Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Can Controlling Dust Mites Prevent Eczema?
Ridding the house of dust mites and making dietary changes does nothing to stop children developing asthma or eczema as was commonly thought.
The surprising research results prove that popular steps taken by parents to prevent the onset of allergic conditions simply don't work.
A team of Sydney researchers tracked 600 children from birth to age 5 to test whether avoiding dust mites in the home had any benefits.
"Basically, there wasn't any reduction in the risk of allergic disease or asthma, which was unexpected," said Dr Guy Marks, a researcher at Sydney's Woolcock Institute.
Scientists also tested the commonly held belief that boosting levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a child's diet could ward off allergic conditions.
Previous studies had shown that children who once a week ate fish, which has high doses of the special fats, were less likely than others to have asthma.
But this, too, was proven to have no preventative benefits, Dr Marks said.
"Once again we weren't able to demonstrate any beneficial effect," he said.
The study, published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, involved children in western and south-western Sydney with a family history of asthma.
The result undermines popular beliefs and leave parents with no solid advice as to how they can protect their children, beyond the recommendation not to smoke around them.
"We're left with not having any strong evidence, apart from the avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke, about things that can be done to prevent the onset of asthma in children," Dr Marks said.
On the upside, the results prove parents should not blame themselves for failing to help their children dodge the conditions.
"Clearly, now there is no reason for people to feel that they should have been making major changes in the household."
But this does not mean asthma and eczema are purely genetic diseases, with Dr Marks saying some environmental factors very likely contribute to their onset.
"The fact is that at the moment, though, we don't know what they are, or how they affect us," he said.
More than two million Australians have asthma, with 15 per cent of children diagnosed with the condition.
The surprising research results prove that popular steps taken by parents to prevent the onset of allergic conditions simply don't work.
A team of Sydney researchers tracked 600 children from birth to age 5 to test whether avoiding dust mites in the home had any benefits.
"Basically, there wasn't any reduction in the risk of allergic disease or asthma, which was unexpected," said Dr Guy Marks, a researcher at Sydney's Woolcock Institute.
Scientists also tested the commonly held belief that boosting levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a child's diet could ward off allergic conditions.
Previous studies had shown that children who once a week ate fish, which has high doses of the special fats, were less likely than others to have asthma.
But this, too, was proven to have no preventative benefits, Dr Marks said.
"Once again we weren't able to demonstrate any beneficial effect," he said.
The study, published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, involved children in western and south-western Sydney with a family history of asthma.
The result undermines popular beliefs and leave parents with no solid advice as to how they can protect their children, beyond the recommendation not to smoke around them.
"We're left with not having any strong evidence, apart from the avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke, about things that can be done to prevent the onset of asthma in children," Dr Marks said.
On the upside, the results prove parents should not blame themselves for failing to help their children dodge the conditions.
"Clearly, now there is no reason for people to feel that they should have been making major changes in the household."
But this does not mean asthma and eczema are purely genetic diseases, with Dr Marks saying some environmental factors very likely contribute to their onset.
"The fact is that at the moment, though, we don't know what they are, or how they affect us," he said.
More than two million Australians have asthma, with 15 per cent of children diagnosed with the condition.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Eczema Symptoms
Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin. The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment. The cause of eczema can be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition. Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema. Eczema is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others. A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages. Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body. An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema. In some cases after an eczema outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Poison Ivy Becoming More Toxic
Poison ivy cases could become more toxic and common due to global warming, some scientists have predicted.
A recent experiment at Duke University found poison ivy became more toxic under one model for predicted climate conditions and levels of carbon dioxide in 2050, the National Academy of Sciences reported.
Already the most common plant-induced medical condition in Minnesota, scientists fear global warming and more carbon dioxide may cause the plant to flourish.
Last year, 42 people called the state poison hot line for help and there are many more undocumented cases, said Steve Setzer, pharmacist and educator for the Minnesota Poison Control System.
Hundreds have called local clinics or pharmacies for help, while thousands probably scratched in silence, Setzer said.
Lee Frelich, director of the Center for Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota, said he's seen an increase in poison ivy even without studying it.
"But I think it has just as much to do with people disturbing the environment as much as anything else," Frelich said. "Any time you tear up the soil, you will favor poison ivy in the area."
Not only is the plant common across Minnesota, Setzer said, but nearly everyone is allergic to it.
While many climate studies have also predicted increases in other plant allergies and asthma as temperatures rise, the Duke report comes during what has been a noteworthy spring for allergies in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Dr. Nancy Ott, president of the Minnesota Allergy Society, said she's handled more tree pollen reactions this spring than in 15 years prior. A warm April could be the cause as grass pollen allergies are appearing several weeks earlier than usual, she said.
Climate scientists say the Duke study could help figure out how additional carbon dioxide from the burning of coal and gas might alter the competitive balance among plants, allowing some to thrive and others to go extinct.
"Making poison ivy slightly more competitive isn't a huge deal," said Peter Reich, a University of Minnesota forest resources professor who is experimenting with high doses of carbon dioxide on prairie grasses. "But it is an indicator that everything we do to the environment has consequences. Some we might like, and some we won't like."
A recent experiment at Duke University found poison ivy became more toxic under one model for predicted climate conditions and levels of carbon dioxide in 2050, the National Academy of Sciences reported.
Already the most common plant-induced medical condition in Minnesota, scientists fear global warming and more carbon dioxide may cause the plant to flourish.
Last year, 42 people called the state poison hot line for help and there are many more undocumented cases, said Steve Setzer, pharmacist and educator for the Minnesota Poison Control System.
Hundreds have called local clinics or pharmacies for help, while thousands probably scratched in silence, Setzer said.
Lee Frelich, director of the Center for Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota, said he's seen an increase in poison ivy even without studying it.
"But I think it has just as much to do with people disturbing the environment as much as anything else," Frelich said. "Any time you tear up the soil, you will favor poison ivy in the area."
Not only is the plant common across Minnesota, Setzer said, but nearly everyone is allergic to it.
While many climate studies have also predicted increases in other plant allergies and asthma as temperatures rise, the Duke report comes during what has been a noteworthy spring for allergies in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Dr. Nancy Ott, president of the Minnesota Allergy Society, said she's handled more tree pollen reactions this spring than in 15 years prior. A warm April could be the cause as grass pollen allergies are appearing several weeks earlier than usual, she said.
Climate scientists say the Duke study could help figure out how additional carbon dioxide from the burning of coal and gas might alter the competitive balance among plants, allowing some to thrive and others to go extinct.
"Making poison ivy slightly more competitive isn't a huge deal," said Peter Reich, a University of Minnesota forest resources professor who is experimenting with high doses of carbon dioxide on prairie grasses. "But it is an indicator that everything we do to the environment has consequences. Some we might like, and some we won't like."
Treating Poison Ivy
If you've stumbled on a patch of poison ivy, here are a few tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation to help minimize your discomfort:
Try to catch the rash early. If you think you might have poison ivy, wash the area well with soap and cool water.
Over-the-counter creams and antihistamines -- such as Caladryl lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or Benadryl -- can help with symptoms.
Try covering the rash with a mixture of baking soda and cool water.
Poison ivy is not contagious from person to person, but is spread when the oil from the plant is still on your skin and you touch other parts of your body or another person. You should be careful to look out for the plants when out in the woods or your garden, and wash your clothes in warm water when you come in from working outside.
If the rash covers a large portion of your body, or you experience fever, headache, nausea, painful rash or shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor to see if you may be having an allergic reaction to the poison ivy.
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Try to catch the rash early. If you think you might have poison ivy, wash the area well with soap and cool water.
Over-the-counter creams and antihistamines -- such as Caladryl lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or Benadryl -- can help with symptoms.
Try covering the rash with a mixture of baking soda and cool water.
Poison ivy is not contagious from person to person, but is spread when the oil from the plant is still on your skin and you touch other parts of your body or another person. You should be careful to look out for the plants when out in the woods or your garden, and wash your clothes in warm water when you come in from working outside.
If the rash covers a large portion of your body, or you experience fever, headache, nausea, painful rash or shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor to see if you may be having an allergic reaction to the poison ivy.
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