Allergy Herbal Supplements

Question: any good herbal supplements for cats with food allergies?

Answer: As the others suggested, diet is the way to go. "Food Allergies in Cats By Jean Hofve, DVM Cats often develop "food allergies" or "food intolerances" to ingredients found in commercial cat food. The top allergens are: chicken, fish and corn (very common cat food ingredients), beef (often referred to as "meat by-products" or "meat and bone meal" on pet food labels), wheat, and dairy products. However, an allergy can develop to any protein to which the cat is repeatedly or constantly exposed. The symptoms of food allergy are typically either skin-related or digestion-related. Skin symptoms include rashes (particularly around the face and ears), excessive licking (typically paws, legs or tummy), and red, itchy ears. Digestive symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. These are similar to the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, which you can read more about here. The conventional treatments for food allergies are steroids (also called "corticosteroids" and "glucocorticoids" to distinguish them from the anabolic steroids that bodybuilders and athletes sometimes use), hyposensitization, and diet therapy. Steroids can be given by long-lasting injection ("Depo-Medrol" or other injectable cortisone) or by mouth in the form of a tablet. The two most common oral steroids are prednisone and prednisolone. Prednisone is hard for cats to metabolize and must be converted to prednisolone in the liver before it will work. Therefore, it is simpler and less stressful to give prednisolone itself. However, steroids have many dangerous side effects. The injectable forms can cause diabetes. Steroids can also damage the kidneys. The primary action of steroids is to suppress the immune system, so that the inflammatory reaction to the allergen does not occur. This makes the cat more prone to infections. Steroids can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines. Cats receiving steroids should not be vaccinated because the steroid prevents the immune system from responding to the vaccine. Hyposensitization is not often used in cats, and requires knowing precisely what the cat is allergic to. Once this is determined, then the substance is diluted and injected to signal to the immune system that the substance is not harmful and it doesn't need to over-react. The skin test is considered the "gold standard"; there is also a blood test for allergies (sometimes called a "Rast" test). While both work well in dogs, they are notoriously inaccurate in cats. Diet trials use "novel" ingredients that are not commonly found in pet food. Novel protein sources include kangaroo, emu, venison, rabbit, and duck. Novel carbohydrate sources include green peas, potatoes, and barley. Lamb and rice used to be novel, but since the introduction of lamb and rice foods years ago, many animals have (predictably) become allergic to those, too. The prescription-type diets (using green peas and novel meat sources) are available from some veterinarians. OTC choices include Nature's Variety Prairie (lamb, duck, rabbit and venison), Petguard (venison and rabbit), and Merrick Thanksgiving Day Dinner (turkey). A diet trial must last at least 8 weeks and must include only the test food; no treats, no exceptions. Just one diet slip (such as giving a treat containing chicken) could invalidate the entire trial and you will have to start over. Holistic treatments for food allergies include homemade diets using novel ingredients, natural anti-inflammatories like slippery elm and antioxidants, skin-healing supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils, flaxseed oil), and other immune-supporting treatments like BioSuperfood. It should also be noted that even in cats who are not specifically allergic to something in the food still often do better with a hypoallergenic diet. It seems that the fewer allergens the immune system has to deal with, the less chance it will over-react."

Question: is there any herbal supplements that i can take for allergies?

Answer: Go buy some Nettle Tea. I did an allergy cleanse with this and it worked so well. I recommended it to all my customers (worked in vitamin shop) and I had people that came back and said it worked great! You can also try honey that was produced in you area. The bees harvest the pollen, which would be the same pollen that is making you sick. It kindof "immunizes" you against the pollen.

Question: What are the restrictions on bringing medicine, vitamins, and supplements into South Korea? If someone is moving to South Korea, are they restricted as to what they can bring in? ...and is the quantity restricted? For example, can someone bring in a year's supply of vitamins and minerals? How about a year's supply of prescription allergy medication? Or a year's supply of an herbal supplement, like St. John's Wort (which would be over 1,000 capsules)? Thanks. Also, could someone have these sorts of items shipped to them later, or are there regulations against that?

Answer: i live in south korea and my family have no problem, people do it all the time, mailing it here, too. you won't get in trouble. you have to ship it though, mail or something. can't bring it on the plane! but you can't bring a years supply! they might think your doing some black market stuff, that is taken very seriously here. so if you bring alot, to last you a year, you will get in trouble, but if those 1,000 capsules is in like one container, then you'll be good, but you can't come in bring like 20 containers of medicine!

Question: What is the best way to eat a mango if you are allergic? I have a slight allergy to mangoes - my lips get swollen and bumpy about 2 days after consuming them. I love them so much that sometimes I take my chances and eat them anyway! It is slightly uncomfortable for a few days, but obviously not bad enough that I quit them completely. Is there a method for eating a mango that will reduce the allergic side effects? Are there any herbal supplement to counteract the effects? Thanks!!

Answer: Maybe try them in a dairy-based smoothie. That could help.

Question: Sudden milk supply drop? My son is 9 1/2 months old and is exclusively breastfed and gets no solids or cereal. (We are waiting until he is a year for allergy reasons). I've had oversupply and then under-supply due to a late diagnosis of tongue-tie at 4 1/2 months which we corrected, but I've been on domperidone ever since to deal with my supply. Since the beginning of the month, my son has been fussier than usual and wants to eat constantly. I wrote off the first 2 weeks of this to a growth spurt, but now I'm starting to feel like my supply is dropping daily. I have been reasonably full in the mornings all along and in the last week, no longer. I nurse on demand, but I've added in extra pumping sessions but am pumping very little (I used to pump at least 3-4 oz per pump). I can't take fenugreek because of allergies and the herbal supplements often have a mix of things I can't take. I've increased my dose of domperidone but that only makes my breasts sore and doesn't seem to increase production. I just took a pregnancy test and it was negative. My son's diaper output until yesterday was pretty normal, but yesterday he only had 1 or 2 really wet diapers (usually he soaks about 5-6 cloth diapers) and one good poop (usually he has 3). I gave him some water in the evening just for hydration, but I don't have a ton of milk stored in the freezer at this point and I don't know what else to do. Everything I've read seems to be about establishing supply at the beginning and such. My son is now mobile and wouldn't take to a weekend in bed with me to nurse. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not interested in giving formula or in weaning. Thanks.

Answer: Have you tried using fennel? Fennel is also a galactogogue meaning it can help produce milk. What about milk thistle, motherwort, asparagus racemosus, red raspberry or chamomile? I've heard that all of those can help with milk production. But as always if you have questions you should be asking your Dr. Also, don't think that just because you are not pumping enough means that your milk supply is decreasing. It is very normal for a woman to pump anywhere from .5 oz to 2 oz per breast. Also no pump, no matter how expensive and nice it is, can empty a breast as good or as effectively as nursing baby! If you little one is not screaming his head off for food and is gaining weight properly then you probably shouldn't worry. You said you took a pregnancy test, what about your period? Has that come back yet? Do you normally have any other hormone problems like thyroid or anything? That could mess with things too! I hate to say this, but you might have to think about weaning. If he is obviously hungry and you are not making enough then that can lead to other problems because he is not receiving any and/or enough nutrition. What about making your own baby food so you know exactly what is in the food, the process it took to make it and how clean things were while you are making it? Buy organic fruits, veggies and grains so that you know they have not been comtaminated with other things. If you are still concerned, try shopping at Whole Foods. They are the countries first Organic Retailer meaning that you are guranteed that if your apple or whatever is grown organicly then it remains pure up until it is in your hand. I'm sorry if this didn't help you, but I wish you the best! God bless and good luck!

Question: Birth Control & Libido? I cannot find a birth control that doesn't take my sex drive to zero. I am in my early 20's and when Im not on birth control there is no stopping it. As soon as I go on it, my drive flat lines. I have been on Alesse, Trycyclin lo, and Tryquilar (current and definitely the worst) Has anyone else had this problem, and what worked for you? I am not willing to try the ring. I like the pill and I wont try herbal supplements because I have massive allergies:) So ladies, your thoughts? It's like, my brain wants to but my body doesn't respond.

Answer: You're wise to avoid the ring, that would REALLY flatline your sex drive... I was on Junel Fe 1/20 for a while, and that wasn't bad. You could look into the implant or an IUD, maybe? The copper IUD shouldn't affect your libido at all, there aren't any hormones involved... The mirena might, but due to the exceedingly low dosage that actually ends up in your blood stream, it shouldn't.

Question: Post nasal drip? I have had excess mucus in the back of the throat for years, it's there ALL the time, been to several ENTs, have tested NEG for all airborne allergies. If it's not allergies, what's the underlying cause?? I also wake up in the night with ear pain (is there a connection?) I sing, and the mucus definitely gets in the way! Antihistamines don't work so well anymore, but when they do, they dry me out too much. Have tried the netti pot, decongestants, herbal supplements, EVERYthing!! Help!

Answer: I think you should check into alternative diets! you could be having a food allergy- look into the Dr. Oz books- he is pretty interesting on this subject!

Question: - I wake up feeling foggy in mornings - My genital area is weak - I had a shock 4 years ago that caused this? Basically can you recognize the type of shock i had? And what's wrong and how it can be sorted? I am confused, doctors don't listen / respond properly when I've said I've had a shock. I'm currently on Anti-Psychotic drug Olanzapine. I haven't got any disease because I've been checked out on that. I have food allergies to wheat and dairy and other. Could the shock have been anaphylactic or a psychotic shock as I had minor Psychosis before the shock 4 years ago? I am always relaxed, but my body is probably in a state as a result of having a shock that felt life-threatening, I might be tense and don't know how to solve it and taking herbal supplements is probably just rubbish. Any great answer is perfect! Thanks.

Answer: I don't mean to sound patronising but have you thought of taking up Yoga? It is a superb way of learning relaxation for the body and the mind. You are halfway to solving your problems by acknowledging that you had a minor 'psychosis' episode before the shock. Am i right in thinking that you were abused or am I totally on the wrong track? I'd like to know what the 'shock' was though.

Question: what supplements can i take for my hypothyroid symptoms? i have: thinning hair, getting over depression (finally), weight gain, tiredness, lack of motivation, and RLS symptoms, etc., the regular hypothyroid bit. the thing i am REALLY tired of is the fact that my doctor thinks i am being hypochondriac because i am only 21. i have a hard time keeping a job/passing college/having a normal life because i am sooo tired all the time. well, it's not so much "tired" anymore, i just feel like i must sleep 12+ hours a day to function. am i addicted to sleep? what is my body's problem? other problem is MEMORY. i can't seem to remember huge chunks of my past, near and far, as well as short-term memory stuff, like where i'm driving to, which class do i have today, or what did i come upstairs for? it's getting really old! i am 21 and i feel like i have alzheimer's disease. i feel like an old woman. it's so hard. for the hair and nails, i have been taking prenatal vitamins. but for my muscle twitches and cramps, 12+ hr sleeping, and memory loss i need a solution... over the counter? Rx i could ask my dr. about? herbal? anything for my memory and sleep. please help me. it's been two years and it's getting old. i want my own place but i don't have the strength. please advise me based on something that would not interfere with: synthroid 50mcg prozac 40 mg zyrtec two pills daily (as per dr....bad allergies) generic multivitamin sloFE iron pills and caltrate d for my muscle twitches and cramps and fiber chews for IBS :D quite a list i know. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!! thanks! sorry if i was not specific. i HAVE BEEN diagnosed with hypothyroid, not just symptoms. sorry! thanks!

Answer: You might try something called "Raw Thyroid". I find it at the natural foods store. Extra Vitamin B supplements are also good for the thyroid. I like "Emergen-C" which is loaded with Vitamin B as well as C. That can be found at about any grocery store, or pharmacy isle.

Question: What's wrong with my skin? Itchy, crusty skin on lips, eyes, legs, arms and nipples (eeeek)? I just moved to Washington State from California about three weeks ago, and ever since I came here, I've had problem after problem. It began with my lips becoming a bit sore and cracked (I have NEVER had a cold sore). Shortly thereafter, my eyes began to become very itchy and watery, and it's to the point where there's a scab-like crust in the corners, even on the upper eyelids. My legs and arms are itchy 24/7 and also have similar scabbing. It's impossible not to scratch. Even my nipples recently began feeling itchy all the time! I'm petrified. From my own research I've heard everything from allergies to excema to pregnancy, and I am horrified most of all that it's the latter. Has anyone EVER had anything like this happen to them? As a side note, I do not yet have health insurance as I am still establishing myself here, so going to the doctor is NOT an option. So any home remedies, herbal/vitamin supplements, OTC remedies, etc. will be appreciated. Um, sorry to be so graphic...just to clarify, my nipples are really itchy, but no scabbing or redness. Just...really itchy. I have redness, crust or scabbing everywhere else there is irritation however. The only place I'm NOT experiencing this is my neck, abdomen, feet, hands and tummy.

Answer: i think you have eczema. stay as clean as possible and its gonna sound dumb but go to sleep with fuzzy socks on to keep you from scratching. the new environment might take time adjusting to

Question: My boston terrier has pink skin? My boston terrier has a half white face and fairly thin fur. In the white areas, his skin turns pink. I thought it was a food allergy, but I've tried just about everything, including raw and home cooking. I also use sunscreen on him when he's outside for any amount of time. He doesn't have fleas. He doesn't scratch or lick or anything like that. It's not always pink...sometimes he's nice and white. That's what bugs me about it. If he was always pink that would be one thing, but the changing just makes me think some kind of irritation or allergy. Any ideas? Any supplements I should try? He already gets salmon oil. Maybe something for his immune system or herbal detox? SeaHorse: This isn't a new issue. I actually have brought it to our vet's attention before, but she didn't seem to concerned. I talked to the vet tech for awhile about it and he basically said keep trying foods and if nothing we find works they'll do a prescription allergy diet. Yuck! I definitely don't want to put him on that. Environmental allergies were never mentioned. Like you said, the lack of swelling, itching, etc is quite puzzling...

Answer: Hi- I raise bostons and that's just the way they are. Their blood vessles are close to their skin surface so it shows major color differences depending on the rate their blood is pumping and the weather. I know its scary but it is not something to worry about.

Question: Help dog with allergies...flare up? My youngest German Shepherd is 3 years old. He has had food allergies and skin irritation problems all his life. He is allergic to all grain, and all poultry. Right now he is eating Wellness CORE ocean formula dry and he gets a can of Wellness 95% Salmon wet food everyday. I also have him on a holistic supplement, it is a Chinese herbal for dry, irritated skin and sensitive stomachs (oh yeah, he has IBD too) I also give a skin and coat supplement as well that has sunflower oil and flaxseed oil in it. These past few months his itching has gotten worse and worse. He itches at his shoulders and his ears, and he bites at his haunches. Last year he developed aural hematomas in both his ears and had to get drains put it. We watch him like a hawk when we are home and make him stop itching his ears when we catch him, but I am scared to death that he going to itch his ears so hard when no one is home that he is going to break open new hematomas. We got a humidifier for the house to try and put some moisture back in the air, and when anyone is taking a shower I put him in the bathroom and make him sit in there to absorb all the moisture. Oatmeal baths rarely help, they ease his itching for a day or two and then it starts right back up again. He has been to several veterinarians, both conventional and holistic. The only thing I flat out refuse to do is put him on anti inflammatory steroids. His skin is not red or irritated when you look at it, and he has no hotspots or hair loss. Is there anything that I am missing that I could add to his diet? Suggestion on supplements that anyone has had success with? Anything else I can do to relieve his itching? Thanks... Edit to Add: Benedryl reacts badly with his IBD, and makes him drowsy. Yes he has had allergy tests at the vet, the results were grain, poultry, venison, and a few other weird things, but those tests are very inaccurate.

Answer: Oh my! I thought I might be more of a help as I'm going through several allergies with my 1 yr old Lab mix. I am really not sure on this one, but I have always heard that if they scratch their front it's parasites, but if they are itchy on the back part of their body that is it food allergy. I agree, I would never put my dog on steroids either, nor give a daily regiment of benadaryl. The problem needs to be solved, not covered up. My vet suggest Venison and Sweet Potato to me, have you tried that? Good luck!

Question: Burt's Bees and Acne? I have moderate acne. I've tried everything under the sun. I also use Omega 3 EFA supplements, eat an anti-inflammatory healthy diet, and avoid dairy (linked to acne) 100% due to a casein/whey severe milk allergy (anaphylaxis). I have tried prescription products, Dermalogica, Proactiv, etc. No luck. I find Clean and Clear products for teens (I am in my 20s) work the best for a cheap price. That said, I'm at a loss. I do have oily skin and large pores, and my mom had acne until her late 40s (!). So I know genetically I am doomed! I am trying to eat as organic as possible, and have been using Burt's Bees products for some time. The herbal blemish stick works VERY well for me (love it!) but I find that I break out from all of their skincare products. Their cleansers seem to leave a film behind, and I break out about 3 days later. Has anyone else had this problem, and which Burt's Bees products were you using? Are they just not well suited to oily acne prone skin types? I'm curious to hear any feedback on BB products in general....some of the stuff is fabulous (Honey Lip Balm, Lotion, Soap, etc.) and some of it seems like overpriced poor product (cleansers).

Answer: I'm with you- I love some of their products. Others I don't care for. I like their Orange Oil cleanser but not their bark/chamomile one If you use their cleansers try finishing with all-natural witch hazel to gently clean off any residue. Witch hazel is fantastic for sensitive skin and it works wonderfully as a "pore refiner" http://www.witchhazel.com/index.aspbeen This will really help to gently tone and clear your skin. I've been using it for years and never get break outs anymore.