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People with allergies are faced with a driving dilemma: whether or not to drive while taking allergy medication. If you do want to wreck your Demio or Chariot Grandis, then it is best to keep them parked when allergy season hits and you are feeling miserable. 44% of the American population hit the road when allergy season starts. If you suffer from allergies, you need to be very careful before getting behind the wheel of your Demio or Chariot Grandis.

There are non-drowsy allergy medications on the market, such as Claritin, but it is still important for you to read the medicine label before taking it. Even though the medication may say it is a non-drowsy formula, it could react with other medications you are taking and make you drowsy. Plus, some people naturally become drowsy when taking this medicine even if it is a non-drowsy formula. Their natural body chemistry causes this. You never want to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you find out that taking this medicine will make you sleepy.

Drivers need to be aware of what they are doing at all times. You need to be focused in order to react to any possibility on the road. Over the counter medications are not always non-drowsy formulas, which is why you need to be sure that the medicine you purchase is the right one. 38% of American drivers which equals out to about four out of ten drivers have reported becoming drowsy while driving after taking their allergy medicine.

In order to prevent getting drowsy behind the wheel of your Demio or Chariot Grandis, here are a few tips for you to follow:

* Carefully read all medicine labels before you take it and get behind the wheel. Check the labels for any type of drowsiness warning and drug interactions that could cause you to get sleepy.

* If you are already sleepy when you are ready to go drive, stop and wait. You do not want to take the chance of having an accident when you get behind the wheel. If you need to pick up your children or meet someone, make other arrangements.

* Take along a travel companion with you if you are planning a long trip. If you cannot take someone along, plan on taking breaks while you are on the road so that you can shake off any tired feeling you may develop.

* Make sure you get plenty of sleep when taking your allergy medication so that you can avoid getting sleepy on the road.

* Pull over if you feel drowsy while you are behind the wheel.

Rhinitis during pregnancy can be due to allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, or non-allergic rhinitis. If the woman has had allergic rhinitis prior to pregnancy, this could worsen, stay the same, or even improve. This change in symptoms may be dependent upon many factors, including the presence of seasonal allergens and increase in pregnancy hormones.

Non-allergic rhinitis in pregnancy may also be due to an increase in pregnancy hormones, leading to nasal congestion, runny nose and post nasal drip. This is called “rhinitis of pregnancy”. The symptoms may mimic allergies, but since they are non-allergic in nature, do not respond to anti-histamines.

The pregnant woman with rhinitis may be concerned about the safety of medications during pregnancy, and therefore avoid taking medications.

If avoidance of allergic triggers is not possible or successful, medications may be needed to control symptoms.

Diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis During Pregnancy

Allergy testing includes skin testing or blood tests, called a RAST. In general, allergy skin testing is not done during pregnancy, given the small chance of anaphylaxis which may occur. Anaphylaxis during pregnancy, if severe, could result in a decrease in blood and oxygen to the uterus, possibly harming the fetus. Therefore, allergy testing is usually deferred during pregnancy, although a RAST would be a safe alternative if the results are needed during pregnancy.

Safety of Allergy Medications During Pregnancy

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no drugs are considered completely safe in pregnancy. This is because no pregnant woman would want to sign up for a medication safety study while she is pregnant. Therefore, the FDA has assigned risk categories to medications based on use in pregnancy.

Pregnancy category “A” medications are medications in which there are good studies in pregnant women showing the safety of the medication to the baby in the first trimester. There are very few medications in this category, and no asthma medications.

Category “B” medications show good safety studies in pregnant animals but there are no human studies available.

Pregnancy category “C” medications may result in adverse effects on the fetus when studied in pregnant animals, but the benefits of these drugs may out weight the potential risks in humans.

Category “D” medications show clear risk to the fetus, but there may be instances in which the benefits outweigh the risks in humans. And finally, category “X” medications show clear evidence of birth defects in animals and/or human studies and should not be used in pregnancy.

Before any medication is taken during pregnancy, the doctor and patient must have a risk/benefit discussion. This means that the benefits of the medication should be weighed against the risks – and the medication should only be taken if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Treatment of Rhinitis During Pregnancy

Nasal saline. Rhinitis of pregnancy tends not to respond to anti-histamines or nasal sprays. This condition seems to respond temporarily to nasal saline (salt water), which is safe to use during pregnancy (it is not actually a drug). Nasal saline is available over the counter, is inexpensive, and can be used as often as needed. Generally 3 to 6 sprays are placed in each nostril, leaving the saline in the nose for up to 30 seconds, and then blowing the nose.

Anti-histamines. Older anti-histamines, such as chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine, are the preferred agents to treat allergic rhinitis during pregnancy, and are both category B medications. Newer anti-histamines such as over-the-counter loratadine (Claritin®/Alavert® and generic forms) and prescription cetirizine (Zyrtec®) are also pregnancy category B medications.

Decongestants. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®, many generic forms) is the preferred oral decongestant to treat allergic and non-allergic rhinitis during pregnancy, although should be avoided during the entire first trimester, as it has been associated with infant gastroschisis. This medication is pregnancy category C.

Medicated nasal sprays. Cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom®, generics) is helpful in treating allergic rhinitis if it is used before exposure to an allergen and prior to the onset of symptoms. This medication is pregnancy category B and is available over the counter. If this medication is not helpful, one nasal steroid, budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua®), recently received a pregnancy category B rating (all others are category C), and therefore would be the nasal steroid of choice during pregnancy.

Immunotherapy. Allergy shots can be continued during pregnancy, but it is not recommended to start this treatment while pregnant. Typically the dose of the allergy shots is not increased, and many allergists will cut the dose of the allergy shot by 50 percent during pregnancy. Some allergists feel that allergy shots should be stopped during pregnancy, given the risk of anaphylaxis and possible danger to the fetus as a result. Other than anaphylaxis, there is no data showing that the allergy shots themselves are actually harmful to the fetus.

A person suffering from allergies often becomes a harassed patient. For the sake of getting relief, he visits doctors who prescribe strong medicines to suppress symptoms, and even resorts to experimenting with various over-the-counter medications just to be rid of the nagging symptoms. However, there are times when none of these work, or work only temporarily. This leaves the patient wondering if any natural remedies would give him lasting relief and eventually help him get rid of his allergy.

The question foremost in a sufferer’s mind is whether there can be relief without medication-prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines. He cannot visualize a situation where there is no suffering and no medication either. He is pleasantly surprised to find natural alternatives, which are healthier and cheaper.

People prone to non-food allergies, can use food options as a way of seeking relief. That is, if the allergy is caused by dust mites, mold, mildew or tobacco smoke, relief is available in the form of foods and drinks that may stop your allergic reactions. These include having a glass of lukewarm water with the juice of one lime added to it, or eating one or two bananas everyday for at least a month, and also taking vegetable juices. These are believed to make the body resistant to allergies. However, this approach is not recommended for people who suffer from food allergies because, treating one set of allergies with specific foods might trigger off another kind of food allergy.

One more natural cure that can bring relief is vitamin B5. Vitamins are not medicinal supplements; they actually are not as they are contained in natural foods. Hence they are considered to be more natural in content than medicines. The intake of vitamin B5 has to be at least one tablet a day for a minimum of two or three months. It is only after this period that the benefits of this supplement will be seen.

It is generally believed that natural remedies would mean turning to natural resources for respite, like consuming natural foods, herbs and vitamins. Another natural option is to move away or keep a distance from trigger factors. This involves first finding the trigger factors, that is, which things lead to the allergy. Therefore, those prone to dust allergies can hire the services of a professional cleaning agency to clean up the house and remove all dust particles that might accumulate in carpets, corners or covered areas. Those suffering from allergy from mold and mildew must avoid areas where these are likely to be present, like the loft and basement.

Of all the allergies, food allergies are considered to be the most dangerous, even life threatening. Caution is the keyword for all those who suffer from food allergies. As in all other allergies, it is first important to know which are the food types that you are allergic to, and then be constantly on guard whenever you eat, to see that none of the foods on your plate, have any of the allergy provoking foods. It is also advisable to know what reactions take place, and in such eventuality that an allergy sets in, what must be done to undo the damage. This is especially important for people suffering from peanut allergy as they can go into shock and die within minutes of consuming even a miniscule quantity of nuts.

Allergies are bad and cause distress even due to ignorance. This can be resolved by collecting information on the internet about your specific allergy and also read books and journals that address the issue of allergy.

Antihistamines have been used to help allergy sufferers for years. Most people don’t really understand Antihistamines or how they work. First it’s important to take a closer look at allergies and exactly what effect they have on the body.

Allergies are the result of your body having a bad reaction to an outside substance. These substances are typical allergens, such as pollen, dog or cat dander, dust, or a certain type of food. You’re body reacts by attacking them like they would any type of germ. This is done my releasing a substance called histamine. The byproduct of histamine is typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, rashes or hives.

Antihistamines work by fighting the histamine that’s produced by the body. In essence it protects the body from itself! More specifically it builds a protective wall around the cells of the effective area. Once the cells are protected, there’s nowhere for the histamine to take hold.

Like most medication, antihistamines historically has some negative side effects, the most notable being drowsiness. In the past many people would choose to deal with their allergy symptoms other then taking medication. What’s the point if you’re so tired you can’t complete your day to day tasks?

The good news is recently newer antihistamines have become available that fights histamine without causing drowsiness. Of these Claritin and Allegra are the 2 most popular. In the beginning they were only available by prescription, however that has recently changed. Now they’re both available over-the-counter. They have been a proven treatment for all types of allergies, with minimal side effects.

Although many people suffer from seasonal allergies, there are those who suffer year-round from allergens, such as dust, mold, cats, dogs, fumes, or even food!

There are three basic steps in controlling your allergy. The first logical step is to avoid exposure to the allergen. Obviously, we can avoid medications that have cause an allergic reaction. However, avoiding ubiquitous dust might be more challenging!

The second step in controlling allergy symptoms is medication. You may want to discuss the right choice of an allergy medicine with your health care provider. Also, you may try some home remedies to alleviate your symptoms.

Sometimes the steps outlined above are not sufficient to bring relief to allergy symptoms, and immunotherapy (allergy shots) is necessary. Immunotherapy is effective for allergy symptoms caused by dust mites, pollen, mold spores, stinging insect venom, and occasionally animal dander.

To avoid house dust, you should take the following steps:

1. The biggest and closest to your body are these “dust collectors”: your pillow and blankets. Use only washable pillows and blankets and wash them regularly!

2. Your mattress is also a big collector of dust and mold. Cover it with a plastic cover. For comfort, you may place a mattress pad on top (it needs to be washed regularly).

3. Regular dusting of bed frame and the whole house is needed.

4. Frequent vacuuming is crucial

5. Regularly clean/change furnace filters

6. Control house humidity (35-40% is ideal). Excess humidity promotes mold growth.

7. Remove all dust collectors from your bedroom: decorative pillows. Stuffed animals, heavy drapes, books

8. Do not allow your pet in the bedroom

Remember: On average you spend 30-50% of your day in your bedroom! So, keep it allergen free!

There are certain actions that you can take at home, to try to control or eliminate your allergy symptoms. Research shows that regular nasal washes with saline solution (you can use a saline nasal spray if pouring salty water up you sinuses does not seem appealing) not only moisturizes and cleans the nasal passages, but also decreases in the sinuses the extra blood flow that is responsible for congestion, thus relieving stuffiness. You can buy the saline solution at your local supermarket, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of tap water with 1 tsp of sea salt. Use it in the morning and at night. Alos, taking a vitamin C supplement may help with overall nasal symptoms, because vitamin C tends to decrease release of histamine, one of the chemicals responsible for inflammation in allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Claritin available over-the-counter are effective in controlling symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, be aware that allergy medications can make you drowsy. Know how your body responds to antihistamines before you operate machinery or drive your car! If Benadryl makes you too sleepy and Claritin does not seem to tackle your symptoms, talk to your physician or nurse practitioner, as there are other allergy medications available by prescription.

Natural allergy cures don’t get a lot of press, but they can be much better for you than the traditional over-the-counter or prescribed remedies available on the market.

They do not treat allergy symptoms the way traditional over-the-counter or prescribed treatments do. Over-the-counter medications and some prescribed medications suppress your symptoms by using antihistamines or other substances to “cover up” allergic reactions instead of getting rid of them.

By contrast, natural allergy cures work to actually cure the underlying problem causing the symptoms, instead of simply suppressing symptoms. Let’s take a look at what some of them do.

Temporary fasting

A juice fast is a good way to cleanse your body of toxins over about a five-day period. This lets your body and digestive system rest and heal, bringing you back into balance. After the fast is over, you’ll want to minimize your exposure to substances you know you’re allergic to, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. By strengthening your immune system, a juice fast also calms down the allergic reactions you have to substances. Simply taking a mixture of beet, carrot and cucumber juice every morning can also help combat and alleviate symptoms. Simply juice carrots, beets and cucumber at a ratio of three parts carrot to one part each cucumber and beet juice.

Vitamins, other supplements, and diet

Taking a good quality multivitamin every day can help reduce allergy symptoms, as can taking B vitamins and pantothenic acid in proper proportion. Vitamins C and E are also important immune system strengtheners. Some little known substances that can help stabilize histamine reaction (which is what causes allergic reactions) is to ingest the spice turmeric and quercetin, which can help reduce your histamine production.

Yogurt is another very effective food that can help you combat allergies. It increases “good” bacteria in your gut; this in turn strengthens your immune system, which can help reduce allergic reactions. Of course, you can’t be allergic to dairy if you use yogurt, and you must also make sure that you use yogurt with an effective acidophilus culture in it.

Keeping a good diet that’s nearly free of processed foods, artificial flavors and preservatives is also important to keeping your immune system healthy. This in turn will reduce your allergic reactions. You should also avoid excess amounts of alcohol, coffee, tea, cola, and you should avoid tobacco altogether.

Clean your environment

Along with reducing obvious allergens such as dust, mold, pet dander, and the like, avoid using chemically-based cleaning products. These can be allergy triggers themselves. Use old-fashioned cleaning substances such as baking soda and vinegar instead, or use one of the natural formulation cleaning products now on the market.

It can also be a great help to invest in several good quality air filters. In general, investing in several small air filters is better than investing in one large room filter, because they will cover your square footage more effectively than one central filter stationed in your living room will.

These natural allergy cures will greatly reduce if not eliminate your allergies, which can cut down on or eliminate your dependence on allergy medications. You’ll look better, you’ll feel better, and you’ll be healthier.

Many times people make the mistake of confusing an allergy to wheat as the same as an allergy to gluten. While on the service they may seem like they’re the same, it’s important to understand that in fact they’re very different. The difference lies in exactly what you’re allergic to. Gluten is a protein that’s found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. To put it simply, if you have an allergy to wheat, you’re only allergic to wheat, while an allergy to gluten means that you may have an allergic reaction to many more foods.

Get tested

It’s important to see your doctor and get tested as soon as you suspect that you may have an allergy. By getting the proper testing, you’ll be assured to know exactly what you’re allergic to, therefore knowing what foods to avoid.

What are the symptoms?

It’s important to know and recognize the symptoms of wheat or gluten allergies. This is the first signs that there may be a problem. Common symptoms include:

- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Painful skin rashes

These symptoms may range from mild to severe. If you experience these symptoms after you eat something that contains wheat or gluten, you should see your doctor right away.

Treatment options

Unfortunately there is no magic cure. The best medicine is to avoid the foods that are causing the allergic reaction. Your doctor may be able to provide medication that helps with the symptoms; however it’s usually best to treat the root cause of the problem.

American television programs of the 1950s taught simple axioms such as Clear Fences Make Good Neighbors and If You Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say, Don’t Say Anything At All. In that simple golden era, severe allergies were extremely rare among the population, so something like a potentially lethal bee sting provided more than enough material for a thirty-minute comedic episode.

Since then, television has become less wholesome, ethics and plotlines more complex, and severe allergies more common. In fact, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 60 million Americans suffer from allergies, and the CDC and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases both report that the number of Americans with allergies has been on the rise for the last ten years.

Various aspects of the modern lifestyle could be to blame. Some say climate change due to global warming has elongated blooming seasons, creating especially intense periods when different species’ pollen release periods overlap. A Harvard University study suggests that trees may also be releasing more pollen in response to increased levels of carbon dioxide. Increased indoor and outdoor pollution, stress, and diets high in processed foods and low in fiber may contribute to higher incidence of allergies. Finally, some follow the “hygiene hypothesis,” that our increased use of anti-bacterial products has worked all too well: everything in our homes and offices is so free of germs nowadays that our bodies are effectively defenseless against newer, nastier bacteria.

Whatever the cause, as the number of allergy sufferers rises, more and more are opting for naturopathic treatments, and turning away from the quick fixes promised by allergy pills or shots. Some choose naturopathy to avoid irritating side effects. Others have found that homeopathic approaches treat symptoms as well as the underlying causes of their allergies. Scientists aren’t yet sure why naturopathic methods can often achieve similar, if not better results, than traditional western medicine, but it may have something to do with the breadth of the naturopathic approach, which considers emotional, mental, and whole-body health, rather than limiting treatment to isolated symptoms.

Unfortunately, without enlisting a professional, it’s not always easy to find naturopathic treatments for specific allergies. To help our readers, we’ve compiled the following treatment information for various allergies.

POLLENS

Whether you know your special pollen allergen or simply explain your rasping cough and red eyes as “hay fever,” homeopathic methods can help. Many naturopathic experts recommend increasing your fish intake because omega-3 fatty oils have been shown to reduce allergy symptoms. Walnuts, flax seeds, and dark leafy greens are alternative sources of omega-3; a daily supplements are also an option. Try naturopathic eyedrops to naturally soothe itchy, red eyes. Many turn to acupuncture and/or herbs, including nettle and green tea, to knock out their allergies. Flushing the nasal passages regularly with a mixture of warm water and a pinch each of baking soda and sea salt is also a common treatment. Use a spray bottle, nose dropper, or neti pot for application. For a special treat, add a drop of soothing eucalyptus or invigorating tea tree essential oil. Finally, a few precautionary steps, such as regularly cleaning and showering after pollen exposure, could reduce your symptoms.

More Homeopathic Remedies: Arsen Alb, Euphrasia, and Pulsatilla. Essential oils and other applications for each may be found online or at natural food stores.

Molds, Dust Mites and Animal Dander

If you suffer from allergies, your home can be your worst enemy. After all, outside pollens and molds are reduced during cold winter months, but indoor allergens can thrive year-round, an especially nasty prospect given that molds, dust mites, and animal dander are the trigger for many symptoms of asthma. Before you medicate, create a clean, dry environment-without skin dander or moisture, allergens can’t survive long. Aim to eliminate as many breeding grounds-such as unnecessary rugs, pillows, and cloth window treatments-as possible. Commit to washing your bedding and remaining rugs in very hot water once a week, along with stuffed animals. Also consider keeping pets out of the bedroom, so that their allergy-inducing dander can’t become embedded where you spend half of your life. Last, mattress covers, sometimes called mattress protectors or mattress encasements, are an impenetrable line of defense against allergens, as they effectively block allergens from reaching you and their food supply (your dead skin). These same encasements can be purchased to protect your pillows and crib mattresses as well.

More Homeopathic Remedies: Homeopaths often recommend Arsen Alb, Sabadilla, American Stinging Nettles or Perilla to relieve symptoms associated with dust mite allergies. If, after a clean environment is created in and around your bed, allergies still seem to persist at home, consider asking your doctor or naturopathic expert about taking these supplements.

~Ben Anton, 2008

When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoidance of the trigger is not easy or possible, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy or “allergy shots”. This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, 80 to 90 percent of patients have less allergy symptoms, and in many cases their allergies have completely resolved. Allergy shots can be given for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (nose and eyes), allergic asthma and insect sting allergies.

Are allergy shots experimental therapies?

No. Allergy shots have been given for nearly 100 years and are FDA approved therapies. Numerous well-designed medical studies show the efficacy of allergy shots.

And allergy shots do not contain steroids, which can have adverse long-term side effects.

How do allergy shots work?

Unlike allergy medicines, which act only to “cover up” allergic symptoms or prevent them temporarily, allergy shots fix the underlying problem of allergies. This occurs because the body treats the injection much like a vaccine, resulting in the production of infection-fighting antibodies against the pollen, dust, mold or pet dander. The body then stops producing as much allergic antibodies against the triggers, and therefore won’t have as much, or any, allergic response when exposed to the allergens. These changes can last for many years even after stopping allergy shots. Recent studies show that allergy shots can also prevent people from developing new allergies, and reduce the risk of developing asthma in children with nasal allergies.

How are allergy shots given?

The method of immunotherapy consists of starting at a small dose that will not cause an allergic reaction, with slowly advancing the dosage until the person becomes tolerant to large amounts of the extract. These injections are initially given once to twice a week until a maintenance, or constant dose, is achieved. This usually takes approximately 3 to 6 months. Once the maintenance dosage is reached, the allergic symptoms are largely resolved in most patients. Thereafter, the injections are given every two to four weeks.

How long must I take allergy shots?

Therapy is continued for 3 to 5 years total, after which the patient continues to get benefit for another 5 to 10 years or longer, even after the shots are stopped. If the shots are stopped prior to a total of 3 years, the allergic symptoms typically return more quickly.

What are the risks of allergy shots?

The risks of immunotherapy consist of the possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction to the allergy shot. Most allergic reactions consist of mild to moderate swelling and itching at the site of the injection. These reactions occur frequently, but rarely require any change in treatment. A large swelling may require an adjustment of the immunotherapy dosage or a change in the frequency and amount of the shots.

Less commonly patients experience whole-body allergic reactions, sometimes called “anaphylaxis”. Most of these reactions are mild and consist of itching of the skin, hives, or runny nose. Others are more severe and can present as cough, chest tightness, wheezing, throat tightness, shock and rarely can be life-threatening.

For this reason, it is normally required that patients remain in the physician’s office for 20 to 30 minutes after the injection since most reactions occur during this time. These reactions are typically easily reversed with medicines such as injectable epinephrine and anti-histamines.

Should I take allergy shots?

Obviously, this is a question that only you and your doctor can answer. There are many reasons to consider allergy shots:

- Medicines don’t work: Many patients go to the allergist because they still have symptoms despite having tried numerous allergy medications, with little to no relief of their symptoms. Sometimes allergy shots are the only therapy left for these patients.

- Go for the cure: Other patients like the idea of a “cure”, and opt for allergy shots for that reason. Remember, immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergies that fixes the underlying problem of the immune system, much like a vaccine.

- Don’t like medicines: Some patients experience severe side effects from medications, or don’t like taking medications on a daily basis – the idea of a “once a month shot” is a better option for them.

- Cost of medicines: Medications can be expensive, and since allergy symptoms typically return soon after medications are stopped, patients may require medications for many, many years. Allergy shots can alleviate much of the need for medications and can be a significant cost savings measure in the long run.

Allergies are one of the most common complaints among dog owners. Truly, not too many puppies have allergies their first year but many are already becoming sensitized to things in their environment. If your puppy already shows signs of allergies, and some do, don’t hesitate to get it treated. You may head off a lifetime of trouble if you get a handle on it early. Allergies get worse every year if left untreated.

Allergies usually materialize in the form of small skin eruptions, rashes, hair loss, itching, moist or oozing dermatitis, and ear infections. Dogs will over wash themselves, chew, scratch, and rub to alleviate the sensations which in turn makes them worse.

HOW ALLERGIES DEVELOP

Allergies are such that your dog may be exposed to a pathogen one year and show no outward signs of ailment…this time. Next time he comes in contact, it will create a reaction, maybe small at first, but each time he is getting more sensitized and each time the reaction will be a little, or a lot worse. We often hear owners saying, “he never had this problem before”. Yeah, we know, that’s how it works.

Dogs can develop allergies to any number of things such as grass, trees, shrubs, dust mites, molds, and most commonly…fleas. If your dog has an allergy to something, it will take very little to set of a histamine reaction in his body. Dogs are most commonly allergic to things their skin touches rather than something they inhale. They may be allergic to pollen but it is usually a contact problem, not an inhalant one like with people.

MOST COMMON CAUSE

Fleas are the most common cause of allergies by far. You may not even think your dog has fleas but it could only take one bite to set him off. One of the most important things you can do is protect him against fleas. Protect him aggressively and often. There are excellent products on the market now such as Advantage, Frontline, Revolution, and Sentinel. A couple of these require simple blood tests before they can be used because they also protect against heartworms. You must always make sure your dog is not infected before starting on heartworm medication.

TREATING FOR FLEAS

It is also vital that you treat not only your pet but also his environment as best you can. Fleas can live anywhere. They reside quite nicely in your yard, grass, sand, dirt, carpet, bedding and anywhere else you can think of. And the are resilient. Persistence is a must. One study showed fleas that were found in Arctic Turns nests which were thawed out and found to be still viable after having been frozen for a long time.

The fleas life cycle must be broken to gain any sort of advantage at depleting their population. Treat the house, the yard, and your pets. Make sure you use products that are safe for all your pets. Cats and other small animals can be very sensitive to toxins. Please NEVER use over the counter products unless they are recommended by your veterinarian. Many of the products sold in stores are very dangerous and can be deadly, especially to cats.

TREATING THE ALLERGY

There are many ways to treat your dog if he develops allergies. If it is not too bad you may only have minor flare ups in the summer which can be treated with oatmeal baths and antihistamines. The dogs who really suffer often require year round treatment, or at least aggressive treatment through their sensitive times of the year. A regimen may include injections of steroids, antihistamine and steroid tablets, a special diet, flea products, and frequent soothing baths.

FOOD ALLERGIES

Less that 10% of dogs who have allergies are allergic to what they eat. We often make that leap on our own because there are so many allergies with the human population. Not so with your dog. While it is quite possible. It is not usually the best place to start looking for solutions. Many dog food companies have created diets for those dogs who are sensitive to their diets however. Hills and Nature’s Recipe are among the leaders. They make a variety of foods with ingredients that your dog won’t have come in contact with. They may include venison, duck, whitefish, lamb, rice and potato.

The trick to ruling out a food allergy is to eliminate everything else they may put in their mouths and it will take up to 60 days to clear everything from their system. You must only change their diet but also eliminate treats unless they are just hand outs of the same biscuits he gets at meals. You must have him eat from stainless bowls. You must remove any chew toys, like rawhides, and cows hooves. This sounds easy but it must be maintained without hesitation or fail or else it will all be for not. Any contact will set you back to the beginning.

ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES

Dogs and usually allergic to more than one antigen. Most will react to varying degrees to a number of different things the come in contact with. While dogs are often allergic to pollens, it is not usually due to inhalation, but due to contact with the skin. If your dog has a severe sensitivity to grass for instance, you may need to wash off his feet every time he comes in from outside. Even just rinsing them will help prevent further involvement. He may need baths several times a week but only with specific types of treatments and direction from the veterinarian. The wrong things could aggravate instead of help the problem.

Dog allergies usually come in the form of dermatitis, some form of skin inflamation, itching, redness, hair loss, scratching, oozing, and ear infections. The animals are truly miserable and inconsolable. If you can get by with a few treatments in a season you should consider yourself lucky as allergies go. If you have a dog who is sensitive to something all year or hyper sensitive at certain times of the year you may need to explore allergy testing and injections.

ALLERGY TESTING

Allergy testing is the best way to determine what exactly you are battling and how best to handle it. The tests are done either in the form of skin testing where part of the dog is shaved and tiny amounts of possible allergens are injected under or applied to the skin to see what he might react to. The areas are checked regularly for signs of reaction. Another is a blood test where the dogs blood is drawn and sent to a special laboratory who just does this type of blood work. The results can take a week or two but the answers come without further insult to the dogs skin.

An blood test will tell you not only what they are allergic to, but HOW allergic they are. It will show a titer, or a number out of normal range to help you and the vet understand how severe it is. The test will cover 20 or more different possible pathogens which are prominent in your part of the country and test the blood to all of them. You can also test for food allergies this way.

One other benefit of blood testing is that you have not only the vet and his experience but you also have the laboratory to help guide him with their vast and focused expertise. The labs will guide you through the many types of treatments that may be done at home and by the vet.

ANTIGEN THERAPY

Once the blood work has determined what the dog is allergic to, the lab can make an antigen therapy which the dog will undergo to begin de-sensitizing him. The antigen vial will contain an injectable and sterile form of what the dog is allergic to. Tiny amounts are injected under the skin and regular intervals and strengths to allow the dogs body to start to build a tolerance to it. This can take months and may have to be done every so often to maintain the effect but it is the most promising form of treatment.

If your dog has severe allergies you and your vet will become well acquainted so make sure you and your dog are comfortable with them and their office. Allergies can be expensive, infuriating, frustrating, and time consuming but they can almost always be alleviated.