Q: I have a thick, corny allergy on my palms since a month. It itches a lot and is painful. I get some relief when I heat my hands over the gas or pat them with very hot water. It may have started when I wore a new gold ring in my middle finger after which I felt itchy and removed it later. The allergy started with my finger and spread to my palm, and later to my right hand. I visited several specialists but have not got much relief. Whenever the skin on my palm touches water, it starts burning unbearably. Kindly suggest what can I do to get rid of this allergy.

Answered by our expert Dr Kiran Lohia, MD.

It sounds as if you have an allergy or irritant dermatitis on your hands. Please avoid exposing your hands to the gas or hot water as this may ultimately exacerbate the condition. You must identify the cause factor of this irritation. Do you wash your hands very often? Do you wash the clothes in the house? Are your hands exposed to detergents, chemicals or soaps? These are all possible factors of your problem. Go to your dermatologist for treatment and in the meantime don’t wear any jewellery, and avoid all soaps/detergents/chemicals on your hands. Reduce your hand washing, and when you do wash your hands, only use liquids designed for dry skin like Dermave nourishing wash. If you absolutely must do the housework, then wear rubber gloves and tie a rubber band around the top so no water can get in.

Tired of reading? Check out our YouTube Channel 

Garlic has a variety of potent sulphur-containing compounds which are the reason for its characteristic pungent odour. Allicin, the vital compound among them, is known to have great anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties. The benefits of allicin can be best garnered when it’s finely chopped, minced or pureed and let sit for some time. Garlic is also a reliable source of selenium. Allicin, along with other compounds like ajoene, alliin, etc. found in them also have an effect on the circulatory, digestive and immunological systems of our body and help in lowering blood pressure, detoxification, healing, etc.

Here are 15 health benefits of garlic:

Antibacterial and Antiviral

Garlic is most well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections. Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc.

To treat skin infections

The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot.

Blood thinning

The anti-clotting properties of ajoene found in garlic help in preventing the formation of blood clots in the body. Hence, it may also increase the risk of bleeding after surgery.

Reduce blood pressure

Angiotensin II is a protein that helps our blood vessels contract thereby increasing the blood pressure. Allicin in garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin II and helps in reducing blood pressure. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by the red blood cells. Hydrogen sulphide dilates our blood vessels and helps control blood pressure.

Protect heart

Garlic protects our heart against cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This cardio-protective property can be attributed to various factors. With age, the arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch. Garlic may help reduce this and may also protect the heart from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals. The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The anti-clotting properties of ajoene help prevent clots from forming inside the blood vessels.

Reduce cholesterol

Garlic has the ability to moderately lower our blood triglycerides and total cholesterol and reduce arterial plaque formation.

Combat allergies

Garlic is known to have anti-inflammatory property. It can help the body fight against allergies. The anti-arthritic property of garlic is due to diallyl sulphide and thiacremonone.  Garlic has been show to improve allergic airway inflammation (allergic rhinitis). Raw garlic juice may be used to immediately stop the itching due to rashes and bug bites.

Remedy for respiratory problems

Daily use of garlic might reduce the frequency and number of colds. Its antibacterial properties help in treating throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections. Its benefits in disorders of the lungs like asthma, difficulty of breathing, etc. make it a priceless medicine.  Its ability to promote expectoration makes it irreplaceable in chronic bronchitis.

Diabetes

Garlic increases insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Effective against warts and corns

Applying fat dissolving garlic extracts to corns on the feet and warts on the hands is thought to improve these conditions.

Cancer prevention

Daily intake of garlic has been found to lower risk of most types of cancer. This anti-cancer property is due to allyl sulphides found in garlic. PhIP, a type of heterocyclic amine (HCA), has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer among women. According to studies, diallyl sulphide found in garlic inhibits the transformation of PhIP into carcinogens.

Improve iron metabolism

Ferroportin is a protein which helps in iron absorption and release. Diallyl sulphides in garlic increase production of ferroportin and help improve iron metabolism.

Stir up passions

Garlic’s aphrodisiac property is due to its ability to increase the circulation.

Toothaches

Simply put some crushed garlic clove directly on the affected tooth can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic properties. But be aware that it can be irritating to the gum.

Reduce weight

Many researchers believe that obesity is a state of long-term low-grade inflammation. According to recent research, garlic may help to regulate the formation of fat cells in our body. Pre-adipocytes are converted into fat cells (adipocytes) through inflammatory system activity. The anti-inflammatory property of 1, 2-DT (1, 2-vinyldithiin) found in garlic may help inhibit this conversion. This may help prevent weight gain.

Photo source: www.sciencedaily.com

For the study, Henry Ford researchers sought to evaluate the role of early exposure to allergens and how this exposure affects the association between C-section and the development of IgE. Researchers enrolled 1,258 newborns from 2003-2007, and evaluated them at four age intervals – one month, six months, one year and two years.  Data was collected from the baby’s umbilical cord and stool, blood samples from the baby’s mother and father, breast milk and household dust. The study was presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Antonio.

What is a caesarean section?. Check out the symptoms of asthma on our symptom search page. 

Source: IANS

‘Whenever possible, one should avoid using hot air blowers, because they dry the surrounding air and can lead to respiratory problems,’ Sandeep Budhiraj, director of Internal Medicine at Max hospital, told IANS. With the onset of the bitter winter, cases of respiratory problems, eye infections, skin allergies, pneumonia and the likes have increased by almost three times, he added.

‘Apart from the common cold and cough, allergies are common in winter. The dryness, which is further enhanced by heaters and blowers, could sometimes lead to irritation in the eyes and the skin. In the eyes, it may then lead to conjunctivitis, while the skin can become itchy, and then develop an allergy,’ Budhiraj said. While keeping off heaters may not be possible, given the severe cold conditions, he advised that a mug of water can be kept near the heater so that the humidity level of the room is maintained. ‘There are oil heaters and those with humidifiers that are also effective’.

Low intake of water during winter may also lead to problems. ‘One tends to drink less water in winter, but at the same time the intake of hot beverages like tea or coffee increases. This often leads to dehydration of the body, making your immune system vulnerable to illnesses,’ Ashwini Gokhale, a physician, said. ‘So even if your body is not screaming of thirst, one must replenish oneself with a glass of water regularly,’ she added.

While caution should be practised by all, it’s especially important for the very young, the elderly and those with respiratory problems. Cardiac patients too should be careful as the risk of coronary ailments increase with the dipping temperatures. ‘As winter sets in, we see a rising number of cases of heart attack and other coronary artery diseases and this is a trend every year. This is because viscosity of blood increases when temperatures drop. Therefore those with cardiac problems should be careful around this time,’ Vikas Ahluwalia, senior consultant of internal medicine in a multi-speciality hospital in Delhi, told IANS.

He also advised diabetics and those with hypertension to take extra caution. ‘Diabetics, those with hypertension and heart ailments should take care to keep their blood pressure under control. Food habits also change during winter, and we often tend to eat food with high calorie and high sugar content. So care should be taken on that front,’ the doctor added. Budhiraj further said that allergies because of dust and pollen also increase during winter. Coupled with the heavy smog, cities like Delhi are heavily hit.

Precautionary measures, like keeping the house dust-free, as also the curtains and shades, vacuuming the carpet once or twice a week and keeping your pets clean should be practised. ‘Most of the house allergens are inhaled during house cleaning. So cover your nose and mouth and preferably wearing a pair of gloves is advised,’ Gokhale added.

Source: IANS

Experts stressed the need for better testing and further training of pediatricians and allergists to help fight the growing health problems caused by allergy such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic skin diseases.

There is also a small, but growing problem of Indian foods causing allergy. With growing exports of Indian food products, the demand for more data to consumers has also grown. The experts have suggested allergen-specific tests for Indian foods and advocated a policy on labeling food products. 

‘The experts emphasised the need for additional data and labelling policies which are considered essential to enable consumers and exporters of Indian food and packaged products to take informed decisions,’ the organisers said.

Up to 30-40 per cent of the world’s population are now affected by some form of allergy. Over the past 20 years food allergies have raised sharply with 1-2 per cent of adults and 4-6 per cent of children thought to be affected. According to a new study, chemicals called dichlorophenols in water are linked to the huge rise in food allergies. These chemicals have anti-bacterial properties which may affect the microflora in the gut that protect against food allergies, the study suggests.

Related article: Beware of food allergies!

One of the most important points is to identify if what you have is a food allergy or intolerance. Food intolerance occurs due to the inability to digest or process certain substances (eg: Lactose intolerance or intolerance to protein in the milk) while food allergy is a more pronounced reaction mediated by our immune system. Symptoms of food allergy may range from difficulty in breathing, reduced blood pressure, a feeling of choking in the throat, unconsciousness which may even progress to what is called ‘anaphylactic shock’.

Though food allergies may be identified at any age since people are exposed to new ingredients all the time, most true allergies are identified during childhood. Some of the more common allergens include peanuts (mungfali), fish, certain other nuts like walnuts, almonds, milk, soyabeans, MSG (or monosodium glutamate used in chinese food) and wheat. When you’re buying any new food items or from a brand you’ve not used yet, check the labels carefully for ingredients you are known to be allergic to. If there are no labels, avoid buying the product.

 Recent research also shows that allergy instances may be on the rise due to dicholorphenol containing pesticides and other chemicals used to treat vegetables and fruits by farmers. These chemicals also find their way into our water. While washing fruits and vegetables and cooking in bottled water may be safe, it isn’t a practical solution.

A lot of food items like Indian sweets, oil, ghee etc especially during festival times may be adulterated with ingredients which may cause allergic reactions. While preparing sweets at home might be the best solution, it is wise to buy these from reputed brands. Avoid sweets that are very brightly coloured as the food dyes added may act as allergens. And do look out for the ISI or the AGMARK certification while buying spices. 

When your child is trying any new food item, be careful and keep an eye on him/her for any untoward symptoms. You should also know that a person allergic to one food item may have allergic reactions to other food in the same group. For eg: If someone is allergic to milk, he may also be allergic to butter, cheese and other milk products.

Once you suspect allergies to food, keep a food diary and note down each item you eat throughout the day. Find a good allergy specialist/allergist/immunologist without much delay. Be safe, be allergy-free!

In December this year, India will for the first time play host to over 90 top specialists from 30 countries at an international conference in Hyderabad that will see them deliver lectures, hold public forums and awareness camps and discussions on how to bring about more focus on the issue. Dr Ruby Pawankar, President of the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), the first woman and the first Indian to hold this position, says allergies are part of chronic non-communicable diseases and is a huge issue, even in developing countries.

In India to lay the ground for the international conference to be held from December 6 to 9, the Tokyo-based Pawankar says it is high time allergy as a disorder develops into a super speciality discipline. “As many as 250,000 people die of asthma every year. And asthma is only one form of allergy of the respiratory tract. Skin allergies are rampant, and there are 200 million cases of food allergies. Besides developing it into a separate medial discipline, a number of policy initiatives are also required,” she said.

 Allergies can simply be defined as abnormal reactions to normally harmless substances. They can range from minor irritants such as sneezing and itching, to major problems such as asthma and even fatal reactions like anaphylaxis in some cases. Even as the incidence of such problems increases in countries such as India, there is little research or data evidence collection to gauge its real burden and magnitude. The World Allergy Organisation (WAO), which started six decades back, was a less pro-active organisation in the first few decades of its existence. However, over the past 15 to 20 years, it has consciously become more active in the fields of advocacy, training, research and awareness creation.

Cardio + Strength training?

It’s a great form of cardio because while jogging or running just engages the lower body, swimming targets almost every muscle in the body at the same time. The heart pumps more blood, the lungs work harder when you breathe between strokes and other moving muscles like your biceps, triceps, thighs and calf muscles are all called into action. Also the water provides natural resistance to your body. The faster you swim the more resistance your muscles are subjected to resulting in muscle development without putting undue pressure on your joints that strength training might provide.

How often should one swim?

Swimming twice a week is good enough for starters and the amount of time or distance you cover doesn’t really matter. It all depends with how comfortable you are. Like any other physical activity, once your body gets used to it you should up the ante. If you’re comfortable swimming for half an hour, increase your duration. Or you could try covering more distance in the same amount of time.

 What are the different strokes?

 There are basically four different strokes – breast, freestyle, back and butterfly.

1. Breast stroke: It is the easiest and often the first stroke taught to beginners It helps beginners overcome underwater breathing issues.

2.  Freestyle or Front Crawl stroke: It is the most widely used technique as it is the fastest swimming stroke where your body is flat and your face is down. Every two or three strokes you need to look away to breathe and look down again to gain speed with your legs kicking the water as you use your arms and cup your palms to gain maximum speed off the water.

3.  The Back Crawl or the Backstroke: It is a therapeutic technique which is advisable for people with back injuries. You lie flat on your back and kick the water while your arms go towards your head and move your body in the water.

4.  The Butterfly Stroke: It is the hardest swimming stroke possible. To master this stroke you push your body in and out of the water facing down till you need to breathe and then start this motion all over again. This technique requires experience and takes time to master.

Who should avoid swimming?

People with cardiovascular problems need to be careful. Studies have also shown that people who suffer from asthma, allergic rhinitis and other sorts of allergies should be vigilant particularly because of the high chlorine content in most swimming pools. It is also known to increase the risk of sinusitis and sore throat. If you have a back injury it’s a good idea to stick to the backstroke. This particular stroke relaxes the back muscles and causes relief by gently exercising the stiffened back muscles.

How important is a coach?

If you have to learn swimming from scratch then a coach is required to teach you the proper technique. He/she also doubles as a lifeguard and can judge whether you’re ready for the deep-end or not.

Are there any precautions to keep in mind?

It’s important to not swim right after eating. One should ideally do some light exercises before jumping into the pool. Drink lots of water before you swim to avoid dehydration which can cause cramps in your legs. Beginners should ideally have a coach or only swim when there are lifeguards around. To keep the chlorine at bay you can use eye goggles and swimming caps.

Should pregnant women avoid swimming?

While swimming is a very good form of exercise for pregnant women, one should consult a doc before jumping into the pool. Many research studies have been conducted on the subject and they show that swimming causes no risk to the mother or the baby. The water, chlorine and bacteria have no negative effects on the growth of the foetus. However, mothers-to-be should avoid the sauna or a hot tub.

Can swimming affect my skin and hair?

Yes. The chlorine in the water may contain some copper which can leave your hair with a slight greenish tinge. There are various swimming shampoos one can use to get rid of the copper residue. It can also make your hair dry and brittle. To avoid this wear a bathing cap and wash your hair with a conditioner afterwards. Chlorine affects your skin as well. That’s why it’s very important to take a shower after swimming. Apply a thin layer of skin cream to replenish the moisture on your skin. Drinking lots of water before and after swimming also helps. If you swim in a natural water body or in an uncovered pool then you should apply some waterproof sunscreen about half an hour before you start swimming.

Are there any health risks?

However, if you have injuries particularly open wounds, they may take longer to heal. Prolonged exposure can also cause temporary wrinkling of the skin. Failure to wipe between your toes can result in athlete’s foot, a fungal infection caused by the excessive moisture. Excessive chlorine amounts can cause temporary irritation in your eyes and hardening of your hair strands. Less chlorine might result in the growth of germs that may be ingested and cause digestive problems.

Just keep the precautions we have mentioned in mind and you’re good to go.

Monsoon though a pleasant time of the year can play havoc with your body. Here are some dos and don’t that you need to keep in mind. 

Dos:

• Go for green leafy vegetables
• Properly wash fruits and vegetables
• Eat barley, brown rice and oats
• Add garlic to soups, stir-fries and curries
•  Avoid milk, have curd
• Drink more water 
• Use anti-bacterial soap and face wash
•  Use talcum powder to keep skin dry

Don’ts: 

• No oily food, street food or spicy food
• No watermelons or muskmelons
•  Not too much of mangoes
• Intake of dairy products should not be high
• Don’t ignore skin problems and allergies as this could be a sign of dengue

Source: IANS

“Humidity levels are high during the monsoon because of which the capability of the body to digest is at its lowest. Digestion is generally weak. Therefore, avoid heavy and oily food during the monsoon season as it can lead to an upset stomach,” Samaddar told IANS.  Experts say besides avoiding oily food, one should also keep away from street food.

Greater intake of green leafy vegetables builds immunity and is light on the stomach. But most vegetables and fruits also carry the risk of infection and, therefore, should be washed properly before use. Fruits are the ideal food as they restore energy. But avoid watermelons and muskmelons and opt for mangoes, apples, pomegranates and pears, among others, experts say.

But excess of anything is harmful. Gorging too much on mangoes can lead to pimples, says nutritionist Rashmi Channana. ”Mangoes are not the only reason you get pimples and boils. This is also caused by the change of weather. But if mangoes are consumed in excess, then it can lead to pimples and boils,” Channana told IANS.

Foods such as barley, brown rice and oats are the stomach’s best friend during the monsoon season. If a dash of garlic is added to soups, stir fries and curries, it also helps building the body’s immunity. The intake of dairy products should not be high as they have maximum propensity to get infected by germs.

Milk, said to be a complete diet, is not advised during the monsoon season. Instead one can go for curd, says Nidhi Yadav, head (Clinical Nutrition), Fortis Healthcare. ”One should have yogurt instead of milk and should add almonds to the diet. Also drink boiled and purified water during these days,” she added. The damp and humid weather leads to fungal and bacterial infection too. Medical practitioner Veena Sehgal warns against ignoring it as that could be an indication of dengue.

“People who face skin allergies during monsoon should not eat spicy food because spicy food stimulates the circulation and raises body temperature, which leads to skin irritation, allergies and diseases. If the problem persists, one should immediately go for a blood test,” said Sehgal.

A lot of skin problems erupt due to humidity. The skin gets oily and is prone to bacterial infections. Other problems such as pyodera, boils, change in skin colour dullness, rashes and patchy skin also arise. To avoid these skin expert Anil Kumar Chopra advises: “Drink more water during this season to quickly overcome skin problems.” ”Use anti-bacterial soaps and face wash and talcum to keep your skin dry,” he adds.

Monsoon health guide: Dos and Don’ts

Source: IANS