FitSugar

Why Sudden Allergies in Adulthood?

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Many people live through childhood sleeping with their pet kitties on their pillows, rolling around on dust filled carpets, and collecting flowers and weeds to give to their moms. They do this without a sneeze or sniffle. Those same carefree kids grow up and when they hit their 20s, they suddenly develop allergies to all those things. What gives?

Allergies can develop at any age, and its prevalence in adults is rising. It's known as Adult-Onset Allergies and there are many theories as to why this happens. The most accepted reason is that nowadays babies' developing immune systems are not exposed to as many viruses, bacterium, and allergens as in the past due to wide use of antibiotics, vaccinations, cleaner food and water supply, better living conditions, and germ-a-phobe parents who don't let their kids roll around in dirt. When immune systems aren't faced with dust, pollen, and mold, they don't fully develop the ability to combat those allergens in the future. So in a way, being too careful and being protected against such allergens can actually cause children's immune systems to develop in an unbalanced way, which can make them hypersensitive to seemingly harmless substances in the future.

Allergies can also develop if you are exposed to allergens when your immune system is weakened. That's why pregnant women often develop allergies after they give birth.

Could your family history be to blame for allergies too? To find out

read more. Genetics can definitely play a role in developing allergies as an adult as well. Allergies to specific allergens are not necessarily inherited, but the general tendency to develop allergies can be traced back to your family. If one of your parents has allergies, then you have a one in three chance of developing allergies too. Your age also has something to do with developing allergies. Since repeated exposure to certain allergens can cause an allergic reaction, it makes sense to develop allergies when you're older, as you've had more time to be in contact with dust, dander, mold, and pollen. I guess I should be grateful that I lived without allergies for most of my life, but I get the sniffles now when all the flowers start to bloom. What about you? Are you all of a sudden allergic to your pet or do you get a runny nose as soon as the pollen count climbs? Source

5 Easy-to-Make Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Skin

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:27:40 PST

It's an almost-universal experience: your complexion has been fine for a while, and then one day, almost out of nowhere, you're in breakout city and your skin looks worn out and defeated overnight. You're cleansing and using a daily regimen, so what could be wrong? Well, if it's not stress or hormones, it could very easily be one of several smaller, less obvious culprits. See a list of the usual suspects below.

Should Perfume Be Altered to Reduce Allergens?

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:52 PDT

Did you know that the perfume industry has a reigning watchdog? I didn't. It's called the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), and its latest set of regulations will require many perfume makers to change their scents.

According to the IFRA, new standards are "a necessary evil" to protect individuals with severe skin allergies. Those in the perfume industry aren't buying the explanation. They think that the regulations are strict and unnecessary, citing that perfume allergies are generally mild. People with a perfume allergy might disagree, though. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, skin rashes, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.

Under the new rules, fragrance houses will have to cut back on their use of allergens - like jasmine and other aromas - in perfume recipes. It's unknown how many classic scents will have to be altered as a result.

What do you think about this?

Clean Up Your Home: 5 Chemicals to Avoid in Home Cleaning Products

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:32:32 PST

Keeping a clean and healthy home is a priority for many moms - so much so that it is the number one thing moms think they are judged about - but what they clean with may be doing more harm than good. Even products labeled as "green" and "kid safe" can be causing allergic reactions or contributing to long-term health issues.

Healthy Child Healthy World has teamed up with Women's Voices For the Earth to share the results of a surprising study about hidden chemicals in household cleaners. An independent lab tested 20 of the name-brand cleaning products and found allergens and toxins in bottles, detergents, dryer sheets, and air fresheners from some of the most popular companies around. Take a look at which products landed on the list, and see what to look out for before buying your next cleaning product.

Trick or Treat: 10 Halloween Treats For Tots With Food Allergies

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:02:27 PDT

For parents of kids with food allergies, the scariest part of Halloween isn't frightening movies on TV or too realistic monster masks, it's the idea that one tot's treat is another's anaphylactic shock. Eight allergens account for 90 percent of all food allergies - milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Since we're dealing with candy, the fish and shellfish allergies aren't really an issue, but the other six definitely are, as they're all common ingredients found in many types of sweets.

We've found a great selection of candy for kids with all types of allergies - from gluten to soy to dairy to tree nuts - so that no one has to be left out of the candy binge. At the end of the night, when parents are nervously assessing their tots' haul, they'll appreciate being able to give something back to their lil one, worry free.

Achoo! How to Relieve Allergies in Your Bedroom

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:35:57 PDT

If you suffer from allergies to dander, dust mites, or mold, it's time to take a closer look at the place where you spend one-third of your day - your bedroom. Here are some things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms.

Evict the Offenders
Looked under your bed lately? To prevent a colony of dust mites from becoming squatters in the apartment below where you sleep, vacuum under your bed at least once a week. And don't be lazy about it - move the bed and other furniture to suck up the disgusting fluffs hiding in all the nooks and crannies. If your bedroom isn't carpeted, be even more ~~anal~~ thorough and mop the floor. Aside from washing your sheets weekly, take time to wipe down the tops of your dressers, nightstands, the blinds, and windowsills. Not to make you crazy for cleaning, but the curtains and your comforter can get dusty too, so don't forget to wash them once a month. If your bathroom is connected to your bedroom, check the bathtub or shower for mold and mildew.

Keep reading to find out other ways you can relieve allergy symptoms in your bedroom.

Sabrina Soto's 5 Tips For an Allergy-Friendly Home and Garden

Julia Walsh — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:35:00 PDT

Last week, I got a chance to chat with designer Sabrina Soto about Spring cleaning, organizing, outdoor entertaining, and more. As the host of HGTV's Get It Sold, Soto has a lot of experience of whipping homes that have seen better days into livable, relaxing, and stylish spaces. One topic that I've been particularly interested in lately is how to handle the allergens, dust, and other unwelcome particles that are ubiquitous in our homes in the Spring. Soto had a few very helpful tips to share:

"It may not be glamorous, but a vacuum is one of the most useful home appliances you can own! Regularly cleaning with a HEPA filter vacuum will help capture the allergy-inducing particles you can't see that collect in upholstery and carpets."
"To help keep dust from gathering, install easy-to-clean shades or machine washable panels, and clean regularly. If you have curtains, take them down once every two months and have them dry-cleaned."
"Stick with bright colorful flowers as they rely on insects to transport their pollen rather than wind. Because of this, brighter flowers tend to produce less pollen."

Continue reading for more of Sabrina's tips!

Allergy Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms

FitSugar — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:35:44 PDT

I lived for years in denial of my seasonal allergies and pretended that the runny nose was just a little cold. But that little cold went on forever. And this year, due to an extra long rainy season on the West Coast, all my symptoms seem much worse.

Needless to day, I have wised up and learned how to sort through symptoms to determine what is causing my runny nose - a virus or pollen. Here is the list comparing the symptoms of the common cold with those that accompany seasonal allergies that should help you figure out what is going on with your nose.

Itchy nose: Although allergies and colds both produce a runny nose and congestion, allergies create the dreaded itchy nose. The itch generally occurs in the back of the nose and is difficult to "scratch." Folks suffering from "nasal pruritus" (the fanciest way in the world to say itchy nose) often scrunch up their faces, like a bunny, to try to alleviate the itch.
The sneeze: Sneezing frequently, and sometimes quietly, is common with allergies. Allergy sneezes are an attempt to remove allergens from the nose. Sneezes from colds tend to be loud, deep, and infrequent, attempting to clear the bronchial congestion down in the lungs.

Unfortunately, the list of symptoms is a bit longer, so

Lil Links: Tina Fey Debuts Her New Baby Belly

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:05:11 PDT

Tina Fey is showing off her new baby belly - Celebrity Baby Blog
51 mini family vacations everyone will enjoy - Parenting
Reduce pet allergens in your home - Health
At what age do you stop co-ed sleepovers? - The Stir
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott are expecting baby #3! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Blowing raspberries is more than fun and games - Fit Pregnancy
Is pregnancy making your spouse moody? - The Bump
Could your family go a year without sugar? - Momformation
Are older parents happier parents? - Babble
What's the going allowance rate? - Momfilter

Holly Robinson Peete Says Parents Need to Be Compassionate About Food Allergies

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:16:31 PDT

Hollywood's bright light has been very good to Holly Robinson Peete, having starred in two highly successful television series and finishing as runner-up on last season's Celebrity Apprentice. But that doesn't mean the actress, who currently co-hosts The Talk on CBS, hasn't had her own fair share of parenting scares.

After her then-3-year-old son Rodney was diagnosed with autism, she had him tested for food allergies to adjust his diet. Little did she know they'd discover a severe peanut allergy. Now, all four of her kids - Ryan and Rodney Jr., 14, Robinson, 9, and Roman, 6 - have been diagnosed with food allergies, and the hot mama knows a thing or two about anaphylaxis. Holly spoke with me about living with deadly food allergies and how families can cope with the diagnosis.

LilSugar: Have you ever experienced an anaphylactic reaction, and did you respond the way you thought you would?
Holly Robinson Peete: Yeah, it was a crazy moment. I went a little nuts and then I calmed down. I tried to remember everything that I had been taught. I've had two situations. One was out of the country with my younger son who has a severe dairy allergy and the other was at Thanksgiving. Thankfully, both times I had access to my EpiPens, because otherwise - gosh I don't even want to think about what would have happened. I didn't have [a pen] at my mom’s house, but, thankfully, I live close enough that I was able to run and get it. I learned you need to have them everywhere your kids are going to be. Especially grandma and grandpa's house.

LS: When do you think parents should start teaching their tots about their allergy and how?
HRP: Well, every parent has to do it their own way. My particular way was, as soon as they could talk, they had to learn what foods they needed to be avoiding, really trying to explain the seriousness of their allergies, trying to explain to them what anaphalaxis is (you should hear my 3-year-old saying anaphylaxis, it's hilarious!), and not being afraid of saying the word death - that it is a deadly situation. I think all parents have different ways of talking about that. For me, it works being open and honest about it. What I found, we would go to birthday parties and things and they would be going "uh – does that have dairy in it? Does that have peanuts?"

Keep reading to see what Holly's tips for helping kids feel normal with their diagnoses and how to handle birthday parties.