Allergy Medications

Fox News about Allergy

Interesting Fox News Special about allergy.

Allergy advice more popular than ever

More people are contacting Asthma UK seeking information about allergies than ever before, say nurse specialists on the Asthma UK Adviceline.

Allergies are a serious issue for people with allergic asthma as they can trigger an asthma attack any time. For this group of people, one important step in helping to control symptoms and avoid an attack is to identify their allergic triggers.

‘Many people with allergic asthma tell us that dust is a trigger, and for others pollen can trigger an attack, which is particularly relevant at this time of year,’ said asthma nurse specialist Rebecca Elder, who works on the Asthma UK Adviceline helping people to identify and reduce their exposure to asthma triggers.

‘However, there are also many non-seasonal allergies that can affect people with asthma including house dust mites (pictured), domestic pets and certain foods such as red wine,' she explained.

Allergies in the UK have risen sharply over the last 20 years, with one in three people now being diagnosed with allergy at some point in their lives.

Last year, Asthma UK supported the opening of a world leading research centre into what causes allergies and asthma. The MRC - Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, at King's College London, and Imperial College, aims to develop new approaches into prevention and underlying causes of asthma and allergy in order to develop new treatments.

‘The aim of the Centre is to build a world class research resource for asthma and allergy that will deepen our understanding of the allergic mechanisms of asthma and inform the priority areas of research to make a real difference to the lives of the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK,' said Professor Tak Lee, the director of the Centre. ‘Combining the strengths of the teams from King's and Imperial, and fostering a multidisciplinary approach to research will aid progress in preventing and controlling asthma and allergy.’

For advice and information on allergies and how they can affect asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline on 08457 01 02 03, or use our online enquiry form.

risk factor for contact dermatitis to Alstroemeria

Home gardening may be a risk factor for contact dermatitis to Alstroemeria.
Occupational allergy among florists and people who work in cut flower production of Alstroemeria cultivars (Peruvian lily or Inca lily) has been previously reported. The allergen involved in sensitization is tulipalin A (alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone). A 65-year-old woman who developed severe dermatitis on her right thumb, index and middle fingers and less severe dermatitis on her left palm and front of forearm with occasional itching of the neck and face after taking up home gardening activities, including cutting flowers such as Alstroemeria. Patch tests resulted in an extreme reaction (+ + +) to Alstroemeria and alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone, a strong reaction (+ +) to propolis and wood tar mix, a weak reaction (+) to balsam of Peru, an irritant reaction to garlic and negative results to diallyl disulfide and the other components investigated.

Home gardening may be a risk factor for contact dermatitis to Alstroemeria.
Tavares B, Loureiro G, Pereira C, Chieira C.
Allergol Immunopathol (Madr ) 2006 Mar;34(2):73-75

Tips for Managing a Peanut Allergy

Some Hidden Sources of Peanuts

• Artificial nuts can be peanuts that have been deflavored and reflavored with a nut, such as pecan or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts soaked in almond flavoring.
• Arachis oil is peanut oil.
• African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes often contain peanuts or are contaminated with peanuts during the preparation process. Additionally, foods sold in bakeries and ice cream shops are often in contact with peanuts.
• Many brands of sunflower seeds are produced on equipment shared with peanuts.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can peanut allergy be outgrown?
Although once considered to be a lifelong allergy, recent studies indicate that up to 20 percent of children diagnosed with peanut allergy outgrow it.

Can alternative nut butters (i.e., cashew nut butter) be substituted for peanut butter?
Many nut butters are produced on equipment used to process peanut butter, therefore making it somewhat of a risky alternative. Additionally, most experts recommend peanut-allergic patients avoid tree nuts as well.

Keep in Mind

• Studies show that most allergic individuals can safely eat peanut oil (not cold pressed, expelled, or extruded peanut oil - sometimes represented as gourmet oils). If you are allergic to peanuts, ask your doctor whether or not you should avoid peanut oil.
• Most experts recommend peanut-allergic patients avoid tree nuts as an extra precaution.
• Peanuts can be found in many foods and candies, especially chocolate candy.. Check all labels carefully. Contact the manufacturer if you have questions.
• Peanuts can cause severe allergic reactions. If prescribed, carry epinephrine at all times. Click here for more information about anaphylaxis.

Resources Available from FAAN

Tips for Managing an Egg Allergy

Baking

For each egg, substitute one of the following in recipes. These substitutes work well when baking from scratch and substituting 1 to 3 eggs.

• 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 T. liquid, 1 T. vinegar
• 1 tsp. yeast dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 T. water, 1 1/2 T. oil, 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 packet gelatin, 2 T. warm water. Do not mix until ready to use.

Some Hidden Sources of Egg

• Eggs have been used to create the foam or milk topping on specialty coffee drinks and are used in some bar drinks.
• Some commercial brands of egg substitutes contain egg whites.
• Most commercially processed cooked pastas (including those used in prepared foods such as soup) contain egg or are processed on equipment shared with egg-containing pastas. Boxed, dry pastas are usually egg-free, but may be processed on equipment that is also used for egg-containing products. Fresh pasta is sometimes egg-free, too. Read the label or ask about ingredients before eating pasta.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is a flu shot safe for an individual with an egg allergy?
Influenza vaccines are grown on egg embryos and may contain a small amount of egg protein. If you or your child is allergic to eggs, speak to your doctor before receiving a flu shot.

Can an MMR Vaccine be given to an individual with an egg allergy?
The recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) acknowledge that the MMR vaccine can be safely administered to all patients with egg allergy. The AAP recommendations have been based, in part, on overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the routine use of one-dose administration of the MMR vaccine to egg-allergic patients. This includes those patients with a history of severe, generalized anaphylactic reactions to egg.

Resources Available from FAAN

Tips for Managing a Milk Allergy

Baking

Fortunately, milk is one of the easiest ingredients to substitute in baking and cooking. It can be substituted, in equal amounts, with water or fruit juice. (For example, substitute 1 cup milk with 1 cup water.)

Some Hidden Sources of Milk

• Deli meat slicers are frequently used for both meat and cheese products.
• Some brands of canned tuna fish contain casein, a milk protein.
• Many non-dairy products contain casein (a milk derivative), listed on the ingredient labels.
• Some meats may contain casein as a binder. Check all labels carefully.
• Many restaurants put butter on steaks after they have been grilled to add extra flavor. The butter is not visible after it melts.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is goat milk a safe alternative to cow milk?
Goat's milk protein is similar to cow's milk protein and may, therefore, cause a reaction in milk-allergic individuals. It is not a safe alternative.

Can I rely on kosher symbols to determine if a product is milk-free? The Jewish community uses a system of product markings to indicate whether a food is kosher, or in accordance with Jewish dietary rules.

There are two kosher symbols that can be of help for those with a milk allergy: a "D," or the word "dairy," on a label next to "K" or "U" (usually found near the product name) indicates presence of milk protein, and a "DE" on a label indicates the product was produced on equipment shared with dairy.

If the product contains neither meat nor dairy products it is "pareve" (parev, parve). Pareve-labeled products indicate that the products are considered milk-free according to religious specifications. Be aware that under Jewish law, a food product may be considered pareve even if it contains a very small amount of milk. Therefore, a product labeled as pareve could potentially have enough milk protein in it to cause a reaction in a milk-allergic individual.

Do these ingredients contain milk?

We frequently receive calls about the following ingredients. They do not contain milk protein and need not be restricted by someone avoiding milk:

Calcium lactate Lactic acid (however, lactic acid starter culture may contain milk) Calcium stearoyl lactylate oleoresin Cocoa butter Sodium lactate Cream of tartar Sodium stearoyl lactylate Resources Available from FAAN