Allergy - Meadow Fescue Tips

An eye allergy or allergic conjunctivitis is a condition that strikes when certain substances irritate the eyes, which can cause a reaction. This reaction has varied symptoms starting from inflammation to watering and even redness and an itching sensation. So how can you tell if you have an eye allergy? This article will tell you all you need to know!

Causes: To begin with, this is an immune response that happens when the eye comes in contact with substances like dirt, grime, pollutants, pollen, nettle, pet hair, smoke, mold and more, which may cause irritation. These are typically known as allergens. The immune system takes these allergens to be invaders and begins attacking the same by releasing chemicals that cause these allergic reactions. Also, an eye allergy may be a symptom or outcome of other conditions like asthma, hay fever, or even eczema.

Symptoms: The eye usually bears a pink or red appearance when the patient is suffering from an eye allergy. Also, watery eyes are a common sight during this condition while scaling around the eyes may also take place. Further, itching and burning sensation may be felt by the patient and swelling or puffiness can be seen. The symptoms may afflict one or both eyes. The patient may also have a runny nose or stuffy nose as well as nasal congestion.

Difference between Eye Allergy and Pink Eye: Conjunctivitis or pink eye is usually caused due to bacteria or a virus that spreads infection in the eye. But eye allergy is caused due to a response of the immune system that leads to an allergic reaction. While the pink eye may be a contagious condition, an eye allergy is not.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of an eye allergy will be done with the help of various tests conducted by an ophthalmologist. The skin prick test will help in introducing allergens to find out if the spot gets raised or suffers from inflammation. Also, the doctor will check for other ailments like asthma and eczema.

Treatment: There are varied methods of treating this condition. To begin with, the doctor may prescribe medication like decongestants and antihistamines as well as steroids for more severe and persistent cases. Also, injections may be prescribed in order to do away with the allergic reaction and eye drops containing olopatadine hydrochloride may also be used.

Home Remedies: Staying away from allergens and using a warm and clean washcloth over the eyes, for a few minutes every day, may help in relieving the painful symptoms of the condition.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

An eye allergy or allergic conjunctivitis is a condition that strikes when certain substances irritate the eyes, which can cause a reaction. This reaction has varied symptoms starting from inflammation to watering and even redness and an itching sensation. So how can you tell if you have an eye allergy? This article will tell you all you need to know!

Causes:

To begin with, this is an immune response that happens when the eye comes in contact with substances like dirt, grime, pollutants, pollen, nettle, pet hair, smoke, mold and more, which may cause irritation. These are typically known as allergens. The immune system takes these allergens to be invaders and begins attacking the same by releasing chemicals that cause these allergic reactions. Also, an eye allergy may be a symptom or outcome of other conditions like asthma, hay fever, or even eczema.

Symptoms:

The eye usually bears a pink or red appearance when the patient is suffering from an eye allergy. Also, watery eyes are a common sight during this condition while scaling around the eyes may also take place. Further, itching and burning sensation may be felt by the patient and swelling or puffiness can be seen. The symptoms may afflict one or both eyes. The patient may also have a runny nose or stuffy nose as well as nasal congestion.

Difference between Eye Allergy and Pink Eye:

Conjunctivitis or pink eye is usually caused due to bacteria or a virus that spreads infection in the eye. But eye allergy is caused due to a response of the immune system that leads to an allergic reaction. While the pink eye may be a contagious condition, an eye allergy is not.

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of an eye allergy will be done with the help of various tests conducted by an ophthalmologist. The skin prick test will help in introducing allergens to find out if the spot gets raised or suffers from inflammation. Also, the doctor will check for other ailments like asthma and eczema.

Treatment:

There are varied methods of treating this condition. To begin with, the doctor may prescribe medication like decongestants and antihistamines as well as steroids for more severe and persistent cases. Also, injections may be prescribed in order to do away with the allergic reaction and eye drops containing olopatadine hydrochloride may also be used.

Home Remedies:

Staying away from allergens and using a cool and clean washcloth over the eyes, for a 15 minutes twice a day for a few days, may help in relieving the painful symptoms of the condition.

Do not forget to consult your doctor before you try any natural or home based remedies.

Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever is an allergic reaction that affects the upper respiratory passage. As of 2016, about 20-30% of the Indian population has been affected by allergic rhinitis, with the count going up to about 62% in Asia. Like other allergies, rhinitis occurs in response to certain triggers called allergens when they are breathed in. This article shall concisely tell you everything you need to know about this very common condition.

Types:

Allergic Rhinitis may be of two types- the seasonal allergy in which allergic reactions occur at a particular time of the year, in response to the triggering factors that increase in abundance at that time, and the perennial allergy whose trigger factors are present around the year.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis appear suddenly and violently. These include:

1. Runny, stuffy, itchy nose
2. Violent and multiple sneezing and coughing
3. Sore throat
4. Itchy and watery eyes with dark circles sometimes
5. Headaches, fatigue, and weakness
6. Hive breakout and blisters

One or more of these symptoms may occur simultaneously during rhinitis. In seasonal allergy, symptoms may appear at certain times of the year, while they may appear at any time in the case of perennial allergy. Fever does not occur usually.

Causes:

Rhinitis symptoms occur when an allergic reaction is triggered by histamine secreted by the body in response to one or more of the following allergens:

1. Pollen from trees and grasses
2. Dust and dust mites
3. Dead skin cells of animals
4. Cat hair and saliva
5. Mold

Seasonal allergies are mostly caused due to pollens from trees in spring and from grasses through summer and fall.

Diagnosis:

Allergic Rhinitis is usually diagnosed by its symptoms. Sometimes a skin prick test is performed to determine the exact substance causing the reaction. A Radioallergosorbent test or RAST is performed to measure the extent of reaction to an allergen.

Risk Factors:

Allergic rhinitis occurs due to an abnormality in the immune response of the body and can affect anybody. However, certain risk factors greatly increase your chances of having an allergy. These include:

1. A family history of allergic rhinitis
2. Smoking
3. Air pollution
4. Humidity
5. Sudden temperature changes
6. Chemical fumes
7. Hairspray
8. Perfumes and deodorants
9. High wind

Treatment:

Allergic rhinitis has no permanent cure. Only the symptoms can be effectively managed by one or more of the following:

1. Eye drops
2. Decongestants and nasal sprays
3. Antihistamines
4. Immunotherapy and Sublingual Immunotherapy
5. Alternative medicines
6. Home remedies

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by symptoms of a runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes and sneezing. This disorder is usually caused by allergens such as pollen and dust. Commonly known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis may exhibit the following symptoms:

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are:

1. You may experience a runny nose and congestion in the nose
2. You may have allergic conjunctivitis where your eyes turn itchy and watery
3. Persistent coughing
4. Symptoms of sneezing
5. Swelling may develop underneath the eyes
6. You may have an itchy nose
7. Constant signs of fatigue

Causes:

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever causes the immune system to recognize certain airborne substances as harmful. The immune system in the body starts to form antibodies to combat these irritants. The antibodies cause the body to release “histamine”, a chemical that triggers the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

The various triggers that may cause allergic rhinitis are:

1. Dust mites
2. Tree pollen
3. Grass pollen
4. Spoors from outdoor and indoor fungi
5. Ragweed pollen

The treatment for this disorder is to avoid exposure to the triggers. Mild symptoms of this disorder may be treated with over-the-counter medications whereas severe symptoms may require prescription medications.

The various medications for allergic rhinitis are:

1. Antihistamines: Antihistamines may be administered as pills or nasal sprays; these medications can help with itching and sneezing. Antihistamines help in limiting the effects of histamine in the body.
2. Nasal corticosteroids: These prescription medications can help treat itching and inflammation in the nose. They are usually the first medications that are administered.
3. Decongestants: Decongestants are over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat congestion in the nose. You should be careful not to overuse these medicines as they can increase blood pressure.
4. Allergy shots: If medications do not relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, the doctor may prescribe allergy shots to treat the disorder. The injections contain allergens in small amounts which are injected over a period of time; this causes the body to get used to these allergens, resulting in a reduction of the symptoms.

Allergies can be difficult to handle and may prevent you from leading a normal life. The problem with allergies is the fact that there is no common trigger. Each person may be allergic to a different substance and it is vital for the patient to figure out what triggers the allergies. In severe forms of allergies, patients may become unable to draw breath, which would need them to be hospitalized.

Here is a look at some common causes for the allergies and the symptoms that such allergies may produce.

Causes of Allergy
Allergy is an autoimmune condition that is caused when the body’s immune system mistakes a foreign object for a harmful substance and attacks it. So, if an individual is allergic to peanuts, their body’s immune system will be on the lookout for the allergen in the blood and will produce antibodies against the same. Common allergens that are known to trigger such a negative reaction inside the body include-

1. Certain food items
2. Contact with certain insects and fleas
3. Airborne allergens
4. Certain medications
5. Certain objects that you touch
6. People with a family history of allergies and asthma are more likely to suffer from such a condition.

Symptoms of Allergy
The symptoms of allergy sometimes differ based on the trigger for the allergies. However, some symptoms are more common than others.

1. Sneezing
2. Inflammation of face and neck
3. Red and watery eyes
4. Runny nose
5. Difficulty in drawing breath
6. Skin rash
7. Anaphylaxis

While most of the other symptoms are relatively easy to handle, anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock may even be fatal in some cases. Anaphylaxis usually results from food allergies and can cause the patient to go into shock. Loss of consciousness, severe breathlessness, nausea and vomiting during an allergy may hint toward anaphylactic shock.

Role of homeopathy against allergies
Homeopathy bolsters the immune system as a whole and does not try to treat the allergy itself. Homeopathic treatments use natural remedies to treat the condition, which is why there are no chances of side effects from these medications. Topical creams to deal with the skin rash and oral medication to deal with other symptoms are commonly prescribed.

Even though homeopathic treatment takes time to work, it is still a dependable remedy. This branch of medical science believes in like cures like. This means that people allergic to peanuts may be treated by using a diluted form of the same allergen.

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Have you been trying to find the best solutions to get relief from the allergy symptoms? Although different forms of medicines can be used for treating seasonal allergies, it is important to understand that allergies can be eliminated by building the body’s immunity against them. Here are five tips you can follow to boost your immune system to get rid of the seasonal allergies.

1. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is considered to be the best way to change the way your immune system responds to allergens such as ragweed and pollen. Immunotherapy is the prevention or treatment of disease with substances that stimulate the immune response. The amounts are increased gradually. The immune system gets desensitised due to this treatment. This treatment is ideal for people who suffer from allergies all year round.
2. Meditation: Increased amount of stress worsens existing allergies by upsetting the balance of substances in the body controlling your immune response. Meditation is a great way to eliminate stress and helps in relieving anxiety. Regular meditation will keep you free from allergies.
3. Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies. If you watch your weight and keep your body in shape by exercising regularly, you will lead a healthy life and be able to withstand the effects of allergies. In case you are sensitive to allergens like pollen, which are present outdoors, you should exercise indoors. You can continue with your medication while following this healthy regime.
4. Control your surroundings: Creating an environment in order to minimise the amount of allergens is an ideal way to stay away from allergies and allergy symptoms. You can use an air conditioner to control the temperature instead of keeping the windows open. You should wear a protective mask and gloves while gardening and always change your clothes before entering your home.
5. Laugh: According to research, humour and laughter may increase your immune functions as these increase the level of immunoglobulin A in the body. This is a protein present in the eyes, throat, ears, nose and mouth, which helps in protection against infections. Have a good laugh and stay preoccupied with things which will keep you happy and laughing.

In many cases, your immune system fails to put up a good fight against seasonal allergies. In such situations, you have to take allergy medication to fight the infections. You should consult a doctor for the right dose of allergy medications based on your symptoms.


 

Nasal allergy is something that needs proper care and treatment to opt. Nasal allergy is the home to serious health issues, so it is prominent to know the reason behind it. Sometimes people get allergic to dust, tree pollen, some flowers, animal dander or it might be something else which is causing irritation in the nose. Treat your allergies on a priority basis because it is not something which can be ignored. Give a look at the below-mentioned symptoms and know the precautions that can find a way to get you out of this.

1. Nose running: The congestion in your nose can be one of the most common symptoms of nasal allergies. Maintain a distance from the substances which cause irritation in your nose. For instance, if you have nasal allergy from dogs or cats, then washing your hands properly and changing clothes after playing with them can get you rid of a sniffle.
2. Sneezing: The use of antihistamines is very much helpful to get rid of the periodical sneezing, but the follow the instructions provided on the label of the medicine. Over-the-counter pills are really beneficial. Otherwise, keep the miles’ distance from the species and things which cause sneezing. Know the reason behind the sneezing as soon as possible before it takes a serious turn.
3. Eyes’ Itching: If you are annoyed from the watering and itching of eyes, then do not ignore the symptom. Try using a cloth washed with cold water to place on the eyes. Contact lenses should not be adopted. Keep yourself away from the allergy trigger substances. The wearing of sunglasses can also be beneficial to adopt these ways to get soothing eyes.
4. Postnasal drip: There is a production of mucus in the lining of your nose whenever you are suffering from cold or any other allergic conditions. The thickening of the mucus is the only cause of the post nasal drip. So, opt the saline nasal spray or go for the drinking fluids. To get rid of the lump in the throat and get the pain-free nose without any type of irritation.
5. Sinus pressure: If you are feeling any type of pressure behind your forehead, eyes, and cheeks, then be sure that this is the sinus pressure. Application of a warm and wet cloth to your face can be a very good catch. Try using the saline nasal spray or go for the steam inhalation. But, the long time period of the sinus pressure needs the proper care of the doctor so beware of that.

Do not ignore the symptoms mentioned above because a small mistake can cause serious problems. The above-mentioned points are also beneficial, but the most important part is to meet ENT doctor to differentiate an allergic problem from a sinus infection or both coexisting. ENT doctor carried out Endoscopic examination, CT scan of nose and sinuses, allergic profile in blood and plan appropriate therapy for individual patients. Proper care is necessary to be taken if you want to keep your nose working smoothly. Get the best advice and choose soothing breath for you.

The onset of winter brings with it chilly and dry winds. For some, it’s the time to enjoy the chill weather with hot water baths and soothing drinks, and for others it’s time to brave the long persistent cold and flu like symptoms which cause sickness and discomfort.

People who are allergic to the winter season can catch a cold on the slightest exposure to cold air. Sometimes, it’s difficult to ascertain whether it is cold or an external allergen. In people prone to winter allergies, the allergies are mainly caused due to the allergens present in the environment. Mostly, winter allergies are also caused by the same allergens that are triggered in the summer season.

Thus, people who have some or the other form of seasonal allergy is likely to suffer from allergies as the season changes.

1. Pet dander (flakes of skin in an animal's fur or hair) allergies are believed to escalate in winter since pets are mostly indoors during this season. The best way to deal with this is keeping the pet’s area clean and dry, washing and changing of the bedding regularly, and avoiding physical contact as much as possible.
2. Dampness of clothes, blankets and shoes at home can be an allergy trigger for many people. The best way to control this type of allergy is to keep damp clothes and shoes in sun for some time. However, this may not work in many countries with extreme cold climates, which lack sunshine in their environment.
3. Decaying leaves and other yard waste can cause allergies due to mould and mildew. Mopping and sweeping the floors and garden can help alleviate the problem to some extent.
4. Dry climate can cause irritation in the nose and throat. It’s important to replenish the body with adequate liquids and water rich fruits and veggies. It’s important to choose your drinks wisely. Too much tea or coffee can also dehydrate the body. Go for ginger lemon honey infused in warm water for best results.
5. Allergy symptoms can also be caused due to too much moisture in the environment. It can give rise to a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Thus it’s best to avoid sitting in a moist environment for long.
6. Sinus congestions are also common during the winter season. Steam inhalation and hot showers can help relieve the symptoms and provide relief.

Whether you are allergic to pets, moisture, dampness, dry weather or chilled winds, the thumb rule is twofold—to understand what triggers your allergies and to avoid your exposure to those allergens. As we all know, allergies have no cure and they need to be managed. Drugs also help in controlling the allergy symptoms to some extent. However, it’s best to prevent them as far as possible. If you are confused about what triggers your allergy, make sure to consult your doctor.

An estimated 10 to 30 percent of people across the world suffer from Allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, is a condition wherein the immune system overly responds to allergens resulting in inflammation in the nose. As you might be aware, an allergen is typically a harmless substance present in the surroundings causing an uncomfortable allergic reaction.

Following is a detailed account of the condition.

Symptoms-
Some of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include,

1. Sneezing
2. Stuffy and runny nose
3. Persistent coughing
4. Itchy and watery eyes
5. Sore throat
6. Frequent headaches
7. Dark circles under the eyes
8. And, symptoms associated with eczema

Further, it also results in hives and excessive fatigue. An allergic person is likely to feel many of these symptoms within a few minutes of coming into contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent fatigue and headaches can only happen when there is long-term exposure to allergens. There are some people, who rarely undergo any signs, and this happens when a person is exposed to the allergens in massive quantities.

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis:
When the body comes in contact with the allergen, it triggers the release of histamine which is a natural chemical that defends the body from the allergen. This histamine can lead to allergic rhinitis and the associated symptoms which may range from a blocked or a runny nose to itchy eyes. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, grass pollen, and mold.

There are two variants of allergic rhinitis- seasonal and perennial.

1. Seasonal- Seasonal allergies usually occur during specific seasons owing to the response to outdoor allergens. For example, during a specific time in the year such as spring, the pollen can cause allergies in a person. Also, when trees and flowers release pollens during the fall and summer, seasonal allergic rhinitis can be seen on the rise.
2. Perennial- On the other hand, perennial allergens tend to linger all-round the year, and pet dander, mold or dust mites come under perennial allergic rhinitis causing allergens.

Diagnosing and treating allergic rhinitis-
When a person is suffering from minor allergies, a physical exam may be required. But a doctor may also perform some tests for identifying the best course of treatment as well as prevention plan for a particular patient. A skin prick test is one of the best ways to determine whether you have allergic rhinitis.

This health issue can be treated in a variety of ways which range from home remedies to medications to alternative therapies. Common medications include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays and eye drops.

Staying away from a known allergen is the best possible way to prevent allergic rhinitis. When diagnosed, it is necessary to consult your doctor as the condition may sometimes lead to complications.

Allergies are a reaction of your immune system to any foreign matter, such as pet dander, pollen or bee venom, and not everyone is affected in the same way.

Antibodies are substances produced by your immune system to protect you from harmful invaders that can cause infections or make you ill.

The immune system produces antibodies when it comes into contact with allergens. Your immune system can recognise any allergen as threatening even if it’s not. As a result, your skin, airways, digestive system or sinus gets inflamed.

Allergies can vary greatly in severity from mild irritations to anaphylaxis (a likely life-threatening emergency). Allergies are mostly incurable; however, there are various treatments available to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Causes-

Common triggers of allergy include:

1. Airborne allergens, such as mould, dust mites, animal dander and pollen.

2. Certain foods, especially milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, wheat, tree nuts and peanuts.

3. Insect bites, such as wasp stings or bee stings.

4. Medications, specifically penicillin-based antibiotics or penicillin.

5. Latex, or any allergen you touch, causes skin infections.

Symptoms-

Symptoms of allergy depend on its type.

• Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) symptoms include:

  • Sneezing

  • Itching of the roof of the mouth, eyes or nose

  • Stuffy, runny nose

  • Swollen, red or watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Symptoms of food allergy include:

  • Tingling mouth

  • Swollen throat, face, tongue or lips

  • Hives

  • Anaphylaxis (a critical, deadly allergic reaction)

• An allergy caused by insect stings can manifest in symptoms such as:

  • Swelling at the site of the sting

  • Hives or itching

  • Breathing problems, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness

  • Anaphylaxis

• A drug allergy can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Hives

  • Itchy skin

  • Rashes

  • Facial swelling

  • Wheezing

  • Anaphylaxis

• Atopic dermatitis (skin allergy) symptoms include:

  • Itching

  • Reddened skin

  • Peeling or flaky skin

Treatment-

Treatments of allergy include:

1. Avoiding Allergens: Your doctor can help you take necessary steps to recognise and avoid the allergens that trigger allergies. This is usually the most relevant step in the prevention of allergic reactions and reduction of symptoms.

2. Medicines to Lower Symptoms: Eye drops, nasal sprays or oral medications are commonly prescribed to reduce reactions and alleviate symptoms.

3. Immunotherapy: If the allergy is severe or other treatments fail to relieve symptoms, allergen immunotherapy is recommended. In this treatment, you get injected by a number of clarified allergen extracts over the years.

4. Emergency Epinephrine: If your allergy is severe, your doctor will provide you with an emergency epinephrine shot that you can carry with you everywhere.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!