Notes From Allergy Update 2011
I attend the annual medical conference presented by the Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society of Ontario. It’s always an incredibly informative event. Here are my notes from the 2011 conference: Mention was made of a black box warning for Xolair. The FDA reported anaphylactic reactions, which were sometimes delayed. I believe its primary use is […]
How To Handle Food Allergies At Overnight Camp
I had the pleasure to meet Craig Hartley, the Director of Centauri Summer Arts Camp, at a recent Camp Fair. I went to the Camp Fair to find out the allergy policies at the camps that were there, and I was very pleased to find out that Centauri Summer Arts Camp has a peanut and […]
The Need For Strict Avoidance of Your Allergen
Exposure to your allergen decreases your chances of outgrowing it according to Dr. Sami Bhana, past President of the American College of Asthma Allergy and Immunology (ACAAI) and professor of pediatrics and medicine and chief of the Allergy/Immunology Section at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Bhana stated in his 2010 lecture at the […]
Can Peanut Oil Produce An Allergic Reaction?
I am not in favor of using peanut oil or any other oil made from a substance to which you’re allergic. This sounds obvious, but it’s actually a controversial topic, since conflicting information exists saying that highly refined oils are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). The Food Allergy Initiative says that “peanut protein is found […]
Better Allergy Tests Now Available!
Although I’m not an allergist, I attend the annual Allergy Update medical conference for allergists every year in Toronto. This year, Dr. Robert Hamilton informed us that the presence of IgE measured by a RAST test is not predictive of the severity of allergenic response: In fact, it’s less than 50% predictive. He advised that […]
Most Ant Traps Contain Peanuts
I was surprised when I first learned that most ant traps contain peanut butter or peanuts as bait. Read the package carefully from any traps you may have in your home, and you will likely see the warning that they contain peanuts. Peanuts do not need to be disclosed by name on the ingredients list, […]
Cetaphil Products: Tree Nut Allergy Warning
Recently, a question was posted about nut oils in cleaners, creams, and lotions on the Onespot Allergy Facebook page, which led to a conversation about which Cetaphil products contain nut oils. Many dermatologists, family doctors, and allergists recommend Cetaphil products for their patients with eczema or sensitive skin, but care should be given to first […]
Onespot Allergy Health And Safety Award
Last year, the project my son and his friend prepared for Science Fair qualified for the London District Science & Technology Fair. The project won both an Honourable Mention in Life Sciences and the Faculty of Education Award, which award included a $100 prize. My son has a very generous nature: Since age 10, instead […]
The Best School Policy For Allergy And Anaphylaxis Management
As many of my readers know, I live in Ontario, Canada, which I believe is the heart of food allergy and anaphylaxis safety protocols for Canada and the rest of the world. This is due to the work of Sara Shannon, mother of Sabrina Shannon, a child who unfortunately died at age 13 from a […]
