Symptoms of asthma Will cause, Signs and Cure

Symptoms of asthma Will cause,mbt schuhe günstig, Signs and Cure

What exactly is Symptoms of asthma? Asthma is often a continual, inflamation condition in the respiratory system air-passage. Asthma attack is pretty a typical trouble impacting numerous people in your land : age staying absolutely no tavern.

What goes on throughout a good asthma attack strike? The lining walls from the air passages grow to be slim and swollen. That they bloat up and acquire full of liquid along with mucus cells. Obstruction is even more due to shrinking associated with muscle groups in which are around the airways. This example is known as bronchospasm. In a few people who have bronchial asthma, your mucous glands within the air passage produce heavy mucus large quantities,mbt schuhe, further preventing the particular airways.

Several frequent warning signs contain:

* Coughing * this specific frequently worsens at night as well as at the start of the actual morning hours. * Wheezing : inhaling and exhaling having a squeaky appear is actually great problems. * Difficulty breathing : due to too little way to obtain oxygen * Fast and/or raucous inhaling as well as panting.

Other indications of asthma consist of:

- Sneezing * Moodiness – Frustration * Stuffy and impeded nose * Chin/ can range f awareness as well as itchiness * Feeling of low energy * Trouble throughout slumbering

Symptoms change from one individual to another,christian louboutin soldes, and they also fluctuate inside severity individually. Often signs or symptoms could be thus critical they turn into life-threatening.

Distinct tests utilized to diagnose bronchial asthma:

Various lung lung assessments which might be carried out inside checking out asthma attack. A lot of them consist of:

* Bronchial provocation analyze * Program lung purpose check * Exercise brought on bronchoconstriction examination * Allergic reaction intradermal epidermis examination – though hypersensitivity assessments are not accustomed to detect asthma,christian louboutin soldes, they are able to assist discover ingredients which may be creating or even deteriorating bronchial asthma. * Sensitivity prick pores and skin examination * to spot the actual reasons for sneezing * Bone thickness check * Bone tissue have a look at * CT check regarding sinuses * Physical exercise building up a tolerance examination

What are the factors behind asthma?

It is sometimes complicated to conclude about what brings about asthma attack. We are able to usually point out that an individual is prone to symptoms of asthma if-

* you will find there’s family history of asthma,billige MBT Schuhe, meals or perhaps any type of allergy. * many areas of modern lifestyles * such as alterations diet regime,mbt schuhe, encircling atmosphere,Christian Louboutin Pas Cher, pets keeping a similar property. * smoking cigarettes when pregnant substantially boosts the chance of the youngster creating asthma attack * youngsters as their mom and dad smoke will create symptoms of asthma ultimately * polluting the environment can make symptoms of asthma signs more serious * asthma can also acquire after having a viral disease or any other form of disease. * toxic irritants as well as activates bought at home as well as business office can result in a person establishing bronchial asthma.

Symptoms of asthma is actually controlled, becoming clinically determined to have asthma attack doesn’t imply that you simply cease dwelling a wholesome and also normal existence.

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All About Asthma, Symptoms And Its Proper Medications

By Edward Walters

The Asthma is a persistent inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) that cause swelling and narrowing or the constriction of the airways. It will result to difficulty in breathing. The bronchial narrowing is usually either totally or at least partially reversible with treatments. And most common to children, some of it is hereditary and some if the mother has or the father has asthma, the risk of having asthma is lesser than if the both parents have it. There is still no available meds that can cure asthma but there are already medications that can prevent or lessen the attack of the asthma, or having some handy respiratory tools that can be used when the asthma attacks. The allergic of dust can also trigger asthma and so forth.

To some common occurrences of asthma is to expose to dust air and too much exercise. It occurs during night or early in the morning. To have a proper knowledge about asthma please do take time to read the following. Surely it will add on to your own little knowledge about asthma. There were several symptoms asthma has. Be wary of the following, the most popular and known symptoms is the shortness of breath especially it attacks at night, also an uncontrollably coughing during or after an exercise or when the person with asthma exposed to cold or dust, chest tightness is one of the common symptoms, its occurrence may vary or not to the said above symptoms.

These are the most important symptoms should an individual know and for it will be the basis and for you to find what triggers the asthma of your child. With the proper medications that the doctor will recommend you to have is effective if you take it seriously. In some proven studies that the asthma is not contagious so nothing to worry about.

The asthma will no longer be visible during the teenage life but you or some asthmatic patient cannot outgrow asthma because during adulthood it will occur again and may carry a worst attack than your younger years. And don’t underestimate your condition because whether you move to an environment that is less cause to your asthma attack, the asthma will still be there but lesser the visibility. And when you move to other environment the asthma attack will be dangerous because it may be worst attack, hospitalization and possible death may occur.

The symptoms of the asthma will not be outgrown but during the teenager years the symptoms will not be visible but the asthma will occur again during the adulthood. If you will lack of attention to this matter it will result to a serious hospitalization and could be death as well. The asthma cannot be cured if the patient will undergo some environmental treatment. It will only come back if you will move to another environment or will attack its worst.

About the Author:

Edward Walters an online writer recommends that you contact Allergy and Asthma Center of the Rockies if you are looking for best Colorado allergy and asthma clinic.. This article, All About Asthma, Symptoms And Its Proper Medications has free reprint rights.

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Supervised Exercise Therapy Can Lead To Improvements In COPD Symptoms

Those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often complain that exercise is too exhausting and leaves them breathless. An article in the current issue of The New England Journal of Medicine reports that supervised exercise through pulmonary rehabilitation can actually reduce their feelings of breathlessness, increase their tolerance for exercise and improve their quality of life.

The article’s lead author is Richard Casaburi, Ph.D., M.D., a senior investigator at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed). He directs the institute’s Rehabilitation Clinical Trials Center, a facility that focuses on COPD research. Dr. Casaburi surveyed previous studies on pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD and found that supervised exercise therapy improves aerobic function of the muscles, which helps reduce the breathlessness that is common in COPD.

“These findings are a clear indication that pulmonary rehabilitation can improve the quality of life for those living with COPD,” said Dr. Casaburi. “The studies also indicate that pulmonary rehabilitation results in decreased anxiety and depression for COPD patients because they find they can exercise more, and they enjoy the feeling that they have mastered something important in their lives.”

COPD, a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The article in the Journal reports that it is on course to be the third most common cause of death worldwide by 2020.

Once a disease primarily of men, it now kills roughly equal numbers of men and women in the U.S. In 2000, COPD was responsible for 8 million physician office visits, 1.5 million emergency department visits and 726,000 hospitalizations (about 13% of all hospitalizations in the U.S.).

While the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation programs for COPD are well-documented, the Journal article reports that access to this type of therapy is limited, especially among lower-income, minority and rural populations.

“A major stumbling block in providing pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD has been the lack of adequate funding for it,” said Dr. Casaburi. “That should begin to change next January, when Medicare starts providing coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD.”

About LA BioMed

Founded 56 years ago, LA BioMed is one of the country’s largest not-for-profit independent biomedical research institutes. It conducts biomedical research, trains young scientists and provides community services, including childhood immunization and nutrition assistance. The institute’s researchers conduct studies in such areas as cardio-vascular disease, emerging infections, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, dermatology, reproductive health, vaccine development, respiratory disorders, inherited illnesses and neonatology.

LA BioMed is an independent institute that is academically affiliated with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The institute is located on the campus of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Torrance.

Source
LA BioMed

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Food Allergy In Cats - Symptoms, Treatments And Diagnosis

Not only humans’ Even animals are affected by food allergy. It mainly affects cars and is rated among the main causes of atopy, flea bite allergies. Cats usually develop allergies from constantly fed kind of foods.

Often cats are sensitive to a certain type of food ingredient. So, an antibody in their intestinal tracts responds, leading to food allergy. Among all other type of allergies, with a 10% ratio allergies caused by food are more prone to cats.

Food allergies affect male, neutered cats and also female ones. It is also a misconception connecting specific breed of cats to allergies caused by food. This condition can initially create symptoms for cats from four months young to eleven years old. But majority of food allergy cases occur between 3- 6 years in cats. These cats are also in connection with inhalant allergies.

The main difference between food intolerance and food allergy should be learned to correctly manage allergy in cats. Allergy caused by food are taken as true allergies revealing symptoms like itching and skin problems associated with feline and canine allergies. Incase diarrhea or vomiting happens without creating allergic responses, it means that it’s only intolerance of food. Cat food intolerance is similar to a human having a stomach ache or diarrhea as a result of consuming spicy food or eating food that is fried. By utilizing foods food intolerance and allergies can be prevented. This doesn’t offend the agents.

Many studies reveal that few ingredients of food are the main causes of allergies when compared to the rest. The main common causes in cats are dairy products, fish and beef. Many pet owners would have observed that the following ones are the main ingredients found in foods that are consumed by the cat. Even though few proteins are more antigenic, it still comes in similar forms. So, this reaction depends mostly on the quantity of exposure.

The symptoms of this allergy in cats are most likely the same to most kinds of allergies. But the major ones are excessive scratching, hair loss, military dermatitis and itchy skin. For pet owners it is difficult to distinguish cars that suffer from atopy or food allergy by physical signs. But, they must suspect food allergy if these symptoms begin to take place during winter or through out the year and the cats fail to respond to antihistamine or steroid treatment.

When you figure out the symptoms of different allergies in cats it is very simple to diagnose the allergy. Symptoms of food allergy are similar to that of bacterial, notoedric mange, hypersensitivity to intestinal parasites, seborrhea and yeast infections.

It is necessary to carry out food trials. Elimination and provocative testing diets could be done. One should feed the cat with foods that has carbohydrates, proteins for 11 – 12 weeks without any treats. A typical instance is potato and venison or potato and duck. These foods are commercially available in the market or could be homemade. Young and growing cats have special nutritional needs. Diets made at home containing a carbohydrate and a protein eliminating multivitamins and fatty acids could be fed for 12 weeks. Food trials for kitten are carried out by giving a commercially balanced diet. After few weeks, feed the cat with previous food that they once have consumed. In case the symptoms are shown then it’s surely food allergy. Others perform blood testing which is not accurate when compared to trials (food).

Feed the cats with commercial diets from hill or Purina or homemade diets which makes treatment of allergy simple and easy.

Abhishek has got some great Allergy Relief Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 54 Pages Ebook, “How To Win Your War Against Allergies!” from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/552/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1656420

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News Release: Cockroaches Worsen Asthma Symptoms

A PDF of this file is available.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — May has been named national Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), and Combat® brand pest control is doing its part to help spread the message. Although it might seem like an unlikely connection, studies show that there is a definite link between the cockroach allergen and the exacerbation and even causation of asthma.

“During the past few years, research has shown that cockroach allergens play a big part in the daily lives of asthma sufferers all over the country,” said Dr. Gretchen Phillips, an MD with Fairview Hospitals, and a medical show radio host based in Minneapolis.

The link between cockroaches and asthma has been proven in scientific research dating back to the 1970s. Between 78 and 98 percent of urban homes have cockroaches, and 23 to 60 percent of urban residents are allergic to the cockroach allergen, according to the AAFA. The cockroach allergen is so pervasive in homes around the country, most doctors require patients with persistent asthma to be tested for cockroach allergies, in addition to other environmental factors, such as dust mites, mold and pets.

In the United States alone, more than 23 million people suffer from the chronic respiratory disease, including 6.5 million children.

Around 63 percent of all U.S. households have a detectable level of the cockroach allergen in the home, according to a 2005 study by The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

“Asthma kills. Even in 2008, people die from asthma,” Phillips said. “I always tell my patients that it is easier to prevent problems than to recover from them.”

Using Combat baits and roach-killing gels will help to kill the entire cockroach nest and ultimately improve the air quality. In addition to eliminating the problem, there are a few additional steps to help prevent cockroach infestations:

• Eliminate clutter, such as stacks of clothes or newspapers, which are perfect nesting areas for cockroaches.



• Keep food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers, do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, vacuum regularly and don’t leave out pet food and water.



• Keep the inside of your home clean and do not leave out food or crumbs, which are attractive to ants and roaches.



• Seal the cracks and crevices in the walls of your home (including around water pipes and electrical outlets).

Combat was recently featured by the Healthy House Institute, an online resource that provides consumers with information to make their homes healthier. The HHI does not endorse specific products. Visit http://www.healthyhouseinstitute.com/ for more information.

To learn more about pest prevention and control strategies, visit http://www.combatbugs.com/. Combat® products retail from $ 2.49 to $ 14.99 and are available at most major retailers.

For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and technologies that make people’s lives easier, better and more beautiful. Henkel operates in three business areas – Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives Technologies – and ranks among the Fortune Global 500 companies. In fiscal 2006, Henkel generated sales of 12.740 billion euros and operating profit of 1,298 million euros. Our 52,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to fulfilling our corporate claim, “A Brand like a Friend,” and ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in brands and technologies from Henkel. For more information, visit henkelna.com.

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Relief From Ragweed Allergy Symptoms Offered By Once-A-Day Pill

Main Category: Allergy
Article Date: 10 May 2013 – 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Relief From Ragweed Allergy Symptoms Offered By Once-A-Day Pill

An international team of researchers, led by physician-scientists at Johns Hopkins, reports that a once-daily tablet containing a high dose of a key ragweed pollen protein effectively blocks the runny noses, sneezes, nasal congestion and itchy eyes experienced by ragweed allergy sufferers.

Tests showed that treatment with the pill, which contains the protein Ambrosia artemisiifolia major allergen 1, and is placed under the tongue to be absorbed, also reduced the need for anti-allergy drugs to get relief. More than 80 million Americans are allergic to ragweed.

The study is believed to be the first and largest, multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of its kind to investigate the use of sublingual immunotherapy against ragweed allergy. Begun in April 2010, it was funded by the drug’s manufacturer, Merck of Whitehouse Station, N.J.

Results of the trial, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, showed that overall symptoms and need for such allergy medications as antihistamines and nasal steroids fell by 27 percent in people who took a pill containing 12 units of the allergen. During peak ragweed season, the roughly two-week period between August and October when pollen counts are highest, symptoms and medication use dropped 24 percent.

Researchers say that if the pill wins approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it could serve as a more convenient, less painful option than weekly or monthly allergy shots. The pill also presents fewer potential side effects than allergen injections.

“Our results show this oral tablet for ragweed allergy is highly effective and well-tolerated, and offers considerable relief from what many allergy sufferers consider the most agonizing part of the year,” says allergist and lead study investigator Peter Creticos, M.D.

Some 784 men and women from the United States, Canada, Hungary, Russia and the Ukraine volunteered to take part in the year-long study, in which participants were randomly assigned to take either a high-, medium-, or low-dose tablet, or placebo. Neither researchers nor study participants were aware of which dose of the pill or placebo they were taking. Patients kept track of their symptoms and medication use through detailed and daily diaries, which were later scored by researchers for analysis.

“Physicians treating ragweed allergy sufferers may soon have an alternative to the current approach to managing ragweed allergy, which usually involves weekly or monthly visits to the doctor’s office for allergy shots and carries the risk of swelling and pain at the injection site, plus risk of anaphylactic shock,” says Creticos, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Creticos says that no adverse events occurred during the study. The only side effects observed were mild throat irritation, itchy tongue and swollen lips.

Creticos says his team has also begun studies of other non-injectible forms of immunotherapy, including ragweed allergy drops, and treatment applications where the allergen is lightly pricked or inserted into the middle layers of the skin.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click ‘references’ tab above for source.
Visit our allergy section for the latest news on this subject. Other researchers involved in the study are Jennifer Maloney, M.D., Amarjot Kaur, Ph.D., Nancy Lui, Ph.D., and Hendrik Nolte, M.D., Ph.D., at Merck; David Bernstein, M.D., at the Bernstein Clinical Research Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, in Ohio; Thomas Casale, M.D., at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.; Robert Fisher, M.D., at Allergy Research and Care in Milwaukee, Wis.; Kevin Murphy at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Neb.; and Kristof Nekam, M.D., at Hospital of the Hospitaller, Brothers of St. John of God, in Budapest, Hungary. During the conduct of the study, Creticos was a paid member of a Merck scientific advisory board.
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Unusual Asthma Symptoms

Unusual Asthma Symptoms

While most people consider “wheezing” the key sign of asthma, there are also other, more unusual asthma symptoms. For instance, a dry, hacking cough that persists may actually be a symptom of asthma. Chest tightness and difficulty breathing in the early morning hours can also be asthma symptoms. Likewise, constant sighing may be associated with asthma.


Unusual asthma symptoms may include:


• rapid breathing


• sighing


• fatigue; inability to exercise properly


• difficulty sleeping


• anxiety; difficulty concentrating


• chronic cough without wheezing (cough-variant asthma)


To complicate matters, asthma symptoms are not consistent and often vary from time to time in an individual. As an example, you might experience asthma primarily at night — known as nocturnal asthma — rather than during the day. Furthermore, episodes of asthma can be triggered by many different factors such as allergens, dust, smoke, cold air, exercise, infections, medications, and acid reflux. Finally, other health conditions such as heart failure, bronchitis, and dysfunction of the vocal cords can cause symptoms that mimic those of asthma, yet these conditions are not asthma. For these reasons, accurately diagnosing asthma and effective asthma treatment can be a challenge for you and your asthma doctor.

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Coeliac Disease and a Vegetarian Diet - Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

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Cat Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

Owning a pet is not all just fun and games. Cats are one of the most affectionate and loyal pets around. A lot of responsibility comes with taking home a new pet. Just like humans, house pets get sick and need lots of love and attention. Having a housecat is not the same as owning a dog, a rabbit or any other household pet, each has to be taken care of in a particular way and each has its own common ailments. There are many cat symptoms that every pet owner should be aware of to keep their feline in tip-top shape.

If you ever hear your cat making a funny noise, listen carefully, because your pet may have a cough. It may sound cute, but it should be taken seriously. A cough may lead to a fever, difficulty in breathing and discharge from both the cat's eyes and nose. Anything from a collar that is too tight to asthma can cause a cat to cough. If the cough seems minor, it is okay to give it treatment at home. However, if your cat is having trouble breathing, is wheezing, has a loss of appetite and is visibly losing weight, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. Coughs can be a sign of the following cat symptoms, heartworms, bronchitis and asthma.

Many say that cats are picky eaters. Being a choosy eater and being anorexic are two completely different things. When a pet refuses to chow down on its pet food it is usually a cause for concern, but more so when it comes to felines. Cats that do not eat can potentially cause liver damage. Some cat symptoms that can be a factor to loss of appetite are illness, new surroundings and recent vaccinations. Anytime that your cat completely refuses to eat should be a red flag. There are a few stimulants you can give to your cat to encourage it to eat but it is always best to consult a veterinarian beforehand.

Cats are not known for their minty fresh breath. However, their breath should have a tolerable aroma. If your cat seems to have bad breath or halitosis there could be a concealed medical condition. A lot of the times the bad breath may be triggered by plaque or gum disease but in some cases even a cats diet can affect the way their breath smells. However, if the odor becomes extremely foul smelling, it could be the indication of more serious health problems like problems in the mouth area, respiratory system and liver. By visiting the veterinarian, proper treatment can be given to your cat and any further concerns you have can be addressed.

Many assume that giving the veterinarian a call should be reserved for emergencies. The fact of the matter is, when you are dealing with a pet that obviously cannot tell you how it feels, it is always a good idea to be aware of the possible symptoms and signs of illnesses. Whenever you are in doubt, call the veterinarian. Never risk the health of your beloved pet.

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Cat Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

Owning a pet is not all just fun and games. Cats are one of the most affectionate and loyal pets around. A lot of responsibility comes with taking home a new pet. Just like humans, house pets get sick and need lots of love and attention. Having a housecat is not the same as owning a dog, a rabbit or any other household pet, each has to be taken care of in a particular way and each has its own common ailments. There are many cat symptoms that every pet owner should be aware of to keep their feline in tip-top shape.

If you ever hear your cat making a funny noise, listen carefully, because your pet may have a cough. It may sound cute, but it should be taken seriously. A cough may lead to a fever, difficulty in breathing and discharge from both the cat's eyes and nose. Anything from a collar that is too tight to asthma can cause a cat to cough. If the cough seems minor, it is okay to give it treatment at home. However, if your cat is having trouble breathing, is wheezing, has a loss of appetite and is visibly losing weight, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. Coughs can be a sign of the following cat symptoms, heartworms, bronchitis and asthma.

Many say that cats are picky eaters. Being a choosy eater and being anorexic are two completely different things. When a pet refuses to chow down on its pet food it is usually a cause for concern, but more so when it comes to felines. Cats that do not eat can potentially cause liver damage. Some cat symptoms that can be a factor to loss of appetite are illness, new surroundings and recent vaccinations. Anytime that your cat completely refuses to eat should be a red flag. There are a few stimulants you can give to your cat to encourage it to eat but it is always best to consult a veterinarian beforehand.

Cats are not known for their minty fresh breath. However, their breath should have a tolerable aroma. If your cat seems to have bad breath or halitosis there could be a concealed medical condition. A lot of the times the bad breath may be triggered by plaque or gum disease but in some cases even a cats diet can affect the way their breath smells. However, if the odor becomes extremely foul smelling, it could be the indication of more serious health problems like problems in the mouth area, respiratory system and liver. By visiting the veterinarian, proper treatment can be given to your cat and any further concerns you have can be addressed.

Many assume that giving the veterinarian a call should be reserved for emergencies. The fact of the matter is, when you are dealing with a pet that obviously cannot tell you how it feels, it is always a good idea to be aware of the possible symptoms and signs of illnesses. Whenever you are in doubt, call the veterinarian. Never risk the health of your beloved pet.

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Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

Tree Allergies

There are many definitions and symptoms commonly described as "scalp infections". There are in fact quite a few quite different reasons why your scalp may be sore, itchy, inflamed burning red or infected. If you are like many people with chronic scalp issues - it may be driving you completely up the wall and not knowing what it is or how to treat the problem effectively after many unsuccessful attempts to eliminate it can make it seem far worse - like you are never going to get to the bottom of the problem. Well that need no longer be so! It can be simple to diagnose and treat it now and for good.

Tree Allergies

So if you are dealing with any of these symptoms lets first identify the problem and then some of the underlying causes.

Tree Allergies

Firstly, if you want to get to the root of your problems, so to speak, you need to be able to identify what your problem actually is. Of course, many scalp infections & conditions look alike, so here is a brief description of some of the most common scalp conditions:

Tree Allergies

Red burning itchy scalp can be characterized as any tingling,burning, prickly, and sensitive to the touch or a fiery hot sensation. Often associated with an allergy, sunburn, chemical burn (sensitization of the scalp),or fungal infection.

Dandruff as most of us know is the process of continual shedding of skin cells on our scalps. Often the cause of dandruff is simply the result of toxins, pollutants and products that have built up on the scalp particularly products like silicone- a cheap commonly used artificial shine enhancer in conditioners sold in supermarkets.

When the natural balance of our scalps is disturbed, this creates the perfect environment for the yeast fungus Melassezia Globbosa to move in and thrive. This is when the natural process of shedding our cells gets a little out of hand resulting in an unsightly condition known as "Seborrhoeic Dermatitis" (fancy name for dandruff) and we see the highly visible tell-tale signs of flaking and crusting.

The accompanying itch and urge to scratch are often made worse by the multiplication of the fungal yeast pityrosporum-ovale (having one big party on your scalp). Another follow on effect of this is that the relentless scratching by the sufferer can cause small lesions which weep and ooze or become infected resulting in scalp infections.

Lumps bumps and sores are also common when the scalp is highly irritated or sensitivity has been aggravated. Candida can be an underlying cause of yeast infections of the scalp.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitols) is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. Scalp ringworm is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Ringworm infection occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails. It is far more common in children and symptoms include red, itchy patches on the scalp, leaving bald areas. The skin might itch and be red and peel or be scaly, have swollen blisters or a rash (that can spread) and looks like black dots. The rash is highly contagious. It is normally treated with over the counter products containing miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar. Sometimes prescription anti fungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole are needed to clear it up. There are also products direct from nature's factories that can aid the healing process and act as natural antibiotics, although it must be said that ringworm is an aggressive fungus which needs to be monitored closely and treated accordingly.

Dry scalp can feel "tight", a sensation that is sometimes accompanied by flakiness. It is often the result of natural oils being stripped from our scalps by the frequent use of shampoos, hair dyes and or other hair products.

Dermatitis of the scalp (Seborrheic dermatitis) is an inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and body where sebaceous glands are most prominent. It can vary from mild dandruff to dense flakey and greasy scale. Once again it is often an accumulation of toxins and products built up on our scalps that our body is trying to rid itself of.

Eczema of the scalp similar in appearance to Seborrheic dermatitis but instead has the name Atopic dermatitis.

Scalp Psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery white scales on patches of very red skin and can extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy or on occasion have no itch symptoms. It can also cause temporary baldness on the affected areas. It is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease and is associated with increased risk of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Folliculitis of the scalp is a superficial bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It is characterized by pustules around the hair follicles and symptoms include painful brushing of hair and tenderness when rubbing your scalp around the hair follicle sites. Treating with antibiotics for the particular bacteria is the usual course of action but can eventually cause resistance to the antibiotic used. Options include applying Evoclin Foam which is topical. Folliculitis is commonly caused by staph bacteria which also reside inside the nose and sinus cavity. Natural oils such as tea tree and lavender have good antibacterial properties and can also be used to treat this condition.

If you have a bump or lump under the skin (commonly a lump behind the ears with no broken skin or rash developing, then this could be a cyst. Cysts are liquid filled pustules which can be painful when they become infected. If you have such symptoms I recommend seeing a doctor to be safe. Doctors can also treat cysts with antibiotics if they have become infected or incise them as a further but uncommon procedure if the antibiotics are not sufficient.

Stress Related Itching Stress can contribute to or worsen scalp itching as it plays havoc with our immune system and hormones which have an effect on production of sebum from your sebaceous glands. Although it can contribute to the problem it is still somewhat of a myth. It may appear that you have a"stress rash", but it is more likely that the problem was already there in a less noticeable way, then aggravated by increased stress levels making it harder for your body to deal with the problem on its own and eliminate the problem. Many of the treatments below include stress relieving properties - like Lavender oil for example which calms the mind and soothes the body.

Solutions - what YOU can do about it

Going to your doctor may be the best way to get an accurate answer to diagnosing your problem, but I understand that many of you may have already done this, been prescribed some form of medication of cream (even "heavy duty" cortisone based ones where the cortisone potency may need to be increased after time).

Often the problem either doesn't go away from the start - or seems to subside but comes back with full a vengeance later leaving you wondering with more unanswered questions and a VERY unhappy scalp! Well the good news is if you don't like using these expensive and often impotent products- or even want to help them along you can use natural remedies and essential oils known to be super effective anti-bacterial busters such as tea tree oil for instance to inhibit or stop the growth of the infection and assist healing/re balancing of the scalp.

Something that is also important to understand in curing scalp conditions and scalp infections - a factor that is missed by so many doctors, and something not disclosed by companies who sell hair products and treatments is the number of people who are allergic or sensitive to commonly used ingredients in shampoos, dandruff treatments and other hair products. In fact MOST hair products (as many as 90%) contain at least one ingredient that is used in engine degreasers, another is a common ingredient in antifreeze.

These ingredients are cheap to produce foaming agents that make shampoo foam up, and do a fantastic job of stripping dirt and oily build up from hair. Problem is that they sometimes do SUCH a good job that they remove all of the natural oils and sebum from the scalp thus removing the scalps natural against bacteria etc. Another little known fact is that the most common ingredient (Sodium laureth sulphate) is used to induce skin irritation in test patients by drug companies to test the effectiveness of their itch relief skin creams. When first produced and for year's afterwards manufacturers did not know that skin was not a barrier but an absorber of ingredients & that they caused skin irritation in so many people.

So sometimes the beginning of a scalp condition can have originated from something as simple as an imbalance to the skins (scalps) sebum or an allergy to an ingredient that can easily be rectified.

Like your immune system, if your skin has an opportunity to rebalance itself and not be subjected to "incoming foreign matter" and the daily stripping of its natural oils that further aggravates the problem you can allow your body to re balance and heal itself. Obviously buying products that do not strip your hair and scalp is an obvious step in the right direction.

Fortunately there are a lot of manufacturers such as Aveda and Akin (Purist Company) who know what consumers are suffering from these issues so have addressed this problem. They have applied this knowledge to produce some amazing products with all of the benefits of natural ingredients, with none of the side effects at a price we can afford (Akin especially). It need not be difficult, nor expensive to make these choices and a move to healthy hair and scalp long term.

So yes you can eliminate harsh shampoos containing sodium sulphates and go for natural Sulphate and paraben free shampoos that contain ingredients such as macadamia, wheat germ or jojoba oils. These oils mimic our natural sebum to some extent to help to re moisturize and nourish our scalp.

Then there are lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils which contain antibacterial, healing properties. Neem oil great for its antiquing and stops itching. You can apply these topically to your skin for fast relief, to assist healing as well as looking out for shampoos with these natural ingredients in them.

Lavender calms the skin (as does chamomile tea cooled and used as hair rinse).

As well as buying quality shampoos containing these ingredients, you can

create your own combinations of remedy or remedies to soothe your scalp.

You can also help it along by using natural remedies to treat your scalp such as this scalp treatment containing natural oils to assist healing, detoxify and stimulate hair growth: (Add to

water (4 parts water 1part oil) and spray onto scalp and you can add to your shampoo and conditioners also).

Oils To Relieve Itching: Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils

(Mixed together and dabbed locally on effected areas has a soothing effect).

Neem oil is also a very good dandruff preventative which can be added to any of the formulas detailed below and is excellent for psoriasis and eczema & scalp infections.

Scalp massage with lavender oil (not scented - the real oil) is another

wonderful way to relieve the tension from a sore scalp as well as treat the

issue. It also helps to re grow hair and repair the damage done to your

follicles by chemicals in shampoos causing thinning hair. (Lavender is known to stimulate hair growth too).

There are many more powerful scalp remedies you can use to treat your scalp as well as many shampoos that are excellent value, contain no nasties to aggravate your scalp and hair follicles. It can be really simple to treat scalp problems by treating yourself to your own pampering session using natural oils to help heal your scalp infection. And then be kind to your hair and scalp by using only products that nourish your hair and scalp such as Aveda or Akin brand shampoos. You can assist the healing process and help restore balance back to your scalp and you hair will appreciate and reward you for it too by becoming less brittle, stronger and shinier.

As with all natural remedies please patch test first. It is not intended for this information to replace a doctors medical advice, so please see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The responsibility of obtaining doctors diagnosis and using remedies is yours.

Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

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Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid - What RE Investors Should Know in 2011

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Walgreens, CVS or Rite-Aid: Which Tenant Is Best in 2011?

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There are 3 major drugstore chains in the US: Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. Below are some key statistics about the 3 major drugstore chains as of July 2010:

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Walgreens
ranks #1 with market cap of .33 Billion, .25 Billion in revenue, and S&P rating of A+. According to Walgreens, 75% US population lives within 3 miles from its stores. On Oct 1, 2009, Walgreens opened its 7000-th store in Brooklyn, New York. In April 2010, it acquired 258 Duane Reade drug stores in New York Metropolitan area.
CVS
ranks #2 with market cap of .09 Billion, .1 Billion in revenue (CVS revenue alone is less than Walgreens if revenue from its Caremark group is taken out), and S&P rating of BBB+. CVS opened its 7000-th store in Little Canada, Minnesota on October 5, 2009 and currently operates 7025 drug stores..
Rite Aid
ranks #3 with market cap of 9 Million, .53 Billion in revenue, 4780 drug stores and S&P rating of B-.

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Investors purchase properties occupied by these drugstore chains for the following reasons:

The drugstore business is very recession-insensitive. People need medicine when they are sick, regardless of the state of the economy. Both rich and poor people in the US have access to medicine. Some even argue that low-income people use more medicine due to free or low-cost drugs offered by government-assisted programs. So the tenants should do well during tough time and have money to pay rent to landlords.
The drugstore business has a good prospect in the US:

People are living longer and need more medicine to sustain longevity, e.g. Actonel for osteoporosis, Aricept for Alzheimer's symptoms. Older people tend to use more medicine than younger ones as they often have more medical problems. As the 78 million baby boomers are getting closer to retiring age starting from 2008, the drugstore chains anticipate the demand for medicine to increase in next 20 years.
The drug market continues to expand as the US population will continue to grow. More and more Americans suffer from various diseases. The number of Americans suffers from seasonal allergies doubled in the last 15 years to 37 million people per Fortune magazine. They spent .4 Billion in 2009 for allergy drugs. As their waist lines balloon (75% of Americans are forecasted to be either overweight or obese by 2020), more Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol at younger and younger ages. In addition, doctors also recommend treating various diseases sooner than later due to better understanding about the diseases. For example, doctors now prescribe antiretroviral drugs for patients soon after infected with HIV virus instead of waiting for the infection to become AIDS. More doctors combine insulin with oral medicines to treat type-2 Diabetes instead of just oral medicines alone. All these factors increase the size of the drug market.
Advance in genetic engineering has introduced various new genetic DNA testing kits which allow the genetic diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherited diseases and disorders. Genetic testing is currently the highest growth segment in the diagnostics industry. Some of these genetic tests will probably transform into direct-to-consumer testing kits available in drug stores in the near future. Upon FDA approval, these new products will potentially bring in additional revenue for drug stores.
The passage of Health Care Reform Bill on March 23, 2010 provides insurance coverage to an estimated 33 million more American. This is a major present to the drugstore industry.
There are new drugs to treat previously untreatable illnesses, and new diseases, e.g. Viagra for men's unhappiness, Zoloft for depression, Avastin for colon cancer, Herceptin for breast cancer, Nicotine patches for smokers to kick the habit, Tamiflu for a potential bird flu pandemic, vaccine for swine (H1N1) flu pandemic, Tekturna/Rasilez for hypertension and various new drugs for AIDS and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The new medicines are very expensive, e.g. a year's supply of Avastin costs about ,000. Eli Lilly has sold about .8 billion of Zyprexa in 2007 for schizophrenia and yet most people have never heard of this medicine.
There are existing drugs now approved to treat new illnesses and thus increase their sales revenue. For example, Lyrica was originally intended to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes. It is now approved by FDA to treat Fibromyalgia which affects 5.8 million Americans per WebMD.
Big advances in genetics, biology and stem cells research are expected to produce a new class of drugs to treat diabetes, Parkinson's and various rare genetic disorders. For example the new drug Ilaris from Novartis targets genetic causes of an inherited disorder that there are only 7000 known cases worldwide. However, Novartis hopes to gradually broaden its drugs to a blockbuster drug to more common disorders caused by similar genetics.
Technology and modern life introduce and require new products, e.g. pregnancy test kits, Lamisil for stronger clearer toe nails, Latisse for longer & thicker eyelashes, Premarin for menopausal symptoms, diabetic monitors, electronic toothbrushes, contact lenses, lenses cleaners, diet pills, vitamins, birth-control pills, IUDs, nutrition supplements and Cholesterol-lowering pills (Americans spent nearly B in 2006 on Cholesterol medications alone per IMS Health, a Connecticut-based consulting company that monitors pharmaceutical sales.) There are also more surgeries: C-sections, Kidney transplants, open-heart triple by-pass, and breast augmentations. More surgeries mean more medicines are needed such as Vicodin for pain management and Warfarin to prevent blood clots in surgeries.
Before the customers can get to the medicine aisles or pharmacy counters, they have to pass by chocolates, sodas, digital cameras, watches, toys, dolls, beers and wines, cosmetics, video games, flowers, fragrances, and greeting cards. Drug stores hope you use the one-hour photos services and exchange your liquid propane tanks there. The stores also carry seasonal items, e.g. Halloween costumes, and "As Seen on TV" merchandise, e.g. Shamwow. As a result, customers buy more than their prescriptions and medicine in these drugstores. Rite Aid sells more 28,000 non-pharmacy items in its stores while Walgreens has 22,000 different items on store shelves. CVS reported that non-pharmacy sales represented 30% of the company's total sales in January of 2007. The figure for Walgreens is 34% and 37% for Rite Aid. Many pharmacy locations are in effect convenience stores especially ones that are in residential or rural areas. And so Walgreens hopes that customers also pick up WD-44, and screw drivers at its stores instead of at Home Depot; Thai Jasmine rice, and fish sauce to avoid a trip to Safeway or Kroger Supermarkets. During the recession, sales of these non-drug items are down as customers buy what they need and not what they want. Walgreens tries to reduce the number of items by 4000. It also introduces its own private label which has higher profit margins.
There are more and more generic medications on the market as a number of enormously popular brand-name blockbusters will lose their 20-year long patents, e.g. Lipitor (best selling drug in the world to lower cholesterol) in 2010, Viagra (you know what it's for) in 2012. Drugstores prefer to sell generic drugs to customers due to higher profit margins than the brand-name medications.
Some people are addicted to pain killers, e.g. Hydrocodone and consume a large amount of medicine, e.g. 30-day dosage in a day to get high. According to testimony from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, US retail pharmacies dispensed nearly 180 million prescriptions in 2007 for opiates, e.g. Hydrocodone. A high percentage of these prescriptions are probably not used for any legitimate medical purposes.
This author estimates that at least 10% of the dispensed prescription drugs are not used at all and sit idle in the medicine cabinets. They are eventually expired and thrown away.


These companies sign very long-term, NNN leases, guaranteed by their corporate assets. This makes the investment in the underlying property fairly low risk, especially for Walgreens with an A+ S&P rating. In fact, these properties are sometimes referred to as investment-grade properties. Once the drugstore chains sign the lease, they pay the rent promptly and timely. This author is not aware of any properties leased by one of these drugstore chains in which the tenants failed to pay rents. Even when the stores are closed due to weak sales (Walgreens closed 119 stores in 2007), these companies may sublease the properties to other companies and continue to pay rents on the master leases.

A typical Walgreens lease consists of 20-25 year primary term plus 8-10 five-year options. During primary term and options, there will be no rent increases in most of the leases. This is the main disadvantage of investing in Walgreens drugstores.
A typical CVS lease consists of 20-25 year primary term plus 4-5 five-year options. The rent is normally flat during the primary term and then there is a 2.5%-10% rent increase in the in each 5-year option.
A typical Rite Aid lease consists of 20-25 year primary term plus 4-8 five-year options. The lease often has a rent increase every 5-10 years.

Investment Risks: Although the pharmacy business in general is recession-insensitive, there are risks involved in your investment:

The main downside about investing in pharmacies is there is little or no rent bump for a long time, e.g. 20-50 years, especially for Walgreens. So the rent is effectively reduced after inflation is factored in. This is one of the main reasons these properties do not appeal to younger investors.
The 3 drugstore chains now have a new formidable competitor, Wal-mart. Wal-mart sells prescription drugs in more than 4000 Wal-mart, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market stores in 49 states. The retail giant is known for launching in 2006 a highly-publicized generic prescription drug program which now sells 350 generic medications for a 30-day supply. The actual number of medications is less as the medications with different strengths are counted as different medications. For example, Metformin 500 mg, 850 mg, and 1000 mg are counted as 3 medications. Wal-mart probably makes very little profits on these medications if any. However, the marketing campaign--created by Bill Simon, the President and CEO of Wal-mart US, generates a lot of publicity for Wal-mart. Wal-mart hopes to draw customers to its stores with other prescriptions where it has higher profit margins. In an unscientific survey with just one brand-name prescription of Lyrica, this author finds the lowest price at Costco, the highest price at Walgreens and Wal-mart at the middle. Other drug chains try to counter Wal-mart in different ways. Target now offers the same 350 generic medications for for a 30-day supply. Walgreens has a Prescription drugs club with membership fee which offers 1400 generic medications for as little as /week. CVS says it will match any offers from its competitors.
Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman from US World & News Report predicted that Rite Aid might not survive in 2009. While Rite Aid is still around in 2010, dire predictions continue. The study by Audit Integrity gave Rite Aid about a 10.5 percent chance of filing for bankruptcy in 2010.
Drugs are also sold in thousands of supermarkets, Target stores, and Costco warehouses. However, there are no drive-thru windows at these stores or Walmart to conveniently drop off the prescriptions and pick up medicines. Customers will not be able to pick up their prescriptions during lunch hour or after 7PM at Target stores or supermarkets. They need to have membership to buy medicines at Costco. Others may not fill their prescriptions at Walmart because they don't want to mingle with typical Walmart customers who are in lower income brackets. And some babyboomers don't want their prescriptions filled at Target or Walmart because there are no comfortable chairs for them to sit down to wait for their medicines.
Many leases in areas with hurricanes and tornados are NNN leases with the exception of roof and structure. So if the roof is damaged, you will have to pay for the expenses.
The tenant may move to a new location down the road or across the street when the lease expires. This risk is high when the property is located in small town where there is low barrier for entry, i.e. lots of vacant & developable land.
The tenant may ask for rent concession to improve its bottom line. The possibility is higher if the tenant is Rite Aid and if the store has low sales revenue and/or higher than market rent.
More Americans are walking away from their prescriptions, especially the most expensive brand-name medicines. This may have negative impact on the sales revenue and profits of drug stores and consequently may cause drug store closures. According to Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solution, a health-care data company, nearly 1 in 10 new prescriptions for brand-name drugs were abandoned by people with commercial health plans in 2010. This is up 88% compared to 4 years ago just before the recession began. This trend is driven in part by higher and higher co-pays for brand name drugs as employers are shifting more insurance costs to their employees.

Among 3 drugstore chains, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies in general have the best locations-at major intersections while Rite Aid has less than premium locations. Walgreens tends to hire only the top graduates from pharmacy schools while Rite Aid settles with bottom graduates to save costs. When possible all drugstore chains try to fill the prescriptions with generic medications which have higher profit margins

Walgreens: the company was founded in 1901 by Charles Walgreen, Sr. in Chicago. While the company has existed for more than 100 years, most stores are only 5-10 years old. This is the best managed company among the three drugstore chains and also among the most admired public companies in the US. The company has been run by executives with proven track records and hires the top graduates from universities. Due to its superior financial strength--S&P A+ rating-- and premium irreplaceable locations, properties with leases from Walgreens get the highest price per square foot and/or the lowest cap rate among the 3 drugstore chains. In addition, Walgreens gets flat rent or very low rent increase for 20 to 60 years. The cap rate is often in the low 6% to 7.5% range in 2009. Investors who buy Walgreens tend to be more mature, i.e. closer to retirement age. They are looking for a safe investment where it's more important to get the rent check than to get appreciation. They often compare the returns on their Walgreens investment with the lower returns from US treasury bonds or Certificate of Deposits from banks. Walgreens opened many new stores in 2008 and 2009 and thus you see many new Walgreens stores for sale. It will slow down this expansion in 2010 and focus on renovation of existing stores instead

CVS: CVS Corporation was founded in 1963 in Lowell, MA by Stanley Goldstein, Sidney Goldstein, and Ralph Hoagland. The name CVS stands for "Consumer Value Stores". As of 2009, CVS has about 6300 stores in the US, mostly through acquisitions. In 2004, CVS bought 1,200 Eckerd Drugstores mostly in Texas and Florida. In 2006, CVS bought 700 Savon and Osco drugstores mostly in Southern California. And in 2008 CVS acquired 521 Longs Drugs stores in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona for .9B dollars. The acquisition of Long Drugs appears to be a good one as it CVS does not have any stores in Northern CA and Arizona. Besides, the price also included real estate. It is also bought Caremark, the largest pharmaceutical services company and changed the corporation name to CVS Caremark. When CVS bought 1,200 Eckerd stores, it formed a single-entity LLC (Limited Liability Company) to own each Eckerd store. Each LLC signs the lease with the property owner. In the event of a default, the owner can only legally go after the assets of the LLC and not from any other CVS-owned assets. Although the owner loses the guaranty security from CVS corporate assets, this author is not aware of any incident where CVS closes a store and does not pay rent.

Rite-Aid: Rite Aid was founded by Alex Grass (he just passed away on Aug 27, 2009 at the age of 82) and opened its first store in 1962 as "Thrif D Discount Center" in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It officially incorporated as Rite Aid Corporation and went public in 1968. By the time Alex Grass stepped down as the company's chairman and chief executive officer in 1995, Rite Aid was the nation's largest drugstore chain in terms of total stores and No. 2 in terms of revenue. His son, Martin Grass, took over but was ousted in 1999 for overstatement of Rite Aid's earnings in the late 1990s. Rite Aid is now the weakest financially among the 3 drugstore chains. In 2007, Rite-Aid acquired about 1,850 Brooks and Eckerd drugstores, mostly along the East coast to catch up with Walgreens and CVS. In the process, it added a huge long term debt (currently owes over .69 Billion) and is the most leveraged drugstore chain based on its market value. The integration of Brooks and Eckerd did not seem to go well. Revenue from some of these stores went down as much as 20% after they change the sign to Rite Aid. In 2009, Rite-Aid had over 4900 stores and over Billion in revenues. The figures went down in 2010 to 4780 stores and .53 billion in revenue. On January 21, 2009 Moody's Investor Services downgraded Rite Aid from "Caa1" to "Caa2", eight notches below investment grade. Both ratings are "junk" which indicate very high credit risk. Rite Aid contacted a number of its landlords in 2009 trying to get rent concession to improve the bottom line. In June 2009, Rite Aid successfully completed refinancing .9 Billion of its debts. However, it continues to struggle in 2010 as same store sales decreased 2.5% in June, 1.7% in May, 1% in April,.1% in March, 3.2% in February, and 2.1% in January..

Things to consider when invested in a pharmacy

If you are interested in investing in a property leased by drugstore chains, here are a few things you should consider:

If you want a low risk investment, go with Walgreens. In stable or growing areas, the degree of safety is the same whether the property is in California where you get a 6% cap or Texas where you may get a 7.5% cap. So, there is no significant advantage to invest in properties in California as the property value is based primarily on the cap rate. In 2010, the offered cap rate for Walgreens seems to come down from 7.5%-8.4% in 2009 to 6.5%-7.5% for new stores.
If you are willing to take more risk, then go with Rite-Aid. Some properties outside of California may offer up to 10% cap rate in 2010. However, among the 3 drug chains, Rite Aid has 10.5% chance of going under in 2010. Should it declare bankruptcy, Rite Aid has the option to pick and choose which locations to keep open and which locations to terminate the lease. To minimize the risk that the store is shuttered, choose a location with strong sales and low rent to revenue ratio.
Financing should be an important consideration. While the cap rate is lower for Walgreens than Rite Aid, you will be able to get the best rates and terms for Walgreens. A 7.25% cap Walgreens with 5.25% interest rate on the loan will generate more cash flow than a 10% cap Rite Aid with 9% interest rate (if you could find a lender for Rite Aid).
If you are not a conservative investor or risk taker, you may want to consider a CVS pharmacy. It has BBB+ S&P credit rating. Its cap rate is higher than Walgreens but lower than Rite Aid. Some leases may offer better rent bumps. On the other hand, some CVS leases, especially for properties in hurricane areas, e.g. Florida are not truly NNN leases where landlords are responsible for the roof and structure. So make sure you adjust the cap rate down accordingly. Some of the CVS locations have onsite Minuteclinic staffed by registered nurses. Since this clinic idea was introduced recently, it's not clear having a clinic inside CVS is a plus or minus to the bottom line of the store.
All 3 drugstore chains have similar requirements. They all want highly visible, standalone, rectangular property around 10,000 - 14,500 SF on a 1.5 - 2 acre lot, preferably at a corner with about 75 - 80 parking spaces in a growing and high traffic location. They all require the property to have a drive-thru. Hence, you should avoid purchasing an inline property, i.e. not standalone and property with no drive-thru windows. There is a chance that these drugstores may not want to renew the lease unless the property is located in a densely-populated area with no vacant land nearby. In addition, if you acquire a property that does not meet the new requirements, for example a drive-thru, you may have a problem getting financing as lenders are aware of these requirements.
If the pharmacy is opened 24 hours a day, it is in a better location. Drugstore chains do not open the store 24 hours day unless the location draws customers.
Many properties may have a percentage lease, i.e. the landlord can get additional rent when the store's annual revenue exceeds a certain figure, e.g. M. However, the revenue used to compute percentage rent often excludes a page-long list of items, e.g. wine and sodas, tobacco products, items sold after 10 PM, drugs paid by governmental programs. The excluded sales revenue could account for as much as 70% of store's gross revenue. As a result, this author has seen only 2 stores in which the landlord is able to collect additional percentage rent. The store with a percentage rent is required to report its monthly sales to the landlord. As an investors, you want to invest in a store with strong gross sales, e.g. over 0 per square foot a year. In addition, you also want to check the rent to revenue ratio. If the figure is in the 2-4% range, the store is likely to be very profitable so the chance the store is shut down is low.
It does not matter how good the tenants are, avoid investing in declining and/or low-income areas or small towns with less than 30,000 residents within 5 miles ring. In a small town, it may be the only drug store in town and captures most of the market share. However, if a competitor opens a new location in the area, revenue may be severely affected. These properties are easy to buy now and hard to sell later. In 2009 where the credit market is tight, you may have problems finding a lender to finance these properties.
Many properties have an existing loan that the buyer must assume. If you have a 1031 exchange, think twice about buying this property. You should clearly understand loan assumption requirements of the lenders before moving forward. Should you fail to assume the existing loan (assuming an existing loan is a lot more difficult than getting a new loan), you may run out of time for a 1031 exchange and may be liable to pay capital gain.
With few exceptions, drugstore chains do not own the stores they occupy for several reasons. Here are just a couple of them:

They know the pharmacy business but don't know real estate. Stock investors also don't want Walgreens to become a real estate investment company.
Owning the real estate will require them to carry lots of long term debts which is not a brilliant idea for a publicly-traded company.


About 10% of the drugstore properties for sale and typically CVS pharmacies require very small amount of equity to acquire, e.g. 10% of the purchase price. However, you are required to assume an existing fully-amortized loan with zero cash flow. That is, all of the rent paid by the tenant must be used to pay down the loan. The cap rate may be in the 7% range, and the interest rate on the loan could be attractive in the 5.5% to 6% range. Hence, the investor pays off the loan in 10 to 20 years. However, the investor has no positive cash flow. This requires you to come up with outside cash to pay income tax on the rental profits (the difference between the rent and mortgage interest). The longer you own the property, the more outside cash you will need to pay income taxes as the mortgage interest will get less and less toward the end. So who would buy this kind of property?

The investors who have substantial losses from other properties. By acquiring this zero cash flow property, they may offset the income from the drugstore tenant against the losses from other investment properties. For example, a property has 5,000 of rental profits a year, and the investor also has losses of 0,000 from other investment properties. As a result, the combined taxable profits are only ,000.
The uninformed investors who fail to consider that they have to raise additional cash to pay income taxes.

Out of the Box Thinking If you put too much weigh on the S&P rating of the tenants, you may end up either taking a lot of risks or passing up good opportunities.

Good location should be the key in your decision on which drug store to invest in. It's often said a lousy business should do well at a great location while the best tenant will fail at a lousy location. A Walgreens store that is closed down later on (yes, Walgreens closed 119 stores in 2007) is still a bad investment even though Walgreens continues paying rent on time. So you don't want to blindly invest in a drug store simply because it hasa Walgreens sign on the building.
No company is crazy enough to close a profitable location. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that a financially-weak company like Rite Aid will make every effort to keep a profitable location open. On the other hand, a financially-strong Walgreens will need justifications to keep an unprofitable location open. So how do you determine if a drug store location is profitable or not if the tenant is not required to disclose its profit & loss statement? The answer is you cannot. However, you can make an educated guess based on store's annual gross revenue is often reported to the landlord as required by the percentage clause in the lease. With the gross revenue, you can determine the rent to income ratio. The lower the ratio, the more likely the store is profitable. For example, if the annual base rent is 0,000 while the store's gross revenue is M then the rent to income ratio is 5%. As a rule of thumb, it's hard to make a profit if this ratio is more than 8%. So if you see a Rite Aid with 3% rent to income ratio then you know it's likely a very profitable location. In the event Rite Aid declares bankruptcy, it will keep this location open and continue paying rent. If you see a Rite Aid drug store with 3% rent to income ratio offering 11% cap, chances are it's a low risk investment with good returns. The weakness of corporate guaranty from Rite Aid is probably not as critical and the risk of having Rite Aid as a tenant is not really that significant.
Drug stores with new 25 years leases tend to sell at lower cap, e.g. 7-7.5% cap on new stores versus 8.0-8.5% cap on established locations with 8-10 years remaining on the lease. This is because investors are afraid that the tenants may not renew the leases. Unfortunately, lenders also have the same fear! As a result many lenders will not finance drug stores with 2-3 years left on the leases. The fact that drugstores with new leases have a premium on the price means they have potential of 10% depreciation (buying new at 7.3% cap and selling at 8.3% cap when the leases have 10 year left). Some investors will not consider investing in drug stores with 5-10 years left on the lease. They might simply ignore the fact that the established stores may be at irreplaceable locations with very strong sales. Tenants simply have no other choices other than renewing the lease.

Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid - What RE Investors Should Know in 2011

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Common Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity - How Do I Know If I Am Gluten Intolerant?

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If you think that you are living with gluten sensitivity symptoms, or if you think that you might be gluten intolerant, how can you know for sure? Have you been searching all over the internet trying to find out more information about gluten intolerance and its symptoms, but you are confused about the mountain of information? You are not alone. Some estimates say that there are about three million Americans suffering from this condition, but only a small fraction are aware that they are suffering from it. That makes about 1 in 133 that suffer from this condition, but only 1 in 4700 knows that they are gluten intolerant.

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First let us start with the obvious question. What is Gluten sensitivity? This condition is simply the bodies rejection of gluten which is a protein found in grains like wheat. This rejection then causes a variety of symptoms and conditions.

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What are common symptoms of gluten sensitivity?

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1. Stomach Cramping

2. Nausea and vomiting

3. Diarrhea

4. Constipation

5. Gas

6. Acid reflux

7. Fatigue

8. Joint Pain

9. Infertility

10. Ulcers

The first and most common gluten sensitivity symptom is stomach cramping. This can be moderate to very severe. If you suffer from this, you are well aware of the pain and discomfort. Nausea and vomiting can be experienced by a large number of people. Gas and diarrhea are also very common and can be very embarrassing. Fatigue can take the form of physical exhaustion or it can manifest itself as mental fatigue.

This is a very short list of the symptoms of gluten sensitivity. Please keep in mind that this condition does not manifest itself the same way in all people. If you are unsure if you are suffering from this condition, please see your doctor.

Where does gluten intolerance come from?

Most studies indicate that gluten intolerance and sensitivity is inherited. That is to say it is genetically passed on. The only way to be cured of this condition is to simply avoid gluten in your diet. This can be the most challenging and disheartening part of this condition. Wheat and wheat products seem to be in so many foods that we eat. But remember, if you are suffering from the symptoms of gluten sensitivity, you are not alone. The internet has opened up the world to those of us who are searching for more information about gluten sensitivity symptoms and gluten free foods.

So how can you learn to live gluten free?

Common Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity - How Do I Know If I Am Gluten Intolerant?

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Identifying Dog Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

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One of the facts that you have to deal with when you develop some dog allergy symptoms is the fact that it is not easy to live with your favorite pet. Research shows that up to 40% of USA households have a pet. Therefore finding dog allergy treatments might become a priority if any member of the family developed a reaction.

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Given the popularity of owning pets that is a characteristic of the developed communities, it is important to watch out for danger which is a potential allergen. Virtually every home in the USA has some dander. If someone develops dog allergy symptoms then you should consider some of the treatment programs which are offered by the experts. It is estimated that allergies are the 2nd highest cause of absenteeism. Therefore this condition has economic implications.


Signs that there is something wrong: You will experience regular wheezing and coughing especially when you are near a dog. Another classic symptom is an episode of red and itchy eyes. Suffers will have a runny and stuffy nose. This can lead to constant sneezing. On certain occasions the patient may experience some skin reactions. One of the typical warning signs is if you break out in hives in the location where a dog has licked you. It is important that you protect anyone that is suffering from asthma since they are particularly vulnerable to this condition. The vectors for transferring the allergens include urine and saliva.

Treatment programs: The known dog allergy treatments include antihistamines. These are chemicals that stop the leakage process whereby fluid will seep into the tissue and cause hives. Over-the-counter varieties include Benadryl, Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin. Nasal sprays such as Astelin can be an effective alternative. Decongestants are useful for reducing swelling and reducing some of the effects that are associated with a stuffy nose. The best brands include Allegra-D and Sudafed.

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If the methods mentioned above do not bring relief from dog allergy, then you may be able to use prescription steroids such as Nasonex and Flonase. However you must ensure that you have consulted with your physician in terms of preventing some of the worst side effects. You may decide that the best approach is to restrict the movement of your dog or any other pet in order to ensure that it does not spread danger. This avoidance strategy is favored by many home owners and pet lovers.

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Identifying Dog Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

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Allergies Can Cause Chest Congestion Symptoms - Cure Allergies

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Allergies this time of year can cause a lot of major health issues so it is important to find a remedy that help you prevent it. You need to make sure if you have an allergy it is not from something like mold that can be inside your house. It is important that you take vitamin D because this is a natural way that you can prevent any allergies from occurring. If you contract a cough or congestion you need to go to your doctor so that you can treat it before it gets worse. The quicker you take action on the allergy the faster you will be able to get over it.

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Certain times of year there is more things in the air that can cause you to have issues. Spring time is especially bad because there are many flowers and plants that are blooming. It is a good idea if you try to eat healthy foods and get plenty of liquids because this can increase your immune system and prevent you from getting any symptoms. If you feel like you have an allergy coming on then you need to be proactive because this will allow you to make sure your allergy does not turn into something worse.

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Remember that if you have an bad allergy you need to get treatment for it before it gets worse. During the spring season you are more likely to have an issue because the flowers and plants are blooming and there is a lot of stuff floating around in the air. If you eat health and take more vitamin D it can help to increase your immune system and lower the chance that you will get an allergy.

Grass Allergies

Allergies Can Cause Chest Congestion Symptoms - Cure Allergies

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Could Your Symptoms Be Due to Mold Allergy?

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Are you experiencing a confusing combination of symptoms that your doctor just cannot explain? You could be reacting to mold.

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Mold spores are always in the air, and some strains are particularly toxic to humans. But even small amounts of common mold spores can trigger allergic reactions in some people, and lead to multiple symptoms. These may include respiratory problems, headaches, mental fogginess, body aches and pains, rashes and depression, among other things.

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Mold allergies become even more of a problem during certain seasons such as autumn, when lots of organic matter decomposes, or spring, when many molds reproduce by releasing huge amounts of mold spores.

Tree Allergies

Mold develops easily in warm humid environments, and when air moisture is high during to long periods of rain or flooding. Unnoticed water leaks and warm kitchen and bathroom environments create ideal breeding grounds for mold, especially where there is not enough ventilation.

In areas with cold winters, mold can grow on fallen leaves, getting into the air when the leaves are mowed or raked, and triggering allergic reactions.

Mold allergies can go undetected for many years because the symptoms are so varied, and can affect all parts of the body, including the nervous system. Also, mold spores are not visible, and many cases of mold occur in hidden places where they are not noticed.

Not many doctors realize just how insidious mold allergies are, or how many different symptoms they can cause. Mold allergy should be considered whenever a person presents with systemic or multiple symptoms, especially if those symptoms seem to occur at certain times of year such as rainy season or autumn, or in particular environments such as one house or room, but not another.

To protect against mold, remove moldy-looking or musty-smelling potting soil; wash and dry dish cloths every day; air out sweaty shoes; wipe showers dry after each use; regularly air out cupboards, basements or attics, ensure good ventilation, and let sunlight into the rooms.

If you suspect that you or a family member is reacting to mold, do not wait until your symptoms get worse. Get tested and treated.

Could Your Symptoms Be Due to Mold Allergy?

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Foods Rich in Histamines Can Cause Food Intolerance Symptoms

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Many people suffer from food intolerance, and there are many foods that are rich in histamines that can cause food intolerance symptoms. These reactions can include digestive system problems that like spasms, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms can range from flatulence to headaches to skin rashes and even eczema.

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Our bodies can't digest some foods that have high histamine levels because our digestive system lacks the enzymes it needs to ensure we don't suffer from these symptoms. Eating foods rich in histamines like pizza, fish, some vegetables, and some fruits can cause these often cumbersome food intolerance symptoms. Drinks like coffee, cocoa, wine, and beer also have high histamine levels.

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Often people avoid these high histamine level foods to prevent reactions or symptoms, but there is hope. Our bodies need to replace the low levels of Diamine Oxidase or DAO and that is being done through a supplement now approved by the FDA - NDI. NDI is different than an antihistamine that simply blocks the problem. NDI replenishes our bodies with the DAO we need to help us tolerate foods that have high histamine levels.

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Here's a good list of foods that are high in histamines that cause food intolerance symptoms:

Fish like tuna, smoked fish, sardines, canned fish, and fish sauces
Pizza and sauerkraut
Wine and beer including sparkling wine or champagne
Cheeses
Processed and smoked meats like salami, ham, bratwurst, and bacon
Vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, eggplant, avocados, mushrooms, canned vegetables, and salads that are commercially prepared
Fruits include strawberries, bananas, papayas, kiwi, pineapple, tangerines, mango, grapefruit, and red prunes
Condiments and sauces like ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, balsamic or red wine vinegar have high histamine levels
Sunflower seeds, walnuts, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts
Breads that are made with yeast

Freshly purchased foods that are stored in your refrigerator actually gain a higher histamine level through the maturation process. The freshness goes down and the histamine count goes up. While choosing fresh meat is wise, anytime a meat is processed, it gains a higher histamine count. Beyond high histamine counts, foods that go through the maturation process can also cause an increase in biogenic amines.

Fresh fish that you buy will also increase histamine levels because fresh fish spoils faster. Bacteria that develops in stored or refrigerated fish can also cause high histamine levels. Any fish that is smoked or marinated will only cause histamine levels to be higher.

Instead of avoiding these foods, replenish your DAO levels with the supplement NDI. You digestive tract, especially your lower intestine will benefit from the replenished results that NDI provides allowing you to consume foods that are high in histamine levels. You can avoid the sometimes severe food intolerance symptoms by ensuring your digestive system is full of the enzymes it needs to tolerate high histamine foods. Choose foods wisely and re-energize your digestive system to reap the benefits of a healthy diet full of the foods you enjoy.

Foods Rich in Histamines Can Cause Food Intolerance Symptoms

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Gluten Allergy Symptoms Encompass 3 Different Conditions

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I often see the word gluten allergy symptoms used to describe an intolerance to gluten or a wheat allergy. However, a gluten intolerance and a wheat allergy are two different medical conditions. The term gluten allergy is a bit of a misnomer. Let me explain what that term might encompass and why it isn't a useful way to describe the gluten phenomenon.

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Wheat Allergy Symptoms

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A wheat allergy is not a gluten intolerance; this is because a wheat allergy is a histamine response more like a traditional allergy, like hay fever or a peanut allergy. When people suffer from a wheat allergy, they are specifically allergic to wheat and not to the gluten which exists in more than just wheat. They are also likely to have a more immediate response to eating something with wheat in it.

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Symptoms of a wheat allergy can include an itchy or swollen tongue, an itchy, sore throat, heartburn or indigestion, hives or a skin rash, headaches and kind of foggy mind feeling. There are more symptoms than this, but these are the symptoms that are most likely to occur right away.

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

On the other hand, a person who has gluten intolerance may be able to eat a piece of wheat bread and not experience an immediate and obvious symptom. Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune disease not a food allergy. When someone has this gluten sensitivity, any kind and amount of gluten he or she eats will trigger his or her immune system to attack the small intestine with certain antibodies.

However, this attack can be gradual. Don't misunderstand here: this is a very serious condition and over time as these antibodies attack the lining of the small intestine (and its microvilli), the patient will develop very serious consequences. While the initial symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like gas, bloating, cramping, diarrhea and constipation, many more severe gluten allergy symptoms will occur in time, including diabetes, arthritis, ataxia and even cancer.

Celiac Disease

Until recently, if you had an intolerance to gluten, you had celiac disease. However, researchers and doctors now understand that you can test negative for celiac disease but still have a significant gluten sensitivity.

Celiac disease is basically a more severe form of gluten sensitivity where doctors are able to verify the presence of specific genes associated with the disease. Other than the context of the diagnosis and its greater severity, celiac disease is essentially the same thing as a gluten intolerance. That is, it is not a food allergy.

So you can see we have three separate conditions here, and none of them are really accurately represented by the term gluten allergy.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms Encompass 3 Different Conditions

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Pet Allergies and Symptoms

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Just like people, animals can suffer allergic reactions to a wide variety of environmental substances, or allergens. Seasonal allergens, such as grass, tree and weed pollens are common culprits. Other allergens causing year-round symptoms include foods, molds, dust mites, insects and other materials found in the home environment.

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Skin disease and allergies are some of the most difficult and frustrating problems treated in veterinary medicine today. Veterinarians report that up to 1 in 4 dogs seen in their practice are treated for allergies. Solving these dermatology cases and establishing effective treatment can be challenging.

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An appropriate allergy diagnosis consists of a thorough physical examination, which includes a complete dermatological history. Common questions asked of the pet owner include, "Is this problem seasonal? Is the problem worse indoors or outdoors? Has the pet's environment changed recently? What are you feeding your pet?"

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The clinical signs of environmental allergies in dogs and cats are pruritic, such as biting, scratching, face rubbing, feet chewing and constant licking. These result in hair loss, chronic ear infections and skin disease. Secondary infections such as pyoderma, staff and malassezia are also common.

In addition, allergic dogs will often chew on their feet until they are irritated and red (the feet are the only place dogs have sweat glands and these become inflamed with allergies). They may rub their faces on the carpet or couch, or scratch their sides and belly. Because the wax-producing glands of the ear overproduce as a response to the allergy, they get ear infections.

The skin lesions seen in an allergic dog are usually the result of him mutilating his skin through chewing and scratching. Sometimes there is hair loss, which can be patchy or inconsistent over the body leaving a mottled appearance. The skin itself may be dry and crusty, reddened, or oily depending on the dog. It is very common to get secondary bacterial infections of the skin due to these self-inflicted lesions. Such infections may be treated with antibiotics.

ELISA serum testing offers a valuable alternative to skin testing to identify the specific allergens that are causing a pet to suffer. The pet does not have to be sedated or shaved to test, and this test does not require a veterinary dermatologist. Any veterinarian can simply draw the blood and submit the serum to the laboratory for testing.

It is common for a pet to have multiple allergies, including food, inhalant and contact allergens. While allergies can never be cured, they can be managed and treated with Immunotherapy.

Pet Allergies and Symptoms

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