Adult eczema rates are greater than previously thought, but the frequency and characteristics of adult onset disease remain controversial. Atopic dermatitis or eczema is the leading cause of skin related disability, but most studies focus only on children. Eczema is common in adults, but it is not known whether the higher rates are from new […]
Beer Allergy, what are the culprits?
Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world and beer allergy is rare. According to Bavarian Purity Law, beer includes barley, malt, hops, yeast and water, but each individual beer may differ in content and brewing procedures. True food allergies can result in reactions of hives, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. At […]
Palforzia (formerly AR101) and peanut allergy
Aimmune is seeking approval of its peanut allergy immunotherapy product, Palforzia. We have extensively discussed AR101 a Potential Peanut Allergy Cure nearly a year ago, and the FDA is set to make a decision on it very soon. Traditionally peanut allergies are managed by avoidance but the threat of accidental exposure cannot be nullified. In the US, […]
Fasenra for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
Fasenra (benralizumab) for Eosinophilic Esophagitis was made a reality today, when the FDA granted it Orphan Drug Designation (ODD). The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) provides for granting special status to a drug or biological product (“drug”) to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. This status is referred to as orphan […]
Zithromax prophylaxis in immune deficient patients
Zithromax prophylaxis (250 mg once daily, 3 consecutive days a week), has been studied to decrease the frequency of annual episodes of respiratory exacerbation in primary immunodeficiency patients with frequent respiratory infections. Primary antibody deficiencies are considered rare diseases, but only 1% of subjects living with it actually receive a diagnosis. The spectrum of primary […]
Chronic Cough; Management and Diagnosis
People with chronic cough can experience significant quality of life impairment. Cough is a fundamental protective reflex that can become disordered and lead to a persistent symptom complex that limits quality of life. The assessment should consider whether it is a manifestation of a significant underlying disease such as pneumonia, cardiac failure or an exacerbation […]
Cat vaccine to prevent allergies in owners
A cat vaccine is being developed to decrease the amount of allergy that cats produce. Cats are found in about 25% of households in the United States and allergy to cats is found in approximately 10% of the population. The major cat allergen found in saliva and dander is called Fel d 1, and this […]
Auvi-Q 0.1 mg for infants and toddlers
Auvi-Q 0.1 mg is being used for children weighing 16.5 to 33 pounds. In a previous post we discussed this when it first came out. Auvi-Q 0.1 mg dose approved for infants and children The Auvi-Q 0.1 mg has a smaller needle length and there is less risk of hitting a bone, which could result […]
Early-life undernutrition and asthma
Early-life undernutrition is closely correlated with higher risk of asthma in offspring. The early life is critically important for later adult health. Early-life undernutrition leads to growth restriction and it can be responsible for impaired lung development and respiratory function from the fetal period to adulthood. Asthma involves chronic allergic airway inflammation characterized by airway […]
Dupixent for Hives
Dupixent for hives is novel treatment option for patients with difficult to treatment chronic spontaneous urticaria. Chronic hives is a common condition marked by episodes of elevated, itching, red wheals persisting for more than 6 weeks without a specific known cause. It is estimated that chronic hives affects about 1% of the population. The mechanism […]