Allergy - Allergy Relief

The Basics About Allergies Allergies are defined as immune malfunctions that occur when an individual's body is oversensitive to certain substances. These substances that cause allergies are called allergens. Allergies cause the body to produce excessive amounts of immunoglobulin E. This overproduction can result in inflammation, runny noses, itchy eyes or even shock or death, depending on how extreme an individual's allergies may be. Common symptoms of allergies include redness and itchiness of the eyes, wheezing or other breathing problems, skin rashes or hives. Some people with severe allergies might even experience anaphylaxis or death in extreme exposure situations. There are many common allergies from which many people suffer. Animal dander (particularly from cats), pollen, dust mites and certain medications can all be causes of allergies. Some individuals are also allergic to certain foods or even whole food groups. The most common way for doctors to identify a person's allergies is to conduct a skin test. Skin allergy tests are typically conducted on a person's back because of the large amount of surface area, and also because of the limited sensitivity experienced in that area of the body. Doctors make pricks in the patient's skin, and they introduce small amounts of substances that commonly cause allergies. The allergens are labeled, and within a thirty-minute period a reddening of the skin surrounding the allergens will occur if the patient is allergic to one or more of the substances. Want more information on Allergy Relief? Eyeforhealth.com has all the information and important links you need to stop suffering. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Miller Allergy - Choosing the Right Holmes Air Purifier for You Homes today are virtually airtight in an effort by homeowners to reduce the expenses of heating and cooling them. Most homes have air conditioners and heaters that use recycled air. This is typically fine, but there comes a point when the air can become stale and carry many particles, which are harmful. Many consumers wish to select an air purifier that has the same standards of quality as a Holmes air purifier. Important considerations for consumers include visual appeal, noise levels, how often the filter must be changed, how long it is expected to work and how well it works. These are the major things that people are looking at when trying to decide upon the air purifier for their home. The Department of Energy is responsible for setting standards for air filters. Many consumers prefer a HEPA filter, as they are more effective at removing a greater amount of particles from the air. The Holmes air purifier always includes a HEPA filter. Holmes air purifiers are quite popular among homeowners because they are built with a quiet motor. These are two of the most important factors that many people consider when they are looking for an air purifier. While using an air purifier is quite effective at improving the quality of the air, there are other actions that can be taken. Other effective means include using plastic covers on mattresses to reduce the number of dust mites as well as using a good quality vacuum cleaner. Replacing a wood burning fireplace with an electric fireplace is another way to clean the air in your home. When you are cooking, always ensure that the exhaust fan above the stove is on and that it is functioning properly to help pull the particles out of the air. Ensuring that filters in the furnace and air conditioners are changed frequently will also help the air quality in your home. Windows and doors should also remain closed as much as possible; if you wish to open them, ensure there is a screen in place to keep out the larger pieces of debris. If you or other family members are especially sensitive to pollen or have allergies, avoid going outside unless necessary on days when the pollen count is extremely high. Using a Holmes air purifier can assist all of the other discussed methods, but should never be your only method in order to produce the best possible results. With some work, you will be breathing cleaner, healthier air in no time.

Allergy - Help I Am Allergic To Chocolate

If you are allergic to chocolate then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Scientists do not clearly understand why the immune system of people allergic to chocolate considers some food proteins as harmful by the body. The immune system can mount a variety of defenses mechanisms against proteins that is considers as harmful or foreign. Symptoms can be very mild to life-threatening depending on the severity of your chocolate allergies. They usually occur within a few minutes to a few hours after eating or inhaling chocolate. True allergies to chocolate or cocoa are very rare. Other ingredients, additives or chemicals found in processed chocolate such as nuts, milk, gluten from wheat, soybeans, corn, syrup, caffeine, Theo-bromine, and Phenyl-ethylamine, cause most allergic reactions to chocolate. The higher the quality of chocolate the lower the chances of other additives being found in chocolate. Cocoa is made from the seeds of the cocoa tree that have been fermented, roasted and then ground up. The cocoa tree originated in Central America but is now grown in tropical climates around the world. The proteins found in chocolate trigger the immune system to reaction. Antibodies and histamines are releases into the blood stream in an attempt to neutralize the chocolate protein. These chemicals trigger the allergic symptoms. In sever cases Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, is administered to control the anaphylaxis reaction. If you are unsure if you are allergic to chocolates then one of the tests you could be given is called Food Challenge Test. Avoid all chocolates for several weeks. The doctor will then give you pure chocolate without any of the other ingredients usually found in processed chocolate. This test needs to be given under close supervision by an allergist. If you are truly allergic to chocolate a violent reactions may occur and emergency medical attention may be needed. If symptoms appear within two hours after the taking the pill then you are allergic to it and will need to avoid it. Avoidance can be very difficult because cocoa is often hidden in other foods. Read the labels of every food that you bring into your home. Because the manufacturing processes change continuously re-read the labels each time you purchase a product. On January 1, 2006 a new law was passed stating that all labels should be designed in such a way that a 7-year-old child could read and understand the ingredients. Some of the health benefits of eating chocolate, in moderation of course, are reducing the risk of hart disease, increase longevity, increases libido and increased sexual fulfillment. Antioxidants are also found in chocolate and are believed to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream. Just because it tastes good does not mean that it is bad for you so enjoy the occasional teat, you deserve it. Always consult your doctor before using this information. This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice. David Cowley has created over 50 articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. For other articles on Allergies click on Articles on Allergies and for other articles click on Other Articles Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Cowley Allergy - Learn About Allergies and The Relationship To Food Allergies are the hypersensitive response of the body to foreign substances. These foreign substances are called antigens, which stimulate the body to produce antibodies, whose normal function is to combat antigens by destroying them or otherwise making them harmless. In allergic individuals, for poorly understood reasons, the body's antibody defense mechanism goes awry and injures the body instead of protecting it. The most familiar allergies are hay fever and asthma, which are caused by a wide variety of inhaled pollens, dusts, and other agents. However, food can also be a cause of allergic reactions. Food does not often cause allergic reactions. Food allergies are more common in infants than in older children and adults, probably because the infant's immature digestive tract permits more ready absorption of offending food molecules. Manifestations of food allergies in adults are usually of the immediate kind, including hives, angioderma, eczema, gastrointestinal disorders, and general systemic reactions of the anaphylactic type. Systemic reactions occur quickly after eating. They are most frequently caused by legumes, nuts, seafoods (especially shellfish), and berries, but carbohydrates, fats, food additives, and contamination by drugs may be implicated. In infants and children, eczema is the prominent manifestation, and the most frequent causative agents include milk, wheat, eggs, fish, and soybean products. Food allergies are diagnosed on the basis of the patient's allergic history together with trial eliminations of suspected foods from the patient's diet. Skin tests and tests for antibodies in serum are less significant, because the hypersensitive reaction may be provoked by the breakdown of products of the food resulting from digestion, and not by the food itself. The management of food allergy is based mainly on the avoidance of the offending foods. An antihistamine taken before a meal may be helpful if a food to which one is allergic is to be eaten. Food allergies in children tend to lessen or disappear with age, but the anaphylactic types manifested in adults do not usually improve over time.