Common Breathing Problems in Kids and How to Treat Them - Cedar
Signs And Symptoms Of Allergies
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of allergies are sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Allergies are caused by the body's immune system mistaking a normally harmless substance as something dangerous, causing an unnecessary reaction.
The substance that causes the reaction is called an allergen. Common allergens include latex, pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, insect venom, and certain foods, plants, and medications. Here's what you need to know, including when it's best to see a healthcare provider.
Design by Health
Allergies can be difficult to identify because they can have various symptoms. Some symptoms are common across different allergens, including: Allergies can cause hives, rashes, and trouble breathing in severe cases. Severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition, if not treated promptly. Some symptoms of allergies can be characteristic of the type of allergen that's triggering the reaction. The different allergens range from certain foods to medications. Food Allergy Food allergies are most common in children, but adults can also have them. It's important to know the signs of a food allergy so you can take steps to stay safe. Allergies to certain foods tend to run in families. Younger siblings are likely to be allergic to peanuts, for example, if the oldest child has a peanut allergy. You still cannot always predict if you or your child will have an allergy. Any food can cause an allergy. Around 90% of all food allergies come from: Cow's milk and other dairy products Eggs Fish Peanuts Sesame Shellfish (most commonly, crustaceans like shrimp, lobster, and crab, and less commonly, mollusks like scallops, oysters, clams, and mussels) Soy Tree nuts (e.G., almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts) Wheat Food allergy reactions can affect the gut, heart and blood vessels, lungs, or skin. Common symptoms include: A swollen tongue Frequent cough Hives (urticaria), or a rash characterized by itchy bumps called wheels Stomach cramps Vomiting Wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing These are not all the symptoms that can occur. Reactions can occur within several hours of ingestion, and many times, they occur within minutes. Everyone's reaction to a food allergy is different. It's important to see an allergist (who specializes in allergic conditions) for proper diagnosis and treatment if you think you or your child may have a food allergy. Environmental Allergy Allergens that arise from your everyday surroundings can cause environmental allergies. These include: Animal dander: This is made up of dead skin cells found in fur or feathers. Household pets like cats or dogs can be a common source of dander. Washing your pet, reducing contact, and washing your hands after petting them can help reduce symptoms. Cockroaches: These insects thrive in damp, dark places with food waste. Cockroach feces is the main allergen that can lead to allergies. Keeping an indoor space free of excess moisture and uncovered food can reduce cockroach infestations, along with hiring an exterminator if needed. Dust mites: These are microscopic bugs that live in dust. The fecal matter of dust mites contains a type of digestive protein called peptidase 1, which is the main allergen. Dust mites can travel through indoor air and trigger an allergy. Mold: Not all types of mold can lead to allergy. Some people may be allergic to certain molds found in damp indoor places such as basements, bathrooms, and around windows. Common types of mold that could trigger an allergy include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Pollen: Grass, trees, and weeds produce pollen, which can circulate in the air at varying levels throughout the seasons. You will likely have common allergy symptoms if you have an allergy to one of these. Some people may also have: Itchiness in the nose, mouth, or throat Mucus in the throat, particularly for mold allergies Nasal and sinus congestion Rash Watery or burning eyes Latex Allergy Latex, also called natural rubber latex, is a flexible material made from the sap of rubber trees known as Hevea brasiliensis. Some gloves, bandages, and other items may be made from latex. Certain proteins in natural rubber can trigger a latex allergy. An allergic reaction can happen when latex makes direct contact with your skin, is inhaled from latex particles in the air, or comes into contact with mucus membranes, like your mouth or eyes. People with allergies to latex can either have an immediate reaction or a delayed skin reaction. Common latex allergy symptoms usually include: Itching or swelling of your mouth or tongue after a dental exam involving latex gloves Itchy or swollen skin after contact with a latex bandage, gloves, condom, or vaginal diaphragm Red, swollen lips after blowing up a balloon Severe allergic reactions to latex can cause additional symptoms, such as: Hives Red, swollen, pain, or blurry vision in the eyes (eye inflammation) Runny nose and sneezing Trouble breathing Using certain products can help reduce the likelihood of latex allergies. Look for ones labeled "not made with natural rubber latex." Insect Allergy Insect allergies can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the allergic reaction and the type of insect. Insect stings contain venom, for example, which can trigger an allergy in some people. Common culprits of insect sting allergies are bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants. Bites, such as those from mosquitoes, bed bugs, and fleas, can trigger other allergies. Insect bites or stings can cause common symptoms like pain, stinging, redness, and mild swelling around the affected area. You might have more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling, and nausea if you're seriously allergic to insect stings or bites. Severe symptoms are typically more common after insect stings and are considered rare for insect bites. Medication Allergy Antibiotics, or drugs used to treat bacterial and some fungal infections, are commonly reported with drug allergies. Only about 2% of reported drug allergies at hospitals tend to be allergic reactions. Some people might develop side effects from a drug or complications from a current infection. Penicillin, a type of antibiotic, is one of the most widely reported drug allergies, with up to 10% of people claiming they're allergic. Less than 1% of the general population actually turns out to be allergic when tested. Medication allergies can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Some symptoms may include: Abdominal pain Coughing Diarrhea Hives Itching Swollen eyes or lips Trouble breathing Vomiting Allergies can be very serious and even life-threatening in some cases. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect several organs in your body. Symptoms can develop quickly and may include: Difficulty breathing Dizziness Faintness Hives Nausea Swelling of the face, tongue, and throat Wheezing Get help right away and call 911 for anaphylaxis, even if you use epinephrine. Anaphylaxis needs to be treated promptly with a shot of epinephrine, or a hormone that's also called adrenaline. This treatment is highly effective at slowing or stopping an allergic reaction and can be life-saving. You might be tempted to self-diagnose your allergy symptoms, but it's important that you see an allergist if you have any concerns. Allergists know how to best diagnose and treat allergies and can provide you with better insight into the root cause of your symptoms. Ask a healthcare provider for help if your allergies are not getting better or are worsening. Reach out to an allergist if you have sudden symptoms you can't explain or if your symptoms last more than a week for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Talk to a healthcare provider about getting epinephrine auto-injectors for a history of allergies. Allergens that more commonly lead to anaphylaxis include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish (e.G., shrimp, lobster, or crab), fish, insect stings, and latex. You can still be at risk of anaphylaxis even if you have a history of mild allergic reactions. You are at high risk of anaphylaxis if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to a known allergen. An allergist can show you how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector in case of an emergency. Common allergy signs and symptoms may include red and itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and skin rashes. More severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat or chest, and fainting, require immediate care. See a healthcare provider right away for a proper diagnosis if you experience any of these signs or symptoms after contact with a certain food, substance, or other allergen. They can also assist you with the right treatment plan.Thanks for your feedback!
My Condom Off Slipped During A Hookup. Her Reaction Only Got Worse In The Days That Followed.
How to Do It is Slate's sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. It's anonymous!
Dear How to Do It,
I (a straight male) recently started seeing a girl. We had a few great dates. Fast forward to dropping her off after the third date: We made out like crazy, and she said she wanted to invite me in but shouldn't because she wanted to take her time. I told her it was no problem, and that I'd see her soon. The next morning she invited me over for "coffee." When I got to her place, we instantly started going at it.
When the time came, I reached for my condoms and as I was putting it on, I fumbled around and said something like, "Stupid condoms." We started having sex and after we switched positions, I realized the condom had come off. I pulled out immediately! Damage control. We talked for a bit, she was very upset. I told her that I had been tested and that I didn't cum, but still, it wasn't a great feeling. So I left and for the rest of the day, she was very cold with one-word texts so I gave her some space.
The next day, she texted me about how upset she was about the incident and how I broke her boundaries. She said the comments I made about "not wanting to wear condoms" were very disrespectful and that she believed I took the condom off on purpose or knew it came off and kept going. She ended the conversation with, "I better not get an STD and I hope you never do this to anyone ever again."
I am in shock. I really like this girl and did everything I could to be great to her. I sent her my STD test results to help soothe her anxiety, apologized profusely, and told her it was an accident. I would never do anything like that. She still doesn't believe me and has basically stonewalled me. I went and got another test a few days after just for myself and then I sent them to her just for extra peace of mind. I also saw my therapist. I apologized to her again for how she was feeling and attempted to validate her feelings, but I told her it was horrible to accuse me of this. She replied that I was trying to make her feel bad. And said she couldn't trust me and that we can't have a relationship without trust.
Did I do something so wrong? It was an accident—I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Condom slippage can happen, right? Going totally nuclear on this relationship seems a little much. Also, this has emotionally devastated me. How do I get past it? I am always safe with my partners, this was just a freak accident.
—Sad
Sex advice from Rich and Stoya, plus exclusive letter follow-ups, delivered weekly.
Rich Juzwiak: I'm willing to take him at his word. I don't think if he had enacted this stealthing scheme, writing into an advice column would be part of the scheme unless it's to send that to her. Condom slippage does happen.
Jessica Stoya: I'm also willing to take him at his word, but there are still several medium-sized points that need to be tackled.
First, I don't think he did anything so wrong by saying something like, "Stupid condoms," in a moment of frustration when trying to roll the condom on. I also don't think he did something wrong by being the person with the penis that the condom was on when condom slippage happened.
Rich: Right. It seems like he notified her as soon as he realized it.
Jessica: Yes. Stopped, pulled out, told her. Another good thing that he did was go and get another test a few days later. If he's doing that for his own peace of mind, I would basically tell a doctor what happened and hear from them about any incubation periods for STIs he should keep in mind. If you have a condom slippage oopsie and wait a couple of days, you might not actually know if you acquired anything during the slippage. You have to wait a bit longer depending on what test and what specific STI you're looking for.
Rich: Yes. I can hardly blame a person for being vigilant about stealthing or matters of consent in general. He seems to have chosen a very sensitive partner about this stuff. Personally speaking, her reaction, her unwillingness to be reasonable or to hear him out or to believe his story at all, is a red flag for me. She's entitled to her emotional reaction and life, but she's showing very early on that she's not interested in your narrative, no matter how conceivable it is.
Jessica: The logical side of my brain absolutely agrees with you. I also find myself thinking, "Look, if she wants to go nuclear, that's her right. If she wants to go nuclear after three dates, that's her right. If she wants to go nuclear after a year, that's her right." Our writer should internalize that going nuclear after three dates is part of who this girl that he "really likes" is and maybe recalibrate how good of a fit he thinks she is for him.
The emotional part of my brain is saying, "Let's step into this woman's shoes." Have you seen the meme about how being a straight woman is wild because you're in a position of having to date your only natural predator?
Rich: No, but good point.
Jessica: It really hits home. Whether you've had negative experiences yourself in the lifetime leading up to going nuclear on a third date because of a condom slipping off, or you're only hearing about them from female friends, the news, or TV shows, there have been a lot of messages about this sort of thing in the past decade and it is good that we're having these conversations. But there are a lot of messages saying that men are terrifying because some of them really are terrifying and the terrifying ones seem to get around a lot.
Personally, I don't believe that 80 percent of men are terrifying. I think it's more like 15 percent of men are terrifying and they manage to do so much damage to so many different people that it can feel like it's 80 percent.
Rich: Yeah.
Jessica: So there's this push and pull of wanting to engage in this relationship or this sexual interaction. But also feeling like your brain is full of all the reasons that you are putting yourself potentially in harm's way or are taking your life and putting it in a stranger's hands. That might be where she's coming from. And if you're coming from that position and the guy grumbles something about condoms and then says, "The condom fell off" you might react to it. Because "Oops, the condom fell off, but we should keep going," is absolutely a move that some men do.
Rich: Right.
Jessica: They'll say something like, "Well, my dick has already been in you uncovered, so what's the harm if we keep going?" So it makes sense that she might be on high alert in this situation. It does not mean that our writer did something horrible that is in the realm of sexual assault. But it does mean that it's worth having some empathy for where she might be coming from.
Rich: Yeah. She's extremely sensitive about this. It might not be the first time it happened. She might have dealt with actual stealthing before. My logical brain says, "Even if her reaction is outsized, that she's having that reaction makes sense to me. She's living in this world."
But it's early on and she's showing a lot of herself in this process, as is he. It's a matter of do you like what you see. Do you think that you could deal with regular nuclear explosions? Because maybe this is a particularly sensitive issue for her, or maybe she just goes nuclear when she gets upset. That's how some people react.
Generally speaking, certainly, when I was younger, the minute drama surfaced before we had said, "I love you," I'd back away. I didn't want to deal with their swirling emotions when we hadn't even committed to each other yet. That's just my thing.
Jessica: I don't think the choice is there to make. She has basically stonewalled him, she has told him that they can't have a relationship without trust, and the trust is not there. Those seem very clear signals that she wants to be left alone.
This does not mean send her a text message saying, "I'm giving you space." This means just leave her alone. I get the impression that both of these people are pretty young. I can absolutely see how a young man might not be able to read between the lines, and a young woman might not know to be as direct as, "I do not want to hear from you ever, ever again. Please stop contacting me." Even at 37, it still feels cruel to say to someone, "I never want to hear from you again. Please stop contacting me."
Rich: Yes.
Jessica: But often with men my age, I have to get to that point. It's just an unfortunate miscommunication that can happen. But also for our letter writer's sake, her position is that she thinks she's been stealthed, which is illegal in a lot of places. If he continues to accidentally push her boundaries by sending apologies and STI test results, she might actually go really nuclear and call the authorities. This is beyond just a case of two—presumably kids—needing to separate and cool off and find different partners. It could be more serious if he keeps pushing it.
Rich: Right. I wonder what happens in a case like that. I haven't followed any stealthing cases from beginning to end. Either way, you won't want to put yourself up to the mercy of the legal system.
Jessica: Especially when all you have to do is not pursue a relationship that does not seem like it's going to work out with a woman who does not seem interested. This isn't like they dated for a year, and are completely in love, right?
Rich: Yeah. They don't live together and are enmeshed. You can take this as a dodged bullet. I think a way to get over somebody that you went on three dates and had what turned out to be bad sex with is just to find somebody else to do that with. Go about your life knowing that if what happened is exactly as you reported it, you're not a bad person. Condoms do slip, condoms fail. This is part of what makes condoms less than 100 percent effective. Literally, a malfunction is usually what does it.
Jessica: I would also like to spend a bit of time on proper condom use. It's got to be rolled down to the base of the penis. Some people—almost every man I know—have gone through a period in their life where they were certain they have an average-size dick, and so they need the standard-size condom. But then some of those men have problems performing with a condom because the condom is too small, and then I've found myself in this bizarre position of trying to convince them that yes, you have a larger-than-average penis. Some men are a little more narrow than the standard condom is meant for, and that can increase condom slippage.
So have a real moment of honesty with yourself and your dick and consider whether the condom needs to be a little tighter or not. Also, if the penis goes soft, then the condom has a higher chance of slipping off as well. Several little finer points don't get taught in the condom-on-a-banana scenario that can possibly prevent this from recurring or lessen the chances of it recurring. But at the end of the day, it does happen sometimes.
Rich: I've experienced it occasionally when I get to the point where I'm going to cum and then I stop and I cum a little, but I can still go. When that has happened, the cum in the condom has made it slip off. If you leak a lot of pre-cum or if you cum a little bit, or certainly, if you cum completely, take it off and use a new one. Because the more moisture and wetness that you have in there, the more it can easily slip off.
More Advice From Slate
I'm a 32-year-old straight woman. I have never had sex. I don't frequently masturbate, but when I do, it's AWESOME. I'm cool with having an apparently low sex drive. But I want to have sex. I know what makes me feel good, I've discovered a couple of kinks, and I know what my absolute Do Not Want areas are. The thing is, the area I live in doesn't have the best choices for casual sex.
What Are The Side Effects Of Birth Control?
Medically reviewed by Lindsay Cook, PharmD
There are various ways to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms, diaphragms, and hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control is a type of birth control that contains either the hormones estrogen and progestin or progestin alone.
There are several types of hormonal birth control, including oral contraceptives (commonly known as birth control pills), injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), vaginal rings, implants, and skin patches. As with any medication, there are potential side effects associated with hormonal birth control, such as headache, nausea, breast soreness, vaginal yeast infections, mood swings, and spotting between periods.
Of note, hormonal birth control is very effective in preventing pregnancy, but it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and others.
This article discusses the side effects of the various types of hormonal birth control.
Getty ImagesPeter Dazeley
What Are the Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control?People who take hormonal birth control may experience some side effects. Side effects can vary from person to person and based on the type of birth control. General side effects may include:
There is a small risk of blood clots. People who are over 40 years old, who smoke, are very overweight, or have a family history of clotting may have a higher risk of blood clots.
Birth Control PillsBirth control pills are 99% effective with perfect use, which means that you take your pill every day around the same time each day and do not skip pills. Given that people generally do not take their pills perfectly, the actual effectiveness tends to be around 93%. So, about 7 out of 100 people who take birth control pills get pregnant each year. Birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin hormones (combination birth control pills) or a progestin hormone alone (often referred to as the minipill).
Common side effects of birth control pills include:
Changes in bleeding (unpredictable bleeding, spotting, or shorter cycles; some people experience no bleeding at all)
Headaches
Nausea
Breast tenderness
Side effects tend to start when you start taking birth control and tend to go away after a few months.
Injectable Birth ControlDepo Provera is an injectable birth control. It contains a progestin hormone. A healthcare provider administers this birth control every three months. It is more than 99% effective with perfect use or when a person gets the shot on time. With actual use, it is about 96% effective. Common side effects of Depo Provera, which tend to go away after a few months, include:
Changes in your periods, especially in the first year (bleeding more, spotting, or not getting your period)
Nausea
Weight gain
Headaches
Breast soreness
Depression
Slight bruising at the injection site
Nexplanon is a birth control implant, a tiny rod that releases a progestin hormone into your body. It protects against pregnancy for up to five years. It is over 99% effective as a method of birth control. The most common side effects include:
Changes in bleeding
Headache
Weight gain
Acne
Breast pain
Stomach pain
Sore throat
An intrauterine device (IUD) is inserted by a healthcare provider and is over 99% effective. There are several types of IUDs available. The copper IUD is a nonhormonal type of birth control, but the other types of IUDs are hormonal, including:
Mirena: prevents pregnancy for up to eight years
Liletta: prevents pregnancy for up to eight years
Kyleena: prevents pregnancy for up to five years
Skyla: prevents pregnancy for up to three years
Common side effects of IUDs generally last three to six months and may include:
Lighter periods (some people stop getting their periods)
Spotting
Irregular periods
Pain when the IUD is inserted, along with back pain and/or cramping for several days after the procedure
A vaginal ring, such as Nuvaring or Annovera, is a flexible plastic ring that is inserted into the vagina. Estrogen and progestin hormones are slowly absorbed into the body to prevent pregnancy. Used perfectly, a vaginal ring is about 99% effective, but real-life use makes it about 93% effective. Common side effects, which generally last up to three months, include:
Headache
Nausea
Sore breasts
Changes in periods (early, late, or stopping)
Spotting
Increased vaginal wetness
Birth control skin patches, such as Xulane or Twirla, contain both estrogen and progestin hormones. They are similar to the pill in terms of how effective they are in pregnancy prevention. Common side effects, which tend to go away after a few months, include:
Headache
Nausea
Breast soreness
Changes in periods (early, late, or stopping)
Spotting
Skin reactions where the patch is applied, such as itching, dry skin, pain, swelling, or rash)
Each form of hormonal birth control may have some slight variations in benefits and risks. You should always consult your healthcare provider for professional medical advice regarding your medical conditions and treatment, as they can weigh the benefits vs risks of any type of birth control for your specific medical history. Although there are some benefits of combination hormonal birth control, such as lower risk of ovarian, endometrial (uterine), and colorectal cancer, some examples of general risks associated with combination hormonal birth control include:
There is a slightly increased risk of blood clots in those who take a combination estrogen and progestin birth control;however, other factors can contribute to risk, such as age, weight, and family history. Progestin-only types of birth control do not increase the risk of blood clots.
Possible increased risk of breast cancer. Studies have found that progestin-only birth control may also increase breast cancer risk.
Possible increased risk of cervical cancer.
Consult your healthcare provider for more information about the benefits and risks of hormonal birth control.
Who Should Not Use Hormonal Birth Control?Hormonal birth control is not safe for everyone. You should always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice regarding the safety of hormonal birth control for you. Some examples of people who should not take birth control pills include those who:
Are 35 years or older and smoke cigarettes
May be pregnant
Have a history of blood clots or stroke
Have a history of an estrogen-dependent tumor, such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
Have abnormal or unexplained menstrual bleeding
Have liver problems
Experience migraine associated with visual or neurologic symptoms like aura
People with other conditions, such as high blood pressure, epilepsy (seizures), or diabetes, should check with their healthcare provider for medical advice.
Other Methods of Birth ControlThe following lists some additional types of birth control that are not hormonal. You should always discuss the pros and cons of each type of birth control with your healthcare provider.
Condoms: Condoms are very effective in preventing certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. They are less effective in preventing STIs that can be transmitted through cuts or sores, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes, and syphilis. External condoms are worn over the penis. Latex condoms provide the best protection. Note that lambskin condoms contain small holes and do not protect against STIs. An internal condom, sometimes called the female condom, can be inserted into the vagina or anus during intercourse.
Copper IUD (Paragard): A healthcare professional must insert the copper IUD. It can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years, but it does not protect against STIs.
Diaphragm: A silicone device that covers the cervix. It can be inserted up to two hours before sex and must stay in place for at least six hours (but no longer than 24 hours) after sex. It does not protect against STIs.
Cervical cap: A small silicone cup covering the cervix. It can be inserted several hours before sex and must stay in place at least six hours after sex but no longer than 24 hours after sex or for more than 48 hours total. The cervical cap does not prevent STIs.
Spermicides: Contain chemicals to prevent pregnancy. They must be used along with another type of birth control, such as condoms. Spermicides are not effective enough on their own to prevent pregnancy. They do not prevent STIs.
Phexxi: A vaginal gel that prevents pregnancy. A prefilled single-dose applicator must be inserted vaginally just before (or up to one hour before) each episode of vaginal intercourse. Phexxi does not prevent STIs.
Abstinence: This means not having sex. This is the most effective way of preventing pregnancy and STIs.
Withdrawal: Often referred to as "pulling out," this is when the penis is removed from the vagina before ejaculation. It is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy, and it does not prevent STIs.
Tubal ligation: This surgical procedure, which can be done in women, is often referred to as "getting your tubes tied" and is a permanent form of birth control. It does not prevent STIs.
Vasectomy: A surgical procedure that can be done in men and is a permanent form of birth control in men. It does not prevent STIs.
Hormonal birth control contains estrogen and progestin hormones or progestin alone. Common side effects may include changes in bleeding, spotting, headache, nausea, and breast tenderness. Often, these side effects lessen or go away as you continue with your treatment. Consult your healthcare provider for more information about hormonal birth control.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
View comments
Comments
Post a Comment