In a new study published in Nature Genetics researchers have found 2 proteins that enable skin cells to renew themselves.

The skin has stem cells that produce cells that eventually become part of the skin itself or the hair on the skin. It is by this process that the skin can repair itself after a cut or infection. These stem cells can also make new stem cells in a complicated sequence of turning on and off proteins. In this latest discovery, two key proteins in this sequence have been identified. And these proteins are not just in human skin cells. A similar process goes on in worms.

The discovery of these proteins potentially opens up more possibilities for regenerating skin for burn victims and others, but also for growing hair. Learn more about skin anatomy and, specifically, the epidermis.

A large number of asthmatics in Britain do not plan on getting the swine flu vaccine according to a poll released late last week.

In an online poll conducted by Asthma UK, a charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma, 58% of asthmatics are planning on getting vaccinated. However, 25% and 17% of asthmatics, respectively, are still undecided about the swine flu vaccine or have already decided not to take the vaccine at all.

In a news release on Asthma UK’s web site, Dr Mike Thomas, Chief Medical Adviser to Asthma UK, advises that people with asthma get the “vaccine as soon as it becomes available, as it will greatly reduce the chances of catching the virus. Although swine flu is mild in most cases, people with asthma are at risk of serious breathing complications such as pneumonia if they do develop the illness.”

While there are still a number of unknowns related to the swine flu vaccine, it is worth discussing with your doctor as asthmatics are considered at high risk for potential complications.

Learn More

• Flu Shot or FluMist
• Do I Need To Go To The ER IF I Think I Have Swine Flu?
• Flu & Staying Healthy: Workplace Tips
• Healthy Eating Important To Avoid Flu

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In a recent blog I discussed the Mediterranean Diet and its possible effect on asthma.

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There are now more options for your yearly flu vaccine. While you can get a ‘flu shot’ that has been the traditional method for flu vaccination, a newer vaccine that allows you to receive the flu vaccine via a nasal spray is also available for those of us with needle phobias.

Importantly, the flu vaccine is not for everyone. Flu vaccines are not approved for children under 6 months of age.  While most other people can receive a flu vaccine, you need to discuss vaccination with your health care provide if you:

• Have a severe egg allergy.
• Have previously had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• Developed Guillane-Barre within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.

Additionally, the nasal spray vaccine, or FluMist, can only be taken by in children, adolescents, and adults 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. Persons with a weakened immune system and certain other chronic diseases may not be able to recieve the FluMist vaccine.  Asthmatics and children under 5 with recurrent wheezing may also want to avoid the nasal spray as it may worsen asthma in some individuals.

Additionally, you want want to consider some recent research before you choose which vaccine to take this year. In a study released this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, the flu shot was twice as effective as the nasal spray in preventing flu in healthy adults. While the nasal spray was less effective in this study, the nasal spray is still more protective than doing nothing if you have a needle phobia.

Remeber, a flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu this year.

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Are you worried about the swine flu? Does your runny nose, scratchy throat and decreased energy make you feel feverish and give you a sudden urge to go to the ER out of concern for H1N1? Many health care officials are worried about just that according to a press release from the Loyola University Health System.

“When you are sick with the flu or any other contagious illness, the best thing to do is stay home, rest and avoid contact with other people as much as possible,” said Dr. Mark Cichon, director of emergency medical services at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, IL. “If you think you have H1N1, call your physician or a health-care advice line first. They can determine if an examination, influenza testing or treatment is needed.”

Additionally, if you don’t have the flu or don’t have a very serious case, you run the chance of actually getting the flu or some other respiratory illness from other patients there.

In adults, emergency symptoms that would make you want to seek care in an emergency room include:

With ragweed allergy season in full gear, you may be heading to your doctors office soon. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology suggests these things to get the most out of your next doctor’s visit:

• Educate Yourself: The more you know about your asthma the more you can proactively partner with your doctor to improve your asthma. If you do not know where to get the best information, ask your doctor for an information prescription.
• Keep good records: Track symptoms with a symptom diary and bring it to your appointment to show your doctor.
• Ask questions to get more out of your visit: Clear communication is essential and using these questions will help you improve communication with your doctor.
• Be proactive: Bring questions with you to your visit. If you do not understand make sure you speak up and ask the doctor to explain again.

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As you may have heard before, 23 million Americans have asthma and the number seems to continue to be getting bigger. One thought as to why this is called the hygiene hypothesis.

The hygiene hypothesis suggests that our super clean world deprives our immune system of the ability to distinguish between harmless and potentially harmful irritants.

Supporters of the hygiene hypothesis point to research that shows children growing up on farms develop less asthma and allergic disease than kids growing up in cities. These children are exposed to more germs, specifically a component of germs called endotoxins. These endotoxins stimulate your child’s immune system and decrease overall inflammation related to allergy.

There are other competing theories and potential causes of the increase in asthma. Some research has pointed to the use of antibiotics and acetaminophen in early life may contribute. While others have pointed to obesity or low vitamin D levels as possible contributors.

While the exact reason for worsening asthma is not known, look at your muddy, smelly children returning form the play ground and think that maybe that activity was important for their overall health and well being.

_Sources:

_{American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology A Little Dirt May Be Good For Your Kids}

People commonly say weather affects their asthma– What do you think? Take the poll and leave a comment.

Do you have a rash that you don’t know if you need to worry about? Do you really need to see a doctor about it? In these economic times, you want to make sure you’re not going to the doctor about something that was about to go away in the next couple of days. This is a good starting point if you have a rash you don’t want.

My last set of tips for the asthmatic gardener was really popular so I offer 10 more tips for the upcoming fall planting season. Utilizing these tips may help prevent worsening your asthma symptoms. These 10 tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology can prevent seasonal allergies from worsening your asthma and keep you in the garden longer:

1. Think about limiting pollen producing shrubs and trees from your garden. You will be exposed to 10 times the amount of pollen with a pollen-producing tree in your own yard compared to the the same tree planted down the street.
2. Goggles and or pollen masks may prevent “mowing” allergies. If severe enough and you can afford it, it may be just better to have someone mow for you.
3. Try to eliminate flowering weeds.
4. Frequent watering can decrease the amount of molds and allergens that become airborne.
5. Consider using alternative mulches like fine gravel instead of straw mulching.
6. Common allergy producing plants that may worsen your asthma include: amaranthus, coneflower, crocus, elderberry, juniper, peony, poppy, and privet.
7. Plants that might be better for your asthma include: azalea, begonia, bougainvillea, cacti daffodil, daisy, dahlia, gladiola, Irish moss, iris, lily, marigold, narcissus, orchid, pansy, petunia, snapdragon, sunflower, tulip, violet, and zinnias.
8. Consider planting female trees in your yard to attract and then trap incoming airborne pollen from male plants.
9. If you have pets, keep them away from outside plants and trees. Pollen may get in your pets fur and in y our house increasing your exposure.
10. If you have high pollen-producing plants, keep them away from entrances to your home including doors and windows

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