Naegleria fowleri Back in the News
We first mentioned this amoeba over a year ago in connection with the death of a woman in Louisiana. Friday, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced that the microbe had been found in four locations in the…
Dehumidifier Recall 2013
Yesterday, we've received some inquiries from customers about the voluntary recall of dehumidifiers. Our staple room dehumidifier, the Danby 70 pint, is what many people are asking about since that brand has some models that are on the recall list.…
Ask an Allergist – Round Two Allergy FAQ’s
As our second installment of Ask An Allergist, we answer questions about food desensitization, avoiding asthma triggers and bird dander allergies. Take a look, and if you have questions you'd like us to answer, send them along via the methods…
Swimming, Chlorine and Pregnancy
Last week we saw a flurry of articles written about the release of a study in the British Journal of Dermatology. The reason for publicity is that part of the research takes aim at an activity that pregnant women commonly…
Coming to a Meal Near You – Chinese Processed Chicken!
I know everyone has literally been on pins and needles awaiting this decision, and heading into the long Labor Day weekend, the USDA quietly announced that, soon, you too can enjoy Chinese processed chicken! From chicken noodle soup to chicken…
Yoga, Controlled Breathing & Asthma
Asthma relief can be achieved in non-medicinal ways, such as yoga and meditation. Today, I am going to talk about a simple pose and a couple breathing techniques that can help open your airways, regulate your breathing and hopefully help…
Allergy Armor Ultra Sale!
If you've been meaning to try some of the best allergy bedding available, now is the time to save. For a limited time, all Allergy Armor pillow covers, mattress covers and duvet covers are 20% off. _As seen in Women's…
Chasing a Dream – Diana Nyad
Regardless of the different health issues we often cope with, you don’t often have to look too far to find a good source of inspiration or to find someone dealing with the same thing who excels or overcomes. Whether it…
AchooAllergy Releases 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
We’ve recently released our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Different from years past, this year’s Guide is shorter, and more concise. It offers a few great products that would work well for the loved one dealing with allergies, asthma or MCS,…
Ragweed 2013 Forecast
Ok, so perhaps I’m being a bit dramatic when I wrote that title, but to be honest, the theme from Jaws was playing in my head. Still, the summer months are quickly winding down, and despite Mother Nature’s insistence on…
Feminine Health – A Healthier Time of the Month
Every month we ladies must deal with a natural inconvenience. Luckily we have an array of products to choose from to help us with this time of the month. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to many of these products, particularly…
Phthalates and Insulin Resistance
Yesterday I touched on a few of the latest pieces of research on BPA, but in addition to this there was another related piece concerning a topic we’ve covered here at Achoo! before – phthalates. Phthalates are a plasticizing agent,…
New Research on BPAs and Health Effects
This August has seen the release of two new studies involving bisphenol A (BPA) and potential health effects. Since both deal with different subjects, I'll address them separately, but each contribute to a growing body of work that focuses on…
AchooBlog One of Healthline’s Best of 2013
Once again, the AchooAllergy Blog is proud to be selected as one of the Best Allergy Blogs of 2013 by Healthline.com. Annually, Healthline.com selects a variety of allergy blogs that cover a wide range of different aspects of allergic disease,…
New Feature – Ask the Allergist
We are constantly trying to bring you the most up-to-date and relevant information available. To help in doing so, we've began partnering with board certified doctors to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about allergies and…
Eczema Company – Back to School Sale
If you or someone in your family suffers from eczema, dermatitis or chronic skin irritation, we offer a variety of products, from personal care to organic bedding. There are things though, that we do not have but can be very…
Allergy Armor Ultra in Women’s Health
A recent article in Women's Health magazine online outlined some simple home products that can help control allergies by reducing allergens at home and work. Allergy Armor Ultra Bedding came in at the top of the list. _Allergy Armor Ultra…
Preservatives in the Spotlight
Most of us tend to put little thought into preservatives, but if we do think about them, it is quite often in the context of food. What is less talked about, though, is the use of preservatives in personal care…
Top Tips for Food Allergies in School
As we welcome in August, teachers across the U.S. are headed back to prep for the coming school year. That signals kickoff of back to school shopping but also fresh worries for parents about food allergies. Over the last few…
U.S. House of Reps Approves Anaphylaxis Bill
Sorry for the delay folks. I spent the last week or so in the Big Apple visiting some of the sights. Despite having spent over a month there off and on in the past, the last time I was there…
AprilAire Whole Home Dehumidifiers – Back in Stock
Well, they're back – AprilAire whole house dehumidifiers. Powerful, these dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture throughout your home by using your existing ductwork. Locate them in your basement and duct them directly into your HVAC to dry air while you…
Self-Diagnosing vs. Logging Symptoms – The Dilemma!
As people, we often like to self-diagnose many of the everyday ailments, aches and pains we experience. Sites like WebMD and others, have given us neat little lists of symptoms that we compare ours to and ta-da, we’re officially board…
Fatty Acids Linked to Increase Risk of Allergies
An article recently published by a group of Swedish researchers calls into question some of the zeal over fatty acids in our diet. With the seemingly endless parade of ads for supplements rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, this latest…
Aerosol Sunscreen = Bad
Is aerosol sunscreen bad for you? While on a relaxing visit with family for the 4th, a coworker passed me a story about the use of a particular aerosol sunscreen being associated with a risk of actually catching fire. I…
Floods and the 4th of July
Every year it seems that summertime brings some very contrasting sets of weather to different parts of the country. This time last year the Midwest was in the midst of a severe drought, and while that continues in some areas,…
Reminder – Enter to Win $500 VISA
Just a quick reminder, for the month of June all orders are entered into a drawing for a $500 VISA gift card. This promotion ends Sunday, so you only have a few days left to order and be entered. _On…
Wedding Day – Nothing to Sneeze At!
I came across an article that, this week, particularly resonated with me. While I am not getting married, my roommate is. After nearly a year of planning, she and her fianc
As Temps Climb, So Does Ozone
Starting in spring each year, you might notice a mention of the ‘air quality index’ on the local news. Typically during the spring months, this index is influenced by the level of pollen in the air, but as spring dials…
Free HEPA Filter with Miele Vacuum Purchase
Though it is rare for Miele to offer a promotion, this summer, if you purchase any Miele vacuum cleaner you will receive a free HEPA filter. From now until the end of July, we will include a free HEPA filter…
A Note About AllerAir Air Purifiers
AllerAir air purifiers are solidly built and THE choice for many people with chemical sensitivities or those looking to remove high concentrations of smoke, odors, and chemicals. They are also highly customizable units that are individually built for you when…
Miele Vacs Tops in Customer Satisfaction – J.D. Power
For the second year in a row Miele uprights rank highest in customer satisfaction based on the latest J.D. Power and Associates study. Newly created this year, the canister vacuum cleaner category also features Miele as the top brand. With…
Humidity: A Hermit Crab Story
As an enjoyable Memorial Day vacation came to a close, my godson decided he wanted a Hermit Crab. Granted, I don't expect Sparky (as he was named) will live to a ripe old age, but one thing I noticed about…
New Addition to Allergy Armor Organic
As we continually find ways to bring you products that are made here in the U.S.A., we sometimes discover things that are brand new while other times we simply expand an already popular offering. The latter is what we've done…
FDA Issues New Sunscreen Guidelines 2013
We’ve noted here before to avoid the use of spray sunscreens as well as those that use heavy fragrance. New FDA sunscreen guidelines for 2013 add to this mix and try to clarify issues with mislabeling or false claims made…
Introducing the Soniclean Vacuum
As the most recent addition to our line of vacuum cleaners, Soniclean vacs are powerful and economical. With both uprights and canisters available, here's a quick rundown of the two sets. _The Soniclean uprights consist of two models, the Galaxy…
Peanut Oil and Peanut Food Allergies
If you’re allergic to peanuts or nuts in general, chances are you’ve wondered about the oil they use for cooking at restaurants. Five Guys and Chick-fil-A are probably the two most well-known examples that use peanut oil in their fryers.…
Pacifiers: Not Just for Kids to Enjoy?
I came across this on the drive in to work yesterday morning, and it reminded me of just a few short years ago.
The Topaz Gets a Facelift
The Miele Topaz has recently received a make over. Gone is the almond color that has helped to define this unit for over a year. Instead, the new Topaz comes in Tayberry Red. A cross between raspberry and blackberry the…
May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
May is Asthma Awareness Month, as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and with this comes a renewed focus on asthma and how it impacts not only individuals but the larger community as a whole. In addition to this,…
Update on Cat Allergy Vaccine
Back in 2011, we posted a blog about a vaccine for cat allergies, and at that time, it discussed the Phase II trials of the vaccine. Well, two years later, the results are in, they look promising, and Phase III…
Top Miele Vacuums of 2013 – Consumer Choice
Yesterday we rolled out the updated Staff Pick's of Miele vacuums, and today we're highlighting the Consumer's Choice Top Picks. Factoring in reviews, sales and overall interest in each unit, we've compiled the list of the top five most popular…
Nature’s Solution to Pollen
Pollen, pollen everywhere! It's like Christmas, except instead of snow, it's yellow pollen, and instead of receiving gifts, all you get is sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Though pollen levels are traditionally very high during the…
Boston Marathon
We'd like to take a few moments today to acknowledge the events that transpired in Boston yesterday. It was a tragic situation that marred what has been traditionally a time of celebration and joy for not only Bostonians but runners…
Got Yardwork? Get a Mask
With Spring finally here, the many months of keeping up with my yard begins. From pressure washing away red clay and pollen to mowing and trimming, lawn care is one of those outdoor tasks that can really aggravate those with…
Pollen, Pollen, Go Away…
Well, it's time for Atlanta's annual rite of passage – spring pollen, and particularly pine pollen.
Study Tightens Link Between Asthma and Allergies in Adults
One aspect of my job here at Achoo puts me in touch with people with little to no knowledge of environmental control, allergy bedding or how specific things inside the house can be causing certain symptoms. One piece of information…
While Allergies Bite, Maybe This Year, Not So Bad…
With Easter and Passover now behind us, the spring allergy season is set to begin making millions across the U.S. miserable. And while there is no shortage of weather forecasters and others singing ‘doom and gloom’ for this allergy season,…
Easter – The Hunt for A Good Egg
With Good Friday and Easter just around the corner, most of us are finishing the final preparations for either dinner, Easter egg hunt or some type of family activity. In my household, my parents would put together Easter baskets then…
Environmental Control for Asthma
I have to say, I always enjoy reading or hearing stories like the one a friend of mine passed me yesterday (thank you Cordelia!). A very similar story was part of the broadcast on NPR this morning as well. The…
J.D. Power Release Vacuum Survey
It is human nature for many of us to go through ‘buyer's remorse’ after a purchase. For some, even a small purchase can cause a bit of guilt after the fact (especially for me if that purchase is chocolately and…