A new concept in allergology is that of "local" IgE production on respiratory and ocular membranes causing allergy and also called Local Allergic Rhinits. The allergic reaction in this case is very localised to the nasal membranes and conjunctiva and not identified on routine allergy skin prick testing or RAST blood testing. However these patients respond to [...]
Some recent medical studies have suggested that overuse of antihistamine medication may result in Alzheimer’s disease. Only some of the older non-sedating antihistamines were mentioned in the study. Some older (sedating) antihistamines such as chlorphenamine and diphenhydramine cross into the brain and can cause drowsiness and are even used as OTC “sleeping pills”. Newer once-daily [...]
Vocal cord dysfunction is a curious condition where the vocal cords go into paradoxical spasm whilst breathing (especially breathing in). This can mimic asthma with sudden onset intermittent breathlessness, wheeze and exercise related symptoms mainly in the throat with noisy breathing. Patients who fail to respond to conventional asthma treatment should have this diagnosis considered. [...]
Lactose in milk has been implicated in infant colic and feeding problems, with a migration to lactose-free formulas. However, Lactose is very important in the infants diet as it adds flavour to milk, aids absorption of calcium and promotes the growth of probiotics. Growing infants need lactose as a carbohydrate source. Did you know there [...]
Nasal, eye and respiratory allergies have traditionally been diagnosed by doing blood and skin tests for specific allergy to pollens, dust mites and pets. These test include Skin Prick Testing (SPTs) using allergens applied directly to the skin or RAST blood tests testing for systemic IgE antibodies travelling around the body in the blood stream. [...]
Allergic eczema is a genetically predisposed disease (atopy). The atopic skin is a poor barrier to the outside environment, lacking an essential “protective glue” called Filaggrin. Casual contact with traces of foods and aero allergens from handling the infant, then leads to allergen sensitisation, followed by increased natural colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus skin bacteria which [...]
Bronchial Thermoplasty is a new invasive treatment in severe asthma. The thickened airway bronchial smooth muscle that develops over years, makes the asthma difficult to control with conventional medication (inhalers and steroids). The procedure results in the airway muscle being destroyed by heat using a bronchoscope (lung probe) under general anaesthetic to relieve airway spasm. It usually involves a series [...]
A recent international study has highlighted this condition Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (or FPIES) related to a delayed allergic hypersensitivity to food that results in infants developing severe colic, feeding difficulties, vomiting and diarrhoea all occurring within 4 hours of feeding. Of the 180 different foods investigated, cow’s milk, soy, rice and oats were most often implicated. Of those [...]
On December 13th a new law will ensure that all food outlets have to clearly state ingredients and specifically 14 common allergens that may be contained in food. Previously this only applied to packaged foods, but the new legislation includes all foods available for sale including school dinners. The fourteen allergens include, Cow's milk, Egg, Gluten [...]
About 15% of the population have a suspected Penicillin allergy usually diagnosed in childhood with a rash and this affects antibiotic prescribing all their life. Recent research has shown that only 3% of those with a suspected Penicillin allergy in fact are allergic on challenge testing. The major problem is that skin prick tests, intradermal tests [...]