Allergy - Help I Am Allergic To Puppies

If you are allergic to dust dogs then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. You can be allergic to dander, saliva, or urine. Pet hair itself does not product allergic reactions in individual, but the dog dander that will stick to the dog hair will. The allergy producing proteins called allergens are products in the dogs skin. When the dog licks themselves this sticky protein is deposited on the hair along with dead skin cells. When the dog hair comes into contact with dust, clothing, furniture, curtains, or you, the protein will stick to the surface of the object. Allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy and water eyes, skin rashes, headaches, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. All animals product allergens but just because you are allergic to dog allergens does not mean that you will be allergic to cat or bird allergens. If you are not allergic to dogs today is no guarantee that you will not develop allergies tomorrow. Many contact allergies develop over time. If you are susceptible to becoming allergic to dogs, then the more you are exposed to the allergens the more likely it is that you will develop symptoms. If you are allergic to dogs then some precaution need to be taken to help control the allergy attacks. Never allow dogs on the bed or even in the bedroom. Use a HEPA room air cleaner in all bedrooms and in the family room. Air cleaners can make a really big difference in the severity and frequency of allergy attacks. The central heating system should have an electrostatic air filter to distribute clean air through out the house. These electrostatic air filters trap microscopic allergens. Hard wood floors are easer to clean than carpets. If you do have carpets then invest in a quality vacuum. Most vacuums will blow the smaller particles of dust back into the air through the exhaust. You will need to get a vacuum that has some type of HEPA filter that traps microscopic particles of dust from being blown back into the air. Leather furniture is easer to clean than cloth covered ones. Cover all cloth furniture with sheets to help prevent dog dander from being deposited on them and wash the sheets frequently. You may want to reserve a specific chair for yourself and not sharing your chair with your dog. Wash your hands after petting or playing with your gods and avoid touching your eyes or face beforehand. Allergy shots to hyposensitize or build up an immunity to dog allergens will work on some people but not others. The reason is unknown and more research is needed. Always consult your doctor before using this information. This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice. David Cowley has created over 50 articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. For other articles on Allergies click on Articles on Allergies and for other articles click on Other Articles Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Cowley Allergy - The Link Between Antibiotics and Allergies Most of us in the alternative medicine arena know that allergy medicine is a huge business, with an immense array of non-prescription over-the-counter products to address nearly any complaint. Bear in mind, however, that they are not appropriate for all patients. In addition to their side-effects such as sedation or nerve reaction, allergy and sinus medications could be incompatible with certain prescription treatments and the chronic health conditions they treat, including high blood pressure, asthma, glaucoma, prostate problems, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder. Even in the best case scenario, allergy medicines could generate detrimental side effects that limit their use on a regular basis. A recent study from the University of Michigan Medical School might have unearthed a clue. Now it turns out that the rise of another phenomenon'the use of antibiotics'may hold the answer. The University researchers found that antibiotics seem to prime the immune system to over-react to substances it could just as well ignore. When the research team gave laboratory mice a five-day course of antibiotics, the animals showed the same effect seen in humans; an upset in the balance of yeast and other microbes in the gut. They then exposed the mice to several common allergens. The mice given antibiotics were hypersensitive to them, while the other mice had a normal immune response. In the past, we have always thought of allergies and asthma as involving mainly the respiratory system. This research, however, suggests the microbes in the gut play a significant role. The results support a theory that our modern society is too sanitary. According to the results that support the "hygiene hypothesis", when you are not exposed to very many bugs, your immune system has a hard time differentiating between a harmless substance (such as pollen) and a dangerous toxin, so it is likely to overreact. A growing number of holistically minded people are seeking natural alternatives to the traditional drugstore offerings. With their temperate actions and minimal side effects, botanical and alternative remedies are a good option for many a sufferer. In contrast to a trip to a big chain drugstore, the preparation of natural remedies is more similar to a craft than a chore, calling to us to slow our tempo, reflecting on the beauty and usefulness of nature's wealth.