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Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids …
Reuters By Lisa Rapaport(Reuters Health) – Women who take probiotics while they're pregnant and breastfeeding could be less likely to have children with eczema than mothers who don't, a research review suggests. Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation was … Probiotics during pregnancy tied to lower eczema risk for kids |
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The last taboo? Vaginal dryness during menopause
It’s one of the most common symptoms of menopause, but vaginal dryness is often the least talked-about. Though it can affect women of any age (with an estimated 17% of women aged 18-50 experiencing it at some stage) it is most common in peri and postmenopausal women. Reports indicate around 80% of this group will experience vaginal atrophy at some stage. Significantly, only around a third of these women seek help from their GP or other health professional for this issue, despite the fact that simple, affordable treatments do exist that could offer substantial relief from this often debilitating symptom.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness most frequently occurs due to a lack of oestrogen, usually associated with menopause, but which can also occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, stress, or even just being insufficiently aroused during foreplay and sex. Symptoms include itching, burning, pain during sex, and can sometimes be mistaken for a urinary tract infection, all of which warrant investigation by a health professional.
Simple remedies
A simple water-based lubricant like Sylk can really improve every day comfort and sex. Available on prescription but also over the counter at all chemists, Sylk is a plant–based gel that lubricates and soothes sensitive tissues. As Sylk is hormone and paraben free, it can be used by those wanting to avoid hormonal treatments, but it can also be used in conjunction with HRT and topical oestrogen. As GP and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson says, “symptoms like vaginal dryness are very common, but can be easily resolved. Simple treatments like vaginal lubricants can make all the difference.”
Let’s talk
Symptoms of vaginal dryness can have a real impact on all aspects of a woman’s life. Clothes may feel uncomfortable, basic exercise can be difficult and sex can be painful, all of which can have a massive effect on a woman’s self-confidence and relationships.
Sylk recently hosted Sylk Talks Menopause, an event in central London with Meg Mathews, menopause campaigner, and Dr Louise Newson. Guests were invited to share their experiences with the panel, which also included comedy duo Scummy Mummies, and their stories all shared a common theme; a fear or reluctance to talk about their symptoms because they were embarrassed or felt they wouldn’t be taken seriously. As a result, many of the women who shared their stories were quite simply at their wits end, feeling isolated and alone.
Smashing the taboo
Throughout the evening, despite the obvious pain many of these women were experiencing, there was lots of hope. Guests left feeling empowered, and more able to talk about their experiences, and the media has been full of menopause and women speaking out in recent months. Are we seeing a movement towards a more open, more accepting conversation? Perhaps vaginal dryness can finally have its moment; not as something to be laughed at or feel embarrassed about, but as a genuine condition that women don’t have to ‘just put up with’ anymore.
Content supplied by SYLK
The post The last taboo? Vaginal dryness during menopause appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
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How to Soothe Eczema During Pregnancy
Another great post from itchylittleworld.com – Natural remedies for eczema to soothe your itchy little world..
By Laura Dolgy (bio below)
You probably already know that pregnancy can affect a woman’s body in many ways, but did you know that many experience eczema during pregnancy? With an influx of hormones and body changes, it’s not very surprising that eczema can creep up. Although there is some information about pregnancy-induced eczema (also known as atopic eruption in pregnancy, prurigo of pregnancy, pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy and papular dermatoses of pregnancy) we have some tricks up our sleeves for dealing with eczema during pregnancy.
Please keep in mind that although these treatments can relieve eczema, we are in no way medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe eczema symptoms like fever or an infection, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
Is Eczema During Pregnancy Common?
Although pregnancy can cause eczema, fluctuations in hormones can also cause a variety of different skin issues, such as:
- Acne
- Skin pigmentation changes
- Dark spots
- Rashes
- Skin sensitivity and more
Surprisingly enough, it seems that pregnancy-induced eczema is possibly the most common skin condition that occurs during pregnancy [1]. This type of eczema can also begin during pregnancy without ever experiencing the skin condition before. Although annoying and uncomfortable, this condition does not harm the baby and usually improves after the baby is born.
What Symptoms Can You Expect with Eczema In Pregnancy?
There are two forms of atopic eruption:
- Eczematous (E-type AEP): This type of eczema is characterized by rough and red patches that usually appear on the face, neck, creases of elbows and on the back of knees
- Prurigo (P-type AEP): This type of pregnancy eczema appears in several bumps that are widespread on the abdomen, arms and legs [1].
What Treatments Help with Pregnancy Eczema?
Moisturize
If you are suffering from eczema during pregnancy, then the first thing you might want to try is keeping your skin moisturized during your flare-up. This gives skin the opportunity to properly heal by providing moisture to your already dry, sensitive skin. And with a bun in the oven, you want to stick to the most natural of ingredients of course!
Organic Manuka Honey Skin Soothing Cream
This soothing skin cream is the perfect nourishing natural treatment for pregnant women experiencing eczema. Not only is it gentle, but it contains simple ingredients such as Manuka honey, Manuka oil and Beeswax that keep skin smooth and moisturized. Plus it’s anti-bacterial too, so it’s great for soothing cracked, open skin.
Grass Fed Tallow Balm
If you’ve never tried grass fed tallow in skin care, then you are definitely missing out. Tallow Balm is extremely nourishing and moisturizing. It also promotes healing and heals scarring on sensitive, allergy prone or eczema skin. Comes in two varieties: Unscented (for very sensitive skin) and Tea Tree & Lavender (added antibacterial properties and a lovely scent).
Organic Calendula Salve
Calendula is full of vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, plant compounds and natural enzymes. It contains a selection of natural ingredients such as Calendula flowers, Beeswax, Olive oil and more. Organic Calendula Salve works wonders on dry, cracked or sensitive skin and can also be used on your newborn.
Eczema Clothing
In addition to moisturizing and natural eczema treatments, opting for eczema clothing (in order to not to scratch or infect your eczema) is also a popular choice for those suffering from itchy eczema.
Bamboo Gloves for Adults
If you happen to be suffering from hand eczema or cannot stop scratching the eczema elsewhere on your body, then you’ll want to check out these Bamboo Gloves for Adults. These gloves are made with biodegradable bamboo and have a nice cooling effect. Plus – they won’t stretch out overtime like ordinary cotton gloves. Wear them overnight with cream underneath for relief in the morning.
Body Bands for Adults
If you’re experiencing targeted eczema either on your elbows, knees, arms or legs, then make sure to check out these WrapESoothe Body Bands for Adults. They work well at keeping skin protected and covered from infection.
Many eczema sufferers also have had success using these bands for wet or dry therapy. To discover more about wet therapy and how it can help relieve your itchy, dry eczema quickly, check out our blog post: Our Eczema Trials: Wet Wrap Therapy. Alternatively, if you’re interested in trying dry wrapping, make sure to take a look at our blog post: Our Eczema Trials: Dry Wrapping.
Phototherapy
Many eczema sufferers who cannot get relief turn to light therapy, also known as phototherapy. In fact, this is the form of treatment recommended to pregnant women by Dr. Peter Lio. The most common type of phototherapy used to treat eczema is narrowband ultraviolet light. Essentially this light acts as natural sunlight that has displayed eczema healing abilities.
This process is generally safe for pregnant women, but sunscreen can be applied to the face to avoid melasma (a condition common in pregnant women that causes brown spots) [3].
Before choosing this treatment, it’s always best to talk to a doctor to decide whether this is the best course of action for treating your eczema.
Manage your Stress
To really help your eczema, it’s important to keep stress to a minimum. In fact studies show that a mother’s stress can harm the fetus’ brain development as early as 17 weeks [2]. It’s also important to remember that stress can increase your chances for an eczema flare-up.
To help reduce your eczema, try adopting a new hobby or start looking into yoga or meditation. Another great idea is getting a pre-natal massage! Just make sure that your therapist checks the massage oil to make sure there are no irritants that can exacerbate your eczema.
Eating Well
If the above is not working for your eczema, then you may want to take a look at what you’re eating instead. If you are not eating well or consuming foods that are actually exacerbating your eczema, then you might want to think about changing your diet, but only do so under a physician’s supervision.
For some great ideas on adopting a new diet to heal your pregnancy eczema, make sure to check out these blog posts:
The Eczema Diet and Your Salicylate Sensitivity
How Eating A Plant Based Diet For Eczema Encourages Healing
How Eczema Helped My Family Move To A Clean Healthy Diet
If you believe certain foods are actually exacerbating your eczema, you’ll want to check out our blog post: Our Eczema Elimination Diet Success (How You Can Do It Too!). Many eczema sufferers have been able to clear their eczema through their diet alone and eliminating foods that trigger their eczema. Just make sure to do any dietary changes along with a physician to be sure you’re not causing harm to your body or your growing baby’s development.
We know that pregnancy cravings can make dietary changes difficult, but healing your eczema from within can be the one step to healing your eczema for good.
Remember though, it’s ESSENTIAL to check with your doctor (especially during pregnancy) whether any dietary changes are appropriate for you and your baby.
Are you pregnant and suffering from eczema? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.
Resources
- Atopic eruption of pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22702506
- Mother’s stress harms foetus, research shows. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/may/31/childrensservices.medicineandhealth
- Treatment with light therapy. https://www.psoriasis.org/pregnancy/treatments/light-therapy
How to Soothe Eczema During Pregnancy appeared first on itchylittleworld.com. Come read more about natural remedies for eczema!
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Take A Trip To Isfahan’s Atashgah During When You Visit Iran
Isfahan Atashgah is located a few kilometers away from the main city center. It is a Zoroastrain fire temple based on top of a hill and dates back to Sassanid period. This archaeological complex can be reached after climbing a height of about 200 meters toward the hilltop. The hill has been named after the nearby village and is called Marabin or Maras.
The complex has a few structures. There used to be a citadel consisting of twenty buildings on the southern part of the complex. Most of these buildings are in ruins now. They have a typical floor plan which has a four-arch style. This was usually found in most of the Zoroastrian fire temples built after the 3rd century. They always had the sacred fire burning inside them.
Important Structures
Your trip to Isfahan will be made more interesting if you don’t visit Isfahan Atashgah. Among the many buildings you will find here are storage rooms. There were also rooms for the pilgrims and priests to stay.
Besides the citadel, there is also a tower-like circular building. It is believed to have been more than 20 meters high but is now in ruins. Called the Burj-e-Gurban or Burj-e-Kurban or Tower of Sacrifice, it may have served the purpose of a watch tower. A fire was lit at the top of the tower to alert the people about an impending attack by the enemy.
Purpose of the Structure
The strategic location of this structure reminds one of the similar religious-military buildings used for both reasons. In addition to be a Zoroastrian fire temple, guards could have watched what was going on in the neighboring areas and who was approaching the city.
Similar Plan
You will learn about the Elamite tradition of Isfahan Atashgah complex during your trip to Isfahan. The architecture is quite similar to a structure in Qom called Chahak fire temple. This temple has been built with a cylindrical structure on top of it. You can notice this circular plan in the complex in Isfahan when you visit Iran.
Destination Iran provides Iran tourism services for all travelers. Ask for such Iran travel packages or have one customized at http://www.destinationiran.com.
High Levels Of Hormones During Pregnancy Associated With Higher Risk For HR-Negative Breast Cancer
AppId is over the quota AppId is over the quota Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;??Eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 20 Oct 2012 – 0:00 PST
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High Levels Of Hormones During Pregnancy Associated With Higher Risk For HR-Negative Breast Cancer 
Increased concentrations of the pregnancy hormones estradiol and progesterone were associated with an increased risk for hormone receptor-negative breast cancer diagnosed before age 50, according to the results of a nested case-control study presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.
Annekatrin Lukanova, M.D., Ph.D., http://www.eczemablog.net/associate professor at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany, and colleagues examined the effects of hormonal exposure during early pregnancy and its possible association with risk for maternal breast cancer.
“Pregnancy influences maternal risk for breast cancer, but the association is complex and the biological mechanisms underlying the associations are unknown,” Lukanova said. “Understanding the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of childbearing on cancer risk can form the basis for primary prevention of breast cancer.”
Lukanova and colleagues used the Northern Sweden Maternity cohort to conduct a nested case-control study of 417 controls and 223 women who had donated blood samples during their first trimester of pregnancy and were later diagnosed with breast cancer. About three quarters of the breast cancer cases were hormone receptor (HR)-positive.
The researchers examined two groups of hormones: The first group included estradiol, estrone and progesterone, the concentrations of which increase substantially with pregnancy progression. The second group included testosterone and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1). During early pregnancy, concentrations of testosterone and IGF-1 are largely similar to prepregnancy concentrations.
“We found that circulating concentrations of IGF-1 and testosterone are directly associated with risk for HR-positive breast cancer, in line with studies in nonpregnant women,” Lukanova said.
Results indicated a heightened risk for HR-negative breast cancer diagnosed before 50 years of age with increased levels of estradiol and progesterone.
Lukanova noted that this study was small, that the hormones were measured during the first trimester of pregnancy only, and that further and larger studies will be necessary to characterize the association of pregnancy hormones with risk for hormone-defined maternal breast cancer.
Abstract:
B75 Pregnancy hormones and maternal risk of hormone receptor-defined breast cancer. Annekatrin Lukanova1, Egle Tolockiene2, Helena Schock1, Kjell Grankvist2, Hans Ake Lakso2, Helja Marja Surcel3, Goran Wadell2, Anne Zelenuich-Jacquotte4, Paolo Toniolo4, Eva Lundin2. 1German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, 2University of Umea, Umea, Sweden, 3National Institute for Health and Welfare, Oulu, Finland, 4New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
Introduction: Hormonal exposure during pregnancy is believed to be associated with subsequent maternal risk of breast cancer, but so far limited epidemiological data are available.
Study design: A case-control study (223 cases and 417 controls) was nested within the Northern Sweden Maternity Cohort to explore the associations between pregnancy concentrations of sex steroid hormones and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) with maternal risk of breast cancer by hormone receptor (HR) expression of the tumors. The study included women who had donated a blood sample during the first trimester of their first full-term pregnancy. Most cases had HR-positive disease: 171 (77%) estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), 157 (70%) progesterone receptor-positive (PR+) and 152 (68%) ER+/PR+ tumors. Estradiol, estrone, progesterone and testosterone were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were measured by immunoassays. For each hormone, the difference (residual) between the actual assay value for each subject and the estimated mean determined for the day of gestation when the sample was drawn was computed by local linear regression. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: For HR-positive tumors, a significant direct association was observed with circulating concentrations of testosterone (e.g. OR for ER+ in the top versus bottom tertile of 1.8 (1.1-3.0), p<0.02) and IGF-I (e.g. OR for ER+ in the top versus bottom tertile of 2.0 (1.2-3.3), p<0.01). For HR-negative disease, risk estimates for a doubling of estrogens, progesterone and SHBG concentrations were above unity, but did not reach statistical significance with the exception of progesterone for PR-negative tumors (OR 2.0 (1.0-3.9), p<0.04). In analyses limited to ER-negative tumors diagnosed up to age 50 (n=38), these associations were stronger, but only of borderline significance. For PR-negative tumors diagnosed up to age 50 (n=49), the associations were significant for estradiol (OR 1.8 (1.0-3.1), p<0.04), progesterone (OR 2.6 (1.1-6.1), p<0.03) and SHBG (OR 1.8 (1.0-3.0), p<0.04). Adjustments for maternal height, weight, smoking, hypertension during pregnancy, child's sex, weight and length had negligible effect on risk estimates. Associations were similar by combined ER/PR tumor status or when limited to cases diagnosed ?10 years after blood donation.
Conclusions: In this nested case-control study hormone concentrations during early pregnancy were associated with risk of maternal breast cancer but the associations differed by hormone receptor expression of the tumors. For hormones with placental contribution to circulating concentrations (estrogens and progesterone), there were indications for positive associations with risk of maternal HR-negative breast cancer. For hormones, with similar concentrations during early pregnancy and in the non-pregnant state (testosterone and IGF-I), direct associations with HR-positive breast cancer were observed, in line with most available epidemiological data in non-pregnant women. Larger studies are necessary to characterize the association of pregnancy hormones with risk of hormone-defined maternal breast cancer.
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Eczema Blog
Tips to Reduce the Eczema Itch During Summer.
I used to love summer. That was before I had a child with eczema. Suddenly I came to dread the summer months, as instead of improving Miss T’s skin (as everyone was sure it would) it became much worse in the warm weather and she would be constantly covered in eczema and hives.
Miss T dressed for the sun.
The heat can make our children incredibly itchy and it’s often a real challenge to keep them cool. Although for many eczema sufferers sunshine improves their skin, for some the sun means big flare ups and itchy nights with little to no sleep at all. Children with eczema tend to be warmer than the average child. It’s as if their body’s thermostat is set slightly higher than normal and so keeping them cool is really important in trying to break the itch-scratch cycle.
We often get asked by parents how to keep their children cool in the summer months. Here are some of our suggestions, along with some innovative ideas that parents have suggested to us.
Clothing
When the sun came out Miss T was desperate to run around with the other children outside. Bare legs were an absolute no-no as it would be only minutes before she had scratched them until they bled. Very lightweight pure cotton leggings and long sleeved tees really helped and meant that she could still wear pretty dresses and skirts over the top. Out of desperation for something pretty for her to wear, we also designed these lightweight ninja trousers.
Ninja trousers to stop itchy legs
The buttons on the cuffs were to try to limit her legs exposure to grass pollen and also to stop her being able to pull them up and scratch behind her knees!
Cooling Creams
We’ve always kept our emollients in the fridge during the summer months as applying a chilled cream can really help to soothe the maddening itch. One mum actually applies cream to the inside of her little ones pyjamas and then puts them in the fridge (inside a sealed bag) to help cool him down at bedtime.
Wet Wrap Therapy
Using Wet Wrap Therapy is a fantastic (and far easier) way to keep an itchy child cool at night and also a great way to add moisture back into their skin. First bathe the child to soak their skin and then pat dry and apply a heavy layer of cream or balm. Next dress your child with a damp layer of bandages or wet wrap suit and then add a light, dry layer of clothes over the top. As the water evaporates it has a cooling effect which can really help to relieve the itching.
Wet wrap suit to add moisture back into the skin
Pollen
With the warmer weather comes the added irritant of increased pollen levels. Try not to let your child play in freshly mown grass and keep their skin covered in a light material at all times. Pure cotton or bamboo fabrics allow the skin to breathe and are much less irritating than man-made fabrics. If pollen is a known trigger for your child then it’s worth considering drying washing inside, away from airborne pollen that can attach itself to clothes. Unfortunately dust mites also thrive in warm weather so washing bedding and sofa covers more frequently can really help too.
Paddling Pools
Splashing around in a paddling pool is a rite of passage for most children. However it can be far more challenging when your child has eczema. We would apply moisturizer an hour before we went out, followed at least half an hour later by sun tan lotion. As soon as we got home we would have to bath Miss T and reapply all of her creams. We found that Green People’s Organic Children’s sun tan cream is the only one that didn’t irritate her skin, but a lot of parents also swear by Sunsense Ultra.
A few years down the line and we are coping far better in the hot weather, although we still get flare ups, and a high pollen count is also a trigger for frenzied itching. Probably one of my most memorable summer days was the first time Miss T went out with bare arms and legs – such a simple thing for most children – but a turning point in her eczema and so a very special day for us.
For more tips on helping with eczema take a look at our Top Ten Tips.
What to expect during a prostate exam
It’s common that men avoid getting their prostate checked as they’re too embarrassed to go. At BMI Healthcare, we want to encourage men to go and get checked and to ensure you are clear on what the prostate exam procedure consists of so we thought we’d set the record straight about what happens during a prostate exam. Knowing each stage of the procedure will hopefully help put your mind at ease and prepare you mentally before your exam.
Why should I get my prostate checked?
The main purpose of a prostate exam is to check for prostate disease or prostate cancer. If you’re over 50 or you’ve noticed any unusual symptoms, we encourage you to book an appointment to be examined.
Who carries out my prostate exam?
The rectal examination can be carried out by medical professionals including, your GP, a nurse or a specialist consultant. Most procedures are carried out at GP surgeries.
Your examiner will completely empathise that this is embarrassing for some people. If you’d rather a GP/doctor/nurse to be the same-sex, please feel free to ask as they’d be more than happy to work around your requirements. You can also bring a relative or a friend with you for moral support.
The procedure
Before your procedure you’ll be asked to remove your lower pieces of clothing and then lie on your side with your knees up to your chest on the bed . We understand it’s an unnatural and awkward situation, but try to relax. The examiner will use plenty of lubricant to try and ease the discomfort.
Your examiner will wear a glove and will examine into your lower rectum. If you feel a little discomfort, don’t worry, that’s completely normal.
Your examiner will then start checking for any abnormalities. These can include:
- Lumps
- Warts
- Rashes
- Haemorrhoids or piles (swollen blood vessels around the anus)
- Any other abnormalities
During your exam you may me feel some pressing against your prostate gland. A healthy prostate gland should be smooth, so your examiner will check for any hard areas or lumps. The pressing shouldn’t hurt, but you may have an urge to urinate. If you do feel any pain or you can’t continue with the discomfort, feel free to say and your examiner will stop.
The whole prostate exam should only take a few moments, but can vary depending on whether your examiner finds any abnormalities.
After your prostate exam
After inspecting, the examiner will them remove their finger carefully and will clean any remaining gel. Bleeding is uncommon unless you have haemorrhoids. You can then take your time and get dressed in privacy.
When you’re ready your examiner will discuss your results and explain further steps if they’ve found anything unusual.
Symptoms
If you’ve noticed you have the following symptoms, please book an appointment to be examined . Our consultants, GPs and nurses at BMI Healthcare are all very experienced and will make you feel as comfortable as possible.
- Needing to urinate more often than usual
- Needing to urinate more at night
- Straining or having difficulties in starting or finishing urinating
- Still feeling like you need to urinate again after you’ve recently been
- Weak flow when you urinate
Remember, not all men have these symptoms, so if you feel you may be at risk, you have a family history or you’re worried, you can still be seen for an examination.
To find out more about prostate cancer, click here, or you can make an online enquiry and a member of the BMI Healthcare team will be in touch.
You can also read BMI Healthcare’s consultant Q&A on prostate cancer where three of their specialist urologists answer common questions and discuss the symptoms and treatment available or find out more on their infographics .
[1] http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Rectal-examination/Pages/How-it-is-performed.aspx
[2] http://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer#signs-and-symptoms Infographic – http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate-cancer
AllergyEasy Announces Sublingual Drops During Q4 In Time To Help With Thanksgiving Food Allergies
Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) November 26, 2014
Thanksgiving is a treasured holiday for many foodies, but for those who suffer from food allergies, navigating the big meal can feel like crossing a minefield. One bite of the wrong thing can send a simple dinner into a tailspin. For the severely allergic, exposure to problematic foods can lead to a full-blown anaphylactic reaction. Other symptoms of food allergies can include eczema, hives, hay fever and gastrointestinal distress (gas, bloating, diarrhea, etc.) For those with Oral Allergy Syndrome, an allergy to certain fruits and vegetables, symptoms can include itching, tingling, and swelling of the mouth and throat.
Until recently, the only solution for food allergies was to simply avoid reaction-causing foods, but studies have shown that a treatment called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can help people safely tolerate many foods that were previously taboo.
SLIT starts with an allergy serum containing extracts of various food proteins. The serum is taken as under-the-tongue (sublingual) drops that absorb into the bloodstream through special cells in the mouth. Over time, the concentration of the serum is increased, teaching the immune system to gradually tolerate foods that once caused reactions. (A good analogy would be gradually increasing the size of your barbells until you can lift a weight that you couldn’t heft before.)
Stuart Agren, M.D. is the director of AllergyEasy which distributes sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops to physicians around the country. He has been prescribing the drops to his own patients since the mid-1980s for pollen allergies. Several years ago, guided by the use of SLIT for food allergies at several leading university health centers (including Duke: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3052379/), he began prescribing the serum for dozens of food allergies including eggs, milk, wheat, rice, fruits, vegetables, and some tree nuts.
Dr. Agren said that SLIT can be a life-altering therapy for people with food allergies.
“I get a lot of patients in-particularly kids-whose lives are ruled by multiple food allergies,” said Dr. Agren. “They are often underweight and suffer from persistent gut discomfort. Many have had repeated visits to the E.R. for close calls with anaphylaxis. SLIT helps turn eating back into a normal, pleasurable experience.”
The sublingual drops are safe enough to be taken at home, so they are easy stick with and don’t require a lot of time in driving back and forth to the doctor’s office.
Food allergies in America are rising rapidly. In the case of kids, food allergies have increased 50 percent since 1997 according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They now affect one in 13 kids-roughly two kids per school classroom.
Food allergies are especially frustrating at this time of year when school and work parties, family meals, and food-related gifts are pervasive. For more information on allergy drops, visit myallergyeasy.com.
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AllergyEasy
2033 E Warner Road, Suite 102
Tempe, AZ 85284
CONTACTS:
Phone: 480-827-0038, ext. 1 (Melissa)