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 Daily Mail reports that Francesca Sanna, 19, died after having what appears to have been an extreme allergic reaction to her toothpaste.
The toothpaste was Aquafresh Mild & Minty, according to her family.
The coroner concluded that Francesca died of an acute anaphlyactic reaction. She brushed her teeth minutes before her death and had been complaining of sore gums in the days before her death.
Pathologist Dr. Richard Prescott says, "People have suffered severe reactions in the past from toothpaste, mouthwash or even tampons."
A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Aquafresh, says, "Although we have not yet had an opportunity to see the coroner's report, we understand that no conclusion was made as to the cause of the anaphylactic shock. We receive less than a handful of complaints of allergic reaction to Aquafresh Mild and Minty each year, all of which have been of a mild and localised nature."
According to allergymoms.com, many kids who have multiple food allergies have problems finding a safe toothpaste.
Francesca suffered from asthma and severe allergies her whole life.
See the Food Allergy / Anaphlyaxis Solution Guide for more information about food allergies.
Posted by Craig on Monday, January 28, 2008
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The only protein 6-year-old Timmy Armstrong can eat is venison, Fox News reported this week. Young Timmy can also stomach small amounts of natural oats, salt, and sugar. He also receives an amino acid-based formula through a feeding tube.
Timmy has eosinophilic esophagitis, a relatively new disease characterized by intense inflammation of the esophagus that's linked to allergies.
Dr. Jeffrey Hyams at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center says that the disorder has become widespread in the last 10 to 15 years. He states, "I will tell you, we are literally seeing two new cases a week of this, 100 cases in a year. The inflammation is pretty much throughout the entire esophagus, and that inflammation somehow affects motility ... the way that it pushes food down."
Although the cause of eosinophilic esophagitis is as yet unknown, many doctors believe that the environment may be a factor since the disorder and others like it are hardly seen in underdeveloped parts of the world.
For more information on food allergies, see the Food Allergy FAQ.
Posted by Shifrah on Friday, January 25, 2008
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Science Daily reported this week that researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) have developed a sensor system that monitors the air around asthma-prone invidivuals. The sensor, which is worn inside the pockets of a vest, may help researchers understand what causes asthma attacks.
 The asthma researchers hope to learn what was going on environmentally at the time of asthma attacks. Asthmatic people's lungs can overreact to environmental stimuli, so the sensor system will help indicate exactly which components cause asthma attacks in various individuals. In addition, the system will enable users to see where there are high concentrations of environmental irritants so that they can either remedy the problem or stay away from that area.
The sensor system measures an asthmatic individual's airborne exposure to formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are found in many everyday items, such as cleaning supplies, paints, and furniture, to name a few. A special mesh filter will also collect particles.
One of the asthma sufferers who volunteerd to test the comfort and effectiveness of the system has already gained valuable information from the system. He found that his home contained higher volatile organic exposures than anywhere else he'd been. Based on this information collected by the sensor system, the researchers found that gas and exhaust fumes were making their way into the volunteer's home from his garage.
Charlene Bayer, one of the principal GTRI researchers hopes to eventually use the sensory system to study asthmatic children's environments. She states,"With this system we can determine what children are exposed to at home, at school and outside where they play. Chances are there are some overreaching compounds that seem to trigger asthma attacks in more children."
The correlation between environmental pollutants (many of which are undetectable by scent) and asthma attacks doesn't come as a surprise to those who experience asthma or allergic reactions when exposed to certain cleaning products or even perfumes. Although HEPA filters do a great deal to remove particulate matter such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander from the air, activated carbon is necessary to remove chemicals and gases like formaldehyde and VOCs. As researchers learn more about the effects of these compounds in triggering asthma attacks, many more people may come to appreciate and take advantage of the benefits of high quality air purification. Wearing masks, especially ones containing carbon filtration, in environments with high concentrations of pollutants can also help reduce the incidence of environmentally triggered asthma attacks.
Posted by Shifrah on Thursday, January 24, 2008
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 Mary Pickett, associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, gives advice on dealing with exercised induced-hives at timesdaily.com:
Exercised-Induced Anaphylaxis
"If exercise causes large hives (usually a centimeter or more in diameter) along with throat swelling or lightheadedness, nausea or headaches, you may have a condition named 'exercise-induced anaphylaxis.'
"Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is frequently triggered by a food allergy. The way that food allergy can relate to exercise is still debated. Some experts believe that exercise changes your digestion and food absorption, so exercise after eating leads you to have a greater exposure to food proteins that cause allergy.
"Many people with exercise-induced anaphylaxis notice that they will not have hives after exercising if they have had an empty stomach for six to eight hours before exercising, or if they avoid specific foods for 24 hours before exercising.
"The most common food allergy that triggers exercise-induced anaphylaxis is wheat allergy. Allergy to nuts, shellfish, eggs and other foods can also cause this problem. A person with hives after exercise should consider getting tested for food allergies. Once your triggers are known, you should avoid exercising after eating food allergy triggers.
"Full-blown symptoms of anaphylaxis can be dangerous. If you have other allergy symptoms with your hives, you should exercise with a partner and carry epinephrine that can be injected (such as the Epi-pen). Antihistamines (particularly hydroxyzine) may help symptoms, but they may not prevent a severe attack."
(If you carry epinephrine, see our selection of auto-injector cases.)
Cholinergic Urticaria
"If exercise causes smaller hives (usually less than a half- centimeter), you're more likely to have a condition called 'cholinergic urticaria.' Either of these problems can be accompanied by wheezing with breathing (asthma).
"Cholinergic urticaria is also known as heat-induced urticaria. This kind of hives from exercise is a reaction that can occur from a warm body temperature or from sweating. If you have this kind of hives, you may also notice hives after taking hot showers, after getting emotional or after eating hot foods. If this is your hive problem, an antihistamine such as hydroxyzine (Atarax) is helpful before exercise, and it can also be helpful for you to avoid exercising in hot weather.
"For most people who get hives after exercise, this is a long-term problem.
"If a food allergy is identified as a trigger, symptoms can likely be avoided if you don't exercise after eating, or if you change your diet to eliminate the allergen."
Posted by Craig on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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In the wake of the FDA's warning against giving young children cold medicines (see FDA Warns Parents Against OTC Cold Meds for Young Children), many parents may wonder how to treat cold symptoms in their young children.
The ABC News Medical Unit reported yesterday, in an article entitled Saline Rinse May Cut Cold Symptoms, that "treating stuffy noses with a saline wash could represent a drug-free, potentially effective approach."
A study conducted by Czech researchers looked at 401 children between the ages of 6 and 10 who were suffering from cold or flu symptoms. Some participants received standard cough or cold medicine, while the others received the medication plus a saline nose rinse. The research demonstrated a marked improvement in symptoms including stuffy nose, sore throat, coughs, and nasal congestion in the group that had received the saline nasal rinse.
Not only so, but Dr. Ivo Slapak, the leader of the investigation, adds, "The study results show that saline nasal wash significantly improved nasal symptoms in the common cold in children, and shows potential to prevent the recurrence of upper respiratory tract infections."
The study also showed that those who used the saline nasal rinse used less drugs than the those who didn't use the nasal wash: only 9 percent in the saline group used fever-reducing drugs, while 33 percent who didn't use the saline rinse used these drugs. The use of cold medications showed similar results: while 47 percent of the non-saline rinse group used nasal decongestants, only 5 percent of the saline wash group felt the need to use them.
To add to the good news, the study showed that the saline wash had no significant adverse effects. The saline rinses are believed to aid in the treatment of nasal congestion and other problems by clearing out the nasal passages. Clearing out the nasal passages in turn reduces the amount of inflammatory compounds in the respiratory system.
Dr. Anne Moscona of the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center states, "[H]ere's a simple remedy that has no risk, that is not only good, but intrinsically better than over-the-counter cough and cold medications. I would suggest my patients choose this approach." Now that should reassure parents.
President of the American Rhinologic Society, Dr. Marvin Fried, confirms: "I would encourage parents to use this method, and have long advised the use of saline spray in kids."
 Sprayable sinus rinses and other sinus relief products are useful in performing saline nasal washes. This news coincides with the recent surge in popularity of the neti pot, which was endorsed on Oprah last year. The neti pot facilitates saline nasal washing,and may well become a standard household product for cold-prone children, allergy sufferers, and anyone who needs relief from nasal congestion.
Posted by Shifrah on Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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 Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has announced that it has banned latex products.
"Latex hospital gloves were invented here, so it's only fitting that Johns Hopkins takes the initiative to promoting alternatives," says anesthesiologist Robert H. Brown, who chairs the hospital's Latex Task Force, according to newsdaily.com.
Studies show that approximately 15 percent of healthcare workers are allergic to latex - because of constant exposure to the allergen.
Latex is used in gloves as well as tourniquets, stethoscope tubes, and other medical devices.
In severe cases, an allergic reaction to latex can lead to anaphylaxis. For more on anaphylaxis, see the Anaphylaxis Solution Guide.
Posted by Craig on Monday, January 21, 2008
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A recent study suggests that women who live in areas with high fine particle or carbon monoxide levels, such as that caused by heavy traffic, are up to 25% more likely to give birth to their babies before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The American Journal of Epidemiology reports that the association between preterm births and air pollution is present even after accounting for other factors such as smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.
Women who breathe polluted air during their first trimester and toward the end of their pregnancies are the most susceptible to the harmful effect of air pollution.
The study was conducted in Los Angeles. Dr. Beate Ritz from the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angles stated that "air pollution in Los Angeles County remains a major public health problem affecting everybody, particularly pregnant women."
She added that the study "helps confirm the results we reported previously - that air pollution mainly caused by vehicle traffic increases the risk of preterm birth even when we take other risk factors into account."
Preterm births are not only risky for the baby, but also for the mother. Women who give birth preterm seem to be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease for decades after they give birth to a preterm infant.
Air purifiers are an effective way to combat the negative effects of air pollution. Air purifiers can trap many different kinds of pollutants, including the urban pollution caused by traffic. Investing in an air purifier to achieve cleaner air is a great way to protect the longterm health of both infants and their mothers.
Posted by Shifrah on Thursday, January 17, 2008
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 Today the FDA will issue a public health advisory to warn parents not to give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children "because serious and potentiall life-threatening side effects can occur."
Last October, a similar warning was issued, which said that perhaps the drugs weren't even effective and shouldn't be used in anyone under the age of six.
The doctor who petitioned the FDA last year to end the use of these nonprescription medicines for young children states, "If there's really no evidence of benefit, you don't want to risk the rare problem." Overdosing is another potential problem with these OTC cold medicines.
A reported 1,500 babies and toddlers ended up in the emergeny room over a two-year period due to over-the-counter oral cold medications.
The FDA reviewed reports of side effects from the last forty years and found 54 child fatalities from OTC decongestants and 69 reported deaths related to antihistamine use.
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta says that parents of sick infants "can use vaporizers or hydrators, saline nose drops, rubber nose bulbs, and chicken soup and other fluids to keep an infant hydrated.
Posted by Shifrah on Thursday, January 17, 2008
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According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), many symptoms of the common cold could actually be signs of allergies.
Anju Peters, M.D., Chair of the AAAAI's Rhinosinusitis Commmittee, says, "Millions of Americans think they are suffering from a cold during the winter months when they're acutally experiencing allergies."
Dr. Peters describes the reason for the difficulty in distinguishing between cold and allergy symptoms:
 "Cold and allergy symptoms can be very similar, making it hard to decipher a difference between the two. The main difference is the length of time symptoms last. A cold normally disappears after a week or so, but allergies can last much longer. In order to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, it is important to differentiate between a cold and allergies."
A runny or stuffed nose, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, post nasal drip, and a dull headache are common to both a cold and allergies. Fever, body aches, and sore throat lasting up to a couple of weeks are indicative of a cold.
While a cold is a condition that just requires a bit of time to clear up, allergies do necessitate treatment. Allergies are caused by exposure to allergens, which include dust mites, pets, pollen, and mold. Environmental control is critical in the treatment of allergies.
Depending on the type of allergens present in your home environment, allergy relief products such as dust must encasings for your bedroom, air purifiers, and special cleaning products can help stave off allergic reactions. Products to combat cat dander and other pet-related allergens are also useful in minimizing exposures that could trigger allergy attacks.
Posted by Shifrah on Thursday, January 17, 2008
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 Most people associate seasonal allergies, or hay fever, with the spring and fall, but winter allergy sufferers know all too well that winter brings on its own set of allergic reactions. Although many pollens may have left the air by the time of the first frost, other allergens are present, often in greater amounts.
Winter can actually be the worst time of the year for some allergy sufferers for a few reasons. Firstly, when home owners turn on heating systems that have been dormant for months, allergens that have been trapped in filters are introduced into your home environment. In addition, the furnace can stir up allergens that have been "resting" in the carpet, under furniture, or on top of shelves.
An increase in the amount of time spent indoors due to inclement weather also increases exposure to these indoor pollutants. Poor air circulation and tight insulation exacerbates the problem.
The accumulation of mold on fallen leaves is another prevalent winter allergen that can incite winter allergy attacks. Pets also spend more time indoors as the weather gets colder, so the concentration of pet allergens also increases. Finally, Christmas trees can also trigger allergy attacks: live ones can harbor mold, and artificial ones collect dust, as do Christmas ornaments.
To combat winter allergies, try the following: - Change furnace filters to keep from circulating pollutants.
- Dust surfaces, making sure to protect yourself from inhalation of allergens with the use of a face mask.
- Vacuum carpets to remove allergens. Be sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter; otherwise, you're simply stirring up allergens and redistributing them.
- Use air purifiers to keep indoor air fresh and free from harmful pollutants and allergens.
- Perform routine pet care to reduce pet allergens.
- Wear a mask when participating in outdoor activities such as hikes in wooded areas or gardening to avoid exposure to mold spores.
- Consider buying an artificial Christmas tree and make sure to clean old artificial trees and ornaments to ensure that they are free of dust.
Please visit Preparing for Winter - Allergy-Relief Tips for further information.
Posted by Shifrah on Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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 We all know that flu season hits hardest in the winter, but have you ever wondered why? The New York Times reports that the flu virus "is more stable and stays in the air longer when air is cold and dry, the exact conditions for much of the flu season."
A flu researcher from the microbiology department at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York adds, "Influenza virus is more likely to be transmitted during winter on the way to the subway than in a warm room."
Interestingly, some historians have suggested that the name influenza comes from the Italian influenza di freddo, which means "influence of the cold."
To test why the flu virus is so prevalent in the winter months, the researchers used guinea pigs and altered both the temperature and humidity in their living quarters. Transmission excelled at 41 degrees, and declined steadily as the temperature got warmer. By 86 degrees, the virus wasn't passed around at all.
The findings confirmed that "the virus was transmitted best at a low humidity, 20 percent, and not transmitted at all when the humidity reached 80 percent." Flu viruses are airborne (unlike colds, which spread more through direct contact with infected surfaces). The virus is more stable in cold air, and low humidity helps the virus particles stay in the air. Humid air, on the other hand, causes the virus particles to pick up more water and then fall to the ground -- where we can't breathe them.
Based on this reasearch, experts recommend setting room temperatures near 69 degrees Farenheit and keeping rooms at around 50% humidity.
Monitoring your home's temperature and humidity is an important part of keeping your family healthy in the winter months. A humidity gauge can help you keep humidity at the recommended levels. And using a humidifier not only eases the adverse effects of dry witner air, but can even help protect you and your family against winter's dreaded flu.
Posted by Shifrah on Monday, January 14, 2008
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 According to The Detroit News, many low-income asthma patients across the country will be at-risk of missing doses of their asthma medication beginning in 2009, when CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) inhalers will become prohibited.
The FDA is probiting the use of CFC inhalers because of concerns that the chemical harms the Earth's atmosphere. New HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) inhalers, which are already on the market, cost about twice as much as CFC inhalers.
"There are two possible solutions to this dilemma," Dr. Amanda Oates and Dr. Matthew Davis of the University of Michigan explain. "The FDA can amend its 2005 regulation to specify that CFC inhalers will be allowed until 2010, when HFA inhalers come off patent and less expensive generic alternatives will likely become available.
"Even better, the FDA can delay the CFC phase-out until the most important of its original criteria for removing CFCs from inhalers has indeed been met: The patients who require non-CFC inhalers to control their asthma must be adequately served."
For more information on HFA inhalers and to see comments from asthma sufferers who will be affected by the FDA regulation, see New HFA Inhalers Are Effective But Costly.
Posted by Craig on Friday, January 11, 2008
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 Natural Foods Merchandiser reports that the FDA may soon declare that meat and milk from cloned animals is safe to eat.
Some experts are concerned about "the unpredictability of cloning, the higher risk of animal birth defects, and unresolved issues about human allergens."
Robyn O'Brien of allergykids.com recently explained how genetically modified foods, which have been on the market for over 10 years, may play a role in the extreme increase in food allergies over the past decade:
"The problem is that proteins and allergens are introduced when you genetically modify a plant, and no human trials were ever done. As these novel allergens and novel proteins were introduced with no human trials done, government agencies around the world in other developed countries simply labeled these ingredients so that a mom could decide if she wanted to expose her child to these new proteins and allergens, which is especially helpful if you have a family with a predisposition to allergies. In the U.S., there was no labeling.
"So what we're finding is that there's a dramatic correlation between the introduction of genetically engineered soy, which was introduced in 1996, and within that first year, there was a 50% increase seen in soy allergies. And within the first five years of the introduction of genetically engineered soy, there was a doubling of peanut allergy. Studies are showing now that there are allergens in this genetically engineered soy, and they are 41% similar to peanut allergen."
Some are worried that cloned food, if approved by the FDA, may lead to similar, unpredictable food allergies.
Posted by Craig on Friday, January 11, 2008
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 Science Daily reports that childhood eczema, although decreasing in the 13 to 14-year-old age group, is still on the rise in six to seven-year-olds. The continuing rise in eczema prevalence in younger children as well as the number of reported cases in developing countries is of growing concern.
A paper published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology indicates that environmental factors are key to the manifestation of eczema. This is because genetic factors are not likely to change in the span of time covered by the study (ten years).
The leader of the eczema research, Hywel Williams, Professor of Dermato-Epidemiology in the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology at The University of Nottingham, says that even moderate cases of eczema have a significant impact on family life. The cost of treating eczema also poses a financial burden that is similar to that of asthma.
Professor Williams summarizes the study: “This is the first time we have been able to have a glimpse at what has been happening to eczema symptoms across the world using standardised methods. The results suggest that environmental factors are key to the expression of eczema — if only we could identify those factors so that we could prevent eczema in those countries experiencing significant increases.”
Professor Williams goes on to say that there is evidence that eczema is preventable to some degree as well as evidence on effective approaches to the managing of eczema symptoms.
For more information, and to read about the relationship between eczema and allergies and asthma, see our Eczema FAQ.
Posted by Shifrah on Tuesday, January 08, 2008
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 In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advised mothers of children with a family history of allergies to avoid cow's milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts while breast-feeding.
Now, according to msnbc, the AAP has changed their advice to breast-feeding mothers.
While breast-feeding appears to decrease the risk of allergies, avoiding certain foods during breast-feeding does not.
The new report states:
- There is no convincing evidence that women who avoid peanuts or other foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding lower their child’s risk of allergies.
- For infants with a family history of allergies, exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow’s milk.
- Exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months protects against wheezing in babies, but whether it prevents asthma in older children is unclear.
- There is modest evidence for feeding hypoallergenic formulas to susceptible babies if they are not solely breast-fed.
- There is no good evidence that soy-based formulas prevent allergies.
- There is no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of foods such as eggs, fish or peanut butter to children prevents allergies, but babies should not get solid food before four to six months of age.
Posted by Craig on Monday, January 07, 2008
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scnow.com reports that as the weather gets colder, many people will experience allergy symptoms that seem out of place during the winter.
 Dr. Shawn McKay, an ENT specialist in Florence, SC, says, "The allergies we worry about during the winter months are primarily dust mite. In fact, if I could only test and treat for one allergen, it would be dust mites."
He says the most common treatment for dust mite allergy is using impervious covers on pillows and mattresses.
Dry air can be a problem in the winter, too.
"When the humidity levels go down and the heat turns on, the nose can dry out and that can cause congestion and possibly bleeding," says Dr. McKay.
To ease the discomfort of nasal dryness, use a saline irrigation system.
"Also, it may help to have a humidifier in the bedroom where they sleep," he said. "Most people are breathing through their nose for several hours at a time when they are sleeping."
Cold weather also means much more time spent indoors - with windows and doors sealed tightly. Use an air purifier to filter airborne allergens and pollutants.
Posted by Craig on Friday, January 04, 2008
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 The Food Allergy & Anaphlaxis Network (FAAN) reports that country music star Trace Adkins will be part of the celebrity line-up in Donald Trump's TV show The Celebrity Apprentice, which debuts tonight at 9:00 PM EST on NBC. The celebrities will be competing for the charities of their choice.
"I decided to do this show because I wanted to help raise awareness for the Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)," says Adkins, who has a daughter with severe food allergies. "I don’t think many people are aware that so many children are developing food allergies these days. Something we’re doing has to be causing this and we’ve got to figure out what it is."
See our recent interview with Robyn O'Brien of allergykids.com to learn more about what might be causing the increase in food allergies.
Posted by Craig on Thursday, January 03, 2008
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