Understanding the Causes of Allergies and Sensitivities

1 Having too much of anything

We can become sensitive to virtually anything if we have a large enough dose of it. What constitutes too much is entirely subjective; everyone's threshold is different. But whatever that level is, going over it will cause a sensitivity reaction.

People often become sensitive to foods they most love, if they overindulge in those foods. Wheat sensitivity is very common among bread lovers.

Any stimulus has a threshold which, when exceeded, leads to sensitivity. The solution is usually to avoid the object you have become sensitive to for a period of time, after which the body will have time to recover.

In our example, the bread lover needs to abstain from bread made with wheat for a period of time. After that, it's likely that he or she will be able to eat bread again, in more moderate amounts, without a sensitivity reaction.

2 Stress

When the body is trying to cope with more demands that it can handle, any extra demands are a real struggle for the body.

The last straw (that broke its back) was not in itself the problem for the camel: it was the weight of the rest of the load rather than the straw itself. In the same way it's not necessarily the substance itself, which the body has reacted to, that is the problem for the body, but the overload of stress the body is bearing.

3 An association connecting the allergen, or object of sensitivity, to a situation that, on an unconscious level, the person wishes to avoid

When a person wants to avoid something but is unwilling to admit to this on a conscious level, the body will often find a way to help the person avoid it.

For example, my client had resentments against her mother and didn't want to visit her, but for various reasons wouldn't admit this to herself. Her mother owned a cat, and my client developed an allergic response to cats. This gave her a genuine reason to avoid visiting her mother, while allowing her not to admit the resentments to herself.

4 A particular congenital or genetic intolerance to a particular stimulus or allergen

There are some things that the body, by a biological necessity, can only cope with in small measures, or just needs to avoid, if at all possible.

These are the rarer cases, I believe, and this shouldn't be the escape clause that stops you taking action to heal the problem.

5 A mistake of the immune system

In fact, I suspect that the body doesn't really make a mistake at all.

What happens is that an intolerance or allergy develops at a time of stress overload. By the time stress levels have moderated the body has become accustomed to producing a particular response. There's no longer any need for the body to respond in this way, but the response has become habitual.

These are the easiest allergies to heal, and some skilled NLP practitioners and many kinesiologists can do this. (Kinesiologists, by the way, are generally able accurately to identify allergies and sensitivities.)

Healing allergies and sensitivities that require identifying and resolving specific experiences from the past, or reducing general stress levels, involves a particular expertise that very few therapists are able to offer.

A Chocolate Allergy

Nowadays, an allergy to chocolate is one of the most popular events not only in children but also in adults. But we all love so tasty and sweet product as chocolate. What to do in this situation?

It should be noted that an allergy to chocolate is not just a rash but also discomfort. This is a serious stress for the whole body and especially to the liver. As for the cocoa, it is not a typical allergen causing allergies in humans only in very rare cases. But the various ingredients that accompany the cocoa in chocolate can quite affect the well-being and health. Such foods include: sugar, nuts, milk protein, soy, and others.

In addition, poor sanitation at chocolates homeland can also be allergenic factor. This fact is not surprising at all, because the cocoa beans are very fond of the local cockroaches. Of course, insects are always destroyed, but chitin may remain in the grains.

Manufacturers try as hard as possible to reduce the use of pure chocolates due to the constant rise in prices for cocoa products, continually diluting it with all sorts of nut fillings. Namely nuts are the most powerful nutritional supplement that can ultimately cause an allergy to chocolate in humans. Another ingredient in chocolate is milk which contains many useful elements. But not every person can safely consume this product because of lactase deficiency. And it can also lead, in its turn, to allergies. There are a lot of chocolate bars includes a variety of fruit supplements: apples, cherries, plums, and others. In fact it is no secret that these ingredients can easily cause an allergic reaction. Soy is also considered one of the most common elements, which is found in chocolate. This additive causes allergic reactions in children from 2 to 3 years.

Nutritionists do not recommend chocolate for children under 5 years old. In most cases, allergies occur after excessive consumption of this product. But namely children like sweet very much and eat it uncontrollably, constantly exposing themselves to this type of allergy. How it is not surprising, but it is quite a normal situation if there was an allergy after eating pounds of chocolate. The body is simply struggling with a huge dose of fats and proteins. If a rash occurs after a small piece of candy, then you should seek medical advice immediately. In this case, can be severe allergy to a particular component of chocolate.

Using TAT to Heal Allergies and Sensitivities

Although people are genetically more or less predisposed to allergy (those whose parents suffer allergies are more likely to suffer from them), all allergies and sensitivities have specific and identifiable causes. Sometimes these causes are simple to identify and resolve, but when they are complex and multiple resolving them can involve intricate work.

When I help people to resolve their allergy or sensitivity the work may include

healing emotional stress from past experiences;

addressing the particular experiences that have contributed to the allergy or sensitivity;

using kinesiology to balance the body; and

helping the body to recognize the allergen or object of sensitivity as harmless.

Often I will employ a method called Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), created by Tapas Fleming, an acupuncturist. She created the technique originally to heal allergy, but quickly discovered it had many other uses too.

TAT is very simple to use for yourself and is very effective in healing allergies and sensitivities. I recommend that you try TAT for yourself on any allergies and sensitivities that you have - there's no risk of harm and you have nothing to lose. The following application is my own and may not be recognized or approved by Tapas Fleming.

(1) Focus on one allergen (IMPORTANT: do not do this if there is any danger of anaphylaxis; if in doubt, seek medical advice) or a substance you're sensitive to, and notice how your body reacts to it. You will probably experience a mild reaction.

(2) Tell your body that you're now ready for the allergy or sensitivity to heal, and you'd like your body to help you to achieve this.

(3) Hold three points on your face, the TAT pose, as follows. (a) With your dominant hand, place the tips of ring finger and thumb lightly at the sides of your nose just next to the inside corners of your eyes; apply the slightest pressure very gently upwards, towards your eyebrows. (b) Place your middle finger lightly midway between your eyebrows.

(4) Place the palm of your other hand lightly over the lower part of the back of your head (your occiput). As far as you can, relax your arm muscles.

(5) Don't be in your head; just be with the physical feelings and the thought of the allergen or substance you're sensitive to and be aware of your responses. Stay in the TAT pose.

(6) Acknowledge whatever comes up, happens, or changes - whether feelings or memories, or anything else. Don't try to do anything; just be with it and observe.

(7) Let your body know that all of this is now ready to heal, and it's healing now.

(8) When you feel you've had enough, or when you feel something has shifted or changed you can release the TAT pose.

(9) Focus again on the allergen or substance and notice how you now feel. If something has changed but you're still uncomfortable, hold the TAT pose some more, focusing on the discomfort. If you don't get any adverse reaction, you can test it in the real world.

This may well heal the allergy or sensitivity, or at least make it more comfortable. Most allergies and sensitivities can be healed, but you may need the help of a good kinesiologist.

Allergist Initial Consultation

Does your runny nose or rash make you think it is time to contact an allergist? Some people attribute their allergies to changes in the weather or different types of climates. While these solutions are possible it still makes more sense to seek out assistance from a professional. It takes the guesswork out of diagnosis and could be the first step to feeling better and avoiding future symptoms.

Finding an Allergist

Whether your doctor is suggesting that you see a specialist or you are looking for someone on your own, start by seeking out local options. You may want to contact your health insurance company to see which offices are covered and how much you will need to pay out of pocket. In some cases, you may need to get a referral from your primary care physician in order to have your appointment with the allergist covered.

Describing Your Symptoms

Allergies are not always consistent. Some times seem worse than others and if these issues are fairly new, you may not be able to see a pattern developing. Before you go in to meet the allergist, do the best that you can to write down the different symptoms that you are experiencing and when they occur. If sniffles show up only in the summertime or you notice that you tend to wheeze only when you are out in a friend's garden, your doctor needs to know. This can help him or her try to diagnose your issue.

While you will probably need some testing to confirm your doctor's suspicions, the more detail you can provide the better. Patients often struggle to come up with a good description while they are in the doctor's office. They can't remember the last time they felt this way or how long the symptoms last. A journal will help both you and the practitioner come up with some solutions.

Learning About Your Options

After talking to an allergist and going through some testing, you should have some idea of what you are struggling with and how you can deal with it. For some, this means medications during certain times of the year to avoid the symptoms. Others may need to go through a number of different treatments before there is any progress. Either way, you have some choices.

Before making a decision, consider weighing out all of your options. Learn all that you can about the medications and treatments that are offered. See if there are other side effects and then decide which of the treatments and procedures will give you the best results along with a clear bill of health. If there are no real solutions, you can always find a way to manage the symptoms and get the most out of your life, despite the allergies.

What Is An Electrostatic Air Filter?

If you are tired of having to buy new air filters for your home or business every month an electrostatic air filter may be just what you need. The air inside your home or office contains particles which act as carriers for bacteria, viruses and other harmful pollutants. Reducing the pollutants can not only have a positive effect on your indoor air quality, but it could save you money on the maintenance of your HVAC (heating/cooling) equipment as well.

An electrostatic air filter is designed to trap unwanted air pollutants as they pass through your home or business HVAC system. These filters are the exact size as standard furnace filters. Unlike the cheap cardboard and poor design of a standard filter an electrostatic filter consists of five layers of filter media designed to offer high efficiency filtration.

Two layers are specially woven black polypropylene material. One layer is flexible polyurethane foam. Two additional layers are specially woven white polypropylene material. The media is then held in place by a rigid heavy duty aluminum channel with a welded wire cloth on the front and the back.

The combination of these layers forces the air to pass through creating a static charge which causes the media to attract and hold the nasty airborne particles. The polyurethane foam is manufactured to such a density that it is capable of capturing particles as little as.3 microns (1 micron = 0.0001 centimeter).

Additional advantages of an electrostatic air filter include a high dust weight resistance, low air flow resistance, no ozone is produced, no electrical power is required and all this while saving on HVAC maintenance costs.

The end result will trap up to 92% of the dust, pollen, mold spores, and animal dander that circulate in the HVAC system. While there are different brands the Steamatic electrostatic air filter rank among the top performing electrostatic filters on the market. These Air Filters require minimal maintenance by washing every 30 to 45 days. In order to work properly though you really do have to clean them. To remove oily, greasy or smoky deposits, it may be necessary to spray the filter with a good household detergent. If a detergent is needed make sure to rinse the filter well.

The filters are available in custom sizes to fit any unit, and also come with a lifetime guarantee. You will never have to buy another replacement filter again.

The Ins And Outs Of Coping With Allergies

Even though most people are aware if allergies and the symptoms, not all people know that living a life with allergies is frustrating. Avoiding allergic triggers could be an easy solution, but it is not that effective for individuals that have symptoms associated to particles that are in the air. Read on for more information.

Be sure that you use your allergy medication as directed. Most of these medications need to be taken for many days for them to be effective. So don't expect immediate relief if you applied nasal spray once. Discuss the right dosage with your doctor.

Clean your house as thoroughly as possibly to eliminate even the smallest trace of mold. Mold is toxic and harmful to the human body. Since it is a common allergen, it is wise to get rid of it and keep it under control.

Many individuals dealing with allergies have been advised that humidifiers can be used at night to moisturize airways. This can actually be harmful, as humidifier mist will settle on carpeting and encourage mold growth. Nasal saline spray administered at bedtime is a far better idea.

Do not allow your pets to go outside very often on the days that the pollen count or humidity is extremely high. This is caused by pollen getting in the animal's fur and coming into your home, this can trigger a reaction.

To avoid cross contamination when it comes to allergy causing foods, try having the entire family eat allergy-free foods. Removing allergy-causing foods from your home eliminates the possibility that traces of these foods will get into an allergy sufferers meal during food preparation sessions.

A lot of people are allergic to their pets due to the dander they carry. If this is the case, give your dog or cat or any other pet a bath on a consistent basis. The allergen at issue here is pet dander, and you will run into a less of it after your pets have had a good wash. You should have someone else bathe your pet because you don't want to have a reaction, but if they are clean then that can reduce the chances of you becoming allergic.

If you suffer from a food allergy you should bring snacks that are safe to eat while traveling, so that you always have access to allergen-free food. When you are in an unfamiliar place, it can sometimes be difficult to find or read nutrition labels and ingredients - making it much easier to accidentally trigger a reaction from common ingredients, such as nuts and soy.

If you have not had success with your first few attempts to relieve your allergies, don't give up. There are other allergy medications available, other than oral medications. As an example, you might try an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or wash, eye drops for allergies, or prescribed medications, including leukotriene blockers or nasal steroids.

Get more probiotics into your system. A great way to do this is to eat yogurt or drink kefir. According to some experts, probiotics can help make your body more resistant to allergens. This would make your allergy symptoms much easier to deal with. You will find that these natural remedies offer widespread benefits to your body.

Cross-contamination of foods is a good way to spread allergies around, so be sure to keep foods separate if someone has allergies. If you bring foods into your home that another family member is allergic to, it is very tough to avoid contamination issues. Lessen the risk by not bringing those foods around.

Make sure your bathroom has a lot of ventilation to prevent mildew and mold. Mold and mildew like warm and damp areas. When you are done showering, put on your bathroom's fan and hang washcloths and towels on bars. If this isn't a option, open up a window in order to let fresh air circulate around.

Now that you know what you can do to fight you allergies, it's time to start doing it. Sniffling, sneezing, and coughing do not need to rule your life anymore. Rest assured that when the seasons change, you won't experience any change. Start by trying one or more of the helpful tips that you picked up from this informative article.

Allergy Tips That Will Improve Your Life

Allergies are something that affects people around the world. Foods, pet dander, pollen, mold and a number of other allergens can cause allergy symptoms. If you're among the many who have to deal with allergy, you know how much you want to get relief when your symptoms flare up. The article below discusses ways that you can comfortably live with your allergies.

Antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin are useful products to keep on hand in the event that you experience an allergic reaction. This medication is particularly effective for fighting histamines, the culprit behind most allergic reactions. Be aware, however, that diphenhydramine won't work for some allergic reactions.

Take out the carpet at your residence to minimize your issues with allergens. Pollen, pet dander, dust, dust mites and other allergens get trapped in carpeting despite frequent cleaning, and contribute to allergies. If you get rid of your wall-to-wall carpeting and install hardwood flooring instead, you can put area rugs over the hardwood flooring, which you can steam clean every once in a while to remove allergens.

Talk to a doctor before taking any allergy medicine. They can help you figure out which medication will work best for you based on your symptoms.

Take your allergy problems to a medical professional, preferably an allergist. You do not have to suffer through another changing of the seasons if you can find ways to avoid it. Based on your symptoms and medical history, a doctor can pinpoint the cause or causes of your allergies and make an appropriate recommendation. A treatment plan can help you live a fulfilling life.

If you suffer from allergies, you should not have many rugs or carpets in your home. Unfortunately pollen and dust tend to collect on them. If you have area rugs, make sure you buy washable ones so that you can regularly wash to remove allergens.

Boost your immune system by including vitamin C-rich foods into your diet or taking dietary supplements. There is loads of vitamin-C in fruits and fruit juices, and you can also find supplements that don't cost that much.

If you're taking basic allergy medication, be sure to use it the right way. Many times it is found that medications do not start making a noticeable difference until after a few days. Don't just start taking pills without learning how to use them. Discuss the right dosage with your doctor.

If you are going to be exercising outside during the times of the year that there are high pollen levels, do so either very early in the morning or late in the evening. Not only is the weather usually better for you to exercise more effectively, but the pollen is also at its lowest levels.

People are susceptible to different allergens at different points in their life. Infants, for example, are introduced to proteins through their foods, resulting in a higher food allergy rate in younger people. As your children grow they can be exposed to a lot of different protein allergies and become allergic to pollen. If your son or daughter appears to show signs of pollen or spore allergies, be sure not to disregard the possibility of an allergic reaction just because there were no previous signs of a problem.

Get a humidifier. A humidifier could halt allergens from moving about your house. The water droplets that come out of it will attract the allergens and prevent them from spreading. This means there won't be as many allergens around to trigger your allergies.

Make sure your bathroom has a lot of ventilation to prevent mildew and mold. Mold and mildew like warm and damp areas. When you are done showering, put on your bathroom's fan and hang washcloths and towels on bars. If this isn't a option, open up a window in order to let fresh air circulate around.

Allergies are an inconvenient consequence of your body's immune system. There are too many people who have resigned themselves to their allergies because they don't really understand them. If you can learn about why you have allergies, you will be able to get rid of the side effects of having them.

What an Allergy Is and What Causes Reactions

When you think of the word allergy, many images may come to mind. You may picture someone with swollen watery eyes, a runny nose, and excessive sneezing. These are indeed all symptoms of reactions. And you've probably heard of all the over the counter medicines that claim to relieve these symptoms. Sufferers of these conditions might react to environmental effects such as pollen or insect bites. Other people may react to certain foods. Today you will learn exactly what allergic reactions are, how they are caused, and the best way to get treatment. That way your sensitivities and discomfort can be under control.

So, you may be wondering how reactions actually work. An allergy is basically a disorder of the immune system causing odd reactions to various environmental elements. This condition in individuals is caused when the body develops antibodies against an element that it has been exposed to many times before. Elements that cause these reactions are known as allergens. When an allergic reaction occurs, this means that an allergen has attached to proteins on certain cells. These cells discharge the chemicals that cause the symptoms.

Allergic problems usually run in families and it is a mystery why some people suffer from this condition while others don't. But there are many different types of hypersensitivities. Some you may be quite familiar with. Hay fever is a very common type of reaction. Hay fever is basically caused by pollens and particles. The symptoms of course can be sneezing, sinus problems, and swollen eyes. But there are many other types of allergies besides hay fever. Others include hives, insect sting reactions, nut reactions, drug reactions, and mold responses as well. There are a variety of allergic responses that can be triggered by different foods. It all depends on the individual.

Most allergy types have a specific over the counter medicine that can be purchased at a drug store. But some reactions are more dangerous. When this happens it is best to get the proper treatment and learn of the best ways of prevention. There are specialists known as allergists that can handle these situations. Allergic responses are very common in America. Most people have suffered at some point. This is why allergists are necessary. A specialist can tell the patient of ways to steer clear of allergens. For severe reactions the allergist can prescribe medications. There are also shots available for those who need relief. There is also therapy. Undergoing therapy doses will mean less need for prescription medications.

Now that you know all about how allergies work you might be able to identify the cause of all of your symptoms. If your reactions are uncomfortable or severe you can see a specialist as soon as possible. There are ways to lessen and relieve the symptoms so that they don't interfere with your daily life. If the pills, tablets, and lotions that you currently use are not offering much help, you can upgrade to some treatments that are specifically designed for your particular needs. Help is available.