Dead Sea Salt Solution as Effective as Nasal Steroids in Treating Sinus Issues, without Risks (12 Jun 2012)
A new study published in this month's print issue of the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology shows that treatment with Dead Sea salt (DSS) irrigations and sprays are as effective as topical nasal steroids in treating chronic rhinosinusitis.

Metal allergy can manifest as contact dermatitis (Epub 30 May, Pubmed 14 Jun 2012)
Sometimes a systemically administered allergen may reach the skin and remain concentrated there with the aid of the circulatory system, leading to the production of systemic contact dermatitis.

Hay fever vaccine shows efficacy in phase IIa trial (14 Jun 2012)
A novel vaccine for grass pollen allergy has shown significant improvements for patients in a Phase IIa trial. The vaccine BM32 is based on an innovative ...

Positive phase III trial results announced for SLIT for ragweed allergy (14 Jun 2012)
In this trial, ragweed sublingual immunotherapy demonstrated statistically significant clinical improvement, as compared to placebo, in highly allergic ragweed-sensitive patients.

Real-life effect of classical homeopathy in the treatment of allergies (Jan 2012, online at 13 Jun 2012)
All the clinical symptoms of the patients studied were shown to improve substantially and, in most cases, quite markedly. 62% were able to discontinue at least one medication, and the remaining 38% reported a dose reduction in at least one medication. No side effects were reported during treatment.

Even low helminth numbers benefit allergies (30 Apr 2012, online at 16 Jun 2012)
Although the majority of helminth infections were of low intensity, a trend toward a protective role for helminths against allergic diseases was noted.

Impact of allergic rhinitis in school age children (Epub 30 Apr 2012, PubMed 16 Jun 2012)
Although allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic paediatric disorder, it remains neglected - even more so in the developing world - with parents and health care professionals more often than not failing to accord it the attention it deserves.

Surgical staff still not fully aware of the implications of latex hypersensitivity (Apr 2012, PubMed 16 Jun 2012)
This review of the relevant literature regarding hypersensitivity reactions during anaesthetic-surgical procedures shows that patient disclosure of a latex allergy, during the pre-anaesthetic evaluation, does not ensure the patient's safety if staff are inattentive to the issue and, for example, continue to wear latex gloves. There is also a tendency, when an anaphylactic event occurs, to initially attribute this to anaesthetics rather than latex hypersensitivity.

Urinary levels of triclosan and parabens are associated with aeroallergen and food sensitization (14 Jun 2012)
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have immune-modulating effects but, as a group, they are not associated with allergen sensitization. However, levels of the antimicrobial EDCs, triclosan and parabens, are significantly associated with allergic sensitization.

Antibacterials in Personal-Care Products Linked to Allergy Risk in Children (18 Jun 2012)
Exposure to common antibacterial chemicals and preservatives found in soap, toothpaste, mouthwash and other personal-care products may make children more prone to a wide range of food and environmental allergies.
And more comment on this story from Jezebel.

Hypersensitivity possible to the drug warfarin (Jan-Feb 2012, PubMed 23 Jun 2012)
This case of a reaction affecting a patient's tongue, without affecting any other aspect of their mouth or body, highlights the potential for hypersensitivity type reactions in patients on warfarin therapy.

Apparent case of suicide by anaphylaxis (Epub19 Jun 2012 , PubMed 23 Jun 2012)J
A man who was allergic to fish protein and suffered from severe depression man was found dead near a swimming lake with two open and partly emptied fish tins lying next to him. Autopsy findings and histological tests suggest that death was caused by an anaphylactic reaction.

Hypersensitivity reactions to proton pump inhibitors (28 Jun 2012)
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) - one of most frequently prescribed drugs in the world - can cause a whole slew of adverse reactions, from mild symptoms to life-threatening disorders. These drugs should therefore only be used when clinically indicated.
Natural alternatives to PPIs.

Hypoallergenic dog? There's no such thing, report suggests (29 Jun 2012)
The allergy-friendly dog may be little more than wishful thinking, according to a new study in which scientists found that "hypoallergenic" canines had more allergy-causing protein in their fur than regular dogs, and the air in their owners' homes contained just as much allergenic protein.

Allergy risks during anaesthesia (6 Jul 2012)
As well as revealing some interesting statistics on the rate of occurrence of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia, this article shows that the most frequently incriminated substances are neuromuscular blocking agents, followed by latex and antibiotics. Diagnosis in the event can be difficult, and treatment is based on stopping the administration of the allergen responsible for the reaction, and administration of epinephrine.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis (Jul 2012)
A recent extensive review showed that SLIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis, provided that high enough doses are regularly administered for at least 3 consecutive years. Apparently, SLIT is already used more frequently than SCIT in some parts of Europe due to better safety. However, SLIT may cause local side effects - such as an itchy mouth and possibly gastrointestinal symptoms - and must be taken every day, which may not be as convenient as getting a single SCIT shot every few weeks.
(FREE full text article)

A case of dog-related human semen allergy (Apr 2012, PubMed 10 Jul 2012)
A woman with a known allergy to male but not female dogs, who was highly allergic to a dog allergen that is strongly related to a constituent of human semen, became allergic to her partner's seminal fluid.

Nasal filters prevent pollen-induced seasonal rhinitis (Apr 2012, PubMed 10 Jul 2012)
Pollen-allergic patients using nasal filters experienced relief of nasal symptoms and a reduced need for antihistaminic drugs.

Probiotic given to pregnant/lactating mice prevents birch pollen-induced allergic inflammation in offspring (Epub 6 Jul 2012, PubMed 14 Jul 2012)
In a mouse model of birch pollen allergy, perinatal administration of Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 to pregnant/lactating mothers protected against the development of airway inflammation in offspring.

Hypersensitivity reactions in the anaesthesia setting a concern (Aug 2012)
Hypersensitivity reactions in those undergoing operations remain a major cause of concern and the incidence of such reactions is higher than previously reported.

Knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine among physicians dealing with allergic diseases (PubMed 20 Jul 2012)
Considering the popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) amongst allergic patients, physicians involved in allergy patients' care need to be aware of CAM. However, this first report on physicians involved in allergic patients' care shows that they are reluctant to refer for CAM therapies. A minority believes that they have enough knowledge, but most are interested in continuing medical education on CAM. Training opportunities should therefore be created to improve physicians' education in this field.

Allergy to horses is not yet on doctors' radar (PubMed 20 Jul 2012)
In spite of significant sensitisation rates among urban-dwelling subjects without direct exposure to horses, allergy to horses is infrequently discussed in the medical literature, and standardised testing for it is not yet available.

Drug allergy (May-Jun 2012, PubMed 20 Jul 2012)
This abstract summarises the patient groups most at risk of developing allergic drug reactions, which are unpredictable and may occur at fractions of what would be the therapeutic dosage of a drug.

Maternal food consumption during pregnancy may influence the risk of asthma and allergies in offspring (Mar 2012, PubMed 20 Jul 2012)
The development of allergic diseases in preschool children may be influenced by maternal diet during pregnancy.

Allergic/inflammatory responses may be reduced by certain strains of the probiotic (Epub 17 Jul 2012, PubMed 21 Jul 2012)
Exposure of the intestine to the probiotic, lactobacillus rhamnosus, can have systemic immune effects that include the attenuation of allergic responses.

Sublingual immunotherapy not effective in house dust mite-allergic children (Epub 21 Oct 2011, PubMed 21 Jul 2012)
Although considered safe, sublingual immunotherapy with house dust mite allergen was no better than placebo for reducing rhinitis symptoms in house dust mite-allergic children in primary care.

Omega-3s may protect children against allergies (23 Jul 2012)
Daily supplements of Omega-3-rich fish oil may reduce the allergic response to some allergens.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) promising for Immune Regulation (24 Jul 2012)
Previous studies have shown that TCMs perform dual roles on immunological regulation: immunological activation and immunological suppression. This latest review reveals the role of TCMs in immune regulation and proposes a promising future for them in immunomodulatory therapies.

Nonallergic Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions (25 Jul 2012)
Diagnostic methods exist to distinguish allergic from nonallergic drug hypersensitivity reactions. The best option in nonallergic drug hypersensitivity is avoidance. If that is not possible, premedication protocols have been developed, although the success of premedication varies amongst drugs and patients.

The dietary supplement, 5-HTP, may inhibit allergic inflammation (27 Jul 2012)
This study explains how 5-HTP supplementation inhibits allergic inflammation.

Nickel allergy and endoscopy (Jul 2012)
The only treatment for nickel allergy is to avoid contact with all products known to have nickel content. However, nickel is impossible to avoid in the gastroenterology endoscopy setting.

Got a nickel allergy? Beware stainless steel dental crowns! (Spring 2012, PubMed 31 Jul 2012)
A case is described of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction manifesting as perioral skin eruptions in a 13 year old girl after she was fitted with a preformed stainless steel crown.

Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responses (Aug 2012)
The results of this study confirm that postnatal fish oil supplementation produces immune system changes that are potentially allergy-protective.

Schistosomes reduce experimental allergic inflammation in mice (Epub 8 Feb 2012, PubMed 1 Aug 2012)
In both mice and men, schistosomes have the capacity to drive immune regulation and, furthermore, these are instrumental in reducing experimental allergic inflammation in mice. Obviously, no-one wants to deliberately acquire a schistosome infection, but there are benign helminths that will perform the same immune regulatory function without risk: Helminthic therapy- 2009

Mite-induced inflammation: more than allergy (Epub 3 May 2012, PubMed 2 Aug 2012)
There is an association between atopic conditions and hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and this is especially so in patients allergic to mites. This study confirms the association of mite hypersensitivity with aspirin/NSAIDs intolerance and provides additional clues to various nonallergic causes of the acute and chronic inflammatory process observed in atopic, mite-allergic, individuals.

People with Allergies May Have Lower Risk of Brain Tumours (3 Aug 2012)
This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that there’s a link between allergies and reduced risk of a serious type of cancer that starts in the brain. This study suggests the reduced risk is stronger among women than men, although men with certain allergy profiles also have a lower tumour risk.

Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated (Epub 7 May 2012, PubMed 4 Aug 2012)
Increased contact with the natural environment may increase general human well being in urban areas, but also may enrich the commensal microbiota and enhance its interaction with the immune system, with far-reaching consequences for health.

Curcumin suppresses ovalbumin-induced allergic conjunctivitis (Epub 18 Jul 2012, PubMed 10 Aug 2012)
These findings are claimed to be the first to demonstrate that curcumin treatment suppresses allergic conjunctival inflammation in an experimental model.

Why doctors are treating allergies with parasitic worms (10 Aug 2012)
It turns out hookworms are also great for treating food allergies. And irritable bowel syndrome. And asthma.
Read more about helminthic therapy here.

Air pollutants cause exacerbation, and possibly onset, of allergic disease (9 Aug 2012)
This is the conclusion of a recent study looking at the developments of the past 18 months regarding air pollution, genetics and epigenetics, and allergy.

Altered Immunity and The Leaky Gut Syndrome (Aug 2012)
Physicians are increasingly recognising the importance of the gastrointestinal tract in the development of allergic or autoimmune disease.

Animals v. allergic air travellers: who wins? (10 Aug 2012)
No matter how cute the Chihuahua, how tame the terrier or how precious the Persian, for allergic passengers, hours cooped up with a pet can be anything from torturous to fatal.

Woman learns she has rare, life-threatening disease, not allergies (10 Aug 2012)
After 4 decades of illness, misdiagnosis, and mis-treatment, a woman finally learns that she has hereditary angioedema, not allergies.

Some good in hookworms, after all (12 Aug 2012)
A hookworm infection may be something most people would instinctively avoid, but it may hold the key to curbing the allergy epidemic sweeping the developed world.
There's more on this topic here and here.

Omega-3 fatty acids might help alleviate allergic disease (16 Aug 2012)
The oral administration of fish oil containing a high level of omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the severity of dermatitis and the thickening of epidermis/dermis in mice.

Early exposure to probiotics in dogs with atopic dermatitis has long-term benefits (15 Apr 2012, PubMed 22 Aug 2012)
Probiotics modulate the immune response and may have protective effects against atopic dermatitis.

Atopy is inversely related to schistosome infection intensity (Epub 6 Mar 2012, Pubmed 21 Aug 2012)
An infection with the parasite, schistosoma, produces down-regulation of the immune response to allergens, and this effect increases inline with the size of the worm 'burden'.
This effect is what makes helminthic therapy so effective, but schistosoma is not a suitable organism for use in therapy. The hookworm, Necator americanus, which is equally effective in terms of its ability to modulate the allergic response, is preferable because it has no long-term adverse side effects.

Is allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) a rare trigger of, or risk factor for, autoimmune disease? (21 Aug 2012)
The development of autoimmune disease in allergic patients treated with SIT is rare. Nevertheless, as a principle of caution, it seems reasonable to carefully evaluate the indication for SIT, that is, risks versus benefits, in patients with established autoimmune disease or a strong family history of autoimmune disease.

Vitamin D and atopy and asthma in children (Jun 2012, PubMed 28 Aug 2012)
Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels during both pregnancy and childhood may reduce the development of atopy and asthma in children, although the dosage required may vary between the sexes and between individuals.

Latex immunotherapy: state of the art (Sept 2012, PubMed 28 Aug 2012)
Sublingual immunotherapy may be an effective option for the treatment of latex allergy in selected patients, when avoidance measures are not feasible or effective.