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Mould is a naturally occurring substance as it is an integral part of the outdoor environment and it plays a large role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. When it grows indoors however, it can have serious health consequences. Moulds are a type of fungus, which need moisture to grow; as such they are found in damp and poorly ventilated areas. Potential sources of moisture include leaking pipes, leaking roofs and windows, and floods. Most moulds gather their food from dead moist organic matter such as wood, paper, fabric, dust, plant soil, and cooked or raw food; however, they can also grow on the surface of damp materials such as glass. Moulds spread by releasing thousands of tiny spores into the air and these spores are a source of indoor air pollution, which lead to mould allergy.
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What is mould allergy?

Mould allergy occurs when an individual is exposed to microscopic fungal spores from mould. Since these spores are small, they can evade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract, and consequently the lungs.

Causes

There are different types of mould; however, only certain types cause mould allergies. These include alternaria, aspergillus, clasdosporium, penicillium, helminthosporum, epicoccum, fusarium, and phoma, to mention a few. Mould allergy occurs when an individual comes in contact with the mould spores, causing an immune response where the body thinks they are foreign invaders and develops an antibody to fight them. This causes the body to release histamines, which cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and other symptoms related to mould allergy. Even after the exposure has passed, the body will still continue to produce antibodies, which will remember the mould spores (invaders) the next time contact occurs.

Symptoms of mould allergy are similar to those which occur in other upper respiratory allergies.

Common symptoms include:

- Allergic Rhinitis
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- Breathing difficulties
- Fatigue
- Weakness

Mould spores can deposit on the lining of the nose, consequently causing hay fever symptoms, and can also reach the lungs causing asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Treatment

Avoid contact with mould spores

This is the best treatment for mould allergy. To help reduce symptoms of mould allergy drastically, avoid cutting grass, digging around plants or picking leaves. If you must do any of these activities, ensure you wear a dust mask.

Medication

Antihistamines, bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used to ease the symptoms of mould allergy as there is no sure way of curing mould allergy. Corticosteroids help prevent and treat inflammation and they are the most effective allergy medications for most people, and as such are usually prescribed first. Antihistamines help with itching, sneezing and runny nose, and work by blocking histamine which is released by the immune system during an allergy reaction.

Immunotherapy

This involves administering a series of allergy shots to help eliminate some allergies. However, immunotherapy is only moderately effective against mould allergy.

Nasal Lavage

This is usually recommended to help with irritating nasal symptoms. It involves rinsing the nose with salt water and can be effective in relieving congestion.

Tips for Prevention

• Keep damp areas such as bathrooms well ventilated
• Refrigerators should be kept clean, watch out for mouldy food.
• Avoid damp and musty buildings and where HAY is stored.
• Avoid cutting grass, raking leaves and turning compost heaps.
• Keep all bathroom surfaces clean.
• Get rid of old foam pillows and mattresses.
• Do not store clothing or shoes in damp cupboards; leave wardrobe doors ajar to ventilate the clothes.
• Control indoor moisture by using a dehumidifier.
• Reduce the amount of indoor house plants and ensure those present are free of mould on leaves and in potting soil.
• Throw away or recycle old books, newspapers, clothing or bedding.
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Looking for methods on how to treat hives? Hives is a serious condition that can really affect your life on many levels but you can take action to help yourself.

Hives also known as known as urticaria present themselves as red and itchy bumps on the skin that comes in various shapes and sizes. The size ranges from a couple of millimeters to an affliction that can cover a whole extremity.

Hives are usually surrounded by a reddish area of inflammation known as a flare. The hives can eventually join together when they become known as plaques. They can appear anywhere on your body from arms, legs, tongues to your ear and mouth.

Hives are not only physically uncomfortable but also they are embarrassing in a social context. The good news is that there are various ways on how to treat hives. Some of the best methods are those that deal with them in a natural way.

Herbal Treatments For Hives

You can take cayenne pepper herbal supplements to help in the treatment of hives. In addition you can take vitamin C, E or Zinc. Other popular cures are herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile and passionflower tea. Not only are they good for calming your nerves and consequently your hives but they are extremely beneficial to your overall health as well.

How Are You Stress Levels

In general treating hives depends on how severe the symptoms of your condition are. They can become worse depending on your levels of stress. You need to be aware and manage your stress levels so you can lessen the severity and occurrence of hives.

Home Remedies For Hives

When considering how to treat hives one home remedy is applying a cold compress on the affected area. You can also take a cold shower or bath. Another well-known home treatment for hives is applying calamine lotion to help alleviate the itchy feeling. You can also take a bath in warm water that is mixed with cornstarch and/or baking soda.

Homeopathic and Natural Supplements

Utilizing homeopathic and herbal supplements are also excellent methods when considering how to treat hives. Oxygen assists in the elimination of hives by strengthening the immune system of your body. Having increased immunity will allow your body to manage allergens better and reduce the development of hives.
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This is very effective in treating hives that are caused by the release of histamines inside your body as well as stress. Keep in mind that having a stronger immune system and better overall health will lessen the hives outbreaks you will experience.

Summer is a great time of year unless you are affected by airborne allergens that thicken the air during the summer months. Here are 5 actions that you can take that will literally clear your air and your head making summer a fun time for you in spite of your allergies.

Clean Your Space Often – Dust alone is often a trigger for allergies, but add the dust mite which is usually found in dust and your allergies can receive a double whammy. Dusting with a damp cloth or mop is more likely to capture the dust rather than sending it into the air for you to inhale or ingest.

Vacuuming is also a great way to capture the dust rather than spreading it around. Opt for a vacuum with a HEPA filter that can eliminate the particulates for good.

Be sure to launder bed linens once a week with water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a temperature that the dust mite cannot survive, and will kill many of them before they can reproduce.

Keep Humidity Low – Leaks in the bathroom, kitchen and basement areas can increase humidity and cause a spike in the mold count. Keeping these areas dry will drastically decrease the airborne mold spores that are likely to be in your air. Use the bathroom fan after showers and baths to dry out the room quickly.

Put as many indoor plants outside on the porch or patio. Having moist soil indoor because of numerous house plants can also encourage mold growth.

Choose Outdoor Time Carefully – The best time for outdoor activity is early in the morning and late in the afternoon to evening. Dry windy days are good times to choose indoor activities.

Limit Outdoor Air Exchange – Keeping windows and doors closed helps you control what comes into your home or office from the outside. And even though some pollen, dust, and mold spores will always enter as you come and go, using the air conditioner rather than fans greatly reduces the number of allergens introduced into your indoor air.

Use the air conditioner in the car when traveling, and if possible park in a garage to minimize the amount of particulates that settle on your car when it is not in use.

Continually Filter Indoor Air-Using an air cleaner with a HEPA (or high efficiency particle arresting) filter is probably one of the most important actions that you can take to keep indoor air quality high.

By definition a HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles that are greater than.3 microns in size. This means that for every 10,000 airborne particles that are floating in the air, this type of filtration will remove 99,997 of them. This kind of purifier can eliminate a large number of the airborne particles that cause allergy flare-ups-dust, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and even bacteria and viruses.

Putting this plan of action into place by taking the five steps above will make a huge difference in how you feel, and how you feel about summer.

Millions of Americans suffer from allergies, most of us do not know exactly what we are allergic to, only that we experience the symptoms of the average allergy sufferer. There are so many places to look when searching for what one is allergic to. What you may not know is that millions of Americans are allergic to dust mites and the allergens they carry around. The protein substances in the their feces produce antibodies in humans who are allergic when these are inhaled or touch the skin. These antibodies cause the release of histamines which leads to nasal congestion, swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages. These dust mites are everywhere. Beds are a prime habitat. A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be comprised of dead mites and their droppings.
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So how does one limit their exposure to these mites? There are a few simple places to start, your bed and bedding. Experts say the best place to start is your bed. A premium mattress cover, or a mattress made from dust mite resistant materials such as latex can make a huge difference. Studies show that Latex mattresses are 300% more resistant to dust mites that traditional mattresses.

You can also wash your pillow, sheets and comforter in very hot water. Water over 130 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the dustmites and their eggs. You should run these items through the wash at least every two weeks.

Keep your home clean the bedroom should be frequently cleaned including dusting and vacuuming the rugs beside and underneath the bed. This will help minimize the dustmites in the room, be sure not to use a dry cloth or a broom when cleaning as this will just disperse the mites and allergens throughout the room.

Controlling dust mites in the bedroom can have a big affect in the quality of the sleep you are getting. Symptoms of those who are bothered by the dustmites include, hay fever, watering eyes, runny nose, swollen blue colored skin under the eyes, itchy nose or roof of mouth, sneezing, cough, postnasal drip, and even asthma or difficulty in breathing. If you or a child are waking frequently in the night sneezing, sniffling, or coughing you may be losing a great deal of your quality sleep to the dust mites and the problems they create.

So you discover that you are allergic to foods that contain gluten but you just don’t know where to find it. You have an urge for certain foods but you need gluten free flour and don’t know where to find any. Living a gluten free lifestyle doesn’t have to be that hard if you can find the ingredients that you need. I have been living the gluten free lifestyle for quite a while now and have found many substitutes for the things that I can’t tolerate. As time has gone by, I have also found many sources that stock gluten free products. In this article, I’m going to help you find out where you can find gluten free flour.

Many times when you go in the store to look for gluten free products, it’s very hard to find because you don’t have many options. The local grocery store doesn’t promote the sale of it because there isn’t a high demand for it. There are some of us that are desperately in need of it and don’t want to pay an arm or leg to obtain it. One store that I find has the highest selection of gluten free flour is Whole Foods Market. In addition to selling that, they also have baked goods. There have been several occasions where they have had days of free samples. They also have a bakery that produces gluten free cakes, cookies, muffins, and bread. I have had the opportunity to sample the muffins and they were heavenly. They tasted just like the real thing and I felt like it was sinful to devour such a treat. On certain aisles, you will find several types of mixes that can be made from home.Whole Foods Market is also known for selling grains, flour, rice, etc by the pound. So there are many choices of gluten free flour to choose from. It ranges from Spelt, Rice, Quinoa, and Brown Rice. Whole Foods Market has several locations across the United States and Canada. This would be my first choice to find what I’m looking for.

Another store that has recently gained interest in is Wal-Mart. When visiting a few months ago, I found that they were selling Spelt Flour but it wasn’t the best thing because it was very heavy and resembled the texture of Corn Meal. Of course, if you were trying to bake a cake with that, it wouldn’t be of the best quality. They also began to sell a cake mix produced by Betty Crocker that is derived of rice flour. And rice flour has the same quality as that of Spelt. Here lately they have added a new addition to the gluten free supply. They have a section on the cakes aisle that contains all rice products. This includes rice flour, rice pasta, hamburger meals, and much more. It’s a very small section for now but it will grow over time if the demand increases. I prefer to use rice products over others but not the rice flour because it is not all that great for baking with. But Wal-mart is the next best place to find what you are looking for.

Recently, there have been several natural food stores popping up everywhere. A few of the others that I didn’t mention above are Central Market, Market Street and Sprouts. These also offer the same amenities as Whole Foods Market. Locally, there are several small, specialty stores that sell different assortments of what you would be looking for. Therefore, living a gluten free lifestyle isn’t as hard to find as you would think. As more people become aware of Celiac Disease, the inability to find products will become a thing of the past.

An allergy is generally referred to as the disorder of the immune system, wherein the body generally reacts to any harmless external environment and causes some kind of discomfort. An allergy is something that is very common and can be treated perfectly well, if detected effectively. It is referred to as one of the four forms of hypersensitivity of the skin and is also characterized by the excessive activation of a certain white blood cell called mast cells. Allergies can be mild and sometimes can be severe too; but they need to be treated well, based on the causes of the allergy. Most of the allergy has no specific cause, often the cause is rather unknown or goes unnoticed; however an important diagnosis includes examining the symptoms of the allergy and then treating it thereby. There are many symptoms for allergies, some of them are -

• When there is an allergy that generally surrounds the nose region, there will be a prominent swelling of the nasal mucosa; which is a good enough symptoms to make sure that proper treatment is provided.

• The sinuses generally respond to allergy in a manner that causes several allergic sinusitis attacks; this gives an account of the symptoms that occur in this region.

• The eye of a human being is also extremely prone to allergy. The allergy that occurs in this portion generally causes a lot of irritation and itching sensation. Its symptoms include redness of the eye and also itching of the conjunctiva.

• The airway is also prone to allergy and most of the allergy in this region is recognized by the following symptoms; sneezing, coughing, asthma attack, bronchoconstriction, wheezing, swelling of airway known as laryngeal edema, etc.

• In the ear region, the symptoms are feeling a sense of fullness, severe pain, impaired hearing. This impaired hearing generally happens due to eustachian tube drainage.

• Skin is yet another prominent area for the cause and presence of allergy. The allergy here is generally characterized by rashes like eczema, etc. Skin is the most prone to allergy and skin allergy is very common among people.

• Allergy also happens in the gastrointestinal tract. Here the symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, etc.

Besides just being aware of these symptoms, you have got to have certain knowledge on how to treat these allergies as well. Knowing about symptoms is not enough; you have certainly got to know the cure for such disorders as well.

Allergies are very common, and most people will know what an allergy is. If you are unaware of what an allergy is, it is a type of bad reaction inside the immune system to a ordinary mild substance. Someone who does not suffer from any type of allergies will most likely have no reaction to the substance. However when there is someone who has allergies, their body will be set off by an encounter with the substance, the body will then respond by realizing chemicals, this will be the reason for the allergy.
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When children experience a reaction it can be seen as eczema and most likely be a food allergy. Children that do experience eczema will be at a high risk of getting a type of asthma or allergic rhinitis; which is more than likely to happen when children are in school.

By adulthood eczema will probably go away likewise with many other food allergies. Asthma or allergic rhinitis can sometimes form during their teenage years and when they are young adults, and are likely to hang around throughout their lives. An allergic symptom may, however not be permanent and will disappear eventually.

An atopic dermatitis (eczema), is usually the first sign of an allergy and can be seen in up to 20% of children, normally around the infant age. This form of allergy is consisted with itching, and a rash. The rash will appear to be dry and red, could have small blisters and may ooze or flake overtime. For infants this rash may be on the face most typically around the cheeks, the chest, the back of the scalp, and could form on the arms and legs. Where the distribution is, is where the children are most likely to scratch. The rash will be different for older children to younger children. For adults the rash will most likely be behind the knees or on the elbows.

A food allergy will happen at any stage of someones life. If there is a food allergy that has evolved it will result in a skin symptom, like swelling, hives or a redness on the skin, because of eating the food that started it. The symptom can arise quickly or it may take a while to show up. There are other symptoms involved with a food allergies, they can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches not being able to breath sneezing, lightheadedness or a runny nose.

Symptoms can occur at any time but if they are food allergies a rash will appear. Children will most likely develop a form of eczema when they are allergic to something. Some allergies may also disappear over time. However, any type of allergy should be treated and seen by a doctor.

Every Breath You Take

For many people, the home is a sanctuary. However, the air there may not be as clean as we think. Several aspects of modern living can actually spoil the air in the home. And because houses are being built and remodeled in ways that tightly seal the shell, drastically reducing air movement between the indoors and outdoors, pollutants in the house will largely remain there. The better informed you are about any air issues affecting the family home and health, the better equipped you will be to control and prevent them.

Indoor air problems stem from many substances including biological pollutants, combustion by-products, hazardous building materials, and household products.

Biological pollutants come from living matter. The most widespread examples include mold, animal dander, and dust mites. Excess condensation and poorly maintained HVAC systems can promote mold growth. Therefore it’s critical to have appliances with condensing units cleaned and serviced regularly. Minimize the impact of animal dander and dust mites with regular dusting and cleaning.

Fuels, including natural gas, propane, oil, and kerosene, produce harmful by-products. Any heating appliance that burns fuel can release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or excess water vapor. Ensure that all fuel-burning equipment is well maintained, properly vented, and inspected regularly for safety.

Remodeling projects give your home new sparkle, but the process can create unhealthy air. Home renovations often disturb areas containing old hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead paint, and can release particles into the air. Rather than try to remove them, which often creates more of a health hazard, it is better to carefully cover them up. A professional inspector can help you determine what hazardous materials you will uncover and how best to contain and clean them up. Paints, adhesives, and stripping and finishing solvents can also create indoor air pollution. Some of these products are volatile and flammable. Read all labels thoroughly and use them strictly as recommended.

The very chemicals we use to clean and disinfect our homes can also cause air pollution. Follow manufacturers’ instructions for amounts and usage. Use the least strong product that will do the job with the smallest amount necessary. Ventilate the area that you are cleaning so that fumes do not linger. Keep household chemicals tightly sealed in their original containers.

Be aware of the signs that you may have an indoor air quality problem. You may notice stale and musty odors. Dirty or faulty HVAC equipment will most likely affect the air quality. Excessive condensation and humidity often correlate to the presence of molds. And take note of any changes to the family’s health inside the home, such as irritated eyes and throat, sneezing, coughing, congestion, and fatigue. If you suspect a problem with the air in your home, take action promptly. A professional air quality inspector can do a comprehensive review of your home’s environment and help you address issues effectively. Once you have fixed existing problems, schedule annual inspections and service calls to prevent recurring damage.

What is the first thing most doctors recommend for treatment of dog allergies? The unthinkable-they want you to give up your best friend. Anyone with a pet can understand just how devastating this could be. Many people love their dog or cat more than almost anyone else. I know I would never consider giving up my fur baby, and I suffer from horrible allergies. There are many other dog allergy remedies you can try so that you never have to consider giving up your beloved pet.

Dog Allergy Symptoms

When people are allergic to their dog or cat, it is their immune system overreacting to pet dander, saliva or urine. When the body comes into contact with one of these allergens, it overreacts causing an immune system response which triggers many unwanted symptoms. Dog allergy symptoms can include red or itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, stuffy nose, posts nasal drip or a skin rash. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the severity of your body’s reaction.

Remedies for Dog Allergies

The best way to treat a dog or cat allergy-aside from giving up your pet-is to make changes in your home environment. Your doctor or allergy specialist may recommend keeping your cat or dog outside as an alternative to giving them up. Another option would be to keep your dog or cat in one room or area of the house. These still may not be options you want to consider. Other changes you could make would include installing an air filter in your house to try and catch as many airborne particles as possible. You could also be sure to frequently wash your dog’s bed or a favorite blanket. Trying cleanup as much dog hair as possible. Basically, the natural allergy treatment would be to clean much more frequently. Better yet, have a family member who does not suffer from dog allergies clean the area for you, as it could stir up any settled dander or allergens which would aggravate your allergies.

Allergy medications are another alternative to having to give up your pet. Allergy OTC (over the counter) options include antihistamines, and decongestants, eye drops, Claritin and nasal sprays. Most of these medications provide symptomatic the allergy relief. Allergy shots are the only allergy remedy option that tries to reduce allergies over the long term. Allergy shots try to build up your body’s tolerance to allergens, making your immune response much smaller in the future.

Suffering from bad breath? That might not be your only problem. If you also feel as if you always have mucus at the back of your throat, you may be suffering from post-nasal drip disorder. This condition occurs when your produce more mucus that what you really need. This is different from getting a cold because the thickened mucus is not in your nose; it’s at the back of your nose and your throat.

There are many causes of post nasal drip syndrome, and depending on the cause, post nasal drip remedies also vary. If your condition only happens once in a while or at certain seasons of the year, your PND may be caused by allergens. If so, you should see an allergist so that you may identify the trigger of these bouts of allergic reactions. You could also be suffering from chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, both conditions also cause post nasal drip disorder.

Sometimes PND is also caused by conditions such as acid reflux. If this is the case, you should see a gastroenterologist. PND can also be caused by swallowing disorders, which would require you to go see an eyes-nose-and-throat medical doctor. Of course, if you do not yet know which of the previous conditions you are suffering from, you can visit with your family physician first. He can help you identify which specialist you should go see next.

Through the internet, you can be more informed about the symptoms that you should look out for, including difficulties in swallowing, bad breath, and others. You will also learn about the different treatment methods such as nasal irrigation, minor surgeries, and medications.