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Seasonal Allergies. Part of the series: What Are Allergies?. Get tips on seasonal allergies in this free video clip.
For those with asthma and allergies, comfortable laminate flooring has been a non-existent home feature until recently. The reason is that no matter how clean a floor, the floor pad under the laminate absorbs mold, bacteria and microbes upon coming into contact with moisture. Thankfully, manufacturers now have hypoallergenic floor pads.
In the real world, poison ivy doesn't have many uses, but in "RuneScape," the toxic plant is very helpful to farmers. Berries from the poison ivy bush are a vital component in high-level Herblore, a skill that lets you turn natural ingredients into useful medicine or potions. If you planted a poison ivy bush that you no longer want, or if you need to make room for a new plant, dig it up with your spade to remove it from the garden.
Poison ivy is a skin rash that can develop after you come in contact with the weedlike poison ivy plant. Most people are allergic to the oily resin produced by this plant. Brushing against the plant while walking through a woods, or touching a surface that has traces of this resin, can trigger an allergic reaction and uncomfortable symptoms. Symptoms from poison ivy can mimic those of other allergic reactions. Pay attention to certain signs to determine whether poison ivy caused your rash.
Exposure to the oily sap of poison oak from its leaves, stem roots, fruit and flowers can lead to skin irritation. According to DrWeil.com, 50 to 85 percent of the population is allergic to poison oak which can cause more severe reaction to exposure. Aside from swelling, other symptoms include blisters, itching, burning skin and redness. Being afflicted by poison ivy is especially worse when its on your face because of the sensitivity of the skin around the eye and the eye itself.
When you think about allergy triggers, you probably think of pollen and being outdoors. Some of the worst triggers for allergies can be found inside a house, though. If you have allergies, making changes in your home, such as using hypoallergenic wood, can help you reduce your allergy symptoms.
Dust mites and dander are present in all homes. You can, though, minimize how much. Many people with allergies concentrate reducing the dust mite population and amount of dander in the bedroom because they spend much of their time there. If you also spend a lot of time on the couch, treat it as well to reduce the amount of dust mites and dander, and then continue to keep them under control with a couple of good cleaning habits.
Poison ivy grows as a noxious woody vine on the ground or up trees. When given full sunlight, poison ivy grows into a shrub. If poison ivy's plant tissues are crushed by shovels, pulling or weed wackers, gardeners are at risk for getting the plant's oils, or urushiol, on their skin. Urushiol causes skin irritation (those dreaded poison ivy rashes) and potentially breathing problems as well. It is important for gardeners to dig up large poison ivy plants in their yard to prevent exposure.
Though it might look like another harmless, leafy green plant, poison ivy is worthy of its fearsome name. There are several varieties of poison ivy, which take the form of vines or woody shrubs. The plant has green leaves which grow in clusters of three that may be smooth-edged, serrated or lobed and produces small berries. The plant contains urushiol, an irritating, oil-like substance that causes anything from a mild rash to weeping sores.
You don’t have to suffer from allergies to want a dust-proof home. But unless you want to live in a hermetically sealed bubble, you'll never be able to completely eliminate dust from your home. Even frequent dusting does little to help; in fact, it just pushes the dust to a new location. You can take steps to mitigate dust build up, though.
Piercings smell due to bacteria. That does not always mean infection. Hygiene and body location can be culprits, too. You must learn the specific reasons why your piercings smell to correct the situation.
Bringing home a new kitten means welcoming a new furry member to your family. To make the transition as smooth as possible and to keep the curious creature safe, take the time to cat-proof your home before your new pet arrives.
Dust mites are found in 95 percent of homes in America. These tiny creatures pose problems for people with allergies and breathing troubles such as asthma and emphysema. Your home may appear clean, but it is not truly clean if dust mites are lurking. Borate compounds are effective for removing dust mites. Borate compounds not only kill dust mites, but also neutralize allergens.
If you've ever been camping or hiking, you've likely heard warnings about the infamous poison ivy. Given the itchy, blistering rash that results from contact with this plant, it's wise to avoid it at all costs. However, it is difficult to keep away from poison ivy if you don't know how to recognize it. The plant has several distinctive characteristics that should help you distinguish it from similar vines and shrubs that you may encounter. Since poison ivy can spring up in your own yard, you may want to learn the signs even if you aren't an avid camper or…
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a poisonous plant native to the temperate regions of North America, Central America and east Asia, though it is not a true ivy. The clear sap of poison ivy is called "urushiol," and it is this oily toxin, which is found throughout most of the plant, that causes itchiness, blisters and rashes on the skin of most people who touch it. The USDA Forest Services notes that different species of poison ivy exhibit one of three growing patterns: as a small shrub, a short trailing vine or a high-climbing vine that grows on trees and…
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a vine that produces a liquid called urushiol, which is a contact irritant to most people. It causes blisters and intense itching on any skin that has come into contact with the leaves of the vine. In the United States, it is most common in the Southeast, where it can be found as a low shrub or vine, often climbing trees for support. The old saying, "leaves of three, let it be" refers to the "trifoliate" leaves, meaning the leaves grow in clusters of three, but they can also grow five leaves on occasion. Because…
Ivy plants, members of the family Araliaceae, are hardy perennials that can withstand cold temperatures with the proper care and preparation. Mulch provides the necessary cover and warmth for ivy to survive the winter season. During mild winters, the plant may continue to actively grow, making it vulnerable to the effects of a sudden frost, including leaf burn and damaged leaves. In the cases of severe frost damage, the plant may not recover. When the frost damage is less severe, there are ways to treat the frost damage on an ivy plant.
"Leaves of three, let it be." These may be the wisest words when venturing out on your first camping excursion. Poison ivy is a rash-causing vining plant or forest groundcover native to a huge expanse of North America. Expect to find it anywhere from southern Canada to Guatemala, including all states east of the southern Cascade Mountains, the Great Basin and Mojave Desert. A reaction to the oils and sap in poison ivy is common to some other members of the poison ivy family, Anacardiaceae.
Poison ivy is a perennial woody weed that is native to North America. It is most frequently observed in disturbed sites along roads, railroads and canal rights-of-way. It is also quite common in woodlands, floodplains, rocky slopes and lake shores. It prefers sites with moderate levels of sunlight and soils with high calcium content. Poison ivy reproduces by seeds, which are readily dispersed by animals and birds, and by creeping roots. Consequently, look for this plant at the base of trees, edges of woods and along fence rows, where birds perch and nest.
English ivy is a common houseplant and garden vine that is toxic to pets. It may even be fatal if they eat a large amount of it. Inquisitive pets may try to taste a little bit of everything inside the house and in the garden. If you think your pet ingested English ivy, even just a leaf or two, watch it for symptoms and call your veterinarian immediately.
Allergists-immunologists are microbiological scientists who research methods of preventing allergic reactions. Allergies are formed when the immune system develops a hypersensitivity to an environmental substance, such as pollen or chemicals. They investigate the causes and symptoms of allergic reactions and try to develop chemical compounds that would mitigate their negative effects. Salary levels are comparable with those for other microbiologists. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for this professional grouping was $72,030 as of May 2010.
"Baby Proofing" your home involves removing a lot of obstacles that could pose a threat to a newborn. Baby proof your home with help from a postpartum doula and infant specialist in this free video clip.
While unsightly, the more serious problem with dust is that it can cause allergies and other respiratory problems. Unfortunately, it is impossible to rid your home of all dust. That's because most dust is a product of people and pets -- our skin sheds small flakes of skin (dander) -- and equally small fabric fibers from clothing and furnishings. Dust also enters your home from outside. However, with regular and thorough cleaning, you can keep dust under control.
Storms that produce winds can lift or tear asphalt shingles on a home's roof, allowing water to damage contents in your home. The age of the shingles, how the shingles are fastened and the number of layers of shingles on a roof are factors that affect a shingled roof's durability during storms. You can storm-proof your home's roof by applying roof adhesive to loose shingles until you can replace your old roof with a new one.
Identifying nutrient deficiencies in corn requires a keen eye and attention to detail when inspecting the foliage. Although some signs are subtle and easy to overlook or mistakenly attribute to improper watering or adverse weather conditions, severe deficiencies produce pronounced symptoms visible in the foliage
The most common North American bird mite is called the northern fowl mite or Ornithonyssus sylviarum. They commonly infest birds such as sparrows, pigeons and other wild birds that tend to nest and get in close proximity to humans. Mites reproduce rapidly, and within two weeks there can be an infestation. Fowl mites usually spend their whole lives on one bird, but if they fall off, they can and will use a human host to feed on.
Rhodium is an element that has industrial uses and is also used for plating jewelry made of other metals. It is quite rare, with production being only about 3 tons a year. Although dangers are involved with industrial uses, there do not seem to be health issues when rhodium is used in jewelry.
Dogs have a sensitivity to poison oak, although their reaction is not usually as drastic as that which a human experiences. Poison oak is a member of the toxicodendron group of plants, and is also called Rhus species. The toxin that gets in the dog's skin and causes problems is the urushiol in the oil resin that is found in the plant's sap. Most animals are resistant to urushiol, although that isn't always the case with dogs. Animals can transmit the resin to humans.
IgE stands for immunoglobulin E, a type of antibody that acts on cells in the mucus membranes, lungs and often the skin to produce allergic reactions of varying severity. Symptoms of high IgE can be anything from dry and itchy skin to life-threatening anaphylaxis. A high level of IgE typically means that a person has an untreated allergy, so the best way to lower a high IgE is to think about the underlying allergy.
Jewelweed is an annual that grows best in shady and damp conditions. The plant also goes by the names touch-me-not, silverweed, lady's slipper, lady's eardrops, snappers and snapweed. Jewelweed's most popular advantage is its ability to treat poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac -- the juice within the plant relieves the itchy rash symptoms. You can obtain a jewelweed's juice by boiling it, blending it or simply crushing it. Use caution when gathering live jewelweed plants because they tend to grow in the same location as poison ivy.
Gypsophila paniculata is the scientific name for baby's breath, which is also known as bachelor's button, perennial or tall baby's breath and maiden's breath. The small bunches of flowers are often found in garden and florist crops. While baby's breath is often recommended as a wedding flower, a small amount of the world's population appears to be allergic.
Ragweed is the bane of millions of people's existence during the late summer and early fall. According to Ragweed Allergy.com, ragweed is the most allergenic of all the pollens and is also very widespread across the Northern Hemisphere and South America. Ragweed allergies are also known as "hay fever." In some parts of the United States, ragweed is called bitterweeds or bloodweeds.
If you've ever gone for a hike in the woods or performed any extensive yard work or land clearing, you have likely encountered a poisonous plant. If you were fortunate, you escaped the encounter without being exposed. Poison oak, poison sumac and poison ivy can be both agonizingly irritating and at times painful; a severe case can even be dangerous. If not treated properly, there is a chance some permanent skin damage can occur.
Over 40 percent of U.S. households own at least one dog. Unfortunately, a substantial number of people also have allergies to dogs -- possibly over one-quarter of the American population. Many people understand sneezing, itching and watery eyes as a reaction to dog hair, but other symptoms also illustrate allergies, including an itchy, red rash in response to dog saliva.
According to treeallergies.co.cc, nearly 75 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, including those related to trees and tree pollen. Tree allergies can be difficult to combat since trees emit a large amount of pollen over a wide area. They typically start to produce pollen as early as January in the southern United States or as late as May in the northern part of the country.
Nickel is a metal found in nature, but for commercial use it is usually mixed with other metals. Nickel can be found in jewelry, zippers, buttons, even on money. If you or someone you know has an allergy to nickel, it may be required that you test for nickel content in certain items. Purchasing a nickel testing kit can be an easy way to locate nickel in everyday objects that may cause an allergic reaction.
Large welts result from an allergic reaction to an internal source like food or some external factor, such as an insect bite. They appear as large red itchy bumps on the skin. The natural response by the body to cope with allergies is the release of histamine, which causes the large welts.
The tropical state of Hawaii has relatively few spiders whose bites are serious enough to cause death. According to the University of Hawaii, notable exceptions include the brown violin and black widow spiders, which release particularly toxic venom. However, their bites are still not as frequent as those that occur from mosquitoes, ants, fleas and flies.
Mesh patches, made of synthetic material, are used often for large hernias. Mesh patches can also be used for any type of skin grafting when an injured area needs to be covered, such as bladder suspension surgery. Unfortunately, some mesh patches may erode, which involves the synthetic material breaking down and disintegrating.
Casein is a protein that makes up roughly 80 percent of the protein in cow's milk. It digests slowly and contains all of the essential amino acids people must obtain from their diet. Casein makers use centrifugal force to separate milk into butterfat for cream and butter, and skim milk for casein. They add enzymes and other natural substances to the skim milk to develop specific caseins.
Poison ivy rashes, also known as allergic contact dermatitis, cause pain and irritation wherever the plant has come in contact with the skin. A toxic oil resin in the plant, called urushiol, is the ingredient that causes the rash. Although your instinct may be to scratch and fuss over affected skin, this can spread the rash-causing oil to other areas of the body. Because a poison ivy rash can take one to four weeks to heal, it's important to properly care for your skin in the interim. By taking care of your skin while the rash clears up, you can…
High altitudes have reduced amounts of oxygen and, consequently, the partial pressure of oxygen in tissues reduces in hypoxic environments. At sea level, the concentration of oxygen is approximately 21 percent and at an altitude of 4000 m, it is reduced by about 40 percent. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Higher elevations may lead to the loss of bodily fluids from blood vessels due to decreased pressure and cause death.
Emergency situations could limit your ability to communicate with medical personnel. If you have life-threatening medical conditions or regularly take medication, what the doctor does not know could be hazardous to your health. Keep an emergency book of important facts any doctor could use to provide the best medical care for your injuries or condition.
Winter itch is a form of eczema that results in dry and itchy skin. It is frequently caused by a combination of artificial heat, dry winter air and frequent showering. The winter air can also exacerbate allergies and other skin conditions, leading to winter itch. In order to avoid or eliminate winter itch, use a high-quality moisturizer several times a day. Shower every other day and avoid turning the heat up higher than is absolutely necessary.
Flonase, or fluticasone nasal spray, is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies such as sneezing and stuffy, runny or itchy nose and eyes. It prevents and decreases inflammation in the nose to ease pain and stuffiness. Possible side effects of using Flonase, such as slowing growth in children, nosebleed, dizziness, diarrhea, vision problems and muscle weakness, may lead you to seek an alternative medication.
Doctors often prescribe sulfur cream, ointments, bar soaps and lotion to treat various types of skin orders, such as acne, rosacea, scabies and seborrheic dermatitis. The reason sulfur is used to treat skin conditions is because it is an antibacterial agent that stops the growth of bacteria on the skin. Sulfur serves to make the infected skin dry up and slough off so it is a good treatment for acne if you can tolerate it. It unclogs pores that are blocked, reduces skin oiliness and prevents clogged pores from re-occurring in the future. However, some people are allergic to sulfur…
An allergen is described as a foreign protein substance that is eaten, breathed into the lungs, injected or touched. The job of the immune system is to find the allergens and get rid of them, but people with allergies have supersensitive immune systems that react negatively to otherwise harmless allergens. Anywhere from 15 percent to 30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs, with cat dander being the most common. Pet allergy symptoms include sneezing, congestion, itchy watery eyes and rashes. In severe cases it can also result in difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and even…
Clogged milk ducts, also referred to as plugged or blocked milk ducts, occur when the ducts in a woman's breast become blocked. Each breast contain mammary, or milk, ducts designed to transfer milk from the alveoli, milk-secreting glands, to the nipple. In some cases, certain conditions cause these ducts to become temporarily clogged or blocked, which can result in soreness and inflammation. Typically, clogged milk ducts are painful but not a serious medical condition; however, if symptoms occur, a woman should seek medical attention as a precaution.
Making concrete involves mixing dry cement, which is known by the generic term portland cement, with water. Pouring dry cement out of bags generates dust. That dust contains hexavalent chromium, a compound that irritates the skin and produces burns and rashes. Beyond the immediate dangers from handling cement and inhaling its dust, long-term effects include the development of allergic reactions.
The symptoms of latex sensitivity can vary from one person to another. Latex can cause a number of different reactions and the degree of severity of these reactions can range from a mild itch to serious anaphylactic shock. Once a latex sensitivity has developed, it can become gradually worse over time. Anyone who suspects that he may have a latex sensitivity should see a doctor for assessment.
