Allergies Weekly Blog

Allergy Shots

2009-11-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, this article will only hurt a little.

Immunotherapy was developed based on the theory that postulates that increasing exposure to allergens can help one develop a tolerance to said allergens. A vaccine including small doses of allergens such as grasses or dust will be injected into your arm, and will trigger a minor immune response, and this process will be repeated weekly for months, even years, until signs of allergic reaction are reduced.

While the general effectiveness of immunotherapy has been demonstrated though empirical evidence, it does not work with the same rate of success for everyone. I had allergy shots for 5 years and never saw a reduction in symptoms, but a friend of mine saw marked improvement in a year and nearly all allergic response gone in a few more years.

If you have allergies, it would behoove you to speak to your allergy specialist about getting shots because right now it's the closest thing we have to an actual cure. While it will probably cause you some temporary discomfort, it does have a good success rate and could improve your life considerably.

Just remember to bring your favorite book or iPod to the office, because after having the solution administered, you generally need to be monitored for 15 or so minutes just to make sure you don't have a severe reaction. If you do have a reaction, the office or clinic will have emergency procedures in place to ensure that you will be okay.

Nasal Sprays

2009-11-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

Thumb tibes you ged a plugged nose.

It happens to the best of us, regardless of the measures we take to reduce exposure to allergens. You'll wake up in the morning with a dry mouth and throat with your nostrils completely or partially closed. You try to gently blow your nose, but that only makes things worse. You try to apply air pressure by plugging your nostrils and blowing, but that only opens them up for a moment. That's when you strike!

There are generally going to be one or more of three active ingredients in your average nasal spray:

Saline: salt-water can often help to alleviate the symptom of dryness and can help to flush your nose of some of the schmutz that can build up. It's very helpful and doesn't contain anything close to processed chemicals. This would be the best for low to moderate congestion and dryness.

Antihistamine: You had to see this one coming. When you apply a spray-antihistamine to the inside of your nose, you're introducing a local which can compete with histamines for receptors, reducing the allergic reaction.

Decongestants: This is your atom bomb in the situation. If you can't breathe out of your nose at all, you can apply the pressure above and then apply something like Afrin to each nostril. The chemicals constrict blood vessels in the nose, forcing the swelling in the lining of the nose down. Please note, however, that nasal decongestants are only intended to be used short-term. Long-term use of nasal decongestants can do damage to the mucous membranes of the nose, causing more permanent congestion symptoms. You don't want that, so please use nasal decongestants as ordered by your doctor.

Personally, the best nasal spray I've ever used is Afrin "Extra Moisturizing", which likely has more of a saline solution than other types of Afrin. I've never used it more than two days in a row and I only use it a few times during the fall when my nasal congestion is at its worst, but it's been highly successful in treating my symptoms.

Wait, There's an Allergy for That?

2009-11-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

There will be times when you come across someone that names an allergy of theirs that sounds, quite simply, fictitious. One of the following is a real allergy:

"I have to wire my house for ethernet because I'm allergic to wifi."

"I'd love to get back into shape, but I'm allergic to jogging."

"Scotland sounds like a lovely place to vacation, but I'm allergic."

Can you guess the real allergy? The answer may surprise you. It's jogging. Yes, really. There's a condition called vibration allergy, which can be triggered by the movements and friction of jogging. Unfortunately, there's probably no master list of every confirmed allergy in the world, so we're left guessing the difference between people being silly (like wifi allergies) and people with a serious medical condition.

What does this mean? It's better to be safe than to be sorry. If someone tells you he or she has an allergy to gasoline or rubber, do what you can to make sure they're not exposed. My grandmother is allergic to gasoline, and it means that she needs someone else to pump her gas. It's not her fault at all, so the skepticism that she faces really isn't grounded in reality.

Skepticism sometimes means admitting that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Cats: a Love/Hate Relationship

2009-10-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

How do you react to this picture? I can tell you I have a bit of a dual reaction: I find this kitten both adorable and avoidable. I've already checked to see if windows are open and spotted my closest exit. I know I've got some Benadryl in the car along with my emergency inhaler, and my medical card is in my wallet. But, you know, adorable.

Ever since I was a baby I've had a love/hate relationship with felines. I love them, they're wonderful companions, but I can't ever build a relationship with one unless I decide they're worth the cost of an airtight suit. My first allergy attack was after meeting my paternal grandparents' cat, Sam, a tabby (not dissimilar than the kitten above).

As I've covered before, dander and saliva from animals like cats can act as an irritant and, when combined with the wrong immune system, can trigger a moderate to incredibly severe allergic reaction. Symptoms for cat allergies are heavy on the respiratory, causing coughing, wheezing, chest tightening, and asthma. Moderate reactions include itching and rash along with eye irritation. It's not fun. Worse still, dander and saliva particles can be quite small, beating some filters on the market.

What can be done? When avoidance simply isn't possible, there are naturally steps that can be taken to reduce the severity and frequency of allergy attacks and symptoms. The most obvious action would be to reduce the amount of allergens by having HEPA air filters and vacuuming often. If you're not vigilant with these, living with a cat can be torture. Beyond that, when you wash clothing, bedding, and other fabrics, you must do so in hot water. The hot water is more efficient in breaking up allergens so they can be washed away. For the love of god, don't let your cat sleep on your bed, or even in your bedroom. You should also air out the house when you can because there's no faster way to get stuffy, allergen-filled air out of your house than a decent wind.

So, cat allergy sufferers, how do you deal? Do you have a cat? Are you interested in a cat? Have you learned to live with a cat for a significant other?

The Prodigious Failure that was the Ionic Breeze

2009-10-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

It started out as the new product to beat by Sharper Image. The Ionic Breeze air filter touted new technology, near silent operation, no filters to replace, and the energy consumption of a small lightbulb. Sure it was a bit on the expensive side—I remember turning white standing at the counter of the local Sharper Image back in 2001 when I was purchasing mine—but it was Sharper Image and the hype was very impressive. I chose the Ionic Breeze over the Oreck air filter and a Kenmore HEPA filter, despite the price, because I was trying to be green.

It stood in a corner of my room, silently blowing a gentle breeze (an ionic breeze, even), filling their air with an interesting if artificial smell which I interpreted as "clean air". It even came with a smaller version with a night light that I put in my bathroom. I sat back, ever so proud of myself, knowing that soon my allergies and asthma would be a thing of the past. At least in my bedroom and bathroom. Boy, was I wrong.

The problems with the Ionic Breeze started about 7 years ago, when Consumer Reports released a scathing review which not only concluded that the air filter ineffective at filtering out things like dust and pollen, it was actually unhealthy. A few years later, it was actually discovered that the device released ozone, a dangerous irritant that, among other things, can make worse symptoms related to breathing disorders.

I remember clearly walking out to the recycling bin to toss $300 worth of bogus air-filter technology.

Believe it or not there's a lesson to be taken away from the Ionic Breeze. First, don't confuse hype for good science. Had I talked to my doctor about this instead of impulsively buying it, I could have avoided several years worth of ozone, more severe allergies and asthma. Turns out my allergy specialist figured out the ozone problem pretty quickly (he at least had concerns), and could have pointed me in a better direction. Second, being green should always be a secondary concern to overall health. It's important to be ecologically responsible, of course, but one should do so within a proper context. It would be very green for one to live in the woods and eat bugs and bark, but one would end up a lot worse off for it. In this case, there's no shame in using a little more juice on a traditional fan-powered air filter. Finally, if something seems to expensive, it probably is.

Next week: Cat allergies!

Prevention: Air Filters

2009-10-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Of all the tools in my allergy arsenal, the most powerful by far is my air filter. I've got a HEPA filter on my central heating, HEPA on my A/C, and a portable HEPA air purifier. You could perform open heart surgery in my house. Needless to say, I'm a fan of the HEPA filter.

Most allergens you're going to come into contact with are airborne. It's pollen and mold and dust and mites. Filters won't protect you from a nut allergy or from that stomachache from milk products, but otherwise an air filter is a great investment.

There are four basic classifications of air filters out there.

1) Mechanical. A mechanical filter will push air through a special mesh which traps airborne particulates. HEPA filters are generally mechanical filters.

2) Gas. A gas filter works by scrubbing air of bad smells and toxic gasses via the use of chemicals. You might have seen a gas filter being used in a HVAC system in commercial and industrial buildings.

3) Electrostatic. In theory, electricity is run through electrostatic precipitators (sometimes with a fan). The contaminants are electrically charged and then are electrostatic-ly attracted to the precipitators. You may have seen ionic filters before like the Ionic Breeze from Sharper Image (I'll have an article about that device next week).

4) Hybrids. Generally a hybrid filter is a combination of the electrostatic and mechanical filters.

Gas filters don't really remove common allergens and the electrostatic filter has a very suspect history, so my personal recommendation would be the use of mechanical filtration systems. My filters make the late summer/early fall months bearable.

A Drop in the Bucket: Eye Drops

2009-10-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, here it comes.... don't blink. Just hold it open for a second, you have to be at work soon and you can't show up looking like you washed your face with the cat.

Eye drops are that special kind of treatment that can go a long way to hide your allergy symptoms from the world, but with the advent of antihistamine eye drops the world is finally looking a bit clearer. The ocular inflammation symptomatic of an allergic reaction can be not only an eye-sore, but can also be incredibly uncomfortable and even dangerous (say, if you're driving). While your body's natural response of tearing up can help to wash clean the surface of the eye, they do nothing to battle the histamines which are roaming freely.

I've been using Visine-A for about a year now and I've found that the combination of antihistamine and vasoconstrictor really help to alleviate most if not all allergy symptoms associated with my eyes. The antihistamines don't enter the bloodstream the same way an oral antihistamine might, but can help to alleviate the effects of airborne allergens such as pollen. The vasoconstrictor narrows the blood vessels slightly, making your eyes appear less red.

Alternative Medicine: Buteyko Breathing Method

2009-10-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

I've suffered from asthma since I was an early teenager. At first, it was slight difficulty breathing during heavy activity near grasses, but it eventually grew to include many different types of plant pollen and animal ~~dander~~ saliva. Fortunately, I was able to get a prescription for Albuterol (salbutamol) to deal with attacks, and the symptoms were easily treatable.

Unfortunately, beginning January 1, 2009, CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) inhalers became illegal due to CFCs damaging the atmosphere. For those that are unaware, CFC inhalers were the gold standard of asthma inhalers, proven to be much more effective than alternatives. CFC acted as a propellant for the salbutamol medication, which causes smooth muscle relaxation, dilating the bronchial passages and releasing insulin. The replacement inhalers use HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) as a propellant. HFA is not as strong as CFC, it tends to clog more often, it's more expensive, has a reduced shelf-life, and, most importantly, is less effective in administering the often life-saving medication as it has a lower concentration of the drug. I experienced this first hand when switching from my CFC Albuterol to my newer HFA Proventil. In my own experience (not scientific) it was less effective and the effect of the drug was shorter overall.

I still suffer from asthma, so I decided to seek out other options. My first searches yielded unsupported pseudoscience such as acupuncture, meditation, and prayer. Alternative, non prescription medications I tried (such as Primatene tablets) were nearly ineffective. I'd nearly given up hope when I stumbled upon an old website on the Buteyko method.

The Buteyko method is a holistic practice that includes a set of breathing exercises developed by Russian doctor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko. Essentially, the theory is that asthma is not as much an allergic reaction as it is simply irregular breathing; hyperventilation. An asthma sufferer will breathe in, but not exhale correctly during an attack, which worsens the symptoms. Remember, just as your body needs oxygen in order to function, your body also needs carbon dioxide and bicarbonate.

So what is this technique? Essentially it's reduced breathing through the nose and relaxation. When you feel the symptoms of asthma, sit calmly with your back straight, close your mouth and breathe slowly through your nose. When you're relaxed, exhale completely from your lungs until they are empty or nearly empty. Now wait. When you start to feel uncomfortable, breathe slowly in through your nose. Repeat this, staying calm. Do not try this on your own, though. It's a bit more complicated than my description.

I've been using this technique for about 4 weeks now and it's been phenomenal. My asthma symptoms have been not only controlled during attacks, but have been lessening in frequency steadily.

Before you get on my case about this being pseudoscience or my experience not being scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the technique, every clinical, randomized study done on the technique has demonstrated that the technique reduces the need for medication and improves asthma control. Some studies can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.

If you're interested in learning the Buteyko breathing method, please speak to your asthma specialist first. I am not a doctor, and it's always better to be skeptical of things of this nature. If your doctor gives you the okay, you need to find a licensed physician to assess you and then guide you through the process. Do not learn this technique from an unlicensed practitioner.

I hope this can be as helpful for you as it has been so far for me.

Meet an Allergen: Grass

2009-09-25T12:15:00.001-07:00

Once a month, I like to give a sort of overview of a particular common allergen. This month, we'll be studying a particularly common allergen: grass.

Grass: any plant of the family Gramineae, an important and widely distributed group of vascular plants, having an extraordinary range of adaptation. Numbering approximately 600 genera and 9,000 species, the grasses form the climax vegetation in great areas of low rainfall throughout the world: the prairies and plains of North America, the savannas and pampas of South America, the steppes and plains of Eurasia, and the veldt of Africa. Most grasses are annual or perennial herbs with fibrous roots and, often, rhizomes. The stems are always noded and are typically hollow and swollen at the nodes, although many genera have solid stems. The leaves have two parts: a sheath surrounding the stem (called the culm in grasses); and a blade, usually flat and linear. The flowers are of a unique form, the inflorescence being subdivided into spikelets each containing one or more tiny florets. (In other flowering plants the inflorescences are clusters of separate flowers, never spikelets.) The dry seedlike fruit is called a caryopsis, or grain.

Grass may not look it, but it can release a surprising amount of pollen beginning in early spring and ending in late summer to early fall. Each of these small, spherical grains can be carried many miles and each of them looks suspiciously similar to the Death Star.

Coincidence?

Symptoms of grass allergies include breathing difficulties, dry cough, sneezing, headache, runny nose and mild to severe itching. In order to stave off such reactions, please try to stay indoors during the times of highest pollen count (check the National Allergy Forecast link on the left side for up to date information).

If you're dead set on having ground cover to dress up your yard, you should consider using something which will produce less pollen such as Irish moss, Ice plant, Morning Glory, Gazania, or Dwarf Rosemary. In addition to being more unique and producing less pollen, these also generally require less maintenance which means less time outside during high allergen days.

If you have any additional questions about grass allergies, please contact an allergy specialist.

Gesundheit.

The Masks We Wear (or might wear)

2009-09-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

There are times in an allergy sufferer's life when drugs and avoidance simply can't protect you from the tiny and surprisingly invasive pollens, molds, dusts, and other allergens that can find a way to access your immune system. There are times when the nuclear weapon in the world of allergies must be used: the gas mask.

I'm sure the same things are going through your mind that went through my mind when I first considered this option. Sure, you think, the allergies are really bad right now, but could I really wear a gas mask in public? That's a decision you're going to have to make for yourself, but let me tell you from my experience that there are times when allergies become so severe that it becomes necessary. And there are times when it could even save your life.

Let's start with a primer. There are generally going to be a few stages of mask available to you.

The first is a pollen or dust mask:

This mask is good for basic needs, and can protect you from most airborne allergens, but because of it's design it won't always fit correctly and it won't last very long. They're relatively cheap, and are intended to be tossed out after a few uses.

Next comes the respirator or half mask:

This is the type I use most often. It's generally a much better fit, the filters last much, much longer, and generally it's able to keep out all allergens. You can choose the right filter and put it in yourself to suit your specific needs. This mask can also be useful when you're spraying herbicides or pesticides, using spray paint, and any other instance where you may be around a dangerous inhalant.

Finally, there is the full gas mask:

This may seem like overkill, but it's the best defense available short of living in a bubble. This won't just protect your nose and mouth, but also your eyes (which can be susceptible to allergens). This probably wouldn't be necessary except in the most dire of situations, but don't rule them out if you're prone to severe allergies.

Please consult with your allergy doctor before using a mask, as he or she may have specific recommendations regarding filter-type.

Combination Allergy Drugs

2009-09-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

In the war on allergies, there are times when you're going to need a coalition in order to deal with the onslaught of symptoms, times when just an antihistamine isn't enough for the job. These are times that call for combination allergy drugs.

Allergy-related congestion: For times when you are suffering from rather substantial congestion due to allergies, there are drugs available that pair up an antihistamine with a decongestant. T6he one-two punch is generally able to knock out a wider range of head problems associated with more severe allergies. When looking for an antihistamine/decongestant, look for your favorite antihistamine with a "-D" after it, such as Alavert-D, Aldex-D, Allegra-D, and Zyrtec-D. Please contact your doctor before using these, as decongestants aren't right for everyone (and stronger incarnations of these are generally going to be prescription only).

Allergy-related headache: We've all had them; allergy headaches. Be they from sneezing a few thousand times too many or from sinus pressure, you're in need of an antihistamine and an analgesic. Fortunately, companies like Tylenol have heard your quiet groans for relief and created drugs like Tylenol Allergy and Sinus (something I've been using this week to decent success).

As always, check with your licensed allergy specialist before changing your allergy regiment.

Allergy Myths

2009-09-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ah, allergy myths. We've all heard them; people want to sound knowledgeable or think that they're helping you out, only to end up sending you to Walgreens at midnight to pick up extra strength Benadryl as you curse under your breath. Here are a few of the myths that I've heard, including one from a doctor that shall remain nameless.

Myth #1 If you're allergic to dogs, go short-haired. This is one that's especially common among breeders of short-haired dogs. Sounds good in theory, right? Less hair = less of whatever it is that you're afraid of. Only you may not allergic to what you think. Many people that are allergic to dogs aren't allergic to the hair, but rather canine saliva. Dogs lick themselves to get clean, coating their hair, regardless of length, with saliva, which is then on every piece of dander and hair that comes off them. Those that aren't allergic to the saliva are likely allergic to the animal's skin, which really leads you to the same problem.

Solution: The most obvious solution is avoidance, but if you're like me you adore dogs too much to avoid them for the rest of your life. The first thing you'll want to do is reduce shedding by brushing your dog once a week. This means you remove the hair on your terms, so that it can be disposed of properly and not cover every inch if your new sofa. You'll also want to make your bedroom off-limits to your best buddy. Be sure that if you have internal heating and/or cooling, you have a HEPA filter to ensure that you're not spreading dander and saliva all over the h0use. More still you'll want to vacuum regularly to ensure that dander and saliva levels are always low. Finally, there's no harm in having an outside pet. Dogs may have been domesticated for thousands of years, but that doesn't mean that your dog can't spend some time in the sun.

Myth #2: You won't develop allergies as an adult. You're born with the immune system you die with, but sensitivity can change as you age. I myself was born with an adverse immune reaction to milk, so I had to drink lactose-free milk until I was a teenager, when my sensitivity decreased considerably. I can drink a tall glass of milk now without any allergic reaction (though it can give me a bit of a belly-ache). It's normal for immune response to shift slightly over the course of time.

Solution: simply be vigilant in monitoring yourself. If you notice that you're becoming more sensitive to allergens, see your allergy specialist to get tested in order to determine what you're allergic to. When you've discovered the culprit, you can plan accordingly to deal with it. Knowing is half the battle.

Myth #3: It's the flowers that cause the most allergy problems. Nope! It's grasses, trees, and weeds that generally create the pollens that irritate people the most, not flowers. Tree, grass, and weed pollens need to be broadcasted via the wind in order to be more efficient.

Solution: Smell a flower, they smell nice.

Myth #4: If you regularly ingest local honey, you'll develop a tolerance to local pollens. I'm afraid it's not that simple. As we saw above, trees, grasses, and weeds are generally the culprits when it comes to pollen allergies. Flower pollen already has a delivery service: bees. Because bees have bee collecting and spreading flower pollen for a very long time (since the early Cretaceous, in fact) and because of that, flower pollens don't need the irritating features that are necessary for being carried a long way by the wind.

Solution: Really, you probably should eat local honey because it's important to support local growers, but if you want to get the stuff in the plastic bear that's fine too.

Myth #5: You can develop a tolerance to allergy medicines. My doctor told me this back when I was first developing allergy symptoms as a young child. Back then, it wasn't a myth; first generation antihistamines could be resisted over time. Over the years, though, antihistamine manufacturers have compensated for this.

Solution: Use antihistamines.

Source

Acupuncture and Allergies

2009-08-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine once suggested I try acupuncture in order to treat the symptoms of my allergies. Acupuncture? The thing with the needles that are supposed to be put on "meridians" that align my "energy" (or qi)? Rubbish.

I did some digging when I got home and found out that acupuncture for the treatment of allergy symptoms is actually quite common, even among educated people. Worse still, many people suggest that there's actually scientific evidence to support acupuncture. Seriously, rubbish. In an oft cited article from BBC News, it is suggested that "scientists say they have found proof that acupuncture words in its own right." The scientific study referenced, however, found that if someone sticks a needle into your skin, the area of the brain that can be involved in pain modulation responds. How is that evidence? The same is true if you stub your toe or jam a fork in your eye because another person suggested acupuncture. In fact, the article finishes with this:

"Professor Henry McQuay, professor of pain relief at the University of Oxford and member of the Bandolier group that looks at the evidence behind different medical treatments, said: "The great bulk of the randomised controlled trials to date do not provide convincing evidence of pain relief over placebo."

Ah, so in truth acupuncture does not "work in its own right", but rather evidence suggests that it's a placebo.

Suffering from allergies can be torture and the search for treatment filled with anxiety and frustration, but please always remember that the scientific method is your friend. If something sounds like rubbish, do a bit of research before allowing someone to try and stab your qi.

Still Waiting for a Cure

2009-08-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

The September 8, 2006 issue of Daily Mail featured an article entitled "Allergy Cure Just Three Years Away", suggesting that within the next three years, allergy specialists would have available a cure for allergies and asthma.

"A cure for allergies that affects millions including asthma and hayfever will be available within the next few years, experts have revealed.

Cutting-edge research from around the world will yield a treatment for hay fever by 2009, with a cure for asthma following shortly afterwards."

The theory, or rather prediction from the experts cited in the article, was treatments that prevent allergic reactions could be injected, swallowed or even dropped on the tongue. Allergic reactions are specifically caused by a small amount of protein in food or pollen grain being reacted to by the immune system, so the key to a cure would be in some way either preventing the body from reacting extremely to the foreign protein or to counter the allergen-protein in a way so as to separate it from your immune receptors.

As an allergy sufferer for all of my life, I had to learn that living with allergies meant treating the symptoms instead of the cause, which any doctor can tell you is often a less effective method of maintaining good health. I remember asking my doctor if there could be a cure, only to have him respond that "allergies are determined by your dna, so probably not". If this cure, which may be very well along if the proposed time line in the article is correct, becomes available, the theoretical 1 billion people in the world with allergies could finally be given a chance at being freed from their burden.

Unfortunately, this story has yet to be followed up, and the collective allergy sufferers of the world are left on the edges of our seats, tissues in hand, waiting for the good news. For the time being we will have to wait.

Non-Allergy Related Matter

2009-08-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

This week, a US Federal Judge ruled that Google must turn over the name of an anonymous blogger that said some hurtful things about a former model named Liskula Cohen. As a blogger, I don't particularly like the precedent this sets and, regardless of how I feel about the particular blog ("Skanks in NYC"), the blogger should be allowed his or her anonymity.

Liskula Cohen's thin skin is endangering free press in new media, something which is still in it's fragile infancy.

Welcome to Allergies Weekly

2009-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Allergies Weekly, your source for news, information, and discussions in relation to allergies. The purpose of this blog is the create a community for fellow allergy sufferers and to help with the management of symptoms.

Before going on to anything specific, let's outline some basic facts about allergies:
• Allergies are your immune system reacting to a foreign substance as if it were harmful, despite the fact that it is not generally harmful to others.
• When you are allergic to a substance, that substance is considered to be an allergen.
• Typical allergens are pollens, drugs, lints, bacteria, foods, and dyes or chemicals.
• During an allergic reaction, your immune system creates antibodies, called IgE (Immunoglobulin E), to combine with the allergen in order to prevent it's perceived danger. The IgE attaches itself to mast cells. Mast cells fill a variety of functions in the body, but are commonly found in the airways, and your lungs are particularly susceptile to allergen exposure. The IgEs combine with the allergens and attach themselves to the mast cell, stimulating the mast cell to release several chemicals into the blood, one of which is histamine. Histimines normally are a response to tissue damage, and can cause blood capilaries to dilate. Dilating makes capitlaries more penatrable, allowing liquid to escape into nearby tissues. This reaction generally causes swelling and itching.
• Symptoms of allergies include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy, runny nose, rashes, feeling tired or ill, and hives, though certain allergies can manifest in indigestion and even difficulty breathing.

So now you've had the crash course in allergies, so what now? Now, I blog.

I'm going to get everyone started with the most simple method of managing the most common symptoms of allergies; antihistimines*. Antihistimines are drugs available without a prescription that compete with histimines in your blood for histimine receptor sites. By blocking the receptor sites, they prevent histimines released by mast cells from causing the blood capilaries to dilate.

I've personally discoverd that diphenhydramine (sold as Benadryl) is the most effective antihistimine for me, preventing more allergy symptoms than Claritin, Zyrtec, Clarinex and Allegra. I do have a common side effect of drowsiness after taking Benadryl, but this generally decreases in severity after prolonged use. Others have reported side effects such as dizziness, headache, indigestion, decreased coordination, and dry mouth, though these are generally mild.

Next week, we're going to discuss methods of prevention....

*Note: if you are using an MAOI, have narrow-angle glaucoma, or are breast feeding, please do not use antihistimines.