Lick your baby's pacifiers to reduce the risk of asthma, allergies and eczema??

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I read this story in the New York Times the other day and thought, "Huh??" The article, "Sucking Your Child's Pacifier Clean May Reduce Allergies, A Study Finds" quotes a study from Pediatrics. It shows that infants of parents who sucked on their baby's pacifiers to clean them had lower rates of asthma, allergies and eczema.

The study was based in Sweden, and isn't sure whether it's just the fact that the parents clean the baby's pacifier with their own mouth that passes some sort of protection to their baby. Or is that type of parent more relaxed about germs and letting their kids be exposed to things early in life?

The article says that rather than being overly protective of our children, it's good for them to get a little dirty and be exposed to things in the environment early in life. Does help them start to build up an immunity?  

The study also shows that babies who are born vaginally are exposed to different bacteria (on their skin and in their guts) than babies born via c-section. Babies born vaginally have lower rates of asthma, food allergies and hay fever. Rates of eczema are drastically lower if children were born vaginally. Children who were born c-section and had their pacifiers boiled or rinsed had a 55% chance of having eczema. Those born vaginally and their parents cleaned their pacifier with their mouth had only a 20% chance of eczema. That's a big difference!

So, what's the answer? Make sure your kids are born vaginally and then clean their pacifier with your mouth? That's not always possible, c-sections are the only option for some mothers and babies. And I don't think protecting your kids from eczema, allergies and asthma is as easy as licking their pacifier. But maybe I'm missing something. Read the New York Times article for yourself and decide what you think.

Now Hubby knows how I feel....

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This is what we did-for 6 hours on Saturday. We were helping a family member move and were loading boxes from a garage into the trailer, driving to the new place and unloading the boxes.Up and down the stairs, up and down the stairs.

It was hard work!! And the garage we pulled boxes out of was VERY dusty. The next day, Hubby and I were so tired we could hardly move. (We're not as young as we used to be.....)

Then he said that 'his chest felt tight and it seemed like he needed to cough every once in a while'. I said, "Welcome to my world!!!" That's what it feels like when you have asthma!!

He doesn't have asthma, but has allergies. He's never experienced asthma symptoms before. I usually tell people that when your asthma flares up, it's like trying to breathe through a straw (with your nose pinched shut).

It was weird to have someone who has never experienced asthma-like symptoms complain about it. I guess I get used to the symptoms. But for other people, or for someone who is newly diagnosed, it can feel pretty strange! 

Webmd has a section that talks about Asthma Symptoms It's important to know what they are because every person with asthma is different, and you can have different symptoms at different times. I always cough when my asthma flares up. It will be sudden, and a scary hard cough that almost makes me throw up. But one time I just felt really weak and my chest was tight-but no coughing. So it took me a little longer to realize I was having an asthma attack.

Know what symptoms are of an asthma attack, since they can change. And different people have different symptoms. And keep your inhaler handy. We should have healthy, active lives. But you never know when an attack will happen. 

Counters on inhalers....

I think it's a smart idea to put counters on inhalers. It's supposed to help you so you know how many doses are left. The problem is that you have to LOOK at the counter.

I was using my Dulera inhaler last week, and I wondered how many doses were left, so I looked at the counter. It was set on 0. Hmm. I thought I was still getting medicine out of it. I took it out of the spacer and sprayed a puff into the air. I could SEE the medicine coming out. Or was it just the propellant? It looked like the medicine was coming out.

Does the inhaler count to 0 but still leave a few doses in the canister? So those of us that don't pay attention to the 0 can still have a little cushion of a few doses to call the pharmacy and get a refill?

I don't know what the answer is.

But I think now I'll pay more attention to the counter on the inhaler. I just got a new Pro Air inhaler with a counter on that one too. I'll keep an eye on the counter so I don't run out of Pro Air. I would rather run out of my maintenance medicine than my rescue inhaler!!

Allergies to food on the rise......oh great!

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A new report says that skin and food allergies are increasing. I guess misery loves company!

I am allergic to seafood, and Son #2 is allergic to tree nuts. Daughter Kitty is having horrible problems with her eczema.

Son #2 and I have to carefully inspect food anytime we eat out. We were at a friend's house last night and they had a candy bowl with plain M & M's, peanuts and almonds. I took a handful but told Son #2 not to eat any because there were almonds mixed in. "Ya, I know" he said confidently. I know he's headed to college, but I'm still in the habit of checking things for him. It's nice to know that he's watching out for himself.

There are A LOT of other people also inspecting their food. The CDC estimates that 1 in 20 people have food allergies (which is a 50% increase since the 1990's). And 1 in 8 people have eczema.

So why are there so many people now who have to carry Epi pens? And why are people also struggling with eczema?

I don't have the answer, but the article lists a few ideas. Click on the link at the beginning of the blog to read the full story.

So, what do you do? They suggest visiting a doctor to make sure you are REALLY allergic to certain foods. Some people confuse food intolerance with food allergy. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has an article that explains the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance.

As for eczema, there is treatment for that too. AAAAI also has an article about eczema and other skin conditions.

It's something we're going to have to live with for the rest of our lives. Along with asthma. But you can make it a long and healthy life if you take care of yourself.

Knowledge is Power. So read the links above to educate yourself. And carry and Epi Pen!!

Summer camp for kids with asthma?!

(American Lung Association Utah)

For those of you that have kids with asthma, you know how scary it can be. The thought of sending them to camp (without you!) can make your heart race.

How do you let your kids experience summer camp without worrying nonstop about them? "Normal kids" have a list of things they take to camp, and maintenance medication, rescue inhalers, allergy medicine, Epi pens and peak flow meters aren't included. But they are for kids with asthma. In fact, all those supplies are mandatory for a camp out. 

They are out in nature after all, with trees, bushes and dust and all the other things that can trigger an asthma attack. Every child with asthma is different and they can all have different asthma triggers. It's best to be prepared and pack all allergy and asthma supplies-just in case.

So how can you send a child with asthma to summer camp? And not worry?

One option is a Camp Wyatt   which is sponsored by the American Lung Association of Utah. There are different camps located in different states. Camp Wyatt supplies round the clock medical chair for your child so you don't have to worry. Here is a list of who will be staffing the camp:

Staff includes over 50 volunteers, including physicians, registered respiratory therapists, registered nurses and trained counselors.

Camp Wyatt is staffed 24-hours a day by physicians and registered nurses, in order to meet the special needs of the campers. In addition, their peak flow is monitored twice a day.

Kids can have fun climbing a rock wall, shooting bows and arrows, swimming, canoeing,  roast marshmallows and many more fun activities. They get to just be a kid and don't have to worry about their asthma because someone is there 24 hours a day to watch over them and keep them safe.

There's a fun video on American Lung Assocation Utah's website so you can what the kids are actually doing at camp. (By the way, the kids also get a little asthma education each day so they can better manage their asthma!) To find a camp in your state, contact your state American Lung Association chapter.

Bring out the s'mores and let's have some fun!!   

What is THAT??!!

That my friends, is pollen. This is what my car looked like the MORNING AFTER I washed it. Yes, less than 12 hours after I washed it, it was already covered in pollen!! (And it was parked in my garage, with the garage door down)

And I wonder why I am sneezing and wheezing?!

You can check the pollen count in your area by visiting the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) website. 


Our area is high in Cottonwood and Birch trees now. Oak and Maple trees are in the moderate category. All I know is that I am miserable. Hubby started to open our bedroom window yesterday and I said, "NO!! Don't open it!!" The problem is that the pollen comes in the room, lands on the bed, and covers everything. That leads to itchy eyes, a runny nose and constant sneezing. Now it's affecting my asthma-my chest is really tight and I woke up during the night coughing (a sure sign that asthma is NOT under control) You shouldn't be waking up at night coughing if you aren't sick.

I didn't shower before bed last night, which means I am sleeping in pollen. We went for a bike ride and I know there is pollen in my hair and on my skin and clothes. I can change into pajamas at night, but that still leaves pollen on my skin and hair.  Then I toss and turn all night and spread pollen all over the pillow and sheets. Then I try to sleep. No wonder I woke up coughing!

Allergy medicine makes me too drowsy to go to work, even the so-called "non drowsy" formula. So I just try to keep my house a safe place and keep the windows and doors shut during high pollen season.

It's hard because Spring is a beautiful time of year and who wouldn't want the smell of fresh lilacs coming in through the window? Well, me. I can't sleep with the windows open or my allergies and asthma flare up.

Stupid body.  But things can always be worse. Talk to your doctor and see what works for you. Keeping the windows closed, avoiding high pollen days outdoors, allergy medicine, etc.

There's no one-size fits all with allergies and asthma, you'll have to find what works for you.
   

Letting teenagers take care of food allergies

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This is the enemy. Tree nuts. Son #2 is allergic to tree nuts and it's amazing how many things they are in. Muffins, brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc.

Son #2 went out to dinner last night with friends and had a great time. He knew from all the other times we've eaten at that restaurant that the waiter will bring out a basket with breads and rolls. One of the breads is a delicious carrot bread with walnuts. But he knows he can't eat the other rolls or bread in the basket because they are now cross contaminated with nuts.

He casually told me that he remembered to ask the waiter to bring a separate bowl for him with plain bread and rolls. Yesssssss! 

I usually have to ask the waiter for a separate bowl with just plain rolls or bread for Son #2. I  explain that he is allergic to tree nuts, so we have to be really careful. I ask him not to pick the plain rolls out of our basket and put them on a separate basket for him. They need to make sure the plain rolls haven't touched any of the breads with nuts. To make sure there's no cross contamination, I ask the waiter to get the rolls and nut breads off baking separate trays THEN put them in separate baskets and bring them to our table. Many people don't understand that foods can be cross-contaminated. That means that if Son #2 eats a plain roll that was sitting next to a delicious piece of carrot walnut bread, he can have an allergic reaction.

You can never be too careful with food allergies. To learn more about tree nuts (and sneaky places where they hide) check our Allergy Home. 

Show your kids how to watch for their food triggers. I tell my son I won't be going to college with him this fall, he needs to learn how to watch for tree nuts and protect himself. It's a scary thing, but sometimes you have to teach your kids and then let go.

And make sure they carry their Epi Pen with them!!!