Apple is the innovator of a seemingly constant supply of interesting new electronic products — from Mac laptops to iPods, to the newest iPhones and iPads — it seems that just about everyone either has or wants to purchase a new Apple computer product. These new products are covered in a new “aluminum and stainless steel” alloy that is quite striking and beautiful. It seems, however, that some people have experienced allergic reactions to this metal, in the form on allergic contact dermatitis. It’s possible that the metal alloy used as the exterior to many new Apple products contains some amount of nickel – which causes itchy, blistering rashes in some people. It will be interesting to see if there are more and more reports of people having reactions to their Apple computer product as the popularity of these items continues to grow.

Learn more:

• Allergic Reactions to Cell Phones
• Nickel Allergy
• Diagnosis of Contact Dermatitis

Scientists have recently discovered an important mechanism the skin uses to form scars after an injury. Normally when the skin is injured special cells come in and produce proteins like collagen that act as a scaffolding for the full repair of the skin.

In a study published in Nature Cell Biology, researchers found that one type of these specialized repair cells called fibroblasts which normally produce collagen, stop their production completely.  In addition, these fibroblasts actually release proteins that break down collagen. As these dormant cells accumulate in the wound they reduce the formation of excess scar tissue.

The scientists also discovered a protein that is responsible for making the fibroblasts go dormant.  They were able to apply this protein topically to the skin reducing the amount of scar tissue that was formed.

This experiment was done on rats so it still needs to be tested on humans.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed the hygiene hypothesis and asked the question “Are we too clean, with our preoccupation for hand-sanitizers, disinfectants and anti-microbial products?”

The article points out and the hygiene hypothesis suggests that urban children appear to be at greater risk for asthma and allergies compared to children from rural and less developed countries. While the development of sanitation, food protection, and clean water have significantly decreased deaths, asthma and allergic disease seemed to have emerged as well. Third world countries have almost no asthma and allergies while they are increasing significantly in Westernized countries.

The article discusses a number of ongoing research efforts where doctors are trying to use certain organisms to improve our immune systems without actually causing diseases. For example, patients given Trichuris Suis Ova, a species of pig whipworm, had significant improvements in Chron’s disease. A trial is being planned with asthma patients.

If pig whipworms gross you out too badly, kids who grow up with household pets also seem to have less asthma and allergies.

What do you think about the hygiene hypothesis? Leave a comment or join the discussion about the hygiene hypothesis in the forum.

Learn More About The Hygiene Hypothesis

Asthma and the Hygiene Hypothesis: Is Dirty Better?

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Some patients with asthma may have increased hyperresponsiveness of airways and airway inflammation that leads to nighttime or nocturnal symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough that disrupt sleep. Patients with large nighttime changes in their FEV1 may also have more daytime symptoms.If your symptoms are worse at night or you think you might have nocturnal asthma check out the links below.

Learn More About Nocturnal Asthma

• What Is Nocturnal Asthma?
• How Common Is Nocturnal Asthma?
• How Is Nocturnal Asthma Treated?

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Did you know there are iPad apps that could help with your asthma control? What sort of apps do you use to help get control of your asthma? Do you find that technology is a help or hindrance to your asthma?

Check out these articles to check out cool asthma apps for the iPad and learn more about asthma control.

iPad Apps To Track Asthma Symptoms, Triggers and Medication Use

How Is Your Asthma Control?

Most people experience shortness of breath with exercise, but how much shortness of breath is normal, and when does it become abnormal? When the shortness of breath lasts for many minutes after exercise has stopped, or is associated with wheezing, coughing or chest tightness, it could be due to exercise-induced asthma. Most asthmatics have worsening symptoms during exercise, but some people only have asthma symptoms when they exercise – not when they’re sick or when their allergies are flaring up. Could you or your child have exercise-induced asthma?

Learn more:

• Exercise-Induced Asthma
• Asthma Basics
• 8 Things Every Asthmatic Should Do

With summer in full swing and all sorts of summer plants and pollens blooming, it seems allergy symptoms have run wild in my community. We are also in a mini drought so there has been no rain to wash away the pollen. As a result, every time the wind blows pollen is going everywhere. How are your allergy symptoms doing this summer? Take the poll and leave a comment to tell us how you are doing.

More On Asthma & Allergies

• Ragweed Allergy & Asthma
• Immunotherapy and Asthma: Do Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy) Work?
• Allergy Testing for Asthma

If you have not taken part in any of these old polls, they are still open and we would like to get your input.

• What Type Of Doctor Treats Your Asthma?
• Does Asthma Affect Your Sex Life?
• Does MSG Affect your Asthma?

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You probably already know that stress is a significant trigger to asthma exacerbations for many people. But did you know that stress may cause changes to your immune system that make your inhaled steroid less effective?

According to an article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, significant social stress may actually affect inflammation in your lung resulting in more asthma symptoms and increased asthma exacerbations. The authors further discuss a number of the mechanisms where stress is believed to affect the actual pathophysiology of asthma.

While it is too early to recommend specific treatments, the authors hope that examining how stress impacts asthma may lead to new therapies for asthma.

What do you think? Does stress impact your asthma? What do you do to prevent stress from worsening your asthma? Why not leave a comment or join the discussion in the forum.

Stress Related Asthma

• Does Stress Affect My Asthma?
• How to Cope with Stress When You Have Asthma
• What Do You Do To Decrease your Stress?

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Do you have health insurance? Has your asthma adversely affected your coverage? Are there treatments or issues you would like to see federal health care reform address?

We have a unique opportunity here at About.com to interview Secretary Sebelius on the topic of health insurance premiums and patients’ rights. This will live-stream on whitehouse.gov and have a later presence on About.com.

If you have any questions specifically on the issue of health insurance and patients’ rights for people affected by asthma, please submit them directly to my email: asthma.guide@about.com

I would encourage anyone with asthma to take this rare opportunity to be heard, and find out what the government has in store for you.

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Insect allergies are a major problem during the summer months. People are more likely to participate in outdoor activities, such as swimming, hiking and yard work, and therefore are likely to come into contact with various insects. These insects, which are enjoying the warm weather as well, can sting people. Most people experience some type of reaction after being stung by a bee or bitten by a mosquito. Usually, these reactions include pain and swelling around the sting. Allergic reactions can also occur as a result of a sting, and can even be life-threatening. Find out more about insect sting and bite allergy, who should undergo testing, and the treatments that are available.

Learn more:

• Bee Sting Allergy
• Fire Ant Allergy
• Mosquito Allergy