Allergy sufferers can download a new free app that can help track seasonal allergies. You can record and track your allergic responses as they happen. This information will then be shared anonymously with scientists to help them understand more about allergies in the UK. If you or a family member suffers from allergies and you want to get involved in this research you can find out where to download the #BritainBreathing app at here
Eczema Blog
Tag Archives: help
Can’t sleep? A natural antihistamine tea could help
There are many reasons that antihistamines make you sleepy. One reason is that histamine is involved in controlling the circadian rhythm/wakefulness cycle. And we can use that information to our advantage, even if we don’t use pharmaceuticals.
Given that we know antihistamines can make us gain weight (I gained SO much) and a bunch of other stuff, it seems like a good idea to get a little support from the natural world where we can, especially when it’s not a supplement.Please remember, any tea, supplement, anything, even if it has antihistamine properties, can be problematic for us. So always check with a doctor before adding anything new to your diet.
I find these a great substitute for my once ubiquitous glass(es) of nightly red wine…
CHINESE SKULLCAP
Not only an antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser, Chinese Skullcap is an anti-anaphylactic. It also blends nicely with…
PASSIONFLOWER
An antihistamine with strong anti inflammatory action. Passionflower has been proposed as an antidote to excessive steroid use. In our case more likely to be caused by obsessive nasal spraying rather than working out with ‘roids!
“In this study, 40% ethanolic extract from Passiflora foetida leaves contained 0.84% vitamin which was reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, other compounds i.e. Kaempferol, apigenin and luteolin in this plant were found to exert anti-histamine release. The present toxicity study revealed no harmful effect in the experimental animal. Therefore, the quality control of the above mentioned compounds in the extract could lead to anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic drug development for compensation of excessive steroidal drugs usage.”
VALERIAN
This wonderful root also helps with other more female issues that you can read about here as well as being a sleepy time favourite of mine.
It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.
The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.
The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.
Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.
Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes
————REFERENCES———–
Choi, Yun Ho, Eui Hyeog Han, Ok Hee Chai, Yun Kyu Kim, Hyoung Tae Kim, and Chang Ho Song. “Scutellaria baicalensis Inhibits Mast Cell-Mediated Anaphylactic Reactions.” Korean Journal of Physical Anthropology 23.4 (2010): 217. Web.
Sasikala, V., S. Saravanan, and T. Parimelazhagan. “Analgesic and anti–inflammatory activities of Passiflora foetida L.” Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 4.8 (2011): 600-03. Web.
“Valerian.” University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2017.
Oct 3, New Fabric That May Help Dust Related Allergies
Polish scientists say that they have been testing a fabric that helps with controlling dust mites. When you have a dust allergy that makes the symptoms of your eczema or asthma worse it can make for sleepless nights. Dust mites pass through the pores in normal fabrics used on your bed. The new fabric stops them getting through, but does allow air to pass through. When you have eczema this can help to stop your skin from getting too hot. Tests have shown that the fabric improves the symptoms of a dust allergy by up to 70%. After additional testing has been done the scientists think that the product will be available to buy. You can watch a short video about the fabric by clicking on the link below
Eczema Blog
Could microscopic worms help rebalance your biome?
Autoimmune illnesses and allergies are becoming a more and more common occurrence. We regularly hear about people with food and seasonal allergies. Many of us know someone who suffers with migraines, Crohn’s disease or eczema. And the increase in the number of children affected with autism has been headline news. Where have these conditions come from and why did our ancestors not suffer in the same way that we are?
There is growing evidence that many of the common conditions we see in the industrialised world are caused by a depleted biome. The biome is the living organisms in an ecosystem. A forest, for example, isn’t just made up of trees: it is a complex mix of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, soil and water – all mutually reliant and interdependent. The human body, too, is a complex ecosystem. And just like the forest, the human biome is a finely balanced environment.
Humans living in industrialized societies no longer have exposure to a wide variety of the normal organisms that used to inhabit our intestinal tract. We are missing many of the organisms that were present in our ancestors and that are still present today in people in less developed countries. Improved hygiene, water purification and our ubiquitous use of toilets have contributed to the depletion of our intestinal organisms.
The Hygiene Hypothesis holds that we are too clean for our own good, living in sanitised environments, which includes over-clean housing, wearing shoes, buying processed food from clean supermarkets, drinking purified water, and so on. While exposure to ‘germs’ such as the flu does nothing to improve immune functioning, exposure to commensurate organisms, like probiotics and helminths, is necessary to properly train our immune systems. In fact, the concept of biome depletion is no longer a hypothesis but a paradigm in today’s science.
If you look up helminths, the definition will tell you it is a parasitic worm, but this isn’t accurate in every case. Some helminths are harmful and some are not, just like some bacteria are dangerous and some are probiotics. The helminths we are talking about here are not harmful and will in fact help restore our internal ecosystem to what it once was.
Research from leading universities shows that restoring our internal ecosystem with benign helminths may lead to a more regulated, less inflammatory immune response from our system.
Ick, worms, you might think but in the developed world, humans have only been free of intestinal worms for the past 75 years or so. Helminths cause a particular type of immune stimulation. Without that stimulation, our immune systems tend to overreact to non-harmful things – like cat dander, peanuts or even our own tissues, such as is the case in autoimmune illnesses. Similarly with probiotics, while many people originally thought ingesting bacteria was an unpleasant thought, it is now commonplace and accepted as normal and beneficial. You can read more about helminths here.
Due to the growing evidence and backing for helminths, a particular type of helminth, HDC, is now commercially available to buy. Grown under strict hygiene conditions in a lab, you simply take a very small vial of liquid containing the microscopic worms, which gently and naturally reinstate balance to your system.
Content supplied by Judith Chinitz, Founder, Biome Restoration Ltd.
Can a robot really help the elderly?
You may have seen in the news that researchers from Middlesex University and the University of Bedfordshire are using £2m of EU and Japanese funding to develop robots that will be culturally and socially aware, in order to help the elderly in care homes and sheltered accommodation. The project is being seen as a way of solving the current social care crisis.
But can a robot really be a suitable replacement for the care and attention offered by another human being?
Prof Irena Papadopoulos, expert in trans-cultural nursing, said: “As people live longer, health systems are put under increasing pressure.
“In the UK alone, 15,000 people are over 100 years of age and this figure will only increase.
“Assistive, intelligent robots for older people could relieve pressures in hospitals and care homes as well as improving care delivery at home and promoting independent living for the elderly.
“It is not a question of replacing human support but enhancing and complementing existing care.”
She added: “We are starting with care homes and with people who are semi-independent living in sheltered housing, but we do believe that in the future the robots would become acceptable for people to have in their own homes.”
What do you think of this innovation? How would you or your family member feel if your regular companion was a robot? We’d love to have your views.
Expert Tips To Help Cure Baby Eczema Naturally
Baby eczema or infant eczema is quite common, estimated to affect around 15% of babies. It presents with similar symptoms in adults, most commonly dry, reddened and inflamed skin (rashes) that is itchy. It may have a great impact on the lives of families mainly due to the distress it causes on the baby from […]
The post Expert Tips To Help Cure Baby Eczema Naturally appeared first on Best Eczema Remedies.
How can family help substance addicts on the road to recovery?
Substance addiction can bring in a very powerful, negative impact to any individual and the people around him. In fact, substance addiction costs the US government around $ 200 billion per year, so the problem is indeed very demanding. But how can substance abuse impact an individual? Let’s find out!
The negative effect of substance addiction for any individual
- Young adults tend to isolate themselves from their family and friends
- People start dealing with major negative effects such as anxiety, depression, aggression, paranoia, mood swings, psychosis and many others. Things only worsen if a person is subject to prolonged substance abuse
- Constant substance abuse can generate hormonal imbalances, cancer, AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases, prenatal as well as fertility issues and organ damage
- Aside from all of the above, the substance abuse can lower confidence; it generates an addiction to alcohol and smoking
- It encourages people to embrace a world of crime, so they can get more money to purchase the desired substance
- Substance abuse is also known to cause accidents and public impairment. Improper chemical and substance storage can also cause damage to the environment.
Aside from that, abusing any type of balance will cause a lack of productivity and many times the person in question will even lose his job. It can also lead to a loss of friendships and many times substance addiction can also terminate relationships if it’s not handled in a proper manner.
How can family help with substance recovery?
Even though it can be hard to cope with the idea that a loved one is dealing with substance abuse, you need to try and go past that fast. This is a time when any substance addict needs his family the most, as they can help him speed up the recovery process.
So, how can family members help a substance addict? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Study the effects of drug and alcoholism dependence. Understand what your friend/loved one is going through, as it will offer you a good insight into what you can do next.
- Always try to offer your support. You need to be there for the substance addict regardless of the situation, so visit him often, make him laugh and distract him from the challenges that come from their recovery treatment.
- Always express your love and show them that you will be there no matter what happens. As we mentioned earlier, proper moral support can do wonders and it can boost the recovery process quite a bit.
- Remember that the recovery process is ongoing, so do make time to stay with the addict often. Avoid covering up for him, do not assume their responsibilities, but offer them the guidance they need. Show them how they can go past this problem with flying colors.
- Stop arguing with the loved one, do not preach about anything and try to be a role model. Allow the addict to see the best behaviors in you, and then he will be able to replicate that on his own.
Recovering from substance addiction/abuse is not an easy road. Every family member needs to understand that while this process can take a lot of time, the results that come from a good recovery process can be more than impressive. If you are a family member, try to use the tips above and make sure that you are near your loved one. Don’t preach about anything, just try to show support and help as that’s what really matters for any substance addict!
Need Help to Manage your Child’s Eczema Naturally?
Where have all the O’s, B’s and A’s gone? You can help fill the gaps – #missingtype?
NHS Blood & Transplant need your blood. You may have seen their latest campaign entitled #missingtype.
The campaign has been designed to attract blood donors new and old. The campaign is running across several social media channels including Twitter and Instagram and supported by a wide range of people and companies, including large corporate companies such as Boots and Microsoft. People are being encouraged to write their name on a piece of paper, missing out the O’s, A’s and B’s and post it to social media using #missingtype. There’s also a great video showing some of the larger companies dropping those letters from their logos.
You can watch the campaign video here.
#missingtype campaign video
In England alone, 200,000 new donors of all ages are desperately needed, particularly those with O negative and A negative blood groups from black and South Asian communities.
Giving blood is really easy and takes less than 15 minutes.
You can go on line and make an appointment at any time and it’s quick to register to give blood. You can even check to see if you are eligible to give blood – most people are.
I gave blood today – from the time I left the office until the time I got back it was less than an hour, and I walked there and back. I give as regularly as I’m allowed and it does feel good to think I could be saving someone’s life.
Give blood and help replenish the O’s, A’s & B’s
To support #missingtype, I had my photo taken with the O’s, A’s and B’s of my name and of talkhealth missing.
Be part of something important and help to start putting back those O’s, A’s and B’s. Make an appointment to give blood today.
Baby Eczema ? Can Organic Baby Clothes Help?
Being a parent is hard enough at the best of times without the added problem of dealing with an uncomfortable and irritated baby. My daughter suffered from eczema and it made her quite miserable and it’s very frustrating when your little one is upset and you can’t make it go away as your natural instinct is to protect your baby. So what is baby eczema and how can you protect your baby from it?
So what is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition where the skin can become irritated, cracked or inflamed. Babies are all made different and some have more oil in their skin than others. If they lack these oils in their skin, their skin struggles to hold moister and it becomes irritated and sore, sometimes leading to cracking of the skin. The gap created in the skin due to the dryness allows bacteria and irritants to pass into the skin causing sometimes quite severe irritation and infection. This can be aggravated by soaps and detergents that also remove the natural oils from your baby’s skin. A skin layer plumped up with natural oils and fats is better able to deal with irritants and allergens.
So what causes Eczema?
There are many different types of eczema but the most common is Atopic eczema which is thought to be genetic and triggered by environmental conditions. Some of the things that can trigger this Atopic eczema include soaps, detergents, animal fur, pollen, rough clothing, dust mites and being too warm for prolonged periods.
Baby eczema can be a real problem, with 5% – 15% of children being affected before their seventh birthday. Baby eczema begins in the first year for 60% of babies affected by this irritant. The itchiness is the biggest problem for baby’s as they obviously will just scratch and watching your child suffer this way is the worst thing about baby eczema for most parents.
How to treat Eczema
There isn’t any cure for eczema but there are things you can do stop it happening or to deal with it when your baby is suffering with baby eczema. You can get creams and lotions from the Doctors. But these only reduce the inflammation and return moisture to the skin. The only real way to combat eczema is to eliminate the cause or the things that encourage or irritate your baby’s skin.
Can organic bay clothes help?
Baby eczema is sometimes caused by the chemical residue in their clothing. It can be the pesticides used on the cotton or the dyes used or a combination of the two. Organic cotton doesn’t have any chemical residue as the clothes haven’t been sprayed or dyed using chemicals of any kind. Natural predators are introduced to keep pests from eating the cotton and natural dyes such as fruit berries are used to colour the cotton.
There are many types of cotton and it can grow in many different subtle and natural colours. There is also Bamboo clothing which is supersoft and known to help eliminate baby eczema. Of course organic baby clothes are going to cost slightly more as the growing and preparation process is more time consuming but it does produce the best natural and allergy free clothing. It’s worth the extra to reduce the risk of baby eczema occurring with your child. Plus they really are supersoft. We changed to organic baby clothes and our little girl’s eczema went from all over her body to a little patch on her left arm which has gone completely now. Try organic baby clothes if your baby is suffering from baby eczema, it could just be the answer.
If your baby is suffering from baby eczema: visit Sprogstogs.com for more information on buying organic baby clothes. Organic cotton and bamboo baby clothes available with free delivery worldwide.