to be some avoidance of common allergens by the mother in higher risk cases. “Leaky gut” is thought to be responsible for the development of food allergies. Increased permeability of the gut increases probability of food allergies. It is important to determine which are the offending foods and eliminate them for upwards of a year. The initial offending foods may create an environment in the gut that leads to development of allergies that were not originally an issue.

4. ADHD: We have all heard that “you are what you eat”, apparently our behavior may also be influenced by what eat. One study showed immediate EEG wave changes (i.e. electrical activity in brain) with ingestion of previously identified sensitizing foods. Both food allergies and ADHD have been found to be associated with sleep disturbances including sleep apnea and snoring. Perhaps the quality of sleep in turn contributes to the degree of attention deficit in some people. Improved sleep with diet modifications has been demonstrated.

5. Autoimmune Diseases: The association between autoimmune diseases, intestinal permeability and food allergy is undeniable. There are more overt issues with gluten in Celiac’s disease but there are also those who harbor subclinical allergies to wheat and other foods that may play a role. An elimination and detox diet may be used to decrease antigen load and to work on repair of the gut.

6. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): The association between chronic fatigue and food allergies goes back as far as 1930. Symptoms of CFS can include fatigue, muscle and joint aches, drowsiness, difficulty in concentration, nervousness, and depression. Between “55% and 85% of individuals with CFS have allergies.”

7. Gluten Allergies: Dermatitis herpetiformis are lesions that are associated with allergies to gluten. Sometimes however simply removing gluten is not enough. A chronic history and damage to the gut with consequent increased permeability of the gut may result in the development of other food allergies.

There are different theories explaining the relationship between allergens and disease states. More often than not things are multi-factorial. Perhaps it simply relates to the inflammatory load that is placed on our bodies and that we need to decrease the load put on our bodies and rest our organ systems. These issues can be quite convoluted and it is this author’s opinion that patients do best when they work with a healthcare provider that is trained in natural forms of medicine, diet modifications and detoxification. Naturopathic physicians are ideal healthcare team members to help facilitate your path back to health.

Celiac disease or gluten intolerance many seem very scary when you are first diagnosed but rest assured that once you get used to the diet and know what to look for it really is manageable. I am a celiac (gluten intolerant) for many years and it is now like second nature to me. In fact my husband and 3 children all now eat gluten free products as all my cooking is done without gluten. Even pastry and baking is done with gluten free products. My brother was diagnosed when he was seventeen and he is now 53. At that time it was very difficult as you could not even buy bread, shops were completely unaware of the disease as were restaurants. Today most good supermarkets have a comprehensive gluten free section and many restaurants cater for gluten intolerance.

As a celiac wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt should be avoided as all contain gluten or in the case of oats even thought it does not contain gluten in the same form as the other grains it is almost impossible to ensure that it has not been contaminated with other grains. Spelt is naturally low in gluten but I find that I still have side effects if I do eat it. It is best to avoid it if possible.

On initial diagnosis it is very confusing trying to figure out what products contain gluten and those that do not. Below is a list of items that should always be avoided. This list is by no means exhaustive and so you need to check every item unless its marked gluten free. These are terms used by manufactures that should raise alarm bells when looking at ingredient lists. Barley starch, Bran, flour, couscous, durum wheat, fillers, flour, malt, malt barley, pearl barley, rusk, rye, starch, semolina, thickener, vegetable gum or starch etc.

Some bakeries and butchers offer gluten free products but check that they have been produced in a gluten free environment where no contamination can occur.

It is really amazing how many products have gluten added to them and below is a list of a small selection, giving you an idea of just how widely gluten is used. Stock cubes, soups, mustard, soya sauce, dry roasted peanuts, pretzels, coffee from a vending machine, drinking chocolate, beer, some tablets and vitamins, chips, processed meats. Processed foods and TV dinners also have hidden gluten. All of these products can also be bought without gluten so check to see which ones are suitable for you as a celiac.

It is really a great idea to join your local Celiac or gluten intolerance group or link to an online community. They usually have lots of advice on the products that contain gluten. My own local group do a fantastic booklet with a full product list of gluten free items. It was invaluable particularly when first diagnosed but I still use it today. Be aware also that sometimes manufactures change the ingredients used so some product that was gluten free before many not be gluten free now.

Once you keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid to ask questions either in shops or restaurants you will be fine. If I don’t want to create a fuss particularly at a restaurant where I may be dining with people I don’t know well, I will ring the restaurant in advance and ask them what is suitable for me on the menu. If you are eating in someone’s home do tell them that you are a celiac before you go as they can then be prepared with foods that you can eat. Most hosts find it embarrassing if they don’t have anything prepared for you.

All the information included is as a result of my own diagnosis and experience and I am not a doctor or medical practitioner. If you have specific health concerns around this issue you should visit your GP.

Gluten is a form of protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Many processed foods on the selves of a majority of the supermarkets also contain this protein. Gluten is the component that is responsible for giving the flour manufactured from such grains a doughy effect. It is added in processed foods to add to the flavor and to cause the rising effect when baking.

There are some people that are affected by this form of protein. Gluten is known to cause damage to the small intestines of such people. The condition that such people suffer from is called Celiac and it has the simple remedy of going gluten free. People suffering from this disease are not the only ones that are on diets without gluten. There are other conditions too that may force one to go on diets without gluten. Healthy people are also going this way just to keep healthy.

Diets free of gluten are not like other diets that people go on to lose weight or regulate blood sugar. It is not as hard a task and many people with the right attitude towards this diet enjoy taking it. The rewards are also great and most people who have gone on this diet are thankful of the outcomes.

People suffering from celiac are the people who benefit most from gluten free diet. Such people would suffer a lot of symptoms such as nausea, weight gain, blotted stomachs, stomachache and other many bowel related problems. Such effects are completely eradicated if one avoids gluten or takes meals that do not contain gluten at all.

Some people also benefit from foods that do not contain gluten by losing weight. However, it is important to remember that this diet is not designed for people who want to lose weight. It is mainly for people that are sensitive to gluten and some people may even gain weight once they start on this diet.

Celiac, the condition that gluten sensitive people suffer from can be diagnosed by a medical practitioner. However, this will cost you unnecessary fees since this is something you can do on your own. The only way to establish whether one is celiac is to refrain from gluten and observe the body reactions. If the symptoms that were coming as a result of the foods with gluten disappear, then you get to know that you are sensitive. There are no special prescriptions even if you were to have a test done by a doctor so there is no need to enter the unnecessary costs.

There are many places from which you can now get food products without gluten. Some supermarkets are now stocking a variety of grain flours and even processed foods that do not contain gluten. You should also be able to find fast food points and restaurants that have wide menus of foods that are without gluten.