Scientists recently announced that they are getting closer to developing a new type of asthma / allergy medicine that would target the underlying cause of a hyperreactive immune system, rather than asthma symptoms. It seems these new drugs would shut down a specific protein called p110delta that triggers allergic reactions. And they could do it without shutting down the entire immune system, which helps protect us from infection and other health threats. (more…)

Quite a few people in the UK would do just that, according to a recent study that was published in the journal, BMC Pulmonary Medicine. It’s a well-established fact that asthma is not as well-controlled as it could be.

A big reason for this is that those of us with asthma don’t always do what we’re supposed to do. For instance, we don’t take our medicine as often as prescribed, we don’t avoid our triggers 100% of the time, and we fail to recognize (or at least acknowledge) that using our quick-relief inhalers several times a week is a sign that something’s not working. (more…)

Thanks to one of my readers for passing along the Letters section from the current (March 2008) Harper’s magazine, which features reader letters in response to Meredith Brousard’s “Everyone’s Gone Nuts: The Exaggerated Threat of Food Allergies” from January’s issue. (As of now, the online version of the letters section, and the original article, are both off-limits to non-subscribers, but you can read about the controversy the article inspired when it first appeared here.) You can find the responses on your newsstand now. (more…)

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) established an initiative a while back that would certify certain household products as “asthma friendly,” meaning that they were safe for people with asthma to use. In other words, they were asthma trigger-free. Now the AAFA has just announced that they’ve expanded their program to include an “allergy friendly” designation as well.

Here’s what the certification means:

“When you see the asthma & allergy friendlyTM Certification Mark you know that the product has been scientifically tested and proven to be more suitable for people with asthma and related allergic sensitivities.”

You might be wondering if this is just another money-making scheme, a way to encourage consumers to buy overpriced products they don’t really need? Well, I don’t think so. The AAFA is one of the leading nonprofit asthma advocacy organizations in the U.S., one whose mission is advocacy, support, and education. They say the purpose of the asthma / allergy friendly program is to help consumers make informed decisions for a healthier home environment.

To be designated as “friendly”, products such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, bedding, toys, even flooring and paint, must meet strict standards set by a watchdog organization, the Allergy Standards Limited (ASL). Products undergo rigorous testing.

You can get more information at their website:

http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/

Peanut allergy is becoming more common, with the number of people suffering from this form of food allergy doubling over the past 20 years. Approximately 1% of children suffer from peanut allergy, and it is the most common type of food allergy affecting adults. Only a small fraction of people actually outgrow peanut allergy.

Why is peanut allergy becoming so common? Can people with peanut allergy eat other nuts or legumes? How can you avoid eating peanuts? Find out the answers to these questions and more:

• Peanut Allergy
• Legume Allergy
• How to Follow a Peanut-Free Diet
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Blisters, or vesicles, can be painful or itchy, and they can occur with several common rashes. If you have a rash with blisters, you may be able to learn more about it here.

Welcome to Edition #11 of the Living With Food Allergies Blog Carnival! This week we’ve got ten posts ranging from recipes to managing allergies in daycare. Let’s get right to it!

Recipes, Recipes, and More Delicious Recipes!

• Allergicmom shares How to Make Chocolate Lollipops (plus how to negotiate with an adorable and mischievous four-year-old!) at My Kid’s Allergies. These treats are multiple allergen-free, notably nuts and dairy. (more…)

Most soaps, especially bar soaps, dry the skin out. Liquid cleansers are much less damaging to the skin, but there are several types of liquid cleansers. The following are emollient-rich liquid cleansers that dry the skin out the least.

It is important for people with eczema and their loved ones to understand how to take care of their skin because using the wrong soap or moisturizer can cause flare-ups that are itchy or painful. Learn about how to take care of your skin to prevent or help treat eczema.

The task of screening for head lice often falls to teachers or volunteers who have no medical background or training. Since nits can be smaller than a sesame seed and are often transparent, they are often difficult to find even for trained medical personnel.

A new device called Nit Lite™ is a tool that makes finding nits easier. This device uses ultraviolet light and a magnifying lens to make it easier to see head lice nits on the hair shafts.