Categories
News

Eczema. What is it?

Eczema is an itchy skin rash with flare ups. Genetics play a huge role in the cause of eczema, but irritants, allergens, environment, and certain foods can be triggers for flare ups.

  • Irritant triggers can include soaps, detergents, dryer sheets, bubble baths, certain shampoos, wool or other coarse fabrics, fragrances, dyes, and juices from acidic fruits, raw meats, onions, and garlic with direct contact.
  • Allergen triggers can include dust mites, pets, pollen, and molds.
  • Environmental triggers can include extreme temperatures, high humidity, cigarette smoke, and pollution.
  • Food triggers can include dairy products, nuts, seeds, eggs, and wheat.

Stress plays a role too. Although stress does not cause eczema, it can make symptoms worse.

Avoiding these triggers can help to reduce the symptoms of eczema. Mild non-abrasive cleansing and moisturizing are also important to help restore and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. This helps to prevent the skin from flaring up.

As always, talk to your Doctor if you have any questions or concerns about eczema.

Categories
Allergies News

September 28 is National Penicillin Allergy Day

Do you know that an estimated 9 out of 10 patients reporting a penicillin allergy are not truly allergic? Approximately 98% of hospitalized patients with a history of a penicillin allergy will have a negative penicillin allergy test². Have you always been told you have a penicillin allergy, but are unsure of the reaction or how it was diagnosed? Why does this matter?

There are several preventable negative outcomes resulting from an inaccurate penicillin allergy diagnosis. An inaccurate diagnosis raises the cost of treatment and patients have a threefold increased risk of adverse events. Some of the adverse events include increased days in the hospital, more Vancomycin-Resistance Enterococci (VRE) infections, higher incidence of C. difficile and MRSA infections. Correct identification of penicillin allergies can also combat the risk of superbugs.

September 28 has been deemed National Penicillin Allergy Day to raise awareness of the impact of carrying a penicillin allergy label. It is important to know your true allergy history. Ask your allergist or healthcare provider if you are a candidate for penicillin allergy testing. The test is easy and takes about an hour.

Categories
Allergies Allergies Arizona News

Ragweed Allergy Testing and Treatment

Do you get a runny or stuffy nose, itchy, red eyes, an itchy throat, headaches, or sneezing episodes every fall? If so, you may be allergic to ragweed. People with asthma often have aggravated symptoms during ragweed pollen season. These symptoms include increased wheezing and coughing.

Pollen from ragweed usually peaks in mid-September, but often causes symptoms beginning in the summer, and can last through late fall. There are 17 species of ragweed in the United States, and the pollen can travel up to 100 miles in the wind, making it difficult to avoid. All varieties of ragweed in the U.S. are classified as severe allergens according to www.pollenlibrary.com. Allergy testing for ragweed and other seasonal allergens can be easily done with a skin test or a blood test. If your allergy test is positive for ragweed, there are several things you can do to help decrease your exposure.

If you are affected by ragweed pollen:

  • Know the pollen counts in your area. Avoid being outside when the pollen counts peak.
  • Keep the windows in your home and in your car closed at all times.
  • If you have been outside, shower before going to bed and wash your hands after petting animals that have been outside. Clothes, shoes, hair, and pets can all track pollen into your home.

Treatment for ragweed allergies include:

  • Over the counter antihistamines, such as cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, or levocetirizine
  • Nasal sprays
  • Allergen immunotherapy, which can be given via sublingual drops or tablets, or allergy shots
Categories
News

Sea Salt for Allergy Relief?

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system releases antibodies to fight harmless substances such as pollen, dust, and food. This attack by the immune system will deplete the body and lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms.

Sea Salt Allergy Relief
(Pixabay / andreas160578)

Allergies can cause major irritation, and treatment can be pricey. You may have sought anti-allergy drugs from an Arizona allergist in the past and found that the costs can add up. Medications can have side effects, too, such as drowsiness. Some medications used to treat allergies have even been linked to long-term cognitive illnesses.

If you want to avoid the side effects of synthetic medications, you can try natural remedies. Sea salt, for example, is a popular homeopathic treatment for the symptoms of allergy. Salt and water are two of nature’s strongest antihistamines. Combining the two can provide a cheap and potent form of temporary relief.

Unrefined, mineral rich sea salt has the following benefits:

  • Boosts the immune system and nourishes your adrenal glands, which helps prevent diseases and allows the body to recover quicker when sickness strikes.
  • Minerals in sea salt have been found to be helpful in eliminating excess mucus and reducing nasal congestion.
  • Has alkalizing effects, which help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system.

Note that processed or refined salt does not have the essential nutrients and trace minerals found in sea salt. Processed salt is treated with chemicals, which can expose a person with allergies to more irritants.

A person suffering from allergy symptoms can get relief by mixing half a teaspoon of sea salt with 80 ounces of water (about ten glasses). Stir the salt into the water and allow it to dissolve. Then drink the mixture throughout the day.

Another way of using sea salt to relieve allergy symptoms is to put a pinch of it on your tongue. The sea salt can then hinder the histamine production in your immune system, minimizing allergy symptoms.

Grey Salt for Allergy Relief is preferred over other types of salt; stay away from over-processed salt, iodized salt, or pink Himalayan salt.

As you seek for natural treatments for your allergies, consider allergy immunotherapy, which introduces your body to all-natural antigens suspended in a saline solution. The “allergy serum” can be introduced to your body through allergy shots or under-the-tongue allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy). Immunotherapy can desensitize your body to allergens and provide lasting relief without the negative effects of many medications. Consult your Arizona allergy doctor for more information.