• Allergy Relief
    Keeping seasonal allergies in check

    Fall is here, and you would be tempted to go out for long, uninterrupted walks and hikes. However, if you are one of those individuals with seasonal allergy problems, then the long walks can turn into an outlandish ordeal. The seasonal allergies can be the cause for a runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion which can all act as a deterrent for you in enjoying the beauty all around. While there have been numerous advances in the medical field for keeping these conditions under check, doctors generally believe that taking care of yourself can go a long way in minimizing the chances of coming in contact with these allergic agents. Let us brush ourselves with a few precautions that we can undertake to stay safe.

    Simple steps to keep seasonal allergies under check:
    Allergic triggers: It is best if you can consult your physician and know your allergens beforehand. By this way, you can safely avoid the routes and places where your allergens are more likely to occur. The common allergens can include ragweed or outdoor molds which can come up after the rains. Also, be sure to test yourselves for pollen agents against your skin and hands. Pollen agents can sometimes be very reactive to few individuals.

    Avoiding triggers: This is easier said than done but doctors across would vouch that this can be a fool-proof way of staying away from the risk of allergy problems. Modify your indoor environment to keep out allergens. When traveling outside, you can always wear a mask to safeguard yourself and wear sunglasses when stepping out to avoid the contact of agents with your eyes. Maintain a good hygiene all around and if you are susceptible to pollen, do ensure to wash your hair at the end of the day to get rid of them.

    Your food intake: Always keep a check on your food intake as there are certain seasonal foods like fruits and vegetables that may be a cause for concern for your health. Before buying the product, check the pack for the nutrition levels and the possible allergens contained in it.

    Have a medical kit handy: Always carry your safety medical kit comprising a decongestant or a nasal spray along with you at all times. You never know when you may require one. Also, have the list of medications that you need to take with you at all times. Some allergic reactions can be quick and severe hence, taking a dose of particular medicine is the only way to reduce the symptoms.

    Also, when traveling, if you are prone to allergies, make sure that you plan for contingencies. Avoid hills and mountains if you are allergic to pollen and instead make trips to the beach. Have your eye drops and decongestants handy and make it a habit to never step out of the house without them. In case if your home and environment are tidy yet you still develop the symptoms, then try changing the paint of your house to a more environment-friendly organic one.

  • Allergy Relief
    4 natural allergy relief remedies for kids

    Allergies often hit children unexpectedly. The child could have been suppressing it or has been recently exposed to allergens. Allergies result in constant coughing, wheezing, and breathing issues.

    Allergies aren’t restricted to the immune system alone. There are also skin allergies in plenty out there. There are a few remedies that can help reduce the allergy. These won’t completely cure them, but they will definitely provide a certain degree of relief. You can adopt certain measures that can help minimize or prevent it from happening again down the line. Check out some of the remedies that can help fight the allergens.

    Apple cider vinegar
    Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, mix it with The Mother (a certain kind of bacteria), and water. Give this mixture to your child every day. This helps deal with heartburn and reduces mucous accumulation in the nasal passages. Apple cider vinegar even aids digestion and enhances the digestive system. It also has several other health benefits and even helps with weight loss.

    Himalayan salt saline rinse with the neti pot
    One of the most common side effects of an allergy is mucous formation. In that case, the neti pot and saline rinse therapy is a great way to free the nostrils from the allergens. Himalayan salt is filled with rich minerals. Take a boiled distilled water and mix with a teaspoon of Himalayan salt. Then put the mixture inside a neti pot. Empty the neti pot into one nostril and let the mixture drain out from the other nostril. This should help with most allergens and free up the nostrils.

    Local honey
    Scientific research has shown that consuming local raw, unrefined honey helps battle allergens. It also provides a layer of protection against various forms of environmental allergens. Honey acts as a natural cure for allergies. Give your kid a teaspoon of raw honey on a daily basis. It can help charge up their immune system. This is not only a cure for children. It works on adults too.

    Diet change
    The best medicine to fight against or prevent any disease is a strong diet. A well-balanced diet should be filled with fiber-rich foods, vegetables, dairy, and whole, organic foods. The diet can make a huge difference in lifestyle and health.

    Only through food, we get all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals we require. A healthy diet will include all the vital nutrients and help build a strong immune system. A good diet will prevent allergens and even help reverse conditions.

    These are few remedies that can be implemented at home to rid your child of the allergy. If there is no relief despite trying all these methods, it is best to consult a doctor and find the source of the allergy.

  • Allergy Relief
    Save big with allergy relief coupons

    Most people are aware of coupons and money-back saving schemes for food, apparels, and shoes. However, did you know that even drugstores offer saving opportunities on some of their special brands of medicines? Read on to know more.

    These coupons provide you with the benefit of coupling the coupon with money-back rewards. This can, thereby, aid in maximizing your savings. Allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions across the globe and they can be life threatening too. Most people suffering from allergies are prescribed medicines that they need to keep buying. If you’re one of them, using allergy relief medicine coupons can help you save a lot of money.

    How to shop for free at your local drugstore?
    Medicines costs are touching the sky. Shopping at your local drugstore can literally leave a hole in your pocket. This is where when these discount coupons can come to your help. Every drugstore has its own money-back and discounted coupon programs. They run these programs on a weekly or a monthly basis. Most of the deals are advertised on shelf tags in the store or on Sunday ad pages. Here are two of USA’s major drugstore schemes.

    • Walgreens: Walgreens offer Register Rewards (RR) program that is run by the same company that maintains the Catalina Coupon in grocery stores. The RR programs come with its own set of rules. Make sure you understand these properly. Some time back, Walgreens had an offer where customers had to pay just $0.05 per 24 count box of Wal-Daryl (like Benadryl). A person could buy two boxes and receive 5,000 balance reward points which could be redeemed later for a store credit worth $5.00. Walgreens seasonally offer printable coupons online. Visit the store’s website to get an idea of the kinds of offers Walgreens is offering. Allergy relief medicine coupons are generally always available.
    • CVS: CVS runs its own money-back programs that are not run by Catalina. They work differently unlike Walgreens and the store coupons are valid only at CVS. Extra Bucks rewards are more like cash back rewards that are printed on your receipts as store coupons. The Extra Care Bucks (ECB) are accrued on quarterly purchases and prescriptions. You can avail $1 ECB for every two prescriptions you fill. You also get a 2% cash back on your quarterly spending. ECBs are store coupons and can be used many times per transaction. What’s more is that they adjust the bill amount as well. For example, if you use $3 ECB to purchase a $2.99 item, then only $2.99 ECB is scanned.

    Allergy relief medicine coupons are becoming more common by the day. They are provided by huge stores like Walgreens, CVS and also by smaller stores.

  • Allergy Relief
    Allergies in children

    Kids are magnets for colds. In any case, when wheezing and sniffling persist for a long time, it can be hypersensitivities. Enduring sniffling, with a runny nose, may flag the nearness of hypersensitive rhinitis. A collection of side effects influences the nose when you breathe in something unfavorable. Hypersensitivities might be regular or can strike year round. Dust from plants is frequently the reason for regular hypersensitive rhinitis. Indoor substances, like accumulated dust and pet dander, may bring about a lasting reaction.

    The ill effects of unfavorably susceptible rhinitis are experienced by up to 40% kids. Furthermore, kids can contract hypersensitivities from their parents as well. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many physicians recommended drugs offered by pharmaceuticals. They offer hypersensitivity alleviation and allergens that analyze and treat sensitivities. Make sure you take mild dosages of the medications. If the symptoms are severe, consult a doctor.

    Immune response for allergy
    An allergy is the body’s response to a particular substance or allergen. Our immune system reacts to allergens by discharging histamine and other chemicals. They are responsible for triggering the side effects. The effects are seen in the nose, throat, sinuses, lungs, eyes, ears, and skin. Allergies can also trigger asthma that lead to problems like wheezing as well.

    Stay away from pollen, mold And other allergy triggers
    If your kid is sensitive to dust, ensure that you keep your kid inside when the pollen levels are high. Pollen levels in the air are at their peak in the morning during late summer and early fall. They are also high at night during spring and summer. Sunny, blustery days can be particularly troublesome for those who are hypersensitive to pollen. It is best to keep the windows shut at home and turn on the ventilation system.

    Allergy drugs for kids
    For most kids, symptoms can be controlled by maintaining a strategic distance from the allergens if they are identified. It is important to consult a doctor if the symptoms are prevalent and not alleviated by OTC drugs. However, some sensitivity prescriptions are can be given to children as young as 6 months. Read the details on the medicine and ensure that it is age appropriate for your kid. If your kid is taking more than one medicine, ensure that they are not reactive. All medicines have a list of the chemicals used in making them. They also have side effects listed.

  • Allergy Relief
    Dog allergies: symptoms and treatments

    The U.S is a pet-friendly country and most people own a pet. It also proven that about 15 to 30 % of Americans are allergic to pets. Dogs are said to be man’s best friend and it is not a realistic solution to ask them to stay away from dogs as they are allergic. Out of 5, only 1 person abandons their dog when their doctors ask them to do so.

    It is hard for pet owners to leave their pets. This is because of the human emotional attachment towards the pets. For such pet lovers who are allergic to dogs, there are some treatment methods to make your life easy with a dog around.

    Symptoms and treatment methods
    When a person is allergic to a dog, it is not because of their hair as many think. The allergens are present in the dander, saliva, and urine of dogs. These allergens get released into the air when your dog moves around and can also enter areas where the dog never goes. Most people with canine allergies are allergic to dog dander. Dander is the dead skin which falls off from the dog’s body. Dog allergy can be identified based on the following symptoms:

    Coughing and sneezing
    Itching, redness of eyes
    Skin allergy
    Runny, itchy nose
    Wheezing
    These allergies create a lot of irritation and discomfort. There are ways to control these allergies without leaving your dog.

    Dog free zones: Make sure you have dog-free zones in your house. Install High-Efficiency Particulate Filters in that area. They can clean the allergens that are present in the air. Take care that your dog never enters that area. Usually, bedrooms are best places for such a zone. Bathe your dog every week; Make sure to bathe your dog on regular basis i.e. at least once in a week. This will reduce the chances of dog dander fall. This also reduces the allergens present in dog’s fur up to 80%.

    Allergy test: Before assuming that you are allergic to dog dander, make a visit to your allergist and take a test to confirm it. There are many other substances present in the air which can trigger allergies. It is important to know the actual reason for the allergy.

    Avoid dusty furniture: Avoid all those dust attractive furniture like rugs, carpets etc…. They make cleaning harder and can catch allergens. It is better to avoid such dusty things around you to control frequent attacks of allergies.

    Antihistamines: These can be taken in the form of tablets or inhalers. They block the effects of the chemical that triggers an allergy. Some antihistamines are available as nasal sprays.They give you an immediate relief from runny, itchy nose.

    Allergy shots: This is the other option to reduce allergies. These shots slowly desensitize the allergic person’s immune system to pet allergens. They inject known allergy-causing agents inside the skin which triggers the body to produce antibodies. This treatment can last for years together.

  • Allergy Relief
    Allergy relief medicine coupons

    Allergy relief medicine coupons offer discounts on the prices of medicines prescribed for allergy. These are mostly available online. Some of these medicines include Alavert, Allegra, Patanase, Levocetirizine, and Fexofenadine.

    Certain websites offer information on these coupons which you can print and use for over-the-counter medications. You’ll get discounts with these coupons in many pharmacies like Walgreens, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, Kmart Pharmacy, Riteaid, Weis Pharmacy, Pathmark, and Long’s Drugs.

    What is an allergy?
    An allergic reaction may be triggered by pollen, a particular food, dust, or fur. Your body’s immune system tends to react abnormally when one of these foreign elements enter your body. With the onset of spring, comes the danger of rising amounts of pollen in the air. It becomes impossible to avoid them. Some people are allergic to certain foods, dust, animal fur, etc. as well.

    Sensitivity to such allergens can cause reactions with regard to:
    – Eyes, nose, or both, also known as hay fever (allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis)
    – Reaction of the skin with conditions like eczema or hives
    – Asthma attacks

    How to treat allergy?
    An antihistamine is the main medicine used to treat allergies. Histamine is a chemical in our body that overreacts to certain triggers, or allergens, such as pollen, mold, or dust mites and produces allergy symptoms. These symptoms can include sneezing, nasal stuffiness, sniffling, and itching. An antihistamine is a drug that blocks a receptor for histamine and helps relieve or prevent these symptoms.

    Types of allergy medications
    Treatment includes the use of antihistamines, glucocorticoids, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene modifiers, and epinephrine.

    First-generation Antihistamines: These are effective but have side effects such as drowsiness. Example: Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton.
    Second-generation Antihistamines: You need to take these once a day, but these don’t usually come with any side effects. Example: Allegra, Zyrtec, and Claritin.
    Leukotriene Modifiers: It blocks leukotrienes, another body chemical that is involved in the allergic response. Example: Singulair.
    Homeopathic Medicines: This is an alternative way to combat allergies. This involves taking small amounts of allergens by mouth to slowly make the body less sensitive to allergens.
    Second-generation antihistamines have now gained popularity as these don’t come with the burden of various side effects. Also, these are cheap and are easily available. However, what medications work best largely depends on the person.

    Several coupons are available for allergy relief medications.

    You’ll get allergy relief medicine coupons for many of these. Some of them include Calcispray Nasal Allergy Spray, Advil Allergy and Congestion Relief, Advil Allergy Sinus, non-drowsy Claritin allergy products, and Xyzal Levocetirizine.

  • Allergy Relief
    Dog Allergy: An overview

    A dog is a man’s best friend. But if you’re allergic to these furry animals, what do you do?

    There are many causal factors that are responsible for dog allergies. Dog allergies occur as a result of a weak immune system. The body of people with an allergy to dogs responds in the same way someone who is allergic to dust might respond.

    Some of the major causes that trigger the infection

    • Flakes of dead skin
    • Saliva of the dog
    • Urine of the dog
    • Contrary to popular belief that most dog allergies are a result of shed dog fur, this is the least responsible factor.

    Symptoms of dog allergy
    How do you know you are allergic to dogs or that the allergy is underway? Here are some of the symptoms which will help you figure that out:

    • A runny nose
    • Continuous Sneezing
    • Pain in some parts of the face as a result of the congestion in the nose
    • Itchiness and redness in eyes
    • Watery eyes
      Hives or rashes on the skin
    • Tightening chest
      Continuous coughing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Some of these symptoms, like hives and rashes, occur mostly after physical contact with a dog.

    Diagnosis Of The Allergy
    The skin-prick test is the most common way to see if you have a dog allergy. The test includes putting a small amount of the allergen of dogs on your skin. The skin is then pierced to let the allergen seep in. After the process, you are monitored for the signs of allergy. At the most, it takes around 15-20 minutes for the symptoms to show up. Some people prefer a blood test rather than the skin-prick test for determining the allergy.

    How To Treat Dog Allergy
    Dog allergy treatments include medication sold mostly on prescription. If you see a sign of allergy surfacing, the first thing that should be done is get to your doctor.
    Most common medicines recommended by doctors for dog allergy treatments are:

    Antihistamines: This medicine is used to stop the chemicals that trigger infection. They come in the form of tablets, nasal sprays or drops.
    Decongestants: This medication tones down the swelling in the nose and eases the congestion.
    Nasal Steroids: These sprays are used to calm down the allergy and are the primary line of treatment.

    Precautions for people suffering from dog allergies
    The basic precaution which lays the ground for all other precautions is to maintain distance from dogs. Here is how you can do it:

    Do not make any physical contact with a dog. Avoid visiting places which house pet dogs.
    If you run into a dog or visit someone who has a dog, clean yourself when you get home.
    Sometimes you will have to come in contact with a dog and there is no avoiding it, like a visit to a relative who owns a dog. If this is the case, then pay a visit your doctor, he might be able to give you some medication that could avoid the allergy from surfacing.