Studies Suggest an Acetaminophen-Asthma Link

The sharp worldwide increase in childhood asthma over the past 30 years has long perplexed researchers, who have considered explanations as varied as improved hygiene and immunizations. Over the last decade, however, a new idea has emerged. The asthma epidemic accelerated in the 1980s, some researchers have noted, about the same time that aspirin was linked to Reye’s syndrome in children. Doctors stopped giving aspirin to children with fevers, opting instead for acetaminophen. In a paper published in The Annals of Allergy and Asthma Immunology in 1998, Dr. Arthur Varner, then a fellow in the immunology training program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, argued that the switch to acetaminophen might have fueled the increase in asthma. . read more.

The Painful Cycle of Eczema

During my latest eczema outbreak, the routine was typical. I wake up and remove from my hands the white cotton socks that prevent me from scratching overnight, then press a tissue to my closed eyes to remove the pus and blood that have accumulated in the folds of my eyelids. In the bathroom, I try not to dwell too long at the sight of myself in the mirror before patting my skin dry and slathering it with lotion. I wrap bandages over the raw and weeping patches in the crooks of my elbows — a stopgap, really, since the bandages will soak through in several hours. I take Benadryl to calm the itching, and ibuprofen to temper the swelling and pain, before heading to meetings in an antihistamine haze. I hope no one stares, but they do. I’m 31, and I’ve been replaying this scene since my first eczema outbreak at age 8, when a rash spread from my toes to the back of my knees, up my hands and inside my elbows and onto my face. . read more.

Improved Medication Use Could Reduce Severe Asthma Attacks

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have found that one-quarter of severe asthma attacks could be prevented if only patients consistently took their medication as prescribed. Moreover, an asthma attack was only significantly reduced when patients used at least 75 percent of their prescribed dose, according to the study. Patients often poorly take their medication based on the onset and degree of symptoms. Henry Ford researchers say this is the first time that asthma medication use has been tracked closely over time and related to the likelihood of severe asthma attacks. . read more.

Asthma: Limit asthma attacks caused by colds or flu

A cold or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Here's why - and how to keep your sneeze from turning into a wheeze.
Respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu, are one of the most common causes of asthma flare-ups, especially in young children. A stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, fever, or other signs and symptoms caused by a cold or flu (influenza) virus can be a nuisance. But if you have asthma, even a minor respiratory infection can cause major problems. Asthma signs and symptoms, such as wheezing and chest tightness, may not respond as well to regular asthma medications. Also, asthma symptoms caused by a respiratory infection may last for several days to weeks. . read more.

Latex allergy

Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product manufactured from a milky fluid that comes from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance. Latex allergy may cause allergic reactions ranging from sneezing or a runny nose to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Your doctor may determine if you have a latex allergy or if you're at risk of developing a latex allergy. Understanding latex allergy and becoming familiar with common sources of latex can help you prevent your own allergic reactions or those of someone else. . read more.

Exercise-induced asthma

If you cough, wheeze or feel out of breath during or after exercise, it may be more than exertion causing your symptoms. You might have exercise-induced asthma. As with asthma triggered by other things, exercise-induced asthma symptoms occur when your airways tighten and produce extra mucus. If you have exercise-induced asthma — also called exercise-induced bronchospasm (BRONG-ko-spaz-um) — physical exertion may be the only thing that triggers your symptoms. Or, exercise may be just one of several things that trigger your asthma. But having exercise-induced asthma doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise. . read more.

Obese Children Have Up to Double the Risk of Having Asthma

Asthma is considered one of the main causes of school absenteeism and its prevalence has risen in the last decades. Overweight children have been shown to have double the frequency of asthma than that of non-obese children. Poor diet and insufficient exercise are associated with a series of cardiovascular risks and other chronic diseases, but some studies point out that asthma could be added to that list since the association between asthma and obesity comes from some common factors. . read more.

Substance from Bacteria Could Lead to Allergy-Free Sunscreen

As the realization that radiation emitted by the sun can give rise to skin cancer has increased, so also has the use of sunscreen creams. These creams, however, can give rise to contact allergy when exposed to the sun, and this has led to an increasing incidence of skin allergy. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology are leading the hunt for a natural UV filter that does not have undesired effects. . read more.

Albuterol side effects: What's normal?

"I'm taking albuterol for mild allergic asthma. Although the albuterol seems to help my symptoms, it affects my mood and ability to concentrate. Is there another medication I can switch to?" ...... Albuterol is commonly used for short-term relief of asthma symptoms. A type of medication known as a short-acting bronchodilator, it eases symptoms by opening the airways during an asthma flare-up. Albuterol is usually given with a metered dose inhaler (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others) and sometimes in tablet or liquid form. Albuterol side effects can include. . read more.

Drug allergy Update

A drug allergy occurs when your immune system reacts abnormally to a medication. A number of drugs can cause a drug allergy, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. The most common signs of a drug allergy are hives, rash or fever. You can have an allergic reaction to a drug anytime you take it, even if it caused no reaction in the past. . read more.

Does my child need a flu shot this year?

The answer is probably yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu (influenza) vaccine for all children ages 6 months through 18 years — ideally given in September or as soon as the vaccine is available. . read more.
Carolina Allergy and Asthma Consultants has flu vaccine available now.

How to have an allergy-safe kids party

If you’ve got food allergies or care for someone who does, dealing with the day-to-day challenges of eating safely can feel tricky at best — and at worst, grueling and isolating. So Sandra Beasley’s memoir, “Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales From an Allergic Life,” comes as a welcome relief. The author, an award-winning poet, has severe food allergies, to dairy, egg, soy, mustard and shrimp, just to name a few. Although the book is filled with scary tales of allergic reactions in far-flung locales, it’s also funny, touching and ultimately courageous. After all, how many of us can say that we place our lives in our forks each and every time we eat? The latest research shows that 8 percent of children in the United States have food allergies. . read more.

Nut-Allergy Sufferers Face Prejudice: Life-Threatening Nut Allergies Viewed as 'Frivolous' by Many

Parents of nut-allergy sufferers face hostility and skepticism in trying to find safe environments for their children, a new study has found. Researchers found that parents are routinely made to feel by friends and even family that their child's nut allergy is a 'frivolous and self indulgent fad invented and maintained by attention-seeking people.' Children in the study described how they were bullied by classmates saying, "I've got nuts and I'm gonna touch you!". . read more.

Slowing the Allergic March

A pandemic of ailments called the "allergic march" -- the gradual acquisition of overlapping allergic diseases that commonly begins in early childhood -- has frustrated both parents and physicians. For the last three decades, an explosion of eczema, food allergies, hay fever, and asthma have afflicted children in the United States, the European Union, and many other countries. What causes the march and how to derail it has remained elusive. . read more.

Using Powder-Free Latex Gloves Reduces Latex Allergy Rate in Health Care Workers

Researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin investigating latex allergy in health care workers have demonstrated the most effective public health strategy to prevent allergic sensitization is by stopping the use of powdered latex gloves. Previous medical studies pointed out this association of latex allergy to powdered latex glove use but were not able to completely confirm this link in specific workers. Reducing the use of powdered gloves reduced the allergen in the air and in air ducts at two hospitals, and prevented sensitization to latex in health care workers at both institutions. . read more.

Asthma More Likely Among Children of Overweight Mothers

Women who are overweight or obese when they become pregnant may be more likely to have children who develop asthma as teenagers, new research shows. The findings could point to yet another consequence of the rising rates of obesity worldwide. After controlling for a number of potentially complicating factors — like a history of parental smoking or asthma — the researchers found that the teenagers whose mothers had been overweight or obese just before they became pregnant were 20 to 30 percent more likely to have asthma or a history of wheezing. And the teenagers whose mothers were heaviest at the time of pregnancy were nearly 50 percent more likely to have had a history of severe wheezing. . read more.

Adult Mystery: Sudden 'Allergy'

Teri Augustyn developed a runny nose and itchy eyes when she went near grasses, trees and even the dog she'd had for years. . At age 25, Kiley Gwynn started having headaches and stomachaches and one day her regular soy chai latte gave her a 20-minute coughing fit. Her allergist traced the reaction to soy, which she'd eaten all of her life without problem. Lauri Granoff was 53 when she opened a package of wet wipes and suddenly couldn't breathe. The fragrance set off an asthma-like reaction that made her throat close up and her chest tighten. Now, coming close to perfume, hairspray, hand lotion or other chemical fragrance will leave her gasping for breath. Severe reactions like these to foods, drugs, pollen and other substances can develop, seemingly out of the blue, at any age. The symptoms mimic allergy attacks, and the misery they cause can be just as severe. But many times, they aren't true allergies, experts say. The reactions involve different biochemical pathways than those in allergies, and they often respond to different treatments. . read more.

Mold Exposure During Infancy Increases Asthma Risk, Study Finds

Infants who live in "moldy" homes are three times more likely to develop asthma by age 7 -- an age that children can be accurately diagnosed with the condition. Study results are published in the August issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Early life exposure to mold seems to play a critical role in childhood asthma development," says Tiina Reponen, PhD, lead study author. "Genetic factors are also important to consider in asthma risk, since infants whose parents have an allergy or asthma are at the greatest risk of developing asthma." . . read more.

Really? The Claim: Allergies Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Allergies are generally considered more of a nuisance than a blessing. But for some people there may be a silver lining. Researchers have long speculated that one of the benefits of having allergies is a vigilant immune system, which not only overreacts to common triggers, like pollen and dander, but also protects against serious threats like nascent cancer cells. Numerous studies dating back at least two decades have explored the idea of a link. Most have found that compared with the general population, people with common allergies like hay fever, asthma and eczema do have a slightly decreased risk of some cancers, though it is not clear why. . read more.

Childhood Asthma Linked to Depression During Pregnancy

Anxiety, stress and depression during pregnancy may lead to a greater risk of asthma for your child, according to researchers at Columbia University. Study results are published in the July issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "Approximately 70% of mothers who said they experienced high levels of anxiety or depression while they were pregnant reported their child had wheezed before age 5," said the lead author of the study. "Understanding how maternal health affects a child's respiratory health is important in developing effective strategies to prevent asthma." . . read more.

An 'Allergy Girl' Comes Out of Her Bubble

Since I was born I have dealt with deadly food allergies that include dairy, egg, soy, shrimp, some tree nuts (that's five of the "big eight" food allergens), not to mention beef, cucumber, mustard, melon and so on. But even now, 31 years later, I find danger in unexpected places: on the pickled "vegetable" plate that inexplicably includes mango, or in the guest bathroom of a friend who doesn't realize that washing my face with goat's-milk soap might send me to the emergency room. . read more.

Hypoallergenic Dogs Don't Have Lower Household Allergen Levels Than Other Dogs, Study Finds

Contrary to popular belief, so-called hypoallergenic dogs do not have lower household allergen levels than other dogs. That's the conclusion of a study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers who sought to evaluate whether hypoallergenic dogs have a lower dog allergen in the home than other dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur. "We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen," says Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, chair of Henry Ford's Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study. "Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development. But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study." . . read more.

The Placebo Effect, This Time in Asthma

Placebo treatments didn’t improve an objective measure of asthmatics’ lung function. But they sure did make patients feel better. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine took 39 asthma patients and had them make 12 visits each to a medical facility, each time after having been off long-acting asthma medications for 24 hours. On each visit, a patient was randomly assigned to either a real albuterol inhaler, a placebo inhaler, sham acupuncture treatment, or no intervention. (So at the end of the study each patient had been given each treatment three times.) But patients reported about the same degree of symptom improvement for albuterol, the placebo inhaler and the fake acupuncture treatment (respectively, a 50%, 45% and 46% improvement), much greater than the 21% improvement experienced by those given no treatment at all. . read more.

High Prevalence and Severity of Childhood Food Allergy in the US

A national study of food allergies in the US, the largest of its kind, finds that more children have food allergies than previously reported. The study shows food allergy affects 8 percent of children under 18 years of age, or about 5.9 million children in the US. Of those, 38.7 percent had a history of severe reactions, and 30.4 percent had multiple food allergies. Children with food allergies were most commonly allergic to peanuts (25.2 percent), milk (21.1 percent) and shellfish (17.2 percent). . read more.

Kids with stubborn asthma may have food allergy

Inner-city children with poorly controlled asthma or skin allergies may be more likely to have food allergies, a new study hints.Researchers found that among 228 inner-city New York children seen at their allergy clinic, 28 percent had a food allergy -- with eggs, peanuts and milk being the prime culprits. By contrast, the rate of food allergy among U.S. kids in general is only about four percent.
And a full 71 percent were "sensitized" to at least one food - meaning they had immune system antibodies in their blood against a particular food. In other words, their body was on the alert, and they were at increased risk of an allergic reaction. That rate too is much higher than average. Nationally, food allergies are seen as a growing problem. In 2007, about three million school-aged children had a food allergy -- up 18 percent from a decade before. And there is some evidence that children's emergency room visits for severe food reactions are on the upswing as well. . read more.

Early Exposure to Pets Does Not Increase Children's Risk of Allergies, Study Finds; Evidence Suggests It May Actually Reduce Likelihood

A new study reveals that keeping a dog or cat in the home does not increase children's risk of becoming allergic to the pets. Parents of young children frequently want to know whether keeping a dog or cat in their home will increase the risk of their children becoming allergic to their pets. Young men whose families had kept an indoor dog during their first year of life had about half the risk of becoming sensitized to dogs compared to those whose families did not keep a dog in the first year of life. Both men and women were about half as likely to be sensitized to cats if they had lived with a cat in the first year of life, compared to those who did not live with cats. . read more.

When Sinus Problems Won’t Go Away

The humble sinuses, those hollow cavities hidden in the bones around the nose, usually draw little appreciation. But nothing makes one yearn for clear sinuses like sinusitis, a condition that can make the head feel as if it were filled with cement and can render every breath a struggle. For millions of people, sinusitis can drag on for months or years, unresolved by medical interventions. The focus used to be on antibiotic treatments to purge infections that most experts believed were causing chronic sinusitis. Yet many patients relapsed, leading researchers and clinicians to question their assumptions. . read more.

Cockroach Allergens in Homes Associated With Prevalence of Childhood Asthma in Some Neighborhoods

In New York City, the prevalence of asthma among children entering school varies by neighborhood anywhere from 3% to 19%, and children growing up within walking distance of each other can have 2-3 fold differences in risk for having asthma. In the first comprehensive effort to understand what drives these localized differences, researchers compared the household presence of cockroach, mouse, cat, dust mite and other allergens in neighborhoods with a high prevalence of asthma to that in low-prevalence neighborhoods. They found that cockroach, mouse and cat allergens were significantly higher in homes located in neighborhoods where asthma is more common and that children in these higher-exposure homes were more likely to be sensitized to cockroach antigens. . read more.

Risks: Allergic to Peanuts, Even in Transfused Blood

Doctors in the Netherlands said that a 6-year-old boy with an allergy to peanuts went into anaphylactic shock after receiving a blood transfusion from donors who had been snacking on them. The episode occurred last year as the boy was being treated for leukemia. While receiving a transfusion of blood platelets, he broke out in a rash, his blood pressure dropped and he had difficulty breathing. He recovered after treatment, but doctors were mystified by his reaction. . read more.

Eating Local Honey Cures Allergies. Really?

Among allergy sufferers, there is a widespread belief that locally produced honey can alleviate symptoms — the idea being that the honey acts like a vaccine. Bees that jump from one flower to the next end up covered in pollen spores, which are then transferred to their honey. Eating that honey — just a spoonful a day — can build up immunity through gradual exposure to the local allergens that can make life so miserable for allergy sufferers. Or at least that’s the thinking behind it. . read more.

Does air pollution make outdoor exercise risky? What if you have asthma or another health problem?

While aerobic activity is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, air pollution and exercise can be an unhealthy combination. This is especially true if you have asthma, diabetes, heart or lung conditions, or lower respiratory disease. Even when you're not exercising, exposure to air pollution can cause health problems. . read more.

Asthma Rates Climb for Children, Adults

Some 24.6 million Americans had asthma in 2009, up from 20.3 million at the beginning of the decade, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, affected 8.2% of all U.S. residents in 2009, up from 7.3% in 2001, an increase of 12.3%, the CDC said. Children were more prone than adults to have asthma, and women more than men. African-Americans were affected at higher rates than other ethnic groups. About half of persons with asthma reported having an asthma attack in the preceding 12 months, the CDC said. The cause of asthma isn't clear, and federal health officials said they aren't sure why the rates increased over the last decade. The condition is characterized by episodic and reversible attacks of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. . read more.

Many Restaurant Staff Are Undertrained and Misinformed About Food Allergies, Study Finds

A new study reveals that there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and his or her confidence in being able to provide a safe meal to a food allergic customer. Allergic reactions can cause a wide variety of symptoms, the most serious being anaphylaxis, which can cause death. In one out of three restaurant kitchens, common food allergens (e.g. eggs, peanuts, wheat, milk, nuts, fish) were not separated from other foods. One in five staff members thought that an allergic customer consuming a small amount of allergen would be safe, as would removing the allergen from a finished meal (e.g. picking the nuts off a pre-prepared desert would render it safe for a nut-allergic customer to eat). Only one third of respondents had received any sort of food allergy training, but nonetheless 80% reported confidence in providing a safe meal for their food-allergic customers. "Diners who are food allergic must remain vigilant and not assume restaurants are safe or that all staff are knowledgeable about food allergy. Our survey supports the need for more rigorous and accessible training if food-allergic customers are to avoid being put at risk by dining out.". . read more.

Childhood Eczema and Hay Fever Leads to Adult Allergic Asthma, Study Finds

Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s, a new study reveals. According to the authors, "The implications of this study are that prevention and rigorous treatment of childhood eczema and hay fever may prevent the persistence and development of asthma.". . read more.

Allergies Can Increase the Risk of Depression

Spring always brings a rash of sneezing, sniffling and stuffy noses. But can seasonal allergies be psychologically harmful? A wave of emerging research suggests that may be the case. While there’s no firm evidence that allergies cause depression, large studies show that allergy sufferers do seem to be at higher risk of depression. . read more.

Faces of Allergies and Asthma on Times Square

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) take on asthma and allergies in Times Square! We're telling the story on the CBS Super Screen at 42nd Street. While people with allergies and asthma don't look so different on the outside, they have serious health issues that impact every aspect of their lives. . watch the video

Spring Allergy Sufferers: Be Wary of Treatment Myths

Knowing fact from fiction can make the difference between misery and relief for millions of spring allergy sufferers. “People often sneeze and wheeze through spring if they use misinformation to manage their condition,” said allergist Myron Zitt, M.D., past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “But no one should suffer from spring allergies. Knowing the facts, getting a proper diagnosis and the right treatment allows allergy patients to feel good all season long.” The ACAAI – whose allergist members specialize in treating allergies and asthma – dispels several common spring allergy myths. . read more.

Video: What the New Food Allergy Guidelines Offer

Although the exact prevalence of food allergy in the United States is not known, it is estimated that 10-12 million Americans are affected. To address this growing public health problem, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in conjunction with professional organizations including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), federal agencies, and patient advocacy groups worked together to develop clinical guidelines for healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and management of food allergy. The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States were released in December 2010.

The video here is a discussion between Matthew J. Fenton, PhD, from NIAID, and Hugh A. Sampson, MD, past president of AAAAI, both of whom were involved in the guideline development process. . see the video here.

New Treatment May Desensitize Kids With Milk Allergies, Study Suggests

Some 3 million children in the United States have some form of food allergy, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening. Milk allergy is the most common, affecting 2.5 percent of children under age 3. In a small clinical study, immunologists and allergists at Children's Hospital Boston and the Stanford University School of Medicine report effectively desensitizing milk-allergic patients by increasing their exposure to milk in tandem with an allergy drug called omalizumab (Xolair), allowing children to build up resistance quickly with limited allergic reactions. . read more.

NIH Study Finds Xolair Relieves Seasonal Asthma Attacks in Youth - Symptoms Reduced in Children and Young People with Moderate to Severe Disease

A drug that targets the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key player in asthma, nearly eliminated seasonal increases in asthma attacks and decreased asthma symptoms among young people living in inner city environments, a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health has found. The findings appear in the March 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. This investigational use of the drug omalizumab, sold under the brand name Xolair, was conducted in eight U.S. cities. “We know that treatment based on NIH asthma guidelines is generally effective in managing the disease, but many patients still experience asthma attacks requiring visits to emergency rooms and hospitalizations,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “The results of this study are extremely promising because they show that the addition of omalizumab to the NIH guidelines-based therapy for asthma offers improved asthma control and the potential to decrease the burden of this chronic disease in children and adolescents.” In the United States, asthma affects approximately 18 million adults and 7 million children under the age of 18. . read more.

Sulfa allergy: Which medications should I avoid?

I have a sulfa allergy. How can I tell if a medicine contains sulfa? Antibiotics containing chemicals called sulfonamides can trigger a reaction if you have a sulfa allergy. Examples of sulfonamide antibiotics include the combination drug trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim). Other types of sulfa medications may trigger a reaction in some people who have a sulfa allergy. . read more.

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Allergies in Kids

A study of more than 3,000 children shows that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased likelihood that children will develop allergies, according to a paper published in the February 17 online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University headed the study. . read more.

Greater Germ Exposure Cuts Asthma Risk

Children living on farms have a lower risk of asthma than children who don't because they are surrounded by a greater variety of germs, according to two recent large-scale studies. The prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has doubled over the past 30 years, and one theory for the increase blames urban and suburban living environments that are too clean. The latest findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, bolster what is often known as the hygiene theory, which says that contact with bacteria and other microbes is necessary to building a normal immune system. . read more.

Vaccines for adults: Which do you need?

Wonder which vaccines you need? It can be confusing, especially if you thought vaccines were just for kids. Use the list below to find out which vaccines you need now and which vaccines may be coming up — based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . read more.

Is it OK to make my own neti pot solution? Or is it better to buy a bottled neti pot solution?

A neti pot is a shallow container with a long, tapered spout. Neti pots are designed for rinsing or irrigating the nasal cavity. This irrigation helps relieve nasal congestion. You don't need to buy a manufactured solution to use in a neti pot. A homemade solution works just as well. There are a number of saline recipes available. Here's one: To mix your own neti pot solution, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon (1.2 milliliter, or mL) of salt into 8 ounces (237 mL) of bottled or distilled water. Some people prefer to add an additional 1/4 teaspoon (1.2 mL) of baking soda. Ordinary table salt works for most people. . read more.

Do some children outgrow asthma?

In some children, asthma improves during adolescence and young adulthood. For others, symptoms go away only to return a few years later. Many children with asthma never outgrow it. In young children, it can be difficult to tell whether symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath are caused by asthma or something else. Sometimes, what seems to be asthma turns out to be another condition such as bronchitis, recurrent pneumonia or bronchiolitis. These and a number of other asthma-like conditions typically improve as children get older. . read more.

Low-allergenic wines could stifle sniffles and sneezes in millions of wine drinkers

Scientists have identified a mysterious culprit that threatens headaches, stuffy noses, skin rash and other allergy symptoms when more than 500 million people worldwide drink wine. The discovery could help winemakers in developing the first low allergenic vintages -- reds and whites with less potential to trigger allergy symptoms, they say. . read more.

Why is my child’s school nut-free and what can she bring?

The basis for peanut- and tree nut-free schools has to do with the unique nature of these food allergies. Individuals with peanut and tree nut allergies can react to traces of nut dust in the air. Peanut and tree nuts also contain oils that leave residues behind on hands and surfaces. Hands and tables can be cleaned with soap and common household cleaners respectively, but it can be difficult to clean tables in between lunch periods and contaminated doorknobs may be missed. Many schools have reacted by establishing peanut and tree nut-free lunch tables or schools. For parents who are new to packing lunches or snacks for a nut-free classroom, the learning curve can be steep. . read more.

Avoid Allergy and Asthma Triggers as You Shape Up

A New Year’s resolution to get in shape is good news for your health. But if you have allergies or asthma, the hidden triggers at the gym may be bad for your condition. Allergists suggest the following tips to keep your visits to the health club sniffle, sneeze and wheeze free. . read more.

Acid reflux and GERD: The same thing?

Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are closely related, but the terms aren't necessarily interchangeable. Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus — the tube that connects the throat and stomach. Acid reflux is more specifically known as gastroesophageal reflux. During an episode of acid reflux, you may taste regurgitated food or sour liquid at the back of your mouth or feel a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn). Sometimes acid reflux progresses to GERD, a more severe form of reflux. . read more.

Cigar smoking: Safer than cigarette smoking?

No. Some people might believe that cigar smoking is safer than cigarette smoking, but it's not. Even if you don't inhale the smoke, it's not safer to smoke any type of cigar. Here's why cigar smoking isn't safer. . read more.

Asthma in adults: Creating an asthma action plan

Maintaining good day-to-day asthma control is the key to keeping symptoms at bay and preventing asthma attacks. Having a written asthma action plan makes it easier for you to measure whether your asthma is under control — and it lets you know exactly what steps to take when it isn't. Using an asthma action plan is especially important if you have moderate to severe asthma or you've had a serious asthma attack in the past. Here's how to get started. . read more.

Treating asthma in children under 5

Most children with asthma develop symptoms before age 5. There are a number of conditions that can cause asthma-like symptoms in young children. But if your child's symptoms are caused by asthma, early diagnosis is important. Asthma treatment in children improves day-to-day breathing, reduces asthma flare-ups and helps reduce other problems caused by asthma. Asthma in children varies by age group. Infants, toddlers and 4-year-olds are diagnosed and treated differently than teens and adults are. Asthma in children also varies from child to child, and symptoms may get better or worse at certain times. In some children, asthma symptoms improve with age. . read more.

Few Takers for the Shingles Vaccine

The good news about the shingles vaccine, recommended for all adults age 60 or older with normal immune systems, is that it works even better than scientists first thought. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that the rate of shingles was 55 percent lower in the 75,761 people age 60 or older who received the vaccine, compared with those who did not. Formally known as herpes zoster, shingles occurs when the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox and can lay dormant in nerve cells for decades, reactivates to cause a painful skin rash. In some, the intense pain can persist for months after the rash clears, a complication called postherpetic neuralgia. . read more.

Itineraries: Sneeze-Free Zone

Even die-hard road warriors need a comfortable place to recharge after a long day. But for business travelers with allergies, asthma and other sensitivities, hotel rooms can be rife with dust mites, mold, animal dander and other allergens that set off sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches and sleepless nights. Individual hotels have long accommodated guests by cleaning rooms with special products and processes and washing linens in hot water with no or fragrance-free detergent. They have also offered mattress and pillow protectors, rugless rooms and windows that open. But now, two hotel chains are taking the service even further by designating permanent allergy-friendly rooms, with things like medical-grade air purifiers and chemical- and fragrance-free bath products. . read more.

Have a Food Allergy? It’s Time to Recheck

Food allergies have generated a great deal of anxiety in recent years, with some schools going so far as to ban popular staples — especially peanut butter — after appeals from worried parents. Some airlines have quit serving peanut snacks, and more and more restaurants are offering dishes for diners concerned about gluten or dairy allergies. There is no question that some foods, especially peanuts and shellfish, can provoke severe reactions in a small fraction of the population. But a new analysis of the best available evidence finds that many children and adults who think they have food allergies are mistaken. . read more.

Food allergies: Understanding food labels

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers to list the eight most common ingredients that trigger food allergies. Most other countries have similar rules. In the United States, information about food allergies has to be written in simple terms adults and older children can understand. The eight foods included in food allergy labeling account for an estimated 90 percent of allergic reactions. . read more.