FitSugar

Allergy Sufferers, Make Your Pet Carry His Own Ionizer

PetSugar — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:20:12 -0800

Though I've never suffered an allergy in the name of love, the idea of caring for someone who couldn't care for North is too scary to consider. While there are bathtime alternatives and medication, many people turn to ionizers to clear the air (literally).
Ionizers charge the air with negative ions, which attract and catch airborne allergens - like pet dander - and relieve suffering. While not effective for everyone, especially those with severe allergies, learn about this super compact model with several benefits when you read more.

This Wearable Pet Ionizer ($30) runs on 2 AAA batteries and helps improve the air by catching those allergens and eliminating odors and germs in the process. Plus, it fits right on your pet's collar no matter where adventures take you - no lugging or electrical outlet, required! Could you see a use for this?

Choosing a Humidifier: Warm or Cool Mist?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:32 -0800

Jack Frost is nipping at many of us with his chilly temps, and we're fighting back by turning up the heat. It keeps us warm, but completely dries out the air we breathe, so we end up with dry skin, chapped lips, a sore throat, dry cough, or congested sinuses. You can get relief by running a humidifier, which will add moisture back into the air. Many people use them while they sleep - the gentle whirring sound can be so relaxing.

When buying a humidifier, you'll be presented with two different types - warm mist and cool mist. To choose which one would be best for you, decide what type of air is easier for you to breathe. If you inhale well in a sauna, then a warm mist might be best. If you have allergies or asthma, opt for a cool mist humidifier instead.

How they work and are maintained may also be a factor, so to learn more about the difference between the two, keep reading.

Neti Pot Use Could Cause Sinus Problems?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:00 -0800

Pollen and cat fur are not my friends, and when I become so stuffed up I can't smell a thing, I turn to my neti pot. It looks like a little teapot. You fill it with warm salt water, place the spout in one nostril and as the water passes through your nasal passages and comes out the other nostril; it helps get rid of irritants and mucus so you can breathe easier. I know it sounds medieval, but it really works whether I'm stuffed up from smelling flowers or if I have a cold. Last Spring I was happy to hear that science backed up the use of a neti pot to relieve congestion, but I've got some bad news for my fellow neti pot lovers. A new study shows that long-term use of the neti pot can actually cause sinus problems. The study followed 68 people who used their neti for a year, and then took a break for a year. The rate of sinusitis actually dropped by 62 percent in the year that the participants stopped using the neti pot.

Researchers believe that the mucus in your nasal passages acts as a defense against infection, and flushing it away disrupts your body's immune function. They recommend that neti pots be used every once in a while to relieve congestion, but should not be used daily for an extended period of time. If you have issues with constantly being stuffed up, see your doctor so they can help figure out the cause of your congestion and how to treat it.

If you've never heard of a neti pot and want to see how it's used, check out a how-to video when you read more.

Source: Flickr User Thirteen Of Clubs

New Special Shows Day in the Life of a Child With Allergies

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:40 -0700

We are all aware of what our lil ones eat, but parents of kids with allergies have to be extra sensitive when it comes to the menu. The rate of allergies has increased over the past 20-30 years and now more than three million kids have them. By the time they enter middle school, one in every 20 kids is watching what she puts in her mouth.

Fifty-four percent of LilSugar readers' children attend a peanut-free school or daycare center, making them well-aware of the issues. While most kids know someone affected by food, eczema, asthma, hay fever, it is virtually impossible for them to understand the emotional issues they deal with on a daily basis. This Sunday, Sept 27., Nickelodeon takes on the world of life-threatening allergies with a new special called I’m Allergic to My World. The Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special follows the lives of several children with various allergies and shows what it is like to spend a day in their shoes. The eye-opening program is a must-see for anyone who has ever questioned their school's no-nut policy. Will you tune in to watch it?

Photo courtesy of Lucky Duck Productions

Should Perfume Be Altered to Reduce Allergens?

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:52 -0700

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?

Grab Your Tissues: Fall Allergy Quiz

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:58 -0700

If you're suffering from itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose, taking this little quiz may help relieve your symptoms.

Take the quiz

How-To: Say Goodbye to Dust Mites

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:00:25 -0700

If you have allergies or asthma, chances are you're also sensitive to dust mites. While you can't see these icky, little bugs (they're microscopic), that doesn't mean they're not lurking in your home. Dust mites love to hang out in warm and cozy spots such as carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and beds.

Don't worry though: there are plenty of ways you can combat the presence of dust mites in your home. For one, you can start by not making your bed. Since dust mites need humidity levels above 50 percent in order to survive, an unmade bed is too dry for the critters to survive in.

Want more tips for decimating your home's dust mite population? Then read more.

If you live in a hot and humid climate, invest in a dehumidifier. Since dust mites, as I mentioned earlier, need humidity levels above 50 percent, a dehumidifer can suck moisture out of closets, carpets, and other damp spaces, thus reducing dust mites.
Wash bedding in hot water, and dry on high to kill dust mites. Alternately, hang your bedding to dry in the sun to zap the bugs.
Vacuum regularly, and thoroughly, with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Use a HEPA air purifier to eliminate indoor airborne allergens.
Do you have kids? Replace their nonwashable stuffed animals with hypoallergenic, washable toys.

Also, check out these products to help you out with your dust mite fight!

Source: Flickr User stacy michelle

What Do You Know About Cat Allergies?

PetSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:00:30 -0700

Achoo! A kitty allergy is no joke to those who have it. Did you know about 20 to 30 percent of people with allergic asthma flare up after meeting with a cat? See what else you know about this ailment by taking my quiz!

Take the quiz

When Are Your Seasonal Allergies Worst?

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Pollen from any old tree, flower, or grass irritates me, so my seasonal allergy symptoms are pretty miserable in the Spring and Summer. Depending on where you live and what's growing, your symptoms may be worse at certain times of the year. So tell me . . .

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Fight Seasonal Allergies With Heat

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If seasonal allergies are preventing you from breathing through your nose, you can take decongestants, but they'll end up drying you up everywhere, even your lady business. Plus they can make you feel kind of spaced out and tired.

A natural alternative I've found that relieves congestion is to raise your body temperature through exercise. Choose heart-pumping activities such as running, biking, hiking, cardio kickboxing, or exercise in a heated room such as Bikram or Ashtanga yoga. Do it for at least 20 minutes, and once you start sweating, your nasal congestion will start to thin out a little, making it easier to blow your nose and clear your sinuses. Just make sure you have a pack of tissues with you so you can get rid of the mucus instead of sniffing it back in.

If the pollen count is really high outside, do your cardio inside to avoid aggravating your symptoms.

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