Rain Allergies and Asthma: Are You Allergic to Rain?

You may not be exactly allergic to rain but rain may cause severe asthma and allergy symptoms in some people.

Roughly 95% of people with asthma suffer from allergies. Rain can irritate those with asthma especially severely. Heavy rain typically washes pollen out of the environment. But before it gets to that point, rain often causes pollen spores to burst sending a large amount of pollen into the air. This happens most during light rains. Pollen particles and grains get broken apart releasing tiny particles into the air. Winds from thunderstorms help the pollens to travel farther distances as well.

When an allergy sufferer breathes in these freshly burst pollen grains, it can cause severe asthma symptoms called "thunderclap asthma." This causes an allergic reaction in the lungs for those with and even without an existing asthma condition. Research suggests that a storm's electrical charge can make pollen more sticky. This can increase the chance that these pollens will cause major irritation if and when inhaled.

Dust mites, animal dander, molds, and pollen are the most common triggers of asthma and allergy symptoms. However, summer rains can cause increased symptoms. Research shows a relationship between thunderstorms and worsening of asthma and allergies. Thunderclap asthma doesn't necessarily mean you are allergic to rain. But it does increase the chances of breathing issues and allergy symptoms.

There is hope. There are steps you can take to decrease the rain's effect on your allergies and asthma. Keeping your windows closed, showering and washing your hair and bedding at night all can help to keep the pollens to a minimum. Pay special attention to upcoming weather reports. Keep asthma medication with you at all times because inclement weather can strike without any warning. Try to stay indoors when you know a rain storm in approaching. Taking products designed to help with asthma and allergies on a regular basis can help as well. Allergena Fragrance helps with airborne allergens that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Being prepared is your best defense to keeping your asthma and allergies to a minimum when it rains.

Exercise-Induced Allergies

Some people dislike exercise and claim they are allergic, but exercise-induced allergies really do exist.

When starting a new exercise plan, it's common to feel winded, out of breath, flushed, dizzy and exhausted. Less common, are these symptoms when you exercise regularly for months and haven't changed intensity or duration. If you experience these symptoms and you are physically fit and exercise regularly, you may have exercise-induced allergies.

Exercise-induced allergies may hit during or after exercise. It can trigger an asthma attack in people who have a history of asthma. But, in exercise-induced allergy sufferers, they may only experience asthma while they exercise. This type of asthma is more likely during really cold weather when the air is very dry. People may have difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze and need to use their inhaler to breath normally.

On rare occasions, strenuous exercise can cause a potentially severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In this type of reaction, breathing becomes difficult, blood pressure may decrease causing dizziness and fainting. This type of reaction is often found in people allergic to specific foods such as shellfish or peanut allergies. However, people with exercise-induced allergies can experience the same symptoms when they eat specific foods prior to exercise without a negative reaction. Once the individual begins to exercise, an anaphylactic reaction may occur. An epinephrine pen (Epi-pen) can save this individual's life in this circumstance because an anaphylactic reaction can be dangerous and life threatening.

So how can you find out if you have exercise-induced allergies? You will have to talk to your doctor. Symptoms typically are triggered once you exercise and occur after 5-10 minutes of moderate to intense exercise. A diagnosis will be based on your symptoms and how they relate to exercising. Your doctor may perform an exercise challenge test. This test measures lung function before, during, and after exercise on a treadmill or recumbent bike.

For people with asthma, taking medicine to control asthma symptoms prior to exercising prevents symptoms. Additionally, people with exercise-induced anaphylactic reactions will need to avoid eating the food causing these reactions several hours prior to exercising. An epi-pen should always be carried for emergency treatment in the event of this type of reaction. It is also always recommended that you exercise with someone or in a public place.

Living with exercise-induced allergies follows the same methods as living with any type of allergy. Once you are aware of your symptoms, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, you can find effective ways to live a normal healthy life. Products such as Allergena-Allergy can help your body heal itself and decrease symptoms of allergies, especially when taken with traditional treatments. Make sure to speak with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.

Allergic Rhinitis

What is allergic rhinitis? 

Allergic rhinitis are allergies. Rhinitis is defined as "an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose."  It is sometimes referred to as hay fever and happens when your immune systems reacts to pollens in the air that you breathe. This creates an allergic response. This causes sneezing, runny nose and congestion. You may have these symptoms all year or just certain seasons.  Occasionally, allergies and their symptoms affect you less over time.  More commonly, their severity gets worse as time passes. So how can you tell if you have allergic rhinitis?

• Sneezing. Frequent and repetitive sneezing, especially when you first wake up.
• Runny Nose. Clear, thin and constant drainage signals allergic rhinitis. (If the drainage is thick, yellow or cloudy this is a sign of a cold or infection.)
• Irritated Eyes. Watery and itchy eyes.
• Irritated Mucous Membranes. Irritated and itchy ears, mouth and nose all indicate allergic rhinitis.

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Pollens from grass, weeds, trees and animal dander are most common and well known. Just as common, but lesser known, are allergies to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, cereal grain, wood dust and certain chemicals. If you are showing symptoms only certain times of the year- seasonally, then the most common culprits are pollens and molds. However, if your symptoms are year round, dust mites and indoor allergens are what is causing your allergic rhinitis symptoms. Having your doctor administer a skin allergy test is the most accurate way to determine which one is causing your symptoms. This involves putting a small amount of a particular allergen on your skin to see what reaction your body produces.  Your immune system will over-react to things your body is allergic to by developing a rash or hives.
Once you know for certain what your body is allergic to, you can proactively lessen your symptoms with certain products specially formulated for that particular allergen.  Products such as Allergena Natural Allergy Relief, not only help to ease allergic rhinitis symptoms, but assist in helping your body's immune system heal.  This encourages our body to heal itself so your symptoms lessen naturally over time.

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.