Is Psoriasis linked to hay fever?

Is psoriasis linked to hay fever?

The National Institute of Health recently did a study that shows a relationship of certain illnesses such as hay fever, asthma, eczema and psoriasis. Theses particular illnesses are caused by inflammation of the tissues. The immune system reacts to allergens that enter the body causing this inflammation. The body produces a specific protein that interrupts the protective properties in skin.  Once these protective properties or barriers are disrupted, the skin fails to repair itself properly. This causes skin cells to grow very quickly.  In turn, making the protective function of the skin less able to fight off allergens. This increases inflammation and eventually causes skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema and allergy conditions such as asthma and hay fever.

"Approximately 50 million Americans suffer some form of allergy or hay fever, experiencing sneezing, runny nose or watery eyes, though the symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening." -NIH

There may be a way to block these allergens from entering the skin by creating an artificial wall to place on the skin. This could be something as simple as a lotion. If we keep allergens off the skin, we are able to keep the immune system from over-reacting. This allows the skin cells to slow down giving it time to create a successful protective layer or barrier. Studies have shown that people with eczema and psoriasis are likely to develop hay fever allergies and asthma. There is a common reaction for these disorders.  The immune system is affected and over-reacts producing inflammation and allergy symptoms.

This study opens up an understanding of skin disorders and their possible relationship to allergies entering the barriers in the lung and nose. Until more research is done, the only way to treat skin disorders, like psoriasis and eczema, is by taking immune suppressing drugs, many with unwelcome side effects.  If this relationship exists, increasing your body's ability to heal itself and healing your immune system naturally would be most beneficial. Sublingual immunotherapy with products such as Allergena Natural Allergy Remedy may be one successful way to encourage this healing.

For more information on this study, or other studies related to allergies, you can visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html.

Mold and Mold Allergies - Get Rid of Mold (Part 2 of 2)

Now that we've learned about what mold is and where it comes from, the real question is: How do you get rid of mold?

Although it's impossible to get rid of all mold spores in your home completely, you can control the spread of it. The best way to prevent mold over-growth and spreading is by controlling moisture in your home. Mold, and mold spores specifically, can not grow without moisture. So moisture is key to getting rid of mold.

Identify moisture in your home.

This can be very simple in some areas and not so simple in others. It's easy to feel and identify humidity in areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. But it's important to recognize that moisture build-up can happen anywhere in your home. Are there any leaks in your plumbing or ceilings? Is there visible mold in areas that do not show visible signs of moisture such as under rugs, carpets or on walls? Any areas that do have leaks and water damage need to be cleaned and dried thoroughly within 48 hours to assure that mold does not form. Once moisture has been identified and the areas have been repaired, cleaned and dried, follow these following tips to prevent mold overgrowth.

• Use an air conditioner and dehumidifier. If you live in a humid climate, this needs to be done all year long. If you live in a drier climate, use during humid months, rainy periods and in rooms with the most moisture. 
• Avoid using carpets in basements, laundry rooms and bathrooms. 
• Ventilate your home by using fans facing/blowing outside. Also, use bathroom fans or open bathroom windows when showering or bathing. 
• If mold buildup has developed on your walls, use mold inhibitors or fungicides in paint, primer and wall paper paste.
• Buy a humidity meter and monitor and control indoor humidity. (Ideally between 30%-50%).
• Vent appliances that produce moisture such as clothes dryers and stoves to the outdoors.
• Use a bleach cleaner for kitchen and bathroom sinks and drains, tubs, shower walls/tile and flooring. (Avoid touching moldy surfaces with bare hands and wear protective gloves when using harsh cleaning agents.) 
• Clean garbage cans and refrigerators at least once a month. 
• Mold can grow in old books, newspapers, clothing and bedding. Get rid of any of these, if possible, or use a vacuum seal kit to seal them air tight so no moisture or oxygen can get in and allow mold growth.

Should I contact a Professional?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), testing is usually not necessary with smaller amounts of visible mold. However, large areas of mold may require the services of a professional who is experienced in mold cleanup. The severity of the mold and your symptoms from the mold can vary greatly from room to room and home to home. If you've followed all the above steps for clean-up and prevention to get rid of mold and are still having an overgrowth of mold, contact a mold removal specialist.

Mold spores, like pollen, are everywhere. If  'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' then using a daily mold remedy, such as Mold Mix is definitely worth its weight. It works with your body's immune system to heal itself while calming mold allergy symptoms. With the summer heat and humidity upon us, feeling symptom-free from mold and mold allergies and keeping the mold spores to a minimum can make your summer just a little brighter.

Previous Mold and Mold Allergies - What is it? What are the Symptoms? (Part 1 of 2)

Mold and Mold Allergies - What is it? What are the Symptoms (Part 1 of 2)

Mold: What is it, where does it come from and what are the symptoms of mold allergies?

Mold is a fungus commonly found in moist areas such as on logs, fallen leaves, in bathrooms and basements. Mold is potentially anywhere there is moisture or dampness. Mold, unlike plants and flowers, produce spores. These spores travel through the air and get inhaled in our lungs, similar to pollen, to create an allergic reaction causing mold allergies. These spores are not visible to the naked eye. They are very resilient and can survive in dry and harsh environments where mold can not grow. Traveling through air, mold spores land on a moist surfaces in humid environments enabling mold to grow. There are many different types of mold. Generally speaking, indoor and outdoor are the two most prominent when dealing with mold allergies.

Indoor mold is often referred to as mildew. This is a particular mold found in the home that is white or gray in color. It is commonly found growing in showers, under sinks, in drains, on drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture, ducts, wallpaper and around plumbing pipes. Black mold which is greenish-black in color is also found indoors but is not as common. Indoor mold has the potential to cause health problems and can destroy surfaces and objects where it grows and spreads.

Outdoor mold is most common in damp, dark areas of decomposing plant life. It is often found growing on rotting logs, fallen leaves, grass and in piles of compost. Outdoor molds are not destroyed with the cold and frost in the fall and winter like pollen. Its growth just remains dormant until spring and summer when decomposing plant life is present and provides an area to grow.

Similar to most allergies, mold allergy symptoms include: sneezing, runny nose, itchy, swollen, irritated eyes and ears, hives, rash, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and worsening asthma symptoms. Individuals with mold allergies can have more symptoms and a higher degree and severity of symptoms based on their sensitivity to it, as well as the type of mold they are exposed to. An allergist or doctor can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to a mold allergy. Products like Allergena Mold help the immune system grow stronger and alleviates your mold allergy symptoms safely and effectively when taken daily in the presence of mold.

Next: Mold and Mold Allergies - Get Rid of Mold (Part 2 of 2)

Get Rid Of Dust Mites

You may have heard that dust mites are everywhere- your carpet, your bedding, your mattress, even living on your skin. But is there a way to get rid of dust mites for good?

Dust Mites are tiny insects barely visible to the naked eye that can be found anywhere humans live. They feed on organic tissues such as flakes of shedding human skin and pet dander. They flourish in areas like carpets, mattresses, and bedding especially on pillows. Their presence is often felt with symptoms such as asthma, allergies, cold-like symptoms and even rashes. There is a direct relationship to people who develop asthma and the presence of dust mites in their homes.

Did you know that a mattress will double its weight in 10 years due to dust mites? Gross! So how do you get rid of dust mites?

Hot water.  Dust mites can not survive in temperatures over 130 degrees. Wash all your bedding, comforters, blankets, sheets, pillow cases, mattress covers, as well as children's toys and pet bedding once a week.  Items that require a trip to the dry cleaners can be washed less frequently, depending on the severity of the problem, i.e., allergy and asthma related symptoms. In just two years, your pillow's weight will consist of roughly 15% dust mites.  Down comforters and pillows attract dust mites the most. To get rid of dust mites, get rid of any down bedding and replace with machine washable ones. Pillows need to be thrown away and replaced after 2 years. Non-fabric toys can be washed in the dishwasher. Be sure to dry all items in the dryer at the highest temperature to kill any dust mites that survived the wash.  Similarly, make sure to use your dishwasher's heated drying option.

Vacuuming. Buy a vacuum with a HEPA air filter and replace the filter at least once a year. Hardwood and linoleum floors are best to have to get rid of dust mites, but it's not always an option so vacuum often, preferably 3 times per week. Vacuum and flip mattresses once or twice a year or purchase a dust mite mattress cover. If you have pets, vacuum areas where your pets like to hangout every day. Make sure to brush pets outside of your home and brush them frequently. Before re-entering your home, wipe down your pets with a damp cloth to catch any remaining loose dander.  Steam cleaning your rugs and carpets with hot water (130 degrees or higher) every few months is strongly recommended as well.

Co-Habitation. Unfortunately, it's near impossible to get rid of dust mites completely.  They're everywhere in our homes.  Using Allergena Dust+Mite daily greatly reduces allergy and asthma symptoms from unavoidable dust mite exposure.

You are not stuck suffering from cold-like symptoms and wheezing from these parasites forever.  Just by adding Allergena Dust+Mite and incorporating these few simple steps you'll be well on your way to living a healthier and (almost) dust-mite free life.