Pet allergies. If you have them, you know it's nothing to sneeze at, so what is it that we're allergic to and why?

Animals have become cherished additions to our families. We love them like children, and in most cases they love us just as much, if not more, in return. Not everyone experiences pet allergies. Unfortunately, some of us experience mild to severe allergies from these loved ones. Some people have little to no allergy symptoms around cats and dogs, some are allergic to only cats, while others can't even have a pet because of severe allergic reactions. Up to 10% of the population in the United States is allergic to pet allergens- dander. Blame genetics. Pet allergies often runs in families. People with pet allergies tend to have a higher incidence of sensitivity to dander when their parents have pet allergies. Similarly, if you have a pet allergy, the chance of passing this allergy to your children is far more likely. Children with both parents allergic to pets are up to 80% more likely to have a pet allergy themselves.

Most people mistakenly believe that their pet allergy is caused by pet hair. This is not the case. We're actually allergic to pet dander. But what is dander? Dander is microscopic flakes of animal skin that travels through the air and lands on our skin, in our eyes, mouths and in our noses creating an allergic reaction. It is not so much that we're allergic to these microscopic skin flakes as we are allergic to what's IN these skin flakes (dander). Dander is composed of urine-derived proteins which is secreted from an animal's skin glands. These proteins, in addition to saliva proteins on dander from grooming, is where the bulk of our allergies comes from. So even though your pet may groom and lick his fur, it's the protein and saliva on the DANDER that remains the major source of pet allergens.

We all love our pets and I believe most of us have just learned to accept the symptoms. It's important to know that with continued, untreated exposure, your pet allergies may silently trigger worsening asthma, allergic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. While it's not very realistic to buy a hypo-allergenic pet (hypoallergenic cats actually do exist!), you can take a daily remedy to lessen your pet allergies such as Allergena Pet Dander. It works great and is safe to use daily. We do so much to show our pets we love them, why not do something for ourselves to ensure we're loving them without the misery of pet allergies?

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is gaining much recognition and popularity, so what are the benefits?

"Homeopathy is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathy was founded in the late 1700s in Germany and has been widely practiced throughout Europe. Homeopathic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health."

Homeopathy, Allergies and SLIT

Homeopathy treats allergies in the body regardless of the specific cause.  This is a great thing for people who suffer from more than one allergy or ailment. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) treatments through homeopathy offer relief for a variety of allergies, ailments and their symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative and effective way to treat specific allergies given as a few drops of liquid or dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue. The specific allergen is given to boost tolerance to the allergy and reduce symptoms. Homeopathy and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) used to treat different ailments and allergies is not a new phenomenon. It is widely used throughout the world and has been for hundreds of years.

So why is Homeopathy beneficial?

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. This treatment enables the body to heal by resetting the immune system, making it healthier and stronger.This is important because when your immune system functions properly, you no longer react to substances in a way that trigger an allergic reaction. Therefore, homeopathy provides relief from all allergy symptoms your body is experiencing. These include, but not limited to, grass and tree pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander and even things like candida overgrowth.

Homeopathy is safe and natural. One of the greatest benefits to homeopathy is that it is safe. It is safe enough even for small children and pets without any of the side effects or risk of adverse reactions common with many traditional medications. It's affordable, made from natural substances and is FDA regulated.

Homeopathic treatments are individualized for what ails YOU. This ensures that your particular symptoms are relieved by your body restoring itself and improving your overall health. Traditional medicines treat the symptoms, many times with side effects, while homeopathic SLIT therapies treat the body to eliminate the symptoms and ailments causing them. Simply put- It helps the body to heal itself.

If you would like to learn more about homeopathy, sublingual immunotherapy, Allergena or Allergena Products click here.

Summer Allergies

It's no surprise most people eagerly anticipate the arrival of summer. But with summer's arrival comes summer allergies.

The days are longer, the weather is warmer and the official start of summer is quickly approaching. Summer is a time for outdoor activities, picnics, barbecues, trips to the beach or pool and vacations. With all the fun, unfortunately for some of us, comes sneezing, runny noses, itchy watery eyes, wheezing and coughing. Having summer allergies doesn't have to ruin your fun. Identifying which allergens are highest in your area or zone can help you determine how to nip your summer allergies in the bud. If you haven't specified which allergens are causing your symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. He will do a skin test checking for common allergens based on where you live- your zone.

Nationwide, the most common culprit for allergies is pollen. Specifically, tree and grass pollen affects most allergy sufferers in the spring and early summer and mold and weed pollen mid- to late summer. The types of pollen will vary from zone to zone, but they do tend to follow a consistent pattern seasonally.

Even though it is not possible to avoid pollen entirely, here are some simple ways to help you lessen your symptoms from summer allergies:

• Use a preventative product daily - Allergena -Each product is customized to specific zones. This ensures you will get the relief YOU need to alleviate and prevent symptoms.
• Avoid exercising outdoors when pollen count is high. These tend to be hot, dry and windy days and usually between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Not only are these things crucial to protect you from the sun's harmful rays, but they also help prevent pollen from getting on your face and in your eyes.
• Keep windows closed and make sure fans are not positioned to blow air from outside into your home.
• Wash your hair at night and change your clothing before getting in to bed. This way you aren't bringing allergens onto your bedding.
• If you're allergic to mold, get a dehumidifier for your home. Mold thrives in damp and humid environments. Additionally, wearing a face mask while mowing your lawn and gardening will keep those mold spores at bay.

Apple Trees Allergies

Apples trees represent a classic American Symbol; but what do they do to your classic American allergies?

It's difficult to tell how apple trees impact our allergies. Most of the articles you find are focused on how the actual fruit causes allergic reactions as opposed to how the tree causes allergic reactions.
Apple trees, like Magnolia Trees and other large flowering trees, the pollen is larger and heavier and does not tend to impact our allergies much.

While Apple Trees are not a common offender these trees are:

• Ash
• Aspen
• Beech
• Birch
• Box elder
• Cedar
• Cottonwood
• Elm
• Hickory
• Mountain elder
• Mulberry
• Oak
• Pecan
• Willow

People who suffer from allergies because of these trees may be more likely to experience swelling or itchiness in the mouth eating fruits such as apples, almonds, carrots, celery, cherries, coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwi, peaches, pears, or plums. While these are all grown on trees, it is not the pollen from the trees that cause allergic reactions. 

If you experience tree allergies try our Texas Trees Sublingual Immunotherapy Drops.

Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is a familiar nursery rhyme and singing game.

This a Mulberry tree. During the spring it causes allergic reaction around the country. This is a flowerless tree so the pollen is fine to allow transportation by any means necessary. The pollen is sticky and fine. These factors result in bad allergies for those who suffer. 

Do you recognize the song Here we go round the Mulberry Bush? 

Wonder where it originated? Read On!

This is the most common version:

Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
On a cold and frosty morning.
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning.

This song is to have originated in 1840 and historian R. S. Duncan claims, a former governor of England’s Wakefield Prison, the song originated with that 420-year-old institution’s female prisoners, who were exercised around a mulberry tree. Which is probably not the connotation your six-year-old self had in mind.

The Cottonwood Tree

The Cottonwood Tree and it's flying seeds.

As we know, pollen is in the air, but there is no better tell tale sign than when you can actually see it flying through the air on cotton. The Cottonwood has two stages of seeding. 1. Is the release of yellow/green pollen and 2. Is the transcendence of the seeds in a fluffy white cotton.

Just because you see the fluff doesn't mean that what's causing allergies.

The Cottonwood is in the Poplar Family. This is the same family as the Juniper and Mulberry. 

Poplar Trees, otherwise known as cottonwood, is a pollen-producing tree that grows throughout North America. Poplar pollen induces a variety of allergic symptoms in some people, including asthma, red eyes and hay fever. Due to the similarities between the allergens in poplar pollen and proteins in some plant products, there is often a link between poplar tree allergies and a condition known as oral allergy syndrome.

Remember that it is usually the non-flowering trees that have smaller, lighter pollen and are more likely to cause more severe allergies.
 

Eucalyptus Tree

The Eucalyptus Tree is a wonderful tree for your yard if you don't mind the allergens. 

We recently had a comment on the Facebook page about someone's allergies being Eucalyptus so I decided to learn more about this strange tree.
Often when we hear Eucalyptus we think about the smell or the Koala Bear. Both are reasonable.

This type of Eucalyptus Tree is found in Australia.

In the United States there are several different versions of Eucalyptus offered. I am most familiar with the Silver Dollar because it is widely used to embellish floral arrangement. I think it is beautiful and I love the smell of Eucalyptus. Many lotions, massage cremes and body oils use it as an enhancing scent.

This particular branch is from the Ceder Gum.

The Eucalyptus Tree is originally from Australia and New Guinea. There is apparently... if you didn't know... and argument on whether to allows tree farmers to increase the population of the Eucalyptus. 

The Pros of Eucalyptus Tree Farming:

• It is fast growing
• Fragrant like a flowering tree.
• Does not drop leaves seasonally
• Quickly reproduced cut or broken branches
• Natural flea and tick repellent
• Versatile to grow indoors or out
• Known to promote respiration and treat skin problems.

The Cons of Eucalyptus Tree Farming:

• It is not native to North America
• Its aggressive nature can over run native vegetation
• Peeling bark presents forest fire kindling
• Providing food and shelter for North American wildlife is unknown
• Are durable to cold and drought, they absorb twice as much ground water as native trees.

What Allergens can we expect from the Eucalyptus Tree?

LiveStrong reports that Eucalyptus present a very low airborne presence. The elude to the allergic reaction to Eucalyptus come more from the fragrance and less from the pollen.

For Allergena Fans, don't forget we make a formula for Fragrances as well as vegetative pollen.