Food Allergy - Establishing the Diagnosis

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Why are non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, other causes must forward the possibility of food intolerance are excluded.

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The stool should be examined, particularly for protozoa such as Giardia. A complete blood count and determination of serum albumin-phase proteins, and acute and endomysial antibodies to exclude inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. Patients with diarrhea should have a flexible sigmoidoscopy and, if more than 40 years, abarium enema or colonoscopy.

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Psychological disorders such as anxiety and clinical depression should also be excluded; for example, chronic hyperventilation leads to abdominal pain, flatulence, and bloating but rarely causes diarrhea, and characteristically these patients easily become breathless with chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and sometimes full-blown panic attacks. The identification of patients with psychological problems leading to gut symptoms still depends on clinical assessment.

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There is considerable overlap between symptoms caused by food intolerance and those due to irritable bowel syndrome. No objective test can separate these conditions. Patients with chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, excess rectal flatulence or, occasionally, resistant constipation are most likely to suffer from food intolerance. However, food intolerance can occasionally be responsible for stubborn cases of constipation. The possibility of food intolerance should therefore be considered in every patient with apparent irritable bowel syndrome.

It may be helpful to determine the serum IgE concentration in patients with anaphylaxis or rapid onset of symptoms - especially if these are associated with wheezing, itching or urticaria. Elevated levels should prompt a search for specific allergens by means of skin-prick or radioallergoabsorbent (RAST) testing.

In patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, IgE concentrations are usually normal and skin prick and RAST testing unhelpful. Experience suggests that examination of a food diary is also of limited value as the foods most likely to produce intolerance are those which are usually eaten daily. Exclusion from the diet of one food at a time is rarely successful as many patients are upset by several. A number of commercial techniques for identifying allergy are advertised, including hair and blood analysis and the 'Vega' machine, although there is no evidence as to their reliability.

Food Allergy - Establishing the Diagnosis

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Is Child or 'Baby Eczema' An Allergy Symptom?

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Infantile Eczema or baby eczema is a skin condition that occurs in infants and older children. It is usually caused by a combination of factors, from dry and highly sensitive skin to different types of skin diseases, or simply from allergies.

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Baby eczema is thought to have a genetic component, as some people seem to be prone to allergies and dry skin. Many allergies in children occur during the first years of life and often seem almost impossible to prevent. This is why you should observe the factors - foods, chemicals, allergens or irritants - that might trigger your child's allergy, causing eczema rashes.

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What are the triggers of allergies in children?

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Beside heredity, hay fever and asthma are the most common factors linked with baby eczema, and these are all related to allergies. Excessive heat and emotional stresscan also cause eczema rashes. Many specialists believe certain fabrics, detergents or soaps; skin care products and perfumes also triggerbaby eczema. In order to prevent flare-ups of eczema, you should avoid using chemical products for your baby's hygiene, and opt for pharmaceutical or dermatological ones.

Allergies in children often develop due to dry air, so, while air-filtering devices can be useful, air conditioning devices in your child's room should be avoided. Pollen, mold, dust and smoke are common irritants, and can cause dry skin and eczema rashes. Some other triggers for baby eczema are animal dander, highly acidic foods or drinks, dairy products and sweating.

Which are the most common baby eczema symptoms?

Eczema rashes usually manifest through itchy, dry skin, with small, red bumps usually located on the cheeks, forehead or on your baby's scalp. This is why this condition is also called cradle cap. Occasionally, the rash can spread to legs and arms also, so it's possible to notice some small, slightly raised rashes on the backs of the ankles or wrists, or in the bends of elbows.

The typical symptom of baby eczema is the dry skin, often with a rough texture and small bumps. White, scattered patches can also be present, and from time to time some areas of the skin can become more irritated and flare-up.

This type of allergy occurs in 1 of 10 children and its symptoms usually disappear within few years. However, there are cases in which the signs of baby eczema are still present during adolescence or throughout early adulthood.

Can baby eczema be treated?

Yes. This illness is easy to recognize and the diagnosis is usually based on the medical history of the patient and the present symptoms. An allergy specialist might examine the distribution of the rash; its appearance and he might look for evidence of thicker skin, caused by itching and rubbing.

Treatment options for eczema rashes can include antihistamines, which help to control the itching sensation, and antibiotics for preventing or treating secondary infections, non-steroid medications and topical corticosteroids.

These can be found in different forms, usually creams and ointments. They should be applied directly on the affected regions of the skin, twice a day, until the skin recovers. Daily moisturizing lotions are very important for treating baby eczema, and they should be applied to the whole body, in order to prevent the re-appearance of dry skin.

For parents looking for 'natural' eczema and skin rash treatments, non-invasive (no shots and no drugs), electrodermal testing and natural supplements have proven very effective in reducing or eliminating many types of allergy symptoms, including skin rashes and eczema.

Is Child or 'Baby Eczema' An Allergy Symptom?

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How to Heal Baby's Eczema Naturally

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One of the primary contributing factors to baby eczema is the toxic load the baby inherits from their parents. By the toxic load I mean how healthy the baby's parents were at a cellular level at the time of the baby's conception.

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The state of our health is directly reflected by how efficiently our cells operate. Cells constantly generate metabolic waste which is a natural by-product of cell metabolism. If, however, the process of waste excretion is compromised, the cellular capacity will decrease which will affect the cells' overall efficiency.

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It is clear why the status of the parents' cells affects the healthy predisposition of the baby since a new life begins when a sperm (male cell) fuses with an ovum (female cell). That is why couples who are trying for a baby are advised to optimize their nutrition and lifestyle in order to conceive a healthy baby.

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That leads me to statistics that often state that if one of the parents suffers from an atopic condition (such as eczema, asthma or hay fever) then the baby has got about 50% chance of developing eczema. If both parents suffer from an atopic condition, the figure rises up to 80%.

If our cells are full of toxins then our babies 'inherit' part of this internal pollution. If we add to this external toxins like perfumed skin care products (designed for babies of course), environmental pollution, toxic residues from vaccinations, etc. then no wonder our baby's delicate system gets overwhelmed. This can manifest in different ways such as eczema, asthma, behavioral and attention deficit disorders, digestive disorders, etc.

Eczema, being an allergic reaction, is mainly triggered by eating specific foods or getting in touch with external allergens that penetrate and damage the skin barrier.

If some food is not tolerated well by your baby, it will act as an internal allergen that will in turn penetrate and damage the gut lining - also called "the inner skin.

You will find that babies are more sensitive to some foods because their digestive and immune systems are still immature. Their skin is also much more sensitive because it is quite thin. This means that it is easier for toxins to penetrate through their skin barrier.

How to Heal Baby's Eczema Naturally

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Dog Food for Dogs With Allergies - Is Your Dog Eating Right?

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When your dog starts itching, scratching and chewing, it is possible that food is the culprit. Once you have eliminated fleas or other allergies, it is time to concentrate on what you are feeding your dog. The label will tell you a lot. We may read the labels on human food, but do we read the labels on our dogs' food?

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Always look for whole foods. By products can be anything from toenails to tailbones. The majority of pet foods have by products. You do not want to feed your dog bones and chicken feet. There isn't a lot of nutrition there. These ingredients can quickly compromise the dog's digestive system. By introducing these by products and dealing with the compromised digestive system, the food is carried through the dogs system to the skin. Hot spots, rashes and a lot of itching begin.

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There is another possibility for allergies. It could be due to a compromised immune system and a diet that does not meet the necessary nutritional standards. Soothing the skin problems may be handled by changing to a quality dog food. Avoid grains such as wheat, soy or corn. Avoid dairy products. Many dogs have sensitivity to these ingredients. This is due to the difficulty dogs have digesting these ingredients. This stress can cause the same issues.

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Feed your dog foods with probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that aid in digestion. Bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria are the most common. These probiotics have the possibility of preventing and treating of some cases of diarrhea. They will keep the body in balance. Some grains are more easily digested. Grains such as oatmeal and barley are in that category. Grains will add nutritional support and improve digestion. Grape seed extract is also important. It's primary value is increasing the dogs immune system having a healthy and stable immune system can be the best defense against allergies.

Dog Food for Dogs With Allergies - Is Your Dog Eating Right?

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Baby Clothes Care

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Yes it is true that baby clothes don't last long with kids growing as fast as they do, but taking care of a babies clothes is still just as, if not more, important. One of the major reasons proper clothing care is so imperative is to protect an infant's skin from irritating substances. Because the household use of many different chemicals has increased in modern society, the sensitivity of human skin has increased, and babies have the most sensitive skin of all. A parent must be sensitive to any foods or substances that their children have allergies or intolerance to. In other ways, caring for children and infant's clothing is similar to adult clothing, but on a much smaller scale.

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Powerful detergents are unnecessary even for adults, so it makes sense to buy one detergent that will work for the whole family. By using a mild detergent, all of the clothes will come out just as clean, but without the abundance of irritating substances that can cause problems for a baby's skin. In some circumstances it is better refrain from the use of any detergents at all. Instead soap for sensitive skin and hot water will get clothes clean, but will take more time. There are some "baby" detergents that are marketed to the young parent market as detergents that are better for babies' skin, but there is no real difference from these and other mild detergents. Baby detergents are only another way of marketing to the kid retail industry. When purchasing a mild detergent, parents should look for a substance with no added fragrances or colors.

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Once the clothes are washed, drying them as directed should be fine without the use of a fabric softener. The best way to dry infant clothing is on a clothesline, but they should hang in an enclosed area that is not in contact with pollen or insects. It is important for the clothes to be completely dry before they are put away or worn by a child, and hanging the clothes on childrens clothes hangers will help keep their form. Baby clothes hangers and childrens hangers are an important part of clothing storage for kids because small garments tend to gather and lose their form more easily.

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New clothes should always be washed before worn. Just like new clothes can be stiff and irritating to adults, new clothes are even worse for infants and small children. The same is true for any type of hand-me-downs. Dust mites and other irritating things can gather on any type of clothing that has been in storage.

Extra care should be taken in any circumstance involving an infant, and clothing care is only one of them. By following these few tips, skin irritation and other problems will be one less thing to worry about, and kids' clothes will stay looking good.

Baby Clothes Care

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Infant Thrush, Autism, Allergies & Asthma - Is There a Link?

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Infant thrush is common yeast infection of the mouth that occurs in infants. Disturbing new findings suggest this early yeast infection can contribute to more serious health problems down the line, including asthma, allergies and even autism.

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What is infant thrush? Infant thrush is a oral yeast infection, where yeast cells grow out of control, invading the tissue of your baby's mouth. Mothers who breastfeed may also develop yeast infection symptoms on their nipples and within their breast ducts. This can be a frustrating and painful condition for both moms and babies.

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While most health professionals view infant thrush as an annoying but fairly mild health condition, cutting edge health professionals are seeing that low level, chronic yeast infections may be linked with numerous health conditions, including:

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*asthma
*allergies
*chronic fatigue
*fibromyalgia
*irritable bowel syndrome
*arthritis
*migraine headaches
*lowered immunity.

You may be wondering, what's the connection? The problem is that practically all infant thrush treatments, both natural and pharmaceutical, aim at killing the yeast which is present. However, yeast is everywhere, so without correcting the underlying imbalance that allowed the yeast to grow out of control in the first place, the yeast is still present and is almost certain to be present in levels higher than what's healthy. As soon as you (or your baby) stop taking the drug or herb to prevent the yeast from growing, in many cases it will simply grow back.

Even if the obvious signs (such as thrush patches in baby's mouth) are not present, the yeast can be invisibly growing within your child's body. The yeast candida albicans excretes volumes of toxic organic chemicals, so even in small amounts the yeast can cause big health problems. This toxic overload can contribute to any number of health conditions, including autism, learning and behavior disorders, weakened immunity, etc. In fact, many alternative health professionals now include an anti-yeast protocol as a primary part of the program to combat these health problems and they are having great success with this approach.

Recent clinical research shows that most likely autism is not caused by any one toxic event (such as a vaccine) but by a combination of exposure to toxins--this means it's crucial to get yeast completely under control before it could contribute to a serious problem down the line.

Yeast cells can also invade the tissue of the digestive tract (leaky gut syndrome), allowing too-large particles to pass through the intestinal wall. This contributes to the development of asthma, allergies and other inflammatory conditions.

For these reasons it's crucial for parents to put a baby with thrush on a safe, non-toxic anti-yeast program that cures the underlying imbalance that allowed the yeast to grow out of control in the first place. This is the only way to ensure that the yeast cannot continue to grow parasitically in your child's body, whether it's an obvious problem or not. It's ideal for breastfeeding moms to treat as well, to avoid passing the yeast back and forth between mother and child.

Infant Thrush, Autism, Allergies & Asthma - Is There a Link?

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Oh, Nuts! Nut and Peanut Allergies

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According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, almost 10 percent of children in the United States are affected by food allergies. Six foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions being milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts. Half of those with a peanut allergy are also allergic to tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews (and often sunflower and sesame seeds as well).

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Diagnosing a Nut or Peanut Allergy

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Children generally do not outgrow a nut or peanut allergy. Diagnosing food allergies early in a child's life is difficult since babies cannot tell their parents when their stomachs hurt or their throats itch. Due to this, doctors recommend that parents refrain from feeding their children peanut butter or other nut or peanut products until after they are 2 years old. If there is a family history of nut or peanut allergies, parents should wait until their child is 3 to trial nut or peanut products.

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Nut or Peanut Allergy Symptoms

Initial allergic reactions entail a runny nose, an itchy skin rash over their entire body, or a tingly tongue or lips. Symptoms can quickly escalate into nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, rapid drop in blood pressure, and dizziness or unconsciousness. Nut and peanut allergy symptoms generally appear within a few seconds to two hours after ingesting or being exposed to the allergen.

Testing for a Nut or Peanut Allergy

If your doctor suspects your child may have a nut or peanut allergy, they will recommend visiting an allergy specialist. To test for a nut or peanut allergy, the allergist will conduct a skin test or take a blood sample to send to a lab.

Treating a Nut or Peanut Allergy

Since there is no medicine available to treat nut or peanut allergies, the best treatment is to avoid eating nuts. This may sound easy, but keep in mind that nuts are often mixed in foods and young children are unable to read food label warnings. Those particularly sensitive to this allergy will need to avoid foods that are made in the same factory that makes nut products. The bulk of kids with this allergy will simply need to avoid eating nuts or foods containing nuts.

Handling an Allergic Reaction

Parents of children with a serious nut or peanut allergy should create a plan in the event of an allergic reaction. Notify teachers, the school nurse, coaches, friends, etc. so everyone will know what the reaction entails and how to respond.

The most serious reaction will involve anaphylaxis where several problems occur at once. To treat anaphylaxis immediately, doctors recommend that people with a nut or peanut allergy (or those supervising them) keep a shot of epinephrine with them. Epinephrine injections come in easy-to-carry containers that look like a pen. If the shot is administered, the child should go to a hospital or medical facility to make sure the reaction is under control.

Oh, Nuts! Nut and Peanut Allergies

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