Articles Index

Sunscreen Allergy

Over the past 20 years, the dangers of sun exposure have been recognized, from sun-damaged skin to skin cancer. As a result, the use of sunscreens has become a routine part of our daily lives. This has led to various allergic reactions to the chemicals found in sunscreens. Learn more about which sunscreens cause allergic reactions, and the types that can safely be used in people sensitive to sunscreens.

Scuba Diving with Asthma

Learn the risks of scuba diving if you have asthma, and what should be done to decrease these risks.

Nasal Saline Irrigation

Nasal saline irrigation has been shown to be a beneficial therapy in the treatment and prevention of sinus infections and allergic rhinitis. This all-natural therapy involves rinsing the nasal passages with a salt-water solution, helping to rid the nose of allergens and mucus. This may reduce the need for antibiotics in those people prone to sinus infections.

Sulfa Drug Allergy

Allergic reactions to sulfa medications, also called sulfonamides, are a common occurrence. Many people avoid the entire class of sulfa medications - although this may not be necessary. Find out more about how sulfa allergy occurs, how the diagnosis is made, and what medications should be avoided.

Itching

Feeling itchy can have a huge impact on a person's quality of life, disrupting daily activities and sleep. Itchy skin, also called pruritus, can be localized to one area of occur all over the body.

How Do I Know If I Have Allergies?

Find out how to know if you have allergies.

Mosquito Allergy

Most people experience some form of reaction from mosquito bites - the typical itchy red bumps that last for a couple of days. However, some people experience very large reactions from mosquito bites, and rarely can experience severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, as a result of being bitten. Find out more about mosquitoes, the reactions they cause, and what can be done to prevent and treat the reactions.

Seasonal Pollen Allergies

Think you might have seasonal allergies? Hay fever is the classic form of seasonal allergies, occurring in response to various plant pollens in the air. Find out which types of plants cause allergies during different times of the year, and how you might be able to avoid exposure to these pollens.

Nasal Saline Recipe

Learn how to make a nasal saline solution for your Neti pot.

Allergies and Migraine Headaches

Allergies and migraine headaches are both common medical problems. Many people with allergies complain of "sinus headaches", but do not have an actual sinus infection. It appears that people with allergies are much more likely to suffer from migraine headaches. Find out if those "sinus headaches" could actually be migraines, and how treatment of allergies may help migraine headaches.

Flu and Asthma

Learn how the flu should be treated in people with asthma.

Tamiflu and Relenza for Treatment of Influenza

Learn about the medications zanamavir and oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza.

Amantadine and Rimantadine for Treatment of Influenza

Learn about the drugs amantadine and rimantadine for the treatment of influenza infection.

Acupuncture for Allergies

Find out if acupuncture is effective for the treatment of allergies.

Common Causes of Contact Dermatitis

The most important aspect of treating contact dermatitis is the identification and avoidance of the causative agent. With thousands of chemicals having the ability to cause contact dermatitis, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause. Find out some important tips on the identification and avoidance of common triggers of contact dermatitis.

Evaluation of Contact Dermatitis

The location of contact dermatitis can be a major clue as to the cause of the symptoms. A diagnosis is made with the use of a patch test, which along with the location of the rash and the history of contact with various chemicals. Learn the common causes of contact dermatitis based on the location of the rash.

Overview of Alternative Therapies for Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Nearly half of the population is either currently using or has used complementary-alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for medical problems. The most common forms of CAM include acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines and yoga. Is there scientific evidence to support the use of these costly therapies? Daniel More, MD, a board-certified allergist, reviews the evidence on CAM.

Ecema Treatment

Atopic dermatitis can usually be well controlled with good skin care and prevention measures. When eczema does flare, topical medications typically result in rapid control of symptoms. This article outlines prevention and treatment guidelines for atopic dermatitis.

Occupational Asthma

Up to 1 in 4 people with asthma is exposed to triggers in their jobs that causes or worsens their asthma. Learn about occupational asthma, how the diagnosis is made and how it's treated.

Hamster, Rabbit and Iguana Allergy

Learn about allergies to less common household pets, including hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, sugar gliders and iguanas.

Sleep Apnea and Asthma

Learn why untreated sleep apnea can worsen asthma, and how treating sleep apnea makes asthma better.

Treating Allergies in Children

Avoidance of allergic triggers is the first priority when dealing with a child's allergies. This article details the approaches to avoidance of the most common allergens, including pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches and indoor molds.

Recongizing and Living With Hay Fever Symptoms

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or think you may have hay fever, you may be feeling overwhelmed. You probably have many questions about your symptoms, what kind of doctor to see, what kinds of testing can be done, and how your symptoms can be treated. Start here to find out the answers to these questions and more about hay fever.

Questions to Ask Your Allergist

Learn what questions you should ask your new allergist at the time of your first allergy appointment.

Allergist

Many people are unsure what an allergist is or what they can offer. This article discusses the type of training an allergist receives, the kinds of problems that allergists treat, and why people with allergies would benefit from the care of an allergist.