Related Allergy Articles

While reading the material below, consider for over 15 years, AAT is clinically proven to provide rapid and long-term relief of the symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities, with many patients experiencing no recurrence of the symptoms.

RedOrbit – 7-28-10

Allergy-caused ER Visits Could Be On The Rise

Emergency room visits by children for severe food-allergy reactions may be on the rise, if the experience of one major US medical center is a sign.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston found that the number of allergic reactions in the ER caused from food more than doubled in the past six years -- from 164 cases in 2001, to 391 in 2006.

The increase in the number of more severe, and sometimes deadly, reactions known as anaphylaxis, had even sharper increases. Signs of anaphylaxis include skin reactions like hives and pale skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness or fainting, trouble breathing and a sudden drop in blood pressure which can lead to anaphylactic shock.

The study analyzed data and found that there were 78 cases of food-induced anaphylaxis in 2001. That number nearly tripled to 207 in 2006. Those figures corresponded to a rate of 15 anaphylaxis cases for every 10,000 ER visits in 2001, and 38 anaphylaxis cases for every 10,000 ER visits in 2006.

The reasons for the increases cannot be taken from the data analyzed. But the findings are in line with studies pointing to a general increase in food allergies among US children in recent years, first author Dr. Susan A. Rudders told Reuters Health in an email.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three million school-aged children in the United States had a food allergy in 2007, which was an 18 percent increase from 1997.

The most common foods that trigger allergic reactions are peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, and eggs.

It is unclear why there is a sharp increase in the diagnoses of food allergies, said Rudders. One theory, she noted, is that changes in diet may be a factor. Another possible theory is the “hygiene hypothesis,” which holds that today’s clean living may, in some people, make the immune system more prone to attacking normally benign substances, like food proteins and pollen.

It is also not clear whether the rise in ER visits for serious food reactions seen in the study points to a wider trend. Rudders said that this appears to be the first study looking specifically at ER visits for serious food reactions. She added that further research is needed.

A limitation in the current study is that it was a review of medical records, and the researchers were not able to test the children to confirm that they had a food allergy. Food-related allergies were defined as symptoms suggestive of an immune-system reaction after a child had reportedly been exposed to a food allergen.

Anaphylaxis was defined as a reaction involving at least two organ systems in the body, or a sudden drop in blood pressure alone.

The researchers report their study findings in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Top News - 05/22/2010

Food Allergies Seen in 30% of the Americans - Rasik Sharma on

It was seen that around 30% of Americans suffered from food allergies. According to a recent study commissioned by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it was seen that the actual number was close to 5%.

According to MIT chemical engineer Christopher Love, there were better way to diagnose such allergies. With his new technology the immune cells could be analyzed that were taken from patients.

According to Love, an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, with the help of this technology doctors one day would be able to diagnose food allergies with the help of simple blood test that would be faster and more reliable.

"With a large number of diagnoses, it's ambiguous. A lot of times it's almost circumstantial whether you're allergic to one thing or another", said Love.

It was seen from the NIAID study that published May 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association that in the United States around 6% to 8% of children under four, and 4% percent of people five or older were suffering from one food allergy. The most common allergens were Milk, peanuts, eggs and soy

.It was informed that the food allergies happened when the body's immune system mistook a protein in food for something harmful.

Health Aim - May 22, 2010

The Basics About Allergic Reactions - By Jeniffer Moja on

Allergies are one disturbing health problems that affect more and more people these days. They can be generally defined as an abnormal reaction to things and substances that are normally harmless and generally called allergens. Allergies are developed by people whose immune system does not function correctly. This immune system dysfunction it is generally called atopy.

Allergies are a natural body reaction to environmental substances and they are meant to protect the body from harmful infection caused by all kinds of parasites. The trouble comes when these allergies appear as an abnormal reaction to harmless environmental substances and non-infectional agents.

Not all people develop allergies. Some people may inherit their allergies from their parents or even share the same allergies to different allergens with other members of their family. Allergies manifest in different ways, having a wide range of symptoms announcing them. These symptoms vary in intensity from mild manifestations such as a running nose to those very dangerous like asthma attacks for example.

The most common symptoms of allergy are eczema, rash, high fever, moments of asthma attacks, allergic reaction to certain aliments and to the substances released by insects like wasps and bees. However, there are cases when an allergic reaction can be very severe and the manifestation may cause the death of the allergic person.

In order to cope with your allergies you have now a wide range of allergy medication at hand. Allergies cannot be treated, but there is much you can do to keep their manifestations under control and thus lead a normal life. The most famous of the allergy medication available today are herbal medicines that prove to be very helpful in treating your allergy symptoms. We will present you here some of the most efficient herb in allergy treatment.

One of these herbs is the butterbur. Studies made on this herb have proved it to be an efficient antihistamine that helps control high fever and rid you of the drowsiness sensation it usually comes with. Another efficient herb with the same benefic antihistaminic properties is the singing nettle.
When dealing with pollen allergic reactions one good remedy is salt water.

This will diminish the mucous flow and will wash out the pollen. For those of you experiencing asthma attacks as an allergy reaction chamomile is very efficient since it diminishes the inflammation of the lung and helps you breath better. Another natural treatment for allergy symptoms is grape seed, which are rich in vitamin C.

Although herbal medication is an option in allergy treatment, a doctor’s opinion is always the most important, since he can prescribe the most suitable allergy treatment for you.

AJC - May 18, 2010

How well do we understand food allergies? - by Joy Johnston

Food allergies are a hot topic in the news right now. According to a recent CDC report, the number of people with a diagnosed food allergy had risen by 18 percent over the last decade. But a recent report by the American Medical Association suggests that the incidence of true food allergies may be far lower than what is generally believed. All of these contradictory reports about food allergies may be leading to a great deal of confusion for the average American consumer and for doctors trying to treat these conditions. A recent Harris Interactive/HomeFree study indicates that a good deal of people (43 percent) think gluten is an allergy, like wheat or shellfish. Just 3 percent of Americans can correctly identify all four of the listed common food allergens (nuts, dairy, eggs and wheat.)

One major issue is semantics. A food allergy is not the same as a food intolerance. Food allergies can be life-threatening, and often require treatment with epinephrine and an ER visit, while a food intolerance is generally not, though the symptoms can make one feel extremely miserable for days. (I know the latter condition personally, because medical tests have concluded that I am gluten, lactose and casein intolerant. When I have a reaction, it feels like a cross between the stomach flu and a hangover.)

However, conditions that are not recognized as true food allergies can be very serious. While Celiac Disease, a genetic, autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of the gluten protein found in wheat, rye and barley is not immediately life threatening, if one continues to consume gluten their rate of developing intestinal lymphoma can rise 50% above the general population’s rate. Celiacs also often suffer from serious malabsorption issues, due to damage of the intestinal lining, leading to a variety of ailments associated with nutritional deficiencies.

As the CNN article points out the medical community and their approach to treating food allergies and related conditions is an “inexact science.” Procedures like food challenges, where the patient is ordered to eat a suspected offending food, can be a miserable, potentially life-threatening experience. Skin pinprick testing is not foolproof. Elimination diets can be helpful, but many find such diets difficult to follow and results may be inconclusive.

While the medical community struggles to diagnose true food allergies versus a food intolerance or food sensitivity, it is important for people to understand how to identify and treat food allergies, because of the potentially life-and-death situation involved. This is especially true for parents, teachers, restaurant workers and anyone who deals with the public and the consumption of food. At the same time, we should not overlook the conditions of food intolerance or food sensitivity, which can have serious long-term health effects if not managed properly.

Telegraph.co.uk - 17 May 2010

Food allergy sufferers 'worst served' by medicine - By Nick Collins

People who suffer from food allergies get some of the worst service from doctors due to misleading test results, wrong diagnoses and poor quality research.

The most common allergies are responses to cow's milk, egg, peanuts, fish and shellfish.

A review of research into the affliction found that up to three in ten people claim to have a food allergy of some sort, but blind testing reveals that fewer than ten per cent actually has one.

People were found to be avoiding certain foods because they incorrectly suspected they were allergic to them, while many parents refused to give their children certain foods even though most will overcome their allergies as they grow older.

The most common allergies are responses to cow's milk, egg, peanuts, fish and shellfish.

According to the review, 3.5 per cent of people claim to be allergic to cow's milk, while testing suggested the figure was just 0.9 per cent.

However, with peanut allergies, the number who claimed to be allergic, 0,75 per cent, was exactly the same proportion revealed by testing.

Results showed that part of the problem was a lack of understanding of the difference between a food allergy – a response to food by the immune system – and a food intolerance, which may be caused by substances within the food or by a psychological trigger.

Dr Pamela Ewan, consultant allergist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, told The Independent: "The chaos is massive in the UK. Doctors untrained in allergy are having to pick up cases in gastroenterology clinics, asthma clinics, dermatology clinics.

"People get the wrong advice because the tests are not understood. The key problem is that we haven't got enough people who understand allergy. There are 30 consultants nationwide and just 12 training posts, not even enough to replace those who are leaving."

WisconsinRapidsTribune.com - May 17, 2010

Allergy relief available during high pollen counts - Dr. Randal F. Wojciehoski

Notice more runny noses, sniffles and red eyes this year? Thanks to record levels of pollen around the nation, even those of us who haven't experienced significant allergic reactions before may suffer from mild allergic symptoms such as headaches and irritated eyes and nasal passages.

Your immune system is your defense system. When it recognizes a threat, it takes defensive measures to combat that threat. In the case of allergies, your body is overreacting to an allergen -- such as pollen -- that is typically deemed a harmless substance. For someone not allergic to pollen, they inhale the grains and the grains are trapped in mucus that you then cough out or swallow.

If you are allergic to pollen, your body reacts differently -- and defensively. Those same grains trigger your immune system to produce IgE -- an antibody that attaches to mast and blood cells. The offending pollen grains become attached to the IgE and your body steps up its defenses -- releasing histamines that attempt to eject the allergen via watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing or coughing. You may also experience itchy eyes, throat and nose or develop dark circles under your eyes because of the restricted blood flow around your sinuses.

People with mild allergic reactions may use over-the-counter antihistamines that can bring temporary relief. These medications can bring relief, but they are simply masking the symptoms -- not building your body's immunity to the allergens. It's best to speak to your physician before using over-the-counter medications because some of the medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness.

Prescription medications usually have internasal steroids that work better for those who have more debilitating reactions to allergens. For those with more acute allergies, their physician may recommend receiving immunotheraphy injections. The person is injected with increasing amounts of allergens in order to help the body eventually build immunity to the allergen.

Are there ways to avoid pollen? Not really. Pollen is airborne and so prevalent in spring and fall that it's nearly impossible to avoid. That said, you can take measures to avoid exposure. You can wear a regular dust mask when outdoors, keep your windows shut, and follow the "5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rule" -- avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk when pollen counts are their highest. Pollen counts also tend to be higher on dry and windy days. You should also leave your shoes outside the door when you go inside, change your clothing when you come inside and wash your hair at the end of the day to rid it of pollen. You can also use nasal saline rinses and use antihistamine eye drops for relief. Within your home, be sure to vacuum at least twice a week, clean your vents and air filters and consider purchasing an air filter.

Fox News - April 29, 2010

Record-Breaking Pollen Counts Fuel Miserable Allergy Season - By Stephanie Pappas

This year's late spring is bringing a burst of warm days and beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, it's also made millions of allergy sufferers miserable. And, scientists say, the awful season could be a sign of worse suffering to come.

Unprecedented levels of pollen have been measured across the Eastern United States this April. On April 7, the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic in Georgia saw a near-record-breaking concentration of 5,733 particles per cubic foot. And in mid-April, Kansas City, Mo., recorded a pollen level of over 8,000 particles per cubic foot, the highest ever seen at that station.

To put that in perspective, 15 particles per cubic foot can cause sniffling and sneezing in those with bad allergies, said Jay Portnoy, the chief of allergy, asthma and immunology at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. At 100 particles per cubic foot, everyone with allergies gets sick. April's record levels went even further.

"The sheer number of particles in the air was enough to trigger symptoms even in patients who didn't have allergies, just because of the irritant effect," Portnoy said.

The culprit for this year's bumper crop of pollen is the weather, according to Portnoy. Temperatures stayed cool throughout February and March, preventing flowering trees from beginning their annual pollination ritual. Instead of a gradual, species-by-species release of pollen, the trees stored up until the weather got balmy. Then they all released at once.

For the 40 million Americans who have indoor/outdoor allergies, the pollen explosion translated into runny noses, scratchy throats and itchy eyes. Many of Portnoy's patients complained that their usual medications weren't working, but that wasn't quite true, Portnoy said.

"The exposure to the pollen was so great that it overwhelmed the medicine," he said.

A rising trend

The tree pollen burst has settled down somewhat, and allergists aren't yet sure how severe the grass pollen season, which starts in a few weeks, will be. Nonetheless, people with allergies might want to stock up on tissues.

Research suggests that the overall trend for pollen is up, and global warming could be to blame. Both warmer temperatures and carbon dioxide trigger plants to grow faster and larger — and to produce more pollen. A 1995 study in the journal Grana found that birch pollen in Europe gradually increased over the previous 30 years. And a 2003 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that ragweed growing near carbon-dioxide rich cities grew faster and denser than ragweed growing in the countryside. The urban ragweed also produced more pollen, said lead researcher Lewis Ziska, a plant physiologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Global warming lengthens the growing season, Ziska said, pointing to evidence that trees in carbon-dioxide rich cities flower earlier than those in the countryside. That could be good news for some farmers, but bad news for allergy sufferers.

"The combination of both increasing CO2 and, of course, warmer temperatures is likely to exacerbate both weed growth and pollen production from those weeds," Ziska said.

Halting hay fever

Allergies develop when pollen or another allergen triggers the immune system to produce an antibody called IgE. The tiny, y-shaped IgE antibodies then attach to large mast cells in the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, lungs and digestive system. When these primed mast cells encounter more pollen, they burst, spewing forth granules full of histamines and other chemicals. The result is the sneezing, sniffling mess of hay fever.

What scientists don't know is why something as ubiquitous as pollen makes so many of us sick. Allergies could be a byproduct of the way our immune system evolved: annoying, but not so detrimental that natural selection deletes the genes responsible. Another theory, dubbed the "hygiene hypothesis," notes that people in areas rampant with parasite infections have low allergy rates. IgE antibodies help defend the body against parasitic worms, the theory goes, so perhaps by curing ourselves of parasites, we've freed IgE to run amok, overreacting to every grain of pollen.

The hygiene hypothesis is far from proven, but that hasn't stopped some online entrepreneurs from selling parasitic worms to allergy patients desperate for a cure. Fortunately for the squeamish, there are other, more reliable options.

Allergists have an arsenal of antihistamine sprays, pills and eye drops, and corticosteroids can soothe swollen airways. In some cases, allergen immunotherapy — better known as allergy shots — can help people control their allergies. In fact, scientists have a slew of tips for allergy sufferers.

The important thing, said Rebecca Piltch, M.D., an allergist in San Rafael, Calif., is that patients figure out which types of pollen set off their allergies. That way, they can prepare for the season by developing a treatment plan in advance.

"For most people with allergies, it is possible to achieve good control over symptoms, and it is possible to have a good quality of life, including outdoor activities," Piltch said. "So many people suffer for years or sometimes even decades, and that isn't necessary most of the time."

washingtonpost.com - March 15, 2010

EVER WONDERED: Why you develop allergies - by Howard Bennett

Last month, I wrote about vaccines (shots). In case you need a quick refresher, vaccines stimulate your immune system to make antibodies against viruses or bacteria that can make you sick. These antibodies help your body attack the invading germs and neutralize them before they cause trouble.

It turns out that in addition to making antibodies to kill germs, the body's immune system sometimes messes up and makes antibodies to substances that are not dangerous -- such as plants. An example of this is hay fever, one of the most common disorders in the world. If you have hay fever, that means you are allergic to any one of a number of wind-pollinated plants including trees, grass and ragweed.

During allergy season, invisible grains of pollen swirl through the air like Dementors in search of their next victims. Eventually, some of this pollen will make its way into your nose and sinuses. If you are allergic to whatever is in the air, your body's misguided immune system will attack the pollen as though it were a ghoulish germ trying to make you sick. In the process of attacking the pollen, a chemical called histamine is released. Histamine causes watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, an itchy nose and sometimes even itchy skin.

Most people with hay fever suffer in spring (starting about now) when the trees are in bloom. Others have symptoms during summer (grass) or fall (ragweed). If you are allergic to dust, mold or house pets, you may have symptoms throughout the year.

People with dust allergies are really allergic to repulsive creatures known as dust mites. These microscopic bugs live in fabrics such as carpets, mattresses and stuffed animals. When dust mites die, their dried-up bodies mix with dirt and skin cells that fall off your body. These ingredients mix together to become house dust.

Most allergy medicines contain antihistamines that are designed to block the histamine released during the allergic process. Some allergy sufferers take nose sprays to reduce nasal inflammation. Here are some other tips that may help.

-- Keep your windows closed during allergy season.

-- If you are allergic to pets, keep the cute little beasts out of your bedroom.

-- Take a shower and change your clothes when you come in at night.

Web MD – March 5, 2010

Spring allergies: the bane of many (partial article)

Spring is the time of year that we normally think of when it comes to seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen gets airborne, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing. Each year, 35 million Americans fall prey to seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever.

What causes spring allergies?

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen -- tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds for the purpose of fertilizing other plants. When pollen grains get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the immune system into overdrive.

The immune system, mistakenly seeing the pollen as foreign invaders, releases antibodies -- substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses, and other illnesscausing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.

Pollen can travel for miles, spreading a path of misery for allergy sufferers along the way. The higher the pollen count, the greater the misery. The pollen count measures the amount of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter. You can find out the daily pollen count in your area by watching your local weather forecast or by visiting the NAB: Pollen & Mold Counts page on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s web site.

Here are some of the biggest spring allergy offenders:

Trees : Alder, Ash, Aspen, Beech, Box elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Cypress, Elm, Hickory, Juniper, Maple, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Palm, Pine, Poplar, Sycamore, Willow Grasses and weeds: Bermuda, Fescue, Johnson, June, Orchard, Perennial rye, Redtop, Saltgrass, Sweet vernal, Timothy

Allergy symptoms tend to be particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up pollen and carries it through the air. Rainy days, on the other hand, cause a drop in the pollen counts because the rain washes away the allergens.

What are the symptoms of spring allergies?
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under the eyes

Airborne allergens also can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

ABC News - March 3, 2010

Allergic to Meat? - By DAN CHILDS, KIRK FERNANDES and RADHA CHITALE

In the world of allergies, there are a few common culprits to which many sufferers can relate. Pollen, peanuts and even egg and wheat are some that are widely known and, hence, widely understood. They're annoying for sure, but at least their victims can take solace in the fact that they are not alone in their misery.

"We've been looking into this for a couple of years, but it was really unclear how widespread it was," said Dr. Scott Commins, an allergist and immunologist at the University of Virginia. On Sunday, Commins presented the findings of his latest research on meat allergies before those gathered at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) in New Orleans.

What Commins and his colleagues found in their preliminary study of 60 patients was that some people may have an allergy to a carbohydrate naturally found within meat. He said that while allergies to certain proteins in meat has been documented before, such cases are very rare. But the idea that there is another component of meat that can spur allergies means that the pool of people within the population who have a meat allergy may be more than previously suspected.

It gets stranger. Commins said the patients with this allergy that he studied experienced a peculiar delay in symptoms.

"Initially they will experience nothing," he said. "About three to four hours in, they'll start experiencing some itching, which often proceeds to hives."

Commins said that in some patients the reaction can get even worse, progressing to breathing difficulties, acute onset diarrhea and cramping.

While more details on this allergy will only come with additional research, Commins said the preliminary results suggest that people with certain blood types -- specifically B and AB -- may be less likely to have this type of allergy than those with other blood types. He also said the research shows that those who have been bitten by ticks or certain other blood-sucking insects may be more likely to have this allergy.

"What is it about tick or chigger bites that causes the production of this antibody?" he said. "We don't think it is something infectious, as with Lyme disease and other conditions, but we are certainly keeping an open mind."

Dr. Clifford Bassett, assistant clinical professor of medicine and otolaryngology at The Long Island College Hospital, SUNY-HSCB, in Brooklyn, N.Y., who was not involved with the research, called the study "thought-provoking," particularly in patients whose allergies have no conventional explanation, a condition shelved under the description "idiopathic anaphylaxis."

"This condition, idiopathic anaphylaxis, often goes with no concrete cause for it," he said. "We should consider this [research] in evaluating this condition."

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - 1 March 2010

Allergy Seasoned Lengthened By Climate Change - by RedOrbit

Doctors from Italy are saying that pollen seasons may be longer due to changes in climate patterns, causing an extended period of congestion and sneezing for people with allergies, especially hay fever.

Based on a twenty-six-year study, doctors have discovered an increased amount of pollen in the air progressively extending later and later into the year. The study was concentrated in the Bordighera region of Italy between 1981 and 2007. They recorded pollen counts during the allergy season and how long each of the five pollen types lasted.

“By studying a well-defined geographical region, we observed that the progressive increase of the average temperature has prolonged the duration of the pollen seasons of some plants and, consequently, the overall pollen load,” Dr. Walter Canonica of Genoa University said in a statement to Reuters.

The study found that the percentage of patients with allergic reactions increased throughout the study, but doctors are not clear if longer pollen seasons actually put more people at risk for developing allergies.

Doctors presented their evidence at a meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in New Orleans on Monday.

“Longer pollen seasons and high levels of pollen certainly can exacerbate symptoms for people with allergic rhinitis and for those who previously had minimal symptoms,” said the AAAAI's Estelle Levetin, who was not involved in the study.

Allergic rhinitis -- or hay fever -- is a reaction to indoor and outdoor airborne allergens, such as pollen. About 25 million Americans suffered from hay fever in the past year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly half of all Americans with hay fever last year were children.

KEZI.com - Feb 17, 2010

Allergy Season Begins - By Aaron Ofseyer

EUGENE, Ore. -- Allergy season has begun. The sniffling and sneezing common during allergy season is coming a little earlier than normal, and allergists are looking at our unusual winter weather for answers.

Cedar, hazelnut, birch, alder and cherry trees are starting to show their blooms. A warmer and drier than normal winter might explain why allergists are hearing complaints earlier than they might otherwise.

"Pollen in the air longer, people are outside and exposed to it," said allergist Dr. Jason Friesen.

Rain can reduce the count by washing the pollen out of the air. The drier the weather, the longer pollen can linger.

The year 2009 was a very dry year, and 2010 has been no different. The Willamette Valley is blessed or cursed depending on your point of view with a long growing season and ideal weather for flowering grasses, plants and trees.

"Conditions are excellent for pollen," said Dr. Friesen.

Tradingmarkets.com - Dec 20, 2009

Unconventional methods

Coming from a traditional medical background, retired nurse Lynnette Walker was skeptical that the cause of her headaches and allergies could be quickly diagnosed and treated by signals to the surface of her skin through a computer program.

Her skepticism faded six months ago, as has her husband's. Today, the couple says they enjoy relief from their allergies through painless treatment. Walker acknowledged that treatment for a specific allergy may sometimes need more than one treatment, called the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics program.

Linda Stone, a trained doctor of Oriental medicine, and her business partner, registered nurse Joy Jones, said the Walkers are among a growing number of patients who at first expressed disbelief that the AAT program they offer actually works.

"When I heard about it, I said, 'Yeah, right,'" Walker said. "I talked to my husband, Billy, about it and he laughed when I told him I was going to try it. But I went to find out if it works. Strangely enough, it does. I feel so much better. My husband decided he would try it after he saw I was feeling better. He had an allergy to trees up in the mountains. We have a vacation place in Ruidoso and he could not stay outside for long and didn't like to go up there much. Now he sits outside and enjoys the fresh mountain air and the trees."

Walker said that through AAT, Jones and Stone identified a skin allergy known as HaileyHailey.

"I didn't tell them that I suffered from it. Actually, all I knew was that I had a skin allergy. I didn't know the name of it, but they put a name to it," she said. "The next time I went back to the dermatologist, I asked him what the rash was called. He confirmed it was Hailey-Hailey. It was amazing that they were able to determine what it was through a cuff on my arm and slight pressure on my other arm. If my muscles in the other arm were able to resist Linda pushing down on the arm, I didn't have an allergen I was being tested for. When she pushed down and I couldn't push back, the computer showed an allergen in my body. It was really amazing."

Stone and Jones are among a few practitioners in the country who have been trained in AAT. They explained that it works with the use of gentle pressure to stimulate points on the back, which strengthens the major organ systems of the body. The patient is simultaneously exposed to the allergen. The body associates the positive stimulus with the exposure to the allergen and no longer perceives it as harmful.

"Your body alters its perception and corrects its own erroneous response," Stone explained.

She noted that antihistamines relieve symptoms of the allergy but don't eliminate the cause of the reaction. So once the sufferer stops using the drugs, the symptoms come back. Some over-the-counter and prescribed medications can be very effective and offer significant relief, she said.

Jones added that the traditional method to treat an allergy is by desensitizing the patient to the allergen involving a series of injections over many months, and sometimes, for life. The AAT method, she said, is able to address the underlying cause of the reaction, thereby eliminating the need for substance avoidance, medication or injections.

"It's painless. There are no needles and drugs. People don't have to avoid the things they are allergic to," she added.

According to literature provided by Stone, AAT treatment does not rely on the use of medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless and available to all ages, including infants.

AAT requires that the patient be exposed to the substance being treated dust, for example. As many of the actual substances were impossible to obtain for treatment, the developer of the technique found it necessary to research technologies that could mimic substances.

The transmission of the signals to the surface of the skin proved to be an effective and safe alternative in exposing the patient to allergens.

Stone said that although the mechanism is unknown, the therapy has proven that the body is capable of interpreting the signals in the same manner as the actual exposure. She said the use of digital signals has greatly increased precision in the treatment.

Jones demonstrated the technique using this reporter as the subject. A cuff around the lower arm received signals from the laptop computer mimicking certain allergens, and the results were accurate. In March, this reporter had done environmental allergy tests at a traditional medical establishment. Without revealing to Jones and Stone that the tests had been done, the reporter let Jones proceed with the AAT demonstration. The instant feedback was the same as the blood test results in the earlier traditional tests. The feedback also showed an auto-immune problem that this reporter was aware of and had not shared with Jones and Stone at the start of the interview and demonstration.

Once the allergens had been identified using the AAT system, Jones was able to take them out during the hour-long demonstration. The reporter's chronic daily headache, caused by some of the allergens, had abated during the short drive back to the office and had not returned the following day.

Jones and Stone said that while some problems can be quickly remedied, others may need one or two additional treatments. They said AAT typically requires one treatment per allergen family. The treatment may include dozens of substances if they are all of the same allergen family. Multiple species of pollen may be included in one treatment. However, dairy products and pollen, for example, can't be treated at the same time.

According to information provided by Stone, an allergy to cat hair may require several treatments as the components may need to be treated separately. For example, cat hair, dander, glandular oil, saliva, sweat and specific molecules are technically part of different families.

"AAT is based on the acupuncture principal," said Stone, who is an acupuncture practitioner. "We all have points along the spine that affect all the organs in the body. By putting the digitized frequencies into the body of the actual substance, say for instance, milk, and then strengthening the body with acupressure along the spine, it tells the primitive side of the brain that the substance is not a problem. The primitive side of the brain is like a computer. The associated symptoms are generally reduced or eliminated within 24 hours."

Stone said she is not offended when the traditional medical community scoffs at non-traditional methods. It's OK with her. Her patients are proof that AAT works, and that is what matters, she said.

Jones said, surprisingly, she has entered a realm of healing she never thought she would be in.

"This works," Jones said. "I was raised in traditional medicine. I'm a registered nurse and worked in hospitals, including here in Carlsbad. I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would be doing this. But I'm sold on it. In this part of the state, people are still not as open to non-traditional methods. But in the northern part of the state it is very accepted. We have patients that come from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe just to get their treatments. We had a few tell us that they found us on the Web site that lists AAT practitioners."

Stone said the AAT technology was developed by Dawn Nowlin, a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Nowlin researched for years and in 2003, she introduced the therapy in Australia, opening two clinics in Sydney and Brisbane.

"She received a lot of national media attention," Stone said. "Some reported her to the government and said she was a quack and ripping people off. The story is that Australia's Minister of Health at the time went to see for himself what the clinics were doing. He left a believer. They did a demonstration on him and his allergy cleared up. The Australian government gave her a huge grant to continue further research."

Stone said that currently a double-blind study is being conducted by a university in Europe to determine if AAT is as effective as practitioners and patients claim.

The technology developed by Nowlin is now the property of Allertek System LLC.

Walker said she tells friends and family about AAT and how it has enhanced her quality of life. But it's when her husband speaks up about how it has helped him that some allergy sufferers take notice.

"Sometimes people tend to believe a man over a woman when it comes to something like this. Men generally don't seek non-traditional medical help. So when he says it has helped him, people tend to sit up and listen," she said laughing.

Stone and Jones operate their company, Progressive Allergy Solutions, at 411 E. Church St. So far, news about their innovative treatments is being spread by word of mouth.

"Out of all the people that we have treated in the past year, we have only one patient who said he didn't have the results he wanted. Everyone else has had good results. This past year, seeing how AAT can help allergy sufferers has been astounding," Jones said.

Upi.com Dec 15, 2009

Physicians lack food allergies knowledge

CHICAGO, An estimated 6 percent of U.S. children may have food allergies but many doctors say they're not sure they can diagnose or treat the allergies, researchers say.

Researchers at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago surveyed 400 pediatricians and family physicians nationwide and found significant misconceptions concerning food allergies.

The study found doctors acknowledged the potential for anaphylaxis -- a life-threatening allergic reaction -- but few knew the appropriate dosage of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, or that teenagers are at greater risk than younger children of fatality due to anaphylaxis.

"Many physicians themselves reported not being comfortable with diagnosis, treatment or interpreting labs for food allergies," study leader Dr. Ruchi Gupta said in a statement. "Understanding these misconceptions will help us to create an intervention tool to close the knowledge gap."

The study, published in Pediatrics, found 99 percent of those surveyed reported providing care for children with food allergy.

Gupta and colleagues are working on a food allergy module for use by physicians in their offices as a reference when providing care to food-allergic children.

The Wall Street Journal December 15, 2009

Till Dermatitis Do Us Part By MELINDA BECK

The fairy tale goes like this: a couple meets, falls in love, exchanges rings and lives happily ever after.

Nowhere does it mention that an itchy red rash might develop under the ring, turning that symbol of love into a source of irritation.

Yet thousands of women (to judge by postings on the Internet) and a growing number of men develop what's officially called "wedding-ring dermatitis" not to be confused with the "seven-year itch" and it can happen suddenly after years of ring-wearing bliss. "Wedding-ring dermatitis" can cause red, scaly welts.

"I'd wake up in the middle of the night and scratch at my hands with a hair brush until they bled it was so itchy," says Ann Connelly, chief operating officer of a tutoring company in Potomac, Md. She stops wearing her gold wedding ring until the rash heals, then wears it until it starts again. "But I try to remember to wear it if I'm going out with my husband. The other day we had lunch and a waiter greeted him as Mr. Connelly and waited to make sure I was the Mrs."

Dermatologists say there are two common causes of wedding-ring dermatitis. One is an allergic reaction to the metal, generally nickel, which can be present in small quantities even in expensive gold and platinum rings. The other is a surface irritation from moisture and soap trapped under the ring, which can occur with any kind. Both cause similar red, scaly welts, and it can be tricky to tell them apart. Yet it's also important to know the cause before you spend thousands of dollars on a replacement ring.

Nickel allergies have been on the rise in North America in recent years and now affect 24% to 36% of women and 7% to 15% of men, according to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, which named nickel the 2008 "Allergen of the Year." Women are more likely to have pierced ears, which can facilitate a sensitivity to nickel if earrings containing the metal contact broken skin. But men are closing the gap due to the popularity of body piercing.

As with other allergies, a reaction to nickel can develop seemingly out of the blue, even years after a person's first exposure. Once the allergy is triggered, it will persist lifelong. A reaction to a particular piece of jewelry may occur suddenly because nickel salts tend to come to the surface years later, or after protective coating has worn away. "You get more exposure to nickel the older the piece of jewelry is," says Jeffrey Benabio, a dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. "That's why you can wear a ring for 20 years and suddenly it starts causing problems."

"One day, your body just rebels," says Geri Koeppel, 42, a freelance writer in Phoenix who had worn her white-gold wedding ring for two years when it started burning. "It looked like my finger had been branded by my ring," she says. The firey red irritation didn't heal for a year, and she didn't wear a ring or any jewelry for six years until she found a platinum ring that didn't bother her.

Because it's strong, cheap and lustrous, nickel is commonly found in costume jewelry, watch backings, belt buckles and jeans rivets. Dermatologists frequently see the telltale red bumps on patients' abdomens or necks. Areas where sweating occurs can become particularly irritated, because the salt in sweat causes metal to corrode, increasing the nickel exposure.
A Cellphone Allergy?

Nickel is even used in some cellphones and has been known to cause irritations on users' ears and faces a phenomenon dubbed "mobile-phone dermatitis." In a study published last year in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers at Brown University tested 22 mobile-phone models and found nickel in 10 of them, mostly on menu buttons and company logos.

To cut down on allergic reactions, the European Union severely restricted the use of nickel in jewelry in 2001 and cellphones last year. Suggestions by some dermatologists to follow suit in the U.S. have gone nowhere in part because nickel is so prevalent, particularly among imports.

Many gold- and silver-plated jewelry pieces use nickel bases, or small quantities of nickel used in hardening alloys. Nickel is what makes white gold white, and it's frequently added to gold that's less than 14-carat. "This can lead to the dreaded 'He-got-me-a-cheap-wedding-ring-that-turned-my-finger-black' syndrome," says Eric Larsen, editor of Nickelfreelife.com, which provides allergy information and links to nickel-free jewelry and tools. But he adds that some jewelers aren't even aware that their products contain nickel. "Many suppliers I have spoken to have not even thought of asking the question of their suppliers. It is very important to use a jeweler that is involved in the sourcing of their product," he says.

Even jewelry that is billed "nickel-free" may merely have a nickel-free coating over a nickel base, says Michael Dow, owner of Athena Allergy, a Huntersville, N.C., company that markets a $12 Nickel Alert kit online. If a cotton swab dipped in a chemical (dimethylglyoxime, or DMG) turns pink when placed against an object, it contains at least some nickel.
The Nickel Coin Test

A dermatologist can perform a patch test to determine whether you are allergic to nickel. Mr. Dow says you can also do it at home by taping a nickel coin (which is 25% nickel) to the inside of your arm for 48 hours. If you are allergic, a red rash will appear 8 to 24 hours after you remove it, he says. The rash from a nickel allergy can be treated with a topical steroid cream and by avoiding contact with the material again.

If you don't want to give up your nickel-containing wedding ring, one remedy is to coat it with a clear nail polish that can form a temporary barrier. Mr. Dow's company also makes Nickel Guard (also $12), which is like clear nail polish but is made to bond with metal and lasts longer. A jeweler may also be able to seal the ring with rhodium or another protective coating. But none of these remedies last forever.

One home remedy suggested on various Web sites boiling the jewelry in vinegar and peroxide may remove nickel salts from the surface, as might cleaning the ring with jewelry cleaner. But, says Mr. Dow, "15 minutes later, those nickel salts will percolate to the surface again."
Safe Metals

Nickel isn't the only metal that can cause allergic reactions, although others are much rarer. Doctors are increasingly finding allergies to palladium, a platinum-like metal that is gaining popularity. Platinum itself is generally considered safe from allergies, as is 24-karat gold, sterling silver and stainless steel. But even those are occasionally mixed with nickel, or seem to cause allergic reactions on their own.

No matter what a ring is made of, it can cause a different kind of irritation due to a build-up of soap, detergent, toothpaste anything else that comes into frequent contact with your hands. Irritant Contact Dermatitis, as it is officially known, occurs when the skin's normally protective layer is worn away. Because rings often trap moisture, this wearing away can happen easily to that circle of skin. "Soap is an irritant. It can stay on your finger for hours," says Dr. Benabio. "And everybody is washing their hands more with the flu around." Using an alcohol-based sanitizer may be less irritating, because the alcohol evaporates quickly. ("Unless your hands are really raw and irritated then the alcohol can sting," he notes.)

A channel-set ring, with small holes behind the stones, can be particularly problematic, Dr. Benabio says, since it tends to trap moisture and soap. He suggests rinsing and drying your hands very carefully, and applying a lotion that has a protective barrier like Eucerin. If the redness does not return, you are probably not allergic to any of the substances in the ring and keeping your hands dry and protected will probably solve the problem.

Even if your problem is a metal allergy, it's important to keep your hands dry, experts say, since moisture can cause nickel to react with skin. Dr. Benabio has one more piece of advice for anyone suffering wedding-ring dermatitis: "Make sure your spouse does the dishes."

What's Causing Your Rash?

IT'S LIKELY AN ALLERGY IF:

    * You've had past skin reactions to metal
    * Reaction is delayed and persists after you remove the ring
    * Ring tests positive for nickel

IT'S LIKELY AN IRRITATION IF:

    * Reaction occurs quickly
    * Reaction resolves if you keep your finger clean and dry
    * Ring tests negative for nickel

The Miami Herald – November 18, 2009

Nail polish can cause eye rash - By Dr. Leslie Baumann

An allergy to nail polish often manifests itself as redness and swelling of the eyelids. It is not known exactly why this occurs on the eyelids and not the fingertips, but it is probably because the skin around the eyes is so thin and we tend to rub our eye a lot.

Most nail polish allergies are due to formaldehyde or toluene. Many agents release formaldehyde, so you cannot just look for formaldehyde on the label. Quaternium 15 is an example of a formaldehyde-releasing agent that should be avoided if you are allergic to formaldehyde.

With all the skin care companies turning organic, the nail care companies are finally following suit. The ``natural'' movement and the increased recognition of allergic reactions to nail polish ingredients have led to the development of nail products that do not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, or Dibutyl Phthalate. These products are sometimes referred to as being ``3 Free,'' and if you have this rash around your eyes, you should look for these.

In addition to being allergens, some doctors believe that Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene and formaldehyde can lead to an increased risk of cancer. Some brands to look for that have formaldehyde free solutions are SpaRitual, Zoya, Revlon, Nail Tek Citra, and Essie.

Natural Products Marketplace – November 18, 2009

Allergen-free market – by Alissa Marrapodi

“Gluten-free” and “lactose-free” have become buzz words in not only the natural products industry, but the food industry as a whole. It’s estimated up to 12 million Americans have food allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, 6 to 8 percent of children, 4 years old and younger, have food allergies and 3.7 percent of adults; according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 8 percent of preschool-aged children have food allergies. The “big eight” food allergies, which account for 90 percent of all food-allergens, are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts are the leading cause of fatal and near-fatal food allergic reactions.

FDA implemented the Food and Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) in 2006. Among its requirements are labeling foods with allergenic substances; inspecting facilities where foods are manufactured, processed or packaged for food allergens; and regulations on “gluten-free” labeling. But consumers still need to be cautious, as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease reported, during a two-year period 50 percent of those in the United States with a food allergy have an allergic reaction due to accidental exposure.

“My experience is the gluten-free market is fairly mature and that those who need these products are exposed to many choices,” said Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA, nutrition education manager, NOW Foods. “Consumers must rely on the product labels to tell them what common allergens are in (or not in) the product.” In addition to the FDA-mandated label requirements, NOW Foods also lists additional allergens such as corn, yeast, and gluten; and labels products as vegetarian/vegan.

The Journal of Allergy and Immunology reported peanut food allergies had doubled among children from 1997 to 2002.2 And a study published in the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology journal found, “mothers of children with a food allergy had about three times greater odds of being aged 30 or older at the time of delivery than mothers in either of the comparison groups.”3 If a family member has a food allergy, it is more likely that the offspring will have one, too.

But NMI’s 2008 Health & Wellness Trends Database reported signs of slowing down. A total of 24 percent of consumers (general population/primary grocery shoppers) indicate d it is important for their store to have gluten-free products. This represents a decrease of almost 5 percent since 2006; and 17 percent of consumers (general population/primary grocery shoppers) indicated it is important for their store to have foods that are free of nuts, representing a decrease of 25 percent from 2007.

Newsweek - November 16, 2009

Kids' Food Allergies are Skyrocketing – Is the Spike Real? – by Ashley Merryman

A couple years ago, I found out that I'm allergic to peaches. I've had a handful of food allergies for my entire life, but they have been mostly petty annoyances – stomachache after eating cherries, that sort of thing. And I had eaten peaches for my entire life with no apparent difficulty. However, one afternoon, I took a single bite of a peach. As the fruit traveled down my throat, my throat felt like it was collapsing. My voice disappeared to a raspy whisper. I was told later that I should have gone to the hospital, but I didn't know that at the time. Instead, I just took a Benadryl and went to bed.

Since then, I've had allergy testing, and I discovered that I have 33 other food allergies to go along with my peach allergy. I'm allergic to the usual suspects (shellfish, tree nuts), but I'm also allergic to corn, oats, spinach, garlic and basil. In some odd version of a Taoist riddle, I'm allergic to chicken, but not the egg. And if you aren't yet feeling my pain – I'm also allergic to chocolate and coffee.

Some people don't even believe I have 34 allergies. Sometimes, even I think it can't be true. Then, I have a few bites of chicken. Suddenly, my tongue and throat go numb, and I have trouble talking.

Which is why I was fascinated by a study released today – on kids and food allergies.

In Pediatrics, Amy Branum and Susan L. Lukacs, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, report that the number of kids with food allergies has jumped up 18% in the past ten years. The over-all prevalence is still quite low (3.9% of kids have allergies), but that kind of a leap gives researchers pause.

"We do think this is an increasing trend," confirms Branum. And "anytime you see any health condition going up – that's always a concern. Going up is not the right direction."

Branum and Lukacs also found that the number of kids seeking emergency medical treatment for an adverse reaction to food has tripled in the past few years. In 2006, 317,000 kids were rushed to doctors' offices and hospitals because of something they ate.

What is particularly scary about food allergies, says Branum, is that they are "extremely unpredictable." A minor reaction can become a life-threatening condition with no warning. Essentially a response from the immune system, allergic reactions are not proportional to the amount of food ingested: a very small amount can trigger anaphylaxis, a whole body reaction. An allergic person may be one peanut away from wheezing or coughing, his airways tightening until he turns blue. He may become confused or anxious; he may slur his speech. He may develop an irregular heart rhythm and other symptoms. True anaphylaxis is rare, but, when it occurs, it can be fatal.

Worries over the increasing number of children's food allergies are not confined to the U.S: it's a subject of concern throughout Europe as well.

Trying to figure out why allergies are on the rise, teams in 19 European countries, Ghana, India, and China have now begun work on a project known as EuroPrevall. The researchers plan on tracking 9,000 children for years, looking for 24 common food allergies.

One of the EuroPrevall challenges is that allergens differ by what part of the world you live in. For example, in the U.S. and Japan, the most common food allergens include milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and peanuts. In the Mediterranean, peaches are a frequent concern, but that isn't so in Northern Europe. In Russia, Estonia, and Lithuania, citrus, and fish are among the most common allergens, while in Sweden and Denmark, tree nuts and pears are more of a problem.

And there can be new triggers as well. Across Europe, kiwi is "an emerging food allergen." CDC's Branum has been hearing that in the U.S., sesame allergies are on the rise.

Contrary to popular thought, food allergies are not a new phenomenon, and they aren't simply a product of a modern diet. In the first century, Hippocrates described the symptoms of an allergy to milk, while reports of fish and egg allergies go back as far as the 16th and 17th centuries.

So one of the first tasks for EuroPrevall will be to confirm that there is an actual increase in allergy prevalence. The other explanation is that heightened awareness – due to media reports of kids who die from a peanut butter sandwich – has made parents and physicians more vigilant about allergies they would have otherwise ignored. This parent-fear factor is considered as a serious explanation, particularly since about 25% of American adults claim to have an allergy, but the real adult prevalence is probably not much different from that of kids – about 2 to 4%.

One reason for this over-reporting is that there is a lot of confusion about just what an allergy is. Allergies are often confused with food intolerances – when food is difficult to digest. But a food intolerance is considered less serious than an allergy, because (unlike allergies) a person with a food intolerance generally has a predictable reaction to the food, and the symptoms are proportionate – the more food ingested, the stronger the reaction.

Initially, Branum was among those who suspected that parent-fear was the real explanation behind the reported allergy increases. However, she isn't as sure now. If fear was the only explanation, then she might have seen differences across racial and ethnic lines. But Branum found allergy increases in each demographic group – that indicates that there's a biological, not cultural, factor at work.

Also, Branum compared parent reports of kids' allergies to a nationally-representative clinical assessment of kids' health – which included testing kids' blood samples for antibodies to allergens. In the CDC sample, 9% of the kids had IgE antibodies for peanuts; 12% had them for milk. 5% had the shrimp IgE, while almost 7% had them for eggs. Many of those were the same kids who had reactions to several foods. Also, children can grow out of allergies, but still get a positive antibody test. If an infant had a milk allergy that was gone by the time she was two, the antibodies would still be present in her system for years.

Branum's analysis of this data ultimately confirmed that parents were being pretty accurate about their kids' allergies. Parents weren't just being hysterical; their kids probably really did have the allergies parents were listing.

Amazingly, just two years ago, children's food allergies weren't even on the CDC's radar. The agency had some scattered data in studies, but it had never occurred to anyone that the CDC should take a more thorough look at the research. It wasn't until the staff of Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) called, asking for a briefing on the issue (Dodd's daughter has a severe tree nut allergy), that the CDC began a more comprehensive analysis.

Branum volunteered for the task. But once she'd finished briefing Dodd's staff, she decided that the information could be useful to other scholars, and she set about publishing the research. The Pediatrics study is actually an outgrowth of her first briefing for the congressional staff.

Now, Branum has quickly become the CDC food allergy expert. And the CDC has realized that it needs to be doing more for kids with food allergies.

With the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the CDC is now regularly bringing parents, educators, school administrators, and policy experts together to figure out how to best care for kids with allergies. They are tackling how kids can bring medicines to schools with zero-tolerance policies. They are figuring out what sort of staff training should be required for emergencies.

They're also listening to the kids. Says Branum, "They don't want to be treated differently. Don't force them to sit at a lunch table by themselves. They are very educated about their allergies – they know what to ask and what to do."

But then the kids have to know that. Their lives may depend on it.

Canwest News Service - November 8, 2009

Food allergy facts

Eggs are among the most common food allergens. Others are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, soy, milk, fish, including crustaceans and shellfish, wheat and other cereal grains containing gluten, and sulphites.

• Food allergies are increasing, especially among children and teenagers. The incidence of food allergies has doubled in the last decade. Current numbers are that five to six per cent of children and three to four per cent of adults have food allergies.

• Even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction.

• The most common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, soy, milk, eggs, fish, including crustaceans and shellfish, wheat and other cereal grains containing gluten, and sulphites.

• The eight foods cause 90 per cent of allergic reactions.

• Early administration of epinephrine (adrenalin) is crucial in treating anaphylactic reactions successfully.

— Source: Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network website at www.foodallergy.org.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person's immune system against a normally harmless substance.

Severe allergic reactions occur when the body's immune system reacts strongly to a particular allergenic protein or irritant.

What is the difference between a food allergy and intolerance?

A food allergy is a specific type of adverse food reaction involving the immune system. The body produces what is called an allergic, or immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody to a food.

A food intolerance refers to an abnormal response to a food or additive, but does not involve the immune system.

Food allergies pose a much greater health risk

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

Any or all of these symptoms may develop:

• Flushed face, hives or rash, red and itchy skin

• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, throat and tongue

• Impaired breathing, speaking or swallowing

• Anxiety, distress, faintness, paleness, weakness

• Cramps, diarrhea, vomiting

• Drop in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness

How are food allergies and severe allergic reactions treated?

Currently, there is no cure for food allergies. The only option is complete avoidance of the specific allergen. Appropriate emergency treatment for anaphylaxis includes an injection of adrenalin, which must be administered as soon as symptoms of a severe allergic reaction appear. The injection must be followed by further treatment and observation in a hospital emergency room.

People diagnosed with a food allergy and prescribed adrenalin should carry their auto-injector at all times.

Sources: Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca; the Food and Drug Administration website at www.fda.gov

Unexpected sources of food allergens

Some medication contain allergens:

• IV solutions can contain corn-based dextrose

• Flu shots contain residual egg proteins

• Adhesives can contain wheat

• Natural rubber latex cross-reacts with food allergies to bananas, avocado, kiwi and chestnut

• Topical creams and medications can contain arachis oil, a peanut derivative

• Over-the-counter and prescription medications can contain bindings, fillers or coatings made with potato, corn, wheat, tapioca, dairy, coconut, gelatin, lactose or milk sugar.

Source: Food and Drug Administration website at www.fda.gov

The Medical News - 6 November 2009

Eggs sensitivity and flu shot: Doctors' dilemma (partial article)

"My three year old had a skin breakout we think was due to eggs - is it safe to do a flu shot?" It's a question being asked to every doctor who takes care of kids during flu season. "On the one hand we are concerned about the devastating effects of the new strain of flu, and on the other we aren't sure if a history of eggs sensitivity is enough to hold the shot or spray," said Bobby Q. Lanier, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of North Texas HSC in Fort Worth, Texas, and executive medical director of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

The process of using fertilized chicken eggs to grow the virus associated with influenza was a medical breakthrough in 1931, Dr. Lanier said. Before that discovery, the only treatment for flu was to transfuse blood from a survivor of flu to one with the symptoms. The egg technology opened up vaccines to literally billions of people.

While the vaccine production now removes virtually every trace of chicken protein, there were historical issues of vaccines causing major allergic reaction because of retained egg protein. Amal Assa'ad, M.D., professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and vice chair of the ACAAI Adverse Reactions Foods Committee, will be presenting a novel way to classify children (and adults) as to their risks at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Fla.

"Some allergic patients are at greater risk of a reaction to the 2009 vaccines, both H1N1 and the usual respiratory viruses in the normal flu shot and mist. This high risk group includes patients with a history of a positive skin test or an elevated blood test to egg, who have had allergic reactions to eating egg, or who had a reaction to flu vaccination in the past," Dr. Assa'ad said.

Dr. Ass'ad has classified possible reactors in five color-coded groups and makes these suggestions:

•Blue Group - Minimal Risk. Patients with a history of skin test or serum IgE positivity or clinical reaction to either egg or previous flu vaccines - who can eat whole eggs safely without allergic reaction - should receive either the inactivated (IM) or live (intranasal) vaccine at their general pediatrician's office. This should comprise the vast majority of patients this year.

•Green Group - Low Risk. Children who have had recent (less than 2 years) skin test or serum IgE positivity to egg, but who do not react to ingestion of baked products containing egg, should receive the inactivated flu vaccine at full-strength (or graded challenge in special cases) at their general pediatrician's office or the allergy clinic. Adrenalin should be available.

•Yellow Group - Moderate Risk. Any patient avoiding eggs entirely for any medical reason should be evaluated by an allergist.

•Red Group - High Risk. Patients who have a history of an anaphylactic reaction to egg ingestion or flu vaccination should be evaluated by an allergist.

•Gray Group - Special Risks. Patients with immunodeficiency or other contraindications to either of the flu vaccines should be evaluated by an allergist or infectious disease specialist.

"It is the consensus of most allergists that flu shots can be given to virtually every patient who needs them if the proper procedure is followed," Dr. Lanier said.

Metro.co.uk - November 5, 2009

Wife discovers allergy to husband's sperm on wedding night

Couple's problem went undetected thanks to protection

An American couple are looking into other methods of having children after they discovered that she was allergic to his sperm – on their wedding night.

Mike and Julie Boyde of Ambridge, Pennsylvania, went out for two years after meeting at university and got married in 2005.

Before their wedding, the couple always used protection, but once they became as man and wife and had unprotected sex, things started to go wrong.

"Pretty much right after I knew something was not right because I was in a lot of pain," Julie reveals in an interview for a documentary called Strange Sex.

"The pain that I was feeling was inside, like somebody sticking needles up inside of me like a real painful burning. It was really scary."

Her suffering would last for weeks after the couple had sex, and sometimes blisters appeared.

Doctors were initially unable to explain the affliction, but a friend suggested that it might be an allergy and after a range of tests, the problem was diagnosed as seminal plasma hypersensitivity.

'The body recognises the sperm as a foreign protein, like it would recognise a peanut allergen or a pollen so you have swelling, you have itching, you have inflammation of the nerve endings," explains Dr Abndrew Goldstein from the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre.

It also means that Julie body attacks Mike's sperm and renders it inactive.

Doctors developed a treatment for the problem, but while it worked for some couples who suffered from the same problem, it didn't work for Mike and Julie.

The Boydes are now looking to adopt instead.

Testcountry.org – October 22, 2009

How Food Allergy Affects the Body

Is it any wonder that more and more people experience food allergies these days? Many of the foods we eat and the foodstuffs we buy from the supermarket have gone through so many processes to improve their taste, to ensure that they will stay fresh for a longer period, and to ensure that they will keep in our refrigerators and cupboards for a long time without spoiling.

The reasons why the foods that we eat go through these processes are all well and good. Food processing is meant to enhance the taste of food as well as to preserve them to make them viable longer. Unfortunately, not all good intentions have good results, and one negative result that scientists have seen with food processing is food allergies.

Food Allergies: The Immune System on Hyperdrive

Overexposure to certain food substances is one reason that scientists have to explain why people experience food allergy or food intolerance when they consume specific types of food. One of the things that scientists and medical experts are sure of is that food allergies are specific conditions unique for every person. One person may be allergic to shellfish, but his degree of intolerance towards shellfish is always different from another person who is also allergic to shellfish. Also, the way the body reacts is often different from person to person.

Food allergies are often considered as irrational reactions by the body. Simply put, the body hates the food it is allergic to for no particular reason. When you eat something you are allergic to and the food substance enters the blood stream, the white blood cells of the immune system attack the substance.

White blood cells are supposed to attack and kill microorganisms like bacteria and viruses that they consider as threats. This is why the body shows adverse reactions in an allergic attack like nausea, migraine or breaking out in hives. When white blood cells attack the food substances that the body is allergic to, they go on hyperdrive and attack the body too.

Allergic But on What?

What if, for some reason, you display symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance, but you do not know exactly what kind of food you are allergic to? You actually have two options – elimination testing and food allergy tests using your blood.

In elimination testing, you will be made to go on a bland diet for a week or two to clear your system of the effects of the foods that are part of your regular diet but you suspect to be allergic to. After these two weeks, the foods you may be allergic to are reintroduced one by one and you will be made to observe what your reactions to them are. The one that gives you the most adverse reactions is the one you are allergic to.

This test can work, but many medical experts see this as essentially flawed. It takes too long to work, and it is possible that you may be allergic to the bland diet you will be subjected to in the first phase of the test.

On the other hand, with food allergy tests, you give a lab a sample of your blood and the lab will check its reaction against a number of the most commonly eaten foodstuffs. Based on the reaction of the white blood cells in your blood sample, the lab will be able to determine what foodstuffs you are specifically allergic to.

Your reaction to some foodstuffs that you eat may be mild, but you cannot afford to ignore it. If you feel something negative after eating a particular kind of food, even if it is just drowsiness or some sort of energy crash, you may want to get yourself subjected to food allergy tests. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry.

Next.com - October 19, 2009

Help, I've got an allergy! - By Obidike Okafor

What's an allergy?

According to Yemi Osinaike, paediatrician/dermatologist at the Faith City Hospital in Victoria Island, "Allergy is when an individual shows an unusually high and abnormal reaction to certain things like dust, clothing or food" Allergies in a broad sense could be divided into those caused by direct contact or by non-contact (either by inhalation or digestion). "Some men react to nickel in belt buckles and gold in wristwatches and necklaces. There are women who react to gold too and polyester clothing."

Enjoy it all but think again

Every time you eat, wear something or take a deep breath, there are chances that there is something your body will react to. According to Dr. Osinaike, there is a genetic predisposition behind allergies, they do not just occur like some people assume. Allergies are normally inherited from parents. If both parents have allergies, the child's chances of becoming allergic are increased. Of both parents, mothers have a higher chance of transferring allergic reactions to children than fathers because of the direct contact they have with these children, right from the womb.

Cause and reaction

The range is wide when it comes to what causes an onset of an allergic episode. From food (e.g. cow milk, chocolate, groundnut, seafood, soy milk), materials that come in contact with the skin (leather, nickel, gold, paint, silk and polyester) and inhaled substances (pollen grains, dust and grass). These trigger off a range of reactions both in adults and children. Itching is an immediate reaction across board in most cases, though children present more skin allergies than adults.

Symptoms

•The symptoms vary depending on means of contact, when inhaled; the symptoms include coughing, a runny nose and difficulty in breathing. "It may lead to respiratory infections especially in children who have smaller respiratory systems than adults," Dr. Osinaike says.

•Skin contact with an allergy-producing material over a period of time could lead to itching, bumps and darkening of skin. The affected areas vary for adults and children. "In adults itching occurs mostly in the inner arms and there is an increased darkening of the area due to excessive scratching. In children the areas of itching are the cheeks and external arms."

•When one consumes food he or she is allergic to, it could cause swellings on the face, mouth or eyes, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, itching of the mouth and throat, nausea and vomiting. Food allergies are also known to be more common in adults than children.

Test and Prevention

There are tests that could be done, when it is suspected that one has an allergy, like the patch test and stimulant or challenge tests. Drug treatments for allergies do not treat them, they only help to address the symptoms. The most important thing is to know what causes the allergy and avoid it. Vigilance is the best medicine for allergies. "It is important to know what causes these allergies" says Dr. Osinaike.

Observe

It is important to note that allergies are more dangerous in children than adults and can lead to death in some cases. "The more you expose children to certain things, their allergies could become high: Things like hair dyes, jewelry, [permed hair], choice of clothes" says Dr. Osinaike. Allergies are not an infection, when there are signs of a runny nose or swellings on the face or difficulty breathing, it is important to find out what it is before giving or taking medication.

The Queenland Times - 8th October 2009

Parents, doctors alarmed at allergy rise by Josephine Gillespie

LIKE many parents of food allergic children, Ann-Maree Mumford found out about her son's peanut allergy by accident.

Ms Mumford had given her now 11-year-old son a tiny piece of her peanut butter sandwich, when Luke was nine-months-old, and within 15 minutes the little boy had come out in a rash.

“I'm a paediatric nurse, so straight away we jumped in the car and headed to the chemist and by that time he had blown up like a balloon,” Ms Mumford said.

“We gave him phenergan and than took him to the Mater Hospital.”

The allergy means the 11-year-old and his mother don't go anywhere without an emergency kit - an EpiPen (adrenaline injection) and phenergen.

She said her son's condition means the family does not eat Asian or Indian food (for fear of coming into contact with peanut traces) and scrutinises every food label.

Even an innocent take-away meal of fish and chips last month resulted in an allergic reaction with Luke's lips swelling up.

“Even if you have friends over, you have to be aware, because people might have eaten peanuts and have traces on their hands or touch surfaces,” Ms Mumford said

“We have had to be really careful and my worst fear was when we sent him off to preschool and I had no control over what was going on

“He is very aware because he has grown up aware.”

A recent Australian study has shown the incidence of peanut allergy among toddlers has doubled in the past nine years.

Co-author Dr Raymond Mullins, a Canberra-based clinical immunology and allergy physician, looked at the characteristics of 778 peanut allergy suffers aged four months to 66 years across a 13-year period, with the findings matching data from the US and UK.

West Moreton Health Service District paediatric dietician Jan Branch said she saw “multiple” food allergic children, with the common allergies peanuts, animal protein and soy.

“It often presents for the first time as lips swelling and, in the worst case, anaphylactic shock,” Ms Branch said.

wvec.com - October 1, 2009

The List: Odd allergies by Vanessa Coria

NORFOLK -- Allergies to foods, pollen and animals are common.

You might be surprised at some not-so-common things that will make you run for the Kleenex box.

An allergy to the sun’s rays is called Solar Urticaria.

Some people, although it's rare, have a water allergy.

Dr. Moss interview

"I've had some people who get hives in certain types of water, so they might get it in the ocean, not the pool or the pool, not the ocean and the temperature doesn't seem to be a factor. It's the type of water that it is," says allergist Dr. Gary Moss

Another odd allergy is called Cold Urticaria. Getting cold can cause hives.

"If they jumped into a pool, they could have a really bad reaction with that full exposure, so in the summer, if they are swimming, we ask them to kinda dip a toe in first," Moss explains.

He says an ice cube test can really show the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

"The reason we do the test is not to confirm it, because it's usually pretty obvious, is that there's particular antihistamines which work better for it than others, so we want them to go on the antihistamine and then we do the ice cube test to see if that’s an effective way of suppressing the hives," Moss adds.

There is a real allergy that makes people allergic to exercise. It's called exercise induced anaphylaxis.

"They're allergic to food, but they don't have a problem unless they exercise within an hour or two after eating that food," Dr. Moss notes, adding that there are some people who can have anaphylaxis just with exercise itself. It's extremely rare.

A kiss could be troublesome, too.

"If you're really, really allergic to peanuts and the person you want to kiss has just eaten it, brushing your teeth and chewing gum might not work. Time is the best thing. You might have to wait a few hours," he notes.

American Chronicle - October 01, 2009

Mold Linked to Allergies by Lourdes Salvador

A new scientific study confirms that mold odor near baseboards is correlated with childhood allergies and rhinitis. "There are consistent findings on associations between asthma and allergy symptoms and residential mold and moisture," says Hägerhed-Engman and colleagues.

Molds can have devastating health effects, particularly on young, developing children. Odor along baseboards may signify hidden moisture or mold problems within the walls or foundation of a building.

Mold and dampness is linked to many health problems, including respiratory disease, asthma, allergies, immune disease, behavioral disorders, and toxic poisoning. Occupying a moldy building nearly doubles the chance of asthma.

Molds are both a biotoxin and an allergen. Allergic symptoms of mold exposure include congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, skin irritation, headache, fatigue, and light sensitivity. Toxic mold exposure symptoms include neurological disorders, behavioral changes, chronic fatigue, and chemical sensitivity.

There are many different kinds of bacteria, fungi, and spores which grow on nearly any surface under the right conditions. Moist places, such as air ducts, ceilings, and plumbing enclosures are most problematic. Homeowners frequently neglect regular cleaning of these out-of-reach places and mold can develop and fester quite readily. Energy efficient hermetically sealed homes do not allow moisture to escape through adequate ventilation.

Researchers say the only true way to determine if baseboard odor is linked to hidden mold problems is to take apart the baseboard and break into the wall and floor to look for visible moisture damage.

Inadequate ventilation increases the risk of both mold discovery and the health effects of any existing mold.

Keeping a home dry and well ventilated decreases the chance of mold. A dehumidifier may be useful in humid climates and damp places such as laundry rooms and bathrooms. Checking regularly for leaks and replacing any water damaged building materials promptly will reduce the chances of mold taking hold.

Should mold illness occur, prompt medical attention should be sought. It is crucial to relocate until mold remediation has been completed. Continued exposure to mold can cause worsening health over time.

Family Health - 15 September 2009

Chlorinated Pools May Contribute to Asthma and Respiratory Allergie- by Madeline Ellis

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children, affecting as many as 9 million children in the United States; a number that has dramatically increased over the past two decades. And though no one really knows why more and more children are developing the disease, there are a number of theories. Some experts suggest the increase may be due to limited access to care, especially those living in inner-city neighborhoods, and to poor asthma management and education. Others say children aren’t exposed to enough childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. Still others suggest that, because today’s kids spend more time indoors than before, they are increasingly exposed to asthma-triggering allergens, such as dust mites and polluted air. But researchers in Belgium propose another explanation for the 86.8 percent spike in asthma among children since 1982—chlorinated swimming pools.

For their study, Alfred Bernard, a toxicology professor at Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, and colleagues compared the health of 733 adolescents, aged 13 to 18, who swam for various amounts of time in outdoor and indoor pools treated with chlorine with 114 adolescents who swam primarily in pools sanitized with a concentration of copper and silver (the “control” group). The researchers discovered that teens spending more than 1,000 hours swimming in chlorinated pools were eight times more likely than the controls to develop asthma. And their susceptibility to asthma rose proportionately with the time exposed; 22 out of 369, or 6 percent, for teens who swam 100-500 lifetime hours, 14 out of 221, or 6.4 percent, who swam for 500-1,000 hours, and 17 out of 143, or 11.9 percent, for those with more than 1,000 lifetime hours of exposure.

Furthermore, the risk of developing other allergies such as hay fever also rose in teens exposed to the disinfectant for more than 100 hours. For example, the odds for hay fever were between 3.3 and 6.6 times greater for those who swam in chlorinated pools longer than 100 hours and the risk of allergic rhinitis increased 2.2 to 3.5 times for those logging more than 1,000 hours in chlorinated pools.

However, teens without allergic tendencies that swam in copper-silver sanitized pools showed no increased risk of developing asthma and allergy. The researchers say “the only plausible explanation” for these observations is that the toxic, chlorine-based chemicals in the water or hovering in the air at the pool surface irritate the airways of swimmers, causing changes in the airway and promoting the development of asthma and respiratory allergies. “The impact of these chemicals on the respiratory health of children and adolescents appears to be much more important—at least by a factor of five—than that associated with secondhand smoke," said Bernard.

The current results, together with the team’s prior studies, leaves “little doubt that pool chlorine is an important factor implicated in the epidemic of allergic diseases affecting the westernized world,” Bernard says. He and his colleagues conclude that these findings “reinforce” the need for further study and the importance of enforcing regulations concerning levels of these chemicals in the water and air of swimming pools. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health had previously recommended limiting ones exposure to chlorine to prevent negative consequences over the long-term.

The researchers say parents should be on alert to the signs of too much chlorine, such as a strong smell of chlorine or children complaining of sore eyes or throats, which may pose too great a risk, particularly for very young children. But competitive swimmer Danielle Poulos says given the cardiovascular and other benefits of exercise, she hopes people won’t use this research as an excuse to avoid the pool. “The benefits of taking part, in whether it be synchronized swimming, speed swimming or any water sport, far outweighs probably the chance of getting an allergy,” said Poulos, who estimates she’s spent 20 hours per week in and around a pool over the last 15 years. The study is published in the September 14 edition of Pediatrics.

Examiner

Student lunchboxes fill with more than PB&J by JENNIFER KOHLHEPP

ALLENTOWN — A school policy regarding peanut products has some parents confused.

The Upper Freehold Regional School District has implemented a new food allergy policy, which defines terms and procedures used in relation to life-threatening food allergies in the schools.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the new policy, according to the Board of Education, is its request for parents and guardians to voluntarily refrain from packing peanut products in their students' lunchboxes.

"We have to get people to understand that this policy is voluntary and that their compliance goes a long way to keeping children safe," Joseph Stampe, board president, said.

While students do not have to refrain from bringing peanut products into the schools, the district is encouraging them to look for alternatives. Stampe and other board members said many students have been taking the new voluntary policy seriously, and have been enjoying packing something other than peanut butter and jelly for lunch to ensure the safety of their class- mates.

Superintendent of Schools Dick Fitzpatrick said that there are a growing number of children affected by food allergies. He said the state passed legislation in 2007 requiring the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to develop "Guidelines for the Management of Life-threatening Food Allergies in Schools."

"This publication provides direction to schools relative to the development of policies and the creation of safe school environments for students with severe food allergies," Fitzpatrick said. "Each district must establish 'consistent, systematic policies and practices that will offer students a safe and healthy learning environment.'"

The Upper Freehold Regional School District has enrolled students with lifethreatening food allergies in the past few years and had a legal and moral requirement to develop a food allergy policy, Fitzpatrick said.

"Everyone has to be supportive," Fitzpatrick said. "We can't deny children their rights."

The district's 10-page food allergy policy was created after the district's nursing staff and physicians assessed the overall health needs of the pupil population at risk for anaphylaxis, particularly for pupils with food allergies. The district also assessed relevant policies regarding caring for pupils with these types of allergies in its policy development.

The policy states that the district will work to make its cafeterias as safe as possible for food-allergic pupils. The district has trained its food service personnel on food label reading and safe handling, as well as safe meal substitutions for food-allergic children. The district has also provided training relative to signs of allergic reactions in children.

Each school building has developed and implemented standard procedures for cleaning tables, chairs, and trays to prevent cross contamination. The schools have also made allergen-safe tables an available option for allergic pupils.

Fitzpatrick said that Chartwells, the school district's food provider, would refrain from using peanuts in all foods served at the elementary/middle school this school year. In grades pre-K-8, the staff monitors students' assigned tables and general eating areas for the presence of foods to which children have life-threatening allergies.

While peanuts may be used in foods available at Allentown High School, high school students with food allergies can notify the cafeteria to add that information to their Fast Lane ID cards so that a warning will appear on the cashier's computer screen to make a quick review of items on the student's tray before purchase.

The district encourages pupils to wash before and after eating and discourages pupils from sharing foods. Food-allergy policies have also been put into place for field trips, school functions and bus transportation.

School administration and nurses have also taken steps toward educating the schools about possible sensitivities and bullying food-allergic pupils may experience and how students and staff should conduct themselves in response to these potential issues.

Finally, the policy defines the school's pupil's and families' roles in helping to reduce the risk of accidental exposure of food-allergic pupils to certain foods.

The policy, which the district will review annually, can be read in full at www.ufrsd.net.

The website also offers tips on how to read product labels and a list of peanut free snacks.

Those with questions regarding the policy, can call the school principals or nurses to get more information.

"As always we greatly appreciate your effort to respond to the needs of all of our children so that each and every child can attend school in a safe and healthy environment," Fitzpatrick said.

Godairyfree.org September 30, 2009

Food Allergies or Intolerances and Their Impact on Feeding

Kristina, from the blog Fun with Food, is a speech-language pathologist specializing in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She encounters many children who have experienced negative associations surrounding food. These children often have accompanying oral motor feeding difficulties and sensory processing difficulties--making eating a very stressful experience instead of an enjoyable one. In a recent post, she goes into detail about the specific symptoms and solutions she has sited in many food allergic, specifically milk allergic tots. She has generously offered to share her story and findings with us here ...

"Common referrals: child not progressing to age appropriate textures and would rather graze throughout the day than sit for meals. Often have high intake of dairy, such as yogurt, pudding milk, goldfish crackers. IgE allergy testing reveals no allergies, however there may be a strong indication of food intolerance as congestion is increased when these foods are eaten, darker areas or lines (Denni morgan lines) appear below the eyes, Constipation that has to be stimulated by thermometer or Miralax or other treatment, or diarrhea that has been persistent. May have diaper rash and eczema or just one red cheek or ear that seems 'flushed' and is hot to the touch, not to mention recurrent ear infections. Does anyone have this experience?

This is a scenario that has been repeated time and time again over the past 7 years in my work and more likely than not the above mentioned symptoms subside, or at least lessen with a milk elimination trial of 2-4 weeks. You would not expect to see any sudden changes in the eating, other than a possibility of the Willingness to try foods that would have otherwise been put on the back burner. We all know how huge that is though! I hope to post a letter I am writing to area physicians on this particular topic of food allergy and its impact on feeding development, specifically the sensory component of feeding--at a later time.

If a child were to have a food intolerance that in turn leads to silent, non regurgitant reflux, it may not be too much of an issue in some children, but in others it seems that the sensory aversions are heightened and sensory feeding information is processed in a very different way. That statement is based on numerous cases over the years in which a child with reflux and/or food intolerance had accompanying sensory aversions, hugely impacting mealtime and feeding development. Those toddlers in particular do not have a normalized response to various sensory stimuli. This could be observed in a child who does not tolerate walking barefoot on grass or sand, does not enjoy the feel of playing in rice or bean boxes, tags on the back of shirt, and who may experience gagging on all food textures with the exception of smooth foods or very crunchy, etc. Those are just a few examples. Imagine how it feels for a child to be uncomfortable with certain textures and input on hands and feet, the thought of exploring such textures in their mouth is less than appealing to them.

I mention this topic so families can be aware of these 'red flags' which may indicate a food sensitivity to milk. A child who has congestion, history of ear infections, history of diaper rashes often needing anti-fungal cream (Indicating presence of yeast)...these are all indicators of a possible food intolerance or allergy that often go overlooked as some symptoms are not typical of a classic IgE mediated response. Symptoms may not appear immediately after the food consumption and the only indication may be the history of ear infections or the thought that your child "always has a cold". Immediate reactions are often taken more seriously than these delayed reactions, as there could be anaphylactic reactions leading to life threatening circumstances.

From the feeding standpoint I feel it is very important to rule out the presence of these food intolerances. A child's battle with food, his finicky eating, his anxiety increasing at the very thought of being in front of a food he is expected to eat, despite a known underlying diagnosis such as sensory processing dysfunction or Autism, Asperger's, developmental delay, etc and despite an immediate allergic reaction---All may be related to a food offender. Treatment is available, but I encourage you to do you research before randomly choosing a feeding therapist or a program. Some intensive feeding programs take a very different approach than mine or other therapy clinics.

We must look at the big picture, the whole child and all factors involved, not just medications to help with the possible reflux, the eczema, the constipation, etc. Although these may be warranted in time, I feel it is important to really look into these food intolerance possibilities as well. We have many success stories, or should I say these families I have worked with have many success stories and wish they would have looked into the possibilities of food allergies sooner than later. I suggest taking a detailed food journal for 3 days and be sure to list any and all changes in any physical changes (bowel, appearance of eyes, rash, etc) behavior, sleep patterns, eating (new foods tried?) and anything else worth noting.

It is a little overwhelming how often I and other therapists working with feeding have seen this connection to delayed food allergy/intolerance and the sensory component. Perhaps the elimination of the food reduces or eliminates silent reflux that had been occurring unknowingly. Symptoms of Reflux can be found in this article Gastroesophageal reflux and Childhood Feeding Disorders and http://reflux.org/. We know that with sensory integration therapy, as the child progresses with various sensory goals, there is often an increase in eating. I strongly encourage looking at all modalities and to not rule out possibilities of underlying GI discomfort such as food intolerance as a strong culprit to the feeding aversions. When I had morning sickness with my daughter I did Not want to smell coffee (which i loved before) I could not pick up my dog's waste from the yard (intense smell made me gag). I compare those changes in sensory experiences to the changes these kids must be feeling! They know what feels best to them and they know what sets them off. There is help for these children and so many ways to build on their current accepted foods. I just wanted to take this long post and highlight the need for a holistic treatment approach for these kids. Do you have a child craving their milk or Pediasure in addition to the little voice inside of your head saying "Something he is eating is making him sick or making him have a very difficult time in a lot of areas" At least worth looking into!"

Journal of the American Medical Association AFP September 15,2009

Gluten allergy boosts death risk: study

CHICAGO — The risks of gluten allergies have been underestimated, according to a study published Tuesday which found increased mortality rates among people with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is triggered by exposure to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

Found in about one percent of the Western population, it damages the small intestines and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

People with celiac disease often also have other diseases which attack the immune system such as diabetes or arthritis.

However, celiac disease often goes undiagnosed until substantial damage has been done to the digestive system.

Using data taken from biopsies taken between July 1969 and February 2008 in Sweden, researchers were able to examine the overall risk of death in individuals with celiac disease and digestive inflammation and compare it to the general population.

They found the risk of death was "modestly increased."

Patients with inflammation had a 72 percent increased risk of death; patients with celiac disease had a 39 percent increased risk; and patients with latent celiac disease had a 35 percent increased risk of death.

Lead author Jonas Ludvigsson of the Orebro University Hospital concluded that there could be several explanations for the increased mortality risks.

"Malnutrition of energy and vitamins and chronic inflammation may increase the risk of death," he wrote, noting that even patients who maintain gluten-free diets have persisting lesions.

Those with inflammation who had not been diagnosed with celiac disease may have an overall worse prognosis because institution of a gluten-free diet often leads to normalization, the authors concluded.

"Until recently, gluten sensitivity has received little attention in the traditional medical literature, although there is increasing evidence for its presence in patients with various neurological disorders and psychiatric problems," Peter Green of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons wrote in an accompanying editorial.

"The study by Ludvigsson and colleagues reinforces the importance of celiac disease as a diagnosis that should be sought by physicians. It also suggests that more attention should be given to the lesser degrees of intestinal inflammation and gluten sensitivity."

The risk of death was highest in the first year of follow-up but decreased with age at diagnosis, with risk being higher for those diagnosed before age 20.

HealthDay News October 22, 2008

Food Allergies Up 18% Among U.S. Children

The number of American kids with food allergies has soared 18 percent in the last decade, with an estimated 4 percent of children and teens now affected with the condition, a new federal report says.

In 2007, approximately 3 million children under the age of 18 were reported to have had a food or digestive allergy in the previous 12 months, compared to slightly more than 2.3 million children (3.3 percent) in 1997, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eight types of foods account for 90 percent of all food allergies -- milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Allergic reactions to these foods can range from a tingling sensation around the mouth and lips, to hives and even death, depending on the severity of the reaction, the report's authors said.

The report also said that children with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have asthma or other allergies, compared to children without food allergies.

From 2004 to 2006, there were approximately 9,537 hospital discharges annually for children from birth to 17 years of age who were diagnosed with a food allergy. The findings in the report, titled Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations, were derived from statistics from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Hospital Discharge Survey, both conducted by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. To read the full report, visit the CDC.

SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, Oct. 22, 2008