Why you should seek skin allergy treatment

There is of course the fact that skin allergies can be troublesome. Also they can lead to stigmas or social isolation, particularly in the case of children because the allergy can be mistaken for an infection or other contagious condition.

Avoiding allergens and irritants is always a good idea but this is not always practical or even possible. So it is important to develop a protocol that helps to control and manage the allergy or allergies.

Skin allergy treatment options:

1. Avoidance

Traditional allergy control such as allergen avoidance is still a very useful in managing skin allergies. For this, identification of the irritant or allergen is the first step: is it a cosmetic, detergent, kind of clothing, pet dander – what is causing the allergic reaction in the first place?

Also consider emotional triggers because skin conditions are known to be exacerbated by one’s moods and feelings.

2. Protection

When a skin rash or hives or the typical dry and itchy skin appears, it is important not to scratch, or rub at it. This can cause scarring, bleeding and even cause the skin to become infected. Keep skin moisturized with appropriate topical applications to reduce dryness and itching. When using soap and shampoo, check for ingredients such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate and avoid those formulations because this ingredient can further irritate the skin.

3. Topical Creams

It is best to consult a doctor about which type of skin allergy treatment will be best in your case. Over the counter medications may have limited efficacy and prescription medication may be required. Topical medications such as corticosteroid creams or topical calcineurin inhibitors may be needed for effective management of the problem.

4. Allergy Medications

Antihistamines are usually the first response to an allergic reaction and they help to control the unnecessary immune reaction of the body to the allergen. In skin allergies they help to control itching and to limit the rash, also preventing it from returning. Consult the doctor for the dosage and type of medication needed.

For severe cases, treatments could include oral corticosteroid medications. For this a doctor would need to carry out proper investigations and would then write out a prescription.

Antibiotics may form a part of the skin allergy treatment if it is suspected that a bacterial infection is present or that such an infection is triggering the allergy.

5. Home remedies for skin allergies

There are various products that help a person avoid coming in contact with skin allergens. Moisturizers can also help maintain the skin barrier. Cold compresses are also a helpful skin allergy treatment because they help soothe the skin. A bath with common household bleach added to the water twice a week is also thought to help.

How does acupuncture for allergies work?

Acupuncturists claim that their allergic patients can start to benefit from their vey first acupuncture session and may feel an almost immediate lessening of their symptoms. It is claimed that acupuncture can work well in reducing the dependence that a person has on allergy medications; in some cases even eliminating this requirement.

The aim is to regulate the body’s immune system’s aggressive response to otherwise harmless stimuli.

Different practitioners will use different types of acupuncture – they may use traditional Chinese methods, French, Korean or Japanese methods or they could target the 5 specific Worsley Elements of the hands, ears and so on.

The success of using acupuncture for allergies seems to rely on the practitioner’s own experiences and skills at tackling patients with allergies.

How effective is acupuncture in treating allergies?

The acupuncturist tries to obtain results by unblocking the flow of ‘Qi’ (energy) in the body and restore balance within the immune system. Though this can sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo to a lot of us, studies have shown that this alternative treatment produces results beyond that of a mere placebo effect.

When participants of the study underwent acupuncture for 20 minutes over a 6 week period, at acupuncture points such as the lungs, the gall bladder, liver and large intestines, and also took herbal supplements they reported significant improvement in their allergy symptoms. The levels of physical activity improved and they reported to lowered allergy symptoms as well.

Caution should however be practiced when using acupuncture for allergies since the training and experience of the acupuncturist are crucial factors here not only in determining how effective treatment could be, but also in ensuring its safety.

There have been untoward side effects such as dizziness, internal bleeding at the site of acupuncture and even nerve or organ damage reported, however this is usually when the practitioner is not sufficiently trained and experienced.

What is laser acupuncture for allergies?

In recent times there has been a new development called laser acupuncture and this, it is claimed is something of a 24 hour allergy cure. Here, instead of the needles lasers are used to stimulate the body’s energy flow. The same methodology is used and the same bio-meridians as in acupuncture are identified for stimulation; however it is lasers rather than needles that do the job.

The principles involved in this kind of acupuncture for allergies is the same as the traditional variety, though as yet the claims made by practitioners of this kind of acupuncture are not backed by scientific studies or research.

Some allergy sufferers however may be so fed up of their symptoms that they may want to try anything – caution is advised here, however – both the practice and the practitioner should be thoroughly vetted before opting for this allergy treatment.

When the allergy skin test is used and when it is not indicated

Allergy skin tests are an accurate and easy way to determine what one is allergic to and severity of the allergies. This helps one devise effective strategies for responding to and controlling the allergic reaction.

Air-borne allergens like dust, pet dander and pollen can be identified by skin test allergies.

Food allergies, allergic rhinitis, eczema, latex allergy, bee venom allergy or certain drug allergies can be identified by the help of allergy skin tests.

These are safe and possible for people of any age except those whose allergies are so extreme as to produce a life threatening reaction even when exposed only to tiny amounts of allergen.

If a person has certain skin conditions such as cutaneous mastocytosis, dermographism, extensive psoriasis or eczema or if they are on certain types of medications that could interfere with test results, the allergy skin test is not indicated.

When it is not possible to administer skin test allergies, blood tests can be conducted to indentify allergies. However these can be more expensive and less accurate so skin allergy tests are the most preferred methods of indentifying allergens and noting the extent of the person’s reaction to them; i.e. the severity of the allergy.

What can you expect when undergoing an allergy skin test

There is little or no preparation required from the patient when undergoing an allergy skin test and the person may rest assured that the there is little pain or discomfort suffered. The fact that the test is performed in a controlled manner in the presence of experts means that any adverse reactions can be controlled.

Before the test is administered, the doctor should be told if one is on any medication. If there are any family members who have allergies this should be told. Information about how the person reacts to what stimuli and the severity of the symptoms should also be provided.

There are three main types of skin allergy tests

The scratch (prick or puncture) test is conducted by introducing a tiny portion of the allergen into the outer layer of skin. The area is first cleaned and then marked to indicate which allergen is deposited in which area of the skin.

The intradermal or the skin point titration test uses a very dilute solution of the allergen which is injected into the skin and the ‘wheal’ that forms on the site is measured to gauge reaction to the allergen.

The patch test requires the person to wear a patch containing the suspected allergen for a couple of days and in this duration one would typically have to avoid bathing, swimming and so on.

According to a report about natural remedies for seasonal allergies by Web MD, natural remedies can in fact be very effective for managing allergies and they have the added benefit of causing none of the side effects that are associated with pharmaceutical use.

Natural remedies are very effective for mild allergies according to holistic practitioner Mary Hardy, MD, director of integrative medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and they can provide supplementary care for severe allergies in addition to conventional medicines.

• Butterbur has been proven to be an effective antihistamine for allergies such as grass allergies, according to a study by Swiss researchers. Also the herbal remedy doesn’t cause sleepiness like regular antihistamines.
• Freeze dried nettles are a useful natural remedy for allergies.
• Goldenseal tonic is also useful in containing seasonal allergies, according to Dr Hardy.
• The age old remedy of using a saline solution to thin mucus build-up and to wash out pollen is as effective today as it has always been.
• Grape seed extract and quercetin (a flavonoid compound) are also useful in containing seasonal allergies. These substances occur naturally in several foods and red wine is known to be a good source of this; however when extracted and administered in supplement form, they are even more effective.
• Using kitchen spices such as ginger, cayenne pepper, onions, garlic and fenugreek can also help in controlling allergies since spices are known to help thin the mucus and hot spicy foods may just be the thing to clear the blocked nasal passages.
• One of the other ways in which seasonal allergies can be controlled is to identify and eliminate certain irritants from one’s diet which are seen to exacerbate one’s condition. For instance ragweed or pollen allergies are often seen to worsen with foods such as banana, melon, sunflower seeds, chamomile, Echinacea and cucumber.
• Some people also find that Chinese herbal medicines can help control allergies – herbal remedies made from magnolia flower, cocklebur, patchouli, chrysanthemum, Chinese mint and so on are seen to help many in combating seasonal allergies.
• Some simple home remedies such as a comfortingly hot cup of tea flavored with peppermint can help to soothe irritated mucus membranes, and help to decongest them.
• One simple natural home remedy for easing symptoms of allergy is steam and breathing steam can not only thin the nasal mucus but also soothe the irritated tissues there.
• Also eliminate certain activities that can bring on the allergies. For instance the lawn mowing can be left to someone else in the house. For the time being, leave off the carpets and other allergy triggers.

Linda B. Ford, M.D., director of the Allergy and Asthma Center near Omaha, Nebraska advises that as soon as these allergic symptoms begin to manifest, it is advisable to take an antihistamine.

Over the counter drugs such as Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin are effective antihistamines and also are safe to take over the longer duration.

Another option for curbing allergic reactions is Chloraseptic Allergen Block, which helps you avoid the inevitable drowsiness that can accompany allergic medications.

This is a topical application in the form of a clear gel that is applied outside of the nose so that the allergen cannot enter your system and gets trapped outside.

Sometimes these over the counter medications may not work and then it becomes imperative to see a doctor and seek out a permanent solution once it is confirmed what exactly the allergy is.

This is usually in the form of injections that introduce allergens in increasing amounts to the system to build resistance.

Doctors however urge people not to self medicate when it comes to allergies; and to consult with a doctor each time, before taking allergy medication.

Meanwhile research regarding asthma as revealed that salty snacks increase risk of children developing asthma. Research published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association revealed that children who consume salty snacks more than three times a week are almost six times more likely to have asthma symptoms.

This risk is seen to increase due to high sodium content of food, increasing the risk of bronchial hyper-responsiveness and wheezing symptoms in children.

What was also seen to increase asthma risk was TV viewing and playing video games for more than two hours a day, since this promotes sedentary behavior – another aspect of asthma risk.

Though researchers are saying that the link between salt consumption and asthma risk is not yet established, there is enough reason to avoid salt laden snacks for kids in any case.

If you have wet cough, you don’t need to worry or try to suppress it because, as said earlier, it is one of the body’s ways to eliminate mucus and other wastes in body. Actually, you can encourage wet cough to eliminate phlegm faster, which is responsible for various nasal problems like sinus infection or chronic sinusitis.

Benefits of natural cough remedies

Natural cough remedies will be helpful to reduce intensity of dry cough and other symptoms of allergies like runny nose, irritated eyes, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath and also post nasal drip. Using natural cough remedies, you can reduce the level of anxiety, extreme fatigue, ringing in ears, cracked mucous and also rebound congestion.

With natural cough remedies, you can certainly reduce the expenses of anti histamines, inhaled corticosteroids and other medications that are used to relieve allergy symptoms.

With the use of natural cough remedies for treatment of allergies or persistent cough, you can improve overall body tolerance, energy levels and also get quality sleep.

Natural cough remedies

However, if you are suffering with dry cough that can possibly take place due to tobacco smoke, dust or other source of irritation, you have to take immediate measure to get rid of it. Here are options for dry cough remedy that can help you get better relief.

Honey: Honey is one of the best natural cough remedies, which not only treats dry cough, but also gives better relief from sore throat. Mix honey with warm lemon water and drink it twice in day. Recent studies show that using honey as natural cough remedies is one of the best ways to treat persistent cough in children as well as adults. Even combination of honey and grape juice is successful to treat cough.

Mint: Mint leaves also give effective results in the treatment of cough. Drinking mint tea, one of the effective cough remedies, with a pinch of salt in it, can be beneficial for you.

Lemon: Lemon juice is also one of the best natural cough remedies that give effective results in the treatment of dry cough. Take one fresh lime and squeeze juice from it. Dilute the thick concentration with clean drinking water and drink it immediately. You can drink water mixed with lemon juice as many times as you want until you get satisfactory results.

• Allergy shots don’t work for all kinds of allergies. For instance, this treatment is not available for chronic hives (urticaria) or for food allergies.
• Also allergy shots are not for everyone. People with certain medical conditions are unable to use this therapy; such as those with high blood pressure.
• This treatment requires considerable commitment as it is a long term solution and benefits may be noted only after about 6 months to a year. And sometimes there may be a need to change therapy if it is seen not to work. For a person to develop full resistance to allergens, they may have to be in treatment for as long as 3 to 5 years.
• For 20% of people, allergy shots are not effective.
• Extra care needs to be taken when in therapy; HEPA filters and environmental precautions would have to be continued.
• Local reactions like redness, swelling and irritation to the injection site may be seen. Less commonly, there could also be systemic reactions such as nasal congestion, wheezing and throat swelling; very rarely anaphylaxis could also occur as a reaction to allergy shots.

Allergy shots or immunotherapy, works on the principle of stimulating the body’s immune system to resist allergic reaction by small doses of the allergen.

Over time the allergen dose is increased until tolerance is built up and allergic reactions diminish over time. The benefits of allergy shots are many:

• In many cases allergy shots are able to provide long term and consistent relief from the allergic symptoms that one may suffer from.
• Many kinds of allergies such as pet allergies (mostly dog and cat allergies) mold, dust mites and pollen are effectively controlled with allergy shots. Broadly speaking, allergy shots can help with seasonal allergies, indoor allergies and with insect stings.
• Most health maintenance organizations (HMOs) will pay for immunotherapy, particularly if your allergies are severe or if the things that one is allergic to are not easily avoidable. However, it is best to check with specific policies beforehand about inclusions and exclusions.
• Allergy shots may also alleviate the need to take allergy medications which may often have bothersome side effects or may interfere with the taking of other medications.

While there are other factors at play, such as air pollution, smoking and family history, the fact that percentages of people with allergies are rising, gives credence to this theory that excessive cleanliness can cause sensitivities that lead to allergies.

This is true with regard to the floral bacteria that line the intestinal tract as well. As exposure to bad bacteria is reduced, so is the exposure to good or friendly bacteria.

Whereas in times when levels of hygiene were perhaps not as high as they are now, the flora that lines the gut was perhaps more diverse. The fact that intestinal flora is now not as diverse as once used to be the norm, is not so good for us, according to experts.

This is also the reason that many allergists recommend the use of probiotics to help shore up defenses against allergens.

Probiotics are the friendly bacteria found in yoghurt and other probiotics foods which experts recommend consuming. Probiotics consumed by a pregnant woman are also seen to protect the unborn child from allergies.