Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronically relapsing, non-contagious and itching skin disorder. It commonly begins in childhood and is usually related to other allergy problems including hayfever, asthma, food allergy, etc.
The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis is very dehydrated and reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It may be vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. Different areas of the skin may be affected during different stages of life.
Although there is no cure for atopic eczema, much about it is understood and it can be treated very effectively in the short term through a combination of prevention (learning what triggers the allergic reactions) and drug therapy.
Atopic dermatitis most often begins in childhood before age 5 and may persist into adulthood. For some, it flares periodically and then subsides for a time, even up to several years. Yet, it is estimated that 75% of the cases of atopic dermatitis improve by the time children reach adolescence, whereas 25% continue to have difficulties with the condition through adulthood.
Although atopic dermatitis can theoretically affect any part of the body, it tends to be more frequent on the hands and feet, on the ankles, wrists, face, neck and upper chest. Atopic dermatitis can also affect the skin around the eyes, including the eyelids.
In most patients, the usual symptoms that occur with this type of dermatitis are aggravated by a Staphylococcus aureus infection, dry skin, stress, low humidity and sweating, dust or sand or cigarette smoke. Also, the condition can be worsen by having long and hot baths or showers, solvents, cleaners or detergents and wool fabrics or clothing.
Atopic dermatitis is also known as infantile eczema, when it occurs in infants. Infantile eczema may continue into childhood and adolescence and it often involves an oozing, crusting rash mainly on the scalp and face, although it can occur anywhere on the body. The appearance of the rash tends to modify, becoming dryer in childhood and then scaly or thickened in adolescence while the itching is persistent.
Treatment is usually successful at controlling the symptoms
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Atopic Dermatitis Action Plan
For more information about atopic drematitis, see next blog. This page concerns treatment.
1. Frequent hydration. Bathing is encouraged. Take at least one soaking luke warm soapless bath daily. Immediately after exiting bath proceed to #2.
2. Occulsive moisturization. Seal the water into the top layer of the skin using the medicaitons and moisturizers recommended. Each part of the skin, from head to toe should get treated with either the medicated preparations or the moisturizing agents:
Medications:
Triamcinolone cream
Triamcinolone ointment
Fluocinolide
Fluticasone
Mometasone
Tacrolimus (Protopic)
Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
3. Moisturizers:
Vanicream
Lubriderm
Eucerin
Aquaphor
4. Control of itching can be achieved using antihistamines such as:
Zyrtec
Xyzal
Hydroxyzine
Benadryl
5. Identify and address allergic triggers. In children especially, food allergy may be associated with atopic dermatitis or eczema.
6. Be aware that other conditions commonly occur with atopic dermatitis (asthma, allergic rhinitis)
7. Other therapeutic measures may need to be considered including bleach baths, systemic and topical antibiotic treatments if indicated.
8. Other common sense recommendations incldue wearing comfortably clothing, keeping finger nails short, using hypoallergenic laundry detergent, doubling rinsing clothes, using sunscreen.
9. Eat a balanced diet. Some studies have shown supplental vitamin E to be helpful. Ongoing investigations on probiotics and other nutritional interventions may provide more helpful information soon.
For more information about atopic drematitis, see next blog. This page concerns treatment.
1. Frequent hydration. Bathing is encouraged. Take at least one soaking luke warm soapless bath daily. Immediately after exiting bath proceed to #2.
2. Occulsive moisturization. Seal the water into the top layer of the skin using the medicaitons and moisturizers recommended. Each part of the skin, from head to toe should get treated with either the medicated preparations or the moisturizing agents:
Medications:
Triamcinolone cream
Triamcinolone ointment
Fluocinolide
Fluticasone
Mometasone
Tacrolimus (Protopic)
Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
3. Moisturizers:
Vanicream
Lubriderm
Eucerin
Aquaphor
4. Control of itching can be achieved using antihistamines such as:
Zyrtec
Xyzal
Hydroxyzine
Benadryl
5. Identify and address allergic triggers. In children especially, food allergy may be associated with atopic dermatitis or eczema.
6. Be aware that other conditions commonly occur with atopic dermatitis (asthma, allergic rhinitis)
7. Other therapeutic measures may need to be considered including bleach baths, systemic and topical antibiotic treatments if indicated.
8. Other common sense recommendations incldue wearing comfortably clothing, keeping finger nails short, using hypoallergenic laundry detergent, doubling rinsing clothes, using sunscreen.
9. Eat a balanced diet. Some studies have shown supplental vitamin E to be helpful. Ongoing investigations on probiotics and other nutritional interventions may provide more helpful information soon.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Honey is regurgitated stomach contents of bees. Bees feed on the sugar containing nectar of flowers and, in turn, carry pollen from plant to plant to facilitate reproduction. The honey allows storage of the sugars in the hive.
Pollen allergy is generally caused by plants which depend on the wind for reproduction, rahter than insects. Windborne pollen is much smaller than that of plants dependent on bee pollination. Honey contains various ingredients, including pollen allergens and components of honeybees. The pollen in local honey, however, does not usually contain significant pollens that cause most people problems like grass or ragweed since these plants are wind-pollinated.
In order to prove that a therapy works, it must be compared to placebo. There is one well-designed study comparing two different types of honey (locally-produced and nationally-produced) against placebo in people with pollen allergy. Unfortunately, there was no difference in allergy symptoms among the three groups of study participants. It was interesting, however, that nearly 1 in 3 of the volunteers dropped out of the study because they couldn’t tolerate eating one tablespoon of honey every day due to the overly sweet taste. There have been reports of people having severe allergic reactions to honey, possibly from the various pollen or venom components. More studies are needed to further investigate the possible benefits of honey for the treatment of allergies.
Honey-based products have been studied and approved for use in wound healing, of all things!
Pollen allergy is generally caused by plants which depend on the wind for reproduction, rahter than insects. Windborne pollen is much smaller than that of plants dependent on bee pollination. Honey contains various ingredients, including pollen allergens and components of honeybees. The pollen in local honey, however, does not usually contain significant pollens that cause most people problems like grass or ragweed since these plants are wind-pollinated.
In order to prove that a therapy works, it must be compared to placebo. There is one well-designed study comparing two different types of honey (locally-produced and nationally-produced) against placebo in people with pollen allergy. Unfortunately, there was no difference in allergy symptoms among the three groups of study participants. It was interesting, however, that nearly 1 in 3 of the volunteers dropped out of the study because they couldn’t tolerate eating one tablespoon of honey every day due to the overly sweet taste. There have been reports of people having severe allergic reactions to honey, possibly from the various pollen or venom components. More studies are needed to further investigate the possible benefits of honey for the treatment of allergies.
Honey-based products have been studied and approved for use in wound healing, of all things!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Over the counter (OTC) allergy medications are frequently used by patients to treat hayfever and other common ailments. A recent recall of many Children's allergy medications has generated a bit of concern among parents and consumers.
Manufacturing defects have led to the recall of 43 child and infant liquid formulations of Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl by McNeil, a division of Johnson & Johnson.
No injuries or deaths have yet been reported. The voluntary recall follows an April 19 FDA inspection of a McNeil plant in Fort Washington, Pa. that uncovered manufacturing deficiencies.
Apparently some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain impurities.
If children who have taken the recalled products have unusual symptoms, parents are urged to contact a health care professional.
Parents should not give children adult formulation of the medications. Alternative brands of the products, including generic medications, are available. Parents who have questions about alternative treatments should consult their child's pediatrician.
Recent rumors suggest that Allegra products may soon be available OTC, without a prescription.
Manufacturing defects have led to the recall of 43 child and infant liquid formulations of Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl by McNeil, a division of Johnson & Johnson.
No injuries or deaths have yet been reported. The voluntary recall follows an April 19 FDA inspection of a McNeil plant in Fort Washington, Pa. that uncovered manufacturing deficiencies.
Apparently some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain impurities.
If children who have taken the recalled products have unusual symptoms, parents are urged to contact a health care professional.
Parents should not give children adult formulation of the medications. Alternative brands of the products, including generic medications, are available. Parents who have questions about alternative treatments should consult their child's pediatrician.
Recent rumors suggest that Allegra products may soon be available OTC, without a prescription.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The rising incidence of allergic diseases is a popular topic these days. The WHO estimates that 300 million people currently have asthma and 250,000 people die annually. This increase in asthma prevalence and severity over recent decades presents a significant challenge to public health. Pollen is an important trigger of some types of asthma, and both pollen quantity and season depend on climate and weather variables. Over the same period as the global rise in asthma, there have been considerable increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and global average surface temperature. Greater concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases result in higher temperatures and may increase pollen quantity and induce longer pollen seasons. Ozone, particulates, vehicle emmissions, and other pollutants have risen also. Pollen allergenicity can also increase as a result of these changes in climate. Exposure in early life to a more allergenic environment may also provoke the development of other atopic conditions, such as eczema and allergic rhinitis. Although the causes of allergy and asthma is complex, the recent global rise in these problems could be an early health effect of climate change. The problem is likely to worsen in the future according to scientists.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Dust mites cause many people to "Sneeze and Wheeze". About 20% of the population is significantly allergic to dust mite.
Dust mites are microscopic creatures (in the arthropod family)that feed on the scales of skin shed by humans and other animals. Their scientific name Dermatophagoides literally means "skin eaters." They thrive in warm, moist environments. They cannot be seen without the power of a microscope. They do not bite or cause disease but people can be highly allergic to proteins from their digestive tract. Matresses, pillows and carpet are major reservoirs for dust mites.
One square yard of your rug can contain as many as 100,000 dust mites. A typical mattress may be housing several million. Inhalation of air containing dust mite particles can cause severe allergic inflammation of the respiratory
tract and lead to chronic allergy problems such as sinus disease, asthma, and eczema.
Why don’t we like dust mites?
These creatures are indeed trouble, considering that exposure as a child or baby can cause a lifelong allergy to dust mites. Exposure as a young child can also cause other complications including asthma, eczema, and hay fever that will last for a lifetime. Paired with cat dander, cockroach droppings, and grass pollen, these allergic reactions and side effects can become almost unbearable for many people.
If dust mites cause you to wheeze, blame their digestive proteins. These secretions are very hard on the respiratory systems of us unwitting hosts. This secretion from the guts of the dust mites is extremely potent. There is no cure for allergies to dust mites. The only way to avoid allergy symptoms when it comes to dust mites is to prevent exposure in the first place. This means that it is important to learn a few things about them.
How do dust mites live?
Dust Mites have a life cycle of just 10 to 70 days. Females which have mated typically live for 50 - 70 days. And the average life cycle for a male is just 15 days.
Female dust mites will typically lay 75 - 100 eggs in the final weeks of her life cycle. Some dust mites lay their eggs in groups of up to 5 other females. Others do so alone. Once an egg hatches a larva with six legs is produced. The dust mite larva then transforms into a nymph with eight legs. After the nymph stages, an adult is produced with eight legs. At this point it looks like a microscopic spider.
Dust mites survive in mattresses and other warm, dusty environments. They consume the dander (flakes of skin) that are shed by humans and animals alike, making the dusty corner under the bed where the cat sleeps just as friendly to these creatures as the inside of a pillow. Dust mites tend to spend a third of their lives or more within the comfortable confines of a mattress.
A typical used mattress may have up to ten million dust mites living in it, and a pillow of only two years old can be composed of up to ten percent dust mite feces and carcasses. Carpets also tend to house large colonies of these household pests, making just about anything porous liable to support the life of these most abrasive of creatures.
Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies
One of the most strongly allergenic materials that is found in the average household is dust. This allergy is often made a lot worse by the addition of the dropping and carcasses of microscopic creatures called dust mites. These creatures are solely responsible for the suffering of thousands of people across the world.
Since dust mites thrive mainly by embedding themselves into carpet, clothing, and other fabric fibers, they inhabit the same areas as humans. Human allergies to these pests stem mostly from the residue left from dust mites. As the colony of dust mites grows, so does the amount of decaying body parts and fecal waste left behind from them. These waste products are the root cause for the allergy and asthma symptoms caused by dust mites.
Symptoms of dust mites include a wide variety of sinus related problems. The most common symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, itching and clogging of the ear canals, asthma, and many other respiratory related problems. Many of these symptoms appear at night, while a person sleeps. This is because millions of dust mites can live in a person’s bed by inhabiting the mattresses and pillows. When a person sleeps, they are in very close proximity to the agents that cause allergies, and by moving around in bed, people are unknowingly causing these particles to become airborne.
People who suffer from asthma often have a difficult time with dust mites. If they have allergies to dust mites, the allergy symptoms can often bring on severe asthmatic reactions. These reactions can present with symptoms such as respiratory congestion, wheezing, and even severe shortness of breath. Anyone suffering these conditions should be treated by a licensed physician or asthma specialist. More on dust mites allergies.
The adult female dermatophagoides farinae can lay up to eighty eggs, either one at a time or in small groups of about three to five eggs each. When the larva first comes out of the egg, it has six legs. However, after the first time they molt, they will have eight legs. This is their nymph stage and they actually go through two nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. The time period between the hatching and adulthood is approximately one month and the adult will survive up to another three months. Their life cycle is approximately four months in total.
While house dust mites will find haven in carpeting, mattresses, and sofas, they need to have water to survive. Without water or moistness, they will not survive and the dust mites tend to thrive in the humid months of the summer and in regions with high humidity. During the dry winter months or in areas of dry climates, the population of the dust mite diminishes.
As humans tend to shed approximately .20 ounces of dead skin a week, the dust mites are never lacking for food. When you add in pets to the household, the dust mites surely are in heaven. The mattress is one of the dust mites favorite places is due to the fact this is where humans, as well as some pets, spend almost a third of their time. Most go to bed with little clothing and the skin cells are shed, supplying the dust mites with plenty of food.
Some important environmental control measures should be considered to reduce dust mite exposure in the home:
1. Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-impermeable material.
2. Dehumidify. Dust mites go dormant when humidity is kept below 45%
3. Wash bedding frequently in hot water
4. Remove dust collecting items and furniture.
5. Remove carpet if able.
6. HEPA air filtration.
Dust mites are microscopic creatures (in the arthropod family)that feed on the scales of skin shed by humans and other animals. Their scientific name Dermatophagoides literally means "skin eaters." They thrive in warm, moist environments. They cannot be seen without the power of a microscope. They do not bite or cause disease but people can be highly allergic to proteins from their digestive tract. Matresses, pillows and carpet are major reservoirs for dust mites.
One square yard of your rug can contain as many as 100,000 dust mites. A typical mattress may be housing several million. Inhalation of air containing dust mite particles can cause severe allergic inflammation of the respiratory
tract and lead to chronic allergy problems such as sinus disease, asthma, and eczema.
Why don’t we like dust mites?
These creatures are indeed trouble, considering that exposure as a child or baby can cause a lifelong allergy to dust mites. Exposure as a young child can also cause other complications including asthma, eczema, and hay fever that will last for a lifetime. Paired with cat dander, cockroach droppings, and grass pollen, these allergic reactions and side effects can become almost unbearable for many people.
If dust mites cause you to wheeze, blame their digestive proteins. These secretions are very hard on the respiratory systems of us unwitting hosts. This secretion from the guts of the dust mites is extremely potent. There is no cure for allergies to dust mites. The only way to avoid allergy symptoms when it comes to dust mites is to prevent exposure in the first place. This means that it is important to learn a few things about them.
How do dust mites live?
Dust Mites have a life cycle of just 10 to 70 days. Females which have mated typically live for 50 - 70 days. And the average life cycle for a male is just 15 days.
Female dust mites will typically lay 75 - 100 eggs in the final weeks of her life cycle. Some dust mites lay their eggs in groups of up to 5 other females. Others do so alone. Once an egg hatches a larva with six legs is produced. The dust mite larva then transforms into a nymph with eight legs. After the nymph stages, an adult is produced with eight legs. At this point it looks like a microscopic spider.
Dust mites survive in mattresses and other warm, dusty environments. They consume the dander (flakes of skin) that are shed by humans and animals alike, making the dusty corner under the bed where the cat sleeps just as friendly to these creatures as the inside of a pillow. Dust mites tend to spend a third of their lives or more within the comfortable confines of a mattress.
A typical used mattress may have up to ten million dust mites living in it, and a pillow of only two years old can be composed of up to ten percent dust mite feces and carcasses. Carpets also tend to house large colonies of these household pests, making just about anything porous liable to support the life of these most abrasive of creatures.
Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies
One of the most strongly allergenic materials that is found in the average household is dust. This allergy is often made a lot worse by the addition of the dropping and carcasses of microscopic creatures called dust mites. These creatures are solely responsible for the suffering of thousands of people across the world.
Since dust mites thrive mainly by embedding themselves into carpet, clothing, and other fabric fibers, they inhabit the same areas as humans. Human allergies to these pests stem mostly from the residue left from dust mites. As the colony of dust mites grows, so does the amount of decaying body parts and fecal waste left behind from them. These waste products are the root cause for the allergy and asthma symptoms caused by dust mites.
Symptoms of dust mites include a wide variety of sinus related problems. The most common symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, itching and clogging of the ear canals, asthma, and many other respiratory related problems. Many of these symptoms appear at night, while a person sleeps. This is because millions of dust mites can live in a person’s bed by inhabiting the mattresses and pillows. When a person sleeps, they are in very close proximity to the agents that cause allergies, and by moving around in bed, people are unknowingly causing these particles to become airborne.
People who suffer from asthma often have a difficult time with dust mites. If they have allergies to dust mites, the allergy symptoms can often bring on severe asthmatic reactions. These reactions can present with symptoms such as respiratory congestion, wheezing, and even severe shortness of breath. Anyone suffering these conditions should be treated by a licensed physician or asthma specialist. More on dust mites allergies.
The adult female dermatophagoides farinae can lay up to eighty eggs, either one at a time or in small groups of about three to five eggs each. When the larva first comes out of the egg, it has six legs. However, after the first time they molt, they will have eight legs. This is their nymph stage and they actually go through two nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. The time period between the hatching and adulthood is approximately one month and the adult will survive up to another three months. Their life cycle is approximately four months in total.
While house dust mites will find haven in carpeting, mattresses, and sofas, they need to have water to survive. Without water or moistness, they will not survive and the dust mites tend to thrive in the humid months of the summer and in regions with high humidity. During the dry winter months or in areas of dry climates, the population of the dust mite diminishes.
As humans tend to shed approximately .20 ounces of dead skin a week, the dust mites are never lacking for food. When you add in pets to the household, the dust mites surely are in heaven. The mattress is one of the dust mites favorite places is due to the fact this is where humans, as well as some pets, spend almost a third of their time. Most go to bed with little clothing and the skin cells are shed, supplying the dust mites with plenty of food.
Some important environmental control measures should be considered to reduce dust mite exposure in the home:
1. Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-impermeable material.
2. Dehumidify. Dust mites go dormant when humidity is kept below 45%
3. Wash bedding frequently in hot water
4. Remove dust collecting items and furniture.
5. Remove carpet if able.
6. HEPA air filtration.
A recent European report reitirates an important fact about over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Benadryl. It warns that the older antihistamines in over-the-counter allergy medications -- the most common form of self-medication in allergic rhinitis -- may be hazardous to our health.
The findings suggest that first-generation H1-antihistamines not only make patients drowsy, but also reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, impair learning, and reduce efficiency at work the next day. In addition, first-generation H1-antihistamines have been implicated in numerous civil aviation, motor vehicle, and boating accidents, and even deaths as a result of accidental or intentional overdosing in infants and young children. First-generation H1-antihistamines have also been linked to suicide cases in both teenagers and adults.
New generation antihistamines on the contrary have shown an equivalent efficacy to treat symptoms while clinical studies and patients report fewer adverse effects. The review ultimately questions whether, for consumer protection reasons, first generation H1-antihistamines should still be available as over-the-counter self-medication.
Antihistamines are most frequently used drugs for treating seasonal and chronic allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis. More than 30% of the EU and US population are potential users, safety is thus paramount.
Patients, parents, physicians and consumers should remember that some medications may do more harm than good in certain situations.
The findings suggest that first-generation H1-antihistamines not only make patients drowsy, but also reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, impair learning, and reduce efficiency at work the next day. In addition, first-generation H1-antihistamines have been implicated in numerous civil aviation, motor vehicle, and boating accidents, and even deaths as a result of accidental or intentional overdosing in infants and young children. First-generation H1-antihistamines have also been linked to suicide cases in both teenagers and adults.
New generation antihistamines on the contrary have shown an equivalent efficacy to treat symptoms while clinical studies and patients report fewer adverse effects. The review ultimately questions whether, for consumer protection reasons, first generation H1-antihistamines should still be available as over-the-counter self-medication.
Antihistamines are most frequently used drugs for treating seasonal and chronic allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis. More than 30% of the EU and US population are potential users, safety is thus paramount.
Patients, parents, physicians and consumers should remember that some medications may do more harm than good in certain situations.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
It seems that people with asthma suffer to a much greater extent when they have the flu compared to non asthmatics. Most asthma is driven by allergy problems. Could there be a link between poorly controlled allergies and a worse case of the flu?
New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that allergic reactions to pet dander, dust mites and mold may prevent people with allergic asthma from generating a healthy immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza.
"Our findings imply that the better your asthma is controlled, the more likely you are to have an appropriate response to a virus," said Dr. Michelle Gill, assistant professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study appearing online and in the June edition of The Journal of Immunology. "When individuals with asthma come in contact with an allergic trigger and a respiratory virus, the allergen may actually interfere with the immune response to the virus. This interruption in the antiviral response may contribute to exacerbations of asthma that are commonly associated with respiratory viral infections."
More than half of the 20 million people diagnosed with asthma in the U.S., including 2.5 million children, have been diagnosed with allergic asthma.
Fifty-six people ranging in age from 3 to 35 participated in the study. Twenty-six of the participants suffered from allergic asthma; the remaining 30 made up the control group. Most of the participants were African-American, and the mean age was 15 years in both the asthma and control groups. In addition, those in the asthma group had been diagnosed by a physician and had a positive skin test to at least one indoor allergen.
Researchers first isolated immune cells called dendritic cells from study participants. These cells are found in blood and tissues that are in contact with the environment, such as skin and the linings of the nose and lungs. When they encounter respiratory viruses such as flu, dendritic cells normally produce proteins that help the body mobilize the immune system and overcome the viral infection. When the dendritic cells first encounter an allergic stimulus, however, they are significantly impaired in their ability to produce such antiviral proteins.
When investigators exposed the dendritic cells from the study participants with allergic asthma to influenza, they found that the cells were unable to produce interferon, an immune system protein that plays a key role in fighting off repeated infections of the same virus. Interferon is what makes a person feel run down and tired when fighting viral infections.
The researchers speculate that the immune-suppressing effect of the allergic stimulation of dendritic cells might be related to the high levels of a molecule called IgE normally found in people with allergic asthma. Among the subjects participating in this study, elevated IgE levels were associated with impaired capacity of dendritic cells to produce interferon when exposed to flu.
It is important to address allergies, maximize asthma control and receive annual influenza vaccinations.
New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that allergic reactions to pet dander, dust mites and mold may prevent people with allergic asthma from generating a healthy immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza.
"Our findings imply that the better your asthma is controlled, the more likely you are to have an appropriate response to a virus," said Dr. Michelle Gill, assistant professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study appearing online and in the June edition of The Journal of Immunology. "When individuals with asthma come in contact with an allergic trigger and a respiratory virus, the allergen may actually interfere with the immune response to the virus. This interruption in the antiviral response may contribute to exacerbations of asthma that are commonly associated with respiratory viral infections."
More than half of the 20 million people diagnosed with asthma in the U.S., including 2.5 million children, have been diagnosed with allergic asthma.
Fifty-six people ranging in age from 3 to 35 participated in the study. Twenty-six of the participants suffered from allergic asthma; the remaining 30 made up the control group. Most of the participants were African-American, and the mean age was 15 years in both the asthma and control groups. In addition, those in the asthma group had been diagnosed by a physician and had a positive skin test to at least one indoor allergen.
Researchers first isolated immune cells called dendritic cells from study participants. These cells are found in blood and tissues that are in contact with the environment, such as skin and the linings of the nose and lungs. When they encounter respiratory viruses such as flu, dendritic cells normally produce proteins that help the body mobilize the immune system and overcome the viral infection. When the dendritic cells first encounter an allergic stimulus, however, they are significantly impaired in their ability to produce such antiviral proteins.
When investigators exposed the dendritic cells from the study participants with allergic asthma to influenza, they found that the cells were unable to produce interferon, an immune system protein that plays a key role in fighting off repeated infections of the same virus. Interferon is what makes a person feel run down and tired when fighting viral infections.
The researchers speculate that the immune-suppressing effect of the allergic stimulation of dendritic cells might be related to the high levels of a molecule called IgE normally found in people with allergic asthma. Among the subjects participating in this study, elevated IgE levels were associated with impaired capacity of dendritic cells to produce interferon when exposed to flu.
It is important to address allergies, maximize asthma control and receive annual influenza vaccinations.
Friday, June 04, 2010
As the number of children in the United States who have a peanut allergy or other food allergy continues to rise, more schools are becoming "nut-free." Even children without peanut allergies are forbidden to bring school lunches or afternoon snacks that have nuts. The reason: fear of setting off serious, even life-threatening reactions in other children with nut allergies.
Indeed, tree nut and peanut allergy are two of the most dangerous types of food allergies. Most people with peanut allergies will have a reaction one of the first times they are exposed. And of all the food allergies, tree nut and peanut allergies are the leading causes of life-threatening anaphylaxis, in which swelling affects the whole body and can obstruct the airways.
From 1997 to 2003, the incidence of peanut allergy in children doubled. Several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. It might have something to do with the fact that Americans tend to eat dry-roasted peanuts. There is some suggestion that the dry roasting process, alters the peanut protein such that it will cause children who eat dry-roasted Peanuts are processed differntly (such as boiling) in other countries.
What's more, a 2007 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children are being exposed to peanuts and developing peanut allergies at an earlier age than they were a decade ago. The Duke University Medical Center team that did the study is now investigating whether eating small amounts of peanuts might help children who are prone to allergies mount an appropriate immune response.
In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advised pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to avoid eating peanuts to reduce their child's risk of developing a peanut allergy. They also recommended delaying giving peanuts to children younger than age 3who are at higher risk of food allergies — for instance, those who have an immediate relative who's allergic to peanuts. But more recent research now suggests that there is no association between a mother's intake of peanuts during pregnancy or nursing and her child's risk of developing a peanut allergy. And the evidence about the best time to introduce peanuts is mixed. A study conducting jointly in Israel and United Kingdom in 8600 children noted a nearly 10 fold increase in incidence of peanut allergy among U.K. children compared to Israeli children. It was found that Israeli children were given peanut (contained in teething biscuits) at a much younger age than those in the U.K. Certainly more research is needed to clarify the situation.
Indeed, tree nut and peanut allergy are two of the most dangerous types of food allergies. Most people with peanut allergies will have a reaction one of the first times they are exposed. And of all the food allergies, tree nut and peanut allergies are the leading causes of life-threatening anaphylaxis, in which swelling affects the whole body and can obstruct the airways.
From 1997 to 2003, the incidence of peanut allergy in children doubled. Several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. It might have something to do with the fact that Americans tend to eat dry-roasted peanuts. There is some suggestion that the dry roasting process, alters the peanut protein such that it will cause children who eat dry-roasted Peanuts are processed differntly (such as boiling) in other countries.
What's more, a 2007 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children are being exposed to peanuts and developing peanut allergies at an earlier age than they were a decade ago. The Duke University Medical Center team that did the study is now investigating whether eating small amounts of peanuts might help children who are prone to allergies mount an appropriate immune response.
In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advised pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to avoid eating peanuts to reduce their child's risk of developing a peanut allergy. They also recommended delaying giving peanuts to children younger than age 3who are at higher risk of food allergies — for instance, those who have an immediate relative who's allergic to peanuts. But more recent research now suggests that there is no association between a mother's intake of peanuts during pregnancy or nursing and her child's risk of developing a peanut allergy. And the evidence about the best time to introduce peanuts is mixed. A study conducting jointly in Israel and United Kingdom in 8600 children noted a nearly 10 fold increase in incidence of peanut allergy among U.K. children compared to Israeli children. It was found that Israeli children were given peanut (contained in teething biscuits) at a much younger age than those in the U.K. Certainly more research is needed to clarify the situation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)