Good news for people with a history of a penicillin allergy -- once again a penicillin skin testing extract is available on the market which help diagnose or rule out a penicillin allergy. Up to 10% of the general population reports a penicillin allergy, although only 1% actually are allergic to penicillin. Many people had a penicillin allergy many years ago, but have since outgrown it; others never had a true allergy, but experienced a non-allergic side effect from penicillin; still others experienced a non-allergic rash after taking penicillin. Pre-Pen, the brand name for the penicillin extract, is once again available after a 5 year absence due to manufacturing problems. Pre-Pen allows an allergist to help determine is a person is or isn't allergic to penicillin, and is the ONLY standardized testing agent available for diagnosing antibiotic allergy. For many infections, penicillin and related antibiotics are some of the safest, most effective, and least expensive treatment options.

Learn more:

• Basics of Penicillin Allergy
• Taking Cephalosporins When You're Penicillin Allergic
• How to Know if You're Allergic to a Medication

Think your allergies and asthma get worse once you bring that fresh pine tree indoors during the holidays? It may be more than just your imagination. People for years have suspected that along with that fresh pine scent, an indoor freshly-cut Christmas tree worsened allergy symptoms, but the reason wasn't completely clear. Possibilities included pollen, mold spores and strong odors emitted from the tree.

Think you know what's causing your Christmas Tree allergy? Have you found a way to overcome the problem? Share your story!

Think that allergies aren't a problem during cold weather? Think again. Even though the plants outside aren't exactly green, and the fact that there isn't much pollen in the air, triggers still exist to make your nose congested and runny. From airborne mold to non-allergic triggers such as cold air, there are a number of non-pollen sources of wintertime nasal symptoms. In addition, cold weather can lead to hives, which is called cold urticaria. Learn more about how cold weather can worsen your allergies.

Learn more:

• Mold Allergies in Cold Weather
• Runny Noses in Cold Weather
• Hives in Cold Weather

Now that Thanksgiving has past, most of us are thinking about the next Holiday later this month. For those celebrating Christmas, consider that many traditions may worsen your underlying allergies and asthma. From Christmas tree allergy to holiday odors and scents, the Holidays can give you more than you bargained for -- worsening allergy symptoms.

Read more:

• Christmas Tree Allergy
• Allergy to Holiday Scents
• Mold Season and the Holidays