Yesterday afternoon, President Obama and the First Family welcomed their new furry, four-legged canine “Bo” to the White House. Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog, is a curly-haired, black-and-white puppy with a lion-cut tail and lots of appeal. Aside from his penchant for being a gentle companion, obedient, agile, and easily trained, Bo is considered to be hypoallergenic – a must for 10-year-old Malia Obama, who is allergic to dogs. But is there really such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog? Many allergists say no.
According to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Portuguese water dogs – or “Porties” – are considered hypoallergenic because they are single-coated and shed less hair than other breeds. However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) says that the amount of hair a dog actually sheds is not the issue for allergy-sufferers. It’s not a dog’s hair that causes allergies. It’s a dog’s dander, or dead skin cells. Read more about hypoallergenic dogs
Spring pollen is back – and it’s in full force. As reported by CNN, ABC News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – and quite possibly, that thick layer of yellow powder on your car – this year’s spring pollen is apparently going to be worse than ever. (Let’s all let out a collective groan.) According to countless reports, we can expect higher than normal pollen counts in many parts of the country.
For instance, if you live in the Northeast, you can expect heavier pollen levels as a result of the area’s high population as well as the large number of pollen-producing plants in the region. The Midwest will also likely see a more severe allergy season, stemming from the late winter flooding and snowstorms, which have made the ground ripe for tree and grass growth. In the Southeast, there are conflicting predictions. While some numbers predict a less severe allergy season, allergists at the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic, say residents in the region should hunker down for a particularly tough season, based on recent pollen trends and weather patterns. Read more about the spring pollen forecast
This week, many of you are prepping your homes to host family and friends for the December holidays. Yet between vacuuming deliriously, setting out fresh linens, and baking scrumptious cookies, you might find yourself pondering some very important questions: “Isn’t Aunt Meta allergic to the cat?” “Wait, which one of my cousins has a peanut allergy?” Read more about hosting guests who suffer from allergies and/or asthma
Okay, I won’t lie. The first time I heard about a neti pot – let alone watched a video of one being used – I had to take a moment to reflect on the hilarity of it all (and maybe the “ick” factor too).
As the Obama family looks for a new hypoallergenic dog to take to the White House (the President-Elect’s oldest daughter suffers from asthma), Nurse Kathleen MacNaughton of about.com reminds us all that there’s really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.
“It’s a fact – All dogs have dander, even if they don’t shed,” writes MacNaughton. “It doesn’t matter whether the hair is long or short or even if the dog is hairless. But because dander often attaches to hair, dogs that shed less hair may also shed less dander. Dander is not something you can easily see. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. And even though you can’t see it, it can still trigger asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.” Read more about hypoallergenic pets
There’s nothing like climbing onto a bed made with fresh, clean sheets. Ahhh. But don’t get too comfortable yet: unless you have impervious covers on your mattress and pillows, those clean sheets will soon be covered with thousands or even millions of dust mites.
If you have allergies or asthma, you’re probably already familiar with dust mites. For those of you who are not, these microscopic arachnids commonly live within the fibers of beds, furniture, and carpets. Their waste matter is a powerful allergen. Up to 80 percent of allergy sufferers are sensitive to dust mite allergen! Read more about AllerSoft bedding
I rarely watch television (I prefer online media), but when I do watch TV, one of my favorite shows is House M.D. Dr. House always considers all potential causes of illness, including environmental factors. In fact, in several episodes, the maverick diagnostician sends his interns to break into the homes of sick patients.
If you have allergies, you may want to put down that bottle of antihistamines and let your sneezes do their job. A new study from Cornell University suggests that allergies may protect against certain types of cancer by expelling carcinogenic particles from the body.
Allergies appear to protect against cancers that occur in organs that come in contact with environmental particles – the mouth, throat, colon, rectum, skin, cervix, pancreas, and glial brain cells. Read more about cancer and allergies
In the 2003 film Anger Management, therapist Buddy Rydell tells his patients that they can calm down by repeating the term Goosefraba and breathing deeply. In an old Seinfeld episode, George’s neurotic father uses a similar phrase – Serenity Now – to help calm his blood pressure. (Although he usually ends up shouting the phrase counterproductively!)
Most allergy sufferers are familiar with common allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold – but here are some unusual allergy triggers that may surprise you:
Cell Phones – Dermatologists report that more people are having allergic reactions to nickel in their cell phones. Nickel is a metal also found in jewelry and belt buckles, and it can cause rashes and blisters. Among cell phone users, a rash may appear on the face. Read more about unusal allergies
From The Philadelphia Inquirer: Jeanine Burgin’s back started to itch in April. Then came red patches, blisters and a burning sensation.
Skin-care products only seemed to make things worse. She was in and out of hospitals, where doctors tried cortisone and other treatments - all to no avail.
“It was a mystery,” says Burgin, 69, who lives outside Paris.
“If you suffer from allergies and asthma, vacuuming does more than make your home look better,” writes respiratory therapist Shane McGlaun at housekeepingchannel.com. “It can be as important as taking medications to control your condition. Vacuuming is an essential part of limiting exposure to asthma and allergy triggers, such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen and other allergens.”
McGlaun says that allergy sufferers should look for HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners so that allergens are not returned to the air through the vacuum’s exhaust. If your vacuum does not have a HEPA filters, then you’re simply moving allergens around rather than capturing them. This could actually make your allergies worse! Read more about vacuums for allergies
Most allergy sufferers are familiar with dust mites, pollen, mold, but did you know that cockroaches also produce powerful allergens? Cockroach allergen is also a common cause of asthma attacks. The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of American (AAFA) reports that 23 to 60 percent of urban residents with asthma are sensitive to cockroach allergen. In one study of inner city children, 23 percent were allergic to cats, 35 percent were allergic to dust mites, and 37 percent were allergic to cockroaches.
Cockroach allergens come from the feces, saliva, and bodies of the insects. Studies show that 78 to 98 percent of urban homes have cockroaches – and up to 330,000 roaches may live in a single home! If you see just one roach in a basement or kitchen, it’s safe to assume that at least 800 more roaches are hiding under sinks, in cabinets, and behind walls. Read more about cockroach allergies
A couple of days ago I planted my first garden in my backyard – just a few cold-weather vegetables. Gardening can be a relaxing, fun, and rewarding hobby, but if you have allergies, you should make sure that you don’t grow allergenic plants in your yard!
Pollen from various plants can cause allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and in some cases, asthma attacks. The simple act of gardening outdoors can expose you to many different types of pollen. Read more about allergies and gardening
Allergies make people feel tired, run down, and just plain miserable. Allergies may cause itchy eyes, runny noses, and skin rashes – what could possibly be beneficial about allergies?
Medical News Today recently revealed an unexpected benefit of having allergies: People who have allergies are up to 25 percent less likely to get the most common type of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Read more about allergies and cancer
