Everyday

Everyday I deal with my allergies. When I go to bed I wonder how will I wake up in the morning, headache, congested, aches and pains or all the mentioned. I have learned to deal with them but, I don't think everyone else around me truly understands that I really don't know how I will feel in the morning as to if I can do anything with them.
This past Monday was the year anniversary,(not one that I celebrate that is for sure), of being rushed to the hospital in the back of a medic unable to breath. That is when I found out I now have a nut allergy. I love everything with nuts, you name it I would put nuts in it. Not anymore. A couple of weeks ago my daughter brought us some chilli, cornbread and brownies she had made. Jen said, sorry Mom I didn't think until on my way over here that I used Nutella when I made the icing so you can't have any. Later in the day I looked up Nutella to see the ingredients and it says, Does Nutella® contain any peanuts? Nutella® hazelnut spread does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients, nor does the product come in contact with peanuts during manufacturing. Found on http://www.nutellausa.com/faqs.
So I decided to try it, I did cut off the top icing just in case. Took one bite put down brownie walked into the room my husband was in and showed him my tongue. (it took about 2 minutes) My tongue was swollen to the sides and top. He said what did you do? Well I told him and got of course, you should have listened to our daughter. I tried benadryl and with in a few minutes it helped. Was very glad I didn't' have to use my epipen. This reaction lead me to research the Nutella a bit more. Here is what I found. Nutella® (pronounced "new-tell-uh") is a tasty unique spread made from the combination of roasted hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa.
So my next step was researching hazelnuts. Peanuts aren't actually a true nut; they're a legume (in the same family as peas and lentils). But the proteins in peanuts are similar in structure to those in tree nuts. For this reason, people who are allergic to peanuts can also be allergic to tree nuts, such as almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, and cashews. "http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/nut_allergy.html"
I was surprised to read the following:
Reactions to foods, like peanuts and tree nuts, can be different. It all depends on the person — and sometimes the same person can react differently at different times. Some reactions can be very mild and involve only one system of the body, like hives on the skin. Other reactions can be more severe and involve more than one part of the body. Most reactions last less than a day and affect any of these four body systems:

Skin. Skin reactions are the most common type of food allergy reactions. They can take the form of itchy, red, bumpy rashes (hives), eczema, or redness and swelling around the mouth or face.
Gastrointestinal system. Symptoms can take the form of belly cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Respiratory system. Symptoms can range from a runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing to the triggering of asthma with coughing and wheezing.
Cardiovascular system. A person may feel lightheaded or faint and lose consciousness.

In really bad cases, tree nut and peanut allergies can cause a condition called anaphylaxis (pronounced: ah-nuh-fuh-lak-sus). Anaphylaxis is a sudden, potentially life-threatening reaction that, in addition to the symptoms mentioned above, can make someone's airways swell and blood pressure drop. As a result, the person may have trouble breathing and could lose consciousness.
I suffered all four symptoms above last year and it wasn't until I suffered the fifth, anaphylaxis, that they figured out what was wrong with me.

Now I know you would think I would already know about hazelnuts but coconut is not in the nut family. Learned a lesson though and that is, don't eat anything unless I know the ingredients!

Indoor Allergeezzz!

Indoor Allergies, you name it I have them....I have suffered for over 20 years with indoor allergies. It wasn't until about five years ago that I figured out some of my indoor allergies were actually triggered by cleaning my house. That's right from cleaning my house...I have always cleaned a lot because of my dust allergy not realizing I was actually causing them to be worse from the products. When I removed the products that had toxins and chemicals in them and started using safer products, Oh My Gosh, how my allergies improved. I went from taking medicine twice a day to once a day! Now I know if I lived somewhere where I didn't need a furnace they would be better but, that isn't going to happen. So I will stick to using the safer products and only taking my medicine once a day! Below are some tips to help you reduce your indoor allergies. Here is a website also, that you might want to check out if your wanting to rid your home of indoor allergies: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidestory.html Also, you can visit my website and learn more about safer products at :
http://www.homeswithmoxie.com/jodyfletcher

Topic Overview

Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause respiratory diseases, including asthma and lung cancer. Pollutants include smoke, pet dander, radon, mold, cleaning products, and other chemicals. You can create a healthier home by following the tips below.

Reduce allergens

• Groom pets often to reduce dander. Don't allow them to sleep in the bedroom with anyone who has asthma or allergies. If possible, keep them off carpets and furniture.
• Choose window coverings that are easy to clean, such as wood shades or blinds. Drapes are magnets for dust.
• Check houseplants for mold. Re pot or move them outside if the soil contains mold.
• Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home.
• Eliminate carpeting and replace it with wood or tile flooring, if possible.
• If the humidity level is more than 50% inside your house, dust mites and molds can be a problem. To control dust mites, get allergen-resistant covers for bedding. Wash sheets and blankets in hot water.
• Use high-efficiency bags in your vacuum cleaner or install a central vacuum system in your home.
• Don't store firewood indoors. Drying green firewood can contain mold spores.
• Keep trees and shrubs at least 3 ft (0.9 m) away from your house. Roots can provide an easy path for water into your basement or crawl space.
• Keep bathrooms, kitchen, and basement-places where allergens are likely to grow-clean and dry.

Control moisture

• Fix leaks and other sources of water intrusion, and remove water-damaged materials.
• Make sure your clothes dryer vents to the outside.
• Install and keep clean hood exhaust fans in your kitchen. Make sure bathroom vents exhaust air outdoors and not into basements, crawl spaces, or inside the house.
• Make sure that exhaust fans don't draw too much air out, creating a negative-pressure situation in which the pressure inside the house is lower than outside. Negative pressure can reverse the flow of combustion gases from furnaces, gas stoves, and water heaters, and draw water vapor and dangerous carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide into your home.
• Caulk the interior and exterior of your home, especially around windows and vents.
• If you're building a new home, install a waterproofing system that keeps moisture away from your foundation.
• Keep gutters and drains clean.
• Remove any water-damaged carpet. Replace it, if possible, with wood or tile flooring.

Avoid heating problems

• Make sure fuel-burning furnaces, hot water heaters, and gas ranges are checked every year to ensure air intake and exhaust systems are adequate. It is best to have your water heater and furnace outside of your home-for example, in your garage.
• Do not use kerosene space heaters or unventilated gas heaters as your primary source of heat.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. You may not notice it until you have health problems. If you see orange or sputtering flames in your gas furnace or stove, it may mean that you have a problem with carbon monoxide. Call a technician immediately.
• Make sure wood stoves and fireplaces have tight-fitting doors. Check flues and chimneys for cracks that could allow fumes into your house.

Check household furnishings

• Many furnishings contain formaldehyde and other organic compounds. When shopping for new furniture or cabinets, try to buy those that are made of solid hardwood, not particleboard, which usually has a wood-veneer finish. The wood veneer may be attached with glue that contains formaldehyde.
• If someone living in your home has asthma, replace carpet with tile or wood flooring. If carpeting is necessary, use a product with a short nap, or use area rugs that can be cleaned regularly.
• If you are remodeling, use gypsum board, plaster, or real wood for walls. Plastic or wood-fiber paneling may emit formaldehyde.
• If your house was built before 1978, the woodwork or other surfaces may be covered with lead paint. You can have the paint tested for lead. Do not sand or strip off the lead paint. But you can cover surfaces with wallpaper or other building material. Call an expert if you have to remove lead paint.

Be careful with household products

• Take care when using cleaning products, paints, solvents, and pesticides. Try not to use them inside the house. If you must use them inside, use a fan to blow strong odors and fumes out of your home. Be aware that paint can release trace gases for months after you apply it. Try to use paint without volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Use nontoxic glue to install flooring or carpet.
• If you strip furniture inside, use products that do not contain methylene chloride.
• Do not mix cleaning products. Consider using natural cleaners, such as vinegar, lemon juice, boric acid, or baking soda.
• Chemicals found in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs, and other deodorizing products may be harmful to the lungs.¹ Use alternatives. For example, baking soda absorbs odors and can be used instead of an air freshener.
• Don't keep items you're recycling-such as newspapers, rags, cans or bottles-inside your home. They can be sources of toxic vapors.
• Install a radon monitor in your basement.
• Make sure sump basins are sealed and vented to the outdoors.

Improve air ventilation

• Make sure your house gets an adequate supply of fresh air.
• Place an air filter in your bedroom, and clean it every 3 months.
• Air conditioning helps keep pollen and other allergens out of your home, but filters must be kept clean.
• Change furnace and air conditioner filters every 2 to 3 months.
• Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to vent air outdoors.
• Have older homes checked for asbestos insulation on furnaces and pipes. Make sure you use an inspector familiar with asbestos issues.
• Clean humidifiers and dehumidifiers often.
• Make sure outdoor fresh-air intake vents for ducted heating and air conditioning systems are located above ground and are upwind from sources of contaminated air, such as idling cars or trucks.
• Have ducts for forced-air furnaces cleaned, if necessary.
• Make sure ducts are sealed to prevent air leakage and to keep contaminants from coming into your home.
• Check that plumbing drains in your home have full water traps and are connected to a venting system. A sewer smell coming from a sink or water appliance is a sign of poor ventilation.

[Source: American Lung Association "Health House" document. Available online: www.healthhouse.org/iaq/HomeAirPollutants.pdf.]

I have had allergies all my life!  And Geezzz they only keep getting worse.  But, I can live with them just takes some adjusting.  I have several medicine allergies, and as my doctor says I am allergic to four seasons.  It doesn't matter whether it is raining or sunshiny outside I am allergic to it all.  I also, have allergies to inside too, such as dust mites, dust, chemicals well I think you get the point.  The worst allergy is to all nuts....In December 2010 I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance to find out now I can't have nuts.  I will have to say this allergy is a hard one.  I love nuts of all kind and eating out has gotten scarey, plus going to parties, well I just stay away from everything.  You just never know what might have nuts, peanut oil or peanut butter in it.  I carry two epi pens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epinephrine_autoinjector) but am so glad I have yet to have to use one!  I am going to start sharing some information on allergies here on my blog and hope that it can help others who have allergies too, I know I can't be the only one!

Living With a Nut Allergy

Allergic reaction to nuts can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy is responsible for more deaths than any other type of allergy.
If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain nuts.
Always check the label ingredients before you use a product. In addition, check the label each time you buy the product. Manufacturers occasionally change recipes, and a trigger food may be added to the new recipe. Also, keep in mind that many prepared foods, including baked goods, candy, and ethnic foods, can be contaminated with peanuts if products containing peanuts are prepared in the same place or by the same manufacturer. Always be prepared for this possibility and the risk of a reaction.
Examples of peanut and tree-nut products and foods that may contain them, include:

Peanut Products	Peanut-Containing Ingredients	Tree Nuts	Tree Nut-Containing Ingredients	Nut-Containing Foods
Cold-pressed or expressed peanut oil Peanut butter Peanut flour	Hydrolyzed plant protein Hydrolyzed vegetable protein	Almonds Brazil nuts Cashews Chestnuts Filberts Hazelnuts Hickory nuts Macadamia nuts Pecans Pine nuts Pistachios Walnuts	Marzipan / almond paste Nougat Artificial nuts Nut butters (such as cashew butter and almond butter) Nut oil Nut paste (such as almond paste) Nut extracts (such as almond extract)	Ground nuts Mixed nuts Chex mix Artificial nuts Nougat African, Chinese, Thai, and other ethnic dishes Cookies, candy, pastries, and other baked goods Grain breads Ice cream, frozen desserts High-energy bars Cereals and granola Salad dressing Marzipan

Tree nuts are sometimes used in lotions and shampoos. Be sure to check labels of these products, as well as food labels.
People who have peanut allergies should avoid the use of the inhaler Atrovent.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/nut-allergy