Posted by john on November 15th, 2008
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
Posted by john on November 15th, 2008
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
Posted by john on November 8th, 2008
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.
While I appreciate Dr. House’s efforts, I wouldn’t want a bunch of 20-somethings dressed in white coats breaking into my home! Thankfully, US News and World Report offers an alternative: take photos of your home to show your doctor. Read more about environmental photos and allergies
Posted by john on November 5th, 2008
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
Posted by john on November 1st, 2008
Goosefraba…
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!)
While these comedic examples may seem silly, it turns out that having your own “serenity” practice can help with your allergies and skin health. Read more about stress, allergies, and skin health
Posted by john on October 10th, 2008
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
Posted by john on October 9th, 2008
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.
Turns out the mystery was right inside her house: her new upholstered armchair. Read more about toxic textiles
Posted by john on September 28th, 2008
“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
Posted by john on September 18th, 2008
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
Posted by john on September 17th, 2008
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
Posted by john on September 16th, 2008
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
Posted by john on September 14th, 2008
It’s now officially autumn, the season of the sniffles. Temperatures are beginning to drop, ragweed is still in the air, and kids are back in school and coming into contact with more germs.
If you or someone in your family seems to get a bad cold at the same time each year, it could be seasonal allergies. While allergies and colds can present similar symptoms, it is possible to tell them apart. Read more about colds and allergies
Posted by john on September 11th, 2008
Is it just me, or does this fall allergy season seem especially harsh?
It turns out that this season may be worse than previous allergy seasons because of climate change.
As reported on this ABC News video, experts say that allergy symptoms are getting worse and lasting longer. As the planet gets warmer, weeds grow faster and produce more pollen. Allergy seasons will last longer, too. Read more about allergies and global warming
Posted by john on September 6th, 2008
Eczema affects up to 20 percent of U.S. children. Child eczema usually appears between two and six months of age and runs in families with a history of allergies and asthma. The dry, red, itchy skin patches often begin on the face and spread to other parts of the body.
There is no cure for eczema, but there are many ways to treat child eczema at home. Read more about child eczema
Posted by john on September 6th, 2008
The Tribune Star reports that bathing pets weekly will reduce allergens by 84 percent!
“Pet dander” refers to small flakes of skin, but allergens are also present in saliva and urine (which often dry on the skin or fur). Once dry, pet dander can become airborne and remain in the air for hours at a time. When inhaled, the allergen can produce a wide array of symptoms from sniffling to severe asthma attacks. Read more about pet allergies
