Genetics Of Atopy In A Multiethnic European Population Reveals A Major Atopy Locus On Chromosome 3q21.3

atopy genetics

This study examined the genetic basis of sensitization to house dust mite allergy allergens. A genome scan was conducted using 603 microsatellite markers in 82 nuclear families (366 individuals) of German, British and Portuguese origin with at least two affected siblings. Sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was assessed by determining specific IgE antibody levels detected by immunochemiluminometric assay and immunosorbent assay and categorized as positive or negative relative to a predetermined cut-off point. (more…)

Respiratory Allergies Caused by Air Pollution

The geographical variation in the prevalence of asthma in children does not coincide with variations in air pollution levels. The increase in the prevalence of asthma and allergies seen over the last decades was paralleled by a decrease in emissions of SO2 and particles from coal combustion, and an increase of emissions from motor vehicle traffic. There is a growing number of studies suggesting that increased exposure to traffic exhausts, particularly diesel exhausts, may be a risk factor for the new onset of asthma. (more…)

Prevalence of Childhood Asthma and Allergies

Asthma is a complex syndrome rather than a single disease entity. Different phenotypes with varying prognosis and determinants have been described, particularly over childhood years 2 and will be discussed in detail in the following. For example, transient early wheezing is characterized by the occurrence of wheezing in infants up to the age of 2 to 3 years which disappears thereafter. The main predictor of these wheezing illnesses is premorbid reduced lung function before the manifestation of any wheeze. These decrements in pulmonary function are in part determined by passive smoke exposure in utero 4 and result in symptoms of airway obstruction when infants get infected with respiratory viruses. (more…)

Allergy Testing: Physical Examination Allergic Patients

An allergic patient’s history may point the clinician’s assessment to a specific area or organ system during allergy testing. In general, physical examination may be standard; shortage of findings isn’t going to rule out allergy.

Essential indicators are a starting point in any physical examination of allergic patients. Respiratory rate is essential as well, but hyperventilation is more a representation of minute ventilation (respiratory rate × tidal volume) than respiratory rate on it’s own. (more…)

Cow’s Milk Allergy: Immune Response to Protein in Milk

milk allergy

Cow’s milk is the most frequently encountered food allergen in infancy, and milk allergy is often the earliest indicator that a baby is atopic. Precise figures of the incidence of cow’s milk allergy are hard to find because of the difficulties in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, differences in the populations used for research studies, and disagreement about allergy symptoms (clinical criteria) for the condition. All studies agree, however, that cow’s milk allergy is most prevalent in early childhood with an incidence of 2 to 7.5 percent being reported. (more…)

The Benefit of Sports and Exercise for Childhood Asthma

exercise asthma

It is very common in asthmatic children where overprotective parents prevent a normal level of exercise to their kids. However, a controlled sport appropriate to the course of their disease is very healthy.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable bronchial obstruction and reversible, either spontaneously or with treatment, (more…)

How to Treat Baby Eczema

There are still many people that are giving consultation to others, suggest the wrong advice in the context of the treatment of baby eczema. Please take note that many of this well-intentioned advice may be more confusion rather than give help to parents. But from time to time, we need to know what you should do when treating baby eczema. (more…)

Pediatric Allergy – Children Allergic Treatment and Medication

pediatric allergy

pediatric allergy children
Treatment of allergic diseases in childhood presents unique challenges, as both the beneficial effects and the detrimental effects of intervention(s) may last for decades and even for a lifetime. Most allergic diseases are managed in a community setting by primary care physicians, rather than in a hospital setting by allergy specialists. Here, we describe outpatient treatment, which is focused on prevention and relief of morbidity from allergic diseases and on the identification of children at high risk (more…)

Take Care of Your Allergies in Summer

allergies in summer
The worst part of the holidays is that I can not play all day with my cousins and friends, “says Michael Pena, 9 years old.

Children and their parents share time together during summer. It is time to take advantage of the sport, game parks, and walks through the countryside … fun in the end. (more…)

Food Allergy Testing by Performing Allergy Skin Test and In Vitro Test

allergy skin testing
The diagnostic approach to allergic food reactions comprises three steps. The first step includes the medical allergy history, physical examination, and family allergy background. On the basis of symptoms and timing of the reaction, the physician attempts to identify the suspected food and to determine whether the reaction is likely to involve an immunologic mechanism. This first step is absolutely necessary to decide on the subsequent diagnostic tests to be performed. The second step includes allergy skin tests and in vitro assays, which can confirm a sensitization to the food. (more…)