Canadian actress and Gemini award-nominee Lauren Collins has tackled some tough topics playing her Degrassi: The Next Generation character Paige Michalchuk, but her most challenging real-life role is that of a young Canadian living with a severe, life-threatening allergy. Collins recently visited students in Toronto to discuss how important it is for kids with severe allergies to talk about their condition, for others to be aware and sensitive to their friends with allergies, and for children with anaphylaxis to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. (more…)

pet allergy shampoo

It is estimated that each year millions of Americans think about purchasing an air purifier for their home or their business. Are you one of those individuals?  If so, have you purchased an air purifier yet?  Unfortunately, a large number of individuals think about purchasing an air purifier, but not everyone ends up making that purchase. One of the reasons for that is because many individuals wonder whether or not they really need one. (more…)

Eczema is a skin condition where there is inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. Eczema wrongheaded is one of the main symptoms of eczema along with dryness of the skin and itching. There are various types of eczema as well as atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, xerotic eczema and seborrhoeic eczema among several others. (more…)

Often Unrecognized, Often Undiagnosed, Delayed Food Allergy In Children

You might find it surprising that not all allergies present with a fast-responding allergic reaction; you might find it surprising that it can be as long as three days before symptoms of an allergy present as a noteworthy reaction.All of the above are nevertheless true,and they are especially true of food allergies.  The condition even has a name, despite the fact that these food allergies often go undiagnosed—Delayed Food Allergy. (more…)

If you suffer from a peanut allergy you need to be very careful about what you eat. It can be very difficult to stay vigilant and read all food packaging to ensure you do not inadvertently eat something that contains an extract from a peanut shell or peanut oil. The problem is that even a trace of anything related to a peanut can cause a very bad reaction if you are allergic.

Unfortunately, there is a common misconception amongst peanut allergy sufferers that it is only whole peanuts that will cause them problems. And this misconception could prove genuinely fatal. Anaphylactic seizure and ultimately death can be caused by even a minute instance of something extracted from a peanut being present in a foodstuff. (more…)

The immune system of a person with an allergy tries to combat allergens. It looks upon the small driftwood of everyday life – house dust, pollen, animal dander, and mold – as outsiders that are sure to do some dreadful damage.

In order to recognize and capture these strangers, it is important that people know who the culprits are. They should try to educate themselves on how allergies work and what causes them because these are the only means to find the solution to the problem. (more…)

Symptoms caused by insect sting allergies usually happen within a few minutes after you got stung, although there may be symptoms happening after some hours. Insect venoms cause these allergic reactions, like those from wasps, bees, hornets, fire ants, and yellow jackets.

Mild Symptoms:

- Pain, swelling, and itching at the area of the sting or at times, over larger body areas such as the forearm or entire hand
- Fever
- Fatigue or nausea
- Hives, swelling, and itching in body areas apart from the area that got stung
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty of breath
- Tongue swelling (more…)

Symptoms that occur as a result of contact allergies usually happen within a few minutes after your allergen exposure, although there are symptoms that may occur after several hours. Common allergens are poison ivy and poison oak, rubber, nickel, latex, preservatives, dyes, fragrances, medications, and cosmetics like perfume and hair dye. Nickel, a metal frequently used in buttons, jewelry, hairpins, zippers, metal clips and snaps, is the frequent source of the allergy. Sun exposure might also give you reactions. (more…)

Symptoms of respiratory allergies frequently occur after a few hours of exposure and usually trigged by allergens that are airborne like animal dander, plant pollens, mold spores, and dust mites.

Mild Symptoms:

- Wheezing or coughing
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat or nose
- Postnasal drip
- Smell sense is impaired
- Hoarseness in the throat
- Congestion
- Red, itchy, swollen, or watery eyes
- Clogged or runny nose with thin and clear mucus
- Conjunctivitis
- Fatigue (more…)

Symptoms of an allergy caused by certain food types usually happen within some minutes after you ingested food allergens, although there are some that would only occur after several hours. The symptoms may only happen to areas around the lips, mouth, and digestive tract, or could also involve other body areas. Foods that commonly result to allergic reactions are eggs, nuts, milk, fish, soy, shellfish, and wheat.

Mild Symptoms:

- Tingling, itching, or swelling of your mouth, tongue, lips, or throat
- Tightness feeling in your throat
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Nausea
- Indigestion and abdominal cramps
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Coughing, congestion, wheezing, or sneezing
- Runny, stuffy, or itchy nose

Severe Symptoms: (more…)