thanks for the warning
Submitted by Patz on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 19:34In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Can't really comment on your
Submitted by Allan Mason on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 03:51In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Can't really comment on your dog's problems, but... "Every year in spring I now develope a tickly, dry throat that turns into a dry cough, that virtually takes voice away and is actually very uncomfortable for a couple of weeks. Blamed the yellow, rape like weeds but don't know." The stuff that you think looks like rape is very likely just that. I don't think it's grown much for oil here, but Italians do use the leaves as a winter salad. In any case, I think it's unlikely that it's to blame for your allergic reactions. Rape is an insect-pollinated plant, so it doesn't throw off loads of pollen. It has been suggested that large fields give off enough aromatic oils that some people nearby might react to them, but I'm not sure if that's ever been established as fact. Far more likely that what you're reacting to is pollen from something that's inconspicuous: plants that rely on wind-pollination - such as trees and grasses - generally have flowers that are not very obvious because they don't need to attract insects. It's also possible that you're reacting to more than one plant, since allergic reactions are cumulative. For example, I'm allergic to cats, but I can cope with them being in close contact for most of the year. During spring and early summer, however, our cats cause me major problems. If you find the reaction annoying, you might consider taking antihistamine tablets. The modern ones are much better than the older drugs which could also be used as a sedative and whose effects often didn't last long. At the moment, the antihistamine available in Italy which works best for me is one called Aerius. You should be able to get it in most chemists. A packet has 20 tablets and one a day is supposed to be sufficient, so a single box should sort out your problems for a year. Al
Rape or Cime di Rape....?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 04:45In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
'The stuff that you think looks like rape is very likely just that. I don't think it's grown much for oil here, but Italians do use the leaves as a winter salad.' It is probably Cime Di Rape (pronounced rap..eh) which is turnip tops to you and me. I have not seen the English Rape in Italy. You can get alergies from any pollen and this time of year is particularly bad. Re your Labradors, we have 3 and give then Cod liver Oil tablets and Green Lip Mussel extract pills. We get them online from the UK and the results are amazing..
ANTIHISTAMINE AVAILABLE IN ITALY
Submitted by Gala Placidia on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 10:40In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Country girl
Submitted by karenr on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 11:22In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We lived in countryside in UK and actually had rape planted in the field right next to our cottage every third year with no problem. The weed that I assumed was the problem is just that, a weed, not grown in fields, just randomly on side of road and around where we live. I blamed this purely because of timing and the fact that I had never suffered with anything in UK. I have a large quanitity of Piriton that my son brought over on his last trip in anticipation of my couple of weeks of discomfort. Thanks for the tips re arthritis in labrador but we are fully up on all remedies and he has been on various natural remedies for some years, and yes they do help, along with his Bioflow collar. This new drug though is helping even more. One tablet a month is all that is needed. Early days so hopefully the benefits will be continuous. p.s. in my (ex) part of UK cime di rape was called sprouting broccoli for, in my opinion, very obvious reasons
Hope Harry much better
Submitted by Dylano on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 14:47In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Much better now
Submitted by karenr on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 04:33In reply to Hope Harry much better by Dylano
thanks Dylano Harry much better, a little subdued yesterday but antihistamines can have that affect. Swelling all gone. I'm fine too, this year just got the dry throat and start of tickly cough but didn't progress as had in the previous 3 years. Maybe I'm developing some resistance or maybe the change of weather has had some affect. Piriton at the ready though, just in case. Poor Dylano - do you think it was a snake? The two puncture wounds make it sound feasible and maybe just enough venom for the blisters but not enough to make him really poorly. How is Tom Cat's nose? Harry will have permanent scars after his encounter with the ferret - there are several long gouge marks on the end of his nose which are now white and stand out against his little black nose. Hopefully that's it for this year!
allergy for dogs
Submitted by beth on Wed, 04/28/2010 - 10:52In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
sorry if its off topic but as Gala mentioned I have been using Polarmin cream for years but for the dreaded mosquito bites (or the very small similar to midge bites) having tried at least a dozen others. Just a thought if others like myself get regularly eaten alive.