Author: Shifrah
Peanut-Sniffing Dogs Give Kids a Chance at Normal Lives
Few pet-owner relationships are as heartwarming as those between a seeing eye dog and his master. Recently, the Today Show on NBC reported the same kind of dog-helping-human companionship for food allergic children. Peanut-sniffing dogs are trained to sniff for…
Air Pollution Increases Infants’ Risk of Bronchiolitis
A new study has found that infants exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at greater risk for bronchiolitis, reports Science Daily. Catherine Karr, M.D. PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and the study's lead…
Plants Reduce Indoor Pollution
As allergy sufferers gear up for the winter, they must take extra thought regarding the fact that they will inevitably spend more time indoors. Since indoor air can be as much as 12 times more polluted than outdoor air, individuals…
Major Source of Indoor Dust: Outdoors
The source of dust was the subject of a recent study by Arizona scientists. Surprisingly, Science Daily reports that most of our indoor dust comes from outdoors. Household dust is made up of a conglomeration of dead skin cells and…
Zebrafish Used to Screen Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
University of Sheffield researchers have been helped by tropical zebrafish in the discovery of new anti-inflammatory drugs to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, according to Medical News Today. The research team discovered significant parallels between inflammation in…
Adult-Onset Shellfish Allergy
A recent column in the Washington Post highlights food allergic adults of which there are an estimated 12 million in the United States, alone. With so much (deserved) attention focused on the dangers facing food allergic children, it’s easy to…
Halloween Asthma Triggers
It's fairly obvious that parents with food allergic children must be vigilant during Halloween festivities. Treats must be carefully monitored so that anything containing nuts, dairy, or other allergy triggers may be removed before allergic children eat them. But what's…
Wash Hands in Cool Water?
A recent New York Times column investigates the claim that hot water should be used instead of cold water to wash your hands. Many take it for granted that washing with soap and warm water is the best way to…
Nonallergic Rhinitis Symptoms More Severe than Allergic Rhinitis
An interesting Medical News Today report, which states that the symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis are more severe than allergic rhinitis, prompted us to highlight the differences of these two conditions. The main difference between allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis is…
Prevent Sinusitis Caused by Dry Air
Temperatures are cooling, and many in various parts of the country are already fluffing down comforters, digging their cozy slippers out of the closet, and cranking up the heat. Colder air brings relief from sweltering summers and their attendant humidity…
Toxic Drywall Sickens Residents
Many allergy and asthma sufferers have first-hand experience encountering indoor air that exacerbates symptoms. Indoor air pollution has many sources, including cleaning products, fireplaces, and home fragrances. But what if your home itself was polluting your indoor air? _This is…
Natural Cold, Flu, and Allergy Remedies
Allergy products aren’t just for allergies anymore. As wintertime approaches and colds and flus are all around us, it’s great to know that many allergy treatments are quite helpful in alleviating cold and flu symptoms as well. WebMD’s Natural Cold…
Allergy Hotspots in the Home
In a section dedicated to ‘Struggling Supermoms,’ WebMD put together a slideshow highlighting 10 Hidden Allergy Hotspots in Your Home. When maintaining your allergen avoidance routine, it’s a good idea to keep the following hotspots in mind and give them…
Parasites Protect Against Allergies, New Study Confirms
A recent Vietnamese study has added credence to the idea that parasitic gut worms, such as hookworm, could help in the prevention and treatment of asthma and allergies, reports the web site ScienceDaily in their article Gut Worms May Protect…
Atlanta Flood Cleanup
As the country knows, the Atlanta area, home to AchooAllergy.com’s headquarters and storefront, recently experienced major flooding that touched the lives of almost everyone living in the region. Sadly, flash floods claimed the lives of several individuals. Our thoughts and…
Time to Prepare for Ragweed
The autumnal equinox is almost upon us (it officially occurs on 22-23 September, according to Wikipedia. While this heralds relief from sweltering summer days, it also means new concerns for allergy sufferers. One of the most potent allergens in the…
Thunderstorms and Asthma
Here in Atlanta, the home of AchooAllergy.com, we have had thunderstorms all week. Interestingly, we recently learned that thunderstorms can cause a higher incidence of asthma attacks, as Science Daily reports. A research team composed of climatologists and epidemiologists form…
Daycare Does Not Protect Against Asthma and Allergies
New research indicates that a commonly held belief that children who attend daycare have lower rates of asthma and allergies later in life has been disproved. Medical News Today quotes Dr. Johan C. de Jongste of Erasmus University in the…
Heart Health Damaged by Air Pollution
In How Air Pollution Can Damage the Heart, Time Magazine reports on new findings that demonstrate how air pollution affects heart health. University of Michigan scientists, headed up by Dr. Robert Brook, discovered that breathing in bad air can increase…
Indoor Air Pollution Worsened by Candles
A recent study demonstrates the harmful health effects of many candles reports Health.com. South Carolina State University researchers studied petroleum-based and vegetable-source candles to determine their emissions. They analyzed substances released into the air after burning candles from various manufacturers…
Extreme Air Pollution Concentrations in Tunnels
A new study has found that the concentration of toxic fumes in tunnels is so high that it can cause harm to passengers and drivers, Medical News Today reports. Atmospheric Environment published the study which measured ultrafine particle concentration levels…
ET Helps with Asthma Research
What do ET (yes, we mean the Extraterrestrial being from the Stephen Speilberg movie), asthma, and depression have in common? They were all part of a recent study, reported on by FoxNews, which showed that children who have asthma and…
Swine Flu Quick Facts
A recent Wall Street Journal article discusses the next wave of swine flu which is a big concern for parents as school children head back to class. The following quick facts are a summary of the information and recommendations presented…
Penicillin Allergy
According to WebMD, penicillin antibiotics are the most common cause of drug allergies. Additional related antibiotics, such as cephalexin, cefprozil, and cefuroxime can also cause problems for those with a penicillin allergy. Reactions or side effects to penicillin are frequently…
Peanut-Free Baseball
Regions Park stadium of Hoover, Alabama recently held a peanut-free night at the ballgame, CNN reports. For several consecutive days, the Barons power-washed the stadium to get rid of any peanuts or their remains. In addition, all peanuts and any…
Caffeine Allergy
Not long ago, we blogged about coffee allergies which are not always as straightforward as they seem. Some allergic reactions to coffee are often reactions to components of the coffee. One component that can pose a problem is caffeine. Aside…
Pets on Flights?
A recent exchange between the Canadian Lung Association and Canada's Health Committee highlights an important question: Should pets be allowed in the passenger cabin of airplanes given the risk to passengers and crew with asthma, COPD, and animal allergies? Medical…
Flea Allergy in Dogs and Cats
According to PetPlace.com flea allergy dermatits is the most common allergy in dogs and is caused by the saliva left behind when fleas bite. Cats are also affected by flea allergies. Symptoms of flea allergies in pets include intense itching,…
Genetically Engineered Foods and Food Allergies
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a grant in the amount of $433,100 to the University of Chicago for researching how allergic reactions to food are initiated, Medical News Today reports. What is particularly fascinating, however, is that…
Air Pollution Exposure Can Lower IQs
As Medical News Today reports, the results of a recent study published in the July online issue of Pediatrics reveal that unborn children exposed to urban air pollution have an IQ lower than that of children exposed to less air…
Corn Allergy
Can you be allergic to corn? The short answer is, yes, but it’s not that simple. Of all the different types of food allergies, a corn allergy may be among the most difficult to deal with. Obviously, corn allergic individuals…
Link Found Between Allergy, Autism, and Malabsorption
More scientists are discovering the interconnectedness of our bodies’ systems and of the diseases and disorders that attack those systems. The results of a recent study conducted by Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland is no exception. The landmark study…
Tomato Allergy
When it comes to identifying a tomato allergy, it is important to recognize the difference between a food intolerance and a true food allergy. While a food intolerance produces very real and uncomfortable symptoms, food allergies are much more serious…
The High Cost of Bed Bugs
As a health article in today’s New York Times attests, the resurgence of bed bugs has not gone away. Speculation regarding the reason for their re-emergence includes the elimination of powerful pesticides like DDT and the increase in international travel.…
Rice that Cures Pollen Allergies?
Medical News Today reports on Japanese scientists who have bred a transgenic rice to fight pollen allergies. The rice is in a new category of genetically modified foods. The first generation of gentically modified crops was designed to withstand insects…
Sun Allergy
Last week, we wrote about sunscreen allergies. Trying to juggle protecting yourself from the sun while avoiding allergy triggers seems hard enough; but can you imagine grappling with an allergy to the sun itself? What is a sun allergy? Sun…
ALCAT to the Rescue
As Medical News Today reports, asthma and allergy medications have been under increased scrutiny lately – and the heat may shift patients in another treatment direction. Last week, the FDA requested that Merck upgrade the warning about the psychotic side…
Sunscreen Allergy
We all know the dangers of sun exposure, and as summer is officially upon us, we’ll find ourselves throwing sunscreen into our beach bags and slathering its protection all over our bodies as a matter of course, but can you…
Sulfa Allergy
As the Mayo Clinic describes, a sulfa allergy most often refers to an adverse reaction to an antibiotic called sulfamethoxazole which is present in antibiotics that contain sulfonamides. Some of these antibiotics are Septra and Bactrim. Sulfisoxazole, present in Pediazole,…
Coffee Allergy
_ _ Can you be allergic to coffee? Actually, yes! Coffee allergy symptoms can include runny nose and watery eyes, wheezing, coughing, nausea and vomiting or stomach cramps, and digestive trouble such as diarrhea. Skin irritation such as rashes may…
New Asthma Treatment Alair Does Not Involve Medication
An experimental asthma treatment cut the rate of extreme asthma attacks by 32 percent and reduced trips to the ER by 84 percent, Fox News reports. The device is called Alair. It's a thin tube that is inserted into the…
Strawberry Allergy
Strawberry allergies are fairly common. Strawberry allergy symptoms are similar to those of many food allergies with the most common symptom being oral allergy syndrome. Oral allergy syndrome includes symptoms like tingling, itching, and swelling in the mouth, throat, tongue,…
Peanut Allergy Treatment Brings Hope for Long-Term Tolerance
A recent study conducted by researchers at Duke and Arkansas Children's Hospital suggests that long-term tolerance in children with peanut allergies may be achieved through carefully administered doses of peanuts. The therapy consists of exposure to the peanut allergen at…
Chocolate Allergy
Although many people believe they are allergic to chocolate, true allergies to chocolate – specifically, the cocoa it's made from – are actually rare. In addition, many reactions to chocolate are not true allergies, but are rather intolerances to other…
Mosquito Bite Itch Is an Allergic Reaction
Summertime is fast approaching, and in addition to barbeques and picnics and swimming and no school and all that other fun stuff, it also means the re-emergence of those buzzing, blood-sucking little pests, mosquitoes. You can read blogs or you…
Keeping Indoor Air Clean
The New York Times article Clearing the Air explores the issue of indoor air pollution and how to combat the problem. Knowing that ‘anything released indoors is about 1,000 times more likely to be breathed in than something released outdoors’…
Over-Diagnosis of Food Allergies?
_ _ A recent article in the New York Times entitled Telling Food Allergies From False Alarms chronicles a Houston family's struggle to cope with the diagnosis of the children's multiple food allergies. The Keeling children's allergist banned them from…
Achooallergy.com Giving an iMac to One Lucky Holiday Shopper
We're pleased to announce Achooallery.com's Allergy Relief Holiday Giveaway. This year, we're giving away a brand new iMac – valued at $1,299 – to one lucky winner. All you have to do is place an online order between now and…
Dogs Used to Sniff Out Bed Bugs
A recent MSNBC segment on bed bugs states that reports of bed bugs have increased by 71% in the past five years, according to the National Pest Management Association. Although typically associated with low-quality hotels or poor sanitation, bed bugs…
Benadryl Allergy and Allergy to Benadryl
Benadryl Allergy is among the most popular OTC allergy medications. It is used to relieve runny noses; sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; and itchy throats. Side effects of the drug include drowsiness and possible excitability. Care should be taken when taking…