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There are many types of allergies.

There are indoor and outdoor allergies, seasonal allergies, hay fever, food allergies, and allergies to cleaning and household products, plants, animals and so forth. Some children are even photosensitive meaning they need to avoid the sun. If one or both parents have allergies the odds are that their children will too, particularly the oldest one.

An allergy is caused by a strong immune system.

 When the body mistakenly believes that a substance may be harmful to the body it causes an allergic reaction in that individual. The item that causes the reaction is an allergen. The body’s immune system release chemicals into the bloodstream, one of which is called a histamine.

Symptoms may include:

• Congestion
• Cramps
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Difficulty breathing
• Frequently breathing through the mouth rather than the nose
• Hives
• Recurrent ear problems such as ear infections
• Runny nose and/or eyes
• Sneezing
• Swollen tongue
• Vomiting

Choose your child’s medications wisely. 

The best way to deal with an allergen is to avoid it, then there will be no allergic reaction, but sometimes allergens are unavoidable such as grass or pollen. To avoid allergy symptoms such as runny noses, red itchy eyes, sinus headaches, itching from rashes and so forth parents sometimes rely on over the counter medications such as Benadryl.  Benadryl is not always practical though as it causes drowsiness which may help the child sleep but is not practical for daytime relief.

Always monitor a child for reactions and effectiveness of medications.

There are over the counter medications which do not cause drowsiness and there are also prescription medications, but any medication also poses the risks of side effects so a child should be monitored to determine the medications effectiveness and safety. Some medications used are:

• Allegra
• Claritin
• Epinephrine
• Flonase
• Nasonex
• Rhinocort Aqua
• Singulair
• SinuCleanse
• Zyrtec

Image of a dust mite

Avoiding triggers can help to better manage allergies. 

Remember that a high humidity will encourage the growth of mold so running a humidifier will increase the amount of mold and dust mites in the home. Some of the most common triggers are:

• Animal dander – Note a child may be allergic to a long haired cat or dog but not a short haired cat or dog and so forth. Testing is needed to narrow down the cause before deciding upon an appropriate pet.
• Cockroaches
• Dust mites
• Indoor mold spores
• Outdoor mold spores
• Pollen from grasses, trees and weeds

Eliminate exposure to allergens by pinpointing what they are by keeping a diary or getting your child tested. Once the culprit is found avoid the triggers whenever possible. Read product labels to avoid reactions if the allergy is to a chemical or food by avoiding products containing those allergens. If the allergy is to dust or dust mites, a special vacuum should be used one that consists of a cleaning system that allows one to remove the dust from the home and not just store it in the vacuum to reenter the air next time it is used. Remove heavy drapes and use special pillow and mattress covers which are made just for those with allergies, keep the windows closed when pollen levels are at their highest (if the allergy is to pollen), and  if the allergy is to mold avoid damp areas of the home such as the basement. One may want to consider having a home with only hardwood floors or tile rather than carpet to avoid dust mites also. 

Sometimes the best course of action is to undergo allergy shots.

If after pinpointing the cause of the allergies, avoiding allergens does not work, parents may want to take their child for allergy shots in order to stop the allergy from progressing to allergic asthma. Allergy shots work to actually prepare one by reducing the allergic reactions by injecting small amounts of the allergen into the system until there is eventually a change in the way their system reacts to the trigger.

Some allergic reactions can be life threatening.

Severe allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis and may result in asthma attacks. Some are advised to carry an epinephrine injection and are taught how to give themselves a shot, usually in the thigh so as to not sustain anaphylactic reaction.

Asthma restricts the airways in a manner very similar to this picture: 

During normal breathing periods the air goes through the nose and windpipe and into the bronchial tubes without restriction. During an asthma attack there are three main things which happen:

• The bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten and cause a narrowing commonly referred to as bronchospasm.
• The airway linings become inflamed and swollen.
• Cells lining the airways produce more mucus which is thicker than normal.

In conclusion there are many types of allergies some much more serious than others. Some allergic reactions are avoidable while others are not so preparing ahead of time is highly advisable. Allergies and medications must be monitored and a health care professional’s assistance should be sought.

Besides sharing his view on blogging, Luke Mathews loves reading free ebooks He would like to recommend people to download free ebooks and educate them self’s even more!

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Contrary to what many people think, saving on food bill does not necessarily mean having less healthy choices. Nor does scrimping justify you to eat unhealthily.

Getting your hunger pangs fixed from fast food joints that offer cheap meals is not only bad for your health, but for your long term finances as well. Just consider the increasing cost of medical services that you may need to incur as a result of bad eating habits.

Medicines to manage high cholesterol and other diseases associated with obesity and poor eating is stressful to imagine. And getting sick and unable to go to work compounds the total cost.

There are many ways to provide healthy options for you and your family even with a limited budget. Challenge yourself when planning meals. Do research and browse through healthy recipes to help you learn how to shop and prepare dishes that are cheap but are still good for you. Here are some tips for keeping your health and your budget in check.

1. Choose Foods That are Filling

Calorie-dense items such as potatoes, eggs, oats, whole grains and legumes are great for literally filling up your tummy. That is because these items are high in protein and fiber that you’ll feel full quicker with and thus eat less of. Items mentioned are relatively cheap but are nonetheless nutritious.

Avoid buying food that have empty calories, meaning those that may be high in energy but has poor nutritional qualities. This include processed foods like french fries, hotdogs and sweets. So make sure you always have enough stock to whip up easy recipes to feed your very hungry family.

2. Plan a Vegetarian Dish Once a Week

Meats are expensive and your body does not necessarily need it everyday. There are plenty of vegetarian alternatives to meat out now in the market that will give your body the satisfaction that meat dishes offer. Beans for instance are high in protein and can be cooked in ways to mimic meat dishes.

Black bean burger is one popular vegetarian dish that you can try at home at a fraction of a cost of meat and the same healthy value.

3. Plan Your Meals with Seasonal Produce

Educate yourself with what vegetables or fruits are in season when you plan your meals. Out of season products are costly and I am sure you can get away with not cooking the family’s favorite stew for a few weeks.

Furthermore, those items in season are guaranteed to be at its freshest so you gain heaps more healthy benefits by using them in your meals. Your dishes will end up more delicious with the in season ingredients and at a very affordable cost to you.

4. Learn to Cook and Prep

There is no doubt that cooking at home comes down cheaper than buying frozen and ready made meals. Plus you know exactly what are in your food as well as their quality. Also notice how cheaper unprepared ingredients are when you shop at your grocer. Vegetables that are cut up and sliced meat are obviously more dearer than those that are not.

So always picked up loose veggies instead of the packaged ones as they are likely to be more fresher too. And just do the prep work yourself by learning how in free cooking classes that your local community may offer. Otherwise, watch cooking shows or read up books at the library to improve your skill and save more dollars in the long run.

5. Plan Your Own Garden

It may sound tedious but it will be worth it at the end as you harvest your own produce and use items straight from your backyard. Many famous chefs boast of their own veggie garden so why not do the same. Yes, there will be upfront costs but this can be easily recoup once you start harvesting.

Plus it is an excellent idea for the family to do together and learn about the importance of planting as well as the healthy benefits of using the freshest produce. If you do not have space for a garden, then join a local co-op that may have a garden that you can shop from in exchange for a small amount of donation or volunteer time. Co-ops usually sell their produce at a cheap price than those sold on grocers so considering joining one may be the cost-saving plan you need.

Never compromise your health even when times are tough and money do not flow in as before. Getting sick and having health care bills to address is more problematic than spending time to plan and prepare healthy meals at a budget. Just keep your eyes and mind open as there are many affordable ways to keep yourself and your family eating healthy all the time.

Besides sharing his view on blogging, Luke Mathews loves reading free ebooks He would like to recommend people to download free ebooks and educate them self’s even more!