As usual, we at Halo try to get you guys the most up-to-date information on allergies, asthma and the like.  Today, I thought I'd link you to the Centers for Disease Control website's landing page for Allergies and Hay Fever.  You can never have too much information at your fingertips, right?  Have a great weekend!  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm

It's been proven time and time again that certain substances and environmental concerns can affect children differently than adults.  I came across an article this week that discusses the difference between adult allergic reactions and reactions in children.  Of course, there can be communicative barriers when asking a two-year-old what is bothering her but there can also be marked differences in how she is reacting to her environment.  Read more about the differences and diagnosis suggestions below. http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_6223594

According to an article published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, an international group of researchers have found that children raised in the country have fewer allergies than city kids.    Scientists have discovered that the answer lies in the cow shed and, in particular, in two strains of bacteria, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Lactococcus lactis.  Yeah, I don't know how to pronounce them either, but drops given to laboratory animals proved to be immediately effective against allergies.  At this time, there is not a human-safe version of these drops available yet, but doctors are working out the details for the future.  Read more about the study here.

Just recently, a Danish company announced plans to manufacture allergens at the world's largest allergen raw material production plant.   The Idaho plant would produce grass, dust mite, ragweed and birch allergens for a new immunotherapy regimen of pills promoted as an alternative to allergy shots.  As many of you might know, shots can be plentiful, painful and expensive.  The Danish company, partnering with American pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough hopes to make immunotherapy more accessible for the masses.  Read more about the plans and the pills below. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_ID_Allergy_Plant.html

A study was recently released suggesting that students suffering from hay fever actually did worse on tests than students who were otherwise healthy.  The students were even more likely to perform poorly if they were on antihistamines due to their illness.  The study was conducted to highlight the severity of hay fever and to bring to light that allergies are not a laughing matter for many people.  Read more about the study below. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=74145

When I first read that people who suffer from allergies could still enjoy gardening, I laughed.  I didn't know how being outside, purposefully exposing one's self to plants, could possibly not affect one's allergies negatively.  But in a new book and website (http://www.allergyfree-gardening.com/), Thomas Leo Ogren suggests that asthma and allergy sufferers can enjoy gardening.  Ogren has a Master of Science in Agriculture and has written a book suggesting different garden staples for the allergen-sensitive.  He suggests opting for plants with colorful foliage, not flowers, and trees and grasses known for lower pollen emissions.  There are quite a few alternatives to cut down on allergen production in your garden that you may not be aware of.  Read more at his website, or in the article below. http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_6157895

A new study released in the international medical journal Paediatric Pulmonology (out of Australia) said that snoring in children can be related to allergies and asthma.  Most commonly, snoring in adults can be attributed to obstructions in one's airway or obesity, but this study calls rhinitis and other upper respiratory inflammation to the forefront.  The research also showed that first-born children are more prone to the condition, as are children exposed to maternal tobacco smoke during the first year of life. Read more about the study below: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10444424

Madeline Middleton, an 11-year-old Jupiter, Florida girl with asthma was recently awarded an extreme allergen makeover.  The sixth grader was awarded a week-long revamp of her bedroom, all financed by the Healthy Living Foundation.  Her stuffed animals and old upholstery were removed and the room was redecorated with a tropical theme; the carpet was replaced with two-tone wood floors and a beach mural was painted on the wall.  She was delighted to see how grown up it looked and her mother was delighted with her daughter's improved health. With all the materials and labor, the project cost a pretty $6,500.  Congratulations to Madeline...but couldn't she use a Halo?  Read the whole story here.

A new study just came out in the European Respiratory Journal about how drinking apple juice can actually ease asthma symptoms, especially wheezing.  Flavonoids, a certain phytochemical found in apple juice, were proven to reduce airway inflammation and restriction in those who suffer from asthma.  So, while you wait for your brand new Halo UVX to arrive, enjoy a frosty cold glass of apple juice. http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/962/10066/apple-juice/?ic=6004

Wondering about another ingenious way to educate your children about their allergies and asthma?  Well,  BrainPOP, the leading producer of animated, educational movies for youngsters in grades 3-12, can feed your need for knowledge.  Visit their website to see some of their videos. http://www.brainpop.com

School is letting out and the weather outside is beautiful.  Many people are planning road trips and vacations now that the kids are out of school. However, you may be forgetting that trips to different climates can bring different allergy and asthma concerns. There are quite a few more months of growing season in North Carolina than there was in Ohio where I was raised.  When I moved here 3 years ago, my allergies took a turn for the worse.  Soon after moving to Charlotte, my parents moved to Houston, Texas and my body had to adapt to a whole other new set of allergy norms. Now each time I head out to Houston to see my family, I have to stock up on Claritin and eye drops, and seriously consider what clothing I take to cover my itchy skin. The following article has some great tips about precautions you can take before you and your family's summer vacation. http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/news-39764-31.html

An article came out recently about a book called, ""Breathing Space: How Allergies Shape Our Lives and Landscapes" by Gregg Mitman.  The book outlines how over the past few hundred years, the American population has become increasingly itchier and sneezier due to our changing ecological environment.  Mitman believes that the increase of allergies has changed our perception of nature and our relationship with it.  It actually appears to be a pretty interesting book.  With preservation nose-to-nose with urbanization in our lives and times, there may be some truth to what he's saying.  The Journal Times did an interview with Gregg Mitman about his book.  Read the article here: http://www.journaltimes.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=13093

Today is June 1st.  That means that, on this day in history, Kentucky became the fifteenth state in 1792, the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released by the Beatles in 1967...and today marks the first day of National Safety Month.  Of course, the word "safety" can cover a lot of bases; from workplace to home, from grown-ups to children, from indoors to outdoors.  Each and every family needs to be prepared for emergencies, take special care while driving and child-proof their homes to keep everyone healthy and secure. I bring this up because Halo cares about you and your family's safety.  More specifically, Halo is concerned with your family's health.  Our vacuums eliminate allergens in your carpet and purify the air with our True HEPA filter, making your home less susceptible to the development of allergens. The National Safety Council has outlines and tips to keep you safe the whole month long.  Below are their guidelines for improving the air quality in your home.  Check out the rest of their site as well for ways to be careful all the way through June! http://www.nsc.org/nsm/pdf/IndoorAirQuality.pdf