Wednesday 2 January 2019

Natural Remedies for Children’s Allergies

What’s going on with your kids?

Maybe you’ve noticed a raised red spot on your son’s skin after he’s been playing in the park.
Maybe you hear your daughter sneezing after she pets your neighbor’s cat.
Or you might notice your preteen rubbing his puffy eyes as he wheels the lawn mower back into the garage.
What do these symptoms have in common and how can you help?

What is an allergy?

The children described above may be showing signs of an allergic reaction. Common allergy triggers include:
  • dust
  • pollen
  • animal dander
  • insect stings
  • certain medications
  • some foods
Any child can develop an allergy. It happens when their immune system overreacts to a substance that’s normally harmless.
When your child eats, touches, or breathes in an allergen, their immune system releases histamines. That causes symptoms of an allergic reaction.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from person to person. Allergens can affect your child’s skin, respiratory tract, and other organs.

How can allergies affect your child’s skin?

If your child comes in contact with an allergen, they may develop contact dermatitis. Their skin may appear:
  • red
  • itchy
  • scaly
  • bumpy
  • swollen
If they touch, inhale, or eat an allergen, they can also develop hives. These are raised welts that can develop on their skin, and they’re almost always itchy.
Some children with allergies also develop eczema. This condition causes their skin to become inflamed, itchy, and irritated, even when they haven’t made contact with an allergen.
Read More : Wooden Wand

What do respiratory symptoms involve?

Allergic reactions can also affect your child’s respiratory tract and sinuses. After coming into contact with an allergen, they may experience:
  • sneezing
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • red, itchy, or watery eyes
  • a feeling of pressure in their face
  • coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
If your child has a severe allergy, they may develop anaphylaxis. This is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
It can cause their airways to close, making it difficult to breathe.

What other symptoms do allergies cause?

Your child might experience other, more severe symptoms too, including:
  • dizziness
  • queasiness
  • cramps
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • a tingling sensation in their mouth
  • swelling of their tongue or face
In the case of a severe allergic reaction, they can even lose consciousness.
If you suspect your child has an allergy, make an appointment with their doctor.
Read More : SavingNext
If you suspect they’re having a severe allergic reaction, give them epinephrine if you have it, and call 911.

How can you prevent allergic reactions?

The most effective way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid allergens. Once you know what allergens your child is allergic to, ask their doctor how they can avoid them.
For example, if your child is allergic to grass, their doctor may encourage them to wear long pants and socks outside.
If they’re allergic to dogs, their doctor may advise them to avoid petting them.
If they’re allergic to certain foods, their doctor will emphasize the importance of never eating them. For example, they will likely encourage you and your child to read ingredient lists, ask questions about restaurant menu items, and take steps to avoid contaminating dishes and cooking surfaces with allergens.

Can you use natural remedies?

Many allergic reactions can be avoided. But accidents do happen.
To treat allergic reactions, your child’s doctor will likely recommend certain medications. For example, they may recommend over-the-counter antihistamines, prescription antihistamines, or epinephrine.
Read More : Kauffman Labs
Some natural remedies may also help soothe mild allergic symptoms. But you should never use natural remedies to treat a severe allergic reaction.
Always talk to your child’s doctor before trying a new treatment for their allergies.

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Natural remedies for skin symptoms

Antihistamine creams and lotions are available at many drug stores. Some other remedies may also help soothe skin symptoms.
Read More : Nord Artistes
For example, to help treat contact dermatitis, bathe the irritated area with warm water and mild soap. Then consider applying aloe vera gel or calendula cream.
Note, however, that some people can also be sensitive to the ingredients in these products. If your child’s skin is dry, a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or ointment may help.
To help relieve hives, apply a cool wet cloth to the area. Putting baking soda or oatmeal in your child’s bathwater might also provide a soothing effect.

Natural remedies for sinus symptoms

Even if you install filters on your air conditioner, get rid of allergy-triggering pets, and keep kids inside when pollen counts are high, it may be hard for them to avoid airborne allergens completely.
To treat mild respiratory symptoms, consider trying over-the-counter allergy medications.
Breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water may also help clear congested sinuses.
And some people believe that nasal lavage can help. In this procedure, you use a neti pot or other device to flush your child’s nasal cavities out with water. Do this only with older children who will cooperate with the procedure.

Natural remedies for stomach symptoms

If your child has diarrhea, encourage them to eat a bland diet. For example, many people recommend rice, toast, bananas, and applesauce. It’s also important for them to drink plenty of water and other fluids.
If your child feels nauseous, encourage them to rest and stay still. Get rid of strong scents that might make their upset stomach worse, such as candles or air fresheners.
Read More : NutraTline
You can also look for special antinausea wristbands at your local drug store. They’re designed to stimulate a pressure point that might help relieve nausea. Though there is no strong evidence these work, they are low-risk.
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Everything You Need to Know About Allergies

Allergies

An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that’s not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.
Your immune system’s job is to keep you healthy by fighting harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything it thinks could put your body in danger. Depending on the allergen, this response may involve inflammation, sneezing, or a host of other symptoms.
Your immune system normally adjusts to your environment. For example, when your body encounters something like pet dander, it should realize it’s harmless. In people with dander allergies, the immune system perceives it as an outside invader threatening the body and attacks it.
Allergies are common. Several treatments can help you avoid your symptoms.

Symptoms of allergies

The symptoms you experience because of allergies are the result of several factors. These include the type of allergy you have and how severe the allergy is.
If you take any medication before an anticipated allergic response, you may still experience some of these symptoms, but they may be reduced.

For food allergies

Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, and more. It may take a while for a person to realize that they have a food allergy. If you have a serious reaction after a meal and you’re not sure why, see a medical professional immediately. They can find the exact cause of your reaction or refer you to a specialist.

For seasonal allergies

Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. They include congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can manage these symptoms at home using over-the-counter treatments. See your doctor if your symptoms become unmanageable.

For severe allergies

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms after coming in contact with a possible allergen, seek medical help immediately.
Read More : Wooden Wand
Everyone’s signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are different. Read more about allergy symptoms and what might cause them.

Allergies on skin

Skin allergies may be a sign or symptom of an allergy. They may also be the direct result of exposure to an allergen.
For example, eating a food you’re allergic to can cause several symptoms. You may experience tingling in your mouth and throat. You may also develop a rash.
Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of your skin coming into direct contact with an allergen. This could happen if you touch something you’re allergic to, such as a cleaning product or plant.
Types of skin allergies include:
  • Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or swollen, and can be painful or itchy.
  • Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed and can itch and bleed.
  • Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of skin develop almost immediately after contact with an allergen.
  • Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.
  • Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various sizes and shapes develop on the surface of the skin.
  • Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.”
  • Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in the skin.
  • Burning. Skin inflammation leads to discomfort and stinging sensations on the skin.
Rashes are one of the most common symptoms of a skin allergy. Find out how to identify rashes and how to treat them.
Read More : SavingNext

Causes of allergies

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune system causes an allergic reaction when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body.
Allergies have a genetic component. This means parents can pass them down to their children. However, only a general susceptibility to allergic reaction is genetic. Specific allergies aren’t passed down. For instance, if your mother is allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be, too.
Common types of allergens include:
  • Animal products. These include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches.
  • Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers.
  • Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common.
  • Insect stings. These include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.
  • Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger a reaction.
  • Plants. Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, are very common plant allergens.
  • Other allergens. Latex, often found in latex gloves and condoms, and metals like nickel are also common allergens.
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of the most common allergies. These are caused by pollen released by plants. They cause:
  • itchy eyes
  • watery eyes
  • runny nose
  • coughing
Read More : Kauffman Labs

Allergy treatments

The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment options available.

Medication

Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control symptoms. The medication can be over the counter or prescription. What your doctor recommends depends on the severity of your allergies.
Allergy medications include:

Immunotherapy

Many people opt for immunotherapy. This involves several injections over the course of a few years to help the body get used to your allergy. Successful immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning.

Emergency epinephrine

If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry an emergency epinephrine shot. The shot counters allergic reactions until medical help arrives. Common brands of this treatment include EpiPen and Twinject.
Read More : Nord Artistes

Natural remedies for allergies

Many natural remedies and supplements are marketed as a treatment and even a way to prevent allergies. Discuss these with your doctor before trying them. Some natural treatments may actually contain other allergens and make your symptoms worse.
For example, some dried teas use flowers and plants that are closely related to plants that might be causing you serious sneezing. The same is true for essential oils. Some people use these oils to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but essential oils still contain ingredients that can cause allergies.
Each type of allergy has a host of natural remedies that may help speed up recovery. There are also natural options for children’s allergies, too.

How allergies are diagnosed

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several ways.
First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They’ll ask about anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any substances you may have come in contact with. For example, if you have a rash on your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on latex gloves recently.
Lastly, a blood test and skin test can confirm or diagnose allergens your doctor suspects you have.

Allergy blood test

Your doctor may order a blood test. Your blood will be tested for the presence of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These are cells that react to allergens. Your doctor will use a blood test to confirm a diagnosis if they’re worried about the potential for a severe allergic reaction.

Skin test

Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment. A skin test is a common type of allergy test carried out by an allergist.
During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with small needles containing potential allergens. Your skin’s reaction is documented. If you’re allergic to a particular substance, your skin will become red and inflamed.
Read More : NutraTline
Different tests may be needed to diagnose all your potential allergies. Start here to get a better understanding of how allergy testing works.

Preventing symptoms

There’s no way to prevent allergies. But there are ways to prevent the symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the allergens that trigger them.
Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergy symptoms. An elimination diet can help you determine the cause of your allergies so you know how to avoid them. To help you avoid food allergens, thoroughly read food labels and ask questions while dining out.
Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies comes down to knowing where the allergens are located and how to avoid them. If you’re allergic to dust, for example, you can help reduce symptoms by installing proper air filters in your home, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned, and dusting your home regularly.
Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your exact triggers, which makes them easier to avoid. These other tips can also help you avoid dangerous allergic reactions.

Complications of allergies

While you may think of allergies as those pesky sniffles and sneezes that come around every new season, some of these allergic reactions can actually be life-threatening.
Anaphylaxis, for example, is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the telltale signs:
  • suddenly narrowed airways
  • increased heart rate
  • possible swelling of the tongue and mouth
Allergy symptoms can create many complications. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms as well as the difference between a sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor can also teach you how to manage your allergy symptoms so that you can avoid the worst complications.

Asthma and allergies

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. It makes breathing more difficult and can narrow the air passageways in your lungs.
Asthma is closely related to allergies. Indeed, allergies can make existing asthma worse. It can also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had the condition.
When these conditions occur together, it’s a condition called allergy-induced asthma, or allergic asthma. Allergic asthma affects about 60 percent of people who have asthma in the United States, estimates the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.
Many people with allergies may develop asthma. Here’s how to recognize if it happens to you.

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Allergies vs. cold

Runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are common symptoms of allergies. They also happen to be common symptoms of a cold and a sinus infection. Indeed, deciphering between the sometimes-generic symptoms can be difficult.
However, additional signs and symptoms of the conditions may help you distinguish between the three. For example, allergies can cause rashes on your skin and itchy eyes. The common cold can lead to body aches, even fever. A sinus infection typically produces thick, yellow discharge from your nose.
Allergies can impact your immune system for prolonged periods of time. When the immune system is compromised, it makes you more likely to pick up viruses you come into contact with. This includes the virus that causes the common cold.
In turn, having allergies actually increases your risk for having more colds. Identify the differences between the two common conditions with this helpful chart.

Allergy cough

Hay fever can produce symptoms that include sneezing, coughing, and a persistent, stubborn cough. It’s the result of your body’s overreaction to allergens. It isn’t contagious, but it can be miserable.
Unlike a chronic cough, a cough caused by allergies and hay fever is temporary. You may only experience the symptoms of this seasonal allergy during specific times of the year, when plants are first blooming.
Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger asthma, and asthma can cause coughing. When a person with common seasonal allergies is exposed to an allergen, tightening airways can lead to a cough. Shortness of breath and chest tightening may also occur. Find out why hay fever coughs are typically worse at night and what you can do to ease them.

Allergies and bronchitis

Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis, or it can be the result of allergies. The first type, acute bronchitis, typically ends after several days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can linger for months, possibly longer. It may also return frequently.
Exposure to common allergens is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. These allergens include:
  • cigarette smoke
  • air pollution
  • dust
  • pollen
  • chemical fumes
Unlike seasonal allergies, many of these allergens linger in environments like houses or offices. That can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and more likely to return.
A cough is the only common symptom between chronic and acute bronchitis. Learn the other symptoms of bronchitis so you can understand more clearly what you may have.

Allergies and babies

Skin allergies are more common in younger children today than they were just a few decades ago. However, skin allergies decrease as children grow older. Respiratory and food allergies become more common as children get older.
Common skin allergies on babies include:
  • Eczema. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red rashes that itch. These rashes may develop slowly but be persistent.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of skin allergy appears quickly, often immediately after your baby comes into contact with the irritant. More serious contact dermatitis can develop into painful blisters and cause skin cracking.
  • Hives. Hives are red bumps or raised areas of skin that develop after exposure to an allergen. They don’t become scaly and crack, but itching the hives may make the skin bleed.

Living with allergies

Allergies are common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most people. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn how to manage their allergies and what to do in an emergency situation.
Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications, and lifestyle changes. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major complications and make life more enjoyable.
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Benefits of Okra for Diabetes

What is okra?

Okra, also known as “lady’s fingers,” is a green flowering plant. Okra belongs to the same plant family as hibiscus and cotton. The term “okra” most commonly refers to the edible seedpods of the plant.
Okra has long been favored as a food for the health-conscious. It contains:
It’s low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content. Recently, a new benefit of including okra in your diet is being considered.
Okra has been suggested to help manage blood sugar in cases of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Incidences of diabetes diagnoses are only increasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The verdict is out on whether okra can be used successfully as a direct diabetes treatment. However, the okra plant does have many proven health benefits. Read on to see if okra could be a viable part of your diabetes treatment plan.

Highlights

  1. Okra belongs to the same plant family as hibiscus and cotton. The term “okra” most commonly refers to the edible seedpods of the plant.
  2. Okra contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It’s low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content.
  3. Popular forms of okra for medicinal purposes include okra water, okra peels, and powdered seeds.

Studies on okra and diabetes

Medical research on okra for diabetes management is still in early stages. We do know that according to one study, okra water improved the blood sugar levels of pregnant rats that had gestational diabetes.
Roasted okra seeds, which have long been used in Turkey to treat diabetes, have also been studied and proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar.

1. Dietary fiber

Okra is high in fiber. Eight medium-sized pods are estimated to contain 3 grams of fiber.
This bulk fiber quality has several benefits. It helps digestion, cuts hunger cravings, and keeps those who eat it fuller for longer.
Read More : Wooden Wand
Foods that are high in fiber content are an important part of dietary treatment options for diabetes. Increased dietary fiber intake has been shown to promote better glycemic control and improve insulin sensitivity.

2. Anti-stress effects

There is evidence that the seed extracts of okra have an antioxidant, anti-stress effect in the bloodstream of mice.
Managing stress levels is an important part of managing diabetes. Long-term, high stress levels can cause blood sugar levels to spike.
Mental health should be a part of any diabetes treatment plan, and using okra and its derivative seeds can be a part of that plan.

3. May help lower cholesterol

Okra has been found to lower cholesterol levels in lab mice with diabetes.
Foods with high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol. The American Heart Association points out that people with diabetes are more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol levels.
When high cholesterol levels are combined with diabetes, the outlook is not good. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that your diet has healthy cholesterol levels.
Read More : SavingNext

4. Anti-fatigue benefit

One study indicates that recovery times and “fatigue levels” can be improved by use of the okra plant.
By including okra in your diet along with a healthy exercise routine, you may be able to work out for longer and recover more quickly from your exercise.
Cardiovascular activity is an essential part of preventing and treating diabetes. This means that the okra plant may contribute to a more active lifestyle.

Forms

Okra water

Drinking “okra water” is a popular new method of using okra. Some have even suggested that drinking it helps lessen diabetes symptoms.
The drink is made by putting okra pods in water and soaking them overnight. Some of the valuable nutrients in the skin and seed pods will be absorbed into the water.
If you’re not crazy about the taste of okra, drinking this okra water solution is a quick and simple way to derive the benefits of okra without eating it.
Read More : Kauffman Labs
Some people prefer to cut the okra into thin slices instead of soaking the pods whole. If you’re going to prepare okra water this way, be prepared for a drink that is slightly bitter.

Okra peel and powdered seeds

Okra peel is the most traditional way to use okra medicinally.
In the preliminary studies done to investigate the benefits of using okra, using shredded okra peel was seen to be the most favorable way to ingest it.
You can prepare okra peel yourself by using a handheld kitchen grater or a lemon zester. Though there’s no known limit for how much okra peel someone should eat at one time, half of a teaspoon of okra peel should be more than enough for your body to benefit.
Powdered okra seeds are dried out before being ground down. Ingesting the powder from the seeds as a supplement has also been researched and seen to be beneficial.
The process of making the powder is a bit time- and labor-intensive. However, you can easily buy powdered okra seeds from health food stores and online suppliers.

Okra recipe ideas

The gel inside of okra is a thickening agent, making it a common ingredient in some soups and stews. If you’d like to start using okra as a part of your diet, you can start with a simple gumbo recipe.
Read More : Nord Artistes
Pickled okra is another popular okra variation that replaces the bitterness of the okra pod with a sour taste. Pickling okra also softens the peel.
If you own a dehydrator, drying out okra pods and seasoning them with sea salt makes a tasty snack to satisfy your craving for crunch.

Safety concerns

If you’re already on a treatment plan for your diabetes, you should let your doctor know if you’re looking into holistic treatments like okra.
In one study, it was shown to block the absorption of metformin. Metformin is a drug that is used to help manage blood sugar levels.
If you are taking metformin currently, okra is not something you should experiment with.

Takeaway

There’s no conclusive medical research that proves that okra is a natural cure for diabetes.
It’s important to understand that okra is definitely not an insulin replacement. However, with so many possible benefits for those that have diabetes, it may be worth trying alongside traditional treatment if your doctor agrees.
Make sure to keep your medical professional up to date with any tweaks or additions to your diabetes treatment plan.

Q:

I hate the taste of okra. Are there any other fruits or vegetables within the okra family that may have similar benefits?
Read More : NutraTline

A:

Hibiscus and hollyhock are in the same family as okra. Hollyhock has been used in traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetes. Recently, studies have shown a slight decrease in glucose levels from hollyhock but not significant levels to treat the disease.
Hibiscus tea has been used as a traditional remedy for diabetes in India. However, hibiscus should not be used as a treatment of the disease.
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