Allergy Testing

The issue with food sensitivity is a big one for children on the spectrum. And because it impacts children of various ages and ethnicities, it cannot be pinpointed easily in just one group. However, we also see this in adults as well and we are seeing more people with intolerances to different foods. Wheat is a common allergen as well as dairy and soy but other things can be problematic as well and testing can be challenging.

There is not just one test that can tell you what you need to know in regards to food intolerances. An IgE test gives you information on true food allergies but will not give you information on other foods that may be problematic for you. IgE reactions are more classic allergic responses like hives, itching, runny nose and eyes, and in severe cases, anaphylactic reactions. For example, the person who reacts to the peanuts and has a life threatening reaction. But, an IgG test can pick up on some of those other foods that cause your body to produce an IgG chemical reactions. IgG reactions are typically more mild and can be delayed and so you can have reactions to foods from hours to days after exposure. You may have fatigue, gas and/or bloating and it can be difficult to pinpoint.

Other tests out there can look at immune system reactions in general as well. You can look at other reactions to things besides just IgE and IgG foods. You can look at chemical sensitivities like for phenols, salicylates, artificial flavors and colors. Some tests just look at food proteins but other immunological tests can look at more of a broad range of immune responses not just to foods but also chemicals in foods too.

Recent studies report that children with Autism are four times more likely to have digestive food allergy reactions that their neurotypical peers. So you can see that children with Autism often suffer with bowel issues directly related to the foods they are eating. The more you learn about this issue the more your realize that inflammation in the gut increases the inflammation in the rest of the body and we know neurological inflammation is very detrimental to children with Autism. So knowing what testing is out there is important as is addressing this issue and removing foods that are causing immune reactions in your child with Autism.

You are probably aware of allergies, whether you have them or not. Every year, more and more people experience allergic reactions to a variety of triggers from cats to peanuts. Symptoms range from itchy eyes to anaphylactic shock. As an adult, you are likely to think that if you were allergic to anything, you would know by now. But that is not necessarily true.

It is possible for you to develop an allergy to something at any time in your life. In fact, as you get older you may find yourself having allergic reactions to things you were never allergic to before, such as fruit. That is why allergy testing is important for you, whether you think you have allergies or not.

The most reliable form of allergy testing is IgE testing. This is a blood test that tests you for a variety of allergens. While it does take a few days to receive results, the test is preferable to the more common scratch testing. Why? One blood test is easier for you to go through than a battery of skin tests. In addition, you will not have an allergic reaction as sometimes occurs with scratch tests. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, scratch testing is not good for you.

Results of IgE testing will help you determine what it is you may be allergic to. Four standard panels test for 20 allergies each, giving you a comprehensive test that can shed light on your health. You may not realize that you are allergic to gluten, for example. Finding out the results to this test will prompt you to think about eliminating an allergen from your life; that may encourage better health. You may be able to feel healthier than you are right now!

Even if you know you have allergic symptoms, the IgE testing is a smart idea. The test will help you pinpoint what exactly is causing your symptoms. This will help you adjust your medication regiment accordingly, and make the changes you need to alleviate symptoms.

It is possible that you can enjoy better health than you ever have, simply by getting blood tested for different allergens. You might discover you have an allergy you never knew you had, or you may get a better understanding of the allergy symptoms you are dealing with. Testing can help you to live your best life today.

You might be a chronic blusher wondering, "What is the physical cause of blushing?". This article will answer that question in depth and send you towards a blush-free life with tips and techniques to cure it. Let's roll up our sleeves and dissect blushing from the very beginning.

First, the physical and mental constitution of a person play a vital role in whether they will blush. Your "constitution" refers to your unique body type; this includes weaknesses and strengths based on genetics, environment and such. You'll notice some people never get a hint of pink in their cheeks after being teased or when talking to an audience. These people might seem invincible on the outside, but have issues in other areas. If you blush every so often, that's fairly common and is probably nothing to worry about. If you start blushing intensely and chronically, this probably means you are a very sensitive person emotionally and physically...and something is out of balance.

Possible Physical Cause of Blushing

The physical causes of blushing for you are most likely a combination of all or some of the following:

1. Adrenal Exhaustion
2. Weak Digestive System
3. Reaction to newly developed food allergies
4. Intake of inflammatory substances (alcohol, caffeine, sugar)

On rare occasions, uncontrollable blushing might be caused by:

5. Pregnancy
6. Diabetes
7. Menopause (hot-flashes)
8. Carcinoid syndrome

Either way, a blushing reaction is like an S.O.S flag from inside your body, telling you that something is not working right. I'm willing to bet you fall somewhere in the 1-4 category. Of course you should always visit a doctor or naturopath to deduce what you might have. Note: Most conventional doctors are not trained to treat adrenal fatigue or digestive weaknesses. Naturopaths and nutritionists are trained in that area.

Possible Psychological Cause of blushing

Each person's mental construct is a delicate thing. Some people are conditioned early on and "inherit" fears and insecurities from those close to them and can develop negative associations with people, situations and events that cause irrational reactions. These mental patterns are apart of a persons entire "belief system" which is strongly rooted in who they are. If chronic enough, extreme emotional imbalances will inevitably manifest such as depression and anxiety...further becoming physical manifestations such as blushing, sweating or shortness of breath. Here is a short list of some Psychological factors associated with the cause of blushing:

1. Low-self esteem
2. Self-destructive thoughts
3. Fear of being judged
4. Desire to be perfect and accepted by others

How to Prevent the Physical and Mental Cause of Blushing

Many blushers get to the point where they don't care why they blush and just want it to stop. There are a lot of blushing "quick fixes" out there, 90% of which do not focus on the problem at hand hence are not successful. If you're blushing occurs mostly in social situations where you fear humiliation, you are being teased, you are laughing, you make a joke, you are speaking in front of people, you hear a loud noise...etc., you probably have a physical imbalance and a phobia of social situations for various reasons. The physical imbalance is probably digestive weakness, food allergies and adrenal fatigue. This can be cured by greatly reducing stress, cutting out inflammatory and processed foods and taking supplements as prescribed by a naturopath or nutritionist. The original phobia plus the new fear of blushing can be eradicated by using daily hypnosis. In fact, hypnosis is the most powerful way to cure blushing. It can even override some physical causes of blushing once you learn how to control it. In a blusher's case, "Mind over Matter" is a very applicable phrase to remember.

Recommended Steps a Blusher Should take to Blushing

- First, download a hypnosis track that will train your brain to control and stop blushing.

- Second, deduce what you know of your constitution. What makes sense? Do you have trouble digesting certain foods, do you feel bad after a meal, do you cave under stress, are you moody? etc...

- Third, visit your doctor or a naturopath to pin-point and confirm what systems are weak and could be triggering blushing. Also ask for an adrenal test and a food-allergy test.

- Fourth, start changing your lifestyle by reducing stress, eating healthy foods, cutting back processed foods, drinking lots of clean water, and getting enough sleep.

- Fifth, be nice to yourself and know that blushing is a passing thing that will quickly be a thing of the past. You can do it!

Why is my dog scratching, licking, chewing and biting himself?

There are lots of different skin diseases which will cause itching in dogs, including flea allergy, flea bites, air-borne allergies, hot spots, food allergies, mite infections and hormone imbalances.

To find out what the problem is you will probably need a visit to your veterinarian, but you can get a clue from which parts of the body your dog is attacking and when the itchiness started.

Different skin problems tend to affect dogs in different areas of the body and start at different ages.

In temperate climates, the commonest causes of itching in dogs are flea bites and flea allergy. Affected dogs usually bite and chew the top of the rump and the base of the tail. This problem is usually seen in warm, humid seasons. Dogs can be affected as early as six months of age. If your dog has flea bites or flea allergy you will usually - but not always - be able to find fleas or flea dirt on his skin or in his coat.

The second most common cause of itching in dogs is atopic dermatitis. This is an allergic reaction to things floating in the air, such as dust mites, pollens and moulds. This problem usually starts when a dog is between one and three years of age. Affected dogs are usually chewing, biting, licking or scratching at their feet, ears, armpits, lips or eyelids. Some dogs with atopic dermatitis will also be sneezing.

At any age, dogs can develop sensitivities to foods which will cause them to itch. The itching tends to occur around the face, the ears and the perineum (below the tail). Some dogs with food sensitivity will also vomit or have diarrhea.

Demodectic mange is a mite infection which usually occurs in young dogs. Hair loss and itching usually occur around the lips and eyelids, on the head, inside the ear flaps or between the toes.

Scabies, also called sarcoptic mange, typically affects the edges of the ear flaps, the elbows, the hocks and the underside of the belly.

A dog which develops a skin disease in later life may have a hormonal imbalance or, more rarely, skin cancer.

Itching can also be caused by other parasites, ringworm, bacterial skin infections, contact dermatitis, hot spots and problems with the immune system.

Some dogs can have more than one skin problem at the same time. Dogs with flea allergy dermatitis often develop atopic dermatitis, and vice versa.

Diagnosing a skin problem can be difficult and should be done by a veterinarian. He or she will make a diagnosis based on the dog's age and breed, the dog's age when the problem began, any signs or history of other diseases, diet, examination of the dog's skin, checking for fleas or other parasites, skin tests and possibly blood tests or allergy testing.

If a dog is itching, scratching, chewing, biting or licking at itself it will be suffering a lot of discomfort, and needs to be taken to a veterinarian to have the problem diagnosed and treated.

Allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever", is quite possibly the most common disease experienced by the allergy sufferer. About 20% of the world's population has been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and approximately $5.3 billion are spent every year on the treatment of this disease. Allergic rhinitis is not fatal, but it does significantly decrease the quality of life to those who suffer from it.

Allergic rhinitis can be either seasonal or perennial. It is also believed to be hereditary, so an evaluation of family history of allergies may be performed, along with a physical examination during diagnosis.

Allergic rhinitis is basically the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages. This is where the "clogged" feeling comes from during an allergic reaction. It is caused by the release of histamines in the nose as a reaction to allergens. Some symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis are sneezing, a clear discharge from the nose, watery eyes, itching of the nose, throat and eyes, congestion, ear pressure, nose bleeds and fatigue. Other symptoms can occur, depending on the severity of the allergy.

Allergic rhinitis affects a large percentage of people all over the world. The onset of allergic rhinitis is usually experienced in childhood or early adolescence, but can be experienced at any time in life. In children, allergic rhinitis is more common in boys than in girls; however, it is not any more common in either gender in adulthood. Allergic rhinitis is not life threatening, but it can have a drastic negative affect on the quality of life. Other disorders, such as asthma and otitis media (ear infections). Sleep disorders, such as apnea and generalized fatigue also often accompany the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which can make life much less enjoyable for the allergy sufferer.

There are many factors that trigger the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. As previously stated, allergic rhinitis can be either perennial or seasonal. Dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroaches can cause these symptoms to persist year round. Grass and ragweed pollens are the most prevalent of the seasonal allergy triggers. Some plants require insects for pollination. These plants are not seasonal. Only plants that rely solely on airborne pollination trigger allergic reactions.

Allergic rhinitis can be fairly easily diagnosed by a physician. The physician may ask the patient about past family medical history before beginning a physical examination. A past history of allergies may indicate that the patient is at a higher risk for developing allergies. After that, the physician will perform a physical examination. Often, when an individual is suffering from allergic rhinitis, the lining of the nose will be pale and swollen. The whites of the eyes may be red and irritated and the eyelids may be swollen. Allergic shiners, or dark circles under the eyes are also indicators of allergies. A crease in the middle of the nose may also be present, which has been named the "allergic salute". This is caused by rubbing or pushing up from beneath the nose with the palm of the hand. Skin testing may be done to determine a positive diagnosis.

There are many products on the market that can be used to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. There is no cure for this disease, but if properly treated, the symptoms can be controlled. Antihistamines, nasal sprays and nasal decongestants are the most common treatment for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Other options are the allergy shots, which works by exposing the immune system to small doses of allergens. This strengthens the immune system and thus reduces the symptoms of that allergy. Usually this form of treatment is only used when nothing else has proven affective.

Airborne allergens are particles that travel on the wind. They can include obvious allergens such as pollen from plants and trees that are not insect pollinated, mould spores and pet dander and dust mites.

Not so obvious are the multitude of chemicals used for personal care and in our homes and offices used for cleaning and maintenance that give off a smell or scent and which can trigger allergic reactions.

An unfortunate fact with airborne allergens is that it is difficult to avoid them. With a food allergy you can avoid eating the food quite easily save in the cases of ingredients not listed on packaging. With airborne allergens lifestyle adjustments need to be made which can be difficult and or expensive.

Pollen allergies are the most familiar airborne allergen. Although these are regarded as seasonal a sensitive person may experience symptoms all the year round depending on where they live and which particular type of pollen they are allergic to. For these allergies filters in air conditioning units or standalone H.E.P.A. filters can help while they are indoors and finding out what mix of supplements and or O.T.C. and prescription medicines works best in terms of effectiveness and side effects.

Pet dander may be especially problematic. The obvious lifestyle measure is to get rid of the pet but from the point of view of a pet lover that is not an option. So the pet must be excluded from sleeping areas and optimise good routines of keeping surfaces and rugs dander free. Any pet with fur will produce dander although some pets will seem to shed more than others. Your local veterinarian may be able to give further suggestions on optimal pet care for an allergic pet owner.

Pests may be part of the problem too. Allergies to the droppings of Cockroaches are common in cities and particles from such faeces may be inhaled and cause allergy symptoms. Only a full scale allergy testing panel would be able to diagnose such allergy symptoms from a more obvious and socially acceptable allergy to a pet for example.

Dust Mites are a pest worth mentioning separately. They are almost invisible and live in great numbers in our homes, often in our bedding. Washing the bedding in hot water and drying on high heat is an effective way of controlling the problem. It is possible to get mattress encasements and other anti-mite bedding but washing and drying sheets and pillow cases at a high enough temperature seems to be the best and simplest remedy.

Mould, also spelled mold, is a common airborne allergen in humid conditions. Mould may be present in homes and offices - especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Some mould may be visible as a black line around a window frame or near plumbing. A thorough maintenance check can be done to find, kill and remove such colonies of mould.

In all these cases of airborne allergens we can use air filters to reduce the problem and then optimise our own allergy remedies.

When you go to the drugstore to buy allergy medication, you are benefitting from more than a century's worth of development in an unsung field: quality assurance and quality control. When you go to the grocery store to buy a cantaloupe, you are relying on graduates of food quality training to make sure that it was grown and packed with respect for food safety rules. But who are the pioneers behind today's food and pharmaceutical testing?

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #1: Frederick Winslow Taylor, the father of science-based management (1856-1915)

Frederick Winslow Taylor was a leader of the Efficiency Movement, an early 20th-century movement that aimed to reduce waste in industry and society. He was so influential within this movement - the echoes of which are still felt in pharmaceutical testing and food quality training today - that it is sometimes known as Taylorism.

Taylor was born to a Quaker family in Pennsylvania. He started his working life as a machinist. In his time on the shop floor, he realized that his fellow workers were not working to their fullest capacity. This sparked his interest in the concept of productivity. He went on to promote the application of scientific principles to industrial management, a legacy that endures today in practices that guide food and pharmaceutical testing.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #2: Walter Shewhart, the father of statistical quality control (1891-1967)

This Illinois-born physicist worked in the Inspection Engineering Department of the Western Electric Company. When he joined, quality assurance and control was focused exclusively on inspecting the end product. He introduced a new goal - trying to minimize defects during the manufacturing process - which is still a tenet of pharmaceutical testing and food quality training today.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #3: William Edwards Deming, the father of the quality evolution (1900-1993)

World War II was integral to the industry movement, and Iowa-born statistician W. Edwards Deming was a leading figure of the time. A meeting with Walter Shewhart inspired him to consider the application of statistics. The resulting theories are said to have transformed how industry operates. He is still recognized as a hero in Japan for his post-war work there improving quality in the manufacturing industry.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #4: Joseph Duran, evangelist for quality (1904-2008)

In 1925, Romanian-born, American-raised Juran received training in statistical sampling from the Bell laboratory where he was employed. He would go on to develop a theory that a resistance to new ideas was often a cause of quality assurance and quality control problems.

The next time you are in the drugstore or grocery store, take a moment to reflect on the pioneers behind food and pharmaceutical testing.

The chemical preservative Thimerosal (which contains thiosalicylate and ethylmercury) is a light colored crystalline powder found in childhood vaccines, make up and personal care products. Other products that contain it are antitoxins, ophthalmic and otolaryngolic medications, topical and intramuscular steroid preparations and intradermal tests.

If Thimerosal is used in adults and children with autism it can produce undesired side effects. Such patients, as well as their families, need to consider alternative immunization methods and this is encouraged by physicians (also recommended that siblings of people with autism should take similar precautions). Needless to say, anybody who suffers from autism needs to avoid thimerosal and thiscan be found in make up, personal care products and medications like throat sprays and eye drops.

Common products in which this preservative is present (but not limited to) are:
Contact lens solutions, eye ointments, eye drops, antitoxins, antibiotic ointments, nose drops, soap free cleansers, cosmetics, eye moisturizers, make up removers, desensitization solutions and tuberculin testing.

The North American Contact Dermatitis Group states that, in the United States, a Thimerosal allergy is rated as the 5th most common allergen affecting people. Removing Thimerosal from everyday life is practically not possible but daily exposure can be reduced by using products without it.

In many cases a Thimerosal allergy occurs only on the skin and people with allergic reactions to it might develop a rash where an injection was performed. They can also develop extreme conjunctivitis if the preservative is used in contact lens solutions that they use.

People who seem to face higher risks to a thimerosal allergy are cooks, women and healthcare workers - increased thimerosal allergy reactions amongst such groups could be as a result of increased exposure. The preservative is present in many products and immunizations that they are required to use.

Other names that Thimerosal is known as are: Mercuochrome, Merthiolate, Merzonin, Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate, Mertorgan, Merfamin, Thiomersalan, Thiomersal, and Thiomersalate - it is by no means a comprehensive list of chemical names used for Thimerosal.

There may be no obvious side effects or allergic reactions to this preservative in people not allergic to it, but the question beckons - how does, or will exposure to this preservative, in their personal care products, immunizations and antibiotics eventually affect their bodies?

Both sneeze and cough are productive reflexes that clear the upper airways of bacteria, viruses, pollutants, and irritants including dust. A sneeze will remove dust that irritates the upper nasal lining and a cough will expel dust that is irritating the bronchial passages.

What is Dust?

If you were asked to describe "dust", your first inclination might be to think of it as being dirt. The truth is that dust is so much more complex than dirt can ever dream of being. Dust can include all of the following and more: bacteria, viruses, fabrics, feathers, saliva, mold spores, fungus spores, pollen food particles, human skin flakes, animal dander, dust mites, human hair, plant particles, insect particles, outside dirt, and chemicals.

Taking a look at this list, you can see many of the items that make up dust are allergens in their own right; you can imagine why your body wants to get rid of them; especially when they gang up on you. Sneezing and coughing are you body's natural defenses against these bullies.

The EPA says that indoor air can 70 times more polluted than air from the outdoors; much of this can be attributed to dust. Cough and sneezing are not the only symptoms caused by indoor air pollution; eye irritation, sinus problems, headache, and even fatigue are others.

Limit Exposure to Dust

If you suffer from dust allergies, your best treatment is to limit your exposure to dust. There is no way to eliminate dust all together but there are a few steps you can take to minimize how much accumulates and floats in the air.

Vacuum floors, rugs, furniture, and drapery often. A vacuum cleaner with a built in HEPA filter can help minimize the dust that is forced back into the air during the vacuuming process. Avoid sweeping and using feather dusters as they stir up the dust exasperating your symptoms.

Using an air purifier in your home can filter out allergens in the air and minimize the amount of dust that accumulates. Consider placing one in the central room of your home or in your bedroom. You may also want to consider using air duct filters that will continually filter large quantities of dust from all areas of your home.

Close windows on windy days during allergy season. One large gust of wind can blow pollen into your home coating surfaces, lingering in the air, and instantly attracted to existing dust present. If the trees are moving outside, close up your windows.

The next time you cough or sneeze because of dust, know that it is simply your body's reflexes working just as they should.

Allergy shots for dogs make it possible for our pets to escape the itchy discomfort of allergy symptoms completely and permanently. That's a wonderful thing, but it will not happen overnight.

When it comes to inhalant allergies (atopy in dogs) you must pick a vet that has substantial experience in curing this type of allergy, and not just the occasional try. Inhalant allergies in dogs are different than food allergies because the former are treatable with allergy shots, the latter are usually not.

So, when it comes to dog inhalant allergies, most family vets have limited experience in administering skin tests and what is more difficult, understanding the results and how they may inter-relate to blood tests and other parts of the diagnostic jigsaw puzzle. Inhalant allergy diagnosis is a true art form born from extensive experience and wide knowledge of this form of allergy. This is far out of the league of the average family vet.

Some family vets do have the experience and knowledge to do a very good job. So, you need to research a vet before approaching him or her for allergy shot therapy.

The wise family veterinarian know their strengths, and as a matter of course will immediately refer a dog with a moderate to serious inhalant allergy (atopy) to one of many veterinary dermatologists.

Veterinary dermatologists are trained in the fine points in understanding inhalant allergies and their associated canine blood test, allergy skin tests, diagnostic evaluation, and the all-important pet allergy shots. It is the vaccine in the shots that will make allergy desensitization a success or failure.

Especially in difficult cases, you need a 'top gun' to get top results. If you live in the country you may need to drive to the big city, or take the subway across town to a university animal hospital. It may not be convenient but it will be worthwhile.

Here are some basic guidelines:

With dog allergy shots, your dog will need a daily needle or shot, at least at first. It is far better if the owner can administer the shots rather than driving to the vet dermatologist every day. It is also less expensive. It is not difficult to give a needle to a dog, and you will be shown exactly how to do it correctly and safely.

You should keep in mind that it is common for dog immunotherapy to take 6 to 12 months. There is no way of knowing when or if the shots will eventually work, especially if the dog has multiple allergies. But with a 75% success rates (or partial success rates), the odds are in your favor.

Be prepared that 25% of the time dog immunotherapy does not work.

You should keep in mind that success is not always 100%. There are times when a dog will need to have a fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly booster shot to maintain the desensitization. This is no big deal.

Allergy shots for dogs are a golden opportunity cure or control an allergy in a firm manner. It is the preferred manner in dealing with inhalant allergies in dogs. Locate a good vet dermatologist and have it done the right way.