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Do You Have a Food Allergy?

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:13:33 -0800

Health Tip: Buy New Pillows

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I just want to remind you of a disgustingly true fact. Dust mites live off the dead skin cells that you shed. So guess where they love to lurk? In your bed. Yup, as you sleep, your skin sloughs off and works its way down into your mattresses and pillows. If the air in your room is humid (which in the warm weather it most likely is), dust mites get into your bed and your pillows and happily multiply into large colonies.Your own body creates heat as you breathe and perspire, and they love that too. There can be as many as 30,000 tiny dust mites living in just 1 oz of dust, and you are allergic to their poop.

With that said, let me ask you this - Can you remember the last time you changed your pillows? If you can't, now is the time to buy some new ones.

If you don't already have them, you can pick up dust mite pillowcases ($16.95) and encase your new pillows in them. If you recently bought new pillows, you can still use these special pillowcases, since not only do they not allow dust mites to get into your pillow, but they'll trap existing dust mites as well.

Fit's Tips: You can also pick up dust mite mattress covers ($114.95 for Queen Size). They keep dust mites trapped and won't allow in new critters.

If you need some more inspiration, like a visual of these little critters - then read more

This image just makes me itch all over. Yes it is magnified a bunch! But still...makes me want to get new pillows. How about you? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Taking Allergy and Asthma Meds - Timing is Everything

FitSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

For some people, seasonal allergies are all about itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, and heightened asthma symptoms. If you are one of those people, prescription and over-the-counter drugs might be a necessity. I just found out that when you take your drugs can greatly affect how well they'll work.

For allergy symptoms, if you take meds like Allegra, Clarinex, Claritin, Zyrtec, Singulair, or nasal sprays like Astelin, Flonase, Rhinocort: Take your pills at bedtime to ensure that it will be in your blood stream in the early morning, when symptoms are at their worst
For asthma symptoms, if you take inhaled steroids like Advair or Flovent: Take your meds in the late afternoon (3 pm) so that they'll be in your system by 4pm when symptoms are often at their worst.

Testing For Allergies - No Need for the Pricks?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:45:00 -0700

If you ever thought you had allergies, I bet you've been through the awful skin test at the Allergist's office. The test includes about 40 pricks on your back, injecting you with tiny amounts of certain allergens such as dust, cat dander, and pollen. Then they wait about 20 minutes to see how your body reacts. If your skin creates a swollen bump, much like a mosquito bite, then the doctor knows what you are allergic to. If your skin doesn't react, the doctor would proceed to give you 12 more pricks containing more potent formulas of the same allergens - 6 on each arm. These allergens are injected deeper into you arms, than the pricks on your back. OUCH!!

I can tell you from firsthand experience, that the test is NO FUN. The appointment can take upwards of 3 hours. The skin test definitely isn't ideal by any means, but for a while, it was the only test available.
There's actually another much less traumatic test that can be used. It is a blood test - 1 prick - looking for immunoglobulin E, or IgE.

I wish I knew about this when I was going through my allergy testing. Want to know why I didn't? Then read more

The reason this easier, less painful blood test is not used more could be a money issue. If an allergist performs the skin test, they get paid. If they have to send your blood away to a lab, then the lab gets paid. Allergists also feel that the lab isn't as qualified to interpret the blood test. Hopefully these issues will be resolved soon making the blood test more readily available.

This test will change the lives of all those who know they have allergies, but fear the skin test ordeal to pin point their allergies. Most people just mask their symptoms with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines.

Fit's Tips: Since Spring is just around the corner (read tomorrow) and it is a season loaded with pollen, you might consider getting tested if you think you have allergies. Ask if your allergist provides the blood test if the dreaded skin test is all that is stopping you.

New Special Shows Day in the Life of a Child With Allergies

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:40 -0700

We are all aware of what our lil ones eat, but parents of kids with allergies have to be extra sensitive when it comes to the menu. The rate of allergies has increased over the past 20-30 years and now more than three million kids have them. By the time they enter middle school, one in every 20 kids is watching what she puts in her mouth.

Fifty-four percent of LilSugar readers' children attend a peanut-free school or daycare center, making them well-aware of the issues. While most kids know someone affected by food, eczema, asthma, hay fever, it is virtually impossible for them to understand the emotional issues they deal with on a daily basis. This Sunday, Sept 27., Nickelodeon takes on the world of life-threatening allergies with a new special called I’m Allergic to My World. The Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special follows the lives of several children with various allergies and shows what it is like to spend a day in their shoes. The eye-opening program is a must-see for anyone who has ever questioned their school's no-nut policy. Will you tune in to watch it?

Photo courtesy of Lucky Duck Productions

Why Sudden Allergies in Adulthood?

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Many people live through childhood sleeping with their pet kitties on their pillows, rolling around on dust filled carpets, and collecting flowers and weeds to give to their moms. They do this without a sneeze or sniffle. Those same carefree kids grow up and when they hit their 20s, they suddenly develop allergies to all those things. What gives?

Allergies can develop at any age, and its prevalence in adults is rising. It's known as Adult-Onset Allergies and there are many theories as to why this happens. The most accepted reason is that nowadays babies' developing immune systems are not exposed to as many viruses, bacterium, and allergens as in the past due to wide use of antibiotics, vaccinations, cleaner food and water supply, better living conditions, and germ-a-phobe parents who don't let their kids roll around in dirt. When immune systems aren't faced with dust, pollen, and mold, they don't fully develop the ability to combat those allergens in the future. So in a way, being too careful and being protected against such allergens can actually cause children's immune systems to develop in an unbalanced way, which can make them hypersensitive to seemingly harmless substances in the future.

Allergies can also develop if you are exposed to allergens when your immune system is weakened. That's why pregnant women often develop allergies after they give birth.

Could your family history be to blame for allergies too? To find out read more.

Genetics can definitely play a role in developing allergies as an adult as well. Allergies to specific allergens are not necessarily inherited, but the general tendency to develop allergies can be traced back to your family. If one of your parents has allergies, then you have a one in three chance of developing allergies too.

Your age also has something to do with developing allergies. Since repeated exposure to certain allergens can cause an allergic reaction, it makes sense to develop allergies when you're older, as you've had more time to be in contact with dust, dander, mold, and pollen.

I guess I should be grateful that I lived without allergies for most of my life, but I get the sniffles now when all the flowers start to bloom. What about you? Are you all of a sudden allergic to your pet or do you get a runny nose as soon as the pollen count climbs?

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Seasonal Allergies, Foods, and Itchy Mouths

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

About 20 percent of the population suffers from the itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and sinus congestion that accompany seasonal allergies. Of those people, 25 percent also suffer from oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Symptoms include uncomfortable itchiness, tingling, or swelling in the mouth, lips, or throat when consuming certain fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Proteins in allergy inducing pollens are so similar to the proteins in certain types of foods, and this similarity creates the OAS reaction. Kind of creates a different meaning to "cross pollination." The body recognizes those food proteins as an allergen, and as soon as the person eats the offending food, it triggers their sensitive immune system to release chemicals that cause cells in the mouth and throat to swell. These reactions, called cross reactions, are usually mild and last for 10 to 30 minutes. Only fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts can cause OAS reactions. Eating canned, cooked, dried, or frozen versions of those same foods usually cause no reaction. Also, just so you know, OAS is different than a nut allergy. In order for a person to have OAS, they must have an allergy to pollen.

Are you curious to know which foods are connected to which allergens? Then read more.

Note: Cross reactions may occur with some or all of the foods listed in the right-hand column.

Type of Allergy	Foods That May Cause Cross Reactions
Birch Tree pollen	Almonds, apples, apricots, carrots, celery, cherries, coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwi, lychee fruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, persimmon, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, wheat, zucchini, walnuts
Grass pollen	Celery, watermelon, oranges, peaches, tomatoes
Ragweed pollen	Bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), gourd family (cucumber, zucchini and squash), chamomile, echinacea, sunflower seeds, zucchini
Alder pollen	Celery, pears, apples, almonds, cherries, hazelnuts, peaches, parsley
Mugwort pollen	Celery, fennel, carrots, parsley, coriander, sunflower, peppers

Just because you have an allergy to one of the pollens listed above, does not mean you'll automatically have a reaction to the foods listed to the right. If you've been noticing swelling, itching, or tingling in your mouth or throat, it's best to get tested by an allergist.

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Got Allergies? These Foods Might Set You Off

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you suffer from seasonal allergies to pollen, you may be part of the one-third who also suffers from oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Symptoms include uncomfortable itchiness, tingling, or swelling in the mouth, lips, or throat when consuming certain fruits, vegetables, or nuts. The reaction occurs because the proteins in pollens are so similar to the proteins in certain types of foods. OAS causes the body to see those food proteins as an allergen, and as soon as the person eats the offending food, it triggers the sensitive immune system to release chemicals that cause cells in the mouth and throat to swell. These types of reactions are called cross reactions, and are usually mild and only last for a few minutes. Only fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts can cause OAS reactions. Eating canned, cooked, dried, or frozen versions of those same foods may be less likely to cause a reaction. Also, just so you know, OAS is different than a nut allergy. In order for a person to have OAS, they must have an allergy to pollen.

Are you curious to know which foods are connected to which allergens? Then read more

Note: Cross reactions may occur with some or all of the foods listed in the right-hand column.

Type of Allergy	Foods That May Cause Cross Reactions
Birch Tree pollen	Almonds, apples, apricots, carrots, celery, cherries, coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwi, lychee fruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, persimmon, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, wheat, zucchini, walnuts
Grass pollen	Celery, watermelon, oranges, peaches, tomatoes
Ragweed pollen	Bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), gourd family (cucumber, zucchini and squash), chamomile, echinacea, sunflower seeds
Alder pollen	Celery, pears, apples, almonds, cherries, hazelnuts, peaches, parsley
Mugwort pollen	Celery, fennel, carrots, parsley, coriander, sunflower, peppers

Fit's Tips: Just because you have an allergy to one of the pollens listed above, does not mean you automatically have OAS. If you've been noticing swelling, itching or tingling in your mouth or throat, it's best to get tested by an allergist.

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Speak Up: How Do You Find Seasonal Allergy Relief?

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

A good percentage of the population suffers from seasonal allergies, and springtime can be the worst with all the new plants budding. To find relief, I'm a regular neti pot user and am always telling people to use one too. The warm salt water helps flush pollen, dust, and mold spores out of my nose, which helps prevent symptoms. When dealing with pain from sinus congestion, I also suggest people use a therapeutic warming pillow. The heat helps loosen up mucus, which helps alleviate sinus pressure.

If you too deal with seasonal allergy symptoms, I'm sure you have some great remedies, so share them in the comment section below.

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How to Deal With Seasonal Allergies, Asthma and Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Tis the season for seasonal allergies – ragweed, mold (from soggy leaves) and dust mites galore! When you suffer from itchy eyes and throat, sneezing, runny nose, or allergy induced-asthma, exercising your body is far from top on your list. Here are some tips to help allergy sufferers still get in a workout.

As beautiful as it is outside, you're better off exercising inside. When you huff and puff while doing cardio outside, you're only inhaling the allergens that are bothering you. Join a gym or use your home treadmill or elliptical to keep up with your cardio.
Take your allergy medicine as directed. Even if you're not having symptoms, when taken daily, many of those prescriptions help to prevent attacks if and when your body does come in contact with enemy allergens. Those meds can control your symptoms before they start.

Want to hear the other tips? Then read more

I got this great tip from my allergist: If you have asthma, and you use a rescue inhaler like Albuterol, take a puff or two before you do any cardio. It'll allow you to take deeper breaths, and may prevent an asthma attack.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, keep your inhaler close by while you workout, just in case you need it.
Try to breath through your nose while exercising, since the nose hairs act as a natural filter. Is your nose is stuffed, take a steamy shower before working out, or try using a neti pot to clear out any mucus.
If your symptoms are really bad, do some light exercise inside like a fitness DVD, yoga, weight lifting, or walking on a treadmill.

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