Allergy to perfume scents

By Joel Escol

Almost all of us use perfumes or colognes to smell good, especially if we are going to attend special functions and occasions. Of course, who would want to smell bad while meeting people or attending a convention? Your seatmate would probably talk behind your back and criticize you for having that unpleasant smell.

Though perfumes and colognes have been widely used, there are people who can’t seem to stand the aroma these products emit. Most often, these are the people who have allergies to perfume scents.

Allergies to perfume scents are reportedly on the rise due to the increasing number of companies producing them and the demand by people who used them. 

Among the most common symptoms that people with allergies to perfume scents may experience include headache, hives or rashes, non-stop sneezing, dizziness, watery eyes, runny nose, inability to concentrate, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and itching of the skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology says that fragrances are considered as the leading cause of contact dermatitis, affecting more than two million people.

Health experts say that it’s the person’s physiologic makeup that determines how the body responds to a particular fragrance. They say there are people who can tolerate a perfume’s scent but there are also those who can’t. This is largely attributed to the internal geometry of the nose and the number of olfactory receptors a person has.

Women are reportedly much more sensitive to fragrances than men, especially those who are in their reproductive years.

Experts find it hard to determine what causes fragrance allergies in some people because of the dozens of chemicals that are used in the formulation of one particular fragrance alone. They recommend using both scented and unscented perfumes first. If you experience allergic reactions when using the scented one and not on the unscented one, it means you are allergic to the scent itself. But if you still suffer from allergic reaction even if you are using the unscented one, then the culprit are the chemicals used in the production of the fragrance. Either way, experts suggest you consult a doctor or an allergist to determine the exact cause of your allergy.

Even if people with this kind of allergy avoid using perfumes to prevent allergic reactions, exposure to these substances cannot be prevented due to its widespread use. This is similar to inhaling secondhand smoke, which may also have negative effects on a person’s health.

But health experts say you can limit your exposure to these allergens. Or if not, you can personally request the person whose perfume doesn’t fit your nose to at least tone down his or her use of the scent, or you can relay your concern to your employer so they can come up with ways on how to reduce the widespread use of perfumes in the workplace.

If all these are not possible, you may decide to transfer to another workstation where there only a few people, or modify your work schedule like going to work early when there are not much people around.

---

Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn money online. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online. 

Is allergy a dangerous disease?

By Joel Escol

Health experts say allergy, a disorder of the immune system, is a common condition that majority of people have. 

Allergy occurs when a person is exposed to substances called allergens in the environment and inside the home. Among the most common allergens are the wastes of dust mites; pollens; molds and mildew; cockroaches; wool; gloves or any substances that are made from latex; fur or hair of animals such as cats, dogs and horses; poisonous plants; certain food like peanuts, cow's milk, dairy products, soy, seafood and eggs; some types of medicines; and sting of insects like bees and wasps. 

Some people may also experience allergic reactions when exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures, sunlight and other environmental triggers.

Among the most common symptoms of allergies are red, itchy, swollen and watery eyes; sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, eczema, hives, wheezing or an asthma attack. 

Allergies on food may cause abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; swelling of the tongue, lips, face and throat; stomach cramps, tingling and itching in the mouth, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and rarely rectal bleeding.

Doctors identified some risk factors that are associated with allergies. These include family history of both asthma and allergy, and the presence of pesticides in tap water.

Not having enough sunlight exposure and babies who were delivered through Caesarian section also have higher risk of developing allergies.

Doctors said if you already have an allergy, chances are big that you would also develop allergy to other substances.

Majority of allergic reactions are mild to moderate and are therefore not a problem.

However, there are people who develop anaphylaxis, a severe form of allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis is life-threatening that’s why those who suffer from it must immediately be brought to the hospital for treatment.
The occurrence of anaphylaxis makes allergy dangerous.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis differ depending on the type of allergy. These symptoms may be present minutes or hours after a person is exposed to the allergen. Among the parts of the body that are commonly affected when there is anaphylaxis are the skin (80% to 90%), respiratory (70%), gastrointestinal (30% to 45%), cardiovascular (10% to 45%) and the central nervous system (10% to 15%). 

If the skin is affected, the symptoms include hives, flushing, itchiness, burning sensation on the skin, swelling of the tongue and throat, hypoxia or lack of oxygen in some patients and runny nose.
Among the respiratory symptoms of anaphylaxis are cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness of voice, wheezing and a high-pitched vibrating wheezing sound during breathing while the cardiovascular symptoms include low or sudden drop in blood pressure which results to lightheadedness and dizziness.

If anaphylaxis affects the intestines, the symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, loss of bladder control and pelvic pain.

Among the allergens that can cause anaphylaxis are certain medications and some food like peanuts, eggs, shellfish and latex.

Insect sting can also cause severe anaphylactic reaction.

If you have already experienced severe allergy, an Anaphylaxis Management Plan must be carried out by your doctor. Most often, anaphylaxis is treated using a medicine called epinephrine.

---  

Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn money online. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online. 

How to treat allergy for adults?

By Joel Escol

Extreme weather changes are perhaps the most common predisposing factors for people to get allergies. There are people who easily get allergies, particularly rhinitis, during winter and colder season while there are others who experience rashes or hives during warmer months.

There are also those who suffer from allergies when pollens start to show up.

Getting your allergy treated is of course very important not only to stop the symptoms and prevent it from getting worse but also to protect you from its most visible effect – discomfort.

Understandably, when people have allergies, they will feel uneasy, uncomfortable and would often feel they are not themselves. They can’t seem to function well and would always feel irritable.

The first step to stop allergies in adults from worsening is to consult an allergist-immunologist or a doctor who specializes in treating any forms of allergies.

During consultation, your doctor would get a detailed history of how your allergy started, what triggers it and when it usually occurs. Tests are performed such as X-rays or lung function test to find out the type of allergy you have. These tests are extremely important as these allow your doctor to know the specific treatment.

If by chance the tests turn out to be negative, your doctor will find ways to determine what cause the allergy. Some doctors also specialize in the treatment of non-allergic rhinitis, asthma and other problems of the immune system such as frequent infections.

Once the doctor determines the type of allergy you have, treatment would then be planned. 

Treatments for allergies involve prevention, medication and immunotherapy.

Perhaps the most inexpensive form of allergy treatment is prevention. Here, you will not spend a single money since what you will do is to literally prevent the allergen from getting near you. If you are allergic to fur or hair of pets, the most logical thing to do is not to get near them or avoid having hairy animals in your house. If you are allergic to a particular food, then don’t eat it. If you are allergic to pollens, stay indoors when pollen count in your area is very high.

If exposure to these allergens can’t be completely eliminated, at least limit or reduce your exposure. Your doctor can tell you what to do to lessen your exposure to identified allergens.

In combination with prevention, your doctor may recommend certain medications to decrease the symptoms of allergy.

Unlike some older drugs, newly-manufactured medicines for allergies have already been refined to reduce their side effects. Your doctor knows the best and effective medicines for your allergy so give your trust in him.

If in case you cannot avoid being near an identified allergen or can’t reduce your exposure, and medications are not enough to relieve the symptoms, doctors would often recommend allergy shots or immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is given to control or eliminate the allergic symptoms. This is done by injecting small extracts of the allergen to the patient to gradually stimulate the immune system to fight the allergy naturally and safely.

There may be side effects in immunotherapy but your doctor knows what to do in case these occur.

---  

Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn money online. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online. 

How to treat allergy for children?

Allergy is a common illness that majority of people have. It can affect anyone, young or old, regardless of race and color.

Adults who have allergies can easily manage the symptoms they experience. Understandably, they would know how to handle the situation and know when to seek medical treatment.

But allergies in children can be frustrating, both for the child and the parents. Children have the tendency to throw tantrums when they are not feeling well, especially if they suffer from stuffy or runny nose. It is understood that a child may lose his temper and would throw tantrums if he can’t breathe well. And when this happens, parents may also tend to lose their patience.

That’s why if your child has allergies, regardless of the type, it is important to seek medical treatment so that the allergy will not worsen.

An allergist would provide you with the correct information about your child’s allergy, what caused it and the correct treatment.

Treating allergies in children may be the same as the treatment in adults. The only difference may be the dosage.

Allergists usually recommend antihistamines to treat the symptoms of allergies. However, as parents, you should know the side effects of antihistamines so you know how to handle the situation. 

Among the common side effects of antihistamines are drowsiness and dry mouth.

Based on the doctor’s evaluation of your child’s allergy, antihistamines can be taken all the time, before sleeping at night, and before the start of the allergy season.

Children who are taking antihistamines all the time are those who are suffering from year-round allergies.

To control allergy symptoms from occurring in the morning, doctors often recommend taking antihistamines before sleeping at night.

But if your child has seasonal allergy, particularly against pollen, antihistamines are given before the start of the season, usually taken for up to 10 days.

Among the common antihistamines prescribed by doctors are hydroxyzine, desloratadine and nasal sprays such as azelastine while those that can be bought over-the-counter include fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratadine and diphenhydramine.

Since itchy and watery eyes occur if your child has allergy, it is also important to treat these symptoms as these can cause discomfort to your child. However, most eye drops are only recommended for children above three years old.

Among the common eye drops prescribed by doctors include azelastine and Olopatadine HCL while ketotifen fumarate can be bought even without a prescription.

Most eye drops are prescribed to be used every day to relieve and prevent itchy eyes.

Nasal sprays, such as cromolyn sodium, has been proven to treat inflammation, allowing the child to breathe normally. That’s why nasal sprays are usually recommended by doctors for those with stuffy nose.

Nasal sprays are practically important for children who suffer both allergy and asthma.

Finding the right treatment and medicines for your child may not be easy. But a good collaboration between you, as parents, and your child’s doctor would ultimately result to less allergic attacks for your little one.

---

Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn money online. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online.