Allergy - Meadow Fescue Tips

Seasonal changes can be very exciting for most people. Each season brings with it a new set of colours and nature takes a new turn. However, for people with seasonal allergies, this change comes with a set of allergies. From skin rashes to wheezing to breathing difficulties, the list of symptoms can be quite long. Asthma is the most common problem, and the attacks can be quite bothersome with wheezing attacks and breathing troubles.

With advancements in the field of medicine, there is a lot of relief for asthma patients. A little understanding of how asthma attacks happen will help in understanding how to control it. Asthma is an allergic reaction caused by narrowing of the airway with thick mucus, which makes breathing difficult. During an attack, the person can have a dry cough or face shortness of breath and wheezing.

Asthma is often triggered or worsened by some factors, and being aware of these can help prevent or manage the attack:

1. Common allergens like pollen, mites, ticks, furs of animals, bird feathers, specific foods (peanuts, milk products, eggs, etc.) and mold spores appear during change of season.
2. Environmental chemicals like cigarette smoke, car fumes, dust, etc., can also trigger the attack.
3. Attacks of cold or flu can lead to an asthma attack.
4. Workout during cold weather can be problematic, but exercise can also help control asthma attacks. Lung function improves sufficiently, but an exercise regime should be drawn up for the patient based on his condition.
5. Stressful emotions like anger and anxiety can also lead to an attack or make it worse.
6. Some medications like aspirin, beta blockers, glaucoma drops can provoke attacks of asthma.

Once you know the triggers, here are some common measures that can help prevent and relieve the wheezing.

The preventers reduce the inflammation in the airway tube and the swelling. While they do not provide immediate relief during an attack, using these in the long term helps avoid attacks. These are low-dose inhaled corticosteroids such as beclomethasone, fluticasone, and budesonide. Doctors would advise their usage even when there are no symptoms, as asthma attacks can be triggered when they are not taking these medications for a while. Newer drugs include leukotriene antagonists like montelukast and zafirlukast. Relievers are used for symptom relief and include Salbutamol (short acting) and Salmeterol/Formoterol (long acting). The peak flow meter may be useful in acute attacks, wherein the peak flow rates can be reduced.

A good strategy is to use preventers regularly and rely on relievers during an attack. The first one helps build resistance and so reduces the incidence of attacks. Reach out to a doctor if a severe attack ensues (lasts more than 3 hours).

Pollen is a common trigger for seasonal allergies. It may manifest as runny nose, cough, sneezing, stuffy nose, swelling around the eyes, etc. People begin to feel the bite of pollen allergy during spring when pollination in plants begins.

Pollen allergy affects a vast majority of people, and over-the- counter allergy relief medication is big business. However, it must be noted that there is hardly any permanent cure for pollen allergy. Nevertheless, there are ways in which one can get relief from the symptoms.

What Is Pollen and How Does It Cause Allergy:

The microscopic granules contained in flowering plants are known as pollen. While almost all flowering plants have pollen, all of them don’t cause allergies. Plants that have bright flowers can hardly trigger allergy symptoms. It is the tiny and dry pollen that comes from trees, weeds, and grasses that precipitate the symptoms. These granules blow in the wind and get into the respiratory system. This precipitates an immune reaction which produces histamines. These are the chemicals that cause sneezing, stuffy nose, itching, runny nose etc.

Pollens can traverse distances of up to about 100 miles from the source. Since different varieties of plants, trees and weeds pollinate at different times, the season of pollen allergy is quite an extended one. It calls for precautions to prevent allergies and medicines and means to counter the effects.

Pollen Allergy Relief:

Allergy medicines are the best way to get relief from allergy symptoms. Doctors suggest starting on these medicines even before the onset of pollination season. These medicines are known as Antihistamines, which counter the effects of pollen.

These medicines block the histamine receptors in the ear-nose-throat region and thereby nullify the effects of pollen. If a person continues to take antihistamines throughout the pollination season, he/she deny the histamines a chance to get attached to the receptors and precipitate symptoms.

However, if a person is already suffering from the symptoms, antihistamines will not be able to quickly stop the problem. It will also not be able to reverse the effects of allergies. However, it can surely prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

Doctors also suggest using nasal corticosteroids for at least two weeks before pollination season so that the symptoms can be kept at bay. They work by modulating the response of the immune system and thereby preventing the release of chemicals that trigger allergies. If people take these medicines before exposure to pollen, they may even stabilize the immune system and prevent it from reacting to pollen.

Quick Allergy Relief:

If a person has not been proactive enough to take allergy medicines before the onset of pollination season, one needs to fight out the symptoms. However, there are some home remedies that can help a person put up a good fight with the irritating symptoms. One can do regular nasal irrigation with saline water several times a day throughout the pollination season to get some relief from allergies.

Conclusion:

There is hardly any perfect treatment for pollen allergy. However, one can stay safe with antihistamines or corticosteroids starting before exposure to pollen. In case a person gets attacked by these pollen allergies, seeking an immediate help is always advisable and recommended. Following the preventing instructions will help a person to fight against these allergies.

The number of allergens are many and knowing what triggers your allergies can get complicated. The common triggers that are known to trigger allergic rhinitis are:

1. Moulds
2. Fungi
3. Pollen, the most common cause for allergies
4. Dust mites, and the faeces of dust mites that can cause severe allergic reactions
5. Cockroaches
6. Animal dander, which includes cat hair, dog fur, and may also include little flakes of skin

Avoiding the above mentioned triggers is more of a general guideline for the management of allergies. The lifestyle changes that you make to manage allergies:

1. Keep yourself hydrated at all times. Drink about eight to ten glasses of water every day. This will allow the mucous to be expelled with ease, if you experience any nose block.
2. During seasons like spring, when the amount of pollen in the air is at its maximum, limit your exposure. Try to stay indoors to avoid exposure to pollen or dust in the air.
3. Make it a point to take a shower before going to sleep as the residues of pollen and dust stuck to your skin are likely to make your symptoms worse.
4. Use fresh bedding and clothes every day. This will help to reduce your exposure to allergens.
5. Remove your carpets. Carpets are home to dust mites and pollen grains which become difficult to remove even with vacuum cleaners. Remove the carpets during the allergy season, and replace with hard flooring.
6. Keep windows and doors shut to avoid dust and pollen grains from entering the house and possibly causing allergies.
7. Avoid staying around pets. It that is not possible, then wash them at least once a week to reduce allergies.
8. Prevent inhaling cigarette smoke or smoking cigarettes. The smoke can be very harmful and can increase the risk of asthma in kids.
9. Avoid outdoor trips during seasons when the pollen count is high. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ayurveda.

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.

Food allergies can be defined as a sign of danger given by the human body when it considers some particular food items as harmful. This is basically an allergic reaction to some food proteins. As per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4 to 6 percent of kids and 4 percent of adults worldwide are affected by different types of food allergies. The most interesting fact about the food allergies is that you can develop an allergy to a particular food at any age. Also, one can develop an allergy to a particular food even when you have been eating that food with ease all these years.

Food allergies can be categorized into main types:

• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergies: These allergies occur mostly in infants and children and can be seen for milk, peanuts, eggs, soy, and wheat. Moreover, the affected body areas include the mouth, skin, eyes, heart, brain, and gut.
• Non-IgE mediated food allergies: These allergies normally affect the digestive tract and symptoms of these food allergies take a long time to develop.
• Let us have a detailed look at different methods that can assist you in dealing with different food allergies.

Remove food items that can trigger allergy
It is obvious that food allergy is pertaining to a particular food and thus it is advisable to remove the triggering food items from your diet. It is also advised to remove the byproducts of such food items. This will minimize the danger of food allergy. There are some common food items which can trigger the food allergies which are:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Fish
• Peanut as well as tree nuts such as walnuts
• Shellfish
• Soy

Try to stock your pantry with alternatives to the allergic food items. There is no need to make your taste buds suffer by removing food items which can activate allergies. You can try alternatives to such food items and have a healthy life. Read the label on food while shopping for groceries as most of the triggering ingredients are common in many of the food items. Thus, it is advisable to read the ingredients on the food labels before you buy them. You can also look for these common names for allergens:

• Glucosamine for Shellfish
• Flour, triticale, durum, vital wheat gluten for wheat
• Natto, tempeh, shoyu, miso, Edamame, for soy
• Roe, surimi, nuoc mam, fish gelatin for fish
• Rennet casein, tagatose, whey, rennet casein, casein in milk
• Lysozyme, vitelline, surimi, albumin, livetin, globulin, and lysozyme for egg

Write down your meal plans
Preparing your own meal can minimize the risk of food allergies. Thus, try to make your own food and keep a memo of what you would like to eat in a meal. This way you can eliminate the dishes which include triggering ingredients. These above-mentioned methods can surely help you in preventing food allergies effectually. However, if the symptoms of food allergies are severe, do not hesitate to take medical help.

Products derived from plants are widely used as herbs and spices, often across the world and in many cuisines. Though spices and herbs are used in small quantities to add flavor to the food we eat, they can still trigger an adverse reaction. As per a presentation at the 2012 scientific meeting of ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology), 2-3% people across the world have an allergic reaction to spices. The percentage may seem quite less, mostly because of the lack of reliable tests.

Unfortunately, spices aren't regulated by FDI (Food and Drug Administration), which is why they are not listed on the food labels, making it extremely hard for consumers to determine what products to avoid. Not only food but these spices are also used in cosmetics, toothpaste and various other dental products. Sami Bahana, former president of ACAAI, said during the meeting that; as more and more people have started to use cosmetics and spices in the United States, it is likely that they will soon start developing allergies to these substances. Common spice allergies are usually observed towards black pepper and garlic and vanilla. Then there are spice blends, which are even more difficult to regulate. 

Symptoms of spice allergy

• Many people experience the symptoms of watery eyes and a runny nose right after eating something spicy, like chili pepper or horseradish. Many think that these reactions are caused by the immune system, but, in reality, they are caused by irritant effects on mucous membranes.
• Skin rashes are, at times, appear when a body comes in direct contact with spices found in foods or cosmetics, and trigger irritant contact dermatitis.
• Some life-threatening allergic reactions such as angioedema and urticaria can occur as a result of eating or inhaling spices. Inhaling spices can also trigger symptoms of asthma, as well as angioedema. Skin contact with spices can cause atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and allergic contact dermatitis.

Treating spice allergy

• Diagnosing spice allergy is easy and can be done by performing allergy testing like blood testing and patch testing. Once you know what spices you are allergic to, you can refrain from using them. Nonetheless, it is extremely difficult to avoid them completely since spices are used in many household and toiletry items.
• In case you develop the symptoms, the treatment is identical to the treatment of food allergy. Using injectable epinephrine and antihistamines for severe reactions can treat immediate symptoms to a significant extent. Topical corticosteroids can treat contact dermatitis caused by the spices. But, finally, avoiding spices completely is the best treatment for spice allergy.

A drug is used to treat a health issue or a disease, but it can rarely happen that the drug itself can cause an allergic reaction. Read on to know more about important things you must know about drug allergy.

What leads to a drug allergy?

The body’s immune system identifies any trigger as an antigen and produces “antibodies” to fight the antigen. It can, however, rarely happen that the drug itself can turn out to be an antigen and trigger the production of antibodies. There is a slight difference between side effect and allergy caused by a drug.

While a side effect will be seen in almost any person who takes it, the allergic reaction to a drug is based on the person’s immune system. A weakened immune system has a higher chance of triggering a drug allergy. For instance, steroids have the side effect of increasing sugar levels, whereas penicillin causing anaphylaxis is an example of a drug allergy.

A side effect may sometimes be positive too; however, a drug allergy is almost always negative.

Another aspect also is to note that a drug allergy may disappear over a period of time.

Possible drugs causing allergies:

1. Antibiotics like penicillin and sulfa drugs
2. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
3. Chemotherapy drugs
4. Aspirin

Kinds of drug allergies: While there are many drugs which can cause minor allergies like a rash, there are some which could have a life-threatening effect. Anaphylaxis, for instance, can be very dangerous, and if not immediately attended to, can even cause death. Most often though symptoms include irregular heartbeat, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

Treatment of drug allergies:
For mild drug allergies, if the drug is critical for improving health, then the doctor can choose to continue the drug and give another drug to control the reaction.

However, if the reaction is severe, then an alternate needs to be given so that the health is taken care of, without causing a severe allergic reaction. Some common agents used to treat drug allergies are listed below:

1. Antihistamines: Most allergic reactions are associated with the release of increased amounts of histamine. Therefore, antihistamines are used which can be used to control symptoms like swelling, redness of eyes, itching, and rashes. These can be used as eye drops, nasal spray, creams, or tablets.
2. Corticosteroids: Often used to control overall inflammation and used in managing symptoms related to airways.
3. Bronchodilators: If there are issues relating to breathing and chest tightness, this class of drugs are used.

Be frank with your doctor and tell any reaction you might notice. When having future surgeries, including dental, let the doctor know about your allergy.  In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Every year, the emergency rooms at hospitals get flooded by cases of allergic reactions from food. According to a census, about 15 million Indians suffer from some kind of food allergy. The symptoms of food allergy may vary from itchy mouth to potentially fatal conditions like anaphylactic shock. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction can present themselves as difficulty in breathing, swelling of the tongue, rashes and intestinal discomfort.

According to specialists, allergies to food can develop at any age, at any time. Hence, if you suspect a sudden allergic reaction to a food that you have consumed before without any problem, it is advised to consult a doctor.

Here is a list of the most common food allergies that people suffer from frequently-

1. MILK: Milk is the most common food that children and infants are allergic to. Milk allergy must not be confused with lactose intolerance wherein a person faces many difficulties in digesting the sugar present in milk. The two conditions are not related. Milk allergy is the hypersensitivity reaction that happens in response to certain proteins present in milk and can be potentially deadly. Most children are seen to outgrow their allergy to milk.
2. WHEAT: It is a common misconception to confuse Celiac’s disease with a wheat allergy. Wheat allergy exclusively occurs due to the hypersensitivity to the protein present in wheat alone. In Celiac’s disease, it is the gluten in the food they are hypersensitive to, which is also present in rye, barley and oats.
3. SOY: Soy is a very common allergic food and most children seem to outgrow it by the age of 10. Most of the time, soy allergy is not too severe and the symptoms presented are mostly mild. Although, cases of anaphylaxis in reaction to soy have been reported. Soy and soy protein are very common ingredients found in food, hence it is advised to check the ingredients present before consuming it.
4. SHELLFISH: This allergy usually does not go away and you are most likely to deal with all your life. Most people who experience allergies from shellfish are most likely to be hypersensitive to both crustaceans (lobsters, shrimps and crabs) and mollusks (mussels, oysters, scallops and clams). This type of allergy can become very intense and you must even avoid the steam produced from cooking shellfish. For some people, the mere contact with shellfish can trigger an allergic reaction  

Nuts are a rich source of energy but are also one of the most common food allergens. Both children and adults can suffer from nut allergies. While some children may outgrow the allergy, for others this is a lifelong condition. When it comes to children, the sibling of a child who is allergic to nuts also has a high risk of being allergic to them as well.

Nut allergies can be categorized as an allergy to peanuts or an allergy to tree nuts. Tree nuts are nuts that grow on trees such as walnuts, cashew nuts and almonds. Peanuts are not considered tree nuts as they grow underground in the form of legumes. A person can be allergic to both types of nuts but it is not necessary that if you are allergic to peanuts, you should avoid almonds as well and vice versa.

There are laboratory tests to determine the types of food you can be allergic to but in most cases, you realize you are allergic to something only after consuming it. Some of the symptoms of nut allergies include:

1. Redness
2. Rashes
3. Tenderness of the skin
4. Hives
5. Swelling of the hands and feet
6. Sneezing
7. Runny nose
8. Sore throat
9. Watery eyes
10. Nausea
11. Vomiting
12. Stomach cramps
13. Diarrhea
14. Shortness of breath

Most of the symptoms that affect the skin and respiratory system can be relieved with the help of antihistamines. Cold compresses can also help relieve itchiness caused by nut allergies.
One of the most severe forms of nut allergies can result in Anaphylaxis. This can be described as the swelling of the throat so much so that the airways are blocked and it becomes difficult to breathe. It is often accompanied by swelling of the facial features and itchiness. The only way to relieve this swelling is with an adrenaline injection. This reduces the swelling and reopens the airways. The most common type of adrenaline injection is known as an epi pen.

Some types of foods that commonly contain nuts and should be avoided include baked goods, pesto, nougat, marzipan, soups, multigrain bread, honey, granola, sauces such as hot sauce and barbeque sauce, salad dressings and veggie burgers. Nuts are often also used as thickening agents and hence if you know you are allergic to nuts, pay attention to food labels before you buy any product and make it a habit to tell your server in a restaurant that you are allergic to nuts. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Dietitian/Nutritionist.

Allergic Rhinitis is a very common condition and it is also known as hay fever. One in five people is usually affected by the same. It is an inflammation inside the nose that occurs when one breathes in something that he is allergic to such as dust, mould, pollen or animal dander. It also occurs if one eats a food that he is allergic to. The immune system of the body reacts to these allergens and attacks the particles inside the body. It results in allergic rhinitis symptoms such as watery nose and eyes and sneezing.

Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to allergens.

1. Oversensitive Immune System: Whenever our immune system senses danger, it produces antibodies to fight them off. It is the same for allergens too, but allergic reactions do not occur after coming into contact with the allergen for the first time. It takes time, and hence, the immune system must also recognize it first and then produce the antibodies to fight it. Producing antibodies beforehand causes the cells to release a number of chemicals which results in sneezes, nose block and runny nose.
2. Common Allergens: Tiny particles of allergens enter the body through the breathing process and cause rhinitis. Common allergens are-
   • House dust mites: House dust mites are tiny insects. They are found on the bed, sofa, mattresses, pillow cover, etc. They feed on human skin flakes. They do not cause rhinitis directly; a chemical found in their excrement causes it. These mites can be found throughout the year, but their number increases during winter.
   • Pollen and spores: Trees and grass produce tiny particles of pollen that cause rhinitis. Trees produce pollens from early to mid-spring. Grass between the end of spring and beginning of summer.
   • Animals: Many people are allergic to animals. What causes rhinitis is not their fur but their urine and saliva. People are mostly affected by cats, dogs, horses, cattle, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and hamsters. An effective solution is to be around cats and dogs from an early age. This protects from the allergic reactions.
   • Work related allergens: There happen to be a few allergens at the workplace, such as wood dust, flour dust, latex etc.

Symptoms are dependent on the severity of rhinitis

1. Headache
2. Sneezing
3. Blocked and runny nose
4. Sore throat
5. Itchy nose, eye, mouth, throat and skin
6. Red swollen watery eyes
7. Dark circles
8. Coughing
9. Hives
10. Trouble smelling
11. Pressure in nose and cheeks

Ayurvedic Allergic Rhinitis Treatment
Allergic Rhinitis from an Ayurvedic perspective is caused due to the ama (toxins) present in the body and due to low immunity. Accumulated ama aggravates the levels of Kapha (Water) in the body, giving rise to different symptoms of allergies.

Ayurveda believes in balancing the three doshas present in the human body, thus treating the disease on the whole. Treatment involves clearing the sinuses and expelling phlegm, alleviating the relevant dosha and detoxification. To permanently resolve this disorder, dietary and lifestyle adjustments may be necessary in addition to the strengthening of the immune system. Panchakarma is an effective means of treating Allergic Rhinitis.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Have freshly-prepared, warm food.
• Avoid stale and junk food.
• Kapha-aggravating foods like dairy, wheat, sugar, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, oranges and grapefruits should be avoided.
• Cover your nose in dusty or cold surroundings.
• Whenever you feel slight congestion, take a steam inhalation treatment.
• Avoid sleeping in the open and cover yourself properly before going to sleep.

Nasyam Therapy which is part of Panchkarma is very effective in cleaning of sinuses and improving immunity of nasal mucosal membrane.

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