RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Food Allergies’

What Can I Do About My Wheat Allergy?

02 Jun



Food allergies are very common. There are several different types of food allergies but a wheat allergy is one of the most common.

A wheat allergy occurs when a person suffers an adverse reaction to the protein fractions of the wheat and all or some of the other components like gluten. When suffering from a wheat allergy your allergy symptoms will be activated when food containing wheat is eaten but it can also be from inhaling flour that contains wheat which is called baker’s asthma.

Although it is not known the exact number of people who suffer from a wheat allergy it is believed from data that has been collected that is up around the 40% mark. That’s a lot of the population that has a wheat allergy. In the baking industry it is believe that about 42% of all bakers develop baker’s asthma.

Symptoms of a wheat allergy can develop instantly or a few hours after ingesting wheat. The most common symptoms are related to the skin – eczema, itchy skin, or even hives are commonly seen.

The second most common wheat allergy symptom is related to the gastrointestinal tract with any are all of the following symptoms – nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, or diarrhea.

A wheat allergy can also affect the respiratory tract causing asthma like symptoms. And it can also cause life threatening anaphylaxis in a few unlucky individuals. The problem is many of the symptoms of a wheat allergy are caused by cross contamination from other gluten cereals like rye, barley, and oats.

For some the diagnosis of a wheat allergy is very simple. You have the same reaction every time you eat a certain food and when you remove it from your diet you no longer suffer the symptoms. Pretty straight forward right? Not always. It can be difficult to diagnosis if it is a food that you eat regularly with other foods. In these cases diagnosis usually entails a lot more.

The first step to treating your wheat allergy is to avoid all foods that contain wheat. Now that said it can be harder to do then one might think because wheat is a staple food in our diets. A wheat restricted diet creates a very restricted diet which means they may be missing out on other important nutrients. If you have children that have a wheat allergy it would be a good idea to work with a dietitian to make sure they are getting everything they need in their diet.

Sometimes children will outgrow a wheat allergy while other times they will live with it for the rest of their lives. Learning to cope can be a two part problem. First one must learn to avoid the foods that cause the symptoms and second one must learn to deal with the psychological part which our brains tend to crave most what we cannot have.

If your wheat allergy is mild you might be able to control it by reducing your wheat intake or using an over the counter medicine. And don’t forget that natural supplements can bring your body back to a healthy state and it can help energize your immune system the underlying cause of all allergies.

Incoming search terms for the article:

bakers allergy symptoms
 

Natural Sinus Relief – How to Cure Sinus Congestion Naturally

10 Dec



Victims of chronic Sinus Congestion may have the following symptoms for 12 weeks or more: facial pain/pressure, facial congestion/fullness, nasal obstruction/blockage, thick nasal discharge/discolored post-nasal drainage, pus in the nasal cavity, and at times, fever. They may also have headache, bad breath, and fatigue. Typically this condition is the result of several causes combined. While you can’t necessarily eliminate the causes, you can be proactive about natural sinus relief solutions and take a few preventative measures that will decrease the occurrence of sinus congestion.

However, allergies can cause sinus congestion, which can lead to headache pain. If you have allergies, the treatment for your allergy will not relieve your headache pain. Some sinus congestion is caused by food allergies. Milk and wheat are both common sinus offenders that cause allergic reactions and boost mucus production. Generally, a sinusitis condition causes nasal congestion and facial pain and pressure, will last more than ten days, and could also cause a thick yellow green mucus discharge, requiring sinus infection treatment.

Many people seek natural sinus relief because they react poorly to the ingredients in decongestant and antihistamine medications. Why? Because usually decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for short periods of time, or they can make congestion worse. Using decongestants when you have an upper respiratory infection may reduce your risk of developing sinusitis.

Antihistamines can be effective for treatment of allergy but when it comes to sinus drainage, the medication actually thicken the mucus, hampering sinus drainage and could lead to an infection.

Sinus congestion is harmful but if you take care of it in a proper manner you can easily get rid of it. One of the simple natural sinus relief without any side effects that you can do at home is using a steam inhalation. You should inhale steam vapors periodically. It is very helpful to steep some eucalyptus in a large pot of boiling water and use as an inhalant to unblock nasal passages. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil at the bottom of a large bowl and carefully fill it with steaming hot water at least three to four times a day for 2-3 minutes. Quickly put a towel over your head and carefully lean over the bowl to breathe in the vapors.

There are numerous reasons why you should combine steam inhalation and eucalyptus ingredients to treat sinus problems naturally. Eucalyptus essential oil is probably the most effective of all sinus infection remedies. Researchers also discovered the highly concentrated extract of eucalyptus called Cineole is a powerful antiseptic properties. This convenient remedy will break up mucus congestion and improve drainage, thus eliminating the block and relieving pressure. This will also soothe inflammation, which will ease sinus pain and provide effective natural sinus relief.

 

Allergy Relief

04 Oct



For the normal persons allergies are uncountable and horrible thing, for example food allergies in which person can prevent eating certain food which causes the allergic reactions. You have main key to allergy relief is to prevent contacting with these substances.

There are so many foreign substances cause allergy such as medications, dogs, cats, dust, grass, food, food product, and so many products. Unfortunately who is professional such as physician, pharmacist and other heath care worker can’t avoid contacting with medicines and they get affected.

Those who are suffering from allergic due to medications theses people consult with doctor to determine cause of allergy and how to prevent it. Those people allergic with dust and mold allergies these people will need to keep their home dust free and clean, it will key to allergy relief from dust allergy.

Peoples who have pet allergic, theses people get relief to prevent contact with these pets. These people can avoid direct contact with pets at homes or at office. Air filter provides key relief by keeping fresh and clear home and work place. These are some common tips which are helpful for allergic patients.

Medications for Allergy

Some of us suffer from different types of allergies such as food, dust mites, chemical allergy etc. Fortunately there are so many good medications available today in the market such as Benadryl, Loratadine etc. These medications are useful to allergy relief who are allergy sufferer. Benadryl is one of most popular and easily available medicine used for prevention of allergies and treatment for allergic reactions.

When patient has problem of breathing and respiratory they should consult to doctor immediately to get an accurate treatment and diagnosis. Patient should discuss all medications which he had taken previously, before starting new medications.

Benadryl is very useful medicine for allergic patients but some people found drowsiness. This drowsiness is acceptable at bedtime or night but it’s dangerous at work time or daytime. Loratadine is other good medicine useful for allergic patients. Loratadine is available at the local drug stores and we can take it without doctor’s prescription. Previously doctor’s prescription was required for Loratadine.

Albuterol may provide fast relief to acute respiratory distress. Albuterol is an inhaler type medication and doctor prescribes this medication when patient have problem with breathing and respirations. Albuterol is useful for the asthma type reactions and doctor may prescribe asthma medication.

 

Help I Am Allergic To Sulfite

27 Jul



If you have a Sulfite Allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Sulfites have been used for centuries as a preservative for drinks, foods and medication. They preserve the color and flavor and increase the shelf life by inhibiting bacterial growth. About 1 percent of the populations are allergic to sulfites. Sulfite allergy reactions tend to manifest in respiratory symptoms.

Prior to seeing any allergy specialist for testing you will need to stop taking any anti-allergy medication or over the counter antihistamines 2 to 3 days before the test are to be performed. Talk to the allergy specialist if you are unsure about any medications that need to be stopped and for how long.

Patients allergic to sulfite rarely show a positive allergic response to skin testing. The most reliable way to test for this allergy is commonly called The Food Challenge. You are told to avoid all sulfite-containing foods for several weeks.

Avoidance can be very difficult because sulfite 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.

The doctor will then have you take pills containing sulfite under close supervision. If symptoms appear after ingesting the sulfites then you are allergic to sulfites and will need to avoid anything that has it on the label.

The USFDA requires the labeling of foods containing 10 ppm or more of sulfites and in 1986 the FDA banned the use of sulfites on fruits and vegetables that are eaten raw.

A growing awareness about food allergies is becoming well known in the United States. Food manufactures and restaurants are becoming more understanding and willing to accommodate people living with food allergies.

Living with any food allergy is no longer a major undertaking; it is now just a minor adjustment to your life-style. You will need to avoid baked goods, Soups, jams, canned vegetables, pickles, potato chips, dried fruit, trail mix, most condiments, shrimp, guacamole and anything that has sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium bisulfite and potassium metabisulfite on the label.

Some of the common vitamins used to treat sulfite allergy symptoms are Vitamins C, Quercetin, and Bromelain.

Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercetin. Take 100 mg twice daily.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

 

Allergy Skin Rash and Foods – Children Rash Symptoms

19 May



The recent study by the Center for Disease Control highlights that there is an eighteen percent increase in food allergies for kids. Symptoms can be stomach upsets, allergy skin rash, breathing problems and headaches.

Some say that people are more conscious of what a food allergy is today and in the past it may have been that people thought their kids had colds or respiratory issues instead of allergic reactions. Nonetheless, three million kids in the US are said to have food allergies. In other studies, the biggest offenders are dairy , peanut-based products and eggs. Peanut allergies can also cause severe reaction called anaphylaxis. When this happens the person will have their airways swell, lowered blood pressure and a severe reaction.

Children rash symptoms to foods can take the form of eczema, hives and redness around the mouth area. Kids can be very self-conscious about having a skin rash so help them to feel comfortable by using anti=itch creams and ointments to help the inflammation. Skin prick tests as well as patch tests by an allergist can help narrow down the allergic reactions.An allergist may also have you do blood work to check out the IGM and IGE which are immunoglobulin antibodies.

In addition to the above foods, be aware of food dyes and if they are possible causes for your child’s skin rash. Find out what he or she may be eating at school as kids pass candies around and often peanuts are hidden in protein bars and other common snack foods. If your child has an allergy skin rash to foods, urge him to not scratch it and use anti-itch creams as impetigo or other infections are common complications of children rash problems which make the healing as well as diagnose more difficult.

 

Getting Clear Skin Isn’t About Some Fancy Cream – It’s About Healing Your Internal Imbalances

21 Apr



The acne business is a large entrenched industry, with huge amounts of money to throw around on advertising and brain washing. Even the pharmaceutical industry has a big stake in this business because of the prescription on antibiotics in the treatment of acne.

The fact is that antibiotics is the worst treatment for acne ever devised. Does it work? Well, yes, it can work fairly well. But, these wonder drugs will kill off your good as well as harmful bacteria in your intestines, causing serious damage to your immune system. Also, new conditions like leaky gut syndrome have been linked to the long term use of antibiotics. This causes fatigue, low energy, arthritis, depression, among other things. That’s what we get with traditional acne treatments, some benefit but also terrible side effects.

Over the counter acne treatments and even fancy creams and lotions that you see on TV don’t treat the root cause of acne. And many times they may leave our skin much worse off. These products usually over dry and irritate our skin, leaving it red and looking even worse. It’s not a good solution.

We need to be going to the heart of the matter and treating our problem with a natural methods which not only clear our skin but create a healthier and more beautiful person in the process, that’s real healing. Natural methods involve topical skin care with natural treatments as well as internal healing of imbalances, and hormone balancing.

Each individual case of acne is different and can be treated with natural methods slightly differently. For some, removing certain foods and beverages is critical, for others it’s not an issue. For example many people have undiagnosed food allergies, commonly with wheat or dairy. A lot of times these issues are hard to detect, but rotating the foods out of the diet will help us know for sure.

Some people have heavy metal toxicity issues, especially if you live in an urban area. Toxins and low immunity are big problems and cause acne in many people. A detox diet or a detox juicing diet may be necessary to clear up the skin.

It’s best to educate yourself on all the natural healing methods available. Acne is an awful condition because it lowers our self esteem and effects every area of our lives. Studies show that people with clear skin are happier, more socially active, make more money, are more attractive, and so on and so on.

 
 

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Food Allergies

15 Apr



The chronic condition fibromyalgia affects an estimated 6 million Americans. Nobody knows precisely what causes it, and that includes researchers, scientists and doctors. Some people believe that food allergies are to blame. There are those researchers who agree that there are some valid points to the theory; particularly in regards to the relationship between delayed pattern food allergy and non-specific pain syndromes like fibromyalgia.

Triggering causes are a reference point when discussing intermittent flare ups in conditions that have symptoms that are mild one day and the next day severe. Why the difference in intensity of symptoms from day to day? One possible explanation is food sensitivities to staple food substances such as meat, eggs, milk, coffee and wheat.

Interestingly, one symptom described by those not yet to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which comes out after the diagnosis, is that they first noticed something was wrong after having digestive system problems. This hints at the connection between food sensitivity or allergy and fibromyalgia.

Another syndrome of symptoms are also known to be connected to food allergies. Not connected at all to the digestive system, this include confusion, aches, skin rashes, irritability, drowsiness, lack of energy, headaches, depression, mental fogginess, muscle pains and weight fluctuations. These symptoms are more associated with the immune system then with a food delay pattern allergy.

Scientists have also seen a connection to immune system functions common to both food allergies and fibromyalgia symptoms. This includes complaints such as nonstandard entry into the bloodstream of food molecules, activation of specific immune cells and release of certain chemicals active in immune cells. This is due to the immune system’s ability to recognize foods that are toxic and harmful.

There are multiple different symptoms seen in fibromyalgia, and there can be different expressions of food allergies according to the different conditions. Case in point, with fibromyalgia people often experience connected circumstances like asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, both of which can be linked with food allergies. All in all, it is not hard to see why a cause for fibromyalgia has not yet been pinpointed.

 

Prevent Eczema Symptoms With A Wheat Free Diet

30 Mar



You can prevent eczema symptoms with a wheat free diet. This is what some people say as atopic eczema is linked to food allergies. A food allergy that inflicts many is the wheat allergy. You may not want to believe this because it may mean that you may have to give up eating several types of food. It is true that many products are made up of wheat nowadays. Wheat is a popular ingredient with food manufacturers as a cheap alternative to use in place of a lot more expensive substances.

If you get frequent skin problems and eczema outbreaks, then it is in your interest to determine if you have a wheat allergy. Once you find out if this is the case, go on a wheat free diet to prevent eczema symptoms. A wheat free diet is bound to make you feel a whole lot better with a reduction in the itch.

If you have a wheat allergy, then it will be the case that you cannot eat wheat completely nor ever should eat it again. Hence, consult a nutritionist to find out how to read food labels for wheat and wheat related substances. Many ingredients are wheat related. Hence, to avoid confusion, you need to know exactly what they are, for a wheat-free diet.

It is possible that instead of a food allergy, you may simply have mild wheat intolerance. In fact, many people are said to eat so much wheat that their bodies start to reject it a little. This is what is called a wheat intolerance. If you sometimes experience dizziness, nausea, or sneeze for no real reason or find yourself getting unexplained aches and pains, then your body might be rejecting wheat slightly. You may not realise this and dismiss this as merely having a normal reaction. If you are wheat intolerant, though, a wheat-free diet can help you to prevent your eczema symptoms by simply cutting down the consumption of such foods.

Some recent studies are also showing that there might be a direct link between wheat and dyslexia, and possibly several other medical conditions. In these studies, children with dyslexia, paid better attention in school suddenly and, in general, became more alert after going on a wheat-free diet. They were able to process information better and as such, scored better in tests than before.

Other symptoms of a wheat allergy or intolerance include cramping, irritable bowel, bloating, unexplained cold-like symptoms or headaches. If you really do find yourself experiencing these, and your itchy skin continues to give you problems, go see a doctor about testing yourself for wheat allergy. It may sound tedious to implement a wheat free diet, but it may be worth your time if it means that you can prevent eczema symptoms from ever attacking you again.

 

How to Prevent Allergies in Children?

27 Feb



Allergies in children are a pretty common health problem. Among chronic diseases in children, allergies rank first and since they are developed in response to different agents (food, pets, plants etc.), it is hard to work out a single cause or a single set of preventive strategies. Some of the most common forms of allergies in children are:

o Asthma

o Eczema

o Allergic Rhinitis

o Gastrointestinal Allergies

Symptoms of allergies vary according to the allergen (the substance responsible for causing allergy) and the child’s own immune system (individual health status). More common symptoms of allergies include but are not limited to:

o Swelling, reddening, itching, and tearing of eyelids

o Runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching, stuffy nose

o Breathing difficulty (asthma), closing of throat (difficulty in swallowing) cough, and/or wheezing

o Swelling of facial parts, and/or tongue, or hives

o Redness and itching of skin, and/or rash

o Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Singling out a few preventive strategies are not very useful since each case of allergy is unique, depending on the child’s genetic makeup, immune strength, and living conditions. However, following are some general guidelines that can minimize the chances of a kid catching allergies.

1. Breastfeed the baby in his/her early months. Although breastfeeding has not been shown to be very effective in fighting off possible allergies, it generally tends to boost the child’s immune system.

2. Try to wean the child off onto an organic diet (grown without using agricultural chemicals). This prevents food allergies and also boosts immunity.

3. As far as possible, try not to expose your child to industrial waste or pollutants in (especially found in some workplaces) which are the cause of allergies in many cases.

4. While it may sound hard, preventing your child from inhaling cigarette smoke and emanations from other drugs helps him/her grow up with a fortified immune system.

5. Do not expose your child (not deliberately at least) to the company of people having serious infectious diseases.

6. Prevent the child from taking a highly fatty diet. The best dietary fats are omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and they should be given to the child in a comparatively greater amount than omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oil). Children may be put on an omega-3 supplement.

7. It always counts if the child is given enough fruits and vegetables because these contain antioxidants (vitamins C and E), which boost the immunity against allergies (especially against allergic asthma).

 

Gluten Allergy Symptoms – How To Cope With Gluten Allergy Symptoms

04 Jan



One common form of food allergy is a gluten allergy. This substance is found in oats wheat, barley, rye and wheat. Gluten can be found in several foods, which is one of the main reasons why it is such a common allergy. In this article we take a look at gluten allergy symptoms and how to cope with a gluten allergy.

So what are the gluten allergy symptoms? The symptoms of gluten allergy are the same as those that occur as a result as other food allergies, these include swelling and itching of the tongue, throat and mouth, diarrhea, hives, fatigue, rash, weight loss, stomach cramps, runny nose and sore itchy eyes to name but a few. The symptoms of gluten allergy can range from mild to life threatening, depending on the individual. If you are allergic to a food, such as gluten and you keep eating it unwittingly you are putting yourself at risk, because the more you eat foods that contain allergens, the more the severe the symptoms become.

So how do you cope with gluten allergy symptoms? Well they say prevention is better than cure, and it’s the same in the case of this allergy. It is highly likely that you will have to completely cut foods that contain gluten out of your diet. However this can be very difficult as hundreds of foods contain gluten derivatives, these foods vary from ice cream to bread. Fortunately there are many products that are gluten free; these products usually contain flour derived from rice, corn or potato. As mentioned, bread contain gluten so you will have to look for a gluten free alternative, corn bread is a popular choice for people with gluten allergies.

If you go out to eat, or get takeaway you will need to confirm that the foods are gluten free as a precaution against developing gluten allergy symptoms. You will also need to read all the labels on food when you go shopping. If a food does contain gluten it will be clearly stated on the label.

If you suffer from gluten allergy symptoms you are strongly advised to seek medical advice, this will reduce the chance of you suffering from another allergic reaction, a doctor can properly diagnose your conditions via a blood test, a scratch test or process of elimination.

This article covered gluten allergy symptoms, and looked at you can cope with them.