Pollen News and Research

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Alternaria fungus produces more spores with increase in CO2 levels and makes life miserable for allergy, asthma sufferers

A new study of the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and plant growth suggests for the first time that not only do plants grow bigger and produce more pollen when exposed to higher levels of the greenhouse gas, CO2, but the common, allergen-producing fungus Alternaria alternate produces three times more spores when feeding on those enriched plants. The spores disperse on the wind, making allergies and asthma symptoms worse.

19 May 2010

Vidazorb Belly Boost probiotic supplement relieves children from eczema

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and, though many parents deal with their kids' allergies year-round, it's a time for education on the subject. One allergic reaction to food, fabric, grass, pollen, environmental factors, etc. is eczema, which recent statistics show develops in one out of ten children before the age of five.

18 May 2010

Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research receives "Grand Challenges Explorations" grant

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) has received a grant through the current round of the funding programme "Grand Challenges Explorations" of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The programme is supporting a global health project for development of nanoparticles that release the vaccine active ingredients through the skin upon contact with perspiration.

18 May 2010

High fat diet linked to exacerbation of asthma

In a new study researchers have found a connection between exacerbation of bronchial asthma and high calorie burgers and fries. Diet and lifestyle have been linked to asthma for some time now but this is the first real evidence. With the advent of unhealthy diets the incidence and prevalence of asthma is on the rise. In 2007, about 34.1 million Americans had asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. From 1980 through 1994, the prevalence of asthma increased by 75 percent.

17 May 2010

Merck hosts R&D and Business Briefing

Merck & Co., Inc. today hosted its first R&D and Business Briefing since the completion of the Merck and Schering-Plough merger. The event included a comprehensive review of the company's late-stage pipeline, as well as the company's commercial strategy and progress made in the integration of Merck's worldwide operations.

12 May 2010

Medication-free home ventilation system designed to remove allergens

According to a recent report by USA Today, due to 2010's unusually cold winter temperatures, allergy sufferers are now poised to experience the worst pollen season in years, with pollen counts skyrocketing and sufferers hiding indoors to avoid exposure. Yet as allergens creep indoors, sufferers continue to cough, sneeze and seek relief. With the introduction of EZ Breathe, a new innovative home ventilation system designed to remove allergens and reduce indoor concentrations of pollen, allergy sufferers now have a medication-free solution.

27 Apr 2010

Spring fever not an official medical condition

In the season of ducklings, blooming dogwoods and open-toed sandals, some people are struck with a mysterious malady - spring fever.

24 Apr 2010

Stallergenes' US phase III clinical trial of Oralair achieves primary endpoint

Stallergenes S.A. today announced the first results of a phase III clinical trial (VO61.08) conducted in the USA on its sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy tablet, Oralair(R).

19 Apr 2010

MEDIHONEY dressings serve as low-cost method for treating wounds in indigent patients

Using a particular brand of medical honey dressing may be a safe, effective and low-cost method of treating chronic, non-healing wounds in indigent patients, according to a poster presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and the Wound Healing Society, an international conference drawing clinicians from all over the globe, which was held April 17-20 in Orlando.

17 Apr 2010

MinuteClinic helps patients take control of allergies with treatment services seven days a week

As trees blossom and shed their pollen and grasses and weeds germinate in yards and fields across America, allergy sufferers are retreating indoors with seemingly no relief in sight. MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinic inside select CVS/pharmacy stores, can help patients breathe easier and take control of their allergies this spring with treatment services available seven days a week, including weekday evening hours.

16 Apr 2010

Spring is busting out all over - and so are eye allergies

Ah, spring. The time of year when trees and flowers bloom sending pollen into the air and causing sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes. The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America estimates that 1 in 5 individuals are affected by eye allergies.

15 Apr 2010

Spring storms present a worse scenario for asthma and allergy patients

While spring storms get comprehensive coverage during weather casts, a close look at local allergy indexes make the thunder and lightning seem downright puny.

13 Apr 2010

Tips to tide over the spring allergy season

Record snow, heavy early spring rains, followed by a rapid warm up have created the perfect storm for allergy season. But allergists from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology can offer ways to help people find relief.

12 Apr 2010

Persisting red, itchy, watery eyes in children may be signs of serious conditions

When a child develops red, watery eyes, it could be just allergies - or it may be the sign of a more serious eye condition, according to a leading pediatric ophthalmologist.

12 Apr 2010

Pollen overload in some parts of US, situation grim for asthmatics

Unusual cold seasons across US has lead to an all time high in pollen this season. Southeast is one of the worst affected with a yellow mist of pollen hanging around constantly. Normally a pollen count of 120 is considered high. This year it has risen up to 5,733 in Atlanta last week. This is the second-highest level on record, according to The Weather Channel. (The city's record - 6,013 on April 12, 1999.)

12 Apr 2010

Allergy flare-ups due to indoor allergens

Spring is here and allergy flare-ups are often attributed to the allergens outside your front door. However, did you know that the same allergens are found on surfaces inside 75 million homes across America? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the most common indoor allergens include dust mites, mold and household pets.

8 Apr 2010

New strategies to help allergy sufferers survive the winds of spring, summer

Every spring and summer, millions of Americans dread the trip to the park, the playground, or participating in any of the myriad activities that trigger outdoor allergy symptoms.

8 Apr 2010

Many health care professionals not aware of health problems associated with mouth breathing

For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing."

7 Apr 2010

U.S. Marshals seizes unapproved drug products

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals on March 31 seized a range of consumer products, including creams, capsules, tablets, gum, throat spray, and shampoos from a Haywood, Wis., manufacturer.

6 Apr 2010

Common remedies can make ocular symptoms worse: MOA

The Minnesota Optometric Association offers advice for the thousands around the state who suffer from the itchy, watery eye symptoms associated with seasonal Spring allergens. The culprits exist indoors and out: pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander.

1 Apr 2010