Allergies

FDA Approves "Dry" Nose Spray for Allergy

Qnasl Nasal Aerosol Corticosteroid Avoids Drippy Feel of Wet Sprays By Daniel J. DeNoon Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD March 26, 2012 -- The FDA today approved Qnasl, a "dry" nasal spray, fo...

10 Signs Your Allergies Are Out of Control

Sign #1: The Allergic SaluteYou vacuum with a HEPA filter. You stay indoors when the pollen count is high. You take medications as directed. But do you really have your allergy symptoms under control? If you're constantly doing the "allergic salute,"...

Worst Cities for Spring Allergies in 2012

Knoxville Leads List for a Third Straight Year; 8 Out of 10 Top Spots Are in the South By Cari Nierenberg Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD March 20, 2012 -- The third time is said to be the c...

Will Moving Help My Child's Allergies?

Switching locations might be tempting, our allergy expert says, but it's not guaranteed to bring relief. By Brian Vickery the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD In every issue of the Magazine, ...

Can Local Honey Help My Allergies?

Some say a spoonful of honey makes the sneezes and sniffles go away. Here's what an expert says. By Susan Davis the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD In every issue of the Magazine, we ask ex...

Should I Get Allergy Shots?

Also called immunotherapy, these shots can help people with severe allergies, our expert says. By Michael Land the Magazine - Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD In every issue of the Magazine, we ask our ...

Amish Farm Kids Have Lower Asthma, Allergy Risk: Study

TUESDAY, March 6 -- Children growing up in the Amish culture in Switzerland have significantly less asthma and allergies than Swiss children who didn't grow up on a farm, according to new research. What's more, the Amish youngsters ...

Smoke Exposure Late in Pregnancy Might Boost Baby's Eczema Risk

SATURDAY, March 3 -- A mother's exposure to tobacco smoke during the last three months of pregnancy may increase the risk that her child will develop the allergic skin condition eczema during infancy, a new study suggests.The study a...

Many Asthmatics Do Well on Food-Allergy Tests, Study Finds

SUNDAY, March 4 -- People with asthma fare better on a type of food-allergy test called a "food challenge" than non-asthmatics, new research suggests.Food challenges involve people suspected of having a food allergy eating small amou...

Heavy Kids May Not Respond as Well to Asthma Meds

SUNDAY, March 4 -- Overweight children may not respond as well to common asthma medicines known as inhaled corticosteroids, new research finds.As a result, they may need more of the long-term control medication, said researcher Dr. P...

Mucus (Snot, Phlegm) Color, Function, Coughing, and More

Call it snot, call it mucus, call it a booger -- but don't underestimate what it does for you. By Stephanie Watson Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Mucus is something everyone has, and some people wish t...

Mild Winter Heralds Early Sneezin' Season

THURSDAY, Feb. 23 -- That constant sneezing you thought was a winter cold might just be the beginning of your spring allergies instead.Many areas of the United States have had warmer-than-average winter weather, which is causing tree...

Bird Flu Studies Can Be Published After All: WHO

SATURDAY, Feb. 18 -- Research on a mutated, more contagious form of the bird flu virus can be published in full, the World Health Organization announced Friday, despite concerns that bioterrorists could use the information to start a...

Slideshow: 10 Worst Cities for Spring Allergies

Is Your City on the List?Wherever you live, you’re likely to come into contact with allergy-causing pollen. The nonprofit Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA) has identified its annual list of "spring allergy capitals" for 2011. AAFA eva...

Spring Allergies Strike Early This Year

Experts Say Tree Pollen Season May Be Long and Painful By Brenda Goodman, MA Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Feb. 17, 2012 -- Got a stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes, or throbbing head? ...

Antibiotics Do Not Reduce Symptoms of Sinus Infection

Medications Don't Speed Recovery, but May Increase Antibiotic Resistance By Joanna Broder Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Feb. 14, 2012 -- Patients may want to pause before asking for antibiot...

Are You a Mosquito Magnet?

Experts try to crack the code behind why mosquitoes like some people more than others. Plus, tips on keeping mosquitoes at bay and the best mosquito repellents. By Elizabeth Heubeck Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD ...

Get Help for Your Nasal Allergies

How to Handle Nasal Allergies: Tips from a White House Allergist Feature By Shannon Wilder Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD To get some tips for living through the allergy symptoms that pollen season brings, talked to Ta...

Nasal Allergies: Pampering Your Nose

Nasal Allergies: How to Pamper Your Nose Feature By Ellen Greenlaw Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD When seasonal allergies strike, your nose can really take a beating. A runny nose, congestion, and sneezing are among the mos...

Nasal Allergies and Household Mold

Nasal Allergies and Household Mold Feature By Ellen Greenlaw Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD Do your nasal allergies linger well after the first frost? If so, you may have a mold allergy. Mold is found everywhere -- outdoors...

5 Nasal Allergy Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

5 Nasal Allergy Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore Feature By Ellen Greenlaw Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD If you have nasal allergies, you may be used to sneezing and congestion that last the entire day. But you don’t have...

Are Vacuum Cleaners Bad for Your Health?

Australian Study Shows Most Vacuum Cleaners Release Dust, Bacteria Back Into the Air By Denise Mann Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD Jan 6, 2012 -- You vacuum your house religiously to get r...

Get First Cat as Adult, Double Allergy Risk

Cat Allergy Risk Lower in Adults Who Had Cats as Kids By Daniel J. DeNoonWebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Dec. 29, 2011 -- Adults who get their first cat double their risk of cat allergy -- especially if the cat is allowed in the bed...

Neti Pot, Nasal Irrigation Pros and Cons

Find out when it's OK to use a neti pot or other forms of nasal irrigation, and when you may need more help. By Stephanie Watson Feature Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Chronic sinus or allergy problems can l...

Brain-Eating Amoeba in Neti Pots

By Daniel J. DeNoon Monday, December 19, 2011 - Brain-eating amoeba in a neti pot? Yes, warns the Louisiana Department of Health. Two recent deaths from the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri have been linked to use of neti pots....

Worst Allergy Cities in Springtime

Worst Allergy Cities in America for Spring Allergies Is your community triggering your allergies? Feature By Kathleen Doheny Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD It’s a top ranking that Knoxville, Tenn., won’t be pro...

Bedbugs: Why They're Back

Experts Explain Why Bedbugs Are Everywhere Again -- and What to Do By Denise MannWebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Dec. 6, 2011 -- For a while, it seemed the bedbug had gone the way of the Edsel automobile and cold water flats. Not an...

Pork-Cat Syndrome an Under-Recognized Allergy

People With Cat Allergies May Also Be Allergic to Pork and Other Meats By Jennifer Warner Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Nov. 7, 2011 -- Some people with cat allergies may also be allergi...

'Food Challenges' Provide Best Allergy Diagnoses: Study

SATURDAY, Nov. 5 -- Too few American doctors use oral food challenges to diagnose food allergies even though this type of test is considered the gold standard, according to a new study.In an oral food challenge, a patient consumes fo...

Home Environment Affects Asthmatic Kids

SATURDAY, Nov. 5 -- Children with asthma who live in single-parent homes are 50% more likely to return to the hospital for treatment within a year than those who live in two-parent homes, a new study finds.Kids from families whose an...