Tag: pollen allergies

Are You Allergic To Fruits And Vegetables?

23 September, 2010 (14:28) | Allergies | By: Health news

Most people with pollen allergy are also allergic to fruits and vegetables. Often without knowing it. This is known as cross allergy. Prior to the pollen season here are some good advice.

Cross allergy to hazelnuts, apple, peach, cherry, walnut, pear, almond, plum, carrot, tomato, peanuts, strawberries and apricots are common in people with birch pollen allergy. Approximately 70% of birch pollen allergic also have allergic reactions to one or more of these foods. A pollen allergic react to these foods because they contain substances similar to the allergy-causing substances, the allergens, in birch pollen.

Local symptoms from mouth and throat with itching and swelling of the mucous membranes are the most common allergic reactions to fruits and vegetables. But sneezing, skin rashes, asthma and allergic symptoms that spread to other organs also occurs. In worst cases an allergic shock may occur – this is most common with allergies to hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and peanuts.

The more severe pollen allergy, the greater are usually the problems with cross-allergy to nuts, fruits and vegetables. Significant allergic reactions to these foods is an indication of a more severe pollen allergy. The greater number of foods a pollen allergic reacts to, the more likely it is that it is allergy to birch pollen and other pollen types the allergic reacts to. A German study shows that 90% of patients with allergy to fruits and vegetables also had pollen allergy.

It is important for a pollen allergic to avoid eating these foods during the pollen season, as it will reduce symptoms of pollen allergy. Eating pollen allergy foods you react to when you are also exposed to pollen, increases the pain dramatically. Most people cannot tolerate raw vegetables or fruit, but can eat apples or carrots if they are boiled, or lightly heat-treated in microwave oven. An apple which is peeled is tolerated better than an apple with the peel on.

Birch pollen allergy

The more severe the birch pollen allergy is, the greater the symptoms of allergy to fruits and vegetables will be. It is important to avoid these foods immediately before and throughout the birch pollen season, as it will reduce allergy symptoms. The most common cross allergies with birch pollen allergy are hazelnuts, apple, peach, cherry, walnut, pear, almond, plum, Brazil nuts, potato peel, carrot, tomato, peanuts, strawberries and apricots. If you have a severe birch pollen allergy you will react to these foods also outside the pollen season. Fruits that you probably can tolerate is, among others, is pineapple which rarely sparks the birch pollen allergy and also berries such as cranberries, currants, raspberries and blueberries should be safe to eat.

Grass pollen allergy

There is a link between grass pollen and cross allergy to wheat, rye and other grains sales. Cross allergies to grain do not have to give so much pain, but you suffer from grass allergies and experience a variety of diffuse symptoms of fatigue, stomach discomfort, pain in muscles outside the grass pollen season – it may be wise to take a test period of about three weeks without these grain varieties to see if symptoms disappears or becomes significantly better. Many people with allergies towards grass pollen also reacts to tomato, peanuts, peas, soy sauce, onion and melon. But generally, cross-allergy to foods is less troublesome in grass pollen allergics than with birch pollen allergy.

Latex Allergies and exotic fruits

Allergies to latex, natural rubber has increased in recent decades. The increase has occurred particularly among health professionals who use disposable gloves made of latex. It’s proven cross-sensitization between latex and exotic fruits such as banana, avocado, kiwi, chestnut, nectarines and strawberries. If you react with itching in the mouth and throat and blocked nose when you eat a banana, kiwi, or avocado, it is likely that you are allergic to latex.

Proven Ways to Reduce an Allergic Reaction to Allergies

22 March, 2010 (09:36) | Allergies | By: Health news

There are hundreds of thousands of people in the world, which suffer from allergies. Common allergies are pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander. However, there are many proven ways to reduce an allergic reaction to these allergies. Let us look at pollen first. During allergy season, many people keep their windows closed.

The pollen from flowers outside can fly in the window and land on clothes and in a person’s hair. Pollen causes a person to sneeze, if they are allergic to pollen. One way to prevent pollen from entering your home, during the allergy season is to always keep your windows closed and use your air conditioner if it gets hot in your house.

Your air condition has a filter inside it that will in fact purify the air before blowing it out into your home. However, if you are still sneezing you may need to check your air conditioners filter because it may be dirty.

Dust mites lay eggs in high pile carpet, therefore, in order to get rid of the dust mites. You could vacuum your carpets weekly. On the other hand, you could simply replace your carpets with low pile carpet, and that will help to reduce dust mites as well.

In addition, dust mites can take over an entire bedroom and the only way to get rid of the dust mites in the bedroom. Would be to wash pillowcases, sheets and blankets in hot water, which is 130 degrees F. On the other hand, you could simply vacuum the mattresses down weekly. Using this method will greatly reduce an allergic reaction to dust mites.

Dust is one of the main causes of an allergic reaction of any kind, dust accumulates all over your house and there is only one simply way to get rid of dust particles in your home. You must dust your home on weekly bases in order to reduce the dust accumulation. Moreover, if there is any mold in your bathroom or kitchen, then that needs to be, removed with baking soda if the mold is on hard surfaces. Many homeowners use scrubbing bubbles on their counter tops, and toilets.

In addition, wipe down shower curtains with towels, then wash all used towels and mop bathroom floors weekly. Moreover, if you leave leftovers in the refrigerator be, sure to check them periodically for any type of mold. Therefore, if you notice mold forming on any food products of any kind, they need to be, thrown away immediately.

Pollen Allergies

12 March, 2010 (22:00) | Allergies | By: Health news

Many people suffer from sensitivity to various types of pollen and need to find the right treatments for their pollen allergies that will provide them with relief. The constant congestion, headache, itchy nose and eyes or trouble breathing can make life hard. Although many children tend to grow out of their problems with allergies, most adults seem to retain their allergies. New studies have shown that many herbalists, naturopathic doctors and natural healers believe that it is possible to actually get rid of allergies through alternative treatments, although there are also many traditional ways to treat pollen allergies as well.

The obvious first step is to get tested to make sure that your allergies are actually pollen allergies. The next step is to avoid those things that cause your allergies, but that is easier said than done. Adjusting your environment can make a big difference in the severity of your allergies. For instance, as part of your treatment for pollen allergies, hire someone else to mow the grass and keep your yard in shape so you are not subjecting yourself firsthand to the pollen that causes your allergies. Your doctor will probably prescribe allergy medicine, which you should take daily per the given instructions. If you know you are likely to be around pollen, take your medicine in advance to help prevent or lessen the symptoms.

Your doctor may also prescribe an allergy shot treatment therapy, which entails getting a shot with a low dose of the allergen which desensitizes you a little more each time you are exposed to it. There is generally a good success rate with allergy shot treatments for pollen allergies. Alternative treatments can also be options you can explore, such as chiropractic or acupuncture. Other alternative treatments include honey therapy, where you eat small amounts of local honey, which may contain some of the local pollens, or vitamin or herbal supplements that boost the immune system.

Vitamin C treatment or use of antioxidants to boost the immune system to fight allergic reactions are also used by many who suffer with pollen allergies. Many people feel that saline sinus rinses have a high success rate as they flush the bacteria and irritants from the nasal cavities. However, you should be very careful with these home remedies. Knowing for sure what you are really allergic to is the key to getting help. Visit a licensed professional who can generally pinpoint the problem. You should consult your doctor before starting any program for treatment of pollen allergies in order to avoid possible side affects.