Tag Archives: allergy relief tips

Keeping On Top Of Allergies

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Food And Environment Allergies

As the Spring season kicks off, it brings with it warmer weather, rain, melting snow, and the dreaded POLLEN and our reaction of hay fever to it. More children seem to have allergies today than ever before. There are many theories to explain why this maybe such as perhaps we are “too clean”, or introduction of certain foods to early such as peanuts maybe identified by the immune system as foreign, or a parent having allergies, eczema or asthma.  Here are some things you can do for your child if they are suffering from allergies.

According to Food Allergy Canada, up to 300,000 Canadian children suffer from food allergies and children under the ages of 3 are most affected, however, the most chronic condition is non-food allergies in kids 12 and older.

How To Manage These Food Allergies?

First, it is very important to identify that the symptoms are related to a true allergy and not a sensitivity / intolerance – there is an overlap with the symptoms produced by both such as rashes, fatigue, stomach issues. However, symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, puffiness and swelling, chronic diarrhea and of course anaphylactic shock are related to allergies. A simple blood test will help reveal whether there is an allergy or an intolerance. Once identified, here are simple tips you can use to help your child:

  1. There are natural and over the counter remedies that can help deal the symptoms of environmental allergies, so talk to your child’s naturopathic or medical doctor before starting either.
  2. Getting tested for allergies is important to identify what additional allergies your child has. Cooking foods can sometimes make a difference, as there may be less of an allergen.
  3. For environmental allergies, good hygiene practices and limiting or eliminating exposure helps.
  4. Educating those around you when it comes to cooking with foods or being around kids or people with known allergies such as peanut and shellfish, or being affectionate with a person / child after ingestion of known food allergies can be disastrous!
  5. Know the signs of anaphylaxis and how to treat them!

7 Tips For Seasonal Allergy Relief

Healthy Me

Seasonal Allergies

 

Seasonal Allergy

Most people suffer from various allergies especially when the Spring season rolls around, ranging from pollen to dust to weeds and grasses. Runny and red eyes, sneezing, coughing, itchy and congested noses and fatigue are all common symptoms of allergies.

 

Naturopathic tips for seasonal allergy relief:

  1. Hydration – Drinking water thin out mucus and helps with the congestion. Try to have at least 6 – 8 glasses of pure distilled water through the day. If you are constantly feeling dry and itchy, proper hydration is a must. Try half a lime or lemon in a glass of warm water in the morning on rising.
  2. Even though exercise such as running, walking, or biking helps clear congestion, avoid jogging or running outdoors on a smoggy and humid days especially, as the air is filled with all kinds of pollution ranging from exhaust fumes to various plant allergens making nasal congestion worse and making it difficult to take breathe. Instead try to walk in the evening or after rain when the pollen count is the lowest.
  3. Close the windows on windy days or in the mornings as the pollen count in the air will be high especially if you are allergic to pollen and certain grasses and weeds.
  4. Find out if you are allergic to certain food and environmental allergens. Food intolerances and allergies will cause the body to release higher levels of histamines, which in turn will increase the amount of congestion you experience as well, worsening your seasonal allergy symptoms. We offer simple, relatively inexpensive blood tests to test you for up to 200 + allergens.
  5. If you suddenly develop allergy symptoms that you did not experience before, they could be stress related, in addition to improper diet and sleep deprivation. If you are constantly feeling “tired and burnt out”, you might want to get your adrenal function tested, as adrenal fatigue could be the root cause of your allergy symptoms. A simple saliva adrenal test at the clinic would reveal the state of your adrenal function.
  6. Natural homeopathic remedies and supplements – such as pollens 30 CH or Quercitin – a natural anti histamine supplement may be helpful to alleviate your allergy symptoms. However, before starting on any health products, please come see us at the clinic for a quick assessment to determine what would be most helpful for your optimal wellbeing.
  7. For itchy eyes irritated by allergies, try a compress made with calendula flowers in hot water. Once the water cools down, you can dip a cotton pad in the solution and hold it over the irritated eye for 10 – 15 minutes to soothe the itchy eyes.

By: Dr. Sushma Shah – Toronto Naturopath