Laser Allergist

Archive for March, 2010

Allergic reactions in dogs are hard to control and are usually chronic in nature. This is why the right diagnosis and therapy has to be started early to minimize the allergic reaction. The most common symptom for allergic reaction in dogs is excessive itching, or pruritis. It is the high strung dogs that tend to itch more than placid dogs while chewing, licking and rubbing of the skin are all manifestations of pruritis.

The common areas on the dog’s body that are the hardest hit for pruritis are its face, feet and armpit. However, due to some extent of excessive pruritis, it might cover the whole body of the animal. Scratching is normal for them and sometimes not a sign of any irregularities on their skin. But when tiny blood spots appear, it’s already a sign of an allergic reaction. The reason for this is, flea dirt comprises more of blood and they usually appear as small blood spots in any place that they are left behind.

Basically, there are three types of allergic reactions in dogs where the dog may suffer from one of these reactions or a combination of all three conditions. First is food allergy in where a dog is allergic to ingredients or preservatives found in food like beef, wheat, dairy products which are most common food allergens. In addition, even premium dog foods have a tendency to contain these products.

For some dog owners, the best way to stop allergic reactions is to immediately “haul” their pets off to a pet store or a veterinarian’s clinic. Usually, the people running the establishment would recommend some of their dog food to stop these allergic reactions thinking that this is the best way to stop excessive scratching or biting. However, they have to bear in mind that food allergies are the least cause of allergic problems in dogs.

With flea allergy dermatitis, it is the allergens found in the saliva of flea that bites the dog. The flea inserts a coagulant in the dog through the saliva to prevent the clotting of the dog’s blood, and this is what induces an allergic reaction in dogs.

However, because of the intensive research and never-ending “crusade” to discover a cure for allergic reactions in dogs, many treatments were administered thus diminishing the occurrence of flea allergy dermatitis.

The last type of allergic reactions found in dogs is what they call allergic inhaled dermatitis or atopy, a pre-inclination in the animal to produce IgE antibodies on exposure to an allergen.

Allergic reactions will then be evident when there is a re-exposure to the same allergen. Common causes are usually pollen, grasses, animal wastes or animal dander, molds, mites, house dust and feathers which can be either pass through inhalation or through or in-between the pads of its paws.

An insect bite is something that practically everyone experiences. It usually brings about some minor discomfort, especially in the summer months. Though most people don’t have any problems with insect bites apart from some pain and irritation, there are some people who suffer allergic reactions to insect bites. This allergic reaction to insect bites is called hymenoptera, and to people suffering from it, bites and stings prove to be very dangerous.

Last year my spring allergies started pretty much the first day of the season (Northern NJ, bad place for tree pollen). This year, they barely started in mid April at the beginning of the season and stayed pretty low key until today, May 10th, and all of a sudden they are disastrous. How come my allergies didn’t fully blossom until today even though the pollen counts have been higher this year?

So I had a blood test done to test allergic reactions, and stuff. I had a reaction to :Allergy shots, Pretzals, a milkshakes, (chocolate) , A mocha from star bucks , and, mixed nuts.

The nut alergy test came back neg. I truely do not think that is correct. Any ides on if those are 100%

My Dr. is honestly baffled, we cant think of a link. Is there something we are missing. He said to just keep avoiding the nuts for now.

Any ideas on it?

Bee pollen consists of plant pollens collected by worker bees combined with plant nectar and bee saliva. Bee Pollen is gathered from pollen laden bees by a special device placed at the entrance of the hive. The device is designed to brush the material from the bees’ legs.

Bee pollen is believed to rejuvenate the body, stimulate organs and glands, enhance vitality, and bring about a longer life span. Bee pollen’s purported ability to consistently and noticeably increase energy levels also makes it a popular substance among many world class athletes and those interested in sustaining and enhancing quality performance.

Bee Pollen benefits are improved when taken with other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Health benefits of bee pollen are linked to the fact that it is high in concentrations of Vitamin B complex and also vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Myricetin helps white blood cells soak up the “bad” LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine-the right kind of pollen can be beneficial for your allergies! Rutin is best known as the remedy for varicose veins. Rutin protects veins throughout the body and may help prevent cancer as well. Your body uses trans-cinnamic acid to make its own antibiotics, and this potent nutrient also powers the detoxifying processes of the liver.

The bee pollen benefits and medicine are infinite. Every passing year there are more uses and needs for requiring bee pollen medicine. Although there is no scientific proof, bee pollen benefits far outweigh the chemical alternatives to treating disorders and diseases. Some of the bee pollen benefits in medicine are that it is used to treat a wide variety of medical issues.

Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from certain trees to produce a cement-like substance. Bees use it to construct and repair the hive, blocking invasions of fungi, bacteria and viruses. It has a similarly beneficial effect in the human body. As a salve or tincture it has germicidal effects and can be used to speed the healing of wounds. When taken internally, it stimulates the immune and circulatory systems.

Bee pollen benefits your body with a number of vital trace elements that it can’t manufacture, but needs in order to stay healthy. Those trace elements include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium – all minerals that have proven health benefits.

Bee pollen may also protect against wind-borne allergens that cause hay fever and even asthma. Ullrich Wahn, M.D., a researcher at Heidelberg University Children’s Clinic in Germany, studied 70 children with hay fever and allergy-related asthma. He fed them a solution of bee pollen and honey daily during the annual hay fever period and three days weekly during the winter. Most of the children presented fewer symptoms after following this regimen.

Bee Pollen contains 27 elements, 18 of which are amino acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, RR, D also vitamin K. Elements such as iron, calcium, calculi, phosphorus, folic acid, microelements such a manganese, chromium, zinc, iodine and much more. Bee pollen is also rich in protein which is very similar to proteins found in the blood. It is also important to know that bee pollen cannot be recreated in a laboratory.

Pollen is considered an energy and nutritive tonic in Chinese medicine. Cultures throughout the world use it in a surprising number of applications: for improving endurance and vitality, extending longevity, aiding recovery from chronic illness, adding weight during convalescence, reducing cravings and addictions, regulating the intestines, building new blood, preventing infectious diseases such as the cold and flue.

The hay fever season which ironically has nothing to do with either hay or fever is upon us. Hay fever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by pollens of specific seasonal plants, airborne chemicals and dust particles in people who are allergic to these substances. Over 35 million Americans suffer from hay fever each year, and according to experts, this season is shaping up to be one of the worst.

We hay fever sufferers are about to be subjected to itching and watery eyes, stuffy noses, skin reactions, and other allergic reactions as high pollen counts invade the country sides and city blocks of America.

Major drug companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Schering-Plough are about to become much richer if this year’s pollen levels are any indication.

The allergen triggers the release of histamine into the body which causes inflammation in the nose leading to the common symptoms of watery eyes, congestion, postnasal drip, and sneezing.

So how do we allergy sufferers get through the season?

One – Make it a habit to monitor the pollen counts in your area. The National Allergy Bureau (NAB) has over 70 pollen counting stations throughout the nation. To view the pollen and mold counts for your area, go to the NAB website at http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pollen

Weather conditions, which can vary greatly, have a great impact on the pollen counts. This means you need to periodically monitor these counts. If the NAB is unreachable or inconvenient to you, be aware that some community newspapers publish the pollen and mold counts as well. These days you can also find their information on the Internet.

Two – control your home environment by avoiding the pollens and molds that are making your spring miserable. Do this by making some of the following changes:

- Keep your windows closed and utilize your air conditioner to filter the outdoor air. In addition, change your heating and air conditioning filters every month.

- Pollen counts vary at different times of the day. Avoid peak pollen release times and limit your outdoor activity to the times when the pollen counts are at their lowest.

- Keeping windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into the home.

- Wash bedding in hot, not warm, water. In addition, look for detergent formulas that contain additives to remove allergens such as pollens, mildew and mold.

- Eat Spicy foods like cayenne and horseradish. They have been shown to clear nasal passages.

Three – make an appointment with an allergist. A certified allergist can assist you in identifying the exact allergens that are affecting you and provide you with a custom treatment plan (including pills, nasal sprays, herbs, acupuncture) to alleviate your symptoms.

Finally – if you’re simply sick and tired of being forced to hide indoors for much of the spring season, you might want to try immunotherapy or allergy shots. Allergy shots, administered over a series of months, will help to increase your tolerance to the allergens that trigger your allergies. While not a cure, immunotherapy can help greatly in reducing your sensitivities to allergies.

Diary can help pinpoint source of allergic reactions
Frankfurt – Keeping a diary can help pinpoint the source of allergic reactions. The diary should be kept for at least a month and then shown to a doctor, who can use it in making a diagnosis. The diary should note the nature of the symptoms, their fr…

Read more on EARTHtimes.org

What happens in your body when it triggers an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction is your body’s way of attacking an “invader.” When the body senses a foreign substance, called an antigen, the immune system attacks. The immune system is designed to protect the body from harmful substances such as poisons and bacteria. However, when the body overreacts to harmless stimuli (the allergen), it is considered a hypersensitivity, or an allergic reaction.

The body can incorrectly identify many things as threats. Certain types of foods, pollen, insect bites, and dust all serve as allergens for different people.

How do allergic reactions manifest themselves?

The allergic reaction can range from mild to severe, ranging from a runny nose, headaches and rashes to dangerous anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis can be combination of allergic symptoms that occur rapidly and can be life threatening. One of these symptoms is shock. Shock means that the organs are not getting enough blood due to low blood pressure. Therefore the organs cannot function properly which can lead to unconsciousness or heart failure. The other symptom of anaphylaxis is trouble breathing or the complete inability to breath.

Most allergic reactions are much milder. Milder reactions may involve skin irritations, coughing, wheezing, headaches, swollen eyelids and lips, stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea.

What can you do to feel better?

First, get away and stay away from the allergen.

If the symptoms are at all serious contact medical help immediately. The allergic reaction can worsen within minutes.

If one is prone to severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, he can get a “bee-sting kit.” This contains one dose of epinephrine which you can inject into yourself as soon as you realize that you have come into contact with an allergen that you are hypersensitive to. It can literally save your life.

Seven years ago, Natan Walters was on a school trip when he accidentally ate a peanut butter cookie, thinking that it did not contain peanuts. He passed away within several hours before even getting home.

If symptoms are mild they may well respond to simple allergy medicines:

Oral antihistamines help relieve symptoms. Also, anti-inflammatory steroid creams can be effective for skin reactions. For small skin reactions try wet, cold compresses.

Are there any long-term cures for allergic reactions?

Allergy shot treatments can be given to alter the immune system response. These do not help with current symptoms; but rather attempt to immunize the body against future attacks. The patient receives a series of injections of the allergens. Each injection contains a slightly higher dose of the allergen, giving the patient the opportunity to get used to the allergen in small doses, or to become desensitized to it.

How can one live comfortably with allergies?

First, you must identify the things that cause you allergic reactions. Then you must learn to avoid them.

Skin testing is one of the best methods of determining which allergens a person is hypersensitive to. The tests require exposing the skin to small amounts of various substances and watching to see what the body reacts to these substances.

Blood tests can also help to identify antibodies that create allergic reactions.

Also, people, especially children, with severe reactions can wear bracelets or pendants identifying them as having specific, dangerous allergies. This can save time in a severe allergic reaction, should the victim become confused or unconscious.

Check in advance what products may contain your allergens and read the labels. For example, someone who is allergic to peanuts should stay away from other nut spreads because the same machinery is used to process both. Sometimes the machinery is not cleaned properly after peanuts are processed and small amounts of peanuts can get into other nut products. That small amount (1/200 of a peanut) is enough to cause a harmful allergic reaction. Another example is that one needs to be aware that peanuts are often used in candies and chocolates.

Another precaution for people who have severe reactions, is to know locations, phone numbers of medical centers so they can get to one as quickly as possible.

In Summary

We have seen that allergic reactions can be mild or severe. There are treatments for the reaction when it occurs and one should learn as much as possible about his own allergens. Some of the allergies can be cured by “desensitization” injections. It is also best to know what to avoid in order to prevent an allergic reaction, and how to react should one occur. Given adequate preparation and care, one can live a good life in spite of one’s allergies.

From all of us at www.SharpWebLabs.com and www.FloridaHerbHouse.com hello!
This article is to educate one on bee pollen which has been a fast growing nutrient used in many household recipes now.

While most people recognize the term bee pollen, many people do not know what bee pollen actually is or what it has to offer. Bee Pollen is one of nature¹s unique and most powerful foods. It is flower pollen that bees collect for food. Bee pollen offers a treasure trove of special plant nutrients.

Did You Know?
The nutrients found in Bee Pollen are extremely high quality. Not only does bee pollen contain high quality nutrients that can be burned as fuel, it also provides nutrients that are helpful in maintaining and promoting health.

The nutritional makeup of Bee Pollen is extremely broad spectrum. The wide range of nutrients found in Bee Pollen include polyphenols, enzymes, beneficial fatty acids, free amino acids, vitamin complexes, chelated minerals and trace elements, as well as a large array of phytonutrients that have yet to be identified. This nutritional diversity makes Bee Pollen an ideal dietary supplement as a complement and boost to a well-rounded diet.

The nutrients in Bee Pollen are very concentrated. This nutritional density means that even small amounts provide effective and valuable levels of important nutrients. In other words, bee pollen, as a food source or as a supplement, provides low volume, but high intensity, nutrition.

One teaspoonful of pollen contains approximately 1,200 pellets or 2.5 billion grains, each of which has the capacity to supply those factors that are necessary in order to fertilize and reproduce the particular species that it represents (such as a fruit, grain or tree). Pollen is composed of myriads of microspores that are produced in the anthers of flowers and in the cones of conifers. Each grain measures approximately .002 inches in diameter (although the representative diameter is somewhere near one-half millimeter), and each bee-collected pellet contains approximately two million grains of pollen.

Pollen contains the richest known source of vitamins, minerals, proteins amino acids, hormones, enzymes and fats, as well as significant quantities of natural antibiotics. Most of the known vitamins in pollen exist in perfect proportion, which further enhances their value.

One gram of fresh raw pollen contains from 7 to 15 mg. of vitamin C, along with traces of vitamin E (tocopherol).

Although vitamin K does not exist in mixed pollens, it is usually found in fermented pollen (bee bread). It is most likely created by bacteria that either accompany or assist in the fermentation process whenever pollen is stored in the cells of the combs. While ordinary pollen gradually deteriorates while in storage, bee bread closely resembles fresh pollen and retains its food value (even after more than two years).

Pollens usually contain as much as 17 milligrams of rutin, although beehive stored pollen may contain up to 13 percent. The richest supply of rutin is found in buckwheat pollen, due to the fact that rutin is derived from buckwheat. Daily consumption of from 60 to 70 grams of pollen is considered safe insofar as the intake of rutin is concerned.

There is many other unmentioned vitamins and minerals in just one teaspoon of bee pollen so buy some today at www.SharpWebLabs.com and boost your health today!

Sincerely,

Carol C.
SharpWebLabs.com