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…