Can Allergies Be the Cause of Frequent Ear Infections?
Do you experience chronic ear infections? Do you also suffer from allergies? It turns out, the two conditions can be closely linked. We review this link as well as how to find relief below. How Do Allergies Cause Ear Infections? The Eustachian tubes are passageways between the middle ears and the back of the throat….
How Oral Immunotherapy May Help Your Child’s Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergies affect approximately 2% of children, or about 1.5 million people ages 17 and younger, in the U.S. For many of these children, the effects of exposure to peanuts are life-threatening. In most cases, peanut allergies are life-long. Fortunately, a recent study found that peanut oral immunotherapy can desensitize children to this allergen. About…
How to Manage Winter Allergies
Many people think of allergies as only a problem during the spring and summer months, but the truth is allergies can affect you year-round. The difference between spring/summer allergies and winter allergies is that in the sunny seasons, you’re more likely to be affected by outdoor allergens, while during winter months the culprits are more…
Nightshades: What They Are and How to Know if You’re Allergic
Nightshades are a family of foods and spices packed with nutrients. Some common nightshades include: Eggplant Tomatoes Potatoes Bell peppers Hot peppers Paprika Chili pepper flakes Nightshades have a bad reputation in certain diet communities for contributing to inflammation. However, there is little evidence to support this theory. If you’re avoiding nightshades because of this…
How Successful is Sublingual Immunotherapy?
People who suffer from allergies that don’t respond to other medical treatments may find relief from immunotherapy, a method of building tolerance to an allergen by introducing it to the body in small doses over a period of time. Often, it is given in the form of allergy shots. However, sublingual immunotherapy, in the form…
How to Handle Dangerous Allergies
Your immune system’s job is to protect you from dangerous intruders, like viruses and bacteria. However, sometimes it mistakes harmless substances, like insect stings, medications or certain foods, for something harmful and overreacts. During this reaction, the chemical histamine is produced. Histamine typically triggers a mild reaction involving itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose,…
Can Vitamin C Help with Allergies?
Vitamin C, known also as ascorbic acid, can be found in citrus fruits, kiwis, red bell peppers and potatoes from Grant Park Farmers Market. It has many important functions, including strengthening the immune system, forming collagen, absorbing iron, healing wounds and maintaining bones, cartilage and teeth. It also may help with managing allergy symptoms. We…
What to Do for an Allergic Reaction
Your immune system’s job is to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, it can sometimes mistake harmless substances for dangerous intruders. When this happens, the immune system tells the cells to release histamine, a chemical that causes inflammation, swelling and itching. This is known as an allergic reaction….
Is It the Flu or Allergies?
If you’re experiencing upper respiratory symptoms like congestion and a runny nose, you may be wondering whether you’re suffering from the flu or just allergies. Identifying which you have is key to seeking proper treatment. Below we review the causes and symptoms of the flu and allergies as well as how to tell which you…
How to Recognize the 4 Types of Hypersensitive Reactions
When your body is exposed to a substance the immune system deems a threat, like bee sting venom at Plant Atlanta, your body can respond with hypersensitivity. There are four main types of hypersensitive reactions. Below we review what a hypersensitive reaction is and how to recognize the four types. What Is a Hypersensitive Reaction?…
