Skin and Allergies
We believe that with one in three New Zealanders suffering from an allergy at some time in their lives and with the rapidly rising rates of asthma, its a good time to make some changes.
Despite our best efforts to create healthy and germ free homes by using more antibacterial soaps and cleaning products, allergies are increasing at an alarming rate in developed countries. In 1980, 10% of the Western population suffered from allergies. Today is as high as 30%. In 2010, 1 out of 10 children is said to be asthmatic and research suggests there is a link between our obsession with cleanliness and the rise in disease.
Allergies can occur as a result of the immune system being particularly sensitive to a normally harmless substance, known as an “allergen”. Allergies can vary depending on which parts of your body they affect.
Skin – hives, eczema and facial swelling
Nose, throat and lungs – hay fever, swelling of the throat, and coughing
Digestive system – nausea, stomachache and diarrhea
Circulatory system – faintness, weakness and pallor
Avoiding common allergens can be an effective way to help provide some relief for anyone who suffers from allergies. Here are some simple and easy ways to help you avoid common allergens:
Pollen | Keep windows and doors shut whenever possible. Use an air conditioner at home and in the car.
Mold | Remove houseplants and frequently clean shower curtains, bathroom windows, damp walls, and indoor rubbish bins – it may be necessary to insulate your walls to help prevent dampness creeping in.
Animal hair | Avoid having pets (this is a tough one) or keep them outside
Dust mites | Avoid having feather pillows, upholstered furniture, and soft toys. Wash all your bedding regularly in hot water.
Read more about allergies
Read more about allergies
Eczema and Dermatitis
These are commonly used terms to describe the same symptom, an inflammation of the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. Due to the two terms being used interchangeably, there has been some confusion over the correct usage of each term. To clear up the confusion, here is an explanation of the terminology used:
Eczema
Atopic eczema is used to describe a chronic allergic condition that is thought to have a hereditary factor and interestingly it often runs in families where people are also affected by asthma. Eczema symptoms include an itchy rash, particularly noticeable on the head, neck, inside of elbows and behind knees. It can be confused with irritant contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis can be either allergic or irritant.
Allergic dermititus occurs as a result of a delayed reaction to an allergen, and
irritant dermititus occurs as a result of a direct reaction to an irritant substance such as a detergent. An important difference between the two types is that allergic dermatitis is a symptom of an underlying immune system response, whereas irritant dermatitis is simply an inflammation of the skin.
Eczema and dermatitis are a great source of worry and discomfort to those who are affected by them. Some possible ways to manage these conditions are:
Keep skin moisturized – skin needs water to repair and protect itself.
Avoid contact with harsh detergents. Some ingredients in detergents have been shown to cause contact dermatitis and sensitization reactions.
Avoid using laundry products containing enzymes and fragrances. Enzymes and fragrances are common triggers for people with sensitive skin and can exacerbate existing conditions.
For more on eczema and dermititus
Coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease is a medical condition affecting the intestines, characterized by intolerance to gluten. Its symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. The disease causes impaired function of the small intestines. Small intestines contain tiny, finger-like structures called villi, which line the inside of the intestines. Healthy villi help intestines to digest by breaking down and absorbing the nutrients contained in food. Gluten is the form of protein found in foods processed from wheat, barley and rye. It can react with the villi in small intestine lining, causing the villi to become inflamed, impairing their ability to absorb nutrients.
The usual treatment for Coeliac disease is a gluten-free diet, however many people overlook other possible sources of gluten that may be present in the everyday products they use such as lipstick, lip balm, sunscreen, medications, antibiotics, the glues used on stamps and envelopes, toothpaste and mouthwash, soap and shampoo.
Cross-contamination of the foods you eat can also be a problem when trying to be gluten free. Some ways to avoid cross contamination are, by using different utensils and cookware for foods containing gluten. Avoiding oats – although oats themselves don’t contain gluten, they can often be contaminated with gluten from wheat products, due to being grown in close proximity and processed using the same equipment, and lastly, reading the label on all processed foods. Some processed foods can be contaminated with gluten due to being processed on the same lines as foods containing gluten.
For more on Coeliac disease
And here
Asthma
Asthma is a condition affecting the airways in the lungs. The airways may tighten, swell up, and produce more mucus when exposed to certain triggers, making it harder to breathe in and out. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The cause of asthma has not been formally established and there are many factors that may contribute to asthma. The environment, genetics and socio-economic factors are all thought to play a part in the development of asthma. Although there is no cure for asthma, its symptoms can be reduced or avoided through proper control.
Some ways of managing asthma are:
Identify key triggers such as allergens, cigarette smoke and certain foods and try to avoid these triggers if possible.
Develop an ‘action plan’ for managing asthma attacks. This could include routine asthma symptoms and actions to be taken if these symptoms occur.
Keep track of your condition – regularly record your symptoms and details of your medication. This will help you to make choices about your treatment.
We first became interested in allergies and eczema because of the floods of emails we’ve had over the past 18 years from people who have had some relief in their symptoms simply by switching to our healthier plant and mineral based products.
