Spoonful of Cinnamon

It's the latest craze among teens: put a tablespoonful of cinnamon in your mouth and see if you can swallow it within a minute without using water to wash it down. Sounds pretty harmless and honestly, we can think of worse things our teens could be engaging in.  But the Cinnamon Challenge can be dangerous and has led to numerous calls to poison control, some of which have led to outright medical evaluations.  It's rather amusing to think that a spice used to jazz up foods could become a source of entertainment for our kids.  But do we need to lock it up with the liquor in the cupboard? 

Living with Pollen Allergies

Pollen: it's one of those things that makes you miserable unless you're one of the lucky ones. If you suffer from season allergies, knowing your local pollen count can help you prepare for allergies. A pollen count is a measurement of the amount of pollen in the air. Allergy sufferers should know hot to find local pollen counts before planning any outdoor activities.

Could Halogen Light Bulbs be Making Us Sick?

Is there really such a thing as halogen light bulb allergies? No, but there are health related issues that come from Compact Fluorescent Lights or CFLs. With global warming and environmental concerns being such hot topics, we have been told to use CFLs because they use 75% less energy, but can they be making us sick?

Can Food Cause Breathing Problems?

Respiratory allergies and food intake can be related. Actually, any food can cause a food allergy in any given individual. However, there are only a few foods that account for 90% of allergic reactions to food. Those foods include, milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts from trees, fish, shellfish, soya and wheat. Food alergies are far more serious than the seasonal allergies that afflict so many of us. Knowing what a food allergy are and how to treat the symptoms of an attack is essential for anyone who care for children.

Living with That Darn Cat

Cats are furry, fluffy and so cute. But what do you do if your cat makes you sick? Well, common sense would dictate that if something makes you sick, you should stay away from it. But people don't always use their common sense when it comes to their pets. An estimated 6 million Americans are allergic to cats. Symptoms of a cat allergy include coughing, wheezing, hives or rash on the face and chest, runny or stuffy nose, and red, itchy eyes. There may also be redness in the area where a cat bites, scratches, or licks you. A cat's fur is not the source of the allergy. The allergens are a result of the proteins in the cat's saliva, urine, and in the dander, which are the dry skin flakes that the cat sheds. No one wants to give up a beloved pet, so luckily there are things you can do so that you and your cat can live together.

Common Childhood Food Allergies

In any discussion of common childhood food allergies, peanuts are sure spring to mind as the worst offender. However, kid food allergies can include a whole array of things such as milk, soy, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, even strawberries. While experts advise us to expose children to a wide range of healthy foods to expand their palates and even prevent allergies, there is always the chance of an unexpected and adverse reaction, especially today when so many children suffer from nut allergies, gluten allergies, dairy or milk allergies and citrus allergies. 

Best In Home Air Filters

Air purifiers and the addition of HVAC air filters to your home will keep you from breathing dirty air. Whether you have allergies, asthma or are completely healthy, everyone should know the details about why hepa filters and industrial air filters are necessary if you wish to lead a healthy life. Even the cleanest home on the block is bound to be riddled with household allergens, so protect your family by cleaning the air they breathe.

Serious Problems with Everyday Foods

Unusual food allergies are popping up everywhere these days. While food allergies appear to be on the rise, it is quite possible that they have always been this prevalent and are being detected far more accurately now than they once were. In particular, there is more known about symptoms of unusual food allergies.

When A Child Develops Welts or a Rash After Eating Strawberries

An estimated eight percent of children suffer from a food-related allergy.  A strawberry allergy in kids is found to be more prevalent than in the mere three percent of adults with general food allergies.  Unique proteins found in strawberries can cause a physical reaction in your child if he or she is sensitive to them.  If your family has a history of food allergies, it is likely that your child may be intolerant to strawberries.

How Seasonal Summer Allergies Impact Your Child

Once the growing season summer allergies come around there's no relief from Mother Nature until late fall's cold snap! Just because summer is in full swing doesn't mean allergy season is over.  Technically, the summer spawns new allergens to go with the few spring allergens and pollen still hanging around.  And to make matters worse summer pollution coupled with dry sultry weather is the perfect breeding ground for summer allergies and colds.