Weather Changes - A major Cause For Allergy Flare-Up

An allergic reaction is an immune response to any foreign object the body views as a threat. Many people suffer chronic allergies and a vast majority of them swear that the weather plays spoilsport in their lives.

A slight change in climate activates a dormant allergen and within moments they are seen sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itching, vomiting or battling severe cramps. The article explains "why" and "how" changing weather patterns affect our health.

Cold Climate
With the onset of the winter season, the image of people coughing uncontrollably, sneezing and tending to a runny nose is a common one. We often mistake the flu-like symptoms to be a cause of cold weather. However, in most cases, it is an allergic reaction to dust. Dust particles attract pollen, mites, insects and mold. It causes allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and itchy skin. If you stay indoors for long periods of time, you continue to expose yourself to the allergy-causing dust particles and hence feel sick and lethargic.

Many insects such as ladybirds and bugs enter houses to seek shelter from the chilly climate. The fluids they release cause allergic reactions in humans.

Warm Temperature
Warm climate is no lesser a culprit than a dip in temperatures. Increased humidity is the cause of summer allergies. As temperatures rise, the capacity of air to hold moisture also increases. A rise in the relative humidity impacts indoor air quality.

Warm temperatures coupled with damp conditions create a perfect breeding ground for mold and other disease-causing bacteria. It also grows in homes where there is a lot of darkness and improper ventilation. Mold is one of the factors responsible for allergies. High home humidity results in chronic cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. There are different indicators of high moisture levels in the house. These include damp spots on ceilings, peeling wall paint, condensation on water pipes, mold growth, wood decay and bad, musty odor.

Spring is another season that brings in warm temperatures. The abundance of flowers increases the amount of airborne pollen. The weather related triggers - mold and pollen also worsen asthma. Asthma sufferers report that their symptoms exacerbate during thunderstorms.

Measures to Minimize Adverse Allergy Symptoms
One can take certain precautions to prevent the onset of or lessen the severity of symptoms. You should keep a record of the substance you are allergic to. It will help you determine if you are sensitive to weather changes or environmental allergens triggered by inclement weather. You should visit your doctor.

 He will guide you on how to manage allergic reactions and symptoms. 

Read the weather forecast daily.

Humidity trapped in the walls and other dark recess can also result in damage to your home. 

Different methods to decrease humidity if the heating and air-conditioning ventilation is not available. This includes improving home ventilation. Open the windows to allow the air to circulate. 

Use exhaust fans in high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. 

Avoid hanging or drying wet clothes in the house.

 Hang them in an open space such as a balcony or on the terrace. One can use swamp coolers and dehumidifiers to decrease the amount of moisture in the air.

Adapted from EzineArticles.com/8184794

Ways Of Treating Allergies

According to research findings, the number of people suffering from allergies are on the rise, with half of the number affected being children. The most common allergies are associated with pollen, pets (such as dogs & cats), mould, house dust mites, bees & wasps, foods (such as peanuts, milk & eggs) and industrial & household chemicals. They are also reported cases of people being allergic to fruits, metals (such as iron and nickel jewelry), rubber and medication (such as penicillin). The common allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy skin rashes, running nose, coughing and wheezing.

Ways to Treat Allergies

Allergic reactions can be mild, moderate or severe, and in some unique cases, they can be life threatening (anaphylaxis), requiring prompt medical treatment. Some allergic symptoms, such as hay fever, asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, allergic eye disease and urticaria are in fact illnesses. Before taking an over-the-counter allergy drug to treat your condition, it is advisable to check with your doctor. This will help to avoid any drug interactions.

When you visit you doctor he/she will be able to pinpoint the exact trigger for your allergies. This will help a great deal in avoiding the triggers. In addition, the doctor will recommend a more targeted remedy for treating allergies. The doctor can also recommend some natural ways of treating your allergy, including:

· Keep windows/door closed

Pollen is a major cause of allergies. Therefore, it is important to minimize the pollen indoors by keeping the windows and doors closed. In addition, clothes which are covered with pollen should be left outside. Taking a shower after coming from the outdoors can also help. Furthermore, it is advisable to consider washing your towels, bedroom sheets and blankets regularly, in hot water. This can help a great deal in reducing dust mites and pollen in the home.

· Invest in a good vacuum cleaner

You may also consider investing in a high-efficiency particulate air filter for your vacuum. This will help to get rid of any allergens trapped in the carpet.

· Take enough rest

Fatigue often provides additional stress to the body and thus undermines the healing abilities derived from sleep. Therefore, it is important to get 6-8 hours of good night. This can help a great deal in giving your body rest to repair itself after a long, active day.

Eat and Stay Healthy

It is equally important to eat a healthy, balanced dish. A good diet will help to strengthen your immune system for purposes of contending with allergens.

Adapted from http://EzineArticles.com/8257711

7 Things That Will Alleviate Your Acne

This are things you do can to aggravate your acne and other things that you do to help you to clear the acne.

What are they? Here are 7 helpful tips to help you out:

1. Touching your acne with the back of your hand

Instead of touching your acne with your hands, you need to use the back of your hand to do it. So, whenever you feel uncomfortable on your acne areas (such as itching, burning sensation, and so on), you need to put the back of your hand in your acne areas, and touch your face gently with it until the uncomfortable sensations gone.

2. Washing your face every morning

When you wake up, you tend to have a face covered with oil and dirt, which will tend to aggravate your acne later. So, washing your face in the morning will help you to wipe away the dirt and oil from your face, leaving your face clean and fresh. It is better for you to take a bath afterwards.

3. Keeping your body in comfortable temperature

If you feel that your body is getting hot (in a literal sense), then you need to cool it down immediately. This can happen especially when you are doing too much activities that drain your energy. You can also experience this sensation after eating some foods, especially junk and oily foods. When you experience this, take a bath immediately and change your clothes.

4. Listening to soothing music

Soothing music will help you to keep your mind relaxed and calm. This is important as your acne can easily be aggravated with stress. So, this kind of music will actually help you to avoid stress, thus avoid acne. But, remember, listening to the wrong kind of music can give you the opposite effect. For instance, listening to loud music can make you more stressful and therefore aggravate your acne.

5. Smiling toward strangers

Smiling is also a simple act that will help you to ease the stress of your mind. By smiling toward strangers, you will be able to give good vibes to them, as well as to yourself. It will instantly alter your mood and make you want to do all the other positive things that you can possibly do. It is good for your mind, as well as for your skin.

6. Eating apple

With its useful antioxidant property, apple can help you to clean the toxins within your body and repair your skin damage. Eating apple can be a great way to alleviate your acne symptom, especially if you are eating a lot of junk foods every day. This can be a good natural cure for your condition.

7. Drinking avocado juice

Avocado juice helps you to keep your skin clear and moisturized. Make a habit of drinking avocado juice after lunch, and you'll see the difference in your skin right away. It will give you a glowing effect and make your skin look more radiant and clear.

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adapted from ezine articles by Riz J. Natalie

Honey; Natures Best Treatment for Your Skin

Honey the sticky syrup that bees make when pollinating flowers, is a sweet treatment for your skin. Honey is a natural antibacterial antiseptic that can do wonders for your acne and acne scars. 

Its nutrients and minerals such as vitamin B, Iron, manganese, copper, potassium and calcium when applied to your face, will give you a clear, glowing complexion.

Honey can be used to treat a variety of other skin problems such as rosacea, eczema, hyper pigmentation, psoriasis, wound scares; among others.

Honey has antibacterial agents that kill bacteria and assist in healing. When applied directly to acne breakouts or pimples honey will kill the infection causing germs and promote the healing process. Thus reducing the appearance of more pimples, and clearing up the existing ones. This begins the process for achieving clear skin.

Gluconic acid found in honey is a natural PH regulator and cleanser. When applied to your skin the acid works to brighten the complexion by evening out skin tones, fading scars and lighting age spots. Once neutralized your skin will have a fresh glowing appearance.

The nutrients in honey act as a humectant to keep skin moist. They draw moisture to the skin surface of the skin filling in fine lines and wrinkles. This evens out the skin's appearance to make it fresh and glowing.

When using honey for your skin, it is best to use natural raw unprocessed honey to get the maximum benefits. When honey is heated by pasteurization it can lose its anti-inflammatory properties.

Why is Honey Best for Your Skin

• Acne: The natural antibacterial properties of honey can kill acne on the spot and prevent further breakouts.
• Aging: Use honey to slow down the aging process with skin-saving antioxidants.
• Complexion Boost: Honey is moisturizing and soothing for fresh glowing skin.
• Pores: Honey clarifies the skin by unclogging pores and killing germs and unwanted bacteria.

How  Best to Use Honey on Your Skin

Honey can be used alone or combined with many other common ingredients around the house such as lemon, oatmeal, almonds, cinnamon, olive oil and baking soda.

How to Use Honeyfor Acne Scars

The best way to use honey to treat acne scars is as a mask. Combine honey with yogurt, or lemon juice, mint and basil and apply to skin. Leave on for approximately 30-45 minutes. Leaving the mask on for longer times give the honey time to work its magic.

How to Use Honey for Clear Skin

The best way to use honey to promote clear healthy glowing skin is as a cleanser. Mix honey with soap, or oatmeal and massage mixture into skin for several minutes.

How to Use Honey for Acne

To use honey for acne you can apply honey as a mask over entire affected area, or you can dab onto pimples as a spot treatment.

Procedure for Using Honey on Skin

1. To use honey on your face wash hands and face with a mild cleanser.
2. Apply honey directly onto your face with a brush, or fingers in a circular motion. It is best to not use too much so you can avoid dripping.
3. Rinse after desired time period and apply moisturizer

Using honey several times a week help you achieve a clean, fresh, glowing complexion.

 Hope this is helpful?

Adapted from ezine articles by Jacey Meyers

Foods That Fight Wrinkles

Did you know that the most powerful beauty secrets are in the little daily things we aren't aware of? Nice flat ironed hair and makeup are great. However, they only deal with the aesthetics of beauty.

The food that you choose to eat is what beautifies you from the inside and it transfers outwardly. Eating more whole natural foods will help your body to make improvements in skin clarity, hair strength and shine, an overall youthful appearance. Here are some awesome natural foods to add to your diet which will assist in to enhancing your youthful look.

Dark Chocolate

People used to claim that chocolate was the culprit of acne. Contrary to popular belief chocolate has not been proven to cause acne. Chocolate actually has substantial levels of antioxidants which can increase tissue blood flow with helps to defend your skin against damaged, and keep your skin glowing and healthy.

It is important that you use chocolate that is 70% or more of cacao. This is because it has way more antioxidants than processed chocolate. If you are a chocolate lover then use restraint. Too much of a good thing can cause adverse effects. When used in moderation chocolate is very beneficial.

Blueberries and Pomegranates

Dryness and fine lines are problems that many of us face. Blueberries and pomegranates combat this problem by neutralizing free radicals that cause this damage. Your skin will remain nice, supple and firm due to the vitamin C in them. Vitamin C helps to increase the production of collagen. The best part is that these amazing fruits are less than 100 calories per serving.

Walnuts

Just by eating 1 oz of walnuts will help your body to improve the health of your bones, hair, skin, and eyes. Eating 1 oz daily will be enough to supply your body with amazing results. You can add them to your dessert, yogurt, or salad. Almonds, hazelnut, and pistachios also are great beauty nuts to add to your diet.

Yogurt

Did you know that yogurt can help you to achieve strong teeth and nails and to calm skin inflammation? Simply 1 cup a day of natural yogurt will help you to do that.

Tomatoes

It is always better to choose a red sauce over a creamy milk based sauce. Tomatoes helps to protect the skin from sun damage and other environmental factors. Lycopene is amazing in helping your body to do this.

Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, and Butternut Squash

Carrots, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes are phenomenal free radical fighters and they too help to protect your skin from sun damage. So make sure that you incorporate them into your diet as well.

Adapted from ezine articles