Blog
Welcome to Allergychoices' bi-monthly blog. Our blog posts fall into several categories: Allergic Conditions, Allergy Control Program, Allergy-Friendly Holidays, Environmental Allergies, Food Allergy, La Crosse Method Protocol, Nutrition/Wellness, Pediatric Allergy, Sublingual Immunotherapy. Or you can see the most recent posts below...
Decrease Allergies and Increase Productivity in the Classroom
“Are you ready to go back to school?” Depending on whom you ask — and, maybe, the age of the student — you’ll likely get a different response. Younger kids may squeal with excitement while the teens groan, wishing for an endless summer. With the rise of allergy, both environmental and food, students and parents…
Learn about allergies in the classroom…
Does SLIT impact asthma? New review indicates yes.
Big news for sublingual immunotherapy came in the form of a comparative effectiveness review recently. A group of allergy researchers compared 31 subcutaneous immunotherapy studies, 18 sublingual immunotherapy studies, and 5 combined studies “to assess the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy for treating allergic asthma.” The results showed that overall, immunotherapy is a valid treatment…
Learn how allergy drops impact asthma…
What Does “May Contain” Really Mean for Food Labeling?
Somewhere between vague and confusing is a food label stating “may contain.” For people with food allergy, knowing if those crackers or that cake contain their allergen is nonnegotiable. So what’s up with the indistinct labels and confusing language? Emily Melby, RDN, at Allergy Associates of La Crosse, explains where this label came from, what…
Learn about food labels...
Allergy Can Take the Beauty Out of Beauty Products
The products we use to beautify ourselves cause reactions for many people, leaving them with red, raised skin – a bit counteractive, if you ask me. Beauty products such as shampoo, mascara, lotion, perfume, and eye shadow can all contribute to itching, scratching and even sneezing for people who are “allergic to makeup.” While some…
Learn about allergic reactions to makeup…
Hypoallergenic pets — is that really a thing?
Hypoallergenic has been defined as “designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response; as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances.” In some products, like fragrances or make up, this label is easily understood, but it’s not as easy to comprehend when it comes to animals. Can a dog be…
Learn why there is no such thing as hypoallergenic pets…
7 Ways to Avoid Cabin Fever (aka summer allergies!)
There are two kinds of cabin fever. You’re familiar with the first one, the anxiousness as you wait to get to the cabin – the pontoon, swimming, campfires, outdoors, relaxation and sunshine – after a long winter. The second form kicks in once you get to the cabin: The allergy symptoms that come from every…
Get tips to avoid summer allergies…
Uncovering Allergy Testing Part 2: IgE and You
In our previous blog, we introduced the concept of blood testing (see Uncovering Allergy Testing Part 1: What Tests do I Need?). Before learning more about blood testing, I thought it was something that could easily be discussed in one paragraph, but, I was definitely wrong. It turns out blood testing is more complicated than…
Learn more about allergy blood testing…
Uncovering Allergy Testing Part 1: What Tests Do I Need?
Allergists often say that history is the biggest determinant in diagnosing a patient’s allergies. However, specific allergy testing can also aid greatly in making the diagnosis. The La Crosse Method™ Protocol for allergy testing and treatment incorporates a variety of reproducible testing options that help the allergist get to the bottom of the allergy mystery…
Learn about allergy testing…
WARNING! Extended Pollen Season Ahead
If you feel like your seasonal allergies seem to drag on longer and longer each year, you’re not mistaken. According to a study by Ziska et. al that compared the length of ragweed seasons from 1995 to 2015, those who suffer from pollen allergies are indeed suffering longer each year, and there seems to be…
Learn about the upcoming pollen season…