No matter what food allergy you have it will play havoc with your health. It is completely unreal to me how many problems you run into when you have to avoid one food. I’ve mentioned my onion allergy which is somewhat random but after I made breakfast this morning (eggs and toast if you were wondering) I started thinking about how horrible it would be to have an egg allergy. Eggs are in everything.

It turns out that egg allergies usually affect the kiddos but that many outgrow it by the time they are five. Also, it is the protein in either the yolk or the white that causes the allergic reaction but usually not both. I mean if you think about the common items that have egg in them, pasta, cake, bread, mayonnaise, frostings, salad dressing, and even some drinks! People who are super sensitive even have to be careful of some vaccines, shampoos, and cosmetics. It boggles the mind, well at least my mind. One good thing, good being relative, is that in America food manufacturers have to clearly label whether food has egg in it or if it was made in a facility that ever processes eggs. I know, small comfort.

When looking at ingredient lists remember they may not say ‘egg’ or ‘egg product’, also be suspicious of anything starting with ova or ovo and ingredients such as:
albuminate

Albumin

Globulin

Lecithin

Livetin

lysozyme

vitelin

If you, or your child, has an egg allergy what is the most surprising eggy food you have found?

Photo Credit: Annie Mole

I’ve mentioned before that as a student I had serious health problems as a result of allergens in my old school. By old school I don’t mean the school I went to before I mean the building was old. My dad went to school there. My problems as an adult teacher weren’t as severe because I worked in a newer school and I was on allergy medication. However, my experiences as a student stuck with me and there are a few things I’d like to remind parents about.

If your child doesn’t have a temperature and the only symptoms are sniffles and a headache it may be allergies. If it is allergies the symptoms won’t get better on their own and your child may need to take medication to control the symptoms. This is an important distinction because I see parents that react in two ways to allergy symptoms. They either think their child has swine flu (or whatever bad bug is going around that year) or they think nothing is wrong.

Obviously worrying that your child has the worst bug imaginable can be a nightmare, but pretending nothing is wrong is just as bad. If your child feels bad all the time and has a headache and is constantly distracted by a runny nose then he or she is going to have a hard time concentrating and learning. Please pay attention to what your child is telling you and let your doctor figure out what is wrong with the child and if there is anything that can be done to help him or her. I promise there will be years of thanks in it for you.

Photo Credit Michael D Martin

When parents and students think about that first week away from home in the brand new college dorm there are lots of worries. Parents worry that their child will be influenced to do things they wouldn’t approve of, that they won’t study, that they’ll sleep through that early class. Students are worried about finding parties, rescheduling so they have no early classes, and wondering if the food and laundry fairy will show up in the dorm room.

Something parents and students forget about though is that a new environment means new allergens. Dusty carpets, moldy air vents, and new grasses and flowers can all cause allergic reactions that can negatively affect the health of the new students. That is why I strongly recommend putting together a little first aid kit for your favorite college student. Include normal first aid things like band-aids and alcohol wipes but don’t forget the over the counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, saline solutions, eye drops, and Kleenex just in case. I also use a vapor rub when my allergies are really bad. I know they are technically for colds but they always make it easier to breathe and make me feel better.

Did you have new allergy problems when you went away to college?

Photo Credit: Bonimo

One of the allergens I have the most trouble with is the evil dust mite. Really, have you seen a picture of these things? They look like the bad guy from an alien movie. The other thing that is a big problem for me is pollen…from oh, everything. What does that have to do with a higher power bill?

First, I have a rocking air filter that is good for allergies. So with my air conditioner on the filter grabs some of the bad stuff and keeps me from breathing it. Good, right? Also, with the air conditioner on I don’t have to leave my windows open. Trust me, windows with a pollen allergy not so good. Sure I know leaving the windows open and installing ceiling fans is a great way to lower your power bill, but I’m all about lowering my allergen bill.

Next, dust mites like it kind of warm and a bit humid. If you have your air conditioner on it will be less warm and less humid. Living in Florida like I do, it is impossible to kill the little beasts no matter what I do (I will be moving to Alaska one day) but I can cut down on the party atmosphere.

Am I going to win any green awards with my power usage? Nope. Am I going to be able to breathe easier? Oh yeah.

Photo Credit: Free Wine

Everyone is worried about the overall wellness of his or her family. One way to improve family health is to vacuum regularly. Many of you are probably wondering what a household chore has to do with family health. I could tell you about the cardiovascular benefits of housework, but instead we’ll talk about allergens.

Allergens get brought in every time someone enters your home. Pollen, animal dander, and various other substances make their way into your home. In addition to the bits and pieces brought in from out in the big bad world, there are also the little colonists that live right there in your home with you. Dust mites are the biggest culprits for me. The ‘dust’ that settles in your carpet is an allergen that may be making you or someone else in your home sick.

I’ve mentioned before that I have horrible dust allergies. I invested in a good allergen removing vacuum cleaner and I vacuum once a week to remove as many of the allergens as possible. This has greatly reduced my symptoms! You’d think vacuuming would stir up the dust and make my allergies worse, but not with my vacuum cleaner. It just sucks up all the bad stuff and I am able to get it out of my house.

Have you noticed an improvement in your allergy symptoms when you vacuum regularly?

Photo Credit: MadnZany

This article puts it plain and simple: Tackling household allergens takes a team and is not easy. I always thought that washing my bed sheets in hot water would do the trick, but that’s not the case. I couldn’t have been more naïve. Getting rid of allergens takes a focused effort, and this article tells you exactly what to do. Good luck!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/geishabot/2551757024/

As I mentioned in the previous post, my best friend has been looking for ways to bring a puppy home. She isn’t terribly picky about the type of dog, I mean she wasn’t raised a fierce fan of say chows or anything. She just likes pups. This is good, because there aren’t a lot of dogs that are allergy friendly.Her list actually has more than five (in case you don’t like my five, I want you to know there are more options out there) but I’m picking my favorites from those five.

Now the thing about people who are allergic to dogs is, they aren’t actually allergic to the dog. They are allergic to the pet dander. Some people think that pet dander comes from just the fur and so a dog without fur is the only option. Not true. Pet dander is found in the saliva, urine, and skin. Luckily some dogs produce less dander making them a better choice for people who are allergic to dogs (or dog dander as the case may be). Ok, here we go.

• Yorkshire Terrier – this is my favorite because they are so freaking cute. Even when they are full grown you can get a ‘puppy cut’ and they will always look like puppies, and who doesn’t love puppies? Very small (max weight is about 7lbs) and fairly intelligent. A great choice for an apartment.
• Lagotto Romagnolo – These little ringleted darlings love water and are very smart. Easy to train and friendly. They are a much bigger dog and can weigh up to thirty pounds. A great choice for a water loving family.
• Bichon Frise – These dogs kind of look like poodles but in my opinion have a better temperament. They usually get along well with other dogs, cats, and even children. They are a medium sized pup that can weigh up to about 13 lbs. Great choice for a family that already has other pets.
• Airedale Terrier – this is one big dog. Depending on the breed they can weigh anywhere from 35-100 pounds. They are cute and very intelligent but they can also be a bit on the stubborn side when it comes to training. They love to play and are very physical and are an excellent choice for someone who wants a dog’s dog (read big and manly, no sissy dog here.) and likes to be outside.
• Poodles – I almost didn’t include this one because it is the dog for people who are allergic to dogs. Everyone knows about them, right? Yeah, but dang they are versatile. I mean you can get them in three sizes; small, medium, and large. Convenient, huh? Their smart and cuddly and cute.

Remember that even though these are the dogs that are typically good for people who are allergic to dogs, that doesn’t mean you won’t be allergic to them. Before deciding on a dog make sure you spend a half an hour to an hour for a few days with the breed to make sure everything is good. It may sound like a lot of time, but if you buy the dog you are making a long term commitment and it is best to make sure you can stick to it. An ounce of prevention and all that

What is your favorite hypoallergenic dog?

Photo Credit .Bala

It always seems that just as pollen season ends, a whole bunch of other asthma-irritating problems (like chalk dust and the flu) surface. Every season has its own share of problems for asthma sufferers. But being aware of these seasonal triggers and preparing for them can cut down on your risk of having an asthma attack.

For more information on spring pollen and seasonal allergies, check out this article.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenobia_joy/234289534/

Hypoallergenic dogs are great choices for people allergic to pet dander. Just because you are allergic to dogs doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. I have a hypoallergenic Bichon Frisé and no asthma symptoms, although I am allergic to most other dogs and all cats.

You can find more information on pet dander in this article.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjarda/2339516878/

Some people say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, but I disagree. Every dog is different, and every case of allergies is different.  Only meeting a dog or cat can determine whether or not you have a reaction.

More information on hypoallergenic pets can be found in this article.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macinate/3418035750/