What Every Parent Needs to Know About Biphasic Reactions

Learn why children must be monitored carefully long after the initial symptoms of a severe allergic reaction abate.

If your child or one of their playmates suffers from severe allergies, hopefully you are already acquainted with the risk of anaphylactic shock and aware of the steps that must be taken to prevent this shock from being fatal.

But what you may not realize is that the danger of anaphylactic shock is not over once the initial symptoms have passed. A second reaction or biphasic reaction may…

Practice the S.A.F.E. Protocol for Severe Allergic Reactions

Expert advice for managing and preventing severe allergic reactions

Most people don’t worry much about mild allergies like hay fever or pet allergies, because symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing aren’t particularly scary. However, what you need to realize is that anyone with a history of allergies or asthma is at an increased risk for anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a very serious allergic reaction, often involving swelling of the face or throat that can restrict breathing, swallowing, and speaking. At the same time, blood vessels can…

Marijuana: A Medicine and an Allergen

Marijuana has medical benefits but it can also cause allergic reactions

Marijuana laws in America have changed significantly in recent years. What was once stigmatized as an illegal drug has now been recognized as a legitimate medical treatment for a wide variety of conditions. With the increase in medical marijuana usage has also come somewhat of a relaxation in attitudes towards recreational marijuana use. Today, 23 states and Washington DC have laws providing for some kind of medical marijuana, and 4 states have legalized recreational marijuana.

With more…

Think You Have a Gluten Sensitivity? You’re Probably Wrong

Recent study highlights the importance of professional diagnosis for food allergies and immune conditions.

There has been a lot of gluten-bashing going on in the media in recent years. It seems everywhere you look you see an article from a celebrity nutrition “expert” warning against gluten or an ad for a new gluten-free food.

Many people are listening to all the hype and changing the way they eat. An estimated 30 percent of American shoppers now buy gluten-free products, but most of them have no…

Why Scratching an Itch Feels So Good—And Why You Shouldn’t Do It

If you have chronic itch, visit an allergist for help instead of scratching.

If you suffer from eczema, hives, or some other type of itchy skin condition, you know firsthand how good it feels to scratch an itch—and how much worse the itch seems to get as soon as you scratch. This is all part of a self-reinforcing cycle that scientists have only begun to study closely in the past few years.

What Happens in Your Brain When You Scratch an Itch

When…

5 Things to Avoid for an Itch-Free Summer

Learn about 5 common items that could cause an unpleasant reaction and how to keep them from spoiling your summer fun.

Summer is here! It’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, but beware of these 5 things that could make you itch, scratch, or sneeze all summer long.

Pollen

While most people associate hay fever with spring, when grass pollen is prevalent, and fall, when ragweed comes into season, in reality pollen problems can potentially continue all summer long. In many parts…

Tips for Skin Allergy Sufferers

Best rash-preventing tips for individuals with sensitive skin.

While some types of skin allergies are linked to food allergens, hay fever, or asthma, in the vast majority of cases the red, itchy, bumpy, inflamed skin is caused by direct contact with an allergen. This condition is called allergic contact dermatitis.

Individuals with allergic contact dermatitis often also suffer from irritant contact dermatitis, meaning reactions can be triggered by contact with many different types of irritating chemicals or substances that, strictly speaking, are not allergens.

Whether you have been diagnosed…

Three Essential Products for Successful Eczema Management

Any individual with eczema needs to have a quality cleanser, moisturizer, and itch medication on hand at all times.

Since there is no cure for eczema, those living with this condition need to focus on prevention and management in order to find relief from their symptoms. While discovering an allergic trigger for your eczema through allergy testing will work wonders towards the prevention of flare-ups, unfortunately not all eczema sufferers will enjoy this benefit. In this case proper skin care will be the single most important tool for managing eczema.

Here are the…

Tips for an Anti-Inflammation Lifestyle

Controlling inflammation can help with a whole lot more than just allergies.

A little inflammation is healthy and natural. It shows the body’s immune response has been activated to fight infection, irritation, or injury. Excessive inflammation, however, is not healthy and can actually be harmful. With allergies, this is often painfully clear:

• Sinusitis sufferers experience inflammation of the sinus tissues
• Asthma sufferers experience inflammation of the airways
• Skin allergy sufferers experience inflammation of the skin

However, there are many other types of inflammation that may be operating in your body unnoticed. These kinds of chronic…

Is the Drought Making Your Asthma Worse?

Visit the allergist in Ventura CA to reassess your asthma treatment plan.

According to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report for 2015, years of drought are hindering California’s efforts to improve our air quality. Despite our state’s strong clean air and fuel standards, which help lower levels of man-made particulates in the air, a chronic lack of moisture has allowed natural particulates such as dust and soot from wildfires to abound.

Results of the State of the Air Report

The report, which was based on data gathered from 2011 to 2013,…