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How
can I get rid of the itch of skin allergies?
Here's a few to try at home. Use ice
cubes, rubbed on your skin whenever you get the urge to scratch.
They'll help take the flame out of inflammation. You can also try
vinegar in water. (1/4 cup of vinegar to one quart of water). Or
you can try a lukewarm bath, not a hot one and not a shower.
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What should I
do to prevent mold and mildew in my house?
Vent your clothes dryer to the outside
to help reduce excess moisture. Throw out all those old, damp piles
of odds and ends you've been hoarding in the basement, attic and
backs of closets.newspapers, books, magazines, old carpets, cast-off
furniture, dingy pillows, broken down toys and the like. And.avoid
wallpaper. It's a haven for mold, especially in the bathroom. If
you must have it, add borax or boric acid to the paste to retard
mold growth.
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My
children like to play "beauty shop" with my cosmetics, but a friend
told me that they might get allergies from them. Is that true?
It can be. Don't allow your children
to "play grown-hp" with your makeup. Early exposure to cosmetics
increases the chances that when they do grow up, they will develop
not only cosmetic allergy, but other assorted contact allergies.
Cosmetics marketed to preteens are also not a good idea.
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Are
hypoallergenic products really safe?
They are supposed to be low in irritants
and allergens, but they may still contain potentially harmful chemicals.
The FDA admits that there are no official standards for hypoallergenic
products, other than that they must be less likely to cause adverse
reactions than other similar products.
There is no such thing as a non-allergenic
cosmetic. Reading labels is as critical with cosmetics, as with
other products.
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How can I make sure that
the air my family breathes in our home is as clean as possible?
For a starter, cut down or eliminate as many
of the following as possible :
Pesticides, mothballs, epoxy glues, polyurethane, paint and air
fresheners.
And in your garage…garden chemicals and
gasoline that may be stored there.
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Is there more to cleaning
carpets than getting out the dirt?
Absolutely. When you come into your home you
carry in all sorts of things that are present in outdoor air, including
pollens, fungus, bacteria, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, mildew
and fertilizer, just to name a few. They come in on your body, your
hair, your skin and your clothes.
That's why it's important to clean your carpets
on a regular basis..at least three times a year if there are allergies
in your family.
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When you have people with allergies in your
family what's the best way to clean wall-to-wall carpet (if you
haven't gotten rid of it yet)… water, powder, steam or what?
Do it myself or get a professional?
No vacuum can significantly reduce the number
of mites or other allergens in your carpet, even with short pile
carpeting. Powdered cleaners are better at removing allergens while
cleaning. Steam cleaning adds moisture to the mite environment,
contributing to mite growth.
If you are the allergic person in your house,
and you are also the housekeeper, it's better to seek professional
help.
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How can I make my own saline nasal spray?
Using a nasal spray can be extremely effective
in reducing allergy symptoms. Mix together ¼ teaspoon
non-iodized salt, 8 ounces of distilled or filtered
warm water and put it in a spray bottle with a small spout. Allergy
practices can sell you a reusable spray bottle kit designed for
nasal lavage for a very reasonable cost. Use it as often as
needed to reduce stuffiness. It helps remove allergens, dust and
pollens from sinuses and nasal passages. Remember to follow directions
regarding cleaning and care of the spray bottles.
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What are some of the less common symptoms
that could tell me I have an allergy?
Black circles under your eyes, long, silky eyelashes,
frequent sties or cysts along the lower edge of the upper eyelids,
a horizontal nose crease along the lower third of the nose and gelatin-like
discharge from the corner of the eye.
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I'm allergic to some
furniture polish. What can I use instead?
Try 100% lemon oil or beeswax and olive oil,
and rub thoroughly after applying.
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If I'm
allergic to ragweed, does that mean I'm probably allergic to other
fall plants?
You may well be allergic to ragweed's relatives; chrysanthemums,
dahlias, daisies, cosmos, zinnias and goldenrod.
And while we're talking about fall
plant allergies. if you're a mold sufferer, you should avoid potted
African violets and geraniums since mold frequently grows around
them.
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How can I recognize
a food allergy?
You may experience symptoms such as
itching of the mouth and throat, hives, swollen lips or eyelids,
difficulty swallowing, vomiting, difficulty breathing or asthma.
If so, it's time to see a Board Certified allergist.
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What is in
allergy injections?
Allergy injections may contain extracts
made from the allergens to which you are allergic. Commonly used
allergens include pollen, molds, dust mites components, and animal
dander. Each treatment extract may contain a mixture of several
different allergens. Allergy injections are custom-made for each
patient.
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How can I tell
whether I have an allergy or a cold?
Allergy symptoms can include watery
eyes, coughing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, clear, watery nasal discharge,
but no fever.
Cold symptoms can include fever, sore
throat, and aches and pains, as well as allergy symptoms. Mucous
from a cold tends to be thicker and yellow or green.
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Uncontrolled
allergy symptoms may cause a respiratory infection; including a
cold, a sinus infection, an ear infection or bronchitis.
This occurs because of a breakdown
of the nasal lining allowing penetration of viruses or bacteria.
Controlling allergy swelling in your nose and airways will restore
this barrier and help prevent infections.
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Is there any
way I can lessen asthma symptoms, like difficulty breathing, without
resorting to another medication?
Sure. It's a remedy your grandmother
(and great grandmother) probably used.a bowl of hot chicken soup.
Actually any warm liquids will help because they are soothing to
the bronchial tubes. Cold liquids irritate them.
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What allergens
are the major indoor problems?
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We are building
a home. What would you suggest to reduce indoor air pollution and
allergen exposure?
- Don't build an airtight insulated
home.
- Install exhaust vents to outside,
avoiding stove vents that just recycle the air.
- Avoid putting carpet directly down
on cement floors and to the extent possible limit carpeting throughout
the home.
- Install a central vacuum cleaner
which is exhausted to the outside.
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I have a 10 year
old who wants to go to summer camp, but I'm concerned about his
asthma flaring up. Any suggestions?
Children with controlled asthma may
attend any camp with proper preparation and instruction on identifying
problem areas. For children requiring additional care and attention,
check into the special camps just for kids with asthma. In addition
to regular camp activities, the children usually learn about managing
their symptoms and are guided by doctors, nurses and therapists.
And since all the campers have asthma, nobody feels like
the odd one.
There are more than 100 asthma summer
camps in the U.S. Call
1-800-LUNG-USA for information about a camp near you.
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What are the
major pollinating seasons in the central Pennsylvania area?
- Tree pollen - Late February through
May
- Grass pollen - Late April through
early July
- Ragweed pollen - August 1 through
end of October
- Molds - Outdoors generally when
the snow leaves until the snow returns. Peak levels from mid-June
through mid-August and in October and November in wooded areas
only.
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Are allergies
hereditary?
The tendency to develop allergies
is largely inherited. If both parents are allergic, their child
has a 60% chance of developing allergies...one parent, 40%...neither
parent, about 15%.
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When are pollen
counts usually lowest on any given day?
They are usually lowest in the afternoon
and very early evening.
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What's the
best way to find out what I'm allergic to?
You need to discover exactly what
your triggers are by testing them through skin tests, blood tests,
and/or through eliminating certain foods from your diet.
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What goes on
in skin testing...a lot of needles?
Skin testing is the most common kind
of allergy testing. It involves placing many kinds of allergens
into or onto the skin...with a needle prick...and then waiting for
about twenty minutes to see where red welts appear. These are the
troublemakers and we can then create a treatment plan to eliminate
or tame them.
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What's a peak
flow meter and why do I need to use it for my asthma?
A peak flow meter is a simple, portable,
inexpensive device that measures your airflow. You forcibly blow
into it and the reading tells you how open your airways are, or
how clogged. Using this at home is like having an early warning
system before symptoms like wheezing, coughing and tightness in
the chest area appear.
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My children really want
a dog and I've been thinking about a Chihuahua because it's practically
hairless. Would that be a good choice to have around allergic kids?
It's not the hair, it's the protein found in
the pet's saliva, dander and urine that cause the problems. Unfortunately
there is no breed that is universally better for people with asthma
and allergies.
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I've had it with
spring trees and ragweed. If I move to the Southwest will that help?
If there were a better or safer place there
would be a mass migration of allergics and asthmatics. Sometimes
a move helps for a few months, but then usually you simply develop
new allergies to the plants there.
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I do a lot of driving
in my job. Is it safe to take an antihistamine in the morning before
I go to work?
Drowsiness is the most common side effect of
over-the-counter antihistamines. And driving may be impaired with
these drugs without even feeling tired! If this is really giving
you a problem ask your allergist for a prescription for one of
the
newer prescription antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness.
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Is it true that decongestants
should not be used by people with heart disease, thyroid disease,
or diabetes unless a doctor says it's OK?
In a word,,,yes.
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Can allergies make me
tired?
Yes, the very same chemicals that allow allergies
to cause nasal congestion, sneezing and runny noses also go to the
brain and cause fatigue. Treatment for allergies that helps the
nose and sinuses should also lessen the fatigue.
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I get tired of taking
pills. Do I have to take allergy medications every day?
Medications are only helpful in reducing symptoms.
It is important to take them if you can't avoid the allergens you
are allergic to. Only by strict environmental control or immunotherapy
(allergy shots) can you get to the point where you can consider
stopping or at least severely reducing your need for medications.
Medications should mainly be taken to reduce symptoms, prevent
infection, a complication of allergy, and to allow you to sleep
comfortably and perform adequately at work or school.
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I have this great
down comforter and I love it but I'm afraid that I am allergic to
it. What can I do?
Cover it up before you cover yourself up. Encase
it in an anti-allergen cover. This will put a barrier between you
and the down or dust mites that are there. Covers can be found in
lightweight materials that will let you keep your "downy" softness.
A dust cover may then be added.
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I've heard that inhaled
medications, such as corticosteroids are dangerous. Is this true?
Inhaled medications, including corticosteroids,
are the safest and most effective drugs to treat asthma that currently
exist.
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When should I see
an allergist for my allergies and asthma?
Go if symptoms persist despite medication or
if you develop complications of allergy, either respiratory infections
or asthma. An allergist may suggest ways to control allergies so
that less or, in some cases, no medication is required.
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Recently I had a
toothache in my back molar.a toothache that lasted for several days.
It was on and off and more at night than in the daytime. So I went
to my dentist. He looked and then took an x-ray but didn't see anything
wrong. Then he said maybe it was a sinus problem. Is this possible?
It sure is. Part of a sinus cavity dips down
near the upper jaw. So if the pain lingers for more than a few days
it may be necessary to get an MRI to see if the problem is in that
cavity. Talk to your allergist who can take the necessary steps
to solve it.
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Is it safe to continue
taking allergy shots while I am pregnant?
Yes, as long as they seen to be helping you
and you are not having allergic reactions to the shots.
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Sometimes when I
eat certain foods I get gas or diarrhea. Does this mean I'm allergic
to them?
These symptoms are more likely to indicate food
intolerance rather than an allergy. A true food allergy is uncommon.
It activates the immune system and often causes problems within
10 to 45 minutes.symptoms such as hives, itchy throat, vomiting,
wheezing and breathing trouble. Both allergies and intolerances
can run in families.
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I stayed in a hotel recently
and started sneezing shortly after I arrived in my room. The manager
switched me to another room but it wasn't any better. How can I
make sure that I get a more allergy-friendly room the next time
I travel?
When you book your room, ask for one that is
non-smoking, away from the kitchens and the ventilation chambers,
on the exterior of the building, and with windows that open, or
at least a well-operating air conditioner. And always carry a non-sedating
antihistamine, such as Allegra or Claritin to decrease any allergy
symptoms.
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Can asthma be cured?
Not yet. It's a chronic condition. However,
with the proper diagnosis and treatment, asthmatics can lead normal,
active lives with little disturbance to the quality of life.
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Should
people wear ID bracelets for their allergic conditions?
People with life-threatening
allergic reactions to antibiotics or bee sting reactions should
definitely wear ID bracelets and should carry with them an emergency
kit containing epinephrine, such as an Epi Pen.
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Should
I get allergy shots?
When medications aren't
helping and you're having a hard time avoiding your allergens, it
might be time to consider allergen immunotherapy, or allergy "shots."
To date, allergen immunotherapy is the only treatment that has the
potential to provide long term prevention. Also allergy shots may
have a lasting effect even after they are stopped, whereas medications
do not.
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I
know that allergens get into our bodies when we breathe and also
through some of the foods we eat. Are there other ways?
Yes. In addition to the
above we can be exposed to them on our skin and mucous membranes,
or by sexual contact. They can also be inserted into the body by
injection or by insect bite; and we can even manufacture them in
our own bodies.
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Is
there a cure for food allergies?
Currently, there are
no medications that cure food allergies. Strict avoidance is the
only way to prevent a reaction. Most people outgrow their food allergies,
although peanuts, nuts, fish and shellfish are often considered
life-long allergies.
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Is
any progress being made in using gene therapy to combat asthma?
Several research laboratories
are studying this. We can be hopeful that within the next decade
a major breakthrough in genetic research will provide physicians
with a new therapeutic approach to effectively treat chronic pulmonary
diseases such as asthma.
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I've
been tested for things I am allergic to and one of them is dust.
Isn't everyone allergic to dust?
Dust allergy is the
most common allergen and fortunately it is one of the allergens
we can do the most about. It has to do with dust mites that
live in everyone's house and there are excellent means of
reducing one's exposure that should help reduce that allergy.
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What's
the best treatment for food allergy?
Strict avoidance of
the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Reading
ingredient labels for all foods is the key to maintaining control
over this allergy. if a label contains unfamiliar terms, shoppers
must call the manufacturer and ask for a definition or avoid eating
that food.
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What
can I do to improve the air at work?
If you're having trouble
breathing due to, among other things, molds, dust, fumes from photocopiers,
perfume or cigarette smoke, track your symptoms to see if you
can pinpoint a trigger or time of day when symptoms occur. Then
adjust your schedule, if you can, to reduce your exposure.
You can also check with management to see if ventilation can
be improved or if air ducts can be cleaned.
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My
nose was stuffed up and so I used a nasal decongestant for four
or five days. At first it felt better but now it's stuffed up again?
Why?
You may be using it for
too long if you've been using an over-the -counter spray such as
Afrin, Dristan or Neosynephrine. They are great to use twice a day
for about 3 days for the stuffiness of a bad cold but are not intended
to be used indefinitely. They shrink the lining of the nose, but
if you use them too frequently, your nose reacts and becomes even
more swollen than it was in the first place.
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My two year old daughter makes such a fuss when I take her stuffed
animals to the dryer to help get rid of dust mites. Any suggestions?
Sure. Tell her you
are going to give the animals their very own ride and your daughter can watch them going round and round. This
has worked for some!
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Contents I’m allergic to my mattress but there are so many different
kinds I don’t know which one to get. What ‘s best? You
might want to try a latex mattress. They’re a perfect
choice for people with allergies because latex mattresses are naturally
antimicrobial and antibacterial and thus won’t harbor dust
mites. And they combine softness and support. BUT, if you’re
allergic to latex, keep looking.
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FAQ Contents Can allergies develop later in life? Allergic
reactions can develop at any time in life from
birth to 40 or 50 or more. The peak age at which allergy develops, however,
is in the late teens.
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to FAQ Contents Are there particular
food allergens to be aware of? The
most frequent foods responsible for causing allergic
reactions are nuts, peanuts, milk, egg, wheat and soybean
proteins. Unfortunately
there are food preservatives which may also induce allergy symptoms. These preservatives include metabisulfite, which is present in
most wines which need preserving.
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to FAQ Contents Sometimes I feel
that I would really like to talk to other parents who are
dealing with asthmatic children the way I am. Is there
an asthma patient support group that can help me? Indeed
there are groups all over the country. One national support
group of parents of children with asthma is Allergy
and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. which provides patient and
public education information and is involved in a variety of advocacy
activities for children with asthma.
What does the word "allergy" mean?
It is defined in medical dictionaries as "a hypersensitive state." Allergy is derived from the Greekallos, meaning other, and ergon, which means work. If a personhas an allergic reaction to something, what he or she is really experiencing is an altered, or exaggerated reaction. So the allergy patient lives in an altered state of hypersensitivity.
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Can you be allergic to paint fumes?
A large number of non-protein substances like Kleenex, paper dust, paint fumes, perfume, newsprint and cigarette smoke are erroneously called allergens, but they're not. They do produce symptoms in many people, but it's because they're irritating, not allergy-causing.
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Should I be more worried about constant , minor allergy symptoms or the ones that are worse but don't happen very often?
Constant low-grade allergy symptoms can often be more detrimental than symptoms that are severe, but occasional. Constant, annoying symptoms can really wear away at your sense of well-being. They can destroy your ability to get a good night's sleep or concentrate at work.
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Does when a baby might be born have any effect on the possibilities of allergies for that baby?
If you're allergic and planning a pregnancy, go for February with your baby due in November. It's a very low pollen period and babies born then have half the chance of developing allergies as allergy-prone babies born in May or June.
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Does any particular one kind of weather trigger asthma attacks more than others?
Thunderstorms can trigger asthma attacks. In one study, 33% of asthma epidemics occurred on days when thunderstorms were reported. If you have hay fever and/or asthma, take preventive medication when pollen levels are high and thunderstorms are forecast.
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