Food allergy versus food intolerance

Some of the symptoms of food intolerance and food allergy are similar, but the differences between the two are very important. Eating a food you are intolerant to can leave you feeling miserable. However, if you have a true food allergy, your body’s reaction to this food could be life-threatening. A food intolerance response takes place in the digestive system. It occurs when you are unable to properly breakdown the food. An allergic reaction involves the immune system. Your im- mune system controls how your body defends itself. . read more.

Probiotics in Pregnancy Reduce Eczema in Infants

Mothers who take a probiotic supplement at the end of pregnancy and during breast-feeding may reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis in their infants, but the supplements had no effect on asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or atopic sensitization. About 65% of patients with atopic dermatitis develop it in infancy. An estimated 10-20% of infants and young children have symptoms of the disease. In multiple trials of probiotics given to infants, effects on allergic diseases varied greatly. Two trials reported last year, in which both the pregnant mothers and their infants were treated, suggested that probiotics reduced eczema in the children. . read more.

Take the eye allergy quiz

How do you know if you have an eye allergy? The only way to know for sure is to see a physician for a diagnosis. But this self-quiz might help you determine whether you need to talk to your physician or see an allergy specialist. . read more.

Immunotherapy could provide relief for large local reactions to insect sting

If you're part of the 10% of adults who experience large local reactions to stings from insects like bees, wasps and yellow jackets, relief may be in sight. A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that venom immunotherapy prevents large local reactions to insect stings in people whose reactions were frequent and severe. . read more.

Food allergies on a stick: The risks of summer eating

Most people would rather not know what goes into the corndog they consume at the summer carnival. For the 12 million Americans with food allergies, avoidance of certain foods is a must for safely eating their way through summer events. State fairs, sporting events, music festivals and even family picnics are ripe with dangers for those with food allergies. Questions about ingredients, food preparations and the threat of cross-contamination can leave even a savvy allergy-avoider uncertain. . read more.

Tips to Remember: Traveling with Allergies and Asthma

If you have allergies or asthma, you know that allergens travel with you wherever you go. Whether you are planning a visit to family or have vacation plans far from home, think about where you are going, what you will be doing and how you will get there. PACK right to stay safe. Plan ahead. Anticipate problems and hidden allergens. Continue taking your medications on schedule. Keep your allergist's phone number and other emergency contact information on-hand. . read more.

“Summer break” doesn’t apply to asthma medications

Doctors aren’t sure why some asthma patients stop using their medications during the summer. There is no evidence that supports taking a break. In fact, stopping medications can put you at higher risk for an asthma attack. This so-called ‘drug holiday’ leads to a spike in hospitalizations and emergency department visits due to asthma, especially among children and young adults. . read more.

Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery Patients Breathe Easier, Use 50 Percent Fewer Prescriptions

Another benefit of rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is a 50 percent reduction in use of prescription breathing medications, according to a study published this month in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. “Not only do patients breathe easier, less money is spent on prescription health care costs,” said Naveen Sikka, MD, lead author. “Better quality of life, possible reduction of chronic breathing problems, including asthma, and lower health care costs significantly benefit patients and help to reduce the national health care crisis.” . read more.

Men With Asthma And Eczema May Have Lower Cancer Risk

If you have asthma or eczema, your hyper reactive immune system may lower your risk of some of the most common types of cancer, according to a study published this month in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema that result from a hyper reactive immune system might enhance the body’s ability to remove malignant cells, which might in turn lower cancer risk” . . read more.

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) - Take Our EIB Quiz

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a narrowing of the airways causing difficulty moving air out of the lungs. Chronic asthma is an inflammatory disorder. Most patients with chronic asthma will have a flare when they exercise. Other individuals appear to have a flare of asthma only when they exercise and do not otherwise have chronic asthma. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, tight chest, and prolonged and unexpected shortness of breath after about 6 to 8 minutes of exercise. These symptoms are often even worse in cold, dry air. Warm and humid air may lessen the symptoms. Unfortunately pollens and molds are present at the times of the year when the air is warm and humid and these substances in the air may also trigger attacks of asthma. . read more and take the EIB Quiz.

Dermatographia: When Scratching Your Skin Leaves its Mark

Dermatographia is a condition in which lightly scratching your skin causes raised, red lines where you've scratched. It's not serious, but it can be uncomfortable. In dermatographia, your skin cells are overly sensitive to minor injury, such as scratching or pressing on your skin. Signs and symptoms of dermatographia include redness, itching and swelling similar to hives. In most cases, dermatographia symptoms go away in a short time without treatment. But if symptoms are severe or bothersome, your doctor may suggest taking antihistamines. Simple self-care measures also can help you manage dermatographia. . read more.

Managing Allergic Emergencies (Anaphylaxis) - Allergists and emergency physicians team up to help you Be S.A.F.E.

Anyone can have a severe allergic reaction (known as anaphylaxis), but if you or a family member is among the millions of Americans who have allergies and/or asthma, you are at increased risk. Each year an estimated 1,500 people die because of anaphylaxis triggered by common substances such as foods, insect stings, medications and latex. Many of these deaths are preventable. Physicians from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) have teamed up to create the Be S.A.F.E. action guide and educational materials to help you manage allergic emergencies. Click on these topic links to learn more about this life-threatening condition and what you can do to prevent or minimize future reactions. . read more.

HOME: Home Allergy Management for Everyone

Did you know that for allergy sufferers, allergy season lasts all year long? Many people think of their home as a place to escape allergens, but allergens can also reside in the home. Click on the house links or buttons to get room-by-room tips on managing allergens, as well as info on different types of indoor allergens. . read more.

Connections to Allergy and Asthma Care - Checking Up On the Best Health Plans

If you or a family member are among the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma, there are more treatment options than ever to help you manage your disease. Today’s modern treatments can reduce or eliminate altogether many allergy and asthma symptoms. Some health insurance plans, however, may not offer you access to all the medical services you will need. Click here and answer the questions on our Consumer Checklist, which will help you find out whether your health plan offers the benefits you need for the best in allergy and asthma care. . read more.

Allergic Asthma May Diminish Healthy Immune Response to Respiratory Viruses

Allergic asthma may diminish the immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza, according to new research findings in the June 1 issue of the Journal of Immunology. "Our findings imply that the better your asthma is controlled, the more likely you are to have an appropriate response to a virus," noted the author in a written release. He also reported that these findings suggest that when the cold/influenza and allergy seasons collide, the immune response in individuals with allergic asthma may worsen their disease. "These findings [may] imply that allergic triggers associated with exposure to indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites can potentially render cells deficient in responding to a virus," she said. They also explain why people with allergic asthma may experience asthma exacerbations when they acquire respiratory viral infections. . read more.

Asthma medications: Know your options

Asthma medications play an important role in managing signs and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Long-term control medications keep your symptoms at bay on a day-to-day basis. Quick-relief (rescue) medications treat asthma symptoms once they start. If your asthma is triggered by allergies, you may need to take allergy medications along with asthma medications to help control your symptoms. . read more.

Beat the Top Summer Health Hazards

Scrub it off, stat - If you think you’ve brushed up against a problem plant, wash immediately with soap and water. (Garden tools or clothing can also harbor the plant’s irritating oils, so watch what you touch and clean up if you suspect an object you’ve come in contact with may be contaminated.) If the oil is absorbed into your skin, a rash usually shows up within a day or two. . read more.

What Kids Eat Is Tied to Asthma Risk

Eating a Mediterranean diet -- one high in fruits, fish, and vegetables and low in saturated fat -- is associated with a reduced likelihood of asthma in children, a large observational study reaffirmed. Overall, choosing foods increasingly similar to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower prevalence of both wheeze and asthma, Gabriele Nagel, MD, MPH and colleagues reported in the June issue of Thorax. . read more.

Prednisone and other corticosteroids: Balance the risks and benefits

Corticosteroid medications — including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone — have great potential in the treatment of a variety of conditions, from rashes to lupus to asthma. But corticosteroids also carry a risk of side effects. Working with your doctor, you can take steps to reduce these medications' side effects so that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. . read more.

Taking your food allergies out to dinner

Restaurants serve more than just food. They also serve an important role in our social activities. According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), 44% of adults report that restaurants are an essential part of their lifestyle. However, if you or someone in your family has a food allergy, eating out can be a stressful experience. . read more.