allergies: July 2012

Monday, July 30, 2012

New Hampshire State Employees May Be Banned From Wearing Scented Products

We've all been in the situation where we're exposed to a person wearing way too much perfume. It may be at the grocery store, the coffee shop, or even at work. If the scent is strong enough, it may make your eyes water, nose tingle and may even cause a cough. If a person has asthma or nasal allergies, exposure to strong odors or perfumes may make these underlying medical problems worse. For these reasons, the state of New Hampshire is considering legislation to forbid state employees who interact with the public from using scented or fragrant soaps.

While this legislation may initially sound like a good idea, it's an example of a slippery slope argument, similar to the idea of banning peanuts from school. First, how will the law be enforced? Will there be "perfume police" to sniff any and all state employees before starting their work shifts? What constitutes excessive odor? If you can smell the odor from 1 foot away? Three feet away? Ten feet away? From across the room? What about other smells, such as body odor, bad breath or flatulence? Will a state employee be terminated for any offensive smell that might come from their bodies?

When you think about it, this legislation is absolutely ridiculous. If passed, New Hampshire will be the laughing stock of the country, and will be an example of government overstepping its authority.

Allergy to Odors and Perfumes
Triggers for Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Banning Peanuts from Schools

Dont Let Poison Oak Get Under Your Skin This Summer

Summer is a time for outdoor activities -- many of us will spend countless hours hiking, camping, and swimming the next couple of months. Whether at a campsite, park, or in our own backyard, the great outdoors beckons to spend time under the warm blue skies and cool starry nights. Along with these outdoor excursions, we're bound to come into contact with a certain 3-leafed plant that is also enjoying the summer -- poison oak, poison ivy poison sumac. These plants can leave an itchy, bumpy rash within a few hours to days after touching the skin. And, the more we come into contact with these plants, the faster the rash comes on, and the previous areas of itchy rashes can return, thanks to the immune system's memory with this type of allergic skin rash.

All About Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac
Pictures of Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac Rashes
Is There a Cure for Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac?

Pine Pollen as a Cause of Spring Hay Fever

In many parts of the country, trees are beginning to pollinate. Pine trees are one of the most obvious trees pollinating this time of year, because they make quite a mess. Pine trees emit copious amounts of the yellow, powdery stuff, coating cars and driveways, and making a mess in general. But what about allergies? Are people really allergic to pine pollen, or is it just a colorful masquerader that pollinates at the same time as more allergenic trees?

The answer is probably a little bit of both. Pine pollen is a large particle, and fails to travel long distances, and has a waxy coating on its surface. This makes pine pollen a minor allergy trigger for most people, although some people do experience significant allergic symptoms. Other tree pollens that aren't as visible, such as birch, cedar, oak and sycamore, happen to be in the air at the same time as the colorful pine pollen.

Are you allergic to pine pollen? Only an allergist can tell you for sure. Isn't it about time you found out what you're allergic to? Find an allergist in your area.

How Pollen Causes Allergy Symptoms
Everything You Need to Know About Hay Fever
All About Spring Allergies

Its 2012 Did You Just Develop an Allergy to Alcohol

If you're reading this blog, there's a good chance that you had a good time last night. Maybe a really good time. But you're probably not having that great of a time today, likely as a result of some sort of a reaction to alcoholic beverages. Most people have experienced a hang over from drinking too much alcohol (and not enough water), but could you be experiencing an allergic reaction to alcohol? There are a variety of different types of reactions that a person could experience from alcohol, from a variety of different causes. Some of these could include an allergic reaction (or at least mimic an allergic reaction), non-allergic intolerance, or could simply be an expected pharmacologic effect from too much alcohol. Whatever the cause is, people who experience these reactions want to know how to deal with it -- and how to prevent it from happening again.

Learn more:

Allergic Reactions to Alcohol
Could I Be Allergic to Sulfites?
Our Readers' Experiences with Alcohol Allergy

Mosquito Allergy Can Be a Pain in the Neck

If you spent any significant time outdoors this weekend, especially during the early evening hours, there's a good chance that you were bitten by mosquitoes. Summer is mosquito season, and we've all experienced the occasional mosquito attack on a summer evening. While most people experience a mild itchy bump after a mosquito bite, other people experience severe swelling as a result of being allergic to mosquito bites. For these people, outdoor summer activities can be a pain in the neck -- literally -- as a result of mosquito allergy. Learn all about mosquito allergy, including how mosquito allergy is diagnosed and treated.

All About Mosquito Allergy
Mosquito Allergy: Readers' Tips on What To Do
Allergy to Insect Stings and Bites

Could Your Cold Actually Be A Sinus Infection

January is cold and flu season, and many of us are walking around with stuffy noses and a box of Kleenex right now. Some of us have allergies, some have the common cold, and others may even have sinus infections. Symptoms of a cold that don't get better after a week or two could represent a allergies or a sinus infection. A sinus infection may simply cause nasal congestion, runny nose, post nasal drip, coughing and/or a headache -- and may not necessarily cause facial pain/pressure, green nasal discharge and fevers.

If your cold has lasted more than two weeks and isn't getting better, you may want to see your doctor to see if you could have a sinus infection.

Is it a cold, or is it allergies?
All about sinus infections
How to know if you have allergies

Is Global Warming Responsible for the Increase in Allergies

There is much debate as to whether or not there actually is global warming on the earth, and whether this is a man-made or a natural event. If the earth truly is warming, we might expect a "greenhouse" effect, causing the increased growth of plants as well as an increase in the pollination of these plants. We might also expect the pollinating seasons of these plants, such as spring and fall, to occur earlier in the year and to last longer. Three recent studies showed that pollen seasons are occurring earlier in the year, lasting longer, and resulting in more airborne pollen. Worsening of pollen allergies may be another effect of global warming that has yet to be fully recognized.

Global Warming and Allergies
Do You Believe Allergies are Being Worsened by Global Warming?
Check the Pollen Forecast in Your Area

Should You Take a Summer Break from Asthma Medications

It's quite common for people with asthma to feel much better during the summer months, and therefore take a break from their asthma controller medications. Kids are out of school, possibly less active, have fewer respiratory tract infections, and therefore often have less asthma symptoms. It would be reasonable to think that people don't need their asthma controller medications during the summer months. Unfortunately, this common practice is one of the reasons why asthmatic children get so sick in the autumn months when they get a viral respiratory tract infection. In fact, our office gets inundated with sick asthmatics in September -- a few weeks after school starts and kids start spreading around the common cold virus. Family of these children wind up in the emergency room or hospitalized for their asthma.

The most common reason for asthma attacks in children isn't allergies or exercise -- but respiratory tract infections. This is why the fall and winter months tend to be the worst for asthmatics -- this is cold and flu season. Most asthmatics who require a daily controller therapy should stay on this medicine year-round, because even missing a few weeks or months of the medicine leads to untreated inflammation in the lungs -- just waiting for a respiratory tract infection to make things worse. Therefore, taking a summer break from asthma controller medicines isn't the best idea. The first day of school -- and the first cold of the season -- is just around the corner.

Summer Break from Asthma Medicines?
Is Your Asthma Controlled?
All About Asthma

How to Tackle Hay Fever Symptoms this Spring

Believe it or not, spring pollen season is already here in many parts of the country. Here in Northern California, the trees are beginning to pollinate. In other parts of the country, spring pollen season may only be weeks away. If you suffer from springtime hay fever, do you have a plan on how to tackle your symptoms this season? Hopefully your plan includes something more than buying extra boxes of nasal tissue. A better plan would be to assess the types of symptoms that you typically experience, choose therapies based on those symptoms, decide on over-the-counter versus prescription medications, and to see an allergist to explore other treatment options such as immunotherapy.

Spring Allergies
Approach to Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
What an Allergist Can Offer You

Poison Ivy Poison Oak and Poison Sumac Season

Plants from the Toxicodendron family are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Coming into contact with these plants can cause a rash consisting of a linear, or streak-like, group of itchy blisters or bumps.

The chemicals released from the plants, called urushiols, cause the itchy rash. Urushiol can be carried on the fur of animals, garden tools, sports equipment and clothing. The smoke from burning Toxicodendron leaves can also carry urushiol, and can result in inflammation in the lungs if inhaled.

Patch testing is not necessary for Toxicodendron plants, since most people would have a positive test and the diagnosis is made clinically. Treatment involves avoidance of exposure to these plants, and the use of topical steroids to reduce the rash and itching.

Learn more:

Is There a Cure for Poison Oak Allergy?
Food Allergies and Poison Ivy
Other Common Causes of Contact Dermatitis

Springtime Brings Red Itchy Eyes for Allergy Sufferers

Spring hay fever means different symptoms for different people -- some people experience sneezing and runny noses, while others get nasal congestion and the sniffles. But for some people, the tree and grass pollen in the air this time of year can primarily affect their eyes. While a large number of people with hay fever have some amount of eye allergies, certain people have mainly symptoms of red and itchy eyes, called allergic conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis is usually a mild disease that can be easily treated. However, other forms of eye allergies can be dangerous enough to threaten eyesight. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), for example, typically affects young children in the spring, and causes severe sensitivity to light and severe itching. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), affects adults with a history of atopic dermatitis and can cause infections in and around the eyelids (blepharitis). Both VKC and AKC require the care of an allergist and an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) since both conditions can result in ulcers of the eyes and threaten eyesight.

If you suffer from eye allergies, check with your doctor about seeing an allergist or ophthalmologist. Find out more about what form of eye allergies you have, and the treatments available.

Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis
VKC
AKC

What Does an Allergist Take For Hay Fever

Like 30% of the U.S. population, I also suffer from allergic rhinitis. My skin testing results are more impressive than most of my patients'. So, I'm often asked by my patients what I use to treat my own allergy symptoms. I've been on allergy shots in the past, mainly for fire ant allergy, and I tried allergy drops before offering them to my patients. I've also tried just about every allergy medicine currently available. But instead of using an allergy medicine indiscriminately, I base my choice on the symptoms I'm having. It doesn't make sense to take an antihistamine to treat nasal congestion -- because nasal congestion isn't caused by histamine. Similarly, a medicine like Singulair wouldn't be expected to help sneezing and nasal itching, because Singulair blocks leukotrienes, not histamine.

The best allergy medicine is one that would be expected to treat the allergy symptoms that a person is experiencing. When you see your allergist or primary care doctor, make sure you describe your allergy symptoms accurately, with an emphasis on which symptom bothers you the most. Your doctor should then be able to choose an allergy medicine that will best suit your needs.

Symptom-Based Allergy Treatment
What is the Best Allergy Medicine?
Overview of Hay Fever Treatments

Dont Get Burned By Sunscreen Allergy

Summer is nearly upon us, with those hot sunny days and warm nights. Time to spend more time outdoors, at the beach or in the pool. Along with sun exposure comes the need to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn and long-term sun damage. But with the increased use of sunscreen comes the potential for an unintended reaction -- sunscreen allergy. Sunscreen has the potential to cause contact dermatitis to many of the active ingredients. This leads to any itchy, bumpy, red rash where the sunscreen was applied. Topical steroids are often helpful to treat the rash, but the culprit sunscreen should then be followed. This may prevent the ability of a person to spend time in the sun due to a fear of using sunscreen. However, there is a way to find out which chemical caused the reaction, and which sunscreen may be tolerated. Finding the right sunscreen can result in having safe, healthy sun exposure this summer!

Sunscreen Allergy
Which Sunblocks Can I Use With Sunscreen Allergy?
Other Skin Reactions From Sun Exposure

Girl Dies at School From Peanut Allergy

A 7-year-old Virginia girl died last week as a result of a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Apparently, the girl had been given a peanut (or peanut-containing food) from another child while on the playground. The girl developed shortness of breath and hives and sought help, although apparently no treatment was given at the school. When emergency medical services arrived at the school, the girl was already in cardiac arrest. She was taken to a local hospital where she was declared dead.

This sad story will surely bring up the question of whether or not peanuts should be banned from school. There are other questions that arise -- such as the availability of medicines at school for children with medical problems -- such as injectable epinephrine. And, whether or not that medicine was prescribed by a physician for a specific child, or if that medicine is available for "general use". This could lead to multiple problems, especially since most schools don't have a nurse or other healthcare professional on staff, who would have the ability to recognize and treat a medical emergency. The most important take-home lesson from this tragedy is to ensure that if your child has a life-threatening medical condition, such as food allergies, to have an action plan in place for school officials to follow should an emergency occur.

All About Peanut Allergy
The Most Common Place at School for Allergic Reactions
Where Should Epinephrine Be Kept at School?

Could You Be Allergic to Latex Paint

Latex paint is a common form of paint that is used for indoor and outdoor use, and is found at countless home improvement stores around the country. Many people suffer from latex allergy, and are concerned about exposure to latex paint. Could they experience an allergic reaction to latex paint? It turns out that latex paint doesn't contain latex, but contains synthetic materials not derived from the plant where latex is derived. These synthetic chemicals are known to cause allergic skin reactions called contact dermatitis. So, while latex paint can pose a risk in terms of fumes released during the painting process, and therefore precautions should be taken (such as having proper ventilation and wearing a mask and eye protection), latex paint will not trigger an allergic reaction in people with latex allergy.

Latex Paint and Latex Allergy
All About Latex Allergy
All About Contact Dermatitis

New Allergy Medicine Approved by the FDA

A new allergy medication was recently approved by the FDA -- the first new medication in years available for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergies in adults and children 12 years of age and older. QNASL, an HFA aerosol corticosteroid nasal spray, is the first nasal spray on the market that is being touted as a "dry" nasal spray. Because QNASL is non-aqueous, it should result in much less dripping out of the nose -- or down the throat -- after use. This feature of many of the "wet" (aqueous) nasal sprays that are currently available is a problem for many nasal allergy sufferers.

QNASL should be available with a doctor's prescription in April 2012, according to TEVA Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the medication. So, if you suffer from spring allergies, like millions of Americans, schedule an appointment with your doctor soon. QNASL samples should be available in a matter of a couple of weeks. I know I'll be giving QNASL out to my allergy patients this allergy season.

Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays
Overview of Allergic Rhinitis Treatment
Spring Allergies

Is Your Cold Really Spring Allergies

You may be blaming your springtime sniffles on a cold, but could it really be spring allergies instead? It is often difficult, even for a healthcare professional, to tell the difference between a cold and allergies. Symptoms of a cold may include fatigue, body aches and possibly a fever. Nasal allergies, on the other hand, include symptoms that may come and go, often include itching of the eyes and nose, and recur with exposure to a person's allergic trigger (such as pollen or pet dander). Most treatments of allergies will not be useful for the treatment of cold symptoms, with the exception of older antihistamines (such as Benadryl) and nasal decongestants (such as Sudafed) which are likely to help the symptoms of both colds and allergies.

Colds versus Allergies
Could You Have Allergies?
Spring Allergies

Antihistamines for the Treatment of Allergies

We've all seen the advertisements on television and in magazines, and heard them on the radio -- how a certain antihistamine is safe and effective for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms. This direct-to-consumer advertising is very important to the pharmaceutical companies as many of these antihistamines are available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. And, with more and more people treating their own symptoms without the advice of a healthcare professional, the choices of an OTC antihistamine can be very confusing. Should you use Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra? What about older antihistamines such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton? Do generic versions work as well as brand-name versions? Should you take the type that includes a decongestant, such as Sudafed, in the formulation? Find out the answers to these questions and more about the use of antihistamines for the treatment of allergies.

Antihistamines: Everything You Need to Know
All About Claritin
All About Zyrtec
All About Allegra
Should You Be Taking Benadryl?

Natural Allergy Relief

More and more of my patients are asking for non-drug options for the treatment of their allergies. Whether this is an attempt to cut costs, reduce medication side effects, or to thumb their nose at the pharmaceutical industry, this trend is becoming more common. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to treat allergies without medications. I often caution my patients, however, that herbal supplements and non-traditional approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of allergies are unproven and often even more expensive than that of pharmaceutical treatments.

Options for natural allergy relief advocated by allergists/immunologists include nasal saline irrigation and allergen immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy, administered as allergy shots or allergy drops, are the only treatment of allergies that can modify the underlying problem of allergies -- which may result in a cure. Allergen immunotherapy has been used for over 100 years with proven results -- and, best of all, it's an all natural therapy.

Natural Treatments for Allergies
Allergy Tests to Avoid
Allergen Immunotherapy -- A Natural Cure for Allergies

Can People Be Allergic to Money

I'm sure you heard that old superstition about when you have itchy palms, you will soon receive some money. While this superstition is most likely false, some people actually have itchy palms after handling money. It is actually possible to be allergic to money -- not the act of making it -- but from coming into contact with the physical form. People can be allergic to both coins, typically as a result of the nickel contained in certain denominations of United States and Euro coins, as well as to paper bills, as a result of the ink in printing. Certain rashes are also seen on the hands of people who count large numbers of paper bills, such as bank tellers. Find out more about the different forms of money allergy, including how to avoid and treat this type of allergy.

Allergic to Money
Nickel Allergy
Contact Dermatitis

Are Seasonal Allergies Causing Your Cough

Coughing is one of the most common reasons why people visit their doctors. When symptoms last for more than a few weeks, the cough would be diagnosed as being chronic. The most common causes of chronic cough include post nasal drip, asthma and acid reflux. Post nasal drip, caused by allergic rhinitis, and asthma certainly could be caused by allergies, which could be worse seasonally.

Have you noticed that your cough seems to be worse along with your seasonal allergies? It is certainly possible for a cough to be worse seasonly, which may mean that the cough is due to asthma or post nasal drip caused by seasonal allergic rhinitis. Allergy testing may reveal positive testing for tree or grass pollens, and pulmonary function testing may reveal signs of asthma. A therapeutic trial of medications for allergic rhinitis or asthma may be helpful at differentiating the cause of cough.

Causes of Chronic Cough
What Caused Your Cough?
Seasonal Allergies

Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test for Asthma

Many people with asthma never know when their next attack is coming. They see their doctors, take their asthma medications, and maybe even perform spirometry, but are never sure if their asthma is truly controlled. Untreated inflammation in the lungs, which may go undetected even with routine doctor visits, can result in a severe asthma exacerbation triggered by something as simple as the common cold.

A breathing test that measures allergic inflammation in the lungs has become more commonly used in the past few years, which could make asthma control much easier to attain. This test, which measures exhaled nitric oxide, has been around for quite a few years, but only recently have insurance companies begun to pay for the test -- making it more widely available. See your asthma specialist to see if obtained an exhaled nitric oxide value is right for you.

Exhaled Nitric Oxide to Determine Asthma Control
What Determines Asthma Control?
Everything You Should Be Doing for your Asthma

Prepare for Fourth of July Allergies

Next week, millions of Americans will be celebrating the Fourth of July with outdoor picnics and fireworks. Along with these activities, however, comes exposure to various outdoor allergens. Pollen allergies, especially to grass, can be a big problem this time of year for many people. Insect allergies, including to mosquitoes and bees and yellow jackets, can keep some people indoors and prevent them enjoying an outdoor event. Allergies to smoke from barbeques and fireworks can worsen allergies and asthma. Last but not least, food allergies, caused by hidden ingredients in a potluck, can result in an unplanned visit to the emergency room. But, with a little planning for allergen avoidance, everyone can have a fun and safe Fourth of July Holiday.

Grass Pollen Allergy
Insect Sting Allergies
BBQ Allergy

Grass Pollen Causes Severe Eye Allergies

In many areas of the United States, there has been a significant increase in the amount of grass pollen in the air recently. As a result, many people with grass allergy have had severe eye allergy symptoms these past few weeks. Seasonal eye allergies seem to be much worse than other allergic causes of eye allergies, especially those caused by tree and grass pollens.

Many people have been running to their doctors these past few weeks for relief of their severe eye allergies; many find relief from pills, nasal sprays and eye drops. If you choose to use over-the-counter eye drops, be sure that you use the right kind; otherwise you might wind up with more problems than ever.

Grass Pollen Allergies
Eye Allergies
Over-the-Counter Drops for Eye Allergies

Pepper Spray to Treat Nasal Allergies

We all have a pretty good idea about what pepper spray is -- the self-defense weapon that is carried by police and can be found at most sporting goods stores. And, what it does -- remember that video of the UC Davis police department pepper spraying the Occupy Wall Street protestors who were staging a sit-in on campus property -- resulting in stinging and burning of the eyes, nose, skin and lungs. Now, imagine actually squirting pepper spray, in a diluted form, in your nose in an attempt to reduce the symptoms of nasal allergies. Sounds crazy, right? Well, capsaicin nasal sprays are available over-the-counter for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, and they work pretty well.

Capsaicin, the substance found in hot peppers that is responsible for the burning and stinging sensation that people get in their mouths when they eat the peppers, is very effective as a long-term reliever of pain. Creams containing capsaicin have been used for years for rubbing on arthritic joints as well as on painful skin that shingles leaves behind. Nasal sprays containing capsaicin seem to be effective at treating nasal congestion and sinus pressure related to non-allergic rhinitis, and may also be effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Other than a mild stinging sensation that occurs only with the first few times the nasal spray is used, side effects are minimal. And, if the nasal spray doesn't help your nasal symptoms, you can always use it as a reasonable replacement for a bottle of Tabasco Sauce.

All About Capsaicin Nasal Sprays
Natural Treatments for Allergies
Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Whats Causing Your Eyelid Rashes

Eyelid rashes are a common problem, especially for women, and can be caused by a variety of allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. The skin over the eyelids is very thin, and is especially susceptible to rashes caused by allergy. I commonly see patients with eyelid rashes in my practice as an allergist, and most people are surprised when they find out the cause of their symptoms. A large portion of these patients have allergic causes to their symptoms, often due to cosmetics or hair care products that they use in everyday life. Learn more about the causes and treatments of eyelid rashes, what our readers say about their eyelid rashes, and the common types of cosmetic allergies associated with rashes around the eyes.

All About Eyelid Rashes
Common Causes of Eyelid Rashes: Readers Respond
Cosmetic Allergies

Dont Let Allergies Ruin Your Day at the Beach

Summertime is nearly here, the kids are almost out of school, and the weather's starting to get hot. For many people who live or vacation near the coast, this time of year means spending time at the beach. The sunny weather, warm sand, and refreshing ocean or lake water makes the beach a popular summer attraction. Spending time spent at the beach is a joy for most people - although some people may experience allergic reactions while at the beach. Despite the ocean breezes blowing onshore keeping the pollen further inland, other causes of allergies may still be present at the beach.

Allergies at the Beach
Sunscreen Allergies
Rashes From Swimming

The SevenYear Itch

Itching is a common problem for many people at one time or another in their lives. There are many causes of itching, from eczema to hives, from contact dermatitis to liver disease, and from medication side effects to thyroid disease. Another common cause of itching may last for years, and can even be spread from one person to another -- scabies. Scabies is caused by a skin mite which burrows in the skin, lays eggs and leaves dropping, all of which causes a very itchy skin rash. Left untreated, scabies can last for many years -- and some people even believe the term "the seven-year itch" originated from soldiers returning after World War I with scabies. Luckily, scabies is easily treated -- if the diagnosis is made as the reason for a person's itching.

Scabies
Other Common Causes of Itching
Pictures of Itchy Skin Rashes

Hypoallergenic Dogs and Cats

With allergies becoming more and more common, especially to household pets, people are frequently looking at ways to be able to keep their dogs and cats while reducing the allergy symptoms their pets cause them to have. Frequent vacuuming, keeping the beds out of the bedroom, and even bathing the pets may reduce the amount of pet dander in the home. All of these measures may be in vain, however, since people with dog and cat allergies usually continue to suffer as long as the pets remain in the home.

It is for these reasons that the concept of hypoallergenic pets has become so popular. Hypoallergenic pets produce less allergen than regular pets, and therefore cause less -- or no -- allergy symptoms. For many years it was assumed that dogs with fur (and not hair), such as Poodles, were hypoallergenic. Recent studies suggest that they may not be. There may still be hope, as various companies have developed hypoallergenic dogs and cats that have genetic mutations that acutally reduce the amount of major allergen that the pet is able to produce -- which may reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms, and allow animal lovers a chance to own a pet without the allergic misery.

Hypoallergenic Dogs and Cats
Make Your Cat Less Allergenic
Make Your Dog Less Allergenic

Fungal Sinus Infections

Chronic sinusitis is a very common problem in the United States, and occurs even more frequently in people with allergies. Not all forms of sinusitis respond to antibiotics, however. A large number of people with chronic sinusitis are actually suffering from fungal sinus infections, which won't get better with typical antibiotics. There are a variety of forms of fungal sinusitis, including allergic fungal sinusitis, fungus ball, and invasive fungal sinus infections that occur in people with suppressed immune systems. If you've had chronic sinus infections, especially with symptoms that don't get better with typical treatments, you could have a fungal sinus infection. Read more about fungal sinusitis, including the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments available for each type.

Fungal Sinus Infections
All About Sinus Infections
More on Mold Allergy

Immunotherapy for Eczema

Immunotherapy, including allergy shots and drops, have been used for decades for the treatment of hay fever, asthma and venom allergies. More recently, immunotherapy has been approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, commonly called referred to as eczema in children. Allergy shots seems to be more effective at reducing the amount of skin involved in people with severe eczema, as well as reducing the amount of topical steroid creams needed. Allergy drops, on the other hand, seem to be more effective at the treatment of mild atopic dermatitis. Immunotherapy offers another treatment for atopic dermatitis, and represents the only therapy that can actually fix the underlying problem of allergies.

Immunotherapy for Eczema
Allergy Shots
Allergy Drops

Marijuana Allergy

Marijuana has become increasingly popular over the past many decades as a medicinal and recreational drug. While still outlawed in most states in the U.S., some states have approved the use of "medicinal marijuana". Derived from the buds and flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana has been linked to many allergic reactions over the years. These reactions have included hay fever symptoms from the plant pollen, common in the summer months in areas where marijuana is cultivated or grows wild. Other reactions have occurred from smoking marijuana, due to not only the plant allergen but also as a result of mold contamination of the marijuana. Lastly, people have even experienced urticaria and angioedema from eating marijuana in herbal teas and in those infamous "brownies". Learn more about the possible symptoms of marijuana allergy.

Marijuana Allergy
Allergy to Wood Smoke
Allergy to Cigarette Smoke

Valentines Day Allergies

The concept of Valentine's Day allergies doesn't make much sense to most people -- until you think about it. This Tuesday, February 14, is Valentine's Day, when we give flowers, candy and other presents to the special people in our lives. But if these people have food allergies or nasal allergies, you may also be giving them something you didn't intend -- an allergic reaction.

Exposure to colorful flowers can cause nasal allergy symptoms, but only when a person puts their nose close enough to the flower to smell its scent. This is because colorful flowers, such as roses, rely on insects to pollinate them, rather than non-colorful plants, such as some trees and most grasses, which rely on the wind to pollinate them. Therefore, it's common for florists and flower recipients on Valentine's Day to experience sneezing and stuffy noses as a result of smelling their special flowers.

Chocolate treats are also given on Valentine's Day. Many of these chocolates may have hidden ingredients such as treenuts and peanuts, which could cause an allergic reaction in people with food allergies. Even in chocolates that aren't supposed to contain nuts, it's still possible that they do.

This Valentine's Day, if your sweetheart suffers from hay fever or nut allergies, skip the flowers and chocolate altogether, and do something different -- take him or her out to a nice dinner or buy them jewelry.

Allergy to Flowers
Peanut Allergy
Treenut Allergy

Pruritus Ani

Itching is a common medical problem experienced by nearly everyone at some point during their lives. Often, the itching is mild and short-lived -- but other people experience debilitating itching that can involve certain areas of the body, or even the entire body. Itching of the anus, called pruritus ani, is an especially embarrassing condition that can have a wide array of causes. The most well-known cause of pruritus ani, particularly in children, is due to infection by pinworms. Allergies can cause pruritus ani -- but not typically due to foods or medications, but rather as a result of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis of the skin around the anus could be caused by toilet paper dyes and fragrances, wet wipes, soaps and even laundry detergents. Less commonly, pruritus ani could signal a more dangerous medical condition, such as colon cancer, diabetes and thyroid disorders. For this reason, it's best to seek the advice of a medical professional if you're suffering from pruritus ani.

Pruritus Ani: An Embarrassing Medical Condition
All About Skin Itching: How to Solve the Mystery
Skin Allergies: Do You Have One?

Hormone Allergies

Women can experience many different symptoms around the time of their menstrual cycle. Most would complain of mood swings, abdominal/uterine cramps and worsening acne, but few women are aware that they can experience a variety of allergic reactions related to their menses. It has long been known that asthma and nasal allergies can worsen during a woman's mentrual cycle, but other allergic reactions, including various skin allergies and even anaphylaxis may also occur. One form of anaphylaxis is caused by an allergy to a woman's own hormones, especially progesterone, while another form of anaphylaxis actually occurs during a woman's menses as a result of inflammatory chemicals released from the lining of the uterus. Learn about the various allergic reactions that can occur during the menstrual cycle, and what can be done about them.

Hormone Allergy
Asthma and the Menstrual Cycle
Allergic Rashes During Pregnancy