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What are house dust mites and how do I know if I’m allergic to them?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/deryn-lee-thompson-1449312">Deryn Lee Thompson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> People often believe they are allergic to <a href="https://ahd.csiro.au/everything-in-our-homes-gathers-dust-but-what-exactly-is-it-where-does-it-come-from-and-why-does-it-keep-coming-back-is-it-from-outside-is-it-fibres-from-our-clothes-and-cells-from-our-skin/">house dust</a>. But of the <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatments/allergen-minimisation">20% of Australians</a> suffereing with allergies, a number are are actually allergic to microscopic <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dust-mites">house dust mites</a>. House dust mites belong to the same family as spiders and ticks. They measure just 0.2-0.3 mm, with 50 fitting on a single pinhead. They <a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71977">live</a> for 65–100 days, and females lay 60–100 eggs in their life. House dust mites love temperate climates and humidity. They feed off the skin cells we and animals shed, as well as mould, which they digest using special enzymes. These enzymes are excreted in their poo about <a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71977">20 times a day</a>. They also shed fragments of their exoskeletons. All these fragments trigger allergies in people with this type of allergic rhinitis (which is also known as hay fever) <h2>What are the symptoms?</h2> When people with house dust mite allergy inhale the allergens, they penetrate the mucous membranes of the airways and eyes. Their body recognises the allergens as a threat, releasing chemicals including one called histamine. This causes symptoms including a runny nose, an itchy nose, eyes and throat, sneezing, coughing and a feeling of mucus at the back of your throat (known as a post-nasal drip). People with this type of allergy usually mouth breath, snore, rub their nose constantly (creating a nasal crease called the “dust mite salute”) and have dark shadows under their eyes. House dust mite allergy <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7328274/">can also cause</a> poor sleep, constant tiredness, reduced concentration at work or school and lower quality of life. For people with eczema, their damaged skin barrier can allow house dust mite proteins in. This prompts immune cells in the skin to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/190/1/e5/7485663">release chemicals</a> which make already flared skin become redder, sorer and itchier, especially in children. Symptoms of house dust mite allergy occur year round, and are often worse after going to bed and when waking in the morning. But people with house dust mite allergy and pollen allergies find their year-round symptoms worsen in spring. <h2>How is it diagnosed?</h2> House dust mite allergy symptoms often build up over months, or even years before people seek help. But an accurate diagnosis means you can not only access the right treatment – it’s also vital for minimising exposure. Doctor and nurse practitioners can order a <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatments/allergen-minimisation">blood test</a> to check for house dust mite allergy. Alternatively, health care providers with <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/a-career-in-clinical-immunology-and-allergy">specialised allergy training</a> can perform skin prick tests. This involves placing drops of the allergens on the arm, along with a positive and negative “control”. After 15 minutes, those who test positive will have developed a mosquito bite-like mark. <h2>How is it treated?</h2> Medication options include one or a combination of: <ul> <li>daily non-sedating antihistamines</li> <li>a steroid nasal spray</li> <li>allergy eye drops.</li> </ul> Your health care professional will work with you to develop a <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ar/ASCIA_HP_Allergic_Rhinitis_2022.pdf">rhinitis (hay fever) medical management plan</a> to reduce your symptoms. If you’re using a nasal spray, your health provider will <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ytYj1TLojM">show you how to use it</a>, as people often use it incorrectly. If you also have <a href="https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/understanding-asthma/how-is-asthma-managed">asthma</a> or eczema which is worsened by dust mites, your health provider will adapt your <a href="https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/health-professionals/asthma-action-plans">asthma action plan</a> or <a href="https://medcast.com.au/qhub/eczema/resources">eczema care plan</a> accordingly. If you experience severe symptoms, a longer-term option is <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pc/ASCIA_PC_Allergen_Immunotherapy_FAQ_2024.pdf">immunotherapy</a>. This aims to gradually turn off your immune system’s ability to recognise house dust mites as a harmful allergen. Immunotherapy involves taking either a daily sublingual tablet, under the tongue, or a series of injections. Injections require monthly attendances over three years, after the initial weekly build-up phase. These are <a href="https://theconversation.com/im-considering-allergen-immunotherapy-for-my-hay-fever-what-do-i-need-to-know-190408">effective</a>, but are costly (as well as time-consuming). So it’s important to weigh up the potential benefits and downsides with your health-care provider. <h2>How can you minimise house dust mites?</h2> There are also important allergy minimisation measures you can take to reduce allergens in your home. Each week, <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/component/finder/search?q=minimisation&Itemid=100001">wash</a> your bedding and pyjamas in hot water (over 60°C). This <a href="https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/factsheets/dust-mites-trigger-my-asthma">removes</a> house dust mite eggs and debris. Opt for doonas, covers or quilts that can be washed in hot water above 60°C. Alternatively, low-cost waterproof or leak proof covers can keep house dust mites out. If you can, favour blinds and wood floors over curtains and carpet. Dust blinds and surfaces with a damp cloth each week and vacuum while wearing a mask, or have someone else do it, as house dust mites can become airborne during cleaning. But beware of costly products with big marketing budgets and little evidence to support their use. A new mattress, for example, will always be house dust mite-free. But once slept on, the house dust mite life cycle can start. Mattress protectors and toppers commonly claim to be “hypoallergenic”, “anti-allergy” or “allergy free”. But their pore sizes are not small enough to keep house dust mites and their poo out, or shed skin going through. Sprays claiming to kill mites require so much spray to penetrate the product that it’s likely to become wet, may smell like the spray and, unless dried properly, may grow mould. Finally, claims that expensive vacuum cleaners can extract all the house dust mites are unsubstantiated. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dust-mites">healthdirect.gov.au</a> or the <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatments/allergen-minimisation">Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/240918/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/deryn-lee-thompson-1449312">Deryn Lee Thompson</a>, Eczema and Allergy Nurse; Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-house-dust-mites-and-how-do-i-know-if-im-allergic-to-them-240918">original article</a>. </div>

Body

I have hay fever. How can I tell what I’m allergic to?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ryan-mead-hunter-1480189">Ryan Mead-Hunter</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> When we think of spring we think of warming weather, birdsong and flowers. But for many people, this also means the return of their seasonal hay fever symptoms. Around <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/latest-release">24% of Australians</a> get hay fever, with sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes the most common symptoms. In <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever#:%7E:text=Key%20facts,dust%20mites%2C%20and%20animal%20fur">severe cases</a>, this may impact sleep and concentration, or be linked to increased frequency of sinus infections. The exact timing of the symptoms depends on your exposure to an allergen – the thing you’re allergic to. Those impacted by tree pollen (from plane trees or cypress pine, for example) may experience symptoms at different times of the year than those impacted by grass pollen (such as rye grass). This will also vary around the country. In Perth, for example, tree pollen (cypress pine) is generally present in August to October, while grass pollen counts tend to be highest in October to November. Other cities and regions may have longer pollen seasons, which may extend further into summer. <h2>Remind me, how does hay fever impact the body?</h2> What we know colloquially as hay fever is called allergic rhinitis. Exposure to a specific allergen (or allergens) triggers an immune response in the body. This leads to inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining the nasal passages in the nose. A range of <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever#:%7E:text=Key%20facts,dust%20mites%2C%20and%20animal%20fur.">allergens</a> may trigger such a response: pollen (from trees, grass or weeds), dust mites, pet fur, dander, mould and some air pollutants. Those with allergies that are only present for part of the year, such as pollen, experience what we call seasonal hay fever, while those with allergies that may be present at any time, such as dust mites and pet dander, experience perennial hay fever. <h2>Getting a diagnosis</h2> Many people with hay fever self-manage their symptoms by limiting exposure to allergens and using over-the-counter <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-do-hay-fever-treatments-actually-work-and-whats-best-for-my-symptoms-213071">antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays</a>. But this may require assistance from your GP and confirmation that what you’re experiencing is hay fever. Your GP can assess your symptoms and medical history, provide a diagnosis, and help with treating and managing your symptoms. Your GP may also be able help you identify potential allergens, based on when you experience symptoms and the environments to which you’re exposed. If symptoms persist, your GP may suggest allergy testing. They may refer you to a specialist called an immunologist, to determine what particular allergen is causing your symptoms, using <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-testing/allergy-testing">skin prick tests or blood tests</a>. Tests typically involve controlled exposure to small quantities of suspected allergens. But note, there are a number of tests marketed online that are unproven and not recommended by reputable bodies. <h2>How else can I work out what I’m allergic to?</h2> For those with seasonal hay fever, resources are available to help manage exposures, based on the flowering seasons for common allergy-related species or through pollen forecasting services. The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy provides a <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/guide-to-common-allergenic-pollen">useful pollen guide</a> for each species and when they’re most likely to cause symptoms, broken down for each state and territory. Pollen monitoring and forecasting services – such as <a href="https://www.perthpollen.com.au/">Perth Pollen</a>, <a href="https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/">Melbourne Pollen</a> and <a href="https://www.sydneypollen.com.au/">Sydney Pollen</a>, as well as for other cities – can help you plan outdoor activities. There are also associated phone apps for these services, which can give notifications when the pollen count is high. You can down load these apps (such as <a href="https://airrater.org/">AirRater</a>, Perth Pollen, Melbourne Pollen and Sydney Pollen) from your preferred app store. Apps such as <a href="https://airrater.org/">AirRater</a> also allow you to enter information about your symptoms, which can then be matched to the environmental conditions at the time (pollen count, temperature, smoke, and so on). Using statistical modelling, the app may be able to establish a link between symptoms and exposure. If a sufficiently high correlation is established, the app can send you notifications when the <a href="https://airrater.org/how-does-it-work/">exposure risk</a> is high. This may prompt you to limit outdoor activities and have any medication readily available. <hr /> Further information about managing allergic rhinitis is available from <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever">healthdirect</a> and <a href="https://allergyfacts.org.au/__interest/allergic-rhinitis/">Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ryan-mead-hunter-1480189">Ryan Mead-Hunter</a>, Senior lecturer, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-have-hay-fever-how-can-i-tell-what-im-allergic-to-240450">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Allergic to cleaning? 13 ways to keep allergies in check when Spring cleaning

Wear gloves and a mask Before you start cleaning, put on a face mask and rubber gloves, recommends board-certified allergist Dr Neeta Ogden. The mask will help you avoid breathing in allergens, and the gloves will keep them away from your whole face. “Even quickly touching your eye or face can lead to allergens reaching your eyes and portals to your airway through the nose and mouth,” says Dr Ogden. Clean one window at a time Spring-cleaning is the time to hit spots you don’t clean every week, like windows. But keeping the panes open too long could let pollen, mould, and other allergens inside. “I would do one window at a time,” says Dr Stephen Kimura, an allergist and immunologist. “Open it, clean it, and shut it right away.” Keep the AC running as you go so the air can filter, he says. Let clothes dry inside No matter how much you love the idea of letting clothes dry in the natural sunlight, stay away from an outdoor clothesline. “If you’re pollen or mould allergic and have clothes out there, they will attract those pollens and you’ll be exposed in high quantities to those allergens,” says Dr Kimura. Any clothes that can’t go in the dryer should hang dry indoors. Pick the right vacuum Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which is designed to keep dust in the vacuum instead of blowing back up into the air, says Dr Ogden. Also look out for new models with complete seal technology to keep even more allergens in, she suggests. “You definitely don’t want to go with a regular old vacuum,” she says. Leave carpet shampoo to the pros Shampooing a carpet obviously means getting your carpet wet. The problem is, dust mites love spots with more than 50 per cent humidity and might start gathering in the damp wood or padding under the carpet, says Dr Mark Aronica, an allergist. “It should be done by a professional cleaner, where things are cleaned up and dried as quickly as possible,” he says. Don't dust dry Dusting with a dry cloth could work against you, says Dr Ogden. “Dusting in and of itself is not very helpful if you’re just disseminating dust back in the air,” she says. She recommends using a damp cloth or a vinegar solution when wiping down surfaces to actually trap the dust. Pay attention to clutter Don’t ignore your usual decluttering when you’re spring cleaning. “Piles of books and magazines and things collect dust,” says Dr Kimura. Toss the junk while you spring clean to keep the allergens in your home low. Clean mould hands-off Mould can trigger allergies, so cleaning it out effectively can be a challenge. The last thing you want is to hover over the shower scrubbing away at the allergen, so Dr Ogden suggests using a product you can spray. “You can hold them away from yourself and spray into the shower,” she says. “You return in 15 minutes and run the shower, and that’s it.” Use a solution that’s 10 per cent bleach, which is strong enough to kill mould but weak enough for your allergies to tolerate, says Dr Aronica. Run a fan Opening windows to air out fumes will just bring allergens in, but running a fan can help. “Make sure you’ve got the exhaust hood running in the bathroom or kitchen to keep strong odours from bothering you,” says Dr Kimura. Use natural products Stick with fragrance-free cleaning products because scented options can make allergies worse. “It’s not a direct allergic reaction so much as an irritant to a nose that’s already inflamed or irritated,” says Dr Aronica. Use natural cleaning products when you can, like mopping with a vinegar and water solution, suggests Dr Kimura. Invest in a mattress cover Make sure you use an allergy cover on your mattress, pillows and quilt. “The covers are impermeable to dust mites,” says Dr Aronica. “What does accumulate during the week gets killed in the laundry.” Wash your sheets in the hottest setting, or at least 48.8°C, to kill any mites, he says. Give your dog a bath Spring-cleaning doesn’t have to mean your house only – make it an opportunity to give your cat or dog a good wash, too. “That cuts down on whatever pollen they have on their fur or coats, and also cuts down on dander,” says Dr Kimura. Clean our your dehumidifier A dehumidifier will help avoid mould at bay in basements – but only if you clean it regularly. “Rinse it out and use a weak bleach to kill mould spores,” says Dr Kimura. Make sure to refresh it during your spring-cleaning chores. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/allergic-to-cleaning-13-ways-to-keep-allergies-in-check-when-spring-cleaning?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Woman shares terrifying reaction to eyebrow lamination

A woman has shared a tale of caution <a href="https://style.nine.com.au/beauty/womans-horrible-allergic-reaction-to-brow-lamination/da7baba1-cede-4570-95cb-43157fbb0729" target="_blank" rel="noopener">following</a> her horror eyebrow lamination experience. Eyebrow lamination, the beauty treatment that offers the same full and feathery look as microblading without needling or pain, has become quite popular recently, seeing women such as Elizabeth Stirba give it a try. But, Ms Stirba took to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@elizabethstirba_/video/7053842175850941742?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> to reveal that she had a horrible allergic reaction after her first treatment. In a montage of progress photos, Ms Stirba showed how her eyebrows went from looking slightly red and irritated to completely swollen and inflamed. “Never getting a brow lamination ever again,” she captioned the clip. Some of the photos showed that Ms Stirba’s eyebrows were so swollen that she could barely open her eyes, and that the swelling seemed to continue below her eyes. The clip was quickly swamped by commenters sharing their horror and concern for Ms Stirba. “Oh no!! Dear friend… so sorry. Hope you’re back to 100 %,” one person commented. “You poor thing! Ouch!” another said. Others asked if she had gotten a patch test done before her full treatment. “Were you allergic to the solution? How long did you symptoms (swelling) last?” one concerned user asked. “I guess so!! got a test patch in December but still had this. It’s been over a week and I’m just red now but took lots of meds!” she wrote in response. Eyebrow lamination <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/beauty/eyebrow-lamination-22517" target="_blank" rel="noopener">uses</a> a chemical solution to soften the eyebrow hair and allow it to be shaped so they can grow in a way that makes them look fuller and tidier. It is supposed to be a painless treatment, but a patch test is usually done before a full treatment to ensure clients don’t react. Despite claiming she had a patch test, Ms Stirba still experienced a painful reaction. Some shared similar experiences they had with the treatment. “What meds did you take (because) I had a similar reaction with the chemical burns and it’s still visible,” one fellow beauty lover wrote. “Sorry you experienced this! I just did mine and they’re slightly red.. I’m worried..” another shared. “I also had an allergic reaction but not as bad. Glad you’re ok,” a third said. Image: @elizabethstirba_ (TikTok)

Beauty & Style

“Like a monster”: Extreme reaction triggered during pandemic

Lauren Rigby, a 22-year-old training to be a vet nurse, was one of many lives dramatically changed by the coronavirus pandemic. But not in the same way as everyone else. After a seemingly innocent trip to her local shops, Lauren's life was thrown into disarray as she noticed a rash forming on her hands. "They were saying please use hand sanitiser so I just put a little bit on and it started burning," she said. "I asked mum 'are your hands burning'? she said, 'no'." In the following weeks, Lauren developed severe eczema, which was impacting her everyday life. "I started noticing at the shops they were spraying disinfectant, even on the clothes, and then I noticed my body was covered in a rash after trying on clothes," she said. Her fragile skin started to peel off and her hair began to fall out, as her body had an extreme reaction. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844688/lauren-rigby.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a235e027209e4af2b2496e47870439ba" /> Image credits: Channel 9 - A Current Affair "I was so swollen that it if you touched my arm it would leave a dent and my skin peeled off into piles that we had to vacuum up," Ms Rigby said. Lauren was hospitalised after her eczema triggered a genetic condition called Erythroderma, all caused by hand sanitiser. More than 12 months on, Lauren has a strict skincare regiment that is helping to slowly bring her eczema under control. "How can something so tiny change my life," she said. "I've never used hand sanitiser this year and I'll never use it again." Melanie Funk from Eczema Support Australia said there had been an increase of people seeking help during the COVID-19 period. "Certainly hand eczemas and facial eczemas are increasing with the pandemic measures," she said. "You shouldn't suffer in silence, there are others that understand, get support, get help, get treatment." Image credits: Channel 9 - A Current Affair

Body

Man’s horrifying allergic reaction after stepping out of shower

A man is counting his blessings after almost dying when he stepped out of the shower. First reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.livescience.com/cold-allergy-urticaria-anaphylaxis.html" target="_blank">Live Science</a>, a 34-year-old man was found on the floor by his family, struggling to breathe and covered in hives. It follows after he stepped out of hot shower and into the cold air, with his family saying he has a “history” of being “allergic to the cold weather.” <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679(20)30968-9/fulltext" target="_blank">The Journal of Emergency Medicine</a> writes that the man was experiencing a whole-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Ambulance officers treated the man with epinephrine and oxygen. “Doctor’s confirmed the man’s diagnosis using an “ice cube test,” which involves placing an ice cube on the skin for about 5 minutes. If the patient develops a raised, red bump on the skin where the ice cube was, they are diagnosed with cold urticaria,” Live Science reported. The condition is uncommon but can be caused by the cold as it releases chemical histamines in the immune system. Research has found it can be inherited and can be triggered by a viral infection or a number of cancers.

Body

Bride blinded by her own wedding flowers

After picking wildflowers from her Nebraska, US, property for her upcoming wedding day, Christine Jo Miller had a reaction that sent her entire Big Day spinning into chaos. In a series of TikTok videos, Christine explained how those wildflowers caused a violent poisonous reaction on her wedding day. She thought it would be romantic to use the beautiful flowers, so in the days leading up to the wedding she picked enough to fill an entire truck – completely unware of how poisonous that type of Snow-on-the-mountain wildflower can be. The night before the wedding, the bride and her girlfriends spent the evening arranging the wildflowers with white roses and baby’s breath. And when Christine woke up on the wedding day, she found her face covered in a dreadful rash caused by the sap residue. Posting a photo of herself lying on the floor, she wrote: “I started feeling sick and feverish from the pain. So I did the cucumber trick and slept while I got my hair done.” But while she’d covered her eyes in slices of cucumber, Christine was horrified when she realised she’d lost her vision because her face was so swollen. After being rushed to the nearest emergency room, matters only got worse for Christine as it was Labour Day weekend and the ER wasn’t open. Despite receiving no treatment for the allergic reaction, Christine was determined to go ahead and walk down the aisle. “I wasn’t dying,” she wrote, “So I thought I just needed to suck it up. Tried to do make-up – was in too much pain so I ended up sleeping until my mum said it was time to put my dress on.” Once the vows were complete, Christine was immediately taken to hospital and given eye drops, pain medication and a steroid shot. Later at the reception, Christine admitted: “We didn’t want to do a first dance because I didn’t want to be the centre of attention out of embarrassment.” When a guest tried to get her to dance, Christine screamed in pain and said she spent most of the rest of the day under a table to avoid any attention. A week later after the swelling went down, the photographer arranged a surprise wedding reception for the couple where they were able to get the shots they wanted – and finally have that all-important dance. Images: @christinejomiller/TikTok

Relationships

RECALL WARNING: Popular antiseptic creams stripped from shelves

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> 13 popular first-aid creams will be taken off shelves on September 18 after it was found that the active ingredient in the creams has caused severe reactions in those who are allergic to Bufexamac. People have had severe allergic reactions and can suffer from extreme rashes and in some cases hospitalisation. Kylie Johnson from Canberra purchased a tube of Medi Quattro to treat a small patch of dry skin but ended up being in the hospital for six days. "I had like a really itchy red rash all over my neck, it was coming up my face and you could kind of see it grow," Ms Johnson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/topical-bufexamac-cream-banned-overseas-leaves-some-customers-with-severe-burns-and-blisters/852b0e16-33ff-4e69-85d3-52a68fdcefc5" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">A Current Affair</a>. "It didn't work and it just kept getting worse, the rash kept growing which is really terrifying." She was treated like a burns victim as she was placed under a space blanket and sedated as pain medication was not working. She feared the worst and at one point thought she would have to "look at my will to see if it's alright". The 13 creams with Bufexamac as an active ingredient will no longer be sold as of September 18, 2020 – so be sure to check labels carefully. "Consumers and health professionals are advised that first aid creams containing bufexamac will be removed from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) on 18 September 2020 and will no longer be sold in Australia," the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/bufexamac" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">TGA website</a> read. "TGA has determined that, based on our assessment and independent advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines (ACM) the safety and effectiveness of bufexamac-containing products are unacceptable. "Bufexamac is associated with a risk of serious skin reactions (also known as allergic contact dermatitis). "The TGA has also determined that there is inadequate evidence that the bufexamac ingredient in these products is effective." </div> </div> </div>

News

Completely natural ways to nip spring allergies in the bud

If spring’s blossoms have left you red-eyed and runny-nosed, don’t rush straight to the medicine chest. Many drugs simply treat the symptoms of allergic reactions, which can often be easily prevented in the first place. Here are a few natural ways to keep your allergies at bay. <ol> <li> Avoid pollen </li> </ol> Most plants pollinate in the early hours of the morning, so try to postpone outdoor activity to the afternoon. Also, try taking a quick shower and changing your clothes every time you come home to rinse off stray pollen. <ol start="2"> <li> Find the triggers in your home </li> </ol> Mould, dust mites and pollen in your house can all inflame allergies. Use a diluted bleach solution to clean mould in basements, garages and on old patio furniture. <ol start="3"> <li> Avoid using window fans to cool rooms </li> </ol> They can suck pollen indoors. <ol start="4"> <li> Turn on the dehumidifier </li> </ol> You should keep humidity levels below 50 percent to kill dust mites, but above 30 percent to avoid making your home too dry. <ol start="5"> <li> Improve the air indoors</li> </ol> Invest in a good air filter and change it every two to three months. <ol start="6"> <li> Stay contained in the car</li> </ol> Keep windows closed when driving. If it’s hot, use the air conditioner instead. <ol start="7"> <li> Consider your diet</li> </ol> Eat foods rich in omega-3s to aid with allergies. These include fish, eggs, walnuts and flaxseed oil. <ol start="8"> <li> Love your laundry</li> </ol> Wash bed linens at least once a week in 50 degree-plus water. That’s how hot it should be to kill dust mite eggs. <ol start="9"> <li> Don a mask</li> </ol> Wear a mask while doing housework, which can stir up allergens. <ol start="10"> <li> Get wrapping</li> </ol> Bedroom items that can’t be washed, such as pillows, mattresses and box springs, should be covered in tightly woven, hypoallergenic dust-mite covers. Stuffed animals and throw pillows should be eliminated or kept to a minimum. <ol start="11"> <li> Pet protection</li> </ol> Clean your pets. Wipe off their paws when they come home and wipe down their fur after they’ve been outside. <ol start="12"> <li> Rinse and repeat. </li> </ol> Rinse out your nose with a simple saline solution. Clear the pollen from your passages using a Neti pot or a spray bottle. <ol start="13"> <li> Turn to herbs</li> </ol> Instead of drugs, take a few herbs. To alleviate a runny nose and sinus congestion, try freeze-dried stinging nettles. Eyebright can soothe red, itchy, watery eyes. And the supplement quercetin, a bioflavonoid often found packaged with Vitamin C, can also be an effective antihistamine. Butterbur can alleviate symptoms of grass allergies. This article first appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/allergies/zap-spring-allergies-with-these-natural-remedies" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

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Why peanuts trigger such powerful allergic reactions

Food allergens are the scourge of the modern school lunchbox. Many foods contain proteins that can set off an oversized immune reaction and one of the fiercest is the humble peanut. Around <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674911001357">3 per cent of children in Australia</a> have a peanut allergy, and only <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11174206">1 in 5 of them</a> can expect to outgrow it. For these unlucky people, even <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(97)70161-1/fulltext">trace</a> amounts of peanut can trigger a fatal allergic reaction. But what sets the peanut apart from other nuts? Why is it so good at being an allergen? To answer this, we have to explore the pathway from allergen to allergy, and just what it is about an allergen that triggers a response from the immune system. <h2>How food gets to the immune system</h2> Before coming into contact with the immune system, an allergen in food needs to overcome a series of obstacles. First it needs to pass through the food manufacturing process, and then survive the chemicals and enzymes of the human gut, as well as cross the physical barrier of the intestinal lining. After achieving all of this, the allergen must still have the identifying features that trigger the immune system to respond. Many food allergens successfully achieve this, some better than others. This helps us to understand why some food allergies are worse than others. The most potent allergens – like peanuts – have many characteristics that successfully allow them to overcome these challenges, while other nuts display these traits to a lesser extent. <h2>Strength in numbers</h2> The first characteristic many allergenic foods have, especially peanuts, is strength in numbers. Both tree nuts and peanuts contain multiple different allergens. At <a href="http://www.allergen.org/index.php">last count</a>, cashews contain three allergens, almonds have five, walnuts and hazelnuts have 11 each and peanuts are loaded with no less than 17. Each allergen has a unique shape, so the immune system recognises each one differently. The more allergens contained in a single food, the higher the potency. Additionally, many of these allergens also have numerous binding sites for both antibodies and specialised immune cells, further increasing their potency. <h2>Stronger through scorching</h2> The first hurdle for a food allergen is the food manufacturing process. Many nuts are roasted prior to consumption. For most foods, heating changes the structure of proteins in a way that destroys the parts that trigger an immune response. This makes them far less potent as allergens. This is not the case for many tree nuts: allergens in almonds, cashews and hazelnuts survived roasting with no loss of potency. And for the major peanut allergens, it’s even worse. Roasting actually makes them more potent. <h2>The gauntlet of the gut</h2> From here, the allergen will have to survive destruction by both stomach acid and digestive enzymes within the human gut. Many nut allergens have the ability to evade digestion to some degree. Some simply have a robust structure, but peanut allergens actively <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=12847498">inhibit</a> some of the digestive enzymes of the gut. This helps them safely reach the small intestine, where the allergens then need to cross the gut lining to have contact with the immune system. This is where peanut allergens really stand apart from most other allergens. They have the ability to cross the intestinal cells that make up the gut lining. Given their relative sizes, this is like a bus squeezing itself through a cat flap. Peanut allergens accomplish this remarkable feat by altering the bonds that hold the gut cells <a href="https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/362956">together</a>. They can also cross the lining by hijacking the gut’s own ability to move substances. Once across, the allergens will gain access to the immune system, and from there an allergic response is triggered. The combination of multiple allergens, numerous immune binding sites, heat stability, digestion stability, enzyme blocking, and the effect on the gut lining makes peanut a truly nasty nut. <h2>Where to from here?</h2> This leaves us with a nagging question: if peanuts are so potent, why doesn’t everyone develop a peanut allergy? We still don’t know. Recently, a potential <a href="https://unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2019/peanut-allergy-vaccine-to-rewrite-the-immune-system/">vaccine</a> developed by researchers from the University of South Australia has shown promise in reprogramming the immune system of mice and blood taken from people with peanut allergy. Will this translate to a potential treatment for peanut allergy? We will have to wait and see. For now, the more we learn about the action of allergens, and the more we understand their effects on our body, the more we can develop new ways to stop them. And eventually, we might outsmart these clever nuts for good.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127120/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dwan-price-742000">Dwan Price</a>, Molecular Biologist and Postdoc @ Deakin AIRwatch pollen monitoring system., <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tough-nuts-why-peanuts-trigger-such-powerful-allergic-reactions-127120">original article</a>.

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Woman's head swells to incredible size after severe allergic reaction to hair dye

After attempting an at-home hair dye job, one French student was left with an extreme allergic reaction that made her head grow nearly twice its size, almost killing her. Estelle, 19, says before using the product, she conducted a patch test as recommended but only left the product on for 30 minutes instead of the full 48 hours. The dye contained a chemical PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which is an ingredient that is commonly found in many dyes. But despite the ingredient being mainstream, a reaction to the substance can be life-threatening, as it could cause renal failure, rapid swelling, respiratory failure and kidney damage. PPD is also commonly found in henna tattoos and dark-coloured beauty products. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/sante/defiguree-apres-une-coloration-pour-cheveux-estelle-19-ans-a-frole-la-mort-27-11-2018-7955175.php" target="_blank">Le Parisien</a>, Estelle said she noticed something was wrong almost immediately as her scalp felt irritated and started to swell. After taking a few antihistamines she didn’t see improvement, as the next day her head measured a whopping 24.8 inches instead of the average 22 inches. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HgiajBHmhFc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> “I could not breathe. I had a lightbulb head,” she said. She was then rushed to the emergency room after other areas of her body such as her tongue began to expand in size. Staff injected adrenaline and forced her to stay the night as her condition worsened by the hour. Since then, Estelle has fully recovered, but is sharing her story to advise others to be careful when using hair dyes at home. PPD is a chemical found in many hair dyes, especially shades that are on the darker spectrum. The law states that only 2 per cent of PPD can be used in hair dyes and the product Estelle used contained 1 per cent. Maybe this is a sign for us to rock grey hair? Will you still dye your hair after reading this cautionary tale? Let us know in the comments below.

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Mum slams airline after her son nearly died during flight

A family holiday almost turned to tragedy after 10-year-old Luca had a severe allergic reaction to a cashew nut served on an American Airlines flight from Aruba. Had it not been the quick-thinking actions of a nurse onboard the plane, Luca would have died. “My son had serious anaphylaxis symptoms on our flight home last night,” Luca’s mother Francine <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fvalorosoingrassia/posts/10212555999669591" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>. “He ate one cashew from the nut mix he was served on our flight and within minutes he had severe stomach pain, chest pain and stridor breathing. If it was not for the quick-thinking stewardess on the plane, the nurse who administered the EpiPen and cared for him the entire trip and passengers who gave us their EpiPens this would have been fatal. “We were not aware of any allergies that our son had with cashews before this flight. The pilots were prepared to do an emergency landing in the Dominican Republic.” What’s worse, as Francine and Luca discovered, was that the flight was dangerously underprepared in the event of an allergic reaction. “The scariest thing was that American Airlines did not have an EpiPen in their medical kits and served nuts on a plane? We need to change this. “I am forever grateful [to] Nurse Kelly who saved my son’s life and sat with us the entire flight, the two passengers who gave us their EpiPens, the quick-thinking stewardess, the pilots and the paramedics who boarded the plane once we landed to check his vitals. Things could have been very different if it wasn’t for all these angels completely aligned.” Speaking to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/03/03/mom-slams-american-airlines-for-limited-response-during-son-s-near-fatal-allergic-reaction.html" target="_blank">Fox News</a> after the terrifying incident, Francine criticised the airline for its lack of preparedness. “American Airlines staff had their hands tied because they were limited on what they could do to save my son’s life since they had no medication to offer us from their medical kits,” she said. “All they could offer was an emergency landing in the Dominican Republic, however it could have been fatal at that point.” Despite this, American Airlines claimed in a statement that their medical kits do indeed contain epinephrine. “We are grateful that Luca is OK and that our crew members and passengers, including a nurse, came together quickly to provide him the care he needed,” spokeswoman Michelle Mohr told <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/mom-boy-suffered-near-fatal-allergic-reaction-flight-says-airline-didnt-enough-203654081.html" target="_blank">Yahoo Lifestyle</a>. “We hope he is feeling better and understand how frightening the reaction must have been for him and his mother. “The medical kits on board our aircraft comply with federal regulations and contain Epinephrine – the same medicine contained in an EpiPen. Our professional flight attendants are familiar with the contents of the on-board kits. They are able to provide general first aid and are trained in CPR and using an AED. But we require a licensed medical professional to administer more extensive forms of treatment like injections for the health and safety of our customers. “We are following up with our crew to thank them for moving quickly to take care of Luca and to learn more about the situation on board and how they managed it. We thank our crew members and our passengers on board for moving fast and working together to take care of Luca as quickly as possible.” Image credit: Francine Val/Facebook.

Travel Trouble

Is your pet allergic to you?

While pets are often blamed for allergies flaring up, have you ever stopped to wonder if pets can be allergic to you?Because the answer is yes, yes they can.We were astonished as you are, but it seems that cats can be allergic to dogs, dogs can be allergic to cats, and both can be allergic to humans.“It's rare, but dogs can be allergic to cat dander and people dander and vice versa.” Raelynn Farnsworth, of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, told National Geographic. While dander, the tiny cells shed from hair, fur or feathers, is mostly used in relation to pets, humans produce it too.For dogs, the most common symptoms include skin inflammation, itching, sneezing and runny noses. For cats, allergy symptoms often manifest as little scabs or missing hair, generally around neck and head area.If you observe your pets with these symptoms take them to the vet to get tested. Typically, vets will look for common allergens like dust mites, human dander or common things in the environment. Usually if pets are allergic to human dander they are sensitive to other allergens as well.And if your furry friend does end up being allergic to you, there’s no need to worry about parting ways. Vets can treat pet allergies with either allergy shots or oral drops, which trains the body to ignore the allergens.Related links:<a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/08/signs-your-pet-is-sick/">10 signs your pet is sick</a><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/07/dog-is-a-picky-pooper/">Why is my dog such a picky pooper?</a><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/06/why-cats-groom-people/">Why do cats groom people?</a>

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Is your pet allergic to you?

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