Tag: allergies


Rash Prevention

25
July

In previous articles, we discussed the types of rashes and how you can treat them. But as the old adage goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’. By taking certain measures, you can start protecting yourself from rashes instead of waiting for the rash to appear first. Here’s what you can do:

Poisonous Plants

If you have gotten a rash from a poisonous plant in the past, find out all you can about the plant, what it looks like and where it grows. That way you can avoid coming in contact with it unintentionally. Also, when you’re outdoors on a camping trip or a walk through the woods, make sure you wear long sleeved tops and pants. The more your body is covered, the less likely it is to rub against poisonous plants.

Bugs

If you get rashes because of certain bug bites, use an insect killer to make your home and workplace a bug-free zone. Apply an insect repellant ointment to your skin before going outside for maximum protection.

Allergic or irritant contact dermatitis

Many people are allergic to substances like certain metals (nickel is an oft-cited irritant), bubble baths or products that are made from certain ingredients. If that’s the case with you, make a conscious effort to avoid the particular irritant. Stop wearing nickel jewelry and say goodbye to bubble baths.

Eczema

Eczema and other dry skin conditions require particular care. For starters, you can stop using soaps as they can drain the moisture from your skin and make it dry and parched. Use clean liquid based cleansers and moisturizers instead. Creams, lotions and sunscreen should be a part of your regular skin regime. Also, take cool showers instead of hot baths or showers. Hot water showers and baths can do substantial damage to your skin over time and reduce the existing moisture content.

Remember to apply moisturizer when your skin is wet. It shouldn’t be dripping wet but there should be enough water on your skin for the moisturizer to capture and retain it. Using moisturizing products on dried and parched skin isn’t as effective. Again, prevention is better than cure. Your skin is less likely to become dry and itchy if you use moisturizer to prevent the conditions- not treat them.

Sun

Red and itchy skin and bad sunburns can happen to any of us if we are exposed to the sun long enough. However, these problems are especially frequent if your skin is already photosensitive and has a history of sun-related rashes. Always use sunscreen before you go out to protect your skin from the harmful effects of sunlight.

 

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Rashes: Types and Treatment Part 2

25
July

In our last article we talked about the causes and types of rashes. While having that knowledge is useful and helps you understand your condition, knowing what to do if you have the rash is even more important! So today we will be discussing treatment advice for your rash.

What to do if you have the rash?

The good and bad part of having a rash is that you get to know right away if you have it. It will start irritating you and you will probably feel itchy and uncomfortable. If the rash appears while you are at your school or workplace, you should see an appointed nurse within the building.

When you develop a rash, the temptation to scratch at it will be quite potent. However, scratching only worsens a rash and doesn’t do any good besides making you feel better. If you start scratching the rash, you’re in the danger of turning the rash into an infection or a scar. So remember- no matter how badly you want to scratch yourself, its better if you don’t.

We discussed the many types of rashes in our previous article. Whether your rash is because of eczema or a poisonous plant, your symptoms would be similar- red and itchy patches of skin. By seeing a dermatologist, you can pinpoint the exact type of rash you have and get just the right treatment for it. For instance, the dermatologist might recommend emollients (special moisturizers) for eczema but cool showers, calamine lotion and/or antihistamines for rashes developed because of poison ivy. Emollients preserve the moisture in your skin and keep it smooth while soothing the itchy feeling. And used in only severe cases, antihistamines decrease the redness and itchy feeling.

Rashes such as hives that are caused by allergic reactions require special treatment. Your dermatologist will ask you for your history with allergens, and question you about the type of foods, substances, medicines or insects you’ve come in contact with recently. A medical test might also be administered to identify the allergen that’s causing you problems.

Knowing the particular allergen types that cause rashes on your skin helps you prepare better for the future. Since no cure has been found for allergies, avoiding the substances that cause allergic reactions (such as hives) is the most effective preventive measure. After all, you don’t want to develop hives at the restaurant only to discover later that you’re allergic to peanuts!

For further advice and rash treatment, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

 

 

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Rash: Types and Treatment Part 1

30
June

Are you scratching yourself a lot? Is it a red itchy patch of skin that is also lumpy, bumpy or scaly? Is it just one itchy patch or do you also have it on other parts of your body? If so, you might be have a case of the rashes.

A rash (or dermatitis) is a swollen or irritated area of the skin. Alongside redness, itchiness, lumps, bumps and scales, rashes can also be dry and scaly. Rashes cover a broad group of conditions including blisters, hives and pimples. And as your mother can probably tell you, you had ‘diaper rash’ when you were a baby. Most of these rashes don’t signify serious trouble but when they are accompanied by fevers or are the result of an allergic reaction (in the case of hives), they could be symptoms of serious medical conditions.

TYPES OF RASHES

Hives (also known as urticaria) appear as pale or reddish swellings in response to exposure to an allergen like a certain type of food, medicine or bug bite. While you could also get hives because of a virus, if the cause is an allergy, it’s because the body’s immune system had released a chemical named histamine to combat the allergen but, as with all allergic reactions, it’s doing more bad than good.

Here are some other types of rashes:

Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common rash which causes dry, chapped and bumpy skin on, usually, the elbows and knees. In its more serious form, eczema can cause redness, scales and swelling all over the body.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

An irritating agent, such as a particular chemical, soap or detergent, can cause irritant contact dermatitis. Even a nasty sunburn is a type of irritant contact dermatitis as it also causes red, swollen and itchy skin.

Allergen Contact Dermatitis

Whether it’s a food item or a certain metal, you could get a rash because of an allergic reaction. So for instance, if you are allergic to the metal nickel, wearing any jewelry that contains that metal would trigger an allergic reaction which would appear as a rash. Any area of your skin that the jewelry touched could turn red, crusty and scaly.

 Urushiol

While the name ‘urushiol’ might strike you as unusual, it’s a resin or oil that appears commonly in poison ivy, oak and sumac. If you’ve been out camping or taking a walk along some wild trek, you could contract a rash because of your proximity with urushiol.

Join us next week as we discuss treatment for rashes. For instant treatment and more advice, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

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Allergies 101: Treatment

15
April

                                                                   For our ‘Allergies 101’ series, we have so far provided an overview of the causes and symptoms of allergies, types of allergens and the methods used for diagnosis. Today, we will talk about some treatment options available to you or your child. While there is no real cure for allergies, there are several ways in which you can not only effectively manage your condition but also reduce the severity and frequency of allergic reactions.

INFORMATION

The first step for treating and managing your allergy is to educate yourself about your allergy type and what you can do about it. If you suspect that you or your child may have any allergies, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and seek information, diagnosis and treatment. Our doctors at the MedHelp clinic will not only identify your allergy type but also advise you on the best course of action for treating it. Once you’re aware of your allergy type and what triggers your allergic reactions, you can start making the necessary changes in your diet and environment. If your child is allergic to something, informing friends, family and caregivers about the condition is of utmost importance.

EXPOSURE REDUCTION

It’s as simple as this: If you aren’t exposed to the allergen (the substance that you’re allergic to), you won’t get an allergic reaction. Whether it’s peanuts you’re allergic to or dust mites, there’s a lot you can do to alleviate your allergy by just reducing your exposure to these allergens. Whether you’re cooking at home or ordering at a restaurant, be careful about the ingredients that are used in your food. Reading the ‘ingredients’ label on the box or asking the waiter about the contents of your food can mean all the difference between having a good meal or having an intense coughing and swelling fit that could have been easily avoided. Similarly, keeping your home or office immaculately clean could effectively reduce your exposure to dust mites and prevent an allergic reaction.

MEDICATION

Medication can also be useful in treating allergies. A lot of people find that over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays help them handle their allergies a lot better. In specific cases, your doctor might also recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) which can help desensitize you against a particular allergy type.  Immunotherapy is useful if you’re allergic to dust mites, pollen and insect stings. For food allergies, you’ll need to avoid the specific food type.

Join us next week as we discuss some environmental control measures that you can use for reducing your allergen exposure.

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Allergies 101: Diagnosis

8
April

                                                                                                   Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe and the symptoms can be distinctive or indiscernible. There are a number of allergy types that come with instant tell tale signals after exposure to the particular allergen. But, a lot of times, allergic reactions could have symptoms that give the impression of non-allergic conditions. That’s why diagnosing allergies could be either fairly easy or difficult depending on your exact allergy type and the duration and extent of allergen exposure.

In children, colds are a very common ailment and could be the result of many non-allergy related causes. However, if you think your child comes down with a cold at roughly the same time every year- and the cold lasts longer than a week every time- you should see a doctor about any possible allergies your child may have. By asking you questions about the symptoms and when they occur, your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis, prescribe any necessary medication or refer your child to an allergist for any required skin tests or therapy.

Standard skin tests involve allergists testing you or your child for common allergy types. You will be exposed to a number of possible environmental or food allergens that you could have an allergic reaction to. This way, you can zero down on the substance you’re allergic to and get treatment and advice for your condition.

A skin test can be conducted either by dropping liquidized allergen into a pricked area of your skin or by injecting the allergen directly under your skin. While this sounds risky and painful, it really isn’t if the test is performed under careful, controlled and standards-abiding conditions like those in our MedHelp clinic. In cases where the allergic reaction is predicted to be intense (as with small children), blood tests can be performed instead of skin tests. That way you can avoid exposure to an allergen that you’re highly sensitive to and which can cause you significant disease or physical harm. Note that while blood tests may be deemed necessary in certain cases, they are both more expensive and less sensitive for diagnosing allergies.

If you’re allergic to the allergen administered to you during the skin test, a reddish lump will appear on the ‘infected’ area of the skin after 15 minutes.   However, positive result of a skin or blood test showing an allergic reaction is only valid if you or your child also show associated. So for instance a skin/blood test showing an allergic reaction to dust mites would only be valid for a child if the child sneezes frequently while playing on the floor. If the child seems to have no allergic reactions to a dusty environment, the skin/blood test results are deemed indefinite.

If you think you or your child might have any allergies, pay us a visit at MedHelp clinic. Our trained team of doctors and medical experts will provide you with a diagnosis and advise you about treatment options.

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Allergies 101: Nasal Congestion

28
March
Nasal Congestion

Nasal Congestion

MedHelp Urgent Care have covered the mechanism, types, signs and symptoms of allergies in our Allergies 101 series but it’s now time to deal with one of the biggest allergy-related complaint and problem: nasal congestion (also known as allergic rhinitis or ‘hay fever’).

CAUSE

Ranging from a mild annoyance to severe problem, nasal congestion is a condition most closely related to airborne allergies. If there’s something in the air that you are allergic to, nasal congestion will be one of your body’s first reaction to it as the nasal airway and tissues in the sinuses are the first contact point for the allergen. When the body’s immune system starts the attack on the allergen, the sinuses become irritated and inflamed- alongside any other allergic reactions. Nasal congestion is often accompanied by itchy, watery eyes.

PREVENTION

The best way to protect your self from nasal congestion and allergic reactions is to avoid exposure to the particular allergens. However, the biggest culprit in nasal congestion caused by airborne allergies is pollen and it’s not an easy substance to avoid. In every season except winter, trees, grasses and plants produce and spread a lot of pollen in the air which can wreak havoc on those allergic to it. Ragweed in particular accounts for a large number of allergic reactions and nasal congestions.

While you can not possible cleanse the outdoors of pollen, you can protect yourself better by clearing your house and indoor environments of any airborne allergens (such as dust mite, feathers or dander) that could cause nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion is a classic sign of airborne allergy but you can also get it from another allergy type such as a particular food, pet or drug allergy. Fortunately, avoiding a particular food type or cats is easier than avoiding pollen when you go outside!

TREATMENT

Avoiding the allergens can go a long way in preventing nasal congestion and other allergic reactions, but if your nasal congestion is severe and persisting, you should visit us at MedHelp and see a doctor for your condition. Possible treatments include over-the-counter or prescribed drugs, nasal sprays, eye drops and immunotherapy (where a series of injections are administered to you over a long period of time to make you resistant to certain allergens).

As always, our team of doctors and trained medical staff at the MedHelp Urgent Care can provide you with the treatment and advice you need to protect yourself from nasal congestion and other allergic reactions.

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Allergies 101: Signs and Symptoms

28
March
Allergies Signs and Symptoms

Allergies Signs and Symptoms

In our last two posts we discussed what allergies really are, talked about the body’s allergic reaction and looked at the different types of allergens. In today’s posts , we will cover the signs and symptoms related to common allergy types. After all, if you or someone you know has an allergic reaction, it’s better if you are able to identify it as such! That way you can put distance between yourself and the allergen, know if you should or should not freak out and get the right treatment.

The tricky thing about allergy symptoms is that they can differ from person to person and allergen to allergen. Two kids might have completely different visible reactions to pollen allergy or have the same type of reaction to two different types of allergies. Nonetheless, some common symptoms include itchy eyes or nose, nasal congestion, breathing trouble and a tightness in the throat. An allergic reaction could also make the person pass out.

To be more specific, here are the symptoms related to the different allergy types:

AIRBORNE ALLERGIES

Peaking in the early twenties, airborne allergies often develop in a person’s childhood and disappear by the time they turn sixty.   Symptoms include:

  • Itchy nose/throat
  • Coughing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Allergic conjunctivitis (which causes itchy, watery or red eyes)

Airborne allergies are particularly dangerous if a person has a history of wheezing or shortness of breath as the allergy could turn into asthma.

FOOD ALLERGIES

Depending on the person’s sensitivity to the food and the quantity consumed, symptoms of food allergy can vary from mild to severe. If you have a food allergy and you’ve consumed food that contains the particular allergen, you might have the following symptoms:

  • Itchy mouth/throat after swallowing the food
  • Eczematous rash
  • Runny or itchy nose
  • Hives (red and itchy raised bumps on the body)
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Breathing difficulty
  • State of shock

INSECT VENOM ALLERGIES

If a child is stung by an insect that they’re allergic to, symptoms could include:

  • Nausea or diarrhea
  • Throat swelling
  • Hives
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Shock

The area you live in can also determine your risk of having an allergy reaction. Since peanuts are common in the US, more people are known to have had allergic reactions from them. However, peanut allergy is almost nonexistent in places like Scandinavia where people don’t eat peanuts.

If you suspect you or your child is having an allergic reaction, or if you want more information about your allergy type, visit us at the MedHelp Clinic as soon as you can. We will be happy to help!

 

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Allergies 101: Types of Allergies

23
March

Airborne and Food Allergies are two major types of allergies

In our last post we briefly discussed what are allergies and their causes. Today we will take a look at the different types of substances and things that you can be allergic to. Substances you are allergic to are known as allergens and they can be broadly classified into two groups:

AIRBORNE ALLERGENS

Airborne allergens are substances dispersed and carried through in the air and they are some of the most common causes of allergic reactions in people. Airborne allergens include:

Dust mites

Dust mites are microscopic insects that are found everywhere around us- living in curtains, carpets, bedding and upholstery- which feed off the dead cells naturally falling off our bodies. Dust mites are a big part of house dust and the most allergen in nature.

Pollen

Pollen allergy is one of the most common allergy types and happens due to the fertilization process of trees, plants and weeds which requires them to release the tiny particles known as pollen into the air.

Molds

Poorly ventilated areas inside the home and poorly drained areas outside are often home to fungi. This fungi- known as molds- can thrive in a variety of settings and temperatures (whether it’s in a damp basement or a pile of rotting leaves) and be a cause of allergies.

 Pets

Household pets- and especially cats- often lick their fur or feathers as part of their cleaning ritual. The saliva left on their fur starts drying up and releasing protein particles in the air than can act as allergens. Urine, dander and hair are other sources of pet allergens.

Cockroaches

Not only can cockroach-infested places cause asthma in small kids but they can also act as allergens. This is a particularly big problem in the inner city.

FOOD ALLERGENS

Almost 2 million kids in the US have some type of food allergy. Here are some of the most common edibles that kids could have an allergic reaction to:

Cow Milk

Proteins present in cow milk (which are often used for baby formula milk and other milk based products like cheese) could cause allergic reactions.

Eggs

Eggs play an important role in a healthy diet and many of our food products. But if your kid has an egg allergy, you will need to be very particular about which food products you buy as they could contain an egg ingredient that could cause an allergy reaction in your child. Fortunately, most kids outgrow the egg allergy by the time they are 5.

Seafood

A common allergy type for adults, it can last for an entire lifetime!

Peanuts (and other nuts)

One of the most dangerous (and possibly life threatening) allergies is to peanuts.  Peanuts allergy is often accompanied by an allergy to the other nuts.

Soy

Babies who are allergic to cow milk are often allergic to soy milk as well. Soy allergy is less common in older children.

Wheat

Like eggs, wheat and wheat ingredients form a huge part of our diet and it’s not always easy to tell if a particular food product has the wheat ingredient that you’re allergic to.

In addition to airborne and food allergies, other common allergies include allergies to insect stings, certain medicines and particular chemicals.

If you suspect that you are allergic to any particular substance, visit us at the MedHelp clinic. Our team of doctors and trained medical professionals will diagnose your allergy and provide you with the treatment and advice necessary for your allergy type.

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Allergies 101: The What and Why

20
March

 

Allergies

2 million schooldays are lost every year due to allergies

Every year two million school days are lost because of just one cause: allergies. There are roughly 50 million Americans suffering from allergies and that number includes millions of kids all across the country who are allergic to a range of irritants- from peanut butter and dust to cats and cockroaches. This month, we will be talking just about allergies (especially nasal congestion allergies) and what you can do to protect yourself from them.

WHAT ARE ALLERGIES

First of all, it’s important to know about allergies and the reason behind allergic reactions. For most of us, peanuts and cats pose no risk as they are pretty harmless. However, to people with allergies, the same stimulants could cause a physical reaction that could range from annoying to downright harmful. Allergies are defined as the human immune system’s overreaction to substances that are benign to most people.  Because the immune system of someone with an allergy reacts to the allergens (the substance causing the reaction) the same way as it would to a harmful invader, it launches into an inappropriate and unnecessary attack that causes allergy symptoms.

In the presence of a threat, our immune system creates antibodies that release histamine into our blood stream. In the case of actually harmful substances, this mechanism serves to defend and protect our body. However, when this reaction happens in answer to an allergen, it affects a person’s eyes, nose, skins, throat, lungs or gastric tract in an unpleasant- and often visible- manner. This reaction will repeat itself every time you’re exposed to that allergen. So if you are allergic to nuts or pollen for instance, you will have an allergic reaction every time your food contains nuts or there’s pollen in the air.

CAUSES

Hereditary causes account for most allergies. If you have a family history of a specific allergy type, you are in risk of developing that allergy too. As with other genetic diseases, while hereditary allergy increases your risk, it does not follow that you will definitely develop it. Also, if you’re allergic to one substance, you are at risk of becoming allergic to other substances as well.

If you already have an allergy or have a family history of allergies, be sure to visit us for a check-up at the MedHelp clinic. This is particularly important if you have kids so that you can find out about their allergies, learn how to protect them and get treatment.

Join us again as we continue looking into the types of allergies and their treatments.

 

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Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

18
February
Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

Feel like you are coming down with something but not sure of exactly what that something is? Don’t worry: you are not the only one feeling a bit under the weather these days. February is the peak of flu season and there are lots of runny noses and high fevers to be found. However, while flu is definitely enemy #1 this month, you could just as easily be suffering from the common cold or an undiagnosed- and newly acquired- allergy. That’s why it’s important to identify your ailment before you can take steps to treat it. Check out the symptoms for colds, allergies and the flu below to find out what you have- and how to treat it.

SEASONAL FLU

If you are suffering from a fever that’s quickly escalated up to 102 degree Fahrenheit, and you also feel discomfort, aches or fatigue, you probably have the seasonal flu. Drink plenty of liquids and use over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for treatment. You will need antivirals like Tamiflu if you are in a high risk group (pregnant, elderly or severely ill).

H1N1/SWINE FLU

If the seasonal flu symptoms (albeit a bit milder) are accompanied by gastro problems (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting), your ailment might be the swine flu. Treatment advice for seasonal flu also applies for H1N1/swine flu but as this flu is much more contagious, take all necessary precautions and limit your contact with other people. Take some days off to recover at home but if you are not better by the end of the week, see a doctor.

COMMON COLD

High fevers are associated with the flu but if you feel that your fever stays in a comfortable range under 100 degrees Fahrenheit and you don’t have any particular aches to complain of, you might be suffering from the common cold. You will have to deal with nasal congestion though as a runny nose and a little cough is to be expected. As with the flu, staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest is also a top tip for the common cold. Colds run their course and medicine can only make you feel a bit better. So the only cure is to wait it out!

ALLERGIES

If you have a feeling of itchiness in either the eyes, nose and/or throat, you might have something different to deal with than the majority (who are probably all complaining about the flu). Allergies are less common in Winter time than they are in the Spring and Fall, but if you feel an attack coming, the best fix for you will be antihistamines or a netipot. If you already know your allergies, you should keep your meds with you at all times.

If you are still unsure of what’s ailing you, just visit us at the MedHelp clinic. Our doctors and trained medical staff will find out what’s wrong with you- whether it’s a cold, the flu or an allergy- and provide you with the correct treatment right away.

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