Allergy

To read our April interview with Dr. Redding.

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The article dealt with how employers and coworkers might want to consider possible reasons why a fellow coworker or employee may seem to anti-social around lunch or after work. Sure, some people might seem like social hermits, but there may be a good reason for it.

If a coworker has a severe peanut allergy, having a few beers at the local pub or going to a steakhouse where peanuts shells are hucked on the floor after work might be something he passes on. Even eating lunch the break room, where other people may spill or leave certain food contaminants behind, may pose a problem with severe allergy sufferers. And it would certainly ruffle some feathers in the office is a birthday cake was bought for an employee and then she didn’t eat any (unbeknownst to everyone that she has a severe food allergy and doesn’t to afford the risk in eating it). So rather than admit something that some might consider embarrassing, they politely decline.

Much like we suggest with children in school, awareness if often the largest issue. So in workplaces, particularly as employers, it’s important to identify anyone with food allergies, not only to discuss any sort of emergency response plan that may be necessary but also how to best deal with it in the workplace setting.

Back to the disability part of this article, after some digging, it seems a little hazy as to whether or not food allergies are a disability. The language that is often cited under the Rehabilitation Act is intentionally broad, as to be inclusive. Generally it forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. Then, it goes on to define individuals with disabilities as those who have physical or mental impairment of major life activities, like walking, caring for yourself, breathing, speaking, seeing, hearing, etc. The subsequent amendment to the American with Disabilities Act of 2008 broadened the definition of disability even more.

So, an argument could be made that asthma and even severe allergies could be defined as a disability. Think of it like this. Asthma can severely impinge upon a person’s ability to breathe, so much so that asthma attacks can be fatal. It is also true that anaphylactic shock brought on by severe food allergies can be fatal. So for these two groups, major life activities (eating and breathing) can be severely limited.

Does this mean that someone severely allergic to shellfish can apply for a disability benefit through the federal government? Well, it is a free country, but unless your situation is particularly acute, debilitating, or hard to control even with medication, you might be better served just helping to raise awareness in your workspace.

Work with your employer and coworkers to help create a better work environment that is more accommodating of severe food allergies or asthmatics. Maybe this means not having peanuts or tree nuts in the break room or limiting heavy fragrance/perfume at work. Ultimately, it’s about creating a work environment that is healthy and safe for all, and that begins with awareness.

For full text of the Forbes article.

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Sleep better and dust mite free with an Allergy Armor or Memory Foam Pillow – both come standard with our premium dust mite barrier fabric – Allergy Armor Ultra. Eliminate the chemicals found in traditional bedding by upgrading to organic cotton sheets or a natural latex mattress. Regardless of your particular bedding need, we have a wide selection, and the best part is, all of it is on sale!

And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out our On Sale section where you can find great Mother’s Day deals on Dyson vacuum cleaners and our Clearance page where open box items offer like-new products at almost half the regular price. Act soon because prices on allergy relief products in these two sections are only while supplies last.

*Bedding sale ends May 31st. Some exclusions may apply.

Azelastine hydrochloride is an antihistamine currently being used to treat rhinitis and seasonal conjuctivitis and is the active ingredient in Asteplin and Astepro, both products in the Meda line of allergy products. Fluticasone propionate is an anti-inflammatory found in Flonase.

Dymista is expected to roll out in the U.S. in the latter part of 2012. It claims better efficacy than drugs that contain either of the active ingredients alone. In clinical trials, there were no instances of nasal ulceration or septal perforation (reported side effects of some nasal corticosteroids). In three double blind trials conducted by the FDA, Dymista was shown to be an effective treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Click here for a full transcript of the FDA clinical trial results for Dymista.

Meda, Sweden’s largest publicly traded pharma company, is based in Solna, and sells products in 120 countries. As one of the 50 largest pharmaceutical companies worldwide, Meda’s sales exceed $1.6 billion annually.

Follow these links for more information on seasonal allergies or to see non-pharmaceutical allergy control products.

Take 10% off of nearly everyone in our warehouse like our exclusive Allergy Armor bedding (blankets, pillows, mattress covers, and pillow covers) or some of our best air purifiers, dehumidifiers and steam cleaners.

With spring pollen in the air, join the thousands of customers who are enjoying the spring breeze without the allergic reactions by using one of the best window filters available. Or just stock up one personal care products and green cleaners. Regardless of what you use, take advantage of this Spring Sale before it’s too late!

* Some Exclusions Apply. See our Coupon and Sales page for more details.

Shortly after the death of a 7-year-old in VA in January, legislation was put forth that would require schools to stock EpiPens and train staffers on their use. Similar laws have been passed in Illinois and Georgia.

In November, Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk introduced legislation that would provide incentives for schools across the nation to provide access to and stock auto-injectors in schools. While most states allows students to self-administer epinephrine, nearly twenty-five of all anaphylaxis cases in schools involve students with no prior history of food allergies. Laws like this and those passed at the state level aim to remedy that.

Auto-injectors administer a measured dose of epinephrine, an effective countermeasure to anaphylactic shock. Most often EpiPens are associated with those who have severe food allergies, but they are effective for anyone suffering from a severe allergy that can cause anaphylaxis.

While it often takes a tragedy before meaningful and lasting action is taken, this does not have to be the case. On a personal level, take control of potential life-threatening allergies and keep you local school informed. On a larger level, working with food and other allergy networks and advocacy groups (like those listed in our Allergy Resource section on this page) can not only spread awareness but ultimately influence legislation and enact minor but critical changes.

The new On Sale section of our website now showcases some of the best allergy relief products currently being discounted. From bedding and personal care to humidity control and indoor air quality products, visit the On Sale section to find a “down and dirty” list of everything at AchooAllergy that is currently discounted.

Unlike our Clearance page, all items listed here are new – no open box, returned, demo or showroom models. And while our Clearance items save you 35% or more, our new On Sale items start around 10% off and only get better from there! Just remember, products will vary as we make special purchases to drive down cost and pass savings directly on to you! So check back often as prices and quantities are limited.

Previously, we’ve discussed the potential benefits of FAHF-2, one of very few Chinese herbal remedies that was actually cleared for human trails to test efficacy in curing allergies. Here, we are focusing more on OTC herbal supplements and how a recent study raises some serious questions about the efficacy, safety and even legality of some of these herbs.

In a piece recently published in the Genetics section of the Public Library of Science, highlights some potential problems with the ingredients found in many of these herbs. By deep sequencing the DNA found in Chinese herb samples, scientists found derivatives of endangered plants and animals as well as some linked to toxic plants and heavy metals.

Using this new methodology, researchers are able to trace the substances found in the herbs to their organic origins. Identified using this type of DNA sequencing were the Asiatic black bear and Saiga antelope (both endangered species) as well to the plant generas Ephedra and Asarum. Ephedra containing substances were banned in the United States since 2004, and some species of Asarum contain a known carcinogen.

While the testing was not meant to cast a negative light on Chinese herbs, what it did was highlight a few things. First, the source of some of these herbs is somewhat dubious. Given the increase in the TCM market over the last several years, the use of endangered species or toxic plants is troubling on several fronts.

Secondly, the study did highlight problems with labeling, mainly in the form of missing ingredients or misrepresented ingredients (something claiming to be pure Antelope but tested out to show the presence of goat and sheep DNA). Another important instance of this was in regards to undeclared tree nut derivatives in some samples. Both of these can have potentially severe allergic and even religious consequences.

Ultimately there is a long history of benefit with the use of Chinese herbs, but this recent study shows that there is great room for improvement when it comes to the regulating and ensuring the safety of Chinese herbs. So for many, allergy sufferers and non-allergy sufferers alike, their can be benefit to Chinese herbs, but take caution when using or purchasing.

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*Some exclusions apply. See our Promotions page for further details.

From this initial list, the top two items were to avoid using IgG or battery of IgE tests as the primary basis for diagnosing an allergy, and to stop prescribing antibiotics for uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis. These two things touch issues we’ve highlighted in recent months.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests alone are not accurate in determining an allergy, and overreliance on these tests can often lead to false positives. They are convenient, easy, and give you answers, but unfortunately, those answers aren’t always accurate. Instead of general testing, the “Choose Wisely” top-five suggests a doctor take into account the patients history and physical exam records, then administer a specific IgE test based on these factors. Combined, these three pieces form a more complete picture of the puzzle and can dramatically reduce the occurrence of false positives in allergy testing.

Over prescription of antibiotics for sinusitis is something we touched recently with this post. For quite some time it has been the theory that not only are they ineffective in most cases, but overuse, in general, in directly leading to their ineffectiveness against modern germs. Most acute sinus infections are viral in nature, and like we learned in high school biology, antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Additionally, most viral sinus infections run their course in a couple weeks.

In all, there are five recommendations put forth that deal with allergies, asthma or immune disorders. You can find the full list here. We encourage anyone who suffers from allergies, asthma or related disorder to take a look and see if any apply to you. Then the next time you visit your allergist, ENT or doctor, discuss them and see if there are ways to curb certain tests or treatments which may not offer much benefit.

February saw repeated record high temperatures across the nation, and with this coming hot on the heels of a warmer, wet winter for much of the country, conditions are ideal for insects to flourish. But aside from ants invading your pantry and carpenter bees feasting on your deck, there are some specific pest problems to look for and hopefully prevent.

Bed Bugs – The warmer temperatures can actually reduce the amount of time it takes for a bed bug egg to hatch, from 1-2 weeks to a little as 6 days. Warmer temps also mean more people are out and about, traveling and potentially picking up these little vampire hitchhikers (bed bugs) and bringing them home.

The best thing you can do is remain vigilant. Bag and store luggage and clothing outside until it can be unpacked and inspected. Wash clothing in hot water to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in your clothing. While staying at hotels or motels, do a quick inspection of the room prior to unpacking, paying attention to tell-tale signs of bedbugs (small dark spot which can be bedbug droppings and blood spots on the mattress, sheets or furniture). If you find something, report it and look for a new place to stay.

For more information on bed bug prevention.

Ticks and Fleas – Nearly all insects love warm, humid conditions, and ticks and fleas are no exception. Not only do these little blood suckers bite, but ticks can carry a variety of diseases. Before coming in after being outside, check yourself for ticks. Pay particular attention to your pets. They can very easily pick up ticks and fleas. Regular bathing and brushing are two very easy ways to prevent and detect and possible tick or flea problems your pet may have.

For ridding your pet of fleas, try natural flea repellent pet shampoo or for getting rid of fleas in the carpet or furniture, try Dust Mite and Flea Control.

Mosquitoes – Like ticks and bedbugs, mosquitoes also feed on your blood and can transmit disease and viruses. While some areas spray insecticides to mosquito populations down, this can release harmful toxins into the air and water. Around the home, be sure to drain containers or anywhere water can puddle and become the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. And when looking for a suitable repellent, look for cintronella and other citrus extracts in the ingredients. Both are powerful, natural insect repellents.

Chances are good that it’s going to be a very buggy summer, but this doesn’t mean it has to ruin your time outdoors. With some very basic precautions you can enjoy the sun and outdoors with less worry about ticks, fleas, bed bugs or mosquitoes.