Eczema patients at risk for serious viral infections have more severe disease, are more likely to be allergic to food and other allergens, and have a frequent history of staph infections, according to researchers. The findings could help identify people at risk for serious complications of smallpox vaccinations, and point to defects in the skin barrier and antimicrobial-protein production as possible causes for the increased susceptibility.
Allergies have become more common in the last few decades. It is still not fully clear why certain people develop allergies, but a strong risk factor is if the mother is allergic. Also, changes in life style are seen as playing a major role and several studies indicate that early exposure to bacteria and viruses may reduce the risk of allergies later in life.
Using a controlled diet study with human volunteers, researchers may have teased out a biological basis for the increased inflammation observed due to humans’ shift in their consumption of omega fatty acids.
New research may explain the effectiveness of common treatments for allergic inflammation and may point the way to targets for new treatments for allergic diseases.
Everyone knows that smoking can kill you, but new research suggests that it may help with your allergies. A study of mouse mast cells shows that cigarette smoke can prevent allergies by decreasing the reaction of immune cells to allergens.
There may be yet another reason to reduce childhood obesity — it may help prevent allergies. Obese children and adolescents are at increased risk of having some kind of allergy, especially to a food. according to new research.
Sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy symptoms caused by a wide variety of environmental inhalants has been effectively used in Europe. It should be employed to further treatment of allergies in the United States, where allergic symptoms are largely undertreated, according to some experts.
Asthma patients who spend as little as 30 minutes with a health-care professional to develop a personalized self-management plan show improved adherence to medications and better disease control, according to a new study.
If you’re one of the millions who dread the spring allergy season, things are looking up. Scientists have identified a previously unknown cellular switch that turns allergies and asthma both on and off.
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, essential for red blood cell health and long known to reduce the risk of spinal birth defects, may also suppress allergic reactions and lessen the severity of allergy and asthma symptoms, according to new research.
