PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Defining allergy fact from fiction

The greatest allergy myths and misconceptions, debunked

2013-11-07
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Christine Westendorf
ChristineWestendorf@acaai.org
847-427-1200
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Defining allergy fact from fiction The greatest allergy myths and misconceptions, debunked BALTIMORE, MD. (November 7, 2013) – From gluten allergy and hypoallergenic pets, to avoiding the flu shot because of an egg allergy, there are a lot of common myths and misconceptions about allergies. Many might be shocking due to a great deal of false information in the media and on the Internet. And some of the misconceptions can be damaging to your health if vaccinations are skipped and extreme dietary avoidances are taken.

But where did all of these misconceptions come from? According to a presentation being given at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), previously held beliefs from medical experts and public perception are partially to blame.

"Many early medical beliefs have been proven to be incorrect as research has advanced," said allergist David Stukus, MD, ACAAI member and presenter. "Unfortunately, some of these beliefs are still on the Internet, where an astonishing 72 percent of users turn to for health information."

In his presentation, Dr. Stukus outlined some of the greatest allergy myths, and explained why they are false.

1. I'm Allergic to Artificial Dyes – There is no scientific evidence to support a link between exposure to artificial coloring and allergies. Controversy exists regarding evidence for artificial coloring and behavioral changes in children, as well as dyes causing chronic urticaria and asthma. 2. I Cannot Have Vaccines Due to an Egg Allergy – Egg embryos are used to grow viruses for vaccines such as the flu, yellow fever and rabies shots. However, it's now safe to get the flu shot, which can help prevent serious illness. 3. At-Home Blood Tests Reveal All You're Allergic To – These tests might be able to reveal sensitization, but being sensitized to a certain allergen, like milk, doesn't mean you're allergic. These sort of at-home screening tests are not reliable and can often lead to misinterpretation, diagnostic confusion and unnecessary dietary elimination. 4. Highly Allergenic Foods Shouldn't be Given to Children until 12 Months of Age – For most children, there is no evidence to support avoidance of highly allergenic foods past four to six months of age. New evidence emerging shows that early introduction of highly allergenic foods may promote tolerance. 5. I'm Allergic to Cats and Dogs, but Can Have a Hypoallergenic Breed – Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. Allergens are released in saliva, sebaceous glands and perianal glands. It's not the fur people are allergic to. It is true that some breeds are more bothersome for allergy sufferers than others. 6. I'm Allergic to Shellfish and Cannot Have Iodine Imaging – Radiologists and cardiologists often use iodinated contrast during CT scans and other procedures for better imaging. Since shellfish contain iodine, many physicians have linked a contrast reaction to a shellfish allergy. However, this is false, and a shellfish allergy has nothing to do with the reaction. In fact, iodine is not and cannot be an allergen as it found in the human body. 7. I Can't have Bread, I'm Allergic to Gluten – You can have a gluten intolerance, but it's extremely rare to have a true allergy. Most allergic reactions to these foods stem from wheat. Many people self-label as having gluten allergy and avoid gluten without any medical indication.

With information being widespread online via social media portals, how do you know what to believe and what not to believe?

"If you think you may have an allergy, you should see a board-certified allergist for proper evaluation, testing, diagnosis and treatment," said Dr. Stukus. "Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment can be dangerous."

### The ACAAI Annual Meeting is being held Nov. 7-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. For more news and research being presented at the meeting, follow the conversation on Twitter #ACAAI.

About ACAAI The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 5,700 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

New study assesses injuries seen in the emergency department to children of teenage parents

2013-11-07
New study assesses injuries seen in the emergency department to children of teenage parents Cincinnati, OH, November 7, 2013 -- Although the number of children born to teenage parents has decreased since the 1990s, these children continue to be at an ...

3 'hands on' nutrition classes -- Enough to impact health behaviors in lower income women

2013-11-07
3 'hands on' nutrition classes -- Enough to impact health behaviors in lower income women According to new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Philadelphia, PA, November 7, 2013 –The knowledge and skills required to change poor nutrition and ...

Do food blogs serve as a source of nutritionally balanced recipes?

2013-11-07
Do food blogs serve as a source of nutritionally balanced recipes? An analysis of 6 popular food blogs reported in the current issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Philadelphia, PA, November 7, 2013 – More people are cooking at home, and more ...

Better tests needed to improve patient care, public health

2013-11-07
Better tests needed to improve patient care, public health Technology advancing but barriers prevent integration into care, IDSA report warns ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 7, 2013 – Despite advances in diagnostic technology, there is an urgent need for tests that ...

Common genetic pathway could be conduit to pediatric tumor treatment

2013-11-07
Common genetic pathway could be conduit to pediatric tumor treatment Investigators at Johns Hopkins have found a known genetic pathway to be active in many difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumors called low-grade gliomas, potentially offering a new target for the treatment of ...

Living through war leads to in-group solidarity

2013-11-07
Living through war leads to in-group solidarity War experiences have a long-term effect on human psychology, shifting people's motivations toward greater equality for members of their own group, according to research forthcoming in Psychological ...

Smart water meters stop money going down the drain

2013-11-06
Smart water meters stop money going down the drain Reducing post-meter water loss in households A project by Griffith University's Smart Water Research Facility has discovered that using 'smart' water meters to identify leaks in and around the home can result ...

Anticipation and navigation: Do your legs know what your tongue is doing?

2013-11-06
Anticipation and navigation: Do your legs know what your tongue is doing? UCLA researchers build a multisensory virtual world To survive, animals must explore their world to find the necessities of life. It's a complex task, requiring them to form ...

Why can Buyang Huanwu Decoction be used to treat stroke?

2013-11-06
Why can Buyang Huanwu Decoction be used to treat stroke? The traditional Chinese medicine Buyang Huanwu Decoction has been shown to improve the neurological function of patients with stroke. Baiyan Liu from Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China ...

MiR-137, a new target for post-stroke depression?

2013-11-06
MiR-137, a new target for post-stroke depression? MiRNAs likely play an important role in the occurrence and development of depression, and can be used as potential targets for treatment of depression. Studies have shown that miR-137 expression is downregulated in ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Exercise as an anti-ageing intervention to avoid detrimental impact of mental fatigue

UMass Amherst Nursing Professor Emerita honored as ‘Living Legend’

New guidelines aim to improve cystic fibrosis screening

Picky eaters by day, buffet by night: Butterfly, moth diets sync to plant aromas

Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Leanne Redman honored with the E. V. McCollum Award from the American Society for Nutrition

CCNY physicists uncover electronic interactions mediated via spin waves

Researchers’ 3D-printing formula may transform future of foam

Nurture more important than nature for robotic hand

Drug-delivering aptamers target leukemia stem cells for one-two knockout punch

New study finds that over 95% of sponsored influencer posts on Twitter were not disclosed

New sea grant report helps great lakes fish farmers navigate aquaculture regulations

Strain “trick” improves perovskite solar cells’ efficiency

How GPS helps older drivers stay on the roads

Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the body to make opioids

Dancing with the cells – how acoustically levitating a diamond led to a breakthrough in biotech automation

Machine learning helps construct an evolutionary timeline of bacteria

Cellular regulator of mRNA vaccine revealed... offering new therapeutic options

Animal behavioral diversity at risk in the face of declining biodiversity

Finding their way: GPS ignites independence in older adult drivers

Antibiotic resistance among key bacterial species plateaus over time

‘Some insects are declining but what’s happening to the other 99%?’

Powerful new software platform could reshape biomedical research by making data analysis more accessible

Revealing capillaries and cells in living organs with ultrasound

American College of Physicians awards $260,000 in grants to address equity challenges in obesity care

Researchers from MARE ULisboa discover that the European catfish, an invasive species in Portugal, has a prolonged breeding season, enhancing its invasive potential

Rakesh K. Jain, PhD, FAACR, honored with the 2025 AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research

Solar cells made of moon dust could power future space exploration

Deporting immigrants may further shrink the health care workforce

Border region emergency medical services in migrant emergency care

Resident physician intentions regarding unionization

[Press-News.org] Defining allergy fact from fiction
The greatest allergy myths and misconceptions, debunked