Allergy Expert James Thompson, MD shares Allergy management news and commentary at MyAllergyNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/33077/treatment-hookworms Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:42:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD How far are you willing to go to treat your allergy and asthma problems?   Would you allow your doctor to infect you with parasitic worms in order to suppress your allergy immune system? Apparently there are allergy sufferers who would.   A physician/scientist conducted a study that involved the intentional infection of 15 allergy patients with hookworms. Another 15 were part of the control group (allergy patients in the... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/33077/treatment-hookworms http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/31726/poison-leafs-leave Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:20:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD The beginning of summer kicks off the camping and hiking season, anxiously awaited by those who have endured a long cold winter. But being in the outdoors in the warm weather may lead to contact dermatitis caused by exposure to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. The resin on the plants' leaves, urushiol, is the cause of the trademark red, itchy patches and blisters. It takes a little planning to avoid the plants and some immediate... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/31726/poison-leafs-leave http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/27617/decongestant-sprays Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:00:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD Over-the-counter nasal sprays provide quick relief to millions of Americans suffering from a stuffy nose or sinus pressure, often brought on by allergies (aka "hay fever"). But did you know prolonged use of these sprays -- known as topical nasal decongestants (TNDs) -- often leads to addiction?   Continue reading Decongestant Nasal Sprays: Beware of Addiction     http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/27617/decongestant-sprays http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/26134/rhinitis-fragrances Thu, 01 May 2008 11:23:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD   In recent years the number of consumer products containing fragrances has skyrocketed. Thousands of fragrances have invaded our air space and become a part of our daily routine. But some people with respiratory problems might say that their homes and work places have turned into virtual gas chambers.   Fragrances are not limited to perfumes and colognes. Where else can they be found? Hair spray, bar soap, body and facial... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/26134/rhinitis-fragrances http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/22697/sublingual-oral Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:23:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD Many publications about sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) have been cited in recent years. Sublingual immunotherapy is widely used in Europe as a form of desensitization. Desensitization is a method of making a person less sensitive to allergy triggers (for example pollen, dust mites, cat, dog).  Sublingual Immunotherapy is different from Oral ImmunotherapySome published reports have interchangeably used the term sublingual immunotherapy... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/22697/sublingual-oral http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/22334/spring-season Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:07:00 -0400 James Thompson, MD People with seasonal allergies often forget about their plight over the winter months. Before they can fully enjoy the spring and summer weather, nasal itching, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes zero in to spoil the fun.  What can allergy sufferers do to prepare for outdoor allergy season?Here are seven tips including tips from me and the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Keep Reading 7 Tips for... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/22334/spring-season http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/21139/docs-direct-drug Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:37:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD One Doctor's Opinion: Regarding a survey conducted by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health about how drug ads influence doctors in prescribing medications and the impact on cost. Marketing prescription drugs to the public was popularized over a decade ago, by the makers of Claritin, a non-drowsy antihistamine (currently over the counter). I remember my first reaction to seeing one of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/21139/docs-direct-drug http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/20697/pets-tough-love Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:09:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD "Dr. Thompson, my child really wants a dog and we are considering bringing one home soon. His skin test was negative to dog and we have done dust mite controls for his dust allergy, which helped. Is it okay?"This is a common question allergists hear throughout the year from parents. Let's say you or your children have allergy problems with seasonal worsening in the spring and fall and also have allergy problems in the winter.... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/20697/pets-tough-love http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/19952/hfa-asthma-things Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:11:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD   By now many of you are aware of the arrival of HFA inhalers that represent the new environmental friendly carriers for aerosol inhalers. Three new brands of albuterol are currently available as Proair HFA, Proventil HFA, and Ventolin HFA.   Xopenex HFA is a purified form of albuterol that has potentially fewer side effects and in some studies increased effectiveness compared to older brands of albuterol.   All of these... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/19952/hfa-asthma-things http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/19349/otc-good-news-bad Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:23:00 -0500 James Thompson, MD Zyrtec, a brand of cetirizine will soon be available without prescription. The good news: 1) No doctor visit required to purchase this antihistamine.2) Availability of a potent, low sedating anthistamine markedy increases.3) Zyrtec is less sedating than many other OTC antihistamines and is available in a once daily preparation. Loratadine is the only other once daily low or non-sedating antihistamine available OTC (but less potent... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/3989/19349/otc-good-news-bad