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Allergies affect the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide on a daily basis. While allergy symptoms are generally worse during the fall and spring seasons, people with severe allergies may suffer year around.

We will discuss 10 primary causes of allergies in the home and methods you can use right now to control them or even eliminate them. Your indoor home environment is the one place you have control over and with the proper knowledge, a home can be your haven.

1. Animal dander. Many people have at least one family pet of some sort. However, dogs or cats can create havoc for allergy sufferers. Dogs and cats can shed skin flakes just like humans but their skin flakes actually have an oily component to it thus making it dander. In most cases, a person with a dander allergy is sensitive to the protein of the dander and can have upper respiratory symptoms when they breathe it in or even skin rashes when exposed to it.
2. Bacteria. Bacteria is everywhere in the indoor and outdoor environment but it is bacteria particles indoors which can causes a host of upper respiratory symptoms in a person with chronic allergies. The primary breeding ground for bacteria particles is a vacuum cleaner bag. Thousands of new bacteria particles can grow everyday in a vacuum cleaner bag. A standard vacuum with a low efficient paper bag will actually circulate these new bacteria particles into the air each time the vacuum is used.
3. Dust mites. Dust mites are most definitely in the top 3 of all allergens found in the home and are also a common cause of asthma symptoms in the home. They feed on human skin flakes as well as animal dander and produce microscopic fecal matter wherever they exist. Just as animal dander, an allergy sufferer is allergic to the protein found in the fecal matter and not the dust mites themselves.
4. Foods. It is believed that most people on earth have at least one food that they are allergic to. There are literally hundreds of foods which are known to cause allergic symptoms. Food allergies are known to change and will usually get better as we age. However, persons with severe chronic allergies can have them their entire lives.
5. Fragrances. Fragrances from pesticides and perfumes are the most common of these type of allergens. A fragrance is one of the few allergens which can actually create a reaction from just the odor itself.
6. Insect stings and dead insect parts. While most people know someone who is allergic to an insect sting; most persons do not know that breathing in dead insect parts may also cause allergic symptoms. If an insect dies indoors, it will dry out and turn to particle matter in a few weeks time. These insect particles can become airborne and breathed in by an allergy sufferer. Just as other organic allergens, the protein found in the particles is what actually causes allergy reactions.
7. Latex. Latex is a natural substance made from a type of rubber tree. A latex allergy is normally found in the healthcare workplace but can be found in the home with the use of latex based kitchen gloves. Eliminating a latex allergy is as simple as disposing of all latex based products found in the home.
8. Medications. Medication allergies are normally a synergistic effect between other pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drugs. A physicians desk reference or drug manufacturer instructions should be read completely prior to taking any medications. Sometimes interactions are found out following the printing of such instructions and manufacturer web sites should be consulted on a regular basis for new interactions.
9. Molds. We have all been exposed to common molds from childhood since they are found throughout the outdoor environment. They become a problem for allergy sufferers when they invade the indoor environment and amplify on a breeding ground. Common indoor breeding grounds are air conditioning coil boxes, internally insulated supply air plenums and refrigerator drip pans.
10. Pollen. Pollen are believed to be the number one allergen in the world and is the primary cause of seasonal allergies. Some pollens can create indoor allergies when they dry out into small particles and become airborne.

You can eliminate about half of the allergens discussed above by just discontinuing their use however; allergens which are in the form of airborne particles are not so easily controlled. A true H.E.P.A. (High Efficient Particle Air) vacuum cleaner or air purifier is the only scientifically proven devices known to reduce particle allergens from the indoor air. Regular use of H.E.P.A. devices can make a dramatic improvement in allergies while at home. The H.E.P.A. filter maintains its efficiency up to five years of life. I highly recommend that you consider only the highest quality units since there are many H.E.P.A. “type” and inexpensive low-quality H.E.P.A. products on the market.

Treating sinusitis naturally (and successfully) with homeopathy means you have given your immune system a much needed boost. It is only because you have a compromised immunity that you have sinusitis. By raising its level of efficiency, you should also notice other areas of improvement, particularly better or more balanced energy.

Sinusitis is medically described as an inflammation of the sinuses, which accompanies rhinitis (nasal discharge). Sinusitis can be painful if there is no way for the debris of the inflammatory process to drain away.

This can occur when your nose or sinuses become blocked.

If you have had this condition for an extended period of time and have received many treatments, then I suggest that the best way to permanently resolve it is by consulting with a professional homeopath. However, if you have not had it long and have not had much treatment for it, then you may be able to totally resolve it yourself, with some homeopathic home prescribing.

Silica is one of the common home prescribing medicines and one of its main focuses is on the ears, nose and throat.

As you will need to be able to match your symptoms to some of those of the right medicine, let’s look at the strong keynotes of Silica:

• nasal obstruction
• sinusitis with thick post nasal discharge
• acute or chronic ear infection, dizziness or noises in the ear
• tonsillitis, pharyngitis or enlarged throat glands
• generally worse in cold conditions
• recurring infections of any part including colds and the flu
• delayed development in children

Treating sinusitis naturally means you resolve more than you intended to.

There are probably as many natural hay fever treatments as there are people suffering with it. But at the core, the reason you suffer is that you have a lowered immunity.

Many people have little idea of what an immune system is because you can’t touch it. It isn’t tangible. Rather, it is only known by your ailments and how you manage them without any help.

Those people with high energy and no ailments, or ailments which are dealt with by an intense fever which is quickly over, have strong and healthy immunity. Those who have low energy and seem to catch everything around which lasts for days or weeks, have low immune systems.

The hay fever part simply means that this is your personal area of weakness. Or one of them.

So how can you raise your immunity?

Here, we are concerned with two important ways, although I’m sure there are many more.

By taking control of your health and looking after yourself. Here are some long term suggestions.

• Eat well (no processed food, limit dairy, cut back on animal protein, increase fruit and vegetables).
• Get out into the sun and into nature.
• Learn to relax. Take time out.
• Take regular exercise.
• Deal with stresses holistically, as they arise.

That’s all very well, but what about now? Isn’t there a way to quickly raise your immune system by using natural hay fever treatments? The good news is that there is. And it comes from homeopathic treatment.

Pulsatilla is a great homeopathic medicine that will bring your hay fever to a halt, as long as your symptoms agree.

Here are some of the common and strong symptoms of Pulsatilla type hay fever:

• with sneezing which is worse in a warm room, the sun or hot weather
• worse in the evening or, less commonly in the afternoon
• better in open air, especially cool, cool weather
• with chronic nasal obstruction especially right nostril

Other symptoms include a general lack of thirst – you’re always being told to drink more. And changeable symptoms, including moods. One minute you may be very emotional and weepy, then next you may be irritable.

This medicine is especially good for children, but not exclusively.

Aside from the usual viruses and infections common during this time of the year, the inhospitable climate and other factors can turn your nose into a lump of coal. Over the counter medications can help treat the symptoms and ease general discomfort caused by winter sinus problems. None of them will provide long term relief and many may actually cause more problems with extended use. Bottom line, use of these medications may or may not be any more effective than a few tried and true natural remedies safely used by millions every year.

By far the biggest culprit behind chronic winter sinus pain is the climate. The dry air outside in colder climates is nothing compared to the super dry air we encounter inside buildings with central heating systems. The longer a building remains closed with the heating system running, the dryer the air becomes. It is not uncommon for a buildings humidity levels in the winter to be 30% lower than they are during the remainder of the year.

Restoring the humidity in your home to more comfortable levels can be achieved in a variety of ways.

• One of the oldest and most effective methods is to simply boil a pot of water.

Regardless of the size of your home, boiling a pot of water every day can greatly increase humidity levels. An added benefit to this practice is the reduction of static electricity in the air unless you like being zapped every time you touch a door knob.

• Another natural method is the use of a humidifier.

If you’re already encountering sinus problems before going to sleep, you’ll usually wake up to find them much worse. While you sleep your sinuses continue to dry out from the super dry air and mucus becomes hard and in some cases painful and difficult to remove. Using a humidifier in your bedroom will prevent mucus from thickening while you sleep and will provide the soothing moisture your sinuses need to operate properly. Always be sure your humidifier is clean to prevent spreading mold into the air.

• The use of nasal sprays for some carries a certain stigma.

Honestly, sticking something into your nose and snorting is never going to be attractive no matter who you are. With that said, few things can provide immediate sinus relief like saline spray. So be discreet, but don’t write it off simply because it’s not as glamorous as taking a pill. Also keep in mind that there are medicated nasal sprays. Never confuse these as medicated sprays are not be used in the same fashion and can have significant side effects if used improperly.

• A final natural solution is the use of moisturizing gels.

These do not contain any medicines, but often have ingredients that may lead people to believe they do because of the smell and sensation they produce. A common ingredient is camphor, which many associate as a medicine smell. Camphor will produce a warm and tingly sensation inside the nose that will travel into the remainder of the sinuses. The benefit of gels is that their moisturizing properties tend to last longer than saline spray. This can be especially useful at night if you’re unable to utilize a humidifier.

Are there benefits to using natural remedies for your sinus problems versus just using over the counter medications? Absolutely and the first thing you’ll notice is the money you save. Second, all of these natural methods can be used be used by children or adults plus people currently taking other medications or undergoing medical treatment. Even if your sinus problems are viral, not environmental, these practices will still provide sinus relief without adding more chemicals to your ailing body.

There a lot of insect fighting chemicals on the market with the same basic ingredients. All they do is change the variation a little to allow a different brand name. Let’s look at it from a different perspective, an example would be Ibuprofen. There are many different versions and strengths of Ibuprofen, but it all boils down to the same basic ingredient. There are watered down versions of Ibuprofen which are a waste of money for the consumer also.

There are lots of opinions about the use of natural insecticides. I have used commercial pest control baits in my house for years and they worked sometimes but not all the time. I use boric acid and it works most of the time. It takes longer but the results are consistent with ants. There are many different circumstances that a baiting system is the best or boric acid is the best. Some key ideas are:

1. How advanced is the insect infestation in your home?
2. Are you allergic to pesticides?
3. Can it harm your your plants?
4. Is it safe to use around your pets?
5. How easy is it get?
6. Is it a multi-use product for different insects.
7. How much is it going to cost you.
8. How effective is in in controlling pests.
9. Do you realize that natural pest control takes longer but is safer than most commercial products.
10. Will the product affect certain surfaces such as tile or wood.

If you are going to use natural insecticides, you’ll need to understand the safe and effective way to use them. You should know what works for each type of pest you are trying to control. Mixing is bad especially with the wrong combinations of natural products, it can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals. Garlic is a prime example, some people are allergic to it and others are not. Garlic is used to keep insects off of plants. Used indoors can be bad for someone with an allergy to garlic. People with Asthma and Allergies need to be careful with any form of pest control: natural or chemical.

Boric Acid is another example of a product which needs to be used right. Boric acid is a white crystalline weak acid that contains boron. Boron is a mineral substance, and minerals are of the earth. If you get boron too close to plants or grass, it will kill them. I use boric acid to control weeds between the cracks in the driveway and my pavers. Works great at keeping the weeds out and not using a toxic chemicals to do the same thing. It’s not always less harmful as the Green People would have you believe. By the way, Boron is toxic to people in high doses. Do not recommend you breathe the dust either. So, either way, always follow the manufacturers label for proper use.

In conclusion, natural pesticides have increased in sales in the last decade. If you are using the products, use them safely and do not mix them together. These products have always been around, but people had to learn about their benefits concerning their use and effectiveness. If you do not have patience, this is not the way to go for you, natural pest control takes the time to work. If you think about it, you will not know if you will like them until you try them out today.

This article will try to dispense some helpful information about the treatment of food allergies. One of the most common conditions that affect one in every fifty persons is food allergy. Certain types of food trigger the food allergies that cause these undesirable responses of the immune system. The food allergen that triggers allergies is identified as a food protein. Bear in mind that food allergy is completely different from food intolerance or reactions to pharmacological agents. Food intolerance is mostly connected to one or more organs in the body but is not linked to the immune system while allergies caused by pharmacological agents are connected to the effects of medicines.

The areas of the body that are commonly affected by these allergies are the skin, digestive system and respiratory system. Within two hours of eating the food the symptoms appear as blotches and skin rashes. These rashes can manifest on the face, eyelids, lips or tongue and most of the time they are quite irritating. Food allergies can also cause difficulty in breathing as the throat becomes swollen. As the food allergen enters the body, the immune system reacts excessively to the allergen and pumps histamines into the body to suppress it, thus setting off the allergic symptoms.

Avoidance is still the most common and most readily implementable treatment for food allergies. Selective food avoidance however is life time adherence to strict diets. The good news is that this will alleviate or diminish the symptoms and averts further harm.

Recent data has shown that consuming organic foods can reduce the occurrence or seriousness of food allergies, and it may even help in the defense against serious allergic reactions. Quantities of quality nutrients can be gained from eating organic foods. These quality nutrients are required to help reinforce the weak immune system of those people with these types of allergies. A diet consisting of mainly organic foods will no doubt decrease the probability of having allergic reactions to pesticides and some food additives, and can also decrease the frequency of allergies. If you already have food allergies then its effects on the body still requires to be addressed.

Desensitization is the best solution so far to food allergies. However, there are several treatment alternatives to be had, these ranges from immunizing the body against the allergens with injections to acupuncture. Acupuncture has also been documented to be effective in the treatment of some allergies. However, the crux of the matter is that these treatments may not solve the principal health issues, such as vitamin deficiencies, surplus of toxins in the body.

The ideal therapy to combat food allergies will be a program that combines detoxifying the body to get rid of toxins that gave rise to the allergies, addressing the principal health problems, and desensitizing the body to the allergens that are upsetting it.

It is imperative that as soon as the food allergies are reduced or taken care of, that you get genuine nutritional guidance to aid you in maintaining and rebuilding your immune system. Keep in mind that a balanced diet is still your best defense against food allergies. Keep in mind that a balanced diet is still your best defense against food allergies.

Food allergies are a sign all is not well with your health. Don’t just look at ways to relieve the problem. Look at why you have the problem in the first place.

Food allergies, like other allergies and maladies, are a sign your immune system is compromised. This can come about because you are doing things that prevent your body’s natural ability from dealing with health problems as they arise.

A healthy person’s immune system will be gently in action all the time, unbeknown to you.

But a seriously compromised immune system will show up as permanent health problems, such as allergies.

Here are some of the reasons for a compromised immune system and how you may be ensuring your food allergies remain. Knowing the reasons can go a long way to showing you how to resolve the problem.

• Eating fast, junk and processed food is a great way to compromise your immune system.
• Vaccines and medication all lower your immune system.
• Lack of sun may destroy you immunity.
• Allowing stresses of work, home and relationships to build up unresolved is the best way to knock your health.
• If you don’t get your optimum amount of rest and sleep, you can be sure you will never be healthy.
• By not taking regular exercise, especially gentle exercise outside in nature, the nails will be piling into your coffin of self destruction.

Many people feel that they just have to put up with health problems, that it is just part of them.

They are so wrong!

There is a cure for everything. A natural cure for everything. But you need to take control of your health to achieve it. It’s no good giving your health care to someone else. No one cares about your health as much as you do. No-one knows as much about you as you do.

So it’s logical to assume, that no-one can help you as much as you can.

Start today, make some changes that suit you, that are realistic and that feel right for where you are right now. Then make gradual changes every day, every week or every month, whatever suits you. But make them consistently. And, in no time, your food allergies will either disappear or be so mild as to not worry you.

The first step your doctor will probably take when allergies are suspected is send you off for a skin or blood test. Medical allergy tests include the skin prick test, patch test or blood tests like the RAST blood test.

Let’s have a closer look at these tests.

A skin prick test involves putting drops of a variety of suspected allergens (for example pollen, dust mites, pet hair, mould, foods) using a pin-prick, usually on the forearm. Sensitivity to a particular allergen will show itself with an itchy, red, raised wheal. Skin prick tests are a way of checking sensitivity to inhaled allergens such as pollen or dust mite, but are not so effective at detecting sensitivity to foods. This test is uncomfortable and only a limited number of allergens can be tested at one time.

Patch testing is a way of identifying whether a substance that comes in contact with the skin is causing inflammation of the skin. With the patch test you need to leave the patch (usually placed on your arm) on for about 24 hours. This patch contains a suspected allergen and again a local reaction of the skin needs to occur for a positive result.

Blood tests will look for elevated antibodies also known as Immunoglobulin (Ig’s), which is a type of protein. Those immunoglobulins are the weapons of the immune system to identify and destroy invading antigen and other foreign objects. There are 5 different types of Ig’s and each one has a specific job to do. Blood allergy tests look for particular Ig’s.

In autoimmune conditions this protective system is malfunctioning as it is mistaking its own tissue as the enemy.

Blood tests for allergen specific IgE antibodies RAST (radioallergosorbent) test determine sensitivity to suspected allergens. Whereas the skin prick test result is available immediately, RAST results are often not available for a few days and may be more expensive than skin testing. However, RAST testing is a useful alternative when skin prick testing is not possible, as in a bad case of a skin condition or if a reaction is not advisable. The Wikipedia Encyclopedia states that a more superior test has been developed in 1989 called CAP FEIA (fluorenzymeimmunoassay )

Blood test for IgG is a blood test for non-immunological adverse reaction to the sensitivities to common foods.

IgA is found in the saliva, gastric fluids, plasma and mucous membrane of the body. It is believed that IgA is the link between gut-related health conditions and the systemic illness and is usually associated with altered intestinal permeability (leaky gut). It is responsible for immune protection within the gut. Stress, Candida, Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and other auto immune conditions and also food sensitivities can be responsible for elevated levels.

The above are the most common medical allergy tests available.

Ok, you have been for your blood or skin test, which tested you, for lets say between 10 to 100 different items. Those may be foods, dust, pollen, grasses, fibers, chemicals etc etc. You have your list and you think all is well as long as you stay away from those dreaded allergy causing items. Your doctor agrees and might send you home with some antihistamine medication or what ever else could be of help.

This is most probably not the end of your allergy reactions. Why?

What about the other thousands upon thousands of food items, chemicals, natural and synthetics fibers, toothpastes, washing powders, soaps… the list is long. What about items you have not been tested for? Anyone of those could potentially induce an allergic reaction. Even healthy and organic foods are not excluded. If you have not been given a list of safe foods or other items for you personally then I believe the test is not worth the paper it is written on. This might sound harsh, but usually it is not an isolated item, causing the allergy. Allergies are accumulative and the inflammation they cause encourage secondary allergies. All of those items need to be removed from your diet and life for a certain amount of time. This will start the healing process. But how can you know what else is causing you allergy reactions if you only been tested for 100 or so items.

Many Allergy tests are not specific enough and that’s where their limitations lay. Most tests provide you only with a broad idea of what you are allergic too and are not able to advise you on safe alternatives. Any allergy test, whether, blood, skin or any other kind, will offer very limited success, unless it can provide you with a list of safe foods and products, specific for you.

The inception of cold breeze; frosty nights; biting chilly mornings and starts the winter woes that come along with it as a twin sibling-agitating the body to hell and disturbing the immune system. Some experience a rashness in the skin, some undergoes a flaky skin, some feel an itching numbness in the feet and palms while someone’s nose pours like a stream through out the season. Name it as seasonal sickness or an allergy, it definitely irks!

Explains Dr. Sanjay Saini, a physician.

People don’t understand that one has to tame the body with the upcoming change in the season, don’t we prepare and check our memories for the coming examinations? Why not check and scrutinize our bodies? Generally, everybody takes the seasonal change for granted and ultimately join the unending queue of the viral victims. No concern for health and one end in the bed with prescribed medication. It is nothing but a bad reaction to a bad action.

During this season, the human body, in order to keep itself warm, generates a lot of energy as a protection against the cold weather and chilly winds. This warmth intensifies the fire of the stomach which helps to digest the food and strengthens the digestive system of a healthy and strong person. It is then able to digest heavier food taken in large quantity. Therefore, during the winter season nutritious food should be taken. Though, with seasonal fruits and vegetables available throughout the year to meet the ingredients of junk food-be it frozen peas or cabbage grown with agro technology, the Gen next no longer experiences the bliss of enjoying the seasonal delicacies. Result: An imbalance in the metabolism and sickness. Here are a few tips to not to fight but copout the woes:

1. Avoid extreme changes in temperature. With Ac’s becoming a norm in every household; comforting oneself to room temperature and switching immediately to the coldness can make the matters worse.
2. Include rich supplements to your diet such as millet, maize, gram, moong, black gram and masoor. Besides, milk, clarified butter and mawa are foods that provide energy. Juices of amla, carrots and tomatoes are also highly beneficial.
3. For someone who experiences extreme numbness, a few sips of beer, red wine and alcohol can help increase the blood rotation.
4. Pamper your skin with glycerin or a number of moisturizers available. Remember, a dreary skin is a signal of an ailment about to pounce.
5. With winters, comes the season of taking vows. Be in vogue with overcoats, pullovers and scarves. Showcasing your worked up attire in biting cold may leave you loosing all the fervor of the occasion. Being comfortable and appearing trendy is much better than rubbing hands and shivering all the while in front of a wood fire.
6. Be it winters or summers, the best time to exercise is still dawn. Engage yourself in brahstika and suryabhedi pranayam. Also, suryanamaskar helps increase the blood rotation thereby bringing heat in the body. Yes, it feels like being cozy in a warm blanket but a workout in the morning is worth it. After all, it is no one else you are doing it for and don’t they say sound health is the first state of happiness.
7. Beat the winter blues. According to The National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder (NOSAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of winter depression which affects millions of people every winter, especially during December, January and February. If you think that you may suffer from SAD try to get out in the daylight for a while each day. If possible get some winter sun. Make the most of it, it’s a lovely season!

Allergy symptoms vary from person to person (and animal to animal), but tend to fall into a few categories. One group of people will tend to express their allergies through their skin. Various eruptions will appear on any part of your body. These are unique to you, in both the area affected and the type of eruption.

Another group of people will express their allergy symptoms through watery discharge of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms might include those typical of hay fever – streaming eyes, sore eyes, red eyes, itchy eyes, streaming nose, itchy palate, itchy throat, itchy nose, sneezing, etc.

And yet another group of people may express their allergy symptoms through their stomach, with indigestion, gas and diarrhea.

Whatever the area affected, it is showing you your weakness. But at the core of the problem is your immune system. It’s struggling really hard and not making much headway. It’s badly compromised.

This is at the heart of every single disease under the sun. The expression of the disease (ie your symptoms) indicate your area of weakness, but the fact that you have the allergy or disease in the first place is because your immune system is compromised.

If you have a good, healthy immune system, your body will heal everything. You won’t even be aware that there is a problem.

So how do you restore your immune system to its former glory? Generally this is a life transformation. There is no easy fix, no magic bullet. But if you start now, it can only improve.

Things that stop your immune system working are:

• eating unhealthy food (fast, junk, processed, dairy, too much meat, preservatives, colours and so on)
• taking medicine on a regular basis
• having vaccines
• not getting exposed to enough sun
• not taking regular exercise
• drinking too much alcohol

But by far the most important aspect is how you think. If you think negatively, get frightened easily, get angry often or suppress your feelings regularly, your immune system will be badly affected.

Those people who are at peace with themselves don’t have compromised immune systems. And they don’t get sick very often.

So instead of thinking someone else, other than you, can fix your allergy symptoms, try thinking that you are responsible for your health. It could be the start of a profound journey for you.

The case of hives you have experienced are the itchy, red splotches on your skin that can come quickly and disappear over the course of minutes or hours. Almost all types of allergy hives cause itching. They usually form on the surface of the skin. Sometimes they appear in the soft tissues of the mouth, throat and eyes. Hives are the  reaction of the body to an allergen, this is where the name allergy comes from. On some occasions, hives can be so severe, they become life-threatening affecting the whole body not just the skin. This systemic condition is called anaphylaxis.

When you come in contact with certain foods, cosmetics, soaps and detergents , medicines or even substances in your environment, your immune system can become negatively affected. You can experience an allergic reaction to any number of these items and your body goes on defense, prompting immune cells to produce a chemical called histamine. Histamine affects the  small blood vessels in the skin, the capillaries, causing them to swell and liquids are pooled under the skin causing welts known as hives.

Histamines can also be released in the bloodstream due to chronic infections systemic disease such as asthma, a condition that causes inflammation and obstruction of the airways in the lungs, blood products given intravenously, or into the veins. A healthcare professional can diagnose hives after examining the affected person and listening to an account of the event. Medical experts refer to chronic hives as cases that lasts longer than 6 weeks. This may happen to anyone, but it is usually most common in women aged 40-60 years. These chronic hive cases can last for months or years, but they are very unusual.

According to findings of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergy hives affects an estimated 20 % of our population. The rash associated with hives can be brought on by anything as simple as an allergic reaction to food. Hives can also be triggered by insect stings and bites, emotional and physical stress and certain physical agents: heat, cold, sunlight, or water. Medical professionals refer to hives as urticaria.

You find a good  hives treatment by using some over the counter antihistamine medications but be sure to read about possible side effects and make sure you do not have a reaction to them before you rely upon them. Many people have had relief from their hives with diphenhydramine, sold as Benadryl. Cetirizine, marketed as Zyrtec, has been recommended as well as loratadine (Alavert and Claritin). Medical technicians use Epinephrine to treat very severe reactions such as anaphylaxis.

With the advent of so called “Alternative Medicine”, there is a whole new awareness of safer, more natural cures and remedies for hives and related allergic reactions of the body. On the forefront of this more holistic approach to human imbalances is the science of Homeopathy.

The science of Homeopathy is more than 200 hundred years old. It is based on the philosophy that certain natural substances can stimulate the body’s own innate healing systems. This then allows the body to heal itself, often faster than with so called modern medicines.

Homeopathy is a very unique system of medicine. The ingredients that are used are at levels generally understood to be non-toxic and develop no negative side effects. The use of homeopathic ingredients for the treatment of hives, or any other particular condition, is based on “homeopathic provings” recorded in the “Homeopathic Materia Medica”.