Although allergy pills such as anti-histamines treat the usual symptoms of allergies such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, they do not “cure” the disease.

In another blog, I wrote about allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy). Allergy shots work for some, but not all patients, to change their immune systems so that they may not need to take anti-allergy pills, or to perhaps take less of them. (more…)

Eye Allergies and the Naso-Ocular Reflex

Allergy sufferers’ red, itchy, watery eyes may in part be a response triggered by an allergic response of the nose.

As Reuters Health reports, the nasonasal reflex, in which an allergen introduced into one nostril causes the other nostril to respond in kind, has been demonstrated previously. Because the eyes and the nasal cavity share the same nerve supply, researchers thought that eye allergies occurred not only from direct exposure to allergens, but also due to a similar reflex response. (more…)

HEPA Filters Improve Cardiovascular Health

MedicineNet.com reports that researchers in Denmark found that using HEPA filters for just two days significantly improved cardiovascular health in healthy, nonsmoking elderly people. (more…)

AAAAI & ACAAI Comment on FDA Investigation of Singulair

Last week, leaders from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) released the following statement in response to the announcement of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into Singulair:

“There are no data from well-designed studies to indicate a link between Singulair and suicide. The concern expressed by the FDA is based entirely on case reports and there is no indication that such effects apply to other leukotriene-modifying medications.

“Post-marketing case reports are incomplete. Furthermore, comparative data are lacking on the incidence of suicide in the general population versus the incidence in patients taking Singulair. Thus, it is unknown whether there is an increased incidence of suicide in patients receiving Singulair.

“Based on the information currently available, patients taking Singulair should continue to take the medication as prescribed provided: 1) the patient and physician feel the medication is effective; and 2) the patient does not experience any suicidal behavior or thoughts.

“Patients who experience suicidal thoughts or demonstrate suicidal behavior should consult their physician immediately to discuss whether to continue with this medication. Patients should not hesitate to consult their physician if they feel uncomfortable continuing on the medication.”

A recent study compared a relatively simple procedure for straightening an ingrown toenail to removing a portion of the nail all the way back to the nail bed. The number of people who had recurrent ingrown toenails after 2 years was similar in both groups. However, the people who had the straightening procedure, termed orthonyxia, had less pain and bleeding after the procedure and were able to wear shoes sooner.

I think if I had an ingrown toenail, I’d pick the easier, less painful procedure in a heartbeat.

Top Ten Cleaning Chemicals to Avoid

National Geographic’s Green Guide reports on The Top Cleaning-Product Ingredients to Avoid. Achoo! ALLERGY’s recently launched offering of natural cleaning products do just that.

, are often found in disinfectants and detergents. They are suspected hormone disruptors.

is found in a wide range of cleaning products, including many glass cleaners, is poisonous if swallowed. It can burn the skin on contact, and fumes can also irritate and damage the eyes. Ammonia also aggravates the respiratory tract and can trigger asthma attacks. Note: NEVER mix ammonia-containing products with bleach. The combination makes a deadly gas.

are dangerous on two fronts: they are absorbed into the skin and can be tied to liver damage, and they are suspected of contributing to the increase in antibiotic-resistant germs.

(also known as butyl glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl) is poisonous if ingested, is absorbed through the skin, and is also a lung tissue irritant. It’s often found in carpet sprays, wax strippers, and heavy-duty cleaners.

(sodium hypochlorite) irritates the lungs and eyes.

In addition to using bleach in routine cleaning and laundry, many people use bleach to deal with mold problems. Try EcoDiscoveries MoldZyme for a safer alternative that’s also easy on your grout. Vital Oxide and M-1 Sure Coat Mold and Mildew Resistant Sealant also protect against the formation of mold and mildew.

, commonly known as DEA, can combine with preservatives to crease cancer-causing nitrosamines. These can penetrate the skin.

often contans phtalates,chemicals that can build up in the body, trigger asthma attacks, and have been linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver cancer in lab animals.

EcoDiscoveries Natural Cleaning Products and Begley’s Best Natural Cleaning Products have no added fragrances. EcoDisoveries AirZyme is a natural and safe odor remover that eliminates odor rather than just covering it up like many fragranced cleaning products and air fresheners do.

soften the water in detergents, but cause food-chain disrupting algae blooms in waterways once they’re flushed down the drain.

, commonly found in drain cleaners, metal cleaners, and oven cleaners, is severely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and is also extremely corrosive to these same tissues.

Many natural cleaning advocates suggest using a paste made of water and baking soda to clean ovens. Simply spread it around the oven, leave overnight, and then wipe clean the next day.

, used as a sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin, leading to contact dermatitis.

For more about natural cleaning alternatives, see Spring Green Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers.

Mucus vs. Mucous vs. Mucosa

I often see “mucus” and “mucous” used incorrectly, so I thought I’d try to explain the difference here. (Yes, I’m a geek…)

- A viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esphageal, and other body cavities and serves to primarily protect and lubricate surfaces. Example: Whenever I’m around cats, my nose produces more mucus.

- pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling mucus. Example: During cold, dry months, I often use Ayr Saline Mist to rehydrate the mucous membrane in my nose.

- another term for mucous membrane; a membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the air, such as the respiratory and alimentary tracts, and having cells and associated glands that secrete mucus. The plural is “mucosae.” Example: Pollen makes my nasal mucosa feel itchy.

(Thanks, dictionary.com!)

Depsite its bad reputation, mucus plays an important role within your immune system. It traps inhaled particles like allergens. However, the production of too much mucus is unpleasant.

Mucinex is an OTC medication that loosens and thins out mucus to relieve nasal and chest congestion.

The word “allergy” was coined by the Viennese pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet in 1906. Pirquet noted that some of his patients were hypersensitive to normally innocuous entities such as dust, pollen, or certain foods. It is also stated as a state of hypersensitivity induced by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) resulting in harmful immunologic reactions on subsequent exposures; the term is usually used to refer to hypersensitivity to an environmental antigen. When a person is very sensitive to certain foods, liquids, pollen, or animals. The allergy can make the person ill, including sneezing, itching, and rashes. Severe allergies can even be fatal (cause death). Sensitivity to a substance, accompanied by sneezing, itching, watery eyes, difficulty breathing or rashes. Sometimes defines as an exaggerated or inappropriate immune response initiated by exposures to antigens such as mold spores, pollen, or certain drugs and foods. (more…)

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or formerly Rhus toxicodendron) is a climbing plant common in eastern and central United States with ternate leaves and greenish flowers followed by white berries; yields an irritating oil that causes a rash on contact. Grows as a vine in the East, Midwest and South, it grows as a vine. In the far Northern and Western United States, Canada and around the Great Lakes, it grows as a shrub. Each leaf has three leaflets.

(more…)

Spring is back and so are allergies.

Spring is a difficult season for people who suffer from allergies as well as for the ones who have asthma, as it is the beginning of respiratory difficulties. In fact the temperatures getting warmer triggers the multiplication of viruses and bacteria and as we tend to open windows this circulates dusts and allergens that are in our houses. The colds, the sinusitis and earaches develop more easily and with a higher risk of infection that could bring on the necessity to have a prescription for antibiotics. (more…)