FitSugar

Should Perfume Be Altered to Reduce Allergens?

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:52 PDT

Did you know that the perfume industry has a reigning watchdog? I didn't. It's called the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), and its latest set of regulations will require many perfume makers to change their scents.

According to the IFRA, new standards are "a necessary evil" to protect individuals with severe skin allergies. Those in the perfume industry aren't buying the explanation. They think that the regulations are strict and unnecessary, citing that perfume allergies are generally mild. People with a perfume allergy might disagree, though. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, skin rashes, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.

Under the new rules, fragrance houses will have to cut back on their use of allergens - like jasmine and other aromas - in perfume recipes. It's unknown how many classic scents will have to be altered as a result.

What do you think about this?

Pillow Talk

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:15:00 PDT

Is your pillow over 2 years old? If yes, you might be sleeping with a veritable zoo of mold, bacteria and dust mites. Not exactly the kind of pillow talk you want to engage in, is it?

That fluffy bit of comfort on which you rest your head every night can be a hotbed for germs, and might contain even more germs than your bathroom. Yick! Pillows absorb germs from our skin and the air and since we rarely clean or replace our bedroom pillows, bacterias and molds are free to reproduce unhampered. This can become quite a problem if you have allergies to dust mites or mold since you are placing your head in the hot zone for 8 hours a night.

Experts suggest that you replace your pillow every 2 years. Since that can be a costly endeavor, you can try pillow protectors instead since they can prevent dust mites from breeding in your bedding.

Fit's Tip: One quick way to zap all those bacteria is to throw you pillows into the dryer for 20 minutes on high heat. Aim to do this at least once a month and at least once a week if you are experiencing severe allergy symptoms.

Sweet dreams....

Peanut Allergies: Progress Made

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:30:00 PST

About 1% of the U.S. population has a peanut allergy. The percentage may seem small, but since reactions can be fatal, finding a way to prevent it is becoming increasingly important. Many schools even ban peanut butter from children's bagged lunches.

That's why this news is so promising. Progress has been made in desensitizing children with peanut allergies using a form of immunotherapy - a common form is allergy shots.

For years, allergists have injected patients with tiny amounts of the allergens that bother them, be it bee stings or pollen, and their bodies have built up a tolerance for them. So when they come in contact with something they are allergic to in the future, their bodies recognize it, and their reaction is next to nothing.

Dr. Scott David Nash from Duke University conducted a study with his team. They decided to try Oral Peanut Immunotherapy. They gave 8 children with known peanut allergies, increasing doses of peanut protein in the form of a flour mixed with applesauce.

The entire test took about 2 years, beginning with trace amounts of peanuts, and working up to eating the equivalent of 1 peanut a day for the last 18 months.

At the end of the study, the 7 children (1 dropped out) who completed it were given a "food challenge" involving 8g of peanut flour, or about 13 peanuts. 5 of the 7 children passed the challenge. This study showed that their immune systems developed a growing tolerance to peanuts.

This is incredible news for people with peanut allergies. The fear they live with, worrying everyday whether or not they'll accidentally touch or eat something containing peanuts is way too agonizing. This gives them some much needed hope.

5 Easy-to-Make Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Skin

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:27:40 PST

It's an almost-universal experience: your complexion has been fine for a while, and then one day, almost out of nowhere, you're in breakout city and your skin looks worn out and defeated overnight. You're cleansing and using a daily regimen, so what could be wrong? Well, if it's not stress or hormones, it could very easily be one of several smaller, less obvious culprits. See a list of the usual suspects below.

Clean Up Your Home: 5 Chemicals to Avoid in Home Cleaning Products

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:32:32 PST

Keeping a clean and healthy home is a priority for many moms - so much so that it is the number one thing moms think they are judged about - but what they clean with may be doing more harm than good. Even products labeled as "green" and "kid safe" can be causing allergic reactions or contributing to long-term health issues.

Healthy Child Healthy World has teamed up with Women's Voices For the Earth to share the results of a surprising study about hidden chemicals in household cleaners. An independent lab tested 20 of the name-brand cleaning products and found allergens and toxins in bottles, detergents, dryer sheets, and air fresheners from some of the most popular companies around. Take a look at which products landed on the list, and see what to look out for before buying your next cleaning product.

Trick or Treat: 10 Halloween Treats For Tots With Food Allergies

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:02:27 PDT

For parents of kids with food allergies, the scariest part of Halloween isn't frightening movies on TV or too realistic monster masks, it's the idea that one tot's treat is another's anaphylactic shock. Eight allergens account for 90 percent of all food allergies - milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Since we're dealing with candy, the fish and shellfish allergies aren't really an issue, but the other six definitely are, as they're all common ingredients found in many types of sweets.

We've found a great selection of candy for kids with all types of allergies - from gluten to soy to dairy to tree nuts - so that no one has to be left out of the candy binge. At the end of the night, when parents are nervously assessing their tots' haul, they'll appreciate being able to give something back to their lil one, worry free.

Achoo! How to Relieve Allergies in Your Bedroom

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:35:57 PDT

If you suffer from allergies to dander, dust mites, or mold, it's time to take a closer look at the place where you spend one-third of your day - your bedroom. Here are some things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms.

Evict the Offenders
Looked under your bed lately? To prevent a colony of dust mites from becoming squatters in the apartment below where you sleep, vacuum under your bed at least once a week. And don't be lazy about it - move the bed and other furniture to suck up the disgusting fluffs hiding in all the nooks and crannies. If your bedroom isn't carpeted, be even more ~~anal~~ thorough and mop the floor. Aside from washing your sheets weekly, take time to wipe down the tops of your dressers, nightstands, the blinds, and windowsills. Not to make you crazy for cleaning, but the curtains and your comforter can get dusty too, so don't forget to wash them once a month. If your bathroom is connected to your bedroom, check the bathtub or shower for mold and mildew.

Keep reading to find out other ways you can relieve allergy symptoms in your bedroom.

Sabrina Soto's 5 Tips For an Allergy-Friendly Home and Garden

Julia Walsh — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:35:00 PDT

Last week, I got a chance to chat with designer Sabrina Soto about Spring cleaning, organizing, outdoor entertaining, and more. As the host of HGTV's Get It Sold, Soto has a lot of experience of whipping homes that have seen better days into livable, relaxing, and stylish spaces. One topic that I've been particularly interested in lately is how to handle the allergens, dust, and other unwelcome particles that are ubiquitous in our homes in the Spring. Soto had a few very helpful tips to share:

"It may not be glamorous, but a vacuum is one of the most useful home appliances you can own! Regularly cleaning with a HEPA filter vacuum will help capture the allergy-inducing particles you can't see that collect in upholstery and carpets."
"To help keep dust from gathering, install easy-to-clean shades or machine washable panels, and clean regularly. If you have curtains, take them down once every two months and have them dry-cleaned."
"Stick with bright colorful flowers as they rely on insects to transport their pollen rather than wind. Because of this, brighter flowers tend to produce less pollen."

Continue reading for more of Sabrina's tips!

Allergy Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms

FitSugar — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:35:44 PDT

I lived for years in denial of my seasonal allergies and pretended that the runny nose was just a little cold. But that little cold went on forever. And this year, due to an extra long rainy season on the West Coast, all my symptoms seem much worse.

Needless to day, I have wised up and learned how to sort through symptoms to determine what is causing my runny nose - a virus or pollen. Here is the list comparing the symptoms of the common cold with those that accompany seasonal allergies that should help you figure out what is going on with your nose.

Itchy nose: Although allergies and colds both produce a runny nose and congestion, allergies create the dreaded itchy nose. The itch generally occurs in the back of the nose and is difficult to "scratch." Folks suffering from "nasal pruritus" (the fanciest way in the world to say itchy nose) often scrunch up their faces, like a bunny, to try to alleviate the itch.
The sneeze: Sneezing frequently, and sometimes quietly, is common with allergies. Allergy sneezes are an attempt to remove allergens from the nose. Sneezes from colds tend to be loud, deep, and infrequent, attempting to clear the bronchial congestion down in the lungs.

Unfortunately, the list of symptoms is a bit longer, so

Lil Links: Tina Fey Debuts Her New Baby Belly

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:05:11 PDT

Tina Fey is showing off her new baby belly - Celebrity Baby Blog
51 mini family vacations everyone will enjoy - Parenting
Reduce pet allergens in your home - Health
At what age do you stop co-ed sleepovers? - The Stir
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott are expecting baby #3! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Blowing raspberries is more than fun and games - Fit Pregnancy
Is pregnancy making your spouse moody? - The Bump
Could your family go a year without sugar? - Momformation
Are older parents happier parents? - Babble
What's the going allowance rate? - Momfilter