Allergen News and Research

RSS

Parents need to protect children from allergen exposure, says Hope Paige CEO

A report released earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls allergy rates among U.S. children an "epidemic."

18 May 2013

ALK, AAFA partner to create unique online resource for people living with allergies

In the latest effort to educate and enable the allergic patient to take control of their disease, ALK, a leading company focusing on allergy treatment, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have partnered to create a unique online resource for patients.

15 May 2013

A growing number of patients learn of allergies only after surgery is done

Imagine what Paula Spurlock must have been going through. Shortly after having a hip replaced in 2011, the trouble started. "I had horrible itching, really bad migraines and intense pain throughout my body," she said. "I couldn't take it. Every single thing in me itched."

15 May 2013

COPD patients with allergic phenotype have increased risk of lower respiratory symptoms, exacerbations

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who also have allergic disease have higher levels of respiratory symptoms and are at higher risk for COPD exacerbations, according to a new study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

10 May 2013

FDA accepts Merck's BLA for investigational ragweed pollen sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the Biologics License Application for its investigational ragweed pollen (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

9 May 2013

Study investigates use of sublingual immunotherapy against ragweed allergy

An international team of researchers, led by physician-scientists at Johns Hopkins, reports that a once-daily tablet containing a high dose of a key ragweed pollen protein effectively blocks the runny noses, sneezes, nasal congestion and itchy eyes experienced by ragweed allergy sufferers.

8 May 2013

Oral drops provide a safe and effective alternative for allergy sufferers

Allergy shots are commonly used to treat children with severe environmental allergies and asthma, but under-the-tongue drops may offer yet another beneficial - and stick-free - option for pediatric allergy sufferers, according to a Johns Hopkins Children's Center review of existing scientific evidence.

6 May 2013

Atopy’s immunologic properties change with age in asthma

The strength of interaction between atopy and elevated eosinophil levels in asthma decreases with age, a study finds.

30 Apr 2013

UAB expert offers simple strategies to tackle summer allergy season

Sneezing, wheezing and coughing are just some of the symptoms that seasonal allergies can stir up. One sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham said despite a late spring, the summer allergy season will be strong.

29 Apr 2013

ACOEM re-issues environmental checklist to improve quality of indoor environment

To commemorate the annual observance of Earth Day on April 22, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has re-issued its checklist of Ten Environmental Hazards You Can Live Without.

22 Apr 2013

Scientists working on pollen count map to warn hay fever sufferers

In future there could be precise, personal travel warnings for hay fever sufferers covering the whole of Europe. The pollen warning service of the MedUni Vienna is working on a pollen count map in order to be better able to warn hay fever sufferers.

18 Apr 2013

MyAllergyTest kit allows allergy sufferers to test themselves against 10 key allergens

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, more than 60 million Americans suffer from allergies. However, most people don't get tested for allergies, so they often do not know for certain what causes their allergies.

6 Apr 2013

Study: Two-thirds of asthmatics also have allergy

Asthma is becoming an epidemic in the United States. The number of Americans diagnosed with asthma grows annually, with 26 million currently affected. And according to a new study, nearly two-thirds or more of all asthmatics also have an allergy, which can make this spring season particularly bothersome.

2 Apr 2013

FDA accepts Merck's BLA for investigational Timothy grass pollen AIT

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the Biologics License Application for its investigational Timothy grass pollen (Phleum pratense) allergy immunotherapy tablet has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

28 Mar 2013

Review article shows sublingual immunotherapy may be useful for allergic rhinitis, asthma

In an examination of a type of treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma that is used in Europe but not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, researchers found moderate strength in the evidence from previous studies to support the use of sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of these conditions, according to an article in the March 27 issue of JAMA.

27 Mar 2013

Oral drops are good for treating symptoms of allergies, allergic asthma in some people: Review

A scientific review of 63 published studies affirms that putting small amounts of purified grasses, ragweed, dust mites, pollen and mold, in liquid drops under the tongue is a safe and effective alternative to weekly injections of those allergens or the use of other medications, in treating symptoms of allergies and allergic asthma in some people.

27 Mar 2013

Scientists to engineer anti-allergy genetically modified apples

Scientists are trying to engineer apples so that the most widely consumed fruit in Europe no longer triggers allergic reactions.

20 Mar 2013

Exposure to BPA may increase risk of asthma in young children

Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health are the first to report an association between early childhood exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and an elevated risk for asthma in young children. BPA is a component of some plastics and is found in food can liners and store receipts.

1 Mar 2013

Excess of vitamin D during pregnancy can increase risk of food allergy in children

Pregnant women should avoid taking vitamin D supplements. Substitution appears to raise the risk of children developing a food allergy after birth.

28 Feb 2013

Researchers to present new results for Merck's allergy immunotherapy tablets at AAAAI meeting

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that researchers will present new data analyses of the safety and efficacy of the company's investigational allergy immunotherapy tablets (AITs) for ragweed pollen (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and grass pollen (Phleum pratense) at the 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting.

25 Feb 2013