Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Understanding The Cause of Allergy

Understanding The Cause of Allergy     

Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies

Understanding The Cause of AllergyBy: Justin Flowers

People who are afflicted with allergies seek to find out everything they can about the cause of allergy.

The cause of allergy, in a particular individual is not always obvious, but it is acknowledged that there is a genetic factor. However,whist the cause of allergy may be due to a families medical circumstances, it signifies that members of the family are predisposed to the illness, and not that they are certain to be a victim. It is fairly common for one sibling in a family to be afflicted, whilst their sisters and brothers are not. It means that, even if there is a genetic aspect, the cause of allergy in a particular child, is not absolutely apparent, although it is more frequent in males.

It seems that modern lifestyle has something to do with the cause of allergy, and contaminated air has been partly to blame. Whatever the reason, allergies are on the increase, so the deeper the cause of allergy is understood, the better the allergy treatments that can be made available. It has been noted that when children suffered viral diseases, such as measles, they did not develop allergies. Thankfully measles has all but been eradicated in the West, but prior to block immunization, it was a quite common, but nasty and infectious disease.

Despite the progress in modern medicine, there is a hygiene issue connected with the cause of allergy. For sure, the affluent age we now enjoy has brought many benefits, but it seems that when kids were raised in different circumstances, they didn't get as many allergies. Moreover the liberal use of antibiotics in children has been considered as lowering resistance, if not being the cause of allergy.

Food Allergies

Food is a very common cause of allergy, from which a substantial percentage of Americans suffer. Foods, which can be the cause of allergy, include:

Peanuts, Shellfish, Milk, Eggs, Wheat

For instance peanuts are thought to be the cause of allergy in nearly two million Americans. They can be responsible for serious conditions, that include anaphylaxis that can be fatal. Many people who are allergic to peanuts, are also allergic to tree nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews.

Airborne Allergens

Allergens like pollen are a cause of allergy that seem to have been around for ever,

Many people are allergic to pets, and many mistakenly think that the fur or hair of the pet is the cause of the allergy. However, they are misadvised, because it is the saliva, which is left over when dogs, or more often cats, groom themselves. The saliva dries out, and when discarded becomes an airborne cause of allergy, resulting in sneezing and wheezing.

Molds are another frequent cause of allergy, and they are not confined to old buildings. They can be a problem throughout the year, and thrive in damp areas, especially where airflow is inadequate or restricted. There are modern buildings that have been poorly designed, where mold and condensation are real problems. Mold is not just horrid to look at, but as a cause of allergy, it can be a serious health hazard.

Medicine Allergens

There are people who are allergic to certain medicines, including penicillin, and other antibiotics. They are unlucky, that the drugs that have been so useful for others are the cause of allergy for them.

Chemical Allergies

Environmental substances, including chemicals, can be a cause of allergy. There are so many industrial, agricultural and even household products, which contain chemicals that may be a cause of allergy, and other health problems as well. It is wise to be cautious, and whenever feasible seek out natural alternatives, which are preferred to many of the questionable manufactured goods, with scary labels on their containers.

Insect Bites and Stings

There are various insects that may inflict bites or stings that could be the cause of allergy. For instance, yellow jackets (wasps) can be a seasonal hazard. Most people try to avoid a yellow jacket sting, but for some allergic individuals they can be dangerous, and may even be fatal in rare instances.

General

To understand the cause of allergy is to be in the right circumstances to deal with it. You will know that prevention is always better than cure, and the best way to beat an allergy, is to avoid the allergens that start the symptoms. That may not always be achievable, as the millions who suffer from hay fever could testify. When all is said and done you don't want to exist in a bubble, although even that has been necessary, on extremely rare occasions, for a few people afflicted with many allergies.

Avoiding insects, particular foods, airborne allergens, and the like is a situation you can get used to if you must. There are highly qualified allergists and doctors, from whom to seek advice, and well tested treatments are available. There are OTC, over the counter formulations, but an allergy is an illness, and as such it is in your own interests to consult your doctor, or other qualified medical practitioner, about what form of treatment is best for you.

Disclaimer

This article is only for general information, and should not be used as a substitute for the medical guidance of your doctor, or other medically qualified adviser. Always seek an opinion from your doctor, before deciding if any product or treatment is appropriate for your condition.

You should know that what suits one allergy sufferer could be inappropriate for another. Do not act on any advice you have read, either in this article or anywhere else, without the total approval of your doctor. The author cannot accept any liability whatsoever, for any consequences arising from, or thought to be arising from using this article.

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About the Article Author

Justin Flowers creates articles regarding antioxidants, herbal remedies, allergies and vegetarianism. To find out more about allergies please click on his web site www.allergy-check.com that has advice concerning cat allergies, and related information.

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function producexml(id){ var a= document.article.baseurl.value; prompt ('Copy the RSS Feeder Link',a);}Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Allergies Articles Via RSS!Additional Articles From - Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies Feel Good Fun - By : Anaya Erika
Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore! - By : Dr. George Best
Living With Metal Allergies - By : Meg Milliken
Allergy Information - By : Justin Flowers
Not Always A Girl's Best Friend - By : Zuske Sagara
Buying the Perfect Allergy-free Gifts for Your Loved Ones - By : Audrey Lynn
How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy - By : Knut Holt
A Look At Allergy Products - By : Chase
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Allergies - By : Steven
The Must know Info on Allergy - By : Sarah
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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Allergy Information

Allergy Information     

Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies

Allergy InformationBy: Justin Flowers

An allergy happens, when an individual becomes sensitized to a known substance, that starts an allergic reaction. These substances are known as allergens, or triggers, because they cause an overreaction in the body's immune system. There are natural allergens, like pollens, environmental substances, like chemicals, and the foods that we consume, usually proteins, among many others.

There are four distinct ways through which allergens can enter the body:

Inhalation - as with dust mites and pollen.
Eating - as with some foods.
Absorption - via the skin, as with some plants or chemicals.
Injection - some people are allergic to drugs, such as penicillin.

When an allergic person encounters allergens, for the first time, the allergic reactions don't occur, but the immune system becomes sensitized. Think of it, as becoming ready to resist allergens, that it wrongly considers to be invaders, intent on damaging the body.

After becoming hypersensitized to a particular substance, when the immune system encounters a similar allergen; it automatically over-produces antibodies to deal with the perceived threat. The antibodies bind with the allergens, and as they circulate around the body, they interact with other cells. Substances, including histamine, cause inflammation, which is a common allergy condition. Allergies differ in many people, and the symptoms range from being as mild as a runny nose, to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Testing and Diagnoses

When it is suitable, skin testing is preferred to blood testing, as it is more specific, simpler to perform, and costs less. Nevertheless, your physician will advise what is best suited to your condition.

Treatments Available

Doctors, who are experts in dealing with allergic disorders, undergo extensive training. In the United States at least nine years is needed to qualify as an allergist immunologist. It is reassuring to know that real improvements in medical treatments have been developed by allergists. These include quick acting epinephrine tablets, low allergy foods, and advances in dealing with wasp stings.

Immunotherapy

When immunotherapy is thought to be a suitable treatment, it may either reduce the intensity of an allergy or cure it completely. It involves injecting progressively increased dosage, of the allergen, identified as causing the symptoms. There have been good results in dealing with rhinitis and asthma.

Prescribed Drugs

Several drugs are used to counter the symptoms of allergy which include, antihistamines, cortisone, hydrocortisone, theophlene, epinephrine, and dexamethosone. A few preparations are obtainable over the counter, but it is best to seek advice from your doctor, what is recommeded for your own allergy.

Summary

It is not known precisely why some people get allergies, whilst others don't. It may be that there could be an inherited factor with some allergies.

It seems sure that the incidence of allergies is growing, and that it may have something to do with contemporary living.

For instance, offices have become airtight, with windows that opened being replaced by air conditioning. That being said the quality of the outside air, particularly in built up areas, is questionable. On a global basis, rain forests are being cut down, whilst gas guzzling vehicles are increasing. Add the economic advancement of the emerging nations, and you have a recipe for industrial contamination.

Some of the Chinese immigrants develop hay fever, after moving to the United States, for a few years. More recently, there has been much publicity concerning industrial pollution in Beijing, and other places. Probably the time could soon arrive, when the good citizens of China will have their own, home grown variety of rhinitis! Could the new found success be accompanied by allergic respiratory disorders - if it does, did the end justify the means?

Disclaimer

The content of this article is only for advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor, or other medically qualified practitioner. Always seek advice from your doctor, before deciding if any product or treatment, is appropriate for your condition.

Please be aware that what suits one allergy sufferer could be inappropriate for another. Do not act on any advice you have read, either in this article or elsewhere, without the total approval of your doctor. The author cannot accept any liability whatsoever, for any consequences arising from or thought to be arising from using this article.

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About the Article Author

J Flowers prepares articles regarding vegetarianism, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, antioxidants and allergies. If you require to know about allergies please visit his web site www.allergy-check.com which includes information regarding allergy and sinus relief, and other matters.

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Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore! - By : Dr. George Best
Living With Metal Allergies - By : Meg Milliken
Not Always A Girl's Best Friend - By : Zuske Sagara
Understanding The Cause of Allergy - By : Justin Flowers
Buying the Perfect Allergy-free Gifts for Your Loved Ones - By : Audrey Lynn
How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy - By : Knut Holt
A Look At Allergy Products - By : Chase
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Allergies - By : Steven
The Must know Info on Allergy - By : Sarah
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Not Always A Girl's Best Friend

Not Always A Girl's Best Friend     

Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies

Not Always A Girl's Best FriendBy: Zuske Sagara

People like jewelry --- it's an obsession that is practically based on instinct. People tend to like shiny things and, if done right, jewelry is very attractive no matter what the occasion. However, there are some caveats to be considered when talking about and deciding on the timely use of jewelry. Factors like lifestyle and finances are understandable deterrents to keeping jewelry around, whether in mass quantities or just a few select pieces. On certain occasions, for certain people, there are other potential problems. While an allergy to nickel is considerably minor as far as everyday medical concerns go, it can still get rather annoying if you're into jewelry. After all, nearly every form of jewelry on the market today has some amount of nickel in it.

Nickel allergies can sometimes appear similar to a mild skin infection, though it is often readily noticeable that the signs disappear with time. The most common sign of the allergy taking effect would be the skin developing a deep red color in the area that had contact with nickel. Some of the surrounding area may also develop some redness. In some cases, the redness can also appear like a rash and may cause itchiness or mild discomfort. In extreme cases, blisters may form on the skin, usually with a lot of moisture or pus. The itchiness can become unbearable, depending on how much nickel was involved and how long the skin was in contact with it. On some instances, the itchiness can also lead to mild inflammation and may render the hands virtually unusable for a short period.

The allergy, sadly, has no known cure and can sometimes randomly occur. Like most allergies, an allergic reaction to nickel is completely random and may appear on someone who has never been allergic to it before. Prolonged exposure is not needed for someone to develop the problem, because even a short amount of contact with nickel can trigger an allergic episode. The allergy is actually fairly common, being considered among the most common causes for allergic attacks outside of seasonal factors. The exact cause of the sensitivity is still unknown, but nickel-based earrings and needles (used for piercings) often cause a reaction faster than anything else.

The skin does not normally react the first time contact is made. In most circumstances, symptoms such as redness may not even appear for two days after the initial contact. Inflammation, particularly rare for this allergy, is often only apparent after nearly a week. There are some instances when the symptoms manifest within a short period, but this is typically the result of prolonged or regular exposure to nickel. Most cases of this occur because the person has a lot of jewelry on their person, or wears a few pieces for prolonged periods. There are exceptions to this, but the previously mentioned situations are considered typical.

Statistically speaking, women are remarkably more likely to develop an allergic reaction to nickel than men are. This has traditionally been attributed to the piercing of the ears, which leaves those areas exposed to nickel for days at a time while the wound heals properly. However, going over the statistics over a period of time shows that the disparity between males with the allergy and females has been decreasing. Whether this is because of the increasing popularity of body piercings and earrings for males is still unknown, but it is considered the most likely cause. As it stands, there are no known biological or physiological factors behind the disparity.

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Choose Variety of High Quality Medicines at www.americapharmacyworld.com">Online Medicines Enjoyed Reading this article? More here: Pharmacy Articles

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Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore! - By : Dr. George Best
Living With Metal Allergies - By : Meg Milliken
Allergy Information - By : Justin Flowers
Understanding The Cause of Allergy - By : Justin Flowers
Buying the Perfect Allergy-free Gifts for Your Loved Ones - By : Audrey Lynn
How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy - By : Knut Holt
A Look At Allergy Products - By : Chase
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Allergies - By : Steven
The Must know Info on Allergy - By : Sarah
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore!

Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore!     

Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies

Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore!By: Dr. George Best

Once again it is cedar fever season - the time in South Texas when the mountain cedar trees erupt in pollen. If you have allergies and you've been experiencing a lot more congestion, coughing, sneezing, and red, irritated eyes, you can probably blame it on the cedar. Some people may also run a low grade fever because cedar allergies can be severe enough to cause a lot of inflammation which can show up as a slight fever.

In the Austin, San Antonio, and Texas Hill Country regions, mountain cedar pollen is produced in huge quantities from December through February. For those who suffer from cedar allergies, even the allergy remedies that work most of the time are simply no match for the massive amounts of pollen produced by the numerous mountain cedar trees in the area.

This time of year, a common segment on the local news will show someone shaking a cedar branch and producing a cloud of the dusty pollen. The fine grains of pollen are blown from the trees and carried all over the region by the strong, gusty winds that are normal for this time of year. Cedar pollen counts can go so high that they actually go beyond the pollen charts and the pollen begins to register as an air pollutant. It's no surprise that this is a tough time of year for people with allergies.

You can't avoid the cedar pollen, but fortunately there's a new way to eliminate cedar fever. This method is painless, fast, amazingly effective, and the effects can last for years from a single office visit. It may seem a bit strange, but the results speak for themselves for those who experience it.

Basically, it is possible to stimulate the body's acupuncture meridians in a very specific way - without needles, I might add - to desensitize the body to cedar fever. There are a few variations of this approach, but they all use some type of acupuncture/acupressure stimulation to re-set the body to not react to cedar pollen (or other allergens depending on what the individual is being desensitized to). In my office, I use what is called "cold" laser to stimulate the acupuncture points, and it allows for fast treatment that is completely painless. In fact, other than the laser wand touching the points, there is no sensation at all, which makes it a very patient-friendly, even to young children.

Desensitization of allergens with this method typically works within about a day and the effects last for several months to several years. Just one desensitization procedure will usually last for not only the entire mountain cedar pollen season, but for many seasons to come. These effects are achieved without the need for any follow-up treatment, without the use of allergy medication, and without even taking any kind of supplements or other remedies!

Most who undergo this type of allergy desensitization find that their cedar allergies become a thing of the past.

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Dr. George Best is a holistic healthcare provider in San Antonio, Texas and has been providing natural allergy relief for the past eight years. Follow this link for more on how you can handle your cedar fever symptoms.

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Living With Metal Allergies - By : Meg Milliken
Allergy Information - By : Justin Flowers
Not Always A Girl's Best Friend - By : Zuske Sagara
Understanding The Cause of Allergy - By : Justin Flowers
Buying the Perfect Allergy-free Gifts for Your Loved Ones - By : Audrey Lynn
How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy - By : Knut Holt
A Look At Allergy Products - By : Chase
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Allergies - By : Steven
The Must know Info on Allergy - By : Sarah
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Feel Good Fun

Feel Good Fun     

Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies

Feel Good FunBy: Anaya Erika

As a nasal allergy sufferer, Tutera knows first-hand how something unexpected, like nasal allergy symptoms, can ruin a backyard barbecue or a birthday bash. "For my events, I always take nasal allergy symptoms into consideration because they are a party-pitfall that can easily be avoided."

By following Tutera's simple tips, any party host or guest can help prevent nasal allergy symptoms from affecting the party experience.

Location, Location, Location

When looking into venues, there are a few things to consider that will keep your party sizzling and keep your guests with nasal allergies from suffering.

For indoor parties, make sure carpets, drapes and upholstered furniture are well vacuumed prior to the event to prevent dust mite accumulation. While you may think your four-legged friend is good party entertainment, it's best to keep pets in a separate room during the festivities, as pet dander can also trigger nasal allergy symptoms.

If an outdoor hot spot tops your list, host a beach bash over a park party-a sandy beach provides less exposure to allergens compared to a grassy area.

Setting the Scene

To decorate a party scene, Tutera recommends using a simple floral arrangement that adds color and texture to the event.

"Remember that some flowers are more prone to cause nasal allergy symptoms than others," said Tutera. "Use large, brightly colored flowers like roses for party accents, as their pollens are less likely to trigger nasal allergy symptoms."

Other allergy-friendly decorating options include unscented candles or dried flowers, which can be great table pieces. And for those on a budget, Tutera recommends checking out your local farmer's market for fresh flowers that cost less than you'd think.

Treating Your Nasal

Allergy Symptoms

Even for the host with the most, it's impossible to keep every allergen off the guest list. Tutera recommends hosts and partygoers with nasal allergies visit a doctor who can prescribe an appropriate treatment for their symptoms.

"Many of my patients are concerned with the way nasal allergy symptoms affect them in social settings like parties. To help treat nasal allergy symptoms, I prescribe an intranasal steroid," said Dr. Matthew Clarke, a board-certified family and occupational medicine physician in private practice in New York City.

Intranasal steroids, which are available for adults and children, include NASONEX® (mometasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray, 50 mcg (calculated on the anhydrous basis).

"By planning ahead and controlling your nasal allergy symptoms prior to an event, you can enjoy the celebration without worrying about your symptoms," said Tutera.

NASONEX® is approved to treat nasal allergy symptoms in patients as young as 2 years of age. Take regularly, as effectiveness depends upon regular use. Maximum treatment effect is generally reached within 1 to 2 weeks. NASONEX is the only once-daily prescription intranasal steroid clinically proven to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children 12 years of age and older when NASONEX® is started 2 to 4 weeks prior to allergy season. NASONEX® is also the first and only intranasal steroid approved for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults 18 years of age and older. Side effects were generally mild and included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds and coughing.

By: Wendy Mitchell

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function producexml(id){ var a= document.article.baseurl.value; prompt ('Copy the RSS Feeder Link',a);}Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Allergies Articles Via RSS!Additional Articles From - Home | Specific Disorders | Allergies Cedar Fever Symptoms? You Don't Have To Suffer Anymore! - By : Dr. George Best
Living With Metal Allergies - By : Meg Milliken
Allergy Information - By : Justin Flowers
Not Always A Girl's Best Friend - By : Zuske Sagara
Understanding The Cause of Allergy - By : Justin Flowers
Buying the Perfect Allergy-free Gifts for Your Loved Ones - By : Audrey Lynn
How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy - By : Knut Holt
A Look At Allergy Products - By : Chase
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Allergies - By : Steven
The Must know Info on Allergy - By : Sarah
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Sunday, January 6, 2008

Skin allergy Diagnosis and Treatment

A skin allergy is the bodys over-reaction to one or more allergens in our environment. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. Jewelry metals and fragrances top the list of substances most likely to cause serious skin rashes. It can also be triggered by a number of factors, including plants, animals, clothing, food and heat. Eczema is a term used for a group of skin conditions having several things in common: dryness, itching, inflammation and thickening of skin, and recurrence. Contact dermatitis occurs at all ages, whereas atopic dermatitis is most often a problem in kids. Hand dermatitis is caused by skin irritants such as detergents or chemicals. Dry skin occurs because of lack of water in the stratum corneum.

Some allergic reactions to wine stem from insect chemicals, new research shows. Chemicals from Hymenoptera insects may be present in some wines. There are four main types of skin allergy, each caused by different allergens. Prickly heat warm weather often causes the itchy red rash known as prickly heat. Bites and stings is irritations from insect bites and stings can be uncomfortable but reactions tend to be short lived. Urticaria type of allergy. Urticaria also called is nettle rash, because it comes up as an itchy red rash, raised in the middle. The swelling that sometimes goes along with urticaria is called angioedema, and often involves the lips, the eyes, and the hands and feet. Angioedema is usually not itchy or red, it tends to burn, sting or cause a tingling sensation.

The most common treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is a cortisone ointment preparation. Many people opt for the more effective natural treatments such as epitrex, which can eliminate flare-ups. Some people find that oral antihistamines like benadryl allergy relief do the trick. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid cream. Its low potency makes it safe for self-care. Try to determine what exposures aggravate your rash and avoid them. Wear gloves when washing dishes or clothing, and dont allow your hands to be constantly wet. Allow wool clothing or blankets against your skin. use soapless cleansers or non-alkaline (neutral) soaps. Use washable cotton or synthetic blankets, not fuzzy surfaced ones. Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets; avoid chenille.

Skin allergy Diagnosis and Treatment Tips

1. Use fragrance free products when suffering from allergies of skin.

2. A good moisturising lotion will prevent the skin from drying out.

3. Corticosteroid creams or ointments relieve itchiness and halt the spread of rashes.

4. Using washing detergents suitable for people with allergies will not cause any damage to the skin.

5. Keeping a diary of moments when your skin is inflamed or extremely itchy with raised patches.

6. Antihistamines and decongestants are the most common medicines used for allergies.

7. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid cream. Its low potency makes it safe for self-care.

8. Try to determine what exposures aggravate your rash and avoid them.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

UV Air Purifiers and Negative Ionizers Minimize Harmful Effects of Secondhand Smoke

Smoking is a habit that many people find hard to break. However, with a recent law being passed in California that will take effect next year, some adults are realizing that the consequences of smoking extend to their pocketbook. The law states that as of January 2008, adults will face a $100 fine for smoking in a vehicle that carries children. This law is enforced as long as the traffic stop was made for another infraction (i.e., making a U-turn or speeding). This law will be in addition to a number of smoking prohibitions already adopted in California including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

Although laws prohibiting smoking in vehicles with underage children is not in affect in all states, the health risks reach across all geographic boundaries. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home." Due to the health risk that smokers place on themselves, as well as on their children, it is imperative to find a way to improve the air quality both within our vehicles and throughout our homes. Thankfully, this task is made possible with the proper and consistent use of UV air purifiers.

In order to reap all the benefits of pure air, a UV clarifier must eliminate a wide variety of air pollutants besides just cigarette smoke. A UV light unit, known as an air probe sanitizer, has the ability to remove airborne viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, dust, pollen, and pet dander that surround us on a daily basis. By utilizing an air probe sanitizer such as this, approximately ninety-five percent of germs are killed, resulting in the dissipation of tobacco smoke, prevention of odor, minimization of wall and fabric stains that are often prevalent in a smoker's vehicle or home furnishing, and a reduction of harmful illnesses and diseases related to second-hand smoke.

An air probe sanitizer contains a UV germicidal bulb which produces purifying hydroxyls, negative ions, and ultraviolet light that is used to clean indoor air of pollutants just as these elements do naturally in the air outdoors. To get the most benefits, it is recommended that the UV light unit is installed in a building's HVAC (Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning) system. One of the many benefits of ultraviolet air purification systems are that they need only minimal care and produce tremendous results. Every HVAC system has the ability to utilize a UV clarifier, and after only twenty-four hours of use, air is cleaned so that one can actually feel the difference of the UV disinfection.

The UV light unit also produces negative ions, which are generated by electricity and provide a number of benefits. Negative ions energize, decrease anxiety, improve the function of the lungs' cilia (which are harmed by tobacco smoke), improve sleep, lower resting heart rates, decrease the lifespan of viruses, lessen the severity of stomach ulcers (which are also aggravated by tobacco smoke), and keep air fresh. As air circulates inside a building, these negative ions go to work and destroyed harmful particulates found in tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.

Finally, the UV clarifier, or air probe sanitizer, produces hydroxyl radicals. These radicals form when hydrogen molecules are pulled from water molecules in the air's natural humidity by the ultraviolet light of a UV germicidal bulb. The resulting hydroxyls are said to be one of the most effective purifying agents in the earth's atmosphere, working indoors as they do outside, and are known to be extremely efficient at destroying odors, such as that of tobacco smoke.

While most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, there is still a significant amount of time spent in tightly confined areas such as a vehicle while traveling to or from work, running errands, or taking a weekend road trip. Although the quality of air is often ignored when driving, it is important to understand how cigarette smoke and other harmful pollutants affect us even with minimal time spent in a vehicle.

Joaquin Barnoya, MD, MPH, and colleagues have concluded that the heart damage caused by secondhand smoke rivals that of active smoking. Additionally, even minimal exposure of secondhand smoke may have a "rapid and large" impact on the heart, much like that of air pollution. It is reported that "the heart effects of even brief secondhand smoke exposure are about 80% to 90% as large as that from chronic active smoking."

So, while some neglect to realize how simply having an occasional smoke with children, or anyone for that matter, in the vehicle, the health consequences can be severe as these harmful particulates imbed themselves in the fibers of the car and continue to circulate long after the cigarette has been put out. Although eliminating the exposure to cigarette smoke is ideal, for those who wish to extend the health benefits associated with UV clarifiers, car ionizers are extremely beneficial. This form of ionic air cleaner utilizes similar technology to that used in home-based UV clarifiers to greatly reduce pollutants and auto exhaust particulates. By simply plugging a car ionizer into your vehicle's lighter receptacle, it goes to work cleaning your car air from airborne impurities such as road exhaust, particles, dust, smoke, mold, pollen, and other allergens.

Despite significant efforts of national health organizations as well as new laws being enacted, tobacco use continues. While the best solution is to avoid smoke, this avenue is not always possible, as most of us at least encounter secondhand smoke on an occasional basis. Whether you are a smoker or not, using a UV air purification system provides tremendous health benefits, ensuring that you breathe clean and healthy air.