New Allergy Relief Product May Have Fatal Flaw
There's a new allergy relief product coming onto the market in about four years (from June 2010). It seems to be offering almost undreamed-of relief to hay fever and other allergy sufferers, but before we start celebrating there's one potential drawback that ought to be considered.
The actual product is an injection designed to provide a cure not only for hay fever sufferers but also for people who suffer from asthma or eczema, or who suffer from reactions to dust mites and animal fur. Not surprisingly, the people behind this development from Cytos Biotechnology of Switzerland are excited about it, calling it the "Holy Grail" of allergy relief products.
The injection has proved to be at least as effective as steroids in controlling asthma, cutting attacks and symptoms by a third. In other tests it was shown to have reduced dust allergy symptoms by around 39 per cent and boosted the quality of life of people tested by 42 per cent.
Now tests are to be extended as the team behind it believe there will be further successes when it is used to tackle allergies to foods such as peanuts. Yes, this seems to be quite some allergy relief product, with one jab giving immunity from a whole range of allergy types.
With a "one cure for all" capability, this product has the advantage of being able to streamline treatments for a wide range of allergies, with resultant cost-savings in administration. So everyone's happy. But is it really the "Holy Grail" that the inventors believe it to be?
Before judgment is passed on that it may be necessary to wait for the full results of future tests to be published, and even for the first couple of years of results from when the product is generally available. However, it is known that the injection works primarily by manipulating, possibly by suppressing, the immune system so that it does not react to matter that it would otherwise mistakenly believe to be a threat (this being the main cause of hay fever and other allergies).
Not long ago a report from Texas Tech University revealed the findings of a study into the causes of ovarian cancer. It found that the chances of allergy sufferers succumbing to cancer were much lower than those of non-allergy sufferers. Adverse reactions to things such as pollen or dust mites, it seems, is an indication that the immune system can successfully deal with real threats, such as cancer.
The logical conclusion from all this is that, when it comes to dealing with an allergy, natural relief may be the better option, as at least it does not inhibit or suppress the immune system. The vital point is that a remedy for allergies, no matter how many allergies it covers and how much it improves the lives of people, comes at a heavy price if one of its side effects is to lower the immune system's ability to see off potentially fatal diseases such as cancer.
It may be, of course, that there is no such side-effect to this particular remedy, or that it can be somehow avoided. Let's hope this is the case when the trials are finished and the new remedy is made available to the public.
Dog Allergy Relief – Natural Home Remedies For Your Pets Allergies
Is there a possibility that your dog has allergies? They are no different from you and me. They can suffer from all types of allergies including food, environmental and seasonal allergies. If your pet is scratching, itching and sneezing there is a good chance it is allergies causing it. There are home remedies that will help to relieve these symptoms and alleviate their suffering...
Give your dog a bath in cool colloidal oatmeal. This will help to soothe the itching. A dog that is constantly licking and scratching at his paws could be experiencing the affects of allergies. A cool bath with Epson salts can help relieve the itching. Watch him closely so he does not drink the water. You may need to change your dogs diet. He could be reacting to one or more of the ingredients in his food. Watch him closely and there is a chance you will see him react to something either in the house or out in the yard. He could be allergic to his bedding. Some dogs are allergic to cottons and wools. If he starts to experience an allergic reaction when he is on his bed, you will want to change out the bed or type of fabric that covers it.
Like people, dogs can also be allergic to pollens from flowers, grass and other outdoor allergens. Natural remedies are the best solution for your pets' allergies. You can help to relieve his symptoms and ease his suffering just by watching to see what is causing the allergy.
The Top 10 Allergy Treatments – How to Get Relief From Seasonal Allergies
If you are suffering from allergies, you may find comfort knowing that there are various methods of treatment that could be employed in order to address the problem. This article will tackle the 10 Best Allergy Treatments, so put on your seatbelt as we take this ride towards understanding the treatment that is best for you.
Although there is no cure for allergies, still there are a wide range of medications available-both prescription and over-the-counter drug that would assist you in getting rid of the annoying symptoms of this medical condition such as runny nose and congestion. Among the most famous medications are decongestants, antihistamines, combination medicines, corticosteroids, etc. There are also allergy shots that will increase the ability of the body to deal with allergens.
Treatment # 1: Natural Allergy Relief
Herbal supplements prove to provide a relief for allergies like the freeze-dried nettles as well as with the tonic created from goldenseal herb. Furthermore, there is also the saline (salt water) nasal spray that works by washing away pollen and getting rid of thin mucous. Aside from the herbs, doctors would also advise taking some nutrients that can help to quiet seasonal symptoms such as with the grape seed extract and some flavonoid compound known as quercetin.
Treatment # 2: Antihistamine
Antihistamines are often available in tablet, capsule, chewable tablet, and liquid forms. The amount of antihistamine medication that one should take each day would vary depending upon the person's characteristics and the kind of preparation that will be given. Since antihistamine can cause drowsiness, it is advised not to drive or do any activity that requires mental concentration after popping up the drug.
Treatment # 3: Decongestants
This particular drug lessens nasal congestion, leading to blood vessel constriction as well as reduced blood flow into the nasal passage. This medication must not be given to people who are experiencing allergic reaction towards decongestants.
Treatment # 4: Anticholinergic Nasal Allergy Spray
When this medication is sprayed into each nostril, it tends to lessen secretions from the glands which are lining the nasal passage hence reducing the symptom of runny nose. Those people who have allergies to any components of a nasal spray should never try to use this product. Mostly, the drug is sprayed 1-2 times for 2-3 times a day. Given the fact that this drug would pose on a very little side effect, it does not interfere with other drugs.
Treatment # 5: Steroid Nasal Sprays
This drug is known to lessen inflammation within the nasal passages hence the symptoms of nasal allergies are lessened. There are instances however when steroid nasal sprays may lead to nose bleed or sore throat so be alarmed.
Treatment # 6: Anti-allergy Eye Drops
Antihistamine eye drops are used in order to relieve symptoms like itchy or watery eyes. There are some drops that are created with anti-inflammatory agents that can further reduce puffiness and irritation. There are as well nonprescription eye drops that provided great relief to allergies and hay fever. This product should be employed with care though since they may cause temporary stinging after administered. In case irritation persists then it is time to call on your doctor. Furthermore, soft-contact lens wearers must wait for 10 minutes after putting on the eye drops before wearing contact lens
Treatment # 6: Leukotriene Inhibitors
Basically, leukotrienes are those chemical substances that encourage the inflammatory response observed during a contact to allergens. By hindering these chemicals from producing swelling, reduce in inflammation is observed.
Treatment # 7: Mass Cells Inhibitor
The main function of this drug is to prevent the discharge of histamine and also those with chemicals that can trigger allergic symptoms from mast cells when an individual comes in contact with allergens such as pollen. During its use, frequent dosing is very much needed since the effect may only last for about 8 hours. Mast cell inhibitors are sold in the form of nasal sprays in order to prevent runny nose or eye drops in order to address the need of itchy eyes.
Treatment # 8: Allergy Shots
Allergy shots which are also known as "immunotherapy," are given to patients with allergies in order to increase their tolerance to allergens. The shots are generally given to people who are suffering from severe allergies or those who are experiencing allergy symptoms for more than 3 months in a year. Be reminded however that allergy shots do not cure allergies since they only lessen sensitivity to certain substances. These must be given regularly and as time goes by, increasing doses must be administered. If however after taking the shot, you are experiencing shortness of breathe or tightness of the throat, this warrant the help of a doctor.
Treatment # 9: Allergy Fighting Foods
There was a study conducted that reveal the facts that eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids will help lessen allergy symptoms compared to those people who would not regularly eat foods rich in omega 3. Basically, omega 3 is also known to fight inflammation and it is mostly available among cold-water fish, in flaxseed oil, in walnuts and among those grass-fed meat and eggs. With this, it is advised that people who are suffering from allergies should try to at least consume these foods for the betterment of their conditions.
Treatment # 10: Personally Getting Rid of Allergens
Among the most practical method to deal with allergies is by trying to determine those things that can trigger attacks as to prevent allergies from taking place. For example, asthma sufferers are known to be allergic with dust hence the best thing that they can do is to actually free their house or their surrounding from the elements. If you are allergic with pungent perfumes then better get rid of these things. This is the most effective and inexpensive method that all people with allergies should at least try.
Tap Into Natural Allergy Relief
Most people have never heard of or tried tapping but it can provide quick natural allergy relief if you suffer from congestion. Tapping is also known as EFT or emotional freedom technique. Much of the theory behind tapping comes from Chinese acupuncture and the idea that the body is made up of meridian channels. These meridian channels allow energy to flow through the body. The meridians criss cross at key points where they can be adjusted.
Tapping or EFT gets its name because it was first used to treat emotional problems but it has been effective in treating many physical diseases. Tapping is simple to learn and really only takes a few times to master. Best of all it can be done in a few minutes and you should feel it working right away. The majority of people who try it report positive feedback from it.
Tapping will work best for those allergy symptoms that cause blockage and pressure either of the sinus or chest. Try tapping in the morning when you wake up congested or whenever your symptoms seem to be at their worst. You need about 3-5 minutes of time and you may find it works best lying down. You should also remove your glasses if you wear glasses. Rather than try and describe the technique you can view a short video at Natural Allergy Relief. The video demonstrates the technique very well, but there is no need to say the positive affirmation out loud if your not alone. You can simple say it to yourself in your head quietly. You should tap fairly hard but not so hard that it is painful. If your looking for natural allergy relief give tapping a chance you might be surprised!
Pet Wellness – Unsurpassed Allergy Relief For Dogs
When it comes to your pet's wellness you strive for excellence just like you do for your family. Rightfully so, as most pets are a part of the family and seeing them unhappy or ill is difficult for everyone to watch. Of course we look for remedies for the problem by visiting the vet, getting a diagnosis and medication to help the situation. One of the most common of these situations is dog allergies. Pet owners go to great lengths to find allergy relief for dogs with the hopes that something will have a positive effect and provide relief.
Dogs can have an allergy related to food, the environment and even seasonal allergies much like people. These allergies bring on symptoms of itching, often so severe that a dog will spend much of his day scratching himself in turn causing hair loss or even hot spots. Another symptom is sneezing.
Pet owners concerned with pet wellness and providing relief for their dog's allergies often find themselves spending a pretty penny on medication from the vet; often times returning to the vet without much success and taking another medication with the hopes it will work better.
Consider taking another road to get allergy relief for dogs and that road is nature's path - giving your dog relief and comfort, and making the rest of the family relieved from the anxiety of watching an unhappy pet. Pet wellness is all about a happy, healthy energetic pet and using natural or holistic approaches to health problems. This is a very good place to start before spending loads of money on vet bills and medications. Not to mention nature's path is above and beyond safe, inexpensive and successful, and what people used for years before veterinarians became too available.
Here you will find an unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs that will have you wondering why on earth you haven't looked into natural remedies for pets before.
1. Colloidal Oatmeal Bath
This is a very successful treatment; however, about 80% of dogs are allergic to grains so if you are sure your dog is not one of them then this a good natural root to take. I have found it successful with my Saluki, in which it is very common to have dry sensitive skin even without an allergy.
I like to test and experiment with natural products before I write about them so here is what I did. How did I find out if my Saluki was allergic to oatmeal or not? Simple, I made up this colloidal oatmeal from home and used it on a small portion of his skin. I did this for one week, each day checking to see if the area was in any way agitated or if he was scratching. There was no irritation so I proceeded with the bath.By the following day the scratching was lessened by more than half and by the second day he was not scratching at all. With this came an energy increase and a happy, well, back to normal dog. But because I know that many dogs are allergic to oatmeal I sought to find another natural solution. Once again, take care to ensure your dog IS NOT allergic to grains before utilizing colloidal oatmeal rinsing.
In the event your dog is allergic to grains, don't worry there is another unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs but this one comes with a story first.
I have had two success stories of my own with this herbal tea rinse, and I believe it offers an unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs but does not pose an allergy threat.
This is the one I love and not just for my dog. My husband has terribly dry flaky skin that requires he use an over the counter, specially formulated medicine for his shower and then furthered by a all body lotion. He hates applying the lotion because it is thick and takes to much time to put on and leaves him feeling sticky afterward. I decided one day I would see if this herbal rinse would work as well on him as it did my Saluki and low and behold it did. Now he just uses this rinse and applies a normal lotion with natural hydrating ingredients, and no more has the added expense of a special shower gel and body lotion, saves time on the application, and doesn't have to put up with feeling sticky for hours. Plus, this herbal rinse seems to have a longer effect than the over the counter gel and lotion he was using. That is success story number one.
Success story number two involves my one year old Saluki, Mystic Moon and goes like this. Although I knew the colloidal oatmeal bath would work, I wanted to test out this herbal tea rinse that was highly recommended by our holistic vet. I figured I would wait until Mystic Moon needed another rinse for his dry skin. But something else took place that made his dry skin really act up and that was when we went on holiday for a week. Mystic Moon stayed with his sister in the small little privately owned sanctuary we got him from. It made me feel so much better to have him stay in a place where he had his friends he had grown up with, his sister and the owner who actually had tears in his eyes when I first took Mystic Moon home.
The owner of the sanctuary, trying to do me a service and favor, took Mystic Moon for tick dipping so he would be tick free before I came to collect him after my travels, totally unaware that I have a high regard for natural pet remedies as opposed to chemicals, and he was not aware that Salukies naturally suffer from dry skin. Mystic Moons skin was on fire, with hot spots, scratching and often times whining while he was scratching. So this now became my opportunity to try out the herbal tea rinse and see just how effective it was under severe conditions.
It was highly effective within about 24 hours and by 48 hours and he was scratching and whining no more and his hot spots had cooled down by about 90%, and totally gone by the third day.
2. Herbal Tea Rinse
- Add 5 green, chamomile or Tulsi tea bags to 2 quarts very hot water, steep until water is cool (I recommend 3 hours to allow for the maximum amount of polyphenols to exit the teabag and enter the water).
- Remove tea bags and pour the cooled rinse over your pet from the neck down. It is preferable that these rinses are used in the tub as opposed to outside.
- Massage into skin and do not rinse.
You can also refrigerate used tea bags for a soothing topical poultice for hot spots or rashes.
If you notice your dog biting and scratching his paws they could be getting the bulk of the allergy annoyance. A good allergy relief for dogs in this instance is a simple yet effective one.
3. Epsom Salt
Bathe your dog in Epsom salt, allowing his paws to soak for a while in the bathtub. Just take care not to let him drink the water. If you are not able to keep him in the tub for long than do it several times a day for shorter periods. If your dog stay nicely in the tub, will lie down and relax then let him soak his paws until he is ready to come out - it could very well be that just his paws soaking in the salt at that time is giving him relief. How many times you do this depends on the severity of the allergic reaction.
Other things to consider
Altering your dog's diet could put an end to needing allergy relief for dogs. Changing his bedding
It is important to know that many dogs will get allergy relief when their owner takes the time to find out what he is allergic to and makes the necessary changes to bedding, diet or environment, totally eliminating allergy symptoms. This can sometime be time consuming as you make changes to their diet, surroundings, etc and try and narrow down the cause but can you money if you can find the culprit. Or, you can visit your vet and ask him to perform the necessary tests to determine the causes of your dog's allergy.
I previously had an amazing German Sheppard named Mishka for about 13 years, who I recently lost due to old age and joint degenerative disease, of which it became time to euthanize him. During my time with Mishka I was not switched on to natural remedies for pets and used over the counter products for flea and tick assistance. They worked only after about 2-3 applications, which terribly disturbed his skin, gave me headaches and then required that I get more medical attention for him for his messed up skin due to the chemicals in the tick products. If only I had known what I know now, Mishka's experience with tick dipping would have been a whole different story and although he did recover, he did have to go through it each time he needed tick dipping over 12 years and I had to put up with anxiety from watching him suffer for a period of time, which was furthered by vet bills and medications. Not to mention when I was pregnant I could not do the dipping myself so had to pay for it. I actually paid for a treatment that was also doing him harm, which massively frustrated me but I didn't know I had another avenue in pet wellness, which was natural remedies for pets.
So yes, I have learned a lot, experienced a lot, and each time I travel a new road of pet illnesses or discomforts, I always go the natural route first and have never been left unsatisfied. I am not alone; there are millions of us "Pet wellness through natural remedies fans."
Allergy Relief Air Purifier – Making Indoor Air Healthier
According to the EPA, studies done in the US and Europe have found that most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors and that the concentration of pollutants indoors is higher than it is outdoors. Indoor air pollutants, including smoke, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and pollen can trigger allergies, relief from which an allergy relief air purifier can provide. Air purifiers remove air contaminants, and are available as whole-house systems or individual room units. Some are also used for odor control. The three most common types of air purifiers used are ultraviolet light, HEPA filters and ionic or electrostatic technology.
UV systems are used predominantly in commercial settings, particularly hospitals and laboratories. Concentrated UV light kills germs and bacteria, including airborne viruses, making these systems extremely effective against illness. Only those particles that come in close contact with the UV bulb are killed, but others that come near it are genetically altered to render them incapable of reproducing. They are only effective in areas in close proximity to the light and are energy intensive and expensive. Although excellent at killing disease-causing germs and viruses, UV systems are not as effective as an allergy relief air purifier because they don't work against dust or pet dander.
HEPA (high efficiency particle absorbing) technology was developed during WWII. HEPA filters are a very effective allergy relief air purifier method as they are able to trap as much as 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, the size of most viruses, bacteria and allergens. One micron is equal to one millionth of a meter. A fan or blower circulates the air around the purifier unit and helps push it through the high density HEPA filter, trapping the microscopic particles. Filters must be replaced often for maximum effectiveness. Some units also include carbon filters which absorb odors from smoke, food or pets.
Ionic air purifiers use electrostatic energy to clean and purify room air. As with the HEPA system, a fan circulates and draws air filters in the unit and traps contaminating particles. The trapped contaminants are zapped with electrostatic energy and become positively charged. They are effective as an allergy relief air purifier because the positively charged particles attach themselves to the negatively charged plates in the unit, which are then wiped off. Clean air is then re-circulated back into the room. Although they require frequent cleaning ionic air purifiers are able to purify a large area and are relatively quiet.
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