2022 Advocacy for Asthma and Allergies: a Year in Review

As 2022 comes to an end, we wanted to reflect on another year of great advocacy efforts for people living with asthma and allergies. We had another successful virtual fly-in to Capitol Hill read more

Can Pills Make My Allergies Go Away Forever?

Allergies are a common issue that approximately 50 million Americans deal with yearly. They're widespread in children, but some are fortunate enough to grow out of them. However, others develop chronic allergies that pose issues for years to come.

Most people learn to manage symptoms through the seasonal cycles of antihistamines and over-the-counter medications. But what if you could get rid of them forever? With tablets for allergy immunotherapy, there's hope for allergy sufferers.

What is Immunotherapy

There's no current cure for allergies, but immunotherapy shows much promise for the future. Simply put, immunotherapy is a disease-modifying treatment. It's a way to alter your immune response and get your body used to triggers that typically cause reactions.

When you experience allergy symptoms, it's your body's way of trying to protect you. It sees those allergies as foreign invaders, releasing histamines to keep you safe from what your system thinks are diseases. Of course, they're not, and the uncomfortable symptoms you experience are nothing more than a nuisance.

Immunotherapy works to train your immune system. Doctors often recommend this form of treatment when other medications aren't working, and you're unable to avoid allergens in your everyday life.

When you take tablets for allergy immunotherapy, you're introducing small doses of the offending allergen into your system. The goal is to expose your immune system slowly, giving it time to identify and ignore the traditional triggers. Over the course of several months or years, you may notice that reactions are less intense and less frequent. In some individuals, it eliminates reactions entirely!

There's a lot of research left to do on immunotherapy, but its potential to make allergies go away forever has many pursuing it.

Taking Control of Your Allergies

Immunotherapy is just one way to combat allergic reactions. You can also take allergy shots or change your lifestyle to avoid triggers. However, immunotherapy is the closest thing we currently have to a cure. The right therapy plan can improve your immune response, making those awful reactions a thing of the past!

Read a similar article about can i take 2 allergies pills in one day here at this page.

Best Teas to Help With a Scratchy Throat

Many things can cause a scratchy throat, including allergies. When a scratchy throat comes on as the result of allergies, it can be accompanied by other annoying symptoms like runny nose and hives.

Although there are plenty of medications you can take to alleviate a scratchy throat caused by allergies, drinking tea is a natural route that many people find brings fast, soothing relief. If you experience a scratchy throat due to allergies, below are some of the best teas to help:

Horehound Tea

Horehound tea may not be as popular as other teas, but it can work wonders on a scratchy throat. Exposure to things like English plantains can easily give rise to an irritated throat, and allergy symptoms for English plantain exposure can also include itching and watery eyes. Thankfully, with a warm cup of horehound tea available, you don’t have to let allergy symptoms for English plantain exposure or exposure to other allergy-causing plants leave you feeling miserable.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric has been lauded for its health benefits over the years, and brewing this powerful spice in a tea can help with scratchy throat symptoms that result from allergies. You might consider blending turmeric with other types of teas due to the pungent aroma and taste, but if you want to knock out a scratchy throat fast, turmeric is certainly one way to do so.

Slippery Elm Tea

Slippery elm has been known for centuries as a natural cure-all, and many people swear by slippery elm tea as a remedy for sore throats caused by allergies. One of the more interesting benefits of slippery elm tea as it relates to scratchy throats is that this herb easily coats affected areas for faster soothing relief.

Talk With Your Doctor

If you’re experiencing the effects of a scratchy throat, even if you think they’ve been brought on by allergies, it’s important to speak with your doctor to determine the right course of treatment. While drinking certain teas can be beneficial to combat allergy symptoms, only your doctor can evaluate your case to provide the right guidance.

Read a similar article about common pecan tree allergy symptoms here at this page.

3 Best Vacuums for Allergy Sufferers

Allergens in the air can be a real challenge, especially if you live in areas like Maryland, where seasonal allergies can be downright devastating. During the spring and summer months, pollen can take its toll. During the fall and winter, people who suffer from seasonal allergies in Maryland may be prone to experience sore throats, runny noses, and watery eyes from mold and other environmental allergens.

Thankfully, a lot of seasonal allergies can be tackled simply by using the right vacuum. While a vacuum can’t help with allergens outdoors, it can prevent outdoor allergens from affecting indoor living spaces, but only if you use the right vacuum.

Below are three of the best vacuums for allergy sufferers:

1 - Dyson Ball

Dyson is one of the most respected names in vacuum technology, and the company’s Ball models live up to the brand’s reputation. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a cordless upright that includes Dyson’s unique ball-joint design. This allows the vacuum to pivot into positions that are impossible to reach by traditional upright models. The best part is that Dyson’s suction technology pulls in and traps allergens to leave indoor air fresh and clean.

2 - Shark Rotator Lift-Away

Shark vacuums are known in the industry as some of the best, most powerful units on the market. The brand’s Rotator Lift-Away is no exception, and it can help people who suffer from seasonal allergies in Maryland and beyond to ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups. The Rotator Lift-Away features HEPA filtration to lock in allergens so they don’t get recirculated in the air. This feature alone makes it perfect for people who hate dealing with seasonal irritation from dust, dander, mold, pollen, and other allergens.

3 - Hoover WindTunnel Bagless

Hoover is another storied name in vacuum technology, and the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless is a fantastic option for people who hate the effects of seasonal allergies. The WindTunnel Bagless includes two-chamber technology to easily lock in allergens. Since the unit doesn’t use a bag, there’s no need for allergy sufferers to worry about releasing allergens back into the air when it’s time to empty the vacuum.

Read a similar article about “when is allergy season in Oregon” here at this page.

Spring vs. Summer Allergies in New Jersey, Which is Worst?

If you suffer from allergies, you might wonder, "When is allergy season in New Jersey, anyway?" Allergy season is a multi-month affair that can start in March and last to the first frost!

Allergens are most prevalent during the spring and summer months. But which one is worse for allergy sufferers? Read on to find out.

Allergies During the Spring

Despite the beauty of spring, it's also the absolute worst for allergy sufferers! With all that natural beauty comes tons of airborne allergens. It's when trees and grasses release pollen, making it challenging to step outside without immediately experiencing the effects.

Pollen is the most common allergen out there, causing watery eyes, stuffy noses, and ongoing headaches. It's a nightmare that only gets worse with time. As flowers bloom, even more allergens get into the air.

But that's not all. Spring is also when many people clean their homes and freshen things up after a long winter. But here's the thing: Spring cleaning tends to drum up a ton of dust. So not only can you not go outside without experiencing an allergic reaction, but the cleaning activities in your home are a problem, too!

Pair the indoor dust with the outdoor pollen, and it's not hard to see why spring is the worse time for allergy sufferers.

Allergies During the Summer

Spring might be the worst, but summer can be just as awful. Summer brings about grass and weeds. Both can produce a significant amount of pollen, creating a horrible haze of allergens. It's not as prevalent as spring allergens. Spring unleashes more pollen into the air but typically subsides as summer approaches.

During the warmest part of the year, grass, weeds, and other heat-loving plants get their time in the limelight. It's not as bad, but the allergens still exist. The same goes for the autumn season. You don't hear much about autumn when people ask, "When is allergy season in New Jersey." However, ragweed and other parasitic plants can cause issues.

Read a similar article about “types of dust mite allergies” here at this page.

Learn About Asthma in Infants and Young Children

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways to be inflamed (swollen). Some of the most common symptoms include trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezing. But in infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, asthma can look a bit different read more

Five Symptoms of a Cockroach Allergy

Did you know that cockroaches are one of the most common allergies in Mississippi? While many people associate allergic reactions with tree pollen or dander from a fluffy pet, those creepy bugs can trigger allergic reactions, too. Scientists believe that protein enzymes in roaches are to blame.

Because these insects live indoors, there's not much escape from allergens. But how do you know if you're dealing with a roach allergy? Here are a few common symptoms to look out for during allergy season and beyond.

Nasal Problems

Like other allergens, roaches can wreak havoc on your nose. Many people will suffer from a constant nasal drip. Runny noses can lead to uncontrollable sniffling and even skin irritation around the nostril.

In many cases, allergy sufferers also experience sneezing and wheezing. Even if no congestion is present, nasal drip can make being inside your home a nightmare.

Throat Itchiness

Believe it or not, the proteins from roaches can become airborne. These bugs produce waste and shed their skins regularly. The discarded exoskeletons are particularly problematic because they turn into a fine powder when crushed.

When the roach proteins get into your throat, it can cause inflammation. That turns into itchiness, coughing, and other related issues.

Ear Infections

Like other common allergies in Mississippi, roaches can cause swelling around the eustachian tube. When this happens, fluid from the middle ear is unable to drain. Bacteria and viruses can develop behind the eardrum, resulting in nasty ear infections.

Skin Issues

If the roach proteins get on the skin, it can cause noticeable rashes. Airborne proteins are fine enough to get into pores, resulting in extreme irritation. Many people develop rashes or hives. Not only are they unsightly, but the itchiness can be enough to drive anyone mad.

Congestion

Finally, roach allergies can cause congestion. Nasal congestion and even sinus infections are common. Nasal sprays can provide some relief, but failing to get rid of roaches will only make those problems return.

Roaches are already nightmare pests. But if you're allergic to them, they can make staying in your own home unbearable. If you suspect that you're allergic to roaches, take steps to eradicate them and consider trying immunotherapy to prepare yourself for potential issues in the future.

Read a similar article about different types of weed pollen allergy here at this page.