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Dogs can have food and mold allergies in the same way people do. Most allergies in dogs cause skin reactions, such as hot spots. Identifying the substances that your dog is allergic to may help to control symptoms.

Identification
1. An allergy to food and mold may result in an adverse reaction to the substance. Dogs react to allergens differently than people. People may have nasal symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing when introduced to an allergen. A dog’s reaction to allergens most commonly results in a skin condition.

Inhalant Allergies
2. Mold is an inhalant and can cause an allergic reaction in dogs who are sensitive to it. Other inhalants that may cause allergies are dust mites and pollen. Some of the symptoms associated with inhalant allergies are biting, scratching, constant licking and chewing of the feet. In some cases, a dog can develop skin sores from constant licking.

Food Allergies
3. Like inhalant allergies, food allergies most commonly affect a dog’s skin. Some other symptoms of food allergies are shaking the head, anal itching, rubbing the face on the carpet, sneezing, flatulence, diarrhea, wheezing, and inflammation of the ear. Food allergies can develop over time but are not difficult to treat once identified.

Treatment
4. Treatment of allergies may include medicated shampoos, allergy shots, antihistamine medications and corticosteroids. Eliminating the substances that your dog is allergic to will also help control allergy symptoms.

Considerations
5. If your dog has symptoms of food or mold allergies, consult your veterinarian. There are allergy tests that will identify the source of the allergy. Correct diagnosis and treatment is key to helping your pet stay happy and healthy.

Food allergies can be life threatening, and they should be taken seriously. However, because symptoms are often mild and disappear on their own, it can be difficult to recognize food allergies. Sadly, mild allergies can become serious over time, wherein the throat may swell. Read on to learn how to identify food allergy symptoms.

1. Develop a skin reaction. Food allergies cause skin problems such as rashes, hives and eczema. Skin reactions vary. Mild reactions may involve a few bumps or a small rash, whereas a serious reaction may includes hives. The skin may itch or feel sensitive.

2. Notice minor or mild skin swelling. In addition to rashes and hives, the skin may swell. This is a potentially serious problem. Swelling may spread to the throat or esophagus and affect breathing.

3. Feel abdominal discomfort or pain. Allergies to dairy products and gluten may cause intestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. Since other gastrointestinal conditions cause similar symptoms, it’s important to rule out other possible causes such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. Read the rest of this entry »

A food allergy occurs when a person has an unpleasant reaction to a particular food. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world who suffer from food allergies. The most common food allergies include milk, peanut, fish, shellfish, egg, soy, wheat and nuts.

It is important to know if you have a food allergy so that you can properly treat it and avoid coming in contact with that product. There are a few things that you can do in order to identify a food allergy.

1. Determine if you have any of the symptoms of a food allergy. Food allergies normally happen within several minutes to an hour after eating that particular food. Some of the most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wheezing, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and face, hives, itching inside of the mouth and problems breathing and swallowing. Additional symptoms may include a sudden drop in your blood pressure, rapid pulse, weakness and feeling light-headed.

2. Create a list of your symptoms. Be sure to write down all of your symptoms, how often they occur, the severity of the symptoms and the food that you ate prior to experiencing the allergic reactions. Be sure to keep this list is a safe place and take it with you to your next doctor’s appointment. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are interested in receiving a flu shot, you are probably interesting in attending a flu shot clinic. Flu shot clinics offer free or discounted flu shots to anyone who wants them.

Follow the steps below for the best ways to go about finding such a clinic near you.

1. Getting Started

In getting started it is important to know who should NOT get the flu vaccine. The following people should avoid getting the flu shot:

People with allergies to eggs
People who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome
Anyone of whom already has a fever
Infants under the age of 6 months

Be sure to contact your doctor before deciding to get a flu shot.

2. Look Online

Access your web browser and log on to a flu clinic locator service such as flucliniclocator.org. Such sites let you search for flu clinics by your zip code. Such sites contain a comprehensive database of flu shot clinics all across the country.

3. Once you are on the flu clinic locator website, simply enter your zip code and view available flu clinics in your area. Your search will likely retrieve a long list of different locations offering the flu shot(especially during flu season, i.e. November-January).

4. Newspaper

Check your local newspaper or or community guide for any mention of flu shot clinics in your area. Such clinics are usually held at places such as hospitals, schools, community centers, etc.

5. The Health Department

Call your local health department and ask if there any upcoming flu shot clinics in your area. Also be sure to check online on the official health department website or your state.

Drug companies have made a record number of flu vaccines available this year-almost 120 million, compared to last year’s total of 80 million-but getting your flu shot still may not be quite as simple as calling your doctor and making an appointment. The problem this time, it seems, isn’t supply but distribution and farming out those millions of vaccines to clinics and hospitals across the country. How can you be sure

1. Know if you’re in a risk group. The Centers for Disease Control advises that children under 5, pregnant women, and men and women age 50 or over get the flu vaccine. Of course, you can still obtain a flu shot if you don’t belong to these categories, but other folks may be first in line.

2. Contact your primary care provider. If you have a regular doctor, call up and find out when the vaccine will be available. Because of distribution problems, you may be put off for a few weeks, even if you’re in a high-risk group. However, government authorities are confident that flu shots will be widely available well before the peak of the flu season in February. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamins are an important component of the human body. These organic compounds allow for proper regulation of everyday bodily functions that are necessary for survival. Each of the many known vitamins provides several benefits and is used for different tasks within the body.

Vitamin A
1. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin responsible for the growth and health of the bones and teeth. In addition, it helps to ensure clear and smooth skin.

Vitamin B12
2. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that directly affects the development and growth of red blood cells. It also helps to synthesize DNA, raises white blood cell counts and aids in growth.

Vitamin C
3. The water-soluble vitamin C is essential to hundreds of metabolic functions in the body. It aids in tissue growth, regulates red blood cells, maintains connective tissue and repairs glands.

Vitamin E
4. Vitamin E is fat-soluble and acts as an antioxidant. It repels unwanted cells and helps facilitate muscle function.

Vitamin K
5. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin used to increase bone density, prevent certain types of cancer and aid in pancreas function.