Winter Allergens: Are Indoor Allergies Making You Sick?
As temperatures drop, many look forward to a cozy season of spending time indoors. But for the 100 million people who experience allergies in the U.S., the winter season can bring an increase in allergy symptoms. Unlike spring and fall, winter allergies are often triggered by indoor allergens that become more concentrated when we close up…
Tips for Avoiding Allergies During Halloween Activities
Halloween is a fun-filled time for children and adults alike, but for the 100 million who experience allergy symptoms, it can come with unexpected triggers. Popular Halloween activities may expose you to allergens like pollen, mold and dust, potentially causing unexpected allergic symptoms. Fortunately, with a few precautions, you can enjoy the Halloween festivities while…
What to Know About Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a common skin condition that occurs when your skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen. This leads to an itchy, inflamed rash, which can range from mild to severe depending on the cause and your skin’s sensitivity. You can prevent flare-ups and better manage your symptoms by understanding its…
What to Know About Autumn Allergies
We often associate allergies with the budding flowers and trees of springtime, but did you know that autumn brings its own supply of environmental allergies? If the changing of leaves brings you more than pretty colors, take a look at our list of tips to reduce allergy symptoms this fall. Beware of Ragweed Pollen Ragweed…
Balancing Your Child’s Seasonal Allergies With Summer Fun
More than one in four children in the United States have a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy. As a parent, it can be easy to worry about how your child’s seasonal allergies will affect their summer fun. Let’s look at a few tips to help minimize their symptoms without interrupting their summer activities. 1….
What To Know About Summer Skin Allergens
Summer is a time for outdoor adventures, beach days and backyard barbecues. However, it’s also a season when skin allergens can cause discomfort and irritation. Knowing how to identify and manage these allergens can help you enjoy your summer to the fullest. Consider these potential skin allergens and how to avoid them this sunny season….
Have My Seasonal Allergies Disappeared?
Approximately 25.7% of adults in the United States live with seasonal allergies (hay fever). We tend to think of allergies as a condition that sticks around forever once it develops. While this is the case for many people, some may notice that their symptoms lessen or disappear over time. Let’s take a look at why…
Why Should You Start and Stick with Immunotherapy?
With the spring flowers beginning to bloom, you might find yourself strolling through Wells Japanese Garden, going on weekend hikes or driving out to see the ocean. However you like to enjoy spring, you probably don’t want allergies getting in the way. Approximately 20% of the population in the United States has hay fever (allergic…
What To Know About the Allergic March
The Allergic March, also known as the Atopic March, refers to the natural progression of an allergy over time, typically starting in infancy or childhood and developing into adulthood. The Allergic March tends to begin with a small symptom like dry skin and develop into allergic rhinitis or asthma by adulthood. Common steps within this…
What To Know About Bee Sting Allergies
Getting stung by a bee during a walk in Margaret Hunter Park can be a little alarming, especially if you’re uncertain how you will react. An allergy to insect stings accounts for 5% of the U.S. population. Let’s look at a few symptoms and treatments of an allergic bee sting to help you navigate future…
Why Do I Have Allergy Symptoms at Work?
It’s common to experience allergy symptoms after a walk through Marion Davis Park or even during certain times of the year while at home. You may even be experiencing allergy symptoms after a day at the office, and if you have, there are steps you can take to minimize the symptoms. An allergic reaction is…
How Can You Help a Child With Seasonal Allergies
Allergic rhinitis affects up to 40% of children but isn’t often diagnosed. Seasonal allergies can also be difficult for children. If you’ve noticed your child struggling with allergy symptoms after a visit to Marion Davis Park, you may want to consider seeing a medical professional. Allergy Causes The most common cause of seasonal allergies is plant…
How to Relieve Itchy Eyes From Allergies
Approximately 25.7% of adults have a seasonal allergy. Whether grass pollen in the spring and summer or ragweed in the fall, South Carolina is full of seasonal allergens that can cause congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and more. With a couple of prevention and treatment tips, your itchy eyes don’t need to get in the way…
How to Sleep Better With Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition that affects more than 31 million Americans. Eczema is usually caused by an environmental trigger and may present with symptoms such as: Eczema symptoms can appear anywhere on your skin, including but not limited to your: While eczema does not usually cause pain unless the skin is broken from…
Find Relief From Chronic Hives
Chronic hives, also called urticaria, affects about 20% of people at some point in their life. Hives are a skin reaction that causes red, pink, white or skin-toned itchy welts. They can vary in shape, size and severity. Depending on the cause, they may last less than 24 hours or as long as several months….
How To Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups This Summer
Though eczema symptoms most commonly worsen in the winter, hot summer temperatures and too much sun exposure can also cause flare-ups. What Is Eczema? Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that is not contagious. It’s quite common, affecting an estimated 30% of the United States population, and is most…
Can Diet Help Eczema?
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes symptoms such as itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and infections. According to the National Eczema Association, more than 31 million Americans experience the condition. There are many factors that can contribute to eczema, including diet. Below we review some of the worst and best foods…
How To Manage Skin Allergies
Contact dermatitis is a type of skin allergy that occurs when you come into contact with a particular allergen. It can cause symptoms such as: These symptoms can be very unpleasant and interfere with your daily life. If you suffer from skin allergies, let’s take a look at some steps you can take to manage…
Tips For Traveling With Allergies
Allergies are an incredibly common condition. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), “more than 100 million people in the U.S. experience various types of allergies each year.” Allergies can make various aspects of life more difficult, including travel. Let’s look at a few ways you can prepare for a…
How to Prepare for Spring Allergies
According to an article published in the journal Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, “Allergic rhinitis has a profound negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. It is also a major cause of school and work absenteeism. Consequently, it is vital to ensure timely and correct diagnosis, and implement appropriate management…
Good Boy: Dogs May Reduce Baby’s Risk of Developing Eczema
There are a million good reasons to love dogs! One that you may not know is that growing up with a dog in the home may reduce a baby’s risk of developing eczema. Lower Rates of Eczema in Young Children Exposed to Dogs A 2022 study examined the association between prenatal and first year dog…
Seek Treatment for Your Allergy Symptoms This Year
Do you wake up with nasal congestion and watery eyes every morning? Are you sick of experiencing sneezing fits whenever you take a hike through the Palmetto Trail or one of the many other scenic nature spots in South Carolina? If so, make it a plan this year to seek treatment for your allergies. How…
These Indoor Allergens May Worsen Your Eczema
Eczema, known medically as atopic dermatitis, describes dry, itchy skin that can develop into a rash when scratched or irritated. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, “Genetic as well as environmental factors are thought to play a part in the pathogenesis.” In this post, we focus on some environmental factors…
Look Out for These Common Allergy Triggers This Holiday Season
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “Many people with allergies often have more than one type of allergy. The most common indoor/outdoor allergy triggers are: tree pollen, grass pollen, and weed pollen, mold spores, dust mites, cockroaches, cat and dog dander, and rodent urine.” Unfortunately, many of these and other allergens can…
Here’s What’s Happening When You Have an Allergic Reaction
Allergies are incredibly common, with millions of Americans suffering from the condition every year. Whether you or a loved one have allergies, it can be helpful to understand what’s happening inside the body when an allergic reaction occurs, as well as what you can do to treat or prevent allergy symptoms. Mechanisms of an Allergic…
Skin Allergies 101: What to Know About This Condition
Skin allergies are common, especially in children. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in 2018, 9.2 million children had skin allergies. Below we review the symptoms of skin allergies, the causes of skin allergies and the most common allergic skin conditions. Symptoms of Skin Allergies The symptoms of skin allergies…
How To Relieve Irritation From Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an itchy rash that is caused by coming into direct contact with a particular substance, like poison ivy when walking through the Enoree Passage. While it is rarely serious and often clears up on its own within a few days, it can be painful and unpleasant. Thankfully, there are several ways to…
Can Allergy Testing Benefit Patients with Asthma?
For people who have both allergies and asthma, the two conditions are often closely linked. In this post, we review the nature of this connection as well as the benefits of undergoing allergy testing. What Are Allergies? Allergies describe the body’s response to allergens, which are normally-harmless substances that the immune system overreacts to. During…
Can Allergy Drops Help My Child?
If your child suffers from severe allergies or asthma, sublingual immunotherapy, also known as allergy drops, might be the key to easing their symptoms. Allergy Drops vs Allergy Shots Immunotherapy is a form of allergy treatment that builds tolerance to an allergen by introducing it to the body in small doses over a period of…
Is Your Rash from Hay Fever?
When you think of hay fever you probably think of sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes. However, some people can also develop a rash as one of their symptoms. Let’s examine why this happens and what you can do to prevent or treat it. How to Know if Your Rash is Caused by Hay Fever…
Longer Growing Seasons Increase Airborne Pollen
Are your itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing getting worse or lasting longer with each passing year? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, pollen concentrations are increasing, and so is the length of pollen season. We review this study below. About the Study Researchers from across the nation…
Causes of Hives in Children
Hives (urticaria) are itchy, raised bumps and patches that appear on the skin. They are usually red or skin-colored. About 20% of people experience hives at some point in their lives. Children are particularly susceptible. Characteristics of Hives Vary in size and shape and appear anywhere on the body Can move around or go away…
Is Fever an Allergy Symptom?
Though allergic rhinitis is commonly referred to as “hay fever,” a fever is not actually a symptom of allergies. However, in some cases, allergies can trigger a sinus infection, which can cause fever. We review the relationship below. Symptoms of Allergies The best way to determine what condition is causing your symptoms is to look…
How Are Allergies Treated?
Allergies are the immune system’s response to allergens. When you come into contact with an allergen, the immune system releases an antibody known as Immunoglobulin E, which tells the cells to produce the chemical histamine. Histamine triggers inflammation, swelling, itching and all the other allergy symptoms you’re familiar with. Below we review the different options…
What is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that results from coming into contact with a skin irritant. There are a few different types of contact dermatitis, depending on what type of trigger causes symptoms. Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis An itchy, discolored rash is the most common symptom of contact dermatitis. Other symptoms include: Dry, cracked…
Feeling Tired? Allergies Might Be to Blame
When you think of allergy symptoms you probably imagine sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes. One symptom you might be less aware of is fatigue. Allergies can contribute to fatigue in several different ways. Let’s examine why some people experience tiredness, as well as ways to combat allergy-related fatigue. Inflammatory Response and Fatigue When you come…
Are Eczema and Food Allergies Related?
Research has indicated that the skin condition eczema is connected to food allergies. In some patients, food allergies can worsen their eczema however, there is also evidence suggesting that eczema is responsible for the development of food allergies as well. What is Eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory…
How to Tell the Difference Between Your Child’s Allergies & Asthma?
Does your child start coughing and wheezing after running around at Gully Water Splash park? If so, you may be wondering whether they’re exhibiting symptoms of allergies or asthma. Below we review the difference between the two conditions, discuss how they’re related and describe how to tell the difference. Allergies in Children Allergies are the…
Outdoor Exercise with Allergies
This year, the beautiful July whether has many people ditching the gym and opting to exercise in the great outdoors, like at Memorial Park. But for those with allergies, they may not think this is an option for them. Below we outline how to avoid allergy symptoms while exercising outdoors. Identify Your Triggers Allergy tests…
The Different Types of Allergy Testing
If you experience itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat and sneezing while walking around Memorial Park, it most likely means there’s an allergen nearby. Allergens are substances that are normally harmless but that the immune system sees as a threat and attacks. In order to determine what substances you’re allergic to, you must undergo an allergy…
How Spring Allergies Affect Your Ears
Spring is finally here! And with that comes walks around Memorial Park in Newberry, family photos in front of flowering trees and driving with the windows open. Unfortunately, spring also means it is allergy season. With pollen counts increasing day by day, more than just your eyes, nose and throat may feel it; your ears…
How Scientists Are Creating Allergy-Free Crops
Over the last year, many of us have learned what happens when food supplies dwindle, and that you may have to get by with what little is available. For those with a food allergy, there are a number of foods that are off limits, even in a well-stocked grocery store. Scientists from the Crop Science…