MOULD IN THE HOUSE can be greatly reduced by cleaning the whole house with neat strength vinegar regularly (include drawers and cupboards) and diffusing Thieves essential oils from Young Living range. This is a blend of essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antifungal actions, which coat the walls and furniture when diffused and prevent mould from growing. Using Thieves cleaner and vinegar steam mopping will enable asthma sufferers, allergic skin conditions from mould to improve. It is a network product and to purchase wholesale direct you will need to phone Young Living 07 38592000, our distributor number is 1213522.

Give a small amount of LOCALLY grown organic honey daily- the pollens are converted by the bee to honey and will act as a desensitising hypoallergenic "shot". Given orally.

There is no single way to eliminate allergies, but when good people come together and commit to cooperative efforts, many allergy patients can be helped. Using a balanced approach of supportive and symptom controlling treatments including environmental control, mowing the grasses weekly, ridding the ground of allergenic weeds, washing the pollens off, washing the dog regularly and using antihistamines, occasional cortisone, Chinese herbs and diet changes you can achieve maximum results.

Atopy and food related allergic skin disease are caused by reactions to inhaled, ingested, or absorbed "allergens" (pollen, mould spores, dust, dust mites, food, etc.). This is similar to "hay fever" in humans. However, instead of the sinus and nasal signs in humans, Pets may manifest the disease as skin irritation that can include the entire skin surface and ear canals.

Sulphite allergies are very common. Sulphites are common food additives used as sanitary agents and preservatives to prevent discolouration of foods. They are usually used in restaurant salad bars and are also present in many supermarket foods, including frozen foods, dried fruits, and certain fresh fruits and vegetables. Many animals and people are allergic to sulphites. The types and severity of reactions to sulphites in sensitive individuals vary, and may include breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock, severe headaches, abdominal pain, stuffy and/or runny nose, diarrhoea, and/or irritability. These symptoms tend to occur quickly, usually within twenty to thirty minutes after consuming sulphites. Sulphites pose a greater danger to some individuals than to others. Animals with a history of allergies, or a deficiency of the liver enzyme sulphite oxidase can suffer great harm. It is not always easy to determine if a food product contains sulphites. Sulphating agents appear in food ingredient lists in a variety of ways, including sodium sulphite, sodium bisulfide, sodium metabisulphite, potassium bisulfide, potassium metabisulphite, and sulphur dioxide. Any ingredient ending in -sulphite should be assumed to be a sulphating agent.

Allergic Pets may constantly scratch and bite at the skin. Some may chew or lick at themselves until wounds form. Other signs include:

• rubbing
• redness of the skin (especially on face and feet) ear infections or inflammation
• hair loss
• thickened or darkened skin may develop under the armpits, on the abdomen, inside the earflaps, or around the anus
• The irritated skin can easily become infected by bacteria or yeast which already exist on normal skin.

These types of allergies are often diagnosed by a combination of symptoms, examination findings, history, and response to treatment. Specialized allergy testing will usually reveal what is causing the reaction, that can be helpful in treatment and reducing reoccurrence of the outbreaks.

Treatment may include numerous medications, special diets, and topical skin treatments are available to reduce symptoms and discomfort.

Allergic skin disease can be difficult and frustrating to treat. For some Pets, it becomes a recurrent problem that requires careful home care and compliance with all veterinary instructions for relief of symptoms.

*** IMPORTANT POINTS

• Use all medications as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Absolute flea and skin parasite control is essential. Veterinarian can recommend safe effective products.
• If a special diet has been recommended for your Pet, do not offer ANY other food, treats, table food, dietary supplements or flavoured medications. Even small amounts of another food can lead to a recurrence of clinical symptoms.
• Routine ear cleanings with a veterinary approved ear cleaner will reduce the chance of ear infections, especially after swimming or bathing.
• Monitor your Pet's skin and ears for problems and seek treatment early.
• It is important to check your Pet's progress as recommended by your veterinarian.

Consider the following:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: a German study published in the journal Allergy found people who have diets rich in of omega-3 fatty acids suffer from fewer allergy symptoms. A second study in Sweden found that children who regularly ate fish prior to age one had much lower allergies by age four. My favourite sources of omega-3 fatty acids are grass fed meat and eggs, and krill oil. (Fish has become too contaminated to rely on as a staple.)
• Probiotics: In a 2008 study, researchers discovered that people who took probiotics throughout allergy season had lower levels of an antibody that triggered allergy symptoms. They also had higher levels of a different antibody (IgG), thought to play a protective role against allergic reactions. Other researchers found evidence that giving probiotics to newborns and mothers-to-be may help prevent childhood allergies.
• Vitamin D: Insufficient vitamin D levels have been linked to more severe asthma and allergies in children. Vitamin D has also been found to reduce allergic responses to mould.
• Hot peppers: Hot chili peppers, horseradish, and hot mustards work as natural decongestants. In fact, a nasal spray containing capsaicin (derived from hot peppers) significantly reduced nasal allergy symptoms in a 2009 study.
• Locally produced honey: Many believe that consuming locally produced honey, which contains pollen spores picked up by the bees from your local plants, can act as a natural “allergy vaccine.” By introducing a small amount of allergen into your system (from eating the honey), your immune system is activated and over time can build up your natural immunity against it. Just be careful to consume honey moderately as its high in fructose.
• PAW's NutriDerm conditioner: It contains colloidal oatmeal which provides an immediate soothing effects to the skin. The Ceresin skin nutrient complex (which consists of ceramides, phytosphingosine and essential fatty acids) in it also nourishes and replenishes to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Wash your dog once a week with NutriDerm shampoo, and make NutriDerm conditioner into a spray for daily use. Combine 1 part of conditioner to 2 parts water, shake well until they are combined. Ensure you are getting the spray onto the skin and not just the coat. Massage solution into skin and leave to dry. Repeat daily.

Below are several other foods and herbs you might want to try:

• Quercetin: Quercetin is an antioxidant that belongs to a class of water-soluble plant substances called flavonoids. Although research is sketchy, many believe quercetin-rich foods (such as apples, berries, red grapes, red onions, capers and black tea) prevent histamine release—so they are “natural antihistamines.” Quercetin is also available in supplement form—a typical dose for hay fever is between 200 and 400 mg per day.
• Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): Another natural antihistamine, this herb has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of conditions, including migraines. In a German study, 40 percent of patients taking butterbur root extract were able to reduce their intake of traditional asthma medications. A British study found butterbur as effective as the drug Zyrtec. A word of caution is needed, however. Butterbur is a member of the ragweed family, so if you are allergic to ragweed, marigold, daisy, or chrysanthemum, you should not use butterbur. Also, the RAW herb should not be used because it contains substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver and kidneys and may cause cancer. Commercial butterbur products have had a lot of these alkaloids removed.
• Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): Another natural antihistamine, stinging nettle has a long history of use for seasonal allergies, without the drowsiness and dry mouth associated with many pharmacological antihistamines. Nettle inhibits your body’s ability to produce histamines. The recommended dose is about 300 mg freeze-dried nettle extract daily.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): Goldenseal may be helpful for seasonal allergies. Laboratory studies suggest that berberine, the active ingredient in goldenseal, has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties.
• Eucalyptus oil: This pure essential oil can be healing to mucus membranes. You can apply a drop on a cotton ball and sniff it several times a day, add a few drops to water (or to a nebulizer, if you own one) for a steam treatment, or use a few drops in your bathwater.

Top homeopathic medicines for Allergies:

1. Apis Mellifica: Apis mellifica is a homeopathic medicine that holds a prime position to treat the hives or urticarial rash due to allergic reactions. This medicine can be utilized in all cases of allergic hives that result in violent itching with burning and stinging sensations. Patient may be relieved by cold applications. The skin is sensitive to touch. Swelling also accompanies. Slight betterment in the skin symptoms in open air is another prominent factor which, if present, confirms that this medicine should be used.

2. Arsenic Album: Homeopathic medicine Arsenic Album is a frequently used medicine for treating nasal allergy. The symptom in gist that points towards this medicine’s implication is fluent and burning discharge from the nose with much sneezing. This may be accompanied by watering from eyes with burning.

3. Natrum Mur: Natrum Mur is suitable medicine for both nasal and skin allergies. The important pointers for using Natrum Mur in nasal allergy are running nose with sneezing and breathing difficulties; and in skin allergies it is used mainly when excessive itching is present that mainly gets worse in warm room and better in open air. Craving for salt is usually noted in all the patients requiring Natrum Mur.

4. Sulphur: When it comes to skin allergies, Sulphur is the foremost and an infallible homeopathic medicine for allergies. This can be employed in all those cases of skin allergy where excessive itching with extreme burning sensation is present. Skin usually remains dry. The patient scratches the skin and gets relief. These are all the local skin symptoms for using this medicine. The constitutional symptoms used for selecting this medicine for chronic treatment include an aversion to bathing, unhealthy dirty looking skin, craving for sweets and an utmost heat in the whole body.