Most children with food allergies suffer mild but uncomfortable symptoms, such as loose stools, excess gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea or vomiting. In some cases, blood or mucus will appear in the stools (particularly in the event of a milk allergy). It’s not uncommon for kid food allergies to cause hives, ear infections, stuffy/runny noses, watery/red eyes, wheezing, asthma flare-ups, eczema, localized rashes or mild tingling/itching in the mouth. In severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur within minutes or hours. The child may find it difficult to swallow, breathe or speak. Usually, they will begin to panic as they begin to feel their throats swell, and they will turn red, feel weak and may slip into unconsciousness. In this article, you will learn about some of the ways that parents of these afflicted kids are coping.

The main aspect of raising a child who has a food allergy would be to keep them safe. At home, you are going to have to make modifications in lots of of your recipes to make sure that your youngster does not be exposed to their allergens. It’s natural to feel frustrated and constrained at first, but after a little bit of digging, you’ll find alternates for pretty much all of your favorite recipes.

You can find a number of cookbooks, for example The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook, which offers in excess of 325 recipes containing none of the typical allergens, like wheat, milk, eggs, yeast, corn and sugar. Then there are cookbooks that are more specific to certain allergies, like milk, eggs and gluten.

As a parent of children with food allergies, it is also important that you educate the child about what a kid food allergy is, what the dangers are and about treatment for food allergy reactions. For younger kids, it’s helpful to read books on the subject, such as Ask Before I Eat, Allie the Allergic Elephant, Bugabees Friends with Food Allergies, The Peanut Butter Jam and The Terrific Tale of Teddy the Tummy. If your child is a little bit older, then you might enjoy watching the 84-minute documentary film by Kevin J. Lindenmuth, titled, “I’m Not Nuts: Living with Food Allergies.” Often if you attend local support groups, you will find a number of resources to help you when discussing food allergies with your child.

A good place to learn more about helping children with food allergies cope is www.allergicchild.com. This website is focused on helping kids who have food allergies to live the healthiest and most normal lives possible. Parents can sign up for free monthly newsletters with expert columns and may also read e-books; How to Send your Food Allergic Child to School; How to Help Your Child Succeed with Food Allergy and Behavior Manifestations: Giftedness, Autism & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; How Do I Keep My Food Allergic Child Safe; and Traveling and Eating Out with Food Allergies. Allergy information is important in the early stages of your child’s diagnosis, but it is through support networks that you will learn to endure.

If you’re looking for food allergy help for your child, visit our site on Food Allergies in Children for the information you need.

Most families have done without an air purifier for generations – hundreds or even thousands of years, so what, you may be asking yourself is the rush to get one now? And it is true, there is a bit of a buzz about air purifiers at the moment. But do they work all right and are they worth the money?

The answers to both of these questions are not simple, but everyone would have to acquiesce that the motor revolves when you plug them in, so in that sense they do all work. Whether they are effectual or not depends on what you buy. There are some very useful air purifying units and there is a lot of junk too.

The really ineffective ones are the very cheap models, that are just not powerful enough and do not even contain adequate filters, but leaving those aside, there are very good portable air purifiers and very good central air purifier systems.

So, the first thing you have to determine is whether you want a central or portable air purifying system. If you want to clean the air in your office at work or your caravan or trailer, then a good portable purifier will do the job very well. The reason why a portable purifier is not so good for the home is size. Your house is just too big for one portable air purifying unit.

If you locked yourself up in one room, then OK, but as soon as you open the door, or someone walks into the room, you have lost a lot of your clean air. Therefore, if you are thinking about purifying the air in your house, you really have to go for a central system, particularly if you already have ducting in place for a central heating or central air conditioning system.

If you are lucky enough to have such a system then a powerful and very efficient air purification system can be fitted near your existing blower in minutes in most cases. These devices will purify the air in your whole home at the same time, which means that you can walk about your house, go about your daily business and leave interconnecting doors open at leisure. It is the only way to go if you have active children. This is often the cheapest option too, believe it or not.

If you are going to buy a portable model, note the measurements of the largest room you are likely to use it in and work out the volume of air in that room (length x width x height). You will have to check that whichever air purifier you get can handle that volume of air. That information will be in sales pamphlet. The cost of filters is an important aspect in the total cost of a purifier. How much are they and how often do they have to be replaced? Can they be cleaned a few times before needing to be changed?

Think about why you want an air purifier. Is it because you want to combat a specific allergy? Is it because there is a smoker in the house? Is it because of pets? Or is it just because of increasing levels of general pollution from cars and industry? Whatever the reason, make sure that the air purification system you are thinking about purchasing can take filters that can take those substances from the air. Not all filters are identical – not all filters can filter everything.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with central air conditioner prices. If you are interested in Home Air Conditioning Systems, please click through to our site.

If you have any form of air purification system installed in your house or office, you will need to replace the air filters at some time or another. I am not only talking about dedicated equipment that only purifies the air here, but also air conditioning units such as you would find at home, in the office or even in the car. The theory is the same for all.

So, you may be operating an air purifier without even realizing it, but in that case, especially if it is an older one, it could be doing you more harm than good. This is because a dirty filter will be blowing unpurified air into the room at best, but in the worst case scenario, it might even be blowing contaminated air at you. Modern air filters do not only stop flies or even pollen from getting into the set-up through the air intake, they go as far as trying to block common germs too.

So, you have two options. If you have never changed or cleaned your air filter or if you did not even realize you had one and the air conditioner or air purifying unit is over a year old, you should do something about it right away. Start by reading the handbook. If you do not have one go on line and look to see if there is any information on your model at the maker’s website or even just anywhere on the Internet. If on the other hand, you have been cleaning and replacing your filter methodically, think about getting a better quality filter next time.

You can go about finding the best brands of air filters for your particular type of unit by writing down any serial numbers and identification numbers and names. The brand and model are very helpful too. You have two options here too. If you like going around the shops, take this information with you and ask about the best filters in several outlets A large DIY or department store could doubtless help here. Write every name and detail they give you down on paper and take it home. I prefer to go on the Internet first and take that information around the shops.

Check everything they have told you on the Internet. Check it with the manufacturer’s web site and compare prices. Decide what you want to buy and where from. Get a year’s supply in one go, it saves a lot of bother. Three or four units should last a year, if they are cleanable.

A high quality air filter will work better than a cheaper one. It will trap more pollutants, including smoke and fumes – even some germs, if it has been impregnated with a germicide. Many come with a long-lasting mild air freshener too, which will save you buying sprays.

Better quality air filters will save you money and hassle by lasting longer in good serviceable condition. Cheaper ones may say they last as long, but the germicide and the air freshener may have evaporated within a week or two. Try to get a filter that is cleanable. The best ones can be cleaned two of three times before they have to be changed. If it is three times then it will last four months, meaning that you only need three a year at most.

If you have purchased an unknown make of air conditioner or purifier, there is a good chance that it was still made by one of the big names or it a copy of a famous name, in which case a better filter may still fit into it. In this situation, take your old filter to the shop with you to get it compared.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with central air conditioning systems. If you are interested in Home Air Conditioning Systems, please click through to our site.

Allergy relief & information on Dr. Allison is found at http://www.franklinallergicare.com

Duration : 0:2:18

Read the rest of this entry »

What is it like to be a kid dealing with food allergies? Find out from these children, who spend every day avoiding peanuts, milk, eggs, and other foods all of us take for granted. Luckily, through existing science a cure is possible: Visit the Food Allergy Initiative at www.faiusa.org for more information.

Duration : 0:5:54

Read the rest of this entry »

In this segment we learn first-hand from a woman suffering from nasal congestion what its like to live with this problem. We also get advice and solutions from Kamal Mistry on a natural remedy for the symptoms those experiencing nasal/sinus symptoms.

Duration : 0:5:14

Read the rest of this entry »

The Medicine Hunter finds relief for seasonal allergies and other ailments the natural way with nettle

Duration : 0:1:25

Read the rest of this entry »

So, am I telling a joke? What is the connection between spraying something up your nose and running better? How in the world can there be a connection between saline nasal spray and running faster? I must say it does sound like a joke, but I mean it in all sincerity!

A while ago I became interested in what is called “Chi Running”. I became so interested in it that I actually went through the process of becoming a certified instructor. What we discover is that when you change the balance of the person and you change how they use their energy while they run, you can effect a change in how fast they run– and more importantly— whether they are likely to get an injury.

You might be surprised to hear that over 50% of people that run regularly will end up with some type of running injury. In Chi Running we try to help people avoid those injuries. Here’s a surprise— did you know that how you breath while you’re running can affect whether you get injured?

Here’s the connection. When you are running and you breath (gasp) through your mouth two things happen– you run faster than your body is ready to run — and if you run that fast you are therefore more likely to get an injury. The second thing that happens is that your heart beats quite a bit faster than if you are breathing through your nose! Think about that– your heart beats slower if you breath through your nose when you run.

So how is this all connected to Saline Nasal Solution?? Well lots of people have allergies and lots of people react to the junk that’s in the air which can make it much more difficult to breath through your nose. So even if you wanted to breath through your nose, you might not be able to without a little help. If you can use the saline nasal solution before you run and if you use the saline nasal spray while you’re running you will improve your odds that you will be able to breath through the nose.

So there you have it– there’s the connection between saline nasal solution and running faster (running without injury). The saline nasal solution and spray makes it easier for you to breath through your nose. If you breath through your nose you are much more likely to run at the pace that your fitness level is ready to do. So clearly if you can use a simple strategy to keep your nose fully open while your run, you can really have less injury because your’re running at your best pace.

Want to find out more about saline nasal spray, then visit Dr Stanley Lang’s site on how to choose the best saline nasal solution for your needs.

Getting the diagnosis of celiac disease can be quite disheartening, especially when you think about baking. Since it is important to follow a strict gluten-free diet, try these gluten free recipes that will leave your tastebuds and the villi in your intestines happy.

Baking can be especially daunting. If you are not able to use white flour or wheat flour anymore, what are you supposed to use when you bake, or are you just supposed to give baking up altogether? Fortunately, you do not have to give up baking. There are some very easy substitutions for white and wheat flour. Bette Hagman created a recipe for Featherlight mix to use as a flour substitute. To create this combine one cup each of rice flour, cornstarch and tapioca starch with one tablespoon potato flour (not potato starch). Mix it together and use it as a cup-for-cup substitution for flour.

A yummy chocolate brownie recipe calls for 3 eggs, 1 c. Sugar, 1/2 c. Oil, 2 Tbsp. Cocoa, unsweetened, 1/2 c. Potato starch, 1 c. Nuts, chopped. Beat eggs till fluffy. Add oil. Add dry ingredients. Mix. Add nuts. Bake 30 minutes in a preheated 350F oven.

Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies require 8 oz butter, unsalted, 2 c. Brown rice flour, 1/4 c. Cornstarch, 2 Tbsp. Tapioca flour, 1 tsp. Xanthan gum, 1 tsp. Baking soda, 1 tsp. Kosher salt, 1-1/4 c. Brown sugar, 1/4 c. White sugar, 1 entire egg and 1 additional egg yolk, 2 Tbsp. Milk/milk substitute, 1-1/2 tsp. Vanilla, 1 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips. Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl cream the butter and sugars. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine well. Stir in the dry mixture a little at a time. Add chocolate chips. Chill an hour. In preheated 375F oven, bake approximately 14 minutes.

Boxed cake mix does not have to be a thing of the past when you are cooking to avoid gluten. This recipe for sans gluten red velvet cupcakes is quick and easy. You will need one box of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix, one package of Jello brand chocolate instant pudding, one stick of butter, eight ounces sour cream, three eggs, two-thirds cup milk or milk substitute and two tablespoons Tones (or other brand without gluten) red food coloring. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Spoon into cupcake pans that you have lined with cupcake liners. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, then frost.

What to do with all of those extra-ripe bananas nobody wants to eat – even people who are gluten free can eat banana bread if you follow this recipe. Combine a third of a cup of softened butter with two-thirds of a cup of brown sugar and cream. Then add two-thirds of a cup of egg substitute. Mix until it gets fluffy. Put in the teaspoon of vanilla and a cup of mashed up ripe banana. Mix this all together very well. Then in another bowl combine two-thirds of a cup of light or dark bean flower, two-thirds of a cup cornstarch, a half a cup of tapioca flour, a half a teaspoon xanthan gum, three-quarters of a teaspoon of baking soda, one and a quarter teaspoons of cream of tartar a half a teaspoon of salt, and a teaspoon and a half of cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and pour batter in. For almost an hour bake at 350 degrees. You should let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Pancakes have always been a favorite weekend breakfast. Just because you have a diagnosis of celiac disease, does not mean your pancake-eating days are gone forever. This pancake recipe is as so much like wheat pancakes only you will know they are gluten free. To make them you will need to assemble 1 c. Of rice flour, 3 Tbsp. Tapioca flour, 1/3 c. Potato starch, 4 Tbsp. Dry buttermilk powder, 1 packet sugar substitute, 1-1/2 tsp. Baking powder, 1/2 tsp. Baking soda, 1/2 tsp. Salt, 1/2 tsp. Xanthan gum, 2 eggs, 3 Tbsp. Oil, 2 c. Water. Blend dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients. Mix until only a few lumps are left. Cook on a griddle or pan.

Any flours called for in these gluten free recipes are interchangeable with the Featherlight mix. Bon Appetit!

Visit us to find out more about cooking a gluten free pancake.

More and more people appear to be suffering from allergies in the West. It is unclear exactly why people are becoming more sensitive to everyday items, which only bothered a very small percentage of mankind for tens of thousands of years. Some people say it is because our world is so clean, so clinical, that our bodies have forgotten how to cope with a bit of dirt and others point to the increased quantity of air pollution. So could air purifiers be the solution?

If you have an allergic reaction, the first thing to do is to identify which substance you are allergic to. This is not easy to do on your own, so you will almost certainly need some professional medical help. Or you could begin by trying to eliminate dust from your house and see if that works. You would begin to do this by cleaning or replacing any filters you already have on the air conditioning and central heating and then turning the appropriate one on. Clean the vacuum cleaner’s filter too and change the bag, if it has one. Then vacuum the house thoroughly from top to bottom.

If this does not work, you may be allergic to pollen, mold or tobacco smoke, if there is a smoker in the house, or maybe environmental pollution from cars or and near-by industry. Try installing an electrostatic furnace filter and running your heating or cooling system 24 hours a day to see if that clears it up. The filters can clear up 90% of household dust and some other allergens.

The majority of airborne mold particles can be removed from your air by the use of specialist air purifiers. These air purifiers usually raise the ozone levels too, which has the effect of eliminating smells and killing some bacteria. However, for a longterm solution, you will have to consult a professional to clear up the source of the mold, which is usually dampness caused by leaking pipes or damp brickwork, caused by a bridged cavity wall.

Second-hand tobacco smoke is unpleasant enough, but it can bring about an allergic reaction too. If this is the cause of your problem, you could try one of the liquid air purifiers. This type of air purifier is very effective at its job. Some air purifiers purport to kill viruses too, but beware of such claims. The claim is normally based on the use of ultraviolet light, but any UV light producing less than 24,000 microwatts of UVGI is unlikely to be effective.

Unfortunately, there is no one total solution to the problem of air pollution, because there are so many types of substances that cause allergies. Carpets can be a major cause of allergens, as can all fabrics, particularly if you keep pets. Fleas, their larvae and house mites love carpets, curtains and upholstery, so you need to steam clean these at least once a year and spray them with a long-lasting insecticide containing permethrin or remove the carpets altogether and get leather furniture.

It is best to know which allergy you are fighting, but if you carry out the cleaning methods mentioned above and use one of the ozone producing air purifiers, you will have gone a very long way to cleaning the air in your home and defeating allergies.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with split air conditioning systems. If you are interested in Home Air Conditioning Systems, please click through to our site.