Find out important patient information for the most common medications used to treat allergies and asthma. Learn about what a medication is used for, who shouldn`t take it, common side effects, and interactions with other medications. Pictures of the medication (pills, capsules, bottles, etc) are also shown.

http://allergies.about.com/od/medicationinformation/Information_on_the_Most_Common_Allergy_Medications.htm

Under eye dark circles are one of the most common dermatological complaints.

They result from issues such as stress, lack ofsleep or plain ill luck in the skin department. Sometimes, dark circles under the eyes even run in families. Under eye dark circles are more noticeable in people with fair skin or deep-set eyes. Despite common prevalence, simple solutions and treatments exist. Stressing over under eye dark circles and covering them with makeup is not the solution, but part of the problem. Today we are throwing some light on these dark circles and helping you make them disappear!

Causes
Allergies: Dark circles under the eyes can be the result of allergies to substances like pollen, dust, and pet dander; because people rub their itchy eyes. Food allergies or sensitivities can also contribute to dark circles. Contact me for further information.

Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep can make skin appear more pale, which allows blood vessels to be more visible through the skin, giving the appearance of bluish or dark circles.

Deficiencies and dehydration: Dark circles are also caused by the deficiency of iron in the body which is also known as anemia. Also, if the body lacks in vitamins it aggravates the dark circles. If the other symptoms of this prevail, a consultation with the doctor is a must. Acute dehydration is another reason for dark circles to appear.

Alcohol and smoking: Excessive alcohol intake and excessive smoking also cause dark circles.

Prevention:
Getting enough sleep: Sleeping for at least eight hours a day is required to stabilize the metabolism of the body.

Eating right: Eating foods that are rich in vitamins B6, C, and D, as well as folic acid and iron is essential. It is also important to consume foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables.

Drinking right: Drink a lot of water. It detoxes the body and clears away the toxins causing skin problems. Avoid alcohol as much as you can, reduction in the quantity of intake will also help prevent dark circles.

Quit smoking: Along with causing serious illnesses, smoking also shows below your eyes. That momentary kick is also responsible for so many serious health issues. Quitting is easier than you think.

Remedies:
Hydrate the skin: Applying slices of cucumber, whole figs, mint leaves, pieces of potato or wet tea bags over the eyes for 15 minutes can decrease the appearance of under eye dark circles.

Massaging: Massaging almond, avocado, grape seed, jojoba, olive, peanut or sesame essential oils into the circles can fade existing ones while preventing new ones.

Protect yourself: The sun has a damaging effect on the skin, and the under eye skin is very thin. Therefore applying sunscreen and wearing shades will help reduce dark circles.

Oxidize: Foods such as cranberries, blueberries, black currant, onions, legumes, and parsley contain antioxidant pigments.

Consult your doctor
Dark circles may have a deeper cause than just being a dermatological ailment. It is sometimes linked to kidney malfunctions. If they persist even after all the prevention and remedies, asking your doctor for a consultation would be a good idea.

Don’t Let Allergies, Asthma Haunt Halloween Fun
Six Hidden Triggers to Avoid

Halloween can be a frightful time for parents of kids with allergies and asthma. Nut-filled sweets isn’t the only bogeyman that can ruin the fun. Allergy and asthma triggers can hide in other, unexpected places, too, from dusty costumes to leering jack-o-lanterns.

“When people think of Halloween-associated allergies, they focus on sweets and often overlook many other potential triggers,” said Myron Zitt, M.D., past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “By planning ahead, you can ensure not only safe treats, but also safe costumes, make up, accessories, and decorations.”

The ACAAI and its allergist members –  suggest watching out for these six sneaky triggers to keep Halloween sneeze-, wheeze- and reaction-free.

1. Tricky treats – Food allergy triggers abound on this sweet-filled holiday, and it’s not just the usual suspects such as chocolate that can hide triggers. An article published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology shows gummy bears and other seemingly innocent sweets may contain gelatine, a potential allergen which is a less common trigger. Your best bet? Consider taking your child to an allergist for help in developing a food allergy treatment plan.  For Halloween night, have some non-candy treats for your child such as stickers, pencils and small toys to swap for sweets.
2. Devilish costume details – Watch out for nickel in costume accessories, from cowboy belts and pirate swords to tiaras and magic wands. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, which can make skin itchy and spoil trick-or-treating fun. 
3. Haunted hand-me-downs – Halloween costumes packed away in a box for months can be laden with dust mites, which trigger asthma and allergies. So unless you want your little one sneezing or wheezing from house to house, wash the hand-me-down costumes in hot water. Or consider visiting the store for a new costume.
4. Menacing makeup – Cheap Halloween makeup may include preservatives that can cause allergic reactions.  Instead, opt for higher quality theatre makeup.  Because it can take a few days for a rash, swelling or other reaction to appear, test the makeup on a small area of skin well in advance of Halloween.    
5. Frightful fog – If you’re considering renting a fog machine to make your house extra spooky, think again.  Fog – real or man-made – can trigger asthma in some sufferers.
6. Perilous pumpkins –Beware of pumpkin carving and pumpkin pie if you think you might be allergic. Pumpkin allergies, though rare, can cause everything from itching to chest tightness and can pop up quite suddenly, even if you haven’t had a problem before.  And keep in mind that pumpkin patches are often mouldy and dusty, allergy and asthma triggers for some. Consider buying a pumpkin from a greengrocer or supermarket.
7. Eerie eyes- If your Twilight fan is asking for colourful, vampire-inspired contact lenses, consider this warning from the Food and Drug Administration before saying “yes”. An eye doctor must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how the eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including cornea scratches and infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), decreased vision, and even blindness. Never buy the lenses from places that sell them without a prescription, such as street vendors, salons, novelty stores, and the Internet.

Food Allergies May Be Cause of Unexplained Migraines

Kirk Bernard | Aug 08, 2011 | for people who suffer occasional migraine headaches that seem to have no trigger, one potential cause may be an unknown food allergy.

Histamine Intolerance = Headaches, diarrhoea, rashes and a sudden drop in blood pressure?

·         Increasing proportion of European population being identified as Histamine Intolerant

·         Intolerance sufferers - dire lack of diagnosis and information in the UK

·         A bad reaction to a little red wine can indicate HIT

·         HIT symptoms mimic allergy symptoms

·         Headaches, diarrhoea, rashes and a sudden drop in blood pressure are common symptoms

·         Stress, high histamine-level foods and alcohol trigger symptoms

This may indicate a condition called histamine intolerance (HIT), recognised as a growing problem on mainland Europe, but barely known, under-diagnosed and under-publicised in the UK, with sufferers sometimes being given the very treatment that makes it worse.

Its effects are very uncomfortable and can show up as symptoms that look intriguingly like an allergy. Why? The answer is simple. The common culprit is histamine. But the difference between allergy and HIT is significant. In allergies the immune system is involved; HIT is the lack of an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO). Headaches, diarrhoea, rashes and a sudden drop in blood pressure are common symptoms.

HIT is complex but is mainly caused by problems digesting histamine-rich foods. In other words, if our DAO enzyme doesn`t do its job properly then histamine levels skyrocket and make us feel very ill. Some sufferers may have had this for a long time and those with predominant symptoms of diarrhoea are likely to have been misdiagnosed with IBS.

Problem foods include matured cheeses, cured meats, processed/tinned foods, any fermented foods, tomatoes, spinach, aubergines, chocolate, nuts, citrus fruits, wheat germ, some spices and alcohol, especially red wine and microbe-contaminated foods like tuna, mackerel and sausage.

 Most people can enjoy histamine-rich foods and wine in reasonable quantities and feel perfectly fine the next day, however, some may feel extremely unwell Stress or emotional upset is also known to be a trigger of symptoms. So relax, enjoy, drink moderately and eat fresh foods. The majority of HIT sufferers, research shows, are women in their 40s.

Those who believe they may have a degree of histamine intolerance should consult with their GP.