Top 10 Causes of Allergies
Top 10 Causes of Allergies
Allergies are the outcomes of the attack of the allergens on our body. In simple words, allergies are caused by the allergens. Allergies are considered to be the one of the most common diseases that are affecting the humans. In the life time every human at least suffers from the allergies once. Allergies are not severe diseases but, can turn into the troublesome nature if the care is not taken at the preliminary stage. Allergies are caused when the allergens in the atmosphere react with your body. Immune system of your body immediately comes in action and releases the histamines that in turn cause the allergic reaction. Allergies can be caused of anything in the atmosphere, from what you eat, from what you drink, etc. The allergy can be caused by the anything that stimulates your immune system and makes it release the histamines that are not needed and these in turn cause the allergies. Here, are the main causes of the allergies.
1. Pollen grains from trees, plants, and grasses
Pollen grains are released from the trees, plants, and grasses during the pollination period. The pollination takes place with the help of air as a medium. When these pollens move from one plant to another through the air, there is a high chance of inhalation of these pollens by the humans. As a result, these pollens enter the human body thorough the nose, ear, eyes, or mouth and cause the allergies. These allergies are usually caused in particular seasons when the pollens are released from the plant i.e. pollination season. Hay fever and allergic rhinitis are the common diseases caused by the allergies from the pollens. Symptoms of these diseases include coughing and postnasal drip; itching eyes, nose, and throat; and dark circles under the eyes.
2. Smell
Smell allergy is new type of allergy and is not so common. Smell allergy is caused when you smell anything and the small particles or allergens which carry this smell enter your nostrils and makes you prone to the sneezing and coughing. Actually, it is not the smell but the allergens carrying the smell that cause the allergy. The most common type of smell allergy are—perfume allergy, allergy to the smell of particular flower (allergy to the smell of rose), or Petrol smell allergy.
3. Medicines
The allergy to the medicines is the new topic of discussion among all the doctors. Medicinal allergy is observed in the individual when the immune system reacts to the dosage of the drug making it to cause the side effects. Allergy to the medicines is the most dangerous of all the allergies. If you take the medicine that you all allergic to then it could lead to the serious consequences. Many individuals are found to be allergic to the antibiotics (penicillin); aspirin; or anaesthetics. That is the reason why the medicines should be strictly taken under the doctor’s supervision.
4. Insects
Insects bite is one of the most common causes of the allergies. When the insect bites, it releases some toxins in out body that cause the irritation of the skin. Sometimes, the reason for the allergies may not be the insect bite but only because of the release of the substances on our body during the insects walk that cause the allergic reaction. Thus, it is necessary to have the insect repellents at your house.
5. Fungal or mould spores (in the bathroom and other damp areas)
Fungal or moulds are found to be grown near the moist and dump areas in your areas or in nearby areas. They during the sporogenesis release the spores that cause the allergy to the humans. These spores when released in air or even water and if you come in contact with them you suffer from the allergies.
6. Pets
Pet allergies means these are not the allergies to the dogs or cats but, the allergies that are caused by the skin flakes and dander of these pets. As we all love our pets, so it is very necessary to maintain the hygiene of these pets so that they can live happy with us and we remain free from the pet allergies.
7. Drinks
This is the new form of the allergy that is caused by the drinks. Many people are found to be allergic to the soft drinks and hard drinks. Many individuals are found to be allergic to the alcohol. When these individuals take the alcohol there mouth starts getting the ulcers. Even when you drink the water that contains the allergens of some chemicals, you get the allergies of mouth and throat. Sometimes even the antigens enter your mouth and cause the allergies. Please avoid the drinking of contaminated water to remain away from the allergies.
8. Food
Allergies are most commonly caused by the foods that we eat. Food allergies shows the symptoms as mouth ulcers, irritation in the mouth, pain in the throat, immediate sneezing, etc. Food allergies occur when the immune system mounts an attack on certain proteins in certain foods. The immune system mistakenly sees a harmless substance in the food as harmful, and churns out antibodies-known as IgE – to attack it. This causes the allergies. The next time a person eats that food, the substance to which he is allergic (the allergen A substance that produces an allergic reaction) enters the body, and attaches to the IgE on mast cells. The mast cells respond by releasing a host of powerful chemicals, including histamine A chemical in certain body cells, which contributes to inflammation and causes itching, swelling, sneezing and other allergic symptoms., to ‘protect’ the body. This produces allergic symptoms. Individuals are found to be allergic to oily foods, cow’s milk, hen eggs, wheat, soya, seafood, fruit, and nuts.
9. Dust mites
Allergies are many times found to be caused by the dust mites that are present in your home or nearby area. House dust mites are tiny (up to 0.3 mm) animals related to ticks and spiders and live in house dust. There is not a house without them, but some houses contain huge numbers and other houses contain almost none. House dust mites eat the dust which comes from our skin all the time. They leave droppings everywhere they go. These droppings cause the allergies in humans. They mainly cause eczema or asthma.
10. Smoke
Smoke is one of the factors that causes allergy in the humans. Smoke is released by the chemical, cement, or perfume factories that contains the harmful antigens and lead to the allergy in humans Smoke released by the vehicles contains harmful carbon monoxide that causes irritation of eyes and nose. Last but not the least the smoke from the cigarettes contain the toxic substances that when released in air cause allergies and lead to the severe health hazards.
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Allergies Symptoms and Natural Foods That Fight Allergies
Allergies Symptoms and Natural Foods That Fight Allergies
Up to 50 million Americans, including 2 million children, have some type of allergy. For most people, allergies are just an inconvenience. According to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, they are a major cause of disability in the U.S. In fact, it has been estimated that allergies account for the loss of over two million school days per year.
What Are Allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system toward a substance that is typically harmless to most people. But in someone with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the substance, called an allergen, as an invader and reacts inappropriately resulting in harm to the person.
Who Gets Allergies?
Children inherit allergic tendencies from their parents. A few children have allergies in spite of no family member having these, but if one parent has allergies, there is a one in four chance that a child will also have allergies. The risk increases if both parents have allergies.
Do I Have an Allergy to Something?
Some allergies are fairly easy to identify because the pattern of symptoms following certain exposures can be hard to miss. But other allergies are less obvious because they can masquerade as other conditions.
How Are Allergies Treated?
There is no cure for allergies, but symptomatic relief is possible. The most effective is by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. If reducing exposure is not feasible or is ineffective, medications may be prescribed. In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help desensitize you. There are also medications you might be able to give yourself, including antihistamines and inhaled or nasal spray steroids. One medical suggestion is: ZYRTEC®
Just 1 dose of ZYRTEC® (cetirizine HCl) a day can keep allergy symptoms under control, year-round. Symptoms from both indoor allergies, like pet dander and dust. And outdoor allergies, like trees and ragweed. Plus, ZYRTEC is approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and up.
Some common allergies include those to:
Grasses
Mold Spores
Marsh Elder
Ash
Pigweed
Oak
Fall Elm
Mesquito
Elm
Sage
Red Berry Juniper
Pecan
Mountain Cedar
Ragweed
Willow
Privet
Cats
Dogs
Bees
Peanuts
Dust Mites
Food
Metals/nickle:
40 percent increase in nickel allergies is blamed on the new body piercing rage. Also some ingest nickel in foods and from chewing pens and paper clips.
Cobalt and chromium can also produce allergic reactions, but to a lesser degree than nickel. once a nickel allergy develops, it lasts for a lifetime.
Animals:
All warm-blooded, furry animals, such as the average household pet, can cause allergic reactions. This is because of proteins in their saliva, dander, and urine. When the animal licks itself, the saliva gets on the fur. As the saliva dries, protein particles become airborne and work their way into fabrics in the home. Cats are the “worst offenders” because their salivary protein is extremely tiny and they tend to lick themselves more than other animals.
Pollen:
Pollen is another important cause of allergies. Pollen allergies are seasonal. Trees, weeds, and grasses release these tiny particles into the air to fertilize other plants. Most people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever.
Cockroach:
Cockroach body parts and waste products are also a major household allergen, especially in inner cities. Asthma rates of inner city children are high, probably due to air pollution and also cockroach exposure in overcrowded buildings.
Mold: One of the most commen allergen.
What is Mold?
Molds are fungi that thrive both indoors and out in warm, moist environments. As with pollen, mold spores are released into the air to reproduce. Mold is produced by several varieties of fungus. These fungi are single-celled organisms that have been around since the beginning of time.
Where can molds be found?
Although molds can be seasonal, many thrive year-round, especially those indoors. Outdoor molds may be found in poor drainage areas, such as in piles of rotting leaves or compost piles. Indoor mold thrives in
dark, moist and poorly ventilated places, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or damp basements (especially after flooding).
How do I know if I have a mold build up?
A mold test kit can be a easy soultion but does cost money, or you can simpley check crawl spaces for standing water, look for condensation forming around windows, and dampness in or on basement walls. If you are experiencing health problems, check bathrooms, bedrooms and family rooms as well. Mold requires three things to grow and multiply. It requires dampness, warmth, and a food source. Find areas that have these three things and you will surely find mold and mildew. Also a musty odor suggests mold growth.
How does mold affect my health?
Only in recent years have medical authorities realized what a health risk the kind of mold that grows in wet basements can be. According to the New York City Department of Health, in people who are allergic to it, mold can cause:
respiratory and eye irritation
flu-like symptoms
fatigue
trouble breathing
coughing
sinus congestions
nausea
chronic headache
loss of memory
other symptoms
Also when mold starts to reproduce inside a home, it can eat away at the structure, causing thousands of dollars in damage
How can I prevent mold build up and how can I keep allergy symptoms down?
Mold requires three things to grow and multiply. It requires dampness, warmth, and a food source. Simpley make sure you dont allow all three things to take place in your house. Mold is everywhere, and you wont completly rid yourself of ever having any contact with mold, but you can surley battle it.
Mold and mildew release mold spores in the air that can float throughout the house. There are several mold cleaning, prevention, and mold removal methods to deal with this problem. 2 suggestions are: Bio-Kleen and Sure Cote Mildew Resistant Coating.
Bio-Kleen can be used in any application in which you want to inhibit colonies of mold, mildew, alga, bacteria and other odor causing organisms. Easy to apply by spraying, wiping or soaking. Allow to air dry.
Sure Cote is a clear non-yellowing , non-toxic, odorless, interior/exterior, mildew resistant coating. It is designed to protect any surface exposed to moisture, high humidity or weather. Will not discolor, stain, stiffen or harm any surface which it recommended for use and gives year round protection.
It is important to try and prevent mold and mildew growth, but if it’s too late, try mold remediation and mold removal.
Allergic reactions can manifest themselves in many different physical ways, most of them extremely unpleasant. In the case of environmental allergens such as hay fever or pet dander, it is possible to limit allergic reaction severity by focusing on a diet that boosts the body?s ability to fight off reaction effects. Many of the materials that are found in medicinal allergy relief are extracted from naturally occurring ingredients in certain foods and drinks, and including these in your diet will help to alleviate your allergic symptoms. It is important to remember that these foods are for fighting environmentally triggered allergies only, and the only way to avoid food allergy symptoms is to avoid the food that cause it.
Green tea is quickly making a name for itself as a general purpose, natural cure-all. Recent studies have shown that green tea may help to combat environmental allergies as one of its many treatment applications. In an article published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Japanese scientists claim to have isolated a compound found in green tea that blocks one of the cell receptors that is key in triggering the allergic response. Because green tea is less processed than any other kind of tea, its natural composition remains unaltered and thus the compounds within it are more concentrated and better able to produce results than those found in different varieties of tea.
The acids found in Omega-3 fatty acids also are beneficial in fighting allergies, as the acid acts as a natural anti-inflammatory
by countering the formation of inflammatory chemicals. There are several foods which are very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, including several kinds of seafood and fish; salmon, haddock, herring, trout, mackerel, and sardines are all full of these acids. Other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are soybeans, flaxseed, walnuts, and canola, and the fatty acids are also available in a more concentrated version through the oils derived from these foods. These oils can easily be included in your daily meals by adding them to the ingredients for your cooking.
Foods that have a high level of Vitamin E are also excellent in combating allergic reactions. Some of these foods include greens, which are also very
