Egg Allergic Children Now Have No Barriers to Flu Shot

 All children should have flu shots, even if they have an egg allergy, and it's now safe to get them without special precautions.

The current recommendation from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is to observe children allergic to eggs for 30 minutes after a flu shot. Also to have the shot under the care of a primary care provider, if the reaction to eating eggs is only hives, or an allergist, if the reaction to eating eggs is more serious.

However, "In a large number of research studies published over the last several years, thousands of egg allergic children, including those with a severe life-threatening reaction to eating eggs, have received injectable influenza vaccine (IIV) as a single dose without a reaction" said allergist John Kelso, MD, fellow of the ACAAI.

This update, endorsed by the AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, concludes that based upon the available data, "Special precautions regarding medical setting and waiting periods after administration of IIV to egg-allergic recipients beyond those recommended for any vaccine are not warranted. For IIV, language that describes egg-allergic recipients as being at increased risk compared with non-egg-allergic recipients or requiring special precautions should be removed from guidelines and product labeling."

"The benefits of the flu vaccination far outweigh any risk," said Dr. Kelso. "As with any vaccine, all personnel and facilities administering flu shots should have procedures in place for the rare instance of anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction. If you have questions or concerns, contact your allergist."

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children. By age 16, about 70 percent of children outgrow their egg allergy. Most allergic reactions to egg involve the skin. In fact, egg allergy is the most common food allergy in babies and young children with eczema.

Further, the flu is responsible for the hospitalization of more than 21,100 children under the age of five annually, yet only two thirds of children receive the vaccination each year. Some go unvaccinated because of egg allergy.

ACAAI also advises the more than 25.7 million Americans with asthma to receive the flu vaccination. Because the flu and asthma are both respiratory conditions, asthmatics may experience more frequent and severe asthma attacks while they have the flu.

Fixing allergy barriers

Anyone with allergies should ask the question: "why do I have allergies?" Allergies are the sign of dysfunction in the body and allergies are not normal. Most people spend their time and money treating the allergy symptoms while the causes go untreated. That's a win for Big Pharma companies who are in the business of selling symptom treatments that mask the symptoms (sometimes) but leave a trail of toxic misery and side effects. Allergy medications work by causing malfunction in a normal body process.

What are allergies?

One type of allergy symptoms are caused by a white blood cell reaction called an Immunoglobulin E (IgE) reaction. This kind of reaction results in immediate hives, swelling, breathing problems and even deadly anaphylactic shock. True IgE immune reactions can kill you soon and sometimes require emergency medical intervention.

Another type of reaction that is called and allergy but is not a true allergy is a sensitivity. Sensitivities are an Immunoglobulin G (IgG) reaction. IgG sensitivities can take 24 to 72 hours to show up. Something you came in contact with or ate up to three days ago could be kicking your allergy symptoms today. If this is something you are eating daily, like wheat, dairy, or sugar, there could be a neverending symptom response.

Allergy barriers

Allergy barriers separate the inside of our bodies from the outside world. Our basic allergy barriers are the skin, lining of the respiratory system and the lining of the GI tract. These first-line allergy barriers are supposed to only let elements like nutrition, oxygen and water in. Compromise barrier function and toxins and pathogens enter. Food sensitivities may only be a symptom of an intestinal compromise. Remove the offending food and you successfully treat the symptom, heal the lining of the intestines and you actually cure the cause of the symptoms.

Treat respiratory allergy symptoms by drinking at least half the body weight in ounces of water daily. Adequate water intake is critical for barrier control. Dehydration causes allergy barriers to fail. Maintaining bedroom humidity at 40-45 percent all night will prevent mucous membranes in the air pathways and lungs from drying out while sleeping. Air filter systems remove allergenic particulates before they get a chance to enter the respiratory system.

Treat digestive allergy symptoms with digestive and pancreatic enzymes, sufficient stomach acid and a healthy intestinal bacteria balance. Candida overgrowth is a fungus that eats holes in the intestinal barrier allowing partially processed food particles to cross into the blood stream, bringing food sensitivities. Removing candida from the intestines and restoring the intestinal barrier brings relief from many food allergy symptoms.

Treat skin allergy symptoms with adequate water intake and essential fatty acids found if fish oils. Metabolites in fish oils are critical for buffering allergic responses and maintaining skin, respiratory and intestinal barrier functions. There is also a critical bio-film in all outer cells in the skin, lungs and intestines that is damaged with antibacterial soaps, chemical inhalants and antibiotics. Using natural soaps, cleaning products and taking probiotic supplements all help defeat allergy symptoms.

Solutions to allergies

To control allergies, conventional medicine typically gives either toxic drugs or allergy shots with as many as two shots a week for up to three years or more with a meager 40 percent success rate and around 20 deaths per year. Alternative to this is NEAT (Natural Elimination of Allergy Treatment) to alleviate both IgE and IgG reactions in as few as 4-5 visits with no shots and an 87 percent rating of "good to excellent" and no deaths. But neither of these methods works without good allergy barrier functions.

How to Reduce Allergens in Your Yard This Fall

"The daunting task of yard work can be favorable for allergy sufferers if they know how to reduce allergens in the areas surrounding the home," said allergist Richard Weber, MD, "Many people think you can only control the environment inside the home, but there are also precautions you can take to help eliminate allergens outside as well."While completely avoiding pollen and mold is an impossible feat, the following tips from ACAAI allergists allergists can help you breathe a little easier.

Timing is Everything - The mid-day and afternoon hours might seem like the best time for yard work, but it's the worst time if you have pollen allergies. Pollen counts are the highest during this time, making early morning and evening hours more suitable. Weather can also play an important role. Rain showers can temporarily clear pollen from the air. Thunderstorms, however, can increase airborne allergens, and the standing water left behind is the perfect breeding ground for mold spores.

Dress to Protect - You don't need to impress while working in your yard, instead dress wisely. Buy pollen masks and gardening gloves at your local hardware store. These will help keep your hands clean and allergens from entering your airways. Wearing large sunglasses will keep pollen and mold from aggravating your eyes. A hat will reduce pollen from sticking to your hair. Also opt for long pants and shirts to prevent skin irritation, while keeping allergy-causing stinging insects away.

Choose Wisely - The worst allergy offenders might be in your own yard. If you are considering adding new trees, grasses and plants into your landscape, be sure they aren't the worst offenders. While everyone's allergies are different, these are typically safe:

• Trees: Apple, Dogwood, Pear, Plum, Begonia flower
• Plants and Flowers: Daffodil, Lilac, Magnolia, Rose, Sunflower

Be Quick to Clean - Mold and pollen can collect on fallen leaves. Be sure to rake leaves often and wear a pollen mask while doing so, since raking can stir allergens into the air. Continue mowing your lawn throughout the fall and keep your grass short. Maintaining your lawn will keep grass from flowering and producing pollen. If raking and mowing are too bothersome, ask a family member to do it for you. Once you are finished with yard work, remove your shoes before entering your home and be sure to shower right away. Your shoes, clothing and hair can all be allergen magnets.

Taking allergy medication long before you head into the great outdoors can help suppress allergy symptoms. ACAAI allergists recommend taking your medication two weeks before symptoms start, and continue well after the first frost. For those with severe seasonal allergies, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, which provide great relief.

Wine allergy: What are the symptoms and common causes?

It is well known that drinking wine has positive effects on health when taken in moderation. Wine contains antioxidants that protect cells against damage. But who knows about wine allergy and the effect that it can have on health? Whereas a true wine allergy is rare, it is not uncommon to experience intolerance-like symptoms such as rashes, diarrhea and vomiting (aside from drinking too much...). Different chemicals and ingredients in wine can cause a reaction. What are these reactions and what are the symptoms caused by?

Common wine allergy symptoms

Allergy symptoms occur when the immune system overreacts to an allergen. If there is an allergy, the immune system acts as if the allergen were dangerous, releasing a chemical called histamine that causes allergy symptoms. A reaction can be mild but may be life threatening in some cases. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs suddenly and can worsen quickly. However it rarely happens with wine consumption.

The most common symptoms of a wine intolerance or allergy are: skin rashes, flushed skin, diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, runny nose and swollen eyes. There are also long-term symptoms of wine intolerance, such as: eczema, headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue and low mood.

What are the symptoms of a wine intolerance caused by?

The symptoms are caused by an intolerance or immune reaction to some food ingredients or chemicals in wine. These issues have long been attributed to sulfites, but research now shows that other components such as glycoproteins may be to blame for this reaction to wine.

Sulfites occur naturally in the process of making wine. They are often added to wine as preservatives. Sulfites are not only found in wine and beer, but also in a large variety of foods like dried fruit. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive to sulfites. Since there are sulfites in other foods, why would people have a reaction to sulfites in wine only? Sulfites may not be the problem in wine sensitivity.

Glycoproteins are proteins that also occur in other fruits such as bananas and kiwis. While some glycoproteins get formed during the fermentation process, others just live in the grape itself. When consumed, they may trigger allergy symptoms. Once again, more research is needed to confirm this.

Also, it is not uncommon to be allergic to a specific grape variety. For instance, red wine seems to trigger more symptoms than white wine. The Red Wine Headache (RWH) is a headache often accompanied by nausea and flushing that occurs after drinking even a single glass of red wine.

Sulfites are not the cause of RWH as almost all wine contains sulfites, including white wine. As for histamines (a chemical which occurs naturally in certain foods and which is also released in the body as part of an allergic reaction), studies found no difference in reactions to low and high histamine wine. What about tannins that give a red wine pigment and bitterness? There are other foods that contain tannin, such as tea or chocolate. If people do not react to a cup of tea, why would they react to tannin in red wine?

As a conclusion, there are a few theories for wine allergy. On the list of most possible causes are: prostaglandins, tyramine, yeast and bacteria, substances in the cork, and even the alcohol itself... This is not to say that more research is not needed to find the causes. For people who experience allergy symptoms, abstinence is likely to be the best option so far.

Menopausal Women at Greater Risk for Asthma Hospitalization

Asthma is a disease that mostly affects young boys and adult women. And according to a new study, women in their 40s and 50s with asthma are hospitalized more than twice as often as men in the same age group. 

 "Until puberty, boys have higher rates of asthma than girls," said Robert Yao-wen Lin, MD, allergist . "Then, during the menopausal years, women's hospitalization rates are double those of men in the same age group. This could indicate that asthma may have distinct biological traits."

The National Impatient Sample databases for 2000-2010 were used to calculate the ratio of female to male hospitalization rates for different decades of adult life. The highest rate of difference was found in the fifth and six decade. Common coexisting conditions, such as cigarette smoking and obesity were taken into account.

"This study reinforces that asthma is a women's health issue," said John Oppenheimer, MD, ACAAI Fellow and associate editor of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "There is a need for more prevention and early intervention to reduce asthma hospitalization in menopausal women and reduce healthcare costs."

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests that women in their 40s and 50s with asthma make an appointment with their allergist and ask these questions:

• Do I need any change in my medications?

• What are the symptoms associated with the risk of a severe asthma attack during menopause?

• How do I keep my asthma in check and avoid needing emergency room or hospitalized treatment?

Tips for Keeping Allergy and Asthma Out of the Classroom

The common cold and chickenpox aren’t the only ailments parents should worry about this back-to-school season.

Allergies affect 28 million children and 7.1 million suffer from asthma, making these two conditions a leading cause of missed school days in the United States.

“There can often be many more allergy and asthma triggers in the classroom than in the home environment, causing children’s immune systems to over respond,” said allergist James Sublett, MD, chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Indoor Environment Committee. “An estimated 60 to 80 percent of asthmatic children also have an allergy, which can cause intense symptoms that can be life-threatening when not properly controlled.”

With schools commonly known as being a petri dish of germs and viruses that get passed around from child to child, parents shouldn’t just chalk up breathing difficulties and runny noses to yet another cold. Both can be signs of something more serious, such as allergies and asthma.

To help parents understand if their child is at risk for missing school days due to allergy and asthma, ACAAI offers the following tips.

• Know what Triggers Symptoms – There are a number of inhalants in schools that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, such as the classroom pet, pollen and dust that has settled in the school which can contain mouse allergens. Peers with a pet at home can also trigger an allergic reaction in your little one, since these allergens can be transferred to school via clothing and backpacks. If a child says they are coughing, having difficulty breathing, have a rash, runny nose, or are sneezing, these could all be signs they are allergic to something in school.
• Know the Difference – It is easy to mistake a cough and a runny nose as signs of a common cold or respiratory infection. If symptoms are persistent, lasting more than two weeks, it’s likely due to allergies. Colds evolve, usually starting with a stuffy nose, throat irritation and low grade fever. Next comes the sneezing and a runny nose, with thickening mucus that often turns yellow or green. Trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightening and often a cough that won’t stop are signs of asthma.
• Find Relief – Parents should make an appointment with a board-certified allergist to have their child tested, diagnosed and treated for allergies and asthma. An allergist can also help a child understand what is causing their symptoms and how to avoid triggers. For children with particularly bothersome allergies, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy (allergy shots) which can modify and prevent allergy development. Patients under the care of an allergist also have a 77 percent reduction in lost time from school.
• Inform, Educate and Carry – A child’s school, teachers and coaches should all be informed of any allergy and asthma conditions and have medications available. But the education shouldn’t stop there. Children should understand what triggers their symptoms and any warning signs to watch out for. If they are prescribed life-saving treatments, such as a rescue inhaler and epinephrine, they should know how to use their medication. Many schools allow students to carry medication, making communication between parents and the school the key to a healthier child.

“While many parents worry about food allergies being a problem in the school setting, it is more common one for children to suffer from allergy symptoms when they inhale allergens such as mold, pet, pollen and dust,” said Dr. Sublett. “Foods can be avoided, but inhalants often cannot. It’s important children are properly tested and treated by a board-certified allergist so they can find relief from their symptoms.”

Even though a child may appear to be healthy at home, parents need to seriously consider how their child feels in the classroom. Some allergens may also cause a late response in some children. For example, a child may be exposed to pollen during their walk to school in the morning but not begin sneezing and wheezing until lunch time.

Children with allergy and asthma may be at higher risk for ADHD

The number of children being diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), allergy and asthma is increasing in the United States. 

ADHD, a chronic mental health disorder, is most commonly found in males, while asthma is also more common in young boys than girls. We found there is an increased risk of ADHD in boys with a history of asthma and an even stronger risk associated with milk intolerance.

Researchers in the Netherlands and Boston studied 884 boys with ADHD and 3,536 boys without the disorder. Of the children with ADHD, 34 percent had asthma and 35 percent had an allergic disorder. The study suggests medications used to treat these conditions may be associated with an increased ADHD risk.

"Further research is needed to understand why there appears to be an increased risk of developing ADHD in children with allergy and asthma," said Gailen Marshall, MD, editor-in-chief of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Medications for these conditions far outweigh the risks, and can be life-saving in some conditions. Treatment should not be stopped, unless advised by a board-certified allergist."

According to the ACAAI, allergy and asthma often run in families. If both parents have an allergy a child has a 75 percent chance of being allergic. If neither parent has allergy, the chance of a child developing an allergy is only 10 to 15 percent. Allergists also know allergies and asthma are linked. An estimated 60 to 80 percent of children with asthma also have an allergy. While the cause of ADHD is unknown, this disorder is also thought to run in families.

Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Beans - Raising an Allergy Free Child

It would seem, according to the journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, that children with diets over 40 grams (1/3 cup) of 'fruity vegetables' such as cucumber, tomato, eggplant, green bean and zucchini, were less likely to suffer with symptoms of childhood asthma.

The study, which was conducted on 460 children in Menorca, Spain from birth to age 6 and 1/2 years, also showed that children who ate 60 or more grams (about 2 ounces) of omega-3 containing fish were less likely to suffer 'atopy' - inherited childhood allergies.

It is believed that due to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of the vegetables and fish, these foods produce a protective and healing effect on the bronchial passageways.

According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Leda Chatzi, "The biological mechanisms that underlie the protective affect of these foods is not fully understood, but we believe that the fruity vegetables and fish reduce the inflammation associated with asthma and allergies."

Although fish oil, liquid or capsule forms, are a good start to acquiring their studied 60 grams a day, they contain only around 1.5 to 3 grams per teaspoonful; cod liver oil a bit less. Higher quantities of omega-3's will be obtained by actually eating fatty fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, herring and anchovy.

Scientists Closer to Cat Allergy Cure

Scientists say they're hopeful that a research breakthrough will lead to a cure for people who are allergic to cats.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge say they've figured out how a particular protein in cat dander triggers an allergic response in humans. Many people are allergic to cats, dogs, and other animals. Typical symptoms include sneezing, itchiness, and a stuffed or runny nose. Allergic reactions happen when the immune system overreacts to a perceived danger. Normally, the immune system identifies and responds to harmful viruses and bacteria. But with an allergy, the immune system wrongly identifies an allergen as dangerous, such as pet dander, and starts an immune response.

The most common cause of severe allergic reactions to cats is a protein called Fel d 1, which is found in microscopic pieces of animal skin (often accompanied by dried saliva) from grooming.

The Cambridge team discovered how this protein can trigger an inflammatory response when in the presence of a common bacterial toxin found in the environment called lipopolysaccharide, or LPS.

"How cat dander causes such a severe allergic reaction in some people has long been a mystery," said Clare Bryant, who led the research at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine. "Not only did we find out that LPS [intensifies] the immune response’s reaction to cat dander, we identified the part of immune system that recognizes it, the receptor TLR4."

The scientists then used medication that curbs the TLR4 response and found it blocks the effects of the cat dander protein on human cells, thereby preventing an inflammatory response.

Bryant says she's hopeful that the research will lead to new treatments for people with cat allergies, and possibly those with dog allergies.

Definition of Allergic reaction

Allergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic individual to a substance.

When an allergen enters the body, it causes the body's immune system to develop an allergic reaction in a person with an allergy to it. This reaction can occur when the immune system attacks a normally harmless substance (the allergen). The immune system calls upon a protective antibody called immunoglobulin E or IgE to fight these invading substances. Even though everyone has some IgE, an allergic person has an unusually large army of these IgE defenders -in fact, too many for their own good. This army of IgE antibodies attacks and engages the invading army of allergic substances of allergens. As is often the case in war, innocent bystanders are affected by this battle. These innocent bystanders are special cells called mast cells. When a mast cell is injured or irritated, it releases a variety of strong chemicals, including histamine, into the tissues and blood that promote allergic reactions. These chemicals are very irritating and cause itching, swelling, and fluid leaking from nearby cells. These allergic chemicals can cause muscle spasm and can lead to lung airway and throat tightening as is found in asthma and loss of voice. They are also what leads to the familiar hay fever or allergic rhinitis and common pink eye.