PharmaPassport Health Tips Blog

May 24, 2011

Seasonal Allergies: What You Should Know

Filed under: allergies — Tags: allergy eyedrops, allergy medications, seasonal allergies, symptoms of seasonal allergies — Kcondon @ 12:05 am

What are seasonal allergies?

To better understand seasonal allergies, one needs to know what allergies are. Allergies occur when the body mistakes certain substances (known as allergens) as a threat. When the immune system detects the allergen, it releases histamines which induce the physical symptoms of allergies. Seasonal allergies are allergies which occur periodically according to the season.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Allergens of seasonal allergies differ depending on the allergy season. During the spring the common culprit is tree pollen. Grass commonly causes seasonal allergies in the summertime, whereas allergic reactions to ragweed are commonplace from late summer to the end of fall. Year-round allergies are most commonly caused by dust and mold.

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

The symptoms of seasonal allergies are similar to the symptoms of year-round allergies. The most common symptoms include: itchy palate, itchy throat, sinus congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Sufferers of year round allergies usually take allergy medication on a regular basis throughout the year.

Why do people have seasonal allergies?

Although the direct cause of allergies remains unknown, genetics are suspected to indirectly cause allergies. Specific allergies are not inherited, however the tendency of developing an allergy increases if one’s parent(s) has allergies.

How can I prevent seasonal allergies?

By avoiding the outdoors when the pollen count is high, one can reduce exposure to pollen thus reducing the occurrence of seasonal allergies. To make outdoor activities and events more enjoyable, it is best to make outdoor plans when the pollen count is low. To reduce contact with allergens, take a shower and changes your clothes once you have returned indoors. If you have pets, make sure to keep them clean as well, as pet fur can contain dander and outdoor allergens which can aggravate your allergies.

How can allergy medications treat seasonal allergies?

Over the counter allergy medications are often anti-histamines. Anti-histamines work to inhibit the production and action of the naturally released histamines in the body. For best results, it is recommended for one to take anti-histamines before allergy season. Doing so will make the event of allergies occurring less likely, and you will not have to deal with any of the symptoms. For eye irritation, eye drops are taken to relieve one from itchy red eyes. There are allergy medications available which can treat nasal symptoms along with irritated eyes such as Reactine. If you continually suffer from eye related allergy symptoms, you can use allergy eyedrops which work to soothe and prevent these symptoms for reoccurring.

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May 16, 2011

Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

Filed under: allergies — Tags: allergies, hay fever, hayfever, seasonal allergies — Paul @ 5:34 pm

Hay Fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction caused by your immune system as a response to foreign material such as pollens and mold. Hay fever usually occurs in the spring or in the fall. Symptoms of hay fever include: fatigue, stuffy, itchy, red nose, mild sore throat, plugged ears, and itchy, puffy, and watery eyes. If you’re not into taking discount prescription drugs, here are a few things you can do to treat hay fever

Chamomile oil can help reduce symptoms of hay fever in a couple ways. Smearing chamomile oil onto a towel or tissue and inhaling or boiling chamomile and inhaling the steam will benefit anyone who is suffering from hay fever.
Take peelings from grapefruit and lemon and bring to a simmer. Add honey to sweeten, then digest to ease symptoms of hay fever.
Having locally produced honey can decrease sensitivity to pollens. Since honey is produced from bees pollen, being exposed to these pollens will reduce your symptoms of hay fever.
Eating fruits and vegetables can also do the trick! Berries are the best at treating hay fever.
Drinking a hot 18oz cup of coffee is surprisingly helpful. The heat of the coffee can open up your airways to help you breath much better.
Having ginger can strengthen your immune system and thus reduce symptoms of hay fever. Although digesting garlic cloves will put an unpleasant taste in your mouth, it can be helpful in relieving hay fever.
Tea bags that are prepared and cooled and placed on eyes will help alleviate inflammation and soreness of eyes.
Herbs can always work magic when it comes to illness. Whether you use capsules or prepare them, they work! Herbs such as lavender can be prepared in a warm bath to reduce symptoms of hay fever.

Whatever your preference, there are many ways to help relieve hay fever. If natural ways are not showing you results, medications such as Claritin, Medrol, and Periactin can definitely help relieve symptoms of hay fever.

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July 15, 2010

Is It a Cold or Allergies?

Filed under: allergies,colds — Tags: allergen, allergies, allergy symptoms, cold symptoms, colds, common cold, flu, seasonal allergies, sneezing — Amanda @ 6:33 pm

Its summer but you’re feeling lousy. You might have a runny nose, congestion and watery eyes, but you’re unable to tell if it’s a summer cold or seasonal allergies. Telling the difference between a cold and allergies is difficult to do – especially if you need to choose between Benadryl and Claritin. Read on to learn about the difference between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.

Colds are caused by viruses that trigger symptoms because of your body’s immune response. The common cold is contagious and causes symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and congestion. Allergies, on the other hand, are not caused by a virus but by an overactive immune system. When harmless substances (like pollen) enter your body, your body over-reacts and releases the chemical histamine into your blood stream. This causes swelling in your nasal passages, coughing, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. Allergies are not contagious, but can be commonly mistaken for a cold.

How to determine if you have a cold or allergies:

Colds

Symptoms of a cold are slightly different than symptoms of allergies. Colds tend to last anywhere between 3 days and 2 weeks. They are most common in the winter, but you can catch a summer cold. The symptoms tend to take a few days to appear after the infection with the virus occurs.

Common symptoms: aches, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose (yellow mucus). It is not likely that you will have itchy or watery eyes if you have a cold.

Allergies

Symptoms of allergies can last days to months – as long as you are exposed to the allergen that triggers your symptoms. Allergies usually occur in the spring and summer months when pollen and allergens are more likely to be airborne, but allergies can occur at any time of year. Usually your symptoms will occur immediately after you have been exposed to an allergen.

Common symptoms: Itchy or watery eyes, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose (usually clear mucus), and sometimes fatigue. If you have allergies, you will never have a fever or aches.

The symptoms of colds and allergies are very similar; however the main difference is that colds don’t normally last more than 14 days.

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May 7, 2010

Beating Springtime Allergies

Filed under: allergies — Tags: allergies, allergy medication, pollen, springtime allergies — Nicole @ 7:13 pm

It’s finally springtime, and after a few long months of snowy gloom, the plants are beginning to bud and new life is spreading across the nation. However, though the springtime brings us the much-wanted sunshine that we’ve waited for all winter long, it also brings back that dreaded allergen – pollen. Pollen is the main cause of all seasonal allergies. In the springtime, most people are aggravated by the presence of tree pollen, as most species of trees will begin pollination in January and can last until April.

Allergies will affect different people in different ways. Generally, when pollen enters your system, your body reacts by releasing histamine into your body, the same chemical that are responsible for triggering an allergic reaction, which will often cause the general allergy symptoms – itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses, hives. Most allergic reactions to pollen will cause only mild allergy symptoms; however, knowing how to avoid and relieve these allergy symptoms is always helpful.

Avoiding the Effects of Springtime Allergies:

* Wash Hands – Keeping your hands clean will additionally keep them pollen-free, which will help you to avoid the skin agitation that is commonly associated with springtime allergies.
* Keep Windows Closed – The pollens that tend to trigger allergic reactions are often carried around by the wind. Keep your home pollen-free by assuring that no windows (or doors) are left open.
* Use your Dryer – Though it may not be the most energy-efficient machine, it’s important to use your dryer during the springtime, as pollen may collect in your clothing or bedding when it’s hung out on the line.
* Sleep In – Pollen is generally emitted from plants between the hours of five and ten in the morning. You don’t necessarily have to sleep in to avoid contact with pollen, rather just stay indoors to avoid unnecessary contact with pollen.
* Try Medication – If none of these techniques seem to help your allergies, talk to your doctor about taking a medication that is formulated for relief from allergies.

Springtime allergies can be difficult, annoying and distracting, however, with the right techniques; it’s easy to avoid the effects that pollens have on your body.

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January 21, 2010

5 Things you Didn’t know About a Sneeze

Filed under: allergies,cold and flu,hayfever,pollen,sneezing,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 5:12 pm

1. The scientific name for sneezing is Sternutation – sneezing occurs when something tickles the lining of the nose. The nerves in the nose lining send a signal to the brain, which initiates a chain of messages to other parts of the body – chest, face, eyelids, abdomen, mucus glands, and the sphincter. All these parts work to expel the thing irritating your nose. When we sleep, the nerves are at rest which explains why its impossible to sneeze while sleeping.

2. There are lots of things that make us sneeze – Things like dust and pollen allergies and pepper are considered the most common sneeze triggers, but they aren’t the only triggers. Strong smells and changes in temperature can make us sneeze too. Sometimes, plucking your eyebrows can trigger a sneeze because of the nerve stimulation in an area close to the nose. One in three people sneeze when they go out into the sunlight. There is also a gene that causes multiple consecutive sneezing in some people that happens after eating a big meal.

3. You can’t sneeze with your eyes open – Scientists still don’t understand why our eyes shut when we sneeze. Some people believe that its an adaptation that protects our eyes from the particles that leave the mouth and nose during a sneeze. Others believe its another muscle contraction that takes place during a sneeze. Even though a sneeze doesn’t cause an extremely high enough amount of pressure behind the eyes, I still believe that your eyes close during a sneeze so that your eyeballs don’t fly out.

4. A sneeze travels fast - A single sneeze can travel up to 100km/h. The particles that come out when we sneeze can reach up to 5 feet beyond your body. This fact makes it more important to cover our faces and reach for the hand sanitizer when we sneeze. This will help to prevent spreading a cold or flu virus to others. The bacteria that diffuses into the air after a sneeze can spread up to 150 feet away meaning that we can be walking through a persons sneeze without even noticing it.

5. In Nebraska, USA it is against the law to burp or sneeze in a church – That one speaks for itself.

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