Symptoms of allergic diseases can certainly give strong hints that a person is indeed suffering from allergies. However, in most cases, various tests are required to confirm a diagnosis. Testing depends on the type of allergic disease in question.

Atopic Dermatitis

There is no laboratory test that can be used to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Instead, a physician must examine a patient and review the history of her symptoms.There are three criteria that must be present in order to diagnose atopic dermatitis:

• Allergies — The person must have allergies (at least one positive skin test) and/or a family history of allergic diseases in close relatives. There may be rare cases in which a person has atopic dermatitis without evidence of allergies.
• Itching — The patient must have itching and scratching in order for the rash to occur.If the skin or areas of the rash do not itch or have not been scratched, then the person does not have atopic dermatitis.
• Eczema — Eczema refers to the appearance of the rash in patients with atopic dermatitis; it also occurs in those with other skin diseases. The rash appears red, with small blisters or bumps. These may ooze or flake with further scratching. Over the long-term, the skin appears thickened and leathery.

In most cases, people with atopic dermatitis should have skin testing performed to aeroallergens (pollens, molds, pet dander and dust mite) as well as to common food allergens. Avoiding allergic triggers is an important step in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Food Allergies

The diagnosis of food allergies is made when typical symptoms occur after eating a specific food and a patient receives a positive result after undergoing an allergy test to the food in question. Testing for the allergic antibody is best accomplished with skin testing, although can be done with a blood test as well.The blood test, called a RAST, is not quite as good of a test as skin testing, but it can be helpful in predicting if a person has outgrown a food allergy. This is especially true since, in many cases, the skin test can still be positive in children who have actually outgrown the food allergy.

If the diagnosis of food allergy is in question despite testing, an allergist may decide to perform an oral food challenge. This involves having a person eat increasing amounts of the suspect food, over many hours, under close medical supervision. Given the potential for life-threatening allergic reactions, this procedure should only be performed by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.

Nasal Allergies

In many cases, allergic rhinitis is diagnosed when a person has convincing symptoms and physical exam findings consistent with this disease. However, in order for allergic rhinitis to be properly diagnosed, allergy testing is needed. Positive allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic rhinitis; negative allergy testing suggests non-allergic rhinitis. While allergy testing can be accomplished with skin testing or blood tests (RAST), skin testing is still the preferred method of testing.

Asthma

The diagnosis of asthma is suggested by the presence of asthma symptoms; however, spirometry is needed to make a firm diagnosis. Spirometry can easily be performed in people 5 years and older. It may show a specific pattern in a person with asthma, which can make the diagnosis more concrete. For example, someone with asthma may display a certain increase in lung function after using a bronchodilator, such as Albuterol.If the diagnosis of asthma is still in question despite performing spirometry, asthma specialists can perform additional tests to determine if a person has asthma. These include bronchoprovocation (causing a drop of lung function with the inhalation of certain chemicals, such as methacholine) and measurements of markers of inflammation in exhaled air, sputum, blood and urine.

We can’t believe we missed this video on YouTube, especially since it has about a quarter of a million views already! This is a special National Geographic did on bed bugs. It’s very informative, so enjoy!

As your teary eyes and stuffy nose might have pointed out by now, the allergy season is upon us. There are so many different ways to treat allergies and allergy symptoms, but which is right for you? The Oregonian discusses the different treatments, their benefits and drawbacks, and how you might be able to get your hands on them.
Avoidance
How it works: If the allergens don’t get to you, you don’t sneeze or get hives.
Benefits: Prevents allergies from starting. Can be low-cost.
Drawbacks: You must know what you’re allergic to in order to avoid it. And it can be hard to avoid pollen, dust mites and other widespread allergens. Items like air filters and mite-blocking mattress covers can be expensive.
How to get it: Notice when and where your allergies start and get worse, then talk to a doctor about possible causes and ways to avoid them.

Saline spray
How it works: Washes pollens and inflammatory cells from the nose.
Benefits: Cheap and easy to use.
Drawbacks: Can feel unpleasant. Doesn’t always work, especially for serious allergies.
How to get it: Available at stores for about $1.50 a bottle.

Nasal steroid spray (Flonase, etc.)
How it works: Reduces inflammation of the nose. Exactly how is not known.
Benefits: The best medicine for relieving nasal allergy symptoms including sneezing and itchy, runny noses and congestion.
Drawbacks: May cause bloody noses. Some people find the smell or feel of certain sprays unpleasant.
How to get it: A doctor must prescribe one of the many steroid sprays. Switch if you don’t like the smell or feel of one—all the brands work equally well. Price can be as much as $100 for prescription brands.

Cromolyn (NasalCrom) nasal spray
How it works: Stops allergies from happening by keeping mast cells from releasing allergy-causing chemicals. Start using a week or two before your allergy season begins.
Benefits: May prevent your allergies entirely.
Drawbacks: Works only for some people. Doesn’t help symptoms once allergies start.
How to get it: Over the counter in stores. Costs roughly $15 a bottle.

Non-sedating antihistamine pills (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.)
How it works: Blocks inflammatory chemicals called histamines.
Benefits: Helps relieve sneezing and itchiness in the nose and throat for many people, usually without causing drowsiness.
Drawbacks: Doesn’t help congestion, so some brands mix in a decongestant (like Claritin-D). Some brands, including Zyrtec, cause sleepiness in a minority of users. Don’t double the dose, which raises the risk of sedation.
How to get it: Over the counter, though Allegra and a new drug, Xyzal, are prescription. Costs run from 7 cents a pill for generics to $3.50 a pill for Xyzal.

Sedating antihistamine pills (Benadryl, diphenhydramine)
How it works: Blocks histamines.
Benefits: Helps relieve sneezing and itchiness in the nose and throat for many people.
Drawbacks: Makes most users very sleepy, with a “significant hangover effect in the morning” that can make it dangerous to drive or run machinery, Dr. Anthony Montanaro of OHSU’s Allergy and Immunology Department said. That’s why diphenhydramine is in sleeping pills.
How to get it: Over the counter. Costs run from 5 to 25 cents a pill.

Singulair, a pill.
How it works: Blocks leukotrienes, chemicals that help inflame the nose.
Benefits: Works about as well as antihistamines but in a different way, for people who don’t get help from antihistamines. Also may help asthma.
Drawbacks: The FDA is studying a possible link to depression and suicidal thoughts.
How to get it: Prescription required. Costs about $3.50 a pill.

Eye drops
How it works: Antihistamine eye drops fight inflammation and itchiness. Over the counter eye drops may just relieve itching and redness.
Benefits: Targeted relief for people with especially bad eye symptoms.
Drawbacks: Can sting slightly. Prescription drops are expensive.
How to get it: Antihistamine drops take a prescription and can cost $100 a bottle. Over-the-counter drops cost several dollars a bottle.

Allergy shots
How it works: Officially called immunotherapy; a doctor injects you with small but increasing amounts of allergen until your immune system adjusts.
Benefits: Can actually cure allergies in many cases.
Drawbacks: Shots hurt, and you have to see the doctor weekly at the start and get injections for years. There’s a risk of a serious allergic reaction to the shots.
How to get it: An allergist prescribes and gives the shots. Can cost roughly $2,000 for full treatment, but it’s covered by most insurance plans.

From the Sun-Times News Group, here’s an article that instructs you how to allergen-proof your home.

Window treatments
Replace dust-collecting drapery with metal or wood blinds, shades and shutters. Although they may become dusty, these materials are easier to clean on a regular basis than fabric treatments.

Flooring
Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace with hard-surfaced materials such as hardwood, stone or ceramic.

Use throw rugs that can be washed or dry-cleaned regularly. If carpeting must be used, choose one that is very dense and low-piled where contaminants sit on the surface and are easier to remove.

Paint
Select an eco-friendly paint. Most all of the major paint manufacturers now offer some type of low or no-VOC paint. VOCs present in paint and finishes produce low-levels of toxic emissions released into the air after application.

Natural paints are a great option, too, since they are made from natural raw materials such as clay, chalk, natural latex, beeswax and earth pigments. Sensitivity to these paints is very low.

Maintenance
Weekly, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean carpets, rugs, vents and baseboards.

Install properly sized exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove mold-causing warm, humid air. Similarly, exhaust dryer to the outside.

Incorporate a place for shoe-removal at the main family entrance so dust, bacteria and pollens are not tracked into the house.

Miscellaneous
Rather than over-stuffed upholstery, consider wood-framed pieces with removable cushions having covers that can be washed or dry-cleaned.

To reduce dust mites in the bedroom (where people spend 1/3 of their day and is a haven for dust mites), use allergen-proof covers on comforters, mattresses, box springs and pillows.

A really fun activity for asthmatic children is to attend an asthma camp. An asthma camp is exclusively for youngsters with persistent asthma. Asthma camps are set up and staffed by highly trained medical professionals to ensure the youth’s asthma is well managed during the camp. This way the kids get to have fun, and parents needn’t worry their child won’t have proper care. Be sure to find one near you!

According to new research, if an expectant mother is exposed to high levels of stress, her baby may be more likely to develop asthma or allergies later in life.

“Moms who had elevated levels of stress had children who seemed to be more reactive to allergens, even when exposed to low levels of allergens,” said study co-author Dr. Rosalind Wright, an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Babies born to mothers experiencing high levels of stress had more IgE in their blood at birth than did babies born to less-stressed moms. IgE is an antibody involved in allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Wright’s colleague, and another author of the study, Junenette Peters, said that stress may make women more susceptible to allergens because it “may make the cells more permeable” so that even low levels of exposure trigger a reaction. And, women whose immune systems are altered by stress may, in turn, pass down that trait to their infants.

According to an article published by Reuters Health recently, four- and five-year-olds living along the city’s greenest streets were less likely to have asthma than young children living in sparsely planted neighborhoods. Seems not only are these blocks more aesthetically pleasing, but they may help regulate air quality at the street level. Read more about this fascinating study here.

Here are some great, basic facts on understanding your allergies, courtesy of Lloyd’s Pharmacy in the UK:

• Hayfever affects almost 12 million people in the UK. Symptoms include frequent attacks of sneezing, itching nose, headaches, watery or bloodshot eyes, and general tiredness.
• It is caused by pollens from grasses, trees, weeds and fungi spores which are carried in the wind.
• Pollen grains allow flowers to breed by bringing together microscopic male and female seeds. Just a pinch of pollen powder contains thousands and thousands of tiny grains.
• Some pollens are more allergenic than others. Grass pollen affects 95% of hayfever sufferers and birch tree pollen affects about 20%.

Which types of pollen are you allergic to?

• If you have symptoms in June and July then it is likely to be grass pollen.
• If you have symptoms in the spring it is probably tree pollen, especially Birch and Oak.
• If you suffer in late summer it is probably weeds.
• And if you have symptoms in autumn it is probably fungal spores.
• If you suffer all year round, you may be suffering from perennial rhinitis. This is usually caused by allergies to dust, pet hairs, dust mites and moulds.
• It is common for people to suffer from both types of allergy, with symptoms increasing during the hayfever pollen season.

Here’s a great article from About.com about the best houseplants to keep around. Enjoy!

The 10 Best Houseplants for Removing Toxins from the Home

Indoor air pollution is a common problem in today’s world. Even in the cleanest homes and offices, numerous synthetic toxins can be released from paints, carpeting, furniture, and even cleaning products, and they can actually pose a great threat to you and your family’s health.

Though the options for purifying your indoor air are numerous, one of the greenest ways to rid your home or office of indoor air pollutants is by placing various houseplants every 100 sqare feet. Be sure to keep some of these living greens around to limit the benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene you’re breathing in every day.

1. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron Scandens)

Description: The heartleaf philodendron is one of the most common houseplants, and it also is the best at filtering common indoor air toxins. Also known as parlor ivy, or the sweetheart vine, the heartleaf philodendron is very tolerant of a range of conditions, making it the perfect houseplant for beginners.

Care: Keep your heartleaf philodendron in regular potting soil that is slightly moist. For best results, grow in bright, indirect sunlight, warm temperatures and low humidity.

2. Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron Domesticum)

Description: Also known as spade leaf philodendron, the philodendron domesticum is best known for its narrow, arrow-shaped leaves that can be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches long. The philodendron domesticum flowers with white and green blooms, and can climb to a considerable height with support.

Care: The elephant ear philodendron grows best in moderate temperatures and light conditions. Regular potting soil that is kept moist and allowed to dry between waterings is best.

3. Massangeana (Dracaena Fragrans)

Description: Also known as the corn plant, or variegated dragon fly, this member of the Agavaceae family grows slowly and is characterized by central yellow stripes on each broad leaf. The dracaena fragrans also bears inconspicuous fruit and flowers periodically throughout the year.

Care: Keep your dracaena fragrans in moderate to warm temperatures and out of direct sunlight. The dracaena fragrans should be planted with regular potting soil and watered often so soil is always thoroughly wet or moist.

4. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Description: English ivy, also known as Canary Island ivy, is best known for its dark veined, distinctive leaves. Though it does not flower, the climbing vines of the hedera helix can be trained to form topiaries or allowed to cascade over pots. Though this plant is very effective in ridding indoor air of toxins, it is also very susceptible to pests and survives better outdoors.

Care: The hedera helix requires fresh air and bright sunlight. It also must be kept in cool to moderate temperatures and moist potting or gardening soil.

5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Description: Native to South Africa, spider plants are very easy to propogate and are probably best known for smaller plantlets (’spider babies’) that hang from the larger rosette. Spider plants sprout long, grass-like leaves, and flower small, white buds.

Care: Spider plants fare well whether indoors or outdoors as long as they are kept in a moderately cool environment and have access to direct sunlight. The chlorophytum comosum grows best in regular potting soil that is kept evenly moist.

6. Janet Craig Dracaena (Dracaena Deremensis)

Description: The Janet Craig dracaena is an easy to maintain, slow grower of houseplants. Known for large, glossy leaves that originate from a central stem, this houseplant can grow very tall, and works well as a floor plant.

Care: Another easy to care for plant, the Janet Craig dracaena grows best in low, or diffused, light. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions, but soil should always be kept thoroughly wet or moist.

7. Warneck dracaena or ‘Warneckii’ (Dracaena Deremensis)

Description: A native of tropical Africa, the Warneckii is a tree-like houseplant that can grow up to a height of 12 feet. The Warneckii is best described as a floor plant, with broad, green (or green and white striped) leaves that form a tropical cluster atop a long, thin stem.

Care: Though tolerant of drought conditions, the Warneckii should grow in a low-light area and be watered daily. This houseplant grows best in regular potting soil that is kept moist.

8. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Description: The fig, or ficus, tree is a very popular floor tree that rids indoor air of natural toxins. Though this tree can grow up to 50 feet wide and 100 feet tall, it is very well suited for inside the home for many years.

Care: The weeping fig should be kept moist, but not overly wet. If kept too dry, leaves will yellow, but if kept too wet, leaves will drop off. The ficus benjamina grows best in normal potting soil and full sun.

9. Golden Pothos (Epipiremnum Aureum)

Description: Also known as Devil’s ivy, the golden pothos is a low-growing vine plant that is very easy to grow. With gold-marbled leaves, this native to the Solomon Islands has four varieties that all cared for in the same way. The different varieties include Pothos Gold, Pothos Marble Queen, Jade Pothos and Neon Pothos.

Care: This non-flowering houseplant is very tolerant, though it grows best in shaded, or low-lit areas of the home. Soil should be kept moist and allowed to dry between waterings.

10. Peace Lily or Mauna Loa (Spathiphyllum)

Description: The peace lily is best distinguished by its white, oval-shaped bloom that surrounds a white spadix. Dark green leaves can grow to more than 12 inches long, and overall height of this fragrant plant can range from one to four feet tall.

Care: Peace lilies grow best in bright, indirect light and moderate to warm temperatures. Regular potting soil should be kept evenly moist, but not overly wet. Allow excess water to drain from moistened soil.

Now is the peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers. You can find tips online for coping with asthma allergies, for educating friends, family and co-workers about asthma and allergies and learning more about the conditions. You can live a full, active life with asthma and allergies and HealthCentral.com is there to help you do it!

To kick off this special month, here’s a quiz about famous asthmatics.