Archive for the 'Allergies' Category

Penicillin Allergy

If you have a Penicillin Allergy then you suffer from allergies Type 1 what is also called Contact Allergies. The immune system overreacts to the beta-lactam molecule found in penicillin. Why the immune system thinks this molecule is harmful to the body is not very well understood and more testing is needed.

The overuse of the penicillin 40 years ago for bacterial infections resulted in an increased frequency of allergic reactions to the drug and also created what is known as antibiotic resistance bacterium. Penicillin and Amoxicillin were routinely given for bacterial infections such as ear infections, sinus and upper respiratory infections. Different types of penicillin such as Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Dicloxacillin, Nafcillin, Penicillin V, and Penicillin G were given to target different infections.

Since then many new drugs have been developed to treat bacterial infections and a true allergy to penicillin should not be a problem when treating for infections. Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic while Amoxicillin is an amino antibiotic. Children may be allergic to Penicillin but may not be allergic to Amoxicillin or visa versa, however care must be taken when using a related type of penicillin for anyone who has reported a history of allergic reaction to penicillin. It is recommended that an alternative class of antibiotic be prescribed.

Some types of penicillin will cause reactions that are not normally associated with allergies to penicillin. They include dark or amber colored urine, yellow eyes or skin, and pale stools. If you notice any of these symptoms after taking any antibiotic you should notify you doctor immediately. If you are allergic to penicillin, reactions on rare occasions may cause severe stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting, seizures, pain, unusually bleeding or bruising, or bloody diarrhea and should be treated as quickly as possible.

Testing for allergies to penicillin are usually performed with a skin test. The skin is scratched or injected with a small amount of penicillin usually on the forearm or back. If you are allergic to penicillin you will develop a red, raised bump and possibility hives. Only specialized allergy centers are able to perform skin test.

Treatments for allergic reactions include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to relieve the itching and rash. More severe reactions will require treatment with an oral or injected corticosteroid. For life a threatening emergencies then injection of epinephrine administrated at a hospital.

If you are allergic to penicillin then it is best to avoid penicillin and similar antibiotics. Tell you doctor about you allergy and he will give you antibodies that are completely unrelated to penicillin.

If you have any type of allergy then you should wear a medical alert bracelet that describes your allergy. These items are available over the counter at most drugstores.

Mild cases of Allergies Type 1 can be treated with common products such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Antioxidants, Allergy Aid, and Quercitin.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.

Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Many find Pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against allergy symptoms. It is another form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from allergy symptoms.

Substances called antioxidants can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body.

Allergy Aid supplies 9 beneficial Herb’s to help provide temporary relief of respiratory allergies. The natural action of these specific Herb’s help to open bronchial tubes and ease breathing.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing Penicillin Allergy symptoms.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Controlling Allergens in Your Home

Do your eyes water? Does your throat itch? Perhaps you get a runny nose during certain times of the year. These are some of the common signs of an allergic reaction. Others could include itchy ears, a skin rash, swollen eyes, and a host of other symptoms that suggest you may be allergic to something in your environment. If these things persist or develop over time, see your doctor about medical testing to determine whether you have true allergies or perhaps more vague sensitivities to temporary irritants, like smoke, household cleaning chemicals, or attic dust.

Experts claim that allergy diagnoses have increased significantly over the past few decades. Improved home insulation that keeps out bad weather but also seals in airborne contaminants may be one of the reasons. Another might be due to the fact that more children are receiving better and earlier health care, which reveals childhood allergies sooner than before.

Whatever the reason, if you suspect a loved one has allergic reactions in response to any type of household allergen, ask your doctor to confirm the allergy and then take steps to control or eliminate it.

1. Many people have pet allergies, which typically is a response to a dog or cat’s skin dander that dries and sloughs off, much as human skin does, usually imperceptibly. Don’t let your pets sleep in your bedroom, which will provide at least eight hours of separation daily from this allergen. Bathe and groom your pets frequently, and vacuum two or three times a week.

2. Dust mites and their excrement irritate some people’s skin and nasal passages. Encase your mattress and pillows with plastic covers to kill the tiny creatures that inhabit those areas. Or, if this is uncomfortable, wash pillows and bedding in hot water with detergent, which will help to reduce if not eliminate the mite population. At least weekly, vacuum carpets, fabric furniture, draperies, and other similar areas that house the mites.

3. Food allergies are common, especially to products like nuts, eggs, shellfish, and chocolate. When you identify specific food groups as the problem, find healthy substitutes and check all processed foods before purchasing them to be sure they do not contain even miniscule amounts of the food group allergens. For example, someone who is allergic to nuts also may be sensitive to foods cooked in peanut oil.

4. Those with seasonal allergies should stay indoors in the early morning or on windy days and run the air conditioner to clean indoor air.

Keep antihistamines on hand, along with medication to manage serious reactions if someone is prone to these. Sensitization injections are available for certain types of allergies to gradually increase a person’s tolerance of those substances. However, this can take years, so be patient. Life-threatening reactions must be managed rapidly by injecting the person with epinephrine from a kit that he or she should carry everywhere. Seek emergency treatment if you or someone else develops a rapid or irregular heartbeat, feels faint, or experiences difficulty in breathing.

Cooking With Food Allergies

Cooking for those with food allergies can be tricky business, some offering more of a challenge than others, but its usually the safest route to take. When you make your own meals from scratch you know exactly what is in it, which greatly reduces the chance of an allergic reaction. The key is to know allergen replacements for most if not all of the common recipe ingredients. For example, anyone with a dairy allergy has to know what to use in place of milk, cream, butter, or even cheese if the recipe calls for it. This can become even trickier when you have multiple allergies to contend with, and being someone with a soy and dairy allergy I have dealt with this first hand. A soy and dairy allergy is unique in that many of the replacements overlap. You cant use soymilk instead of milk, you cant use margarine instead of butter, and you cant use non-dairy creamer instead of cream. Add to that: no vegetable oil (Crisco for instance), no shortening, and no broths or bouillon cubes. So whether youre cooking your favorite dinner or baking your favorite desert, you must know the allergy replacement basics.

Lets start with milk. My favorite choice is oat milk (“Pacific” makes a great organic oat milk), and with its rich and creamy flavor it works well for both cooking and baking. For those who are used to skim milk rice milk may feel a little closer to home. If a recipe calls for cream, a nice alternative is organic oat milk with tapioca flour (the more flour the thicker the cream). As for butter, the proper ingredient replacement will depend on the application. If a recipe calls for a “pat of butter” then a good replacement could be organic clarified butter (or ghee), which is butter that has had the milk solids and water separated from the butterfat. It also works great for frying since the rendering process yields butter with a higher smoke point. Olive or canola oil can also be used, but since I use the organic unrefined olive oil I dont recommend it for frying; the unrefined has a lower smoke point, but is much healthier for you. Goat products are also an option when it comes to finding dairy and soy replacements, assuming youre not allergic to them. I am not a fan of the taste of either goat milk or butter (its kind of “goaty”, a term only familiar to those who have tried goat products), but I do like goat cheese, and it comes in many varieties. “Woolwich” makes a great tasting cheddar and mozzarella, and youll never know its not from a cow.

Now that weve covered the “soy free” dairy replacements lets take a look at the soy replacements. For any recipe calling for vegetable oil or Crisco oil, you can use olive or canola oil instead; coconut oil is also an option, and the flavor compliments certain foods nicely. I recommend making chicken broths from scratch, theyre not hard and always taste better than store bought, but if a recipe only calls for 1 cup or less use “Imagine” Organic Free Range Chicken Broth and/or Stock (read labels as some varieties may contain soy); this can also be used as a replacement for bouillon cubes. Now if youre one who bakes often, than you will definitely need a replacement for shortening and butter, and for that I suggest palm oil; “Spectrum” makes a great tasting organic palm oil.

Food allergies should never be a reason to give up on meal ideas. Whether youre cooking or baking, there are many great tasting ingredient alternatives available for both soy and dairy allergies. Ive been dealing with food allergies for some time now, and despite the challenges Ive never eaten healthier. Eating healthy is a choice Ive made, but menu limitations were never an option.