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.