Allergy tips
That Chronic Cough Could Be Asthma
HealthDay suggests that you should see a doctor if you have a cough that won't go away. ‘Cough is the most common respiratory symptom for which patients seek medical attention,’ says Dr. Alan B. Goldsobel, chairman of the cough committe…
Home Remodeling for Allergy Sufferers
I just moved into a new home here in Atlanta and had to do quite a bit of remodeling. The floors were in really bad shape, and I decided to rip up the remaining carpet, pull up all the nails…
One in Seven Asthma Cases Linked to Spray Cleaners
Fox News reports that a new study links spray cleaners and air fresheners to one in seven cases of asthma in adults. Researchers say that just spraying a cleaner once a week can trigger an asthma attack, but more frequent…
Dark Circles Under Eyes Could Be From Allergies
Dr. Daniel More of about.com explains, ‘Dark circles under the eyes, when related to nasal allergies, are called ‘allergic shiners.’ Allergic shiners are related to nasal congestion, which can occur for other reasons besides allergies, such as with the common…
Five Facts about Construction Dust
Recently, thanks to increased awareness about the dangers of construction dust, many builders have started hosing down sites with water to prevent heavy build-up of dust and that’s why construction permits are important so people around can know about these…
Got Food Allergies? Check out AllergyGrocer.com
Recently featured in The Wall Street Journal, AllergyGrocer.com has a large selection of foods for people who have food allergies. Founded as Miss Roben's in 1992, the company initially sold only a few different wheat and gluten free mixes, along…
12 Most Dangerous Household Chemicals
Maybe you’ve been wondering just how harmful the fumes from everyday household products are? Often, when a chemical, fume, or vapor is harmful, its strong smell or odor is the first identifier of this. However, this can also be the…
True Food Shopping Guide – GM Food Guide
Since I blogged about the possibility of Genetically Modified Foods being behind the increase in food allergies, I've received several questions (mainly from concerned parents) about how to avoid GM foods. My standard answer has always been that you can…
Moth Allergen & Contact Dermatitis
The Open Press reports that common moths can be just as damaging as dust mites when it comes to allergic skin conditions. One study found that 60 percent of people who react to dust mites are also sensitive to moth…
Wedding Planning for Allergy Sufferers
Don’t let your allergies ruin your big day! To make sure you say, ‘I do’ instead of ‘achoo,’ follow these wedding planning tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI): If you are still in the planning…
Free Allergy Screenings in Atlanta
Piedmont Ear, Nose, Throat & Related Allergy is currently offering FREE ALLERGY SCREENINGS for a limited time! The free screenings include allergy testing for grass (Bermuda, Bahia, Fescue, Johnson), weeds (Short Ragweed, English Plantain, Red-Root Pigweed, Sorrel, Lamb
Sick Children May Be Better Off Without Antibiotics
According to US News & World Report, treatment with antibiotics may be useless when it comes to some children's conditions – and antibiotics may even make matters worse. A recent study indicates that the use of antibiotics for any purpose…
Planning a Vacation for a Child with Asthma
The Moorpark Acorn recently published an article about planning family vacations for a child with asthma. Here are some tips: Check the weather at the destination. Extreme hot and cold can trigger asthma attacks. Check pollen and mold counts, too.…
Gas Ovens & Indoor Air Quality
More than half of kitchens with gas ovens exceed the World Health Organization guidelines for annual exposure to nitrogen dioxide.
If You’re Allergic to Nail Polish…
If you’re allergic to nail polish, you can still have great-looking, healthy nails without using it. Linda McCloud of beyondallergy.com writes that nail polish smells so strongly because of the phthalates, solvents, formaldehydes, fragrances, preservatives, and dyes. That’s a lot…
Natural Allergy Relief Tips from WebMD
WebMD's Allergies Health Center examines several natural allergy relief methods: Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) – Dr. Hardy says that butterbur ‘has had some very impressive clinical trial results.’ In one study, this European herb was just as effective as a popular…
Animal Lovers Overcome Pet Allergies with Environmental Control
eMaxHealth published one of our recent press releases and reports that pet owners can reduce pet allergies with new environmental control products like Allergy Armor Ultra bedding, the Pet Machine air purifier, and the Dyson DC17 Animal vacuum cleaner. Visit…
Caring for a Child Who’s Allergic to Eggs
The Abkhazia Institue offers advice to parents of children who are allergic to eggs: There's no easy way around it – the only way to treat an egg allergy is to eliminate eggs and foods made with eggs from the…
Dry Skin May Cause Asthma, Hay Fever, Allergies
The Open Press reports that dry skin may cause allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, and allergic rhinitis. Scientists have discovered that some people absorb allergens through damaged skin. The treatment of dry skin is not just a cosmetic issue;…
Asthma Patients: Do You Know Your IgE?
The Toledo Journal reports that an estimated 60 percent of asthma patients have allergic asthma (triggered by dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, or cockroaches), yet in the U.S., only a small percentage of asthma patients are tested for…
Protect Yourself from TB, Bacteria & Viruses on Airplanes
This morning Diane Sawyer of ABC News interviewed Andrew Speaker, who stirred up panic, outrage, and controversy after he flew across the Atlantic on a commerical flight, knowing that he was infected with a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis (TB). Speaker,…
Key Word for Allergy Relief: ‘Avoid’
Dr. Byron Carlson, a family physician in Mason City, IA, says in globegazette.com that the key word in allergy relief is ‘avoid.’ ‘I can
Your Home Could Be Causing Your Allergies
Make your home more allergy-friendly with advice from Dr. Rita Kachru of WEWS News. ‘You can have indoor allergens like dust mites and mold, which you'll have all year. They are called perennial,’ says Dr. Kachru. Dr. Kachru suggests: Buying…
The Neti Pot: A Simple Solution for Effective Allergy Relief
WCVB-TV in Boston reports that ancient neti pot is a simple solution for allergy relief. Dr. Matthew Kashima, head of the Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview, says the neti pot is hundreds of years old,…
Always Read Ingredients: Foods with ‘Dairy-Free’ Labels May Contain Dairy
NPR reports that foods with ‘gluten-free’ labels may contain trace amounts of gluten (wheat protein) – enough to trigger a reaction in some people. As of now, ‘free’ labels like ‘dairy-free,’ ‘peanut-free,’ and ‘gluten-free’ are not regulated by the FDA.…
Allergies & The Great Outdoors: What to Pack for Travels
Chealth.com offers the following tips to allergy sufferers on the road: Make sure your destination is not populated with the specific type of plants to which you are allergic. All world lists these as the top countries for allergy-friendly environments,…
Do You Read Your Pharmacy Package Inserts?
If you don't read you pharmacy package inserts, then you should start, says Amy Ritchart, writer of a weekly health and wellness column in The Leaf Chronicle. ‘Once, when reviewing a package insert that accompanied a new prescription for my…
Outdoor Exercise Tips for Allergy Sufferers
HealthNewsDigest.com offers the following tips for allergy sufferers who want to exercise outdoors during pollen season: Inhale through your nose when you exercise. When you inhale through your nose, you warm the air (especially important for asthmatics). Cold air constricts…
Most Common Symptom of Childhood Asthma: Persistent Cough
Daily Southtown reports that asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood yet one of the most under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated childhood diseases. Signs of an asthma attack include wheezing, coughing, gasping for air, and struggling to breathe. A…
Timing Improves Efficacy of Allergy & Asthma Drugs
CBS News reports that allergy and asthma drugs should be taken at specific times for the best effects. Dr. Richard Martin, MD, suggests that you take your allergy pills before bedtime and your asthma medication in the late afternoon. ‘Taking…
An Apple A Day for Mother Keeps Baby’s Asthma Away
_ _ _An apple a day may help expectant mothers prevent their children from developing asthma later in life, according to a compelling new study published on Thorax Online. The study tracked dietary intake of nearly 2000 pregnant women to…
Frequent Infections in Children May Be A Sign of Immunodeficiency
Medical News Today reports that, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), children who get frequent infections like ear infections, sinusitits, or pneumonia may have a condition known as immunodeficiency. ‘People with immunodeficiency get the same…
Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
Holistic health practitioner Linda Binns suggests the following natural remedies for seasonal allergies on SelfGrowth.com: Goldenseal helps eliminate mucus. Echinacea and goldenseal root strengthen the immune system. Cayenne pepper can help counteract allergy symptoms and is particularly helpful in treating…
Pollen Allergies? Don’t Blame the Flowers!
It's officially spring now, and tree pollen is raining down upon us – but only the pollen from certain trees is a problem for allergy sufferers. According to WFIE News, Dr. Jason White has a simple rule of thumb: Pretty,…
Arthur from PBS Teaches Kids & Parents about Asthma, Food Allergies
If you don't know Arthur, he's an eight-year-old aardvark and the star of an animated series on PBS. The series has a substantial educational outreach program for librarians, teachers, community centers, and families. Two of the lesson plans are ‘All…
Alternative Medicine Allergy Treatments
Dr. Manuel Alvarez of Fox News says that alternative medicine systems like Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine believe that the true key to allergy prevention is treating the underlying causes while building up the body’s immune system. ‘The long-term solution to…
Check the Allergen Hot Spots in Your Home
According to PRnewswire, Procter & Gamble has partnered with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to educate people about hidden allergen hot spots. Most allergy sufferers know about the dust mites in their bed, but they may not…
Expert Pollen Allergy Tips
Experts say we're in for a pollen ‘superburst’ in the next couple of weeks. Roger Emert, an allergy specialist at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, recently shared his tips for combating watery eyes and the sniffles on…
Say Hello to Warm Weather & Spring Allergies
Dr. Mallika Marshall offers the following advice for springtime allergy sufferers on WBZTV in Boston: To limit your exposure to pollen, try to stay indoors in the morning when the pollen count is the highest. Avoid mowing the lawn and…
Does Your Child Have an Asthma Action Plan?
The Star Press reports that every year, hundreds of thousands of children visit the emergency room because of asthma attacks. Parents of asthmatic children should consider creating some sort of action plan. The columnist, whose child suffers from asthma, suggests…
Children with Asthma Should Get Flu Shots
ABC Health News reports that children with asthma should get flu shots, but only 3 in 10 actually receive the shots. ‘We were surprised at how low the number was,’ says Susan Brim of the U.S. Center for Disease Control…
Preventing Food Allergy in Children
If you have allergies or asthma, your child is more likely to develop a food allergy. The Mayo Clinic offers advice on preventing the development of food allergies in your children: Avoid peanuts during pregnancy and while nursing, especially if…
Do Not Take Allegra with Juice!
Allegra is a very common medication for those with allergies, and for many, the daily routine may be to take any of your medications with breakfast. You may want to pause before the next time you take Allegra with juice.…
Spring Is Almost Here! Are You Ready for Allergy Season?
Spring is a beautiful time of year, but all those blooming trees and flowers aren't so pleasant for those of us who suffer from seasonal allergies. Some allergy sufferers are already feeling the impact of tree pollen from cedar, alder,…
You Can Have Pets Even If You’re Allergic
Kristine Sorensen of KDKA News from Pittsburgh reports: Think you can't have pets in your life because you suffer from allergies? Think again. Animal experts say there are ways to make it work. In fact, studies show that one-third of…
Experts Say Your Pillow is Key to Great Sleep
TheRecord.com reports: Most of us think of our beds as havens, cosy retreats into which we sink nightly as we try to keep up with – or catch up with – our need for sleep. But if that bed is…
Diagnosing Asthma in Children
Sally Robinson, a professor of pediatrics at UTMB Children's Hospital in Galveston, TX, offers advice on diagnosing asthma in children in The Galveston County Daily News: Asthma is the No. 1 reason that children miss school in the United States…
Decongestants May Aggravate Enlarged Prostate Symptoms in Men
keyetv.com in Austin, TX reports that decongestants may aggravate symptoms in men with enlarged prostates.
Soothe Sinus Inflammation & Lower Your Utility Bill with a Humidifier
A contributor on NBC's Today recently pointed out the fact that a humidifier will not only soothe irritated sinuses, but it will also lower your utility bill during the winter. The additional moisture in the air holds onto the heat;…
Why Chistmas Trees Make Allergy Sufferers Sneeze
If you celebrate Christmas and suffer from allergies, you may want to reconsider your holiday decorating traditions. That tree in your living room could be behind your itchy eyes, runny nose, and… achoo!… sneezing fits. Pollen from Christmas trees is…