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When you are a marketing executive for a professional sports team, you are always looking for ways to sell a few more tickets to each game. In major league baseball, stadiums hold around 40,000 fans for each game. As a marketer, you have to fill those seats. That pressure can be beneficial to the consumer in that it makes professional teams focus on their customers and their customer’s specific needs. One innovation this summer that should interest peanut allergy sufferers is that several major and minor league baseball parks are offering “peanut free zones” or “peanut free nights” in their ballparks.
It is estimated 12 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, about one-quarter of them children. According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, the incidence of peanut allergies among children doubled over the five-year period from 1997 to 2002. Going to a baseball game is a great way for a family to enjoy a summer evening out of the house. Having a peanut free area in the stadium is a wonderful idea to help allergy sufferers and parents enjoy themselves without worrying about coming into contact with peanuts.
On September 9th, the Mariners’ ballpark, Safeco Field, will have two “peanut free” seating areas. Team management is taking several steps before and during the game to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. The Food Education Allergy Support Team will clean and check the seating area just prior to game time. Secondly, the seating areas are going to be cleaned thoroughly the night before the game, and all peanut products will be banned from the areas. At concession stands near the sections, peanut products will not be sold. Additionally, the Mariners are recommending a way to enter the stadium with the least chance for peanut exposure. Earlier this summer, a similar night in Seattle had a large response with the sections being sold out.
To learn more about the Mariner’s peanut free section, click.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins also set aside peanut-free seating areas this season. The concept is not limited to the big leagues. A minor league team in suburban Chicago made its entire stadium peanut free earlier this month; and, the Nashua Pride in New Hampshire have been peanut free all season. Though it might seem sacrereligious to some to not be able to buy peanuts at a baseball game, in most stadiums there are plenty of other food options. For example, when I lived in Pittsburgh, PNC Park served the best hot wings in town, from a local restaurant called Quaker Steak & Lube. Peanuts can be potentially deadly for some allergy sufferers, and make more a miserable experience for others. Ultimately peanut free seating a few times a year is a very small concession for teams to make, so if having a “peanut free” zone in the stadium allows more people to enjoy the game I fully support the idea.
Posted by Jamie on Thursday, August 28, 2008
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Last week an article in USA Today confirmed what my co-workers and I have been talking about in our weekly meetings for months. The bedbug is back, and back with a vengeance! From hotel rooms and movie theatres to dorm rooms and luxury resorts, bedbug attacks have been cropping up across the United States. Even across the pond in Great Britain, the number of bedbug infestations has soared over 500% in the last few years. They thrive in high occupancy areas. Doing a Google search for “bedbug” brings up over a million articles from all over the world. This includes many very, very creepy You Tube videos! Be on the lookout, because adult bedbugs are visible to the naked eye.
Image source, Cooper Pest Solutions / USA Today
As students return to campus this fall, they are finding themselves on the front lines in a battle against this resilient foe. Though visible to the eye, bedbugs are hard to exterminate. A bedbug can live for over a year without a meal. They cling to old sheets, luggage, and clothes. One expert calls them a “fantastic hitchhiker.” So, even if you have taken precautions, your roommate, your roommate’s friends, your friends, or the girl down the hall can carry bedbugs into an already crowded living space.
The USA Today article sites a couple of examples from campuses around the country. At the Ohio State University, an outbreak of bedbugs in May 2007 caused the university to treat over 114 dorm rooms. In the past year, Texas A&M University has spent $37,000 dollars to bring in dogs that are capable of sniffing out the pests. Texas A&M also will try to eradicate any bedbugs with an overnight room heating system. These are drastic measures to be sure, but the bedbug bites, feeds on human blood, and leaves nasty welts on the body. Welts are characterized by severe itching and by the tendency to stay visible on the skin for several weeks. In a small percentage of people, bedbug bites can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Here at achoo! Allergy, we think the best way to fight this pest is to control your environment. Our Allergy Armor bedding is a great way to protect your mattress and pillows from outside allergens that can affect sleeping and breathing. The bedding is zipper sealed and goes on the mattress or pillow underneath your regular bedding. By sealing the zipper with 3M tape, you can effectively fight against bedbugs. We offer The Complete Dust Mite Dorm Bedding Package which includes one pillow, blanket, pillow cover, and mattress encasing: everything you or your child needs to be cozy, comfortable, and allergy-free. Great advice about this battle is that if you see bedbugs or bloodstains on sheets or furniture, or if you have bedbug bites, you should speak right away to a trusted exterminator, landlord, or college administrator that will take your problem seriously. Posted by Jamie on Monday, August 25, 2008
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We’ve roughed the spring months, trudged through another smoggy summer, and before we know it, fall will be here. With fall comes our yearly visitor, ragweed. As the most common allergen of the late summer/early fall months, ragweed is not affected by high gas prices. Each plant produces up to a billion grains of pollen, and these particles can travel hundreds of miles by simply hitching a ride with a passing breeze. In addition to ragweed, mold can also be an issue for some of us. Mold often flourishes as dead leaves accumulate in damp piles at the edge of our yards or by the street. Lastly, firing up the furnace for the first time can also unsettle dust mites and blow them and their allergenic byproducts throughout our homes.
While packing up all of our belongings and children (don’t forget the children!) and moving to the beach or the mountains might seem like a good idea, packing is not as much fun as it sounds and unpacking is something that usually takes us months, if not years, to complete. Besides it is a buyers market when it comes to houses, and relatives generally aren’t too keen on boarding extended family for months at a time. So what other alternatives do we have?
Ideally, keeping track of the pollen count is a great idea. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology tracks pollen counts on their site, and many times the local weather now includes this information in their broadcasts. While indoors, a HEPA certified air purifier can eliminate dust, spores and pollen from the home, and when the leaves need to be raked a Respro Aero mask can keep pollen and mold spores out. After finishing be sure to shower before bed to keep from transplanting these allergens onto your bedding. Cleaning the ducts, before using the furnace for the first time each fall, can eliminate or drastically reduce the amount of contaminants that would be blown throughout the home. Once the ducts are clean you can continue to keep pollen, dust, and smoke from circulating throughout the house by using vent filters.
With temperatures cooling off, the kids going back to school and the holiday season just around the corner, fall can be a great time of the year. Allergies should never be a reason for us not to enjoy what each season has to offer, and by keeping a few things in mind we can more fully enjoy all times of the year.
Posted by Kevin on Friday, August 22, 2008
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(Boston, MA) In a study presented to the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association conference, Ohio State researcher, Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, found that even slight stress can increase a person’s reaction to common allergens. Of 28 volunteers, all were administered standard prick tests and blood, saliva and serum samples were taken multiple times throughout the experiment. After submitting some participants to different types of stress, the findings demonstrated that allergic reactions were strengthened and present for a longer duration in stressful situations.
Each participant was given a variety of psychological questionnaires to determine stress and anxiety levels. Once this baseline was established, the volunteers were given the skin prick test then asked to perform an array of tasks ranging from reading to giving a ten minute speech in front of a panel of observers and solving math problems without pen or paper.
By measuring the “wheals” that formed from the prick test, researchers determined that the wheals were up to 75% larger on the individuals placed in more stressful situations. More importantly, a day later the allergic reaction for the same people was four times more likely to be stronger than those under low amounts of stress. As Gailen Marshall, co-investigator of the project, noted, late-phase or delayed reactions are often unresponsive to common treatment. “Late phase reactions also occur in allergic asthma and can, in proper settings, be potentially life-threatening.”
While common treatments such as antihistamines can reduce the severity of the reaction, persistent problems can become a serious issue for those who are often anxious or under higher levels of stress. Reducing stress has been proven to have positive health effects in a range of areas. This study reinforces this but also helps to warn against possible complications in allergy sufferers who cannot reduce their stress levels and relax.
Click here to read the original article, and for a more complete overview of this study you can visit OSU’s research page.
Posted by Kevin on Friday, August 22, 2008
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If you have been looking to purchase the Consumer Reports top rated air cleaner, now is the time to buy. The Friedrich C90B has been reduced to $445, with FREE ground shipping to anywhere in the lower 48. With its four stage cleaning process and three speed settings, the C90B offers AHAM certified filtration in one quiet package. The C90B is also one of the most energy efficient units on the market. This combined with not having to replace costly filters makes this unit one of the most inexpensive models to operate and maintain. While not recommended for asthmatics, this unit is ideal for smokers and those concerned with smoke odor. Visit our specifications page to learn more about the Friedrich C90B Air Cleaner or purchase yours today! Posted by Cotton on Thursday, August 21, 2008
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If you are like most people in the United States, you enjoy dining out on the weekends. Recently, I moved to Atlanta and have been trying out new restaurants around the city. Usually, I check out the local newspaper, surf the internet, or ask co-workers and friends to find new and different dining experiences. On the surface, dining out a new place seems harmless, but if you are an allergy sufferer, you know that you have to be very careful about trying a new eatery. Straying away from national franchises like Applebee’s, Chili’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, etc. and going to a trendy, hip new restaurant can be fun, but you have to question the serving staff and tell them exactly what foods you cannot consume.
Last month, Atlantans were talking about the tragic death of Rodney Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins passed way after mistakenly eating a dish that contained seafood, causing a severe allergic reaction which resulted in his death. In the United States, 100 to 200 people die each year from anaphylactic shock, which is the acute reaction to an allergen. The scary part is that for food allergy sufferers accidentally eating a wrongly prepared or cooked meal can cause your whole body to shut down in a matter of minutes. Without a shot of adrenaline or immediate medical attention the individual, tragically, can die.
What can a food allergy sufferer do to enjoy a new restaurant with family or to hang out with friends at a hip, new chef-driven bistro? There are a couple of very important actions that food allergy sufferers must take when dining out or trying a new dish. First, you have to communicate in advance with the restaurant management and the serving staff. Make a phone call to the restaurant in advance and ask them questions about the menu. Be specific about what foods you are allergic to and how intense your reaction might be to the allergen. Most restaurants do some sort of training of the wait staff, and possibly by calling ahead they can make a notation by your reservation or alert your specific server. Here at achoo! Allergy, we have food allergy cards (and for youngsters we have food allergy t-shirts) that can be passed out to your server as a reminder. They can take the card with your order, keep them together, and pass the card along to the chef.
Secondly, when you actually decide on a food choice, be specific with your server about what you can and cannot eat. Do not be bashful! The chef could very well be like me in the kitchen and just throw different ingredients into a dish. Cooking is an art form! Hopefully, the server knows this and either can recommend a different dish, or inform the cook that the dish has to be cooked according to the menu and with freshly cleaned utensils. With a little vigilance and communication, food allergy sufferers can enjoy new restuarants, great meals, and hospitality without worrying about the consequences, except for maybe a few added pounds from eating too much!
Posted by Jamie on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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When it comes to buying an air purifier, a consumer has many choices. For that smart consumer who likes to be “green” in today’s society, look no further than the Blueair ECO10 unit. This is the world’s most efficient air purifier that runs on only ten watts on high speed. The eco-friendly air purifier uses up to 95% less energy than other air cleaners in its class making it nearly 10 times more energy efficient than the minimum performance requirement for the Energy Star rating.
All Blueair products are environmentally aware and offer exceptional performance without polluting the environment. Blueair replaces standard filters (which can harm the environment) with safer, nontoxic polypropylene filters. In addition, Blueair air purifiers are coated with a special powder finish that produces no chemical off-gassing. The polypropylene filters also resist contamination from mold, bacteria, and viruses. Unlike many electrostatic air cleaners, the Blueair ECO10 air purifier is safe for allergy and asthma patients because it releases no ozone by-products.
As with all things that are “green” and “organic,” the consumer usually have to pay a higher price, but the Blueair ECO10 has just been marked $200 off the unit. Plus, you also get a free $20 gift certificate that may be redeemed towards your next purchase at achoo! ALLERGY & AIR Products, Inc. This promotion is only good for a limited time. Click on the following link to learn more about the unit and to make the purchase: http://www.achooallergy.com/blueair-eco.asp. Remember, the Blueair ECO10 not only saves energy, but it also saves you money in operating costs.
Posted by Tina on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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 Since first being discovered in the U.S. in 1999, the West Nile Virus (WNV) has quickly spread across the U.S. Mirroring the national trend the number of cases spiked in 2002-03 but fell in following years. Here in GA we saw an increase in the number of cases last year, and the peak of the season is now upon us as August and September are the two most susceptible months for transmission.
The Department of Health continually monitors WNV in GA by testing and tracking for the virus in humans, horses, birds and mosquitoes. Earlier this month, the likely first case was discovered in a trapped mosquito at Frankie Allen Park in Buckhead. Each year WNV is found throughout Georgia, but now is the time when people need to take particular care when outdoors.
Most often mosquito populations are found near standing pools of water which is unfortunate since most enjoy spending time with friends and family at the many beautiful lakes and parks scattered around the metro area. When working or playing outdoors over the next 30-45 days it is increasingly important to use insect repellent. For those concerned with DEET, Herbal Armor offers a DEET free combination of oils that provides excellent protection against mosquitoes and other biting insects. The Center for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency lists Oil of Citronella, the primary active ingredient in Herbal Armor, as a biopesticide (derived from plants) that works by masking natural human odors that biting insects use to identify hosts. In addition to the use of repellents, people should remove all standing water from their property and ensure that screen doors and windows are in good working order, well fitted and not torn or damaged. Long sleeved and better covering clothing are also good ideas, and reporting the discovery of dead birds to your local and state health departments helps track WNV on a local level.
West Nile generally causes serious illness in roughly 1 out of every 150 people that contract the virus, but as we saw in the outbreak of cases of encephalitis in 2002-03 it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking a few preventative measures we can all work to reduce the spread of West Nile in our communities.
Posted by Kevin on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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Technology is at its forefront and everyone enjoys the benefits and conveniences of it. Who doesn’t love remote controls and other gadgets that make our lives simpler? That’s what Blueair had in mind when they decided to launch their “E Series.” The Blueair Electronic Series lets you manage your indoor air quality with a trendy remote control from a distance of up to 20 feet. Moreover, you can set the unit on Auto Mode and let it regulate the speed according to the number of particles and contaminants present in the air. The faces on the digital display indicate the condition of the indoor air quality. The four units--250E, 450E, 550E and 650E provide different square footages depending on the size of your room.
There are many other unique features that set these units apart from others on the market. Blueair uses HEPASilent Technology that captures 99.97% of 0.1 micron particles with an extremely quiet operation. In fact, these air purifiers are quieter than any others available on the market today. Moreover, the high-efficiency filters trap up to six times more dirt while allowing air to flow freely through the bacteria-resistant filters. Therefore, you will actually notice less dust in your surroundings when these units are running. Another plus is a filter timer on the digital display, which counts down the days until it’s time for filter replacement at which point the “Replace Filter” light turns red. Thus, you can prepare in advance and have a filter on-hand to change when the time comes. What’s more is that it takes less than a minute change the filter so there are no excuses. Who wouldn’t like that? There is also an on/off timer if you don’t want your unit running constantly.
The Blueair E Series is perfect for people with allergy, asthma or other respiratory conditions or anyone who wants clean indoor air with convenience at their fingertips. All these units are Energy Star rated, thus using very less electricity. The units come with a one-year limited warranty that can be extended to another five years by returning the completed product registration card. We currently carry the Blueair 250E and will soon carry the 550E and the 650E. The 450E will be available in September. Last but not least, the units are also very stylish in design. You get style, convenience and performance all in one unit.
Posted by Tina on Thursday, August 14, 2008
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For as long as I can remember our family has always had at least one dog as a pet, though only once did we have one that actually spent the majority of its time inside the house. Happy, as my sister named the small American Cocker Spaniel, lived in our house for about a year until my mother, then pregnant with my youngest brother, exiled him to live with my aunt. Not until I began bringing my dog with me on visits to my parent’s house was there another dog indoors. While the main issue I have with my pet is cleaning up his hair, my father, unfortunately, is allergic to dogs. My dog spending a few days in the house when I visit is not something that will severely affect my father, but I have found that when it comes to allergies – not all dogs are created equal.
Using the term “hypoallergenic” in regards to a dog is somewhat of a misnomer. There is no dog known to man that is allergen free. All produce dander and thus the protein that causes allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic dogs are breeds that generally shed their skin and hair less, produce less saliva and/or only have only a single coat (many dogs have two coats, an undercoat and topcoat). Simply because a breed has little or no hair does not necessarily mean it is less allergenic. Dog hair itself is not the cause of allergic reactions, but it is where the skin cells and saliva containing the allergen often cling to the animal. Breeds such as the Poodle, Schnauzer, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, and Maltese are some of the small breeds that tend to be less allergenic while the Greyhound, Portuguese or Spanish Water Dog, and many of the terrier breeds are some of the mid to larger size dogs that are often considered hypoallergenic.
When adopting or purchasing a new pet, those with pet allergies need to take extra care in their selection. Aside from picking a hypoallergenic breed, regular bathing and brushing in conjunction with the use of an air purifier can help lessen the amount of pet allergen in the house. Doing a little research before getting a new pet can help prevent parting with it, sooner rather than later.
Posted by Kevin on Thursday, August 14, 2008
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Rarely a week passes where a new event or study is touted as a result or indication of global warming. While politicians endlessly debate the causes of global warming most scientists agree in principle that the earth is gradually warming, and there is little debate over the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. The impact of these two trends is still not fully known, but coinciding with these is an increase in the cases of allergies and asthma diagnosed each year.
A recent Newsweek article discusses this further, but the central idea is that as global warming increases there will be a very real impact on allergy sufferers worldwide. In addition to this, preliminary data suggests that urban allergy and asthma suffers will feel an even greater effect from these changes.
Increased temperature and carbon dioxide levels are linked to higher levels of tree pollen, earlier allergy seasons due to trees blooming sooner than in the past, a proliferation of mold and fungal spores as well as an increasing toxicity of many common allergens. All of this spells trouble for allergy sufferers.
The mix of ozone, smog and increasingly high levels of pollen is making it ever more important that those who suffer from allergies control their environment as much as possible. Whether it is using an air purifier or encasing your bedding, the plight of allergy sufferers looks like it will get worse before it gets any better.
Posted by Kevin on Friday, August 08, 2008
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In an effort to create “the Cleanest Possible Automobile Interior Space” Toyota Boshoku, a member of the Toyota Group, has partnered with Sekisui Chemical Co. to develop and manufacture dust mite proof seat fabric. Announced earlier this year, the new fabric is being dubbed “Anti-Mite Allergen Processed Seat Fabric.” In spite of its long name, the fabric, coupled with an anti-mite compound Aller Buster, purportedly eliminates approximately 98% of all dust mite activity within seats.
Up to this point, little has been done in regards to eliminating dust mites in car upholstery, but Toyota will be putting an end to that within the next few years. As with many Japanese products, the seats will first be tested in Japan before making their way to the U.S. If they prove to be viable product and pass EPA and FDA standards, we could see dust mite proof seats in Toyota cars and trucks in three to four years. And, with the way the auto industry works once one manufacturer has paved the way, others will likely follow.
Few people take much notice of how their vehicle’s interior is a potential breeding ground for dust mites. Most spend far more time in bed than in their vehicles, but for an unlucky number of super commuters it is not out of the question to spend anywhere from 3-4 hours a day in traffic. If you have them in your home then it is generally safe to say you likely have them in your vehicle as well. They can easily be transmitted via clothing, and once inside your car or truck, they set up camp and do what they always do – eat your dead skin cells and reproduce. While that is certainly not an attractive mental image, this new fabric installed with the Aller Buster compound applied to its undersurface could undoubtedly reduce or eliminate the problem all together.
With bedding, it is easy and relatively inexpensive to encase your pillows, mattresses and duvets. Encasing your car seats is a little more difficult. First, there is nothing on the market to effectively encase them. This leads to only one other option, steam cleaning or shampooing your vehicle’s interior regularly. I cannot speak for everyone, but steam cleaning my truck seats is hardly a priority for me.
After researching I wondered if this would be necessary with leather seats. As leather furniture is by far a better deterrent to dust mites than cloth, the same is true for vehicle interiors. Until this new fabric hits the market my advice is go with the leather in that new vehicle, particularly if you have moderate to severe dust mite allergies. For some, relief cannot come soon enough.
Posted by Kevin on Friday, August 08, 2008
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