Nancy online Ann Landers  

N. Ann Spires

Allergy and Natural Products

I live and work in Valley, NE. USA. I have had allergies and chemical sensitivities most of my life, the asthma has developed during my adult years, and this year I was diagnosed with Vocal Chord Dysfunction. Vocal Chord Dysfunction, can be mistaken by healthcare professionals as an asthma attack.

I have 3 adult children, 2 of which have inherited my illnesses. So I have experience dealing with these issues as an adult and with children. My mother also had allergies, so this has been a "family illness".

As my allergies became more pronounced I began to discover that chemicals played a role in how I felt from day to day. I soon discovered that most cleaning agents and personal care products were causing problems. I began to search for healthier more natural ways to manage my day to day needs. I soon discovered natural products in my own cupboard such as vinegar and baking soda could be used to clean my house and these items also work well in different capacities for oral and personal hygiene. The deciding factor was when I was prescribed a nebulizer and told that to clean it I would need to use vinegar and water. That’s it vinegar and water! I was told “regular” cleaning products were not good for my lungs!

In addition to these I found companies such as Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc which makes the Free and Clear lines, (shampoos, conditioners) and Kiss My Face, (we carry this line on our site, www.allergynaturalproducts.com) who make various shampoos, lotions, shaves, and other personal care products. I also use Restore Cleaners and Seventh Generation Cleaners. These are just a few of the products out there.

For many years I worked for other companies in various business capacities, I have a degree from Bellevue University. I've been an insurance agent, a fraud analyst, and have owned several businesses. It became evident that working side by side with co-workers who had animal dander, perfumes, and being exposed to workplace chemicals was causing many of my symptoms. I finally quit my "outside" job and became self employed (once again).

A year ago I founded Allergy and Natural Products. With my experiences with allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivity, I knew that I could take both my personal and professional skills and make a difference in the lives of people who are affected by these diseases.

When I would take with people and mention my allergies/asthma, I would often times get a story about their experiences as well. We would learn from each other.

Because of my illnesses I have to stay away from crowds, I have discovered some great social support sites, Disaboom.com, MyAllergyNetwork.com, and Dailystrength.org, these are just a few. I also have found a way to professionally network without have to spend a lot of time in face-to-face meetings. Ryze.com is a great social networking website for this purpose.

To keep current on trends in the Personal Care and Cleaning product arena I have found that Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org is a great resource if you’re not sure about a product. They have a lot of information about scientific reports, FDA regulations, and various companies.

This conversation could not be complete without mentioning the need to eat right and exercise. Because I am so sensitive and allergic to many substances I find that I have to watch my diet. I am not allergic to any particular foods, but I have found that certain foods and in particular certain food preservatives can cause problems. There are certain restaurants that we have to either avoid or watch what we order from the menu.

I prefer to cook most of my food from scratch, that way I know what has gone into the finished product. Dairy sometimes is a problem. Being aware of the food “families” has also helped me stay healthier. For example Camomile (spelling) tea is not good for some people with allergies because of it’s plant family. I find that if I am not sure of a food or an over-the-counter medication that my best resource is to ask a pharmacist. I must admit I am cautious about some “natural remedies” that promise a “cure” for allergies. I was given a tea by a friend, who told me “it will help you relax”, I drank it and later that night I woke up with a serious asthma attack. It turned out that the tea contained a “Russian type of Ragweed”. Since then I have been very cautious. People with allergies need to understand that not everything “natural” is good for them. Remember: Ragweed, dust mites, molds, and many other things are all “natural”. Anytime someone recommends something to you, back it up with research before you use it.

Over the years I have found that my best ally for staying healthy and finding natural ways to deal with everything is my doctor. For example, I was having a tremendous problem with yeast infections. I discovered, with her help and a lot of trial and error that it was the soap that was causing the problem. I stopped using soap completely and either use baking soda or vinegar for bathing. She introduced me to soy milk and that helped when I was having so many stomach problems.

My allergist is the person who introduced me to how important it was to filter my indoor air to control allergens. I learned through reading various books that maintaining an indoor humidity level of approximately 50% would help to alleviate the dust mites.

I also incorporate “dust mite covers” on my pillows and mattresses. I no longer have carpets in my home or office and I have exchanged fabric drapes and window coverings for either wood or plastic. (in my opinion, hard surfaces are a must for controlling asthma and allergies).