Tag

Allergies

All articles tagged with #allergies

Cardiff boy with 20 allergies pursues US-based treatment to live more normally
health27 days ago

Cardiff boy with 20 allergies pursues US-based treatment to live more normally

A 10-year-old Cardiff boy, Yann Jennings, has 20 complex allergies and travels to California every 12 weeks for a four-year allergy-elimination programme costing about £30,000 a year; NHS options were exhausted for his case, and private UK options remain limited. The treatment has reduced airborne reactions and allowed him to engage in activities with friends, but he will miss about 18 months of school. Experts say such treatments exist privately in the UK but access is uneven, and his family has set up a charity to help others while hoping for remission by secondary school.

Spring Cold Surge Mistaken for Allergies, Experts Say
health1 month ago

Spring Cold Surge Mistaken for Allergies, Experts Say

A nationwide uptick in cold-causing rhinoviruses this spring is often mistaken for allergies. Data from the CDC and the Your Local Epidemiologist indicate a mid-May peak for colds, with numbers expected to decline into summer. Health experts note fevers point to a cold rather than allergies, advise vigilant hand-washing and staying home when sick to curb spread, and remind that allergies and colds can occur together, especially for vulnerable individuals.

Spring Illness Peaks Nationwide, Blurring Allergy and Cold Lines
health1 month ago

Spring Illness Peaks Nationwide, Blurring Allergy and Cold Lines

A nationwide mid-May peak in cold- and virus-related illnesses has people mistaking symptoms for seasonal allergies. Experts say fever tends to indicate a cold, and antihistamines don’t cure colds; it’s possible to have both allergies and a cold. To protect yourself, practice good hand hygiene, avoid spreading germs when sick, and stay home if you’re ill. While rhinovirus and enterovirus activity is easing, those viruses are still circulating and are expected to decline further as warmer weather and more time outdoors reduce indoor transmission.

Is My Pet Allergic? A Vet-Guided Guide to Pet Allergies
health1 month ago

Is My Pet Allergic? A Vet-Guided Guide to Pet Allergies

Pets can suffer seasonal or environmental allergies, typically manifesting as itchy skin and hot spots rather than human-like sneezing; diagnosis starts by ruling out infections, mites, and fleas, since many itchy pets aren’t allergic. At-home tests advertised for pets are unreliable, and a veterinary dermatologist may perform intradermal skin testing to identify culprits. Treatments range from anti-itch medication and shampoos to new targeted drugs; allergen-specific immunotherapy can desensitize the immune system but costs about £1,000 ($1,300) and may take a year, with possible side effects. Keeping a diary of symptoms, noting seasonal patterns, and considering lifestyle changes can help identify triggers. Advances in therapy may shorten the timeline in the future.

Cool spring delays pollen release, but New England allergy season stays high into summer
weather1 month ago

Cool spring delays pollen release, but New England allergy season stays high into summer

A cool May delayed the release of tree pollen across New England, but grass pollen is now surging and keeping allergy levels high. Pollen has been medium or high for 13 of the last 15 days, and May typically blends grass and tree pollen in Greater Boston. Experts warn that pollen levels will remain high through much of the summer as grass, ragweed, and mold rise, with Boston’s allergy season lengthened by more than two weeks since 1970.

Raw honey touted as a natural wellness booster in a brand-sponsored feature
health1 month ago

Raw honey touted as a natural wellness booster in a brand-sponsored feature

A sponsor-promoted piece argues that raw, local, and organic honey can offer health benefits beyond traditional uses, citing enzyme activity, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory effects, with mentions of research suggesting possible anticancer properties. It also notes that locally produced honey may help alleviate nasal allergies through regional pollens, discusses the complexities of defining “organic” honey, and warns that labels aren’t foolproof. The article highlights Elden Foods’ quality controls—testing each batch for purity, pesticides, and moisture—and promotes trying their honey products.

Canada braces for tougher allergy season as pollen levels rise
canada1 month ago

Canada braces for tougher allergy season as pollen levels rise

Canadian researchers say pollen levels across the country have doubled in recent years, driven by warmer weather and shifting seasons, worsening allergies from hay fever to hives. With cedar, maple, birch, oak and poplar pollen overlapping this spring and urban heat islands amplifying the effect, experts say the season may be more intense in 2026. People are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed on high-pollen days to manage symptoms.

Billy Bob Thornton Reveals Rare Blood Type And Diet Constraints Shape His Snack Choices
entertainment2 months ago

Billy Bob Thornton Reveals Rare Blood Type And Diet Constraints Shape His Snack Choices

Billy Bob Thornton disclosed on a Howie Mandel Does Stuff episode that he has AB-negative blood, a rare type, along with multiple allergies that force a highly restricted diet (no dairy, wheat, shellfish, or meat). He described breakfast with blueberries and gluten-free, dairy-free chips later, and shared a green-room snack of grapes dipped in Dijon mustard that has become a go-to treat. The 70-year-old actor also touched on past drastic weight changes for roles but said he no longer does extreme body transformations, all while promoting Landman with Sam Elliott.

Five Home-Tech Moves That Quieted My Spring Allergies
technology2 months ago

Five Home-Tech Moves That Quieted My Spring Allergies

A seasonal allergy sufferer credits a set of home-tech tools for dramatically reducing symptoms: air purifiers in key rooms to filter allergens and viruses, a robot vacuum to keep dust and pollen from circulating, air-quality monitors to track pollutants and adjust settings, a humidifier to ease nasal irritation while keeping humidity around 40–50%, and a saline nasal rinse for symptom relief. Regular filter changes and monitoring air quality through apps help maintain clean air and better sleep, with a reminder to consult a physician for medical guidance.

Boston allergy season arrives late but hits hard as pollen peaks
health2 months ago

Boston allergy season arrives late but hits hard as pollen peaks

Boston’s allergy season arrived late but is hitting hard, with high pollen counts from birch and oak and grasses entering May, triggering itchy, watery eyes, congestion and sleep disruption as overlapping pollen types intensify symptoms. Doctors say warmer temperatures and higher CO2 are extending growing seasons, making the season tougher even for people who don’t usually suffer. Treatments include nasal sprays, antihistamines and eye drops, with some patients needing daily meds; nonmedication steps (showering after outdoor time, changing clothes, keeping windows closed) and allergy shots can help for longer-term relief.

Nine science-backed tips to beat pollen season
health2 months ago

Nine science-backed tips to beat pollen season

A BBC guide outlines nine science-based strategies to reduce hay fever symptoms: use nasal corticosteroid or combined sprays (not pills) as first-line treatment, avoid prolonged use of nasal decongestants, if using pills choose second-generation antihistamines, start treatment weeks before pollen season and take it regularly and correctly, ensure proper nasal-eye drop technique, reduce exposure to triggers (keep windows closed, wear sunglasses or a mask, shower after outdoors), and seek medical help if symptoms persist (allergen immunotherapy may offer longer-term relief).

Birth order may influence autism and allergy risk, study finds
science2 months ago

Birth order may influence autism and allergy risk, study finds

A large preprint study of over 10 million individuals across more than five million families found firstborns are more likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD, as well as allergies, while second-borns show higher rates of substance-use disorders, shingles, and gastrointestinal issues. Smaller age gaps between siblings appear protective against allergies and asthma, possibly due to increased microbial exposure, per the hygiene hypothesis. Limitations include reliance on insurance claims data and lack of uninsured populations; results have not yet undergone peer review.