Frequent use of anticholinergic medications(including older antihistamines) may increase risk of dementia Long-term and/or high-dose use of a class of medications used for hay fever, depression and other ills has been linked in a new study to a higher risk of dementia. The drugs — called anticholinergics — include nonprescription diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and tricyclic antidepressants…
World Allergy Organization issues guidance on probiotics in pregnancy, breast-feeding, and infancy The World Allergy Organization has released conditional guidelines for the use of probiotics during pregnancy, breast-feeding and infancy to prevent allergic diseases. International clinicians and researchers gathered to develop recommendations about the use of probiotics in the prevention of allergy, and they issued…
Study finds that early introduction of peanut may help prevent allergy HOUSTON, TX – The first ever published data from the highly anticipated Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) study offers proof that early introduction of peanuts may offer protection from the development of peanut allergies. The study was led by Professor Gideon Lack at King’s…
AAAAI calls for penicillin skin testing to slow antibiotic resistance The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is calling for the more frequent use of penicillin skin testing to slow the development of antibiotic resistance, according to a press release. An allergy to penicillin, which is reported by approximately 10% of the U.S. population,…
Breast feeding does not appear to affect allergy sensitization in children The time a mother spends breast-feeding her child has no impact on the development of allergy sensitization in children at high risk for developing allergies, according to recent study results. “Our thorough analyses have shown no effect of breast-feeding on the development of sensitization….
Children with peanut allergy face greater exposure risk at home vs. school Accidental exposures to peanut allergens in children are more likely to occur at home than at schools, and most events are managed inappropriately, according to study results. “We discovered that children are most at risk of exposure in their own homes,” Sabrine Cherkaoui, MD,…
New recommendations regarding early peanut introduction into the diet of high risk infants The recent publication of the LEAP study in the New England Journal of Medicine(click here for more) has led to recent guidance on the early introduction of peanut into the diet of high risk infants. Here is the recommendation offered by a collaboration of…
Food allergy not a risk factor for propofol reactions The AAAAI recently commented on the safety of asthma inhalers in patients allergic to soy and peanuts despite some concern based on misperceptions regarding ingredients in the inhalers. A similar concern has been raised regarding possible food allergens in intravenous medications used for anesthesia. Propofol is…
Oral phenylephrine no more effective than placebo Seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) is just one of many conditions that can cause nasal congestion, and the impact on sufferers and society is substantial, including lost work productivity and impairments in sleep and quality of life. Of the four main symptoms of AR (itchiness, sneezing, runny nose, and…
Intranasal flu vaccine well tolerated in children with egg allergy and/or asthma Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) is an intranasal flu vaccine in widespread use. Since the vaccine contains egg protein, it has been contraindicated for use by children with egg allergy, and North American guidelines also recommend against its use in asthmatic children. In…