Allergy or cold? The 7DROPS checklist

Achoo! Sneezing fits, a blocked or runny nose, watery eyes – did you catch a cold, or could it be an allergy? The two conditions are easier to confuse than people think, especially for adults who never experienced allergy symptoms before. We compiled a checklist so you can easily tell the difference: Have your symptoms … Continued

Peanut allergy: Substitutes for snacking, cooking, & baking

About 3 million Americans (1.8 million children) suffer from peanut allergy – that’s about 1.1% of the general population. Since peanuts and especially peanut butter are such popular snacks and used for cooking and baking, it can be tough to find suitable substitutes that are just as tasty. Even when you’re not allergic, it is … Continued

7 Allergy Myths

Allergies are common, but their mechanics are not always understood. There are still a lot of misconceptions about allergies, and a lot of misinformation is shared on the web every day. Today we tackle some widespread allergy myths and set the record straight:   1. Allergies only develop during childhood  Many people believe that allergies … Continued

Children: Sore Throat or Allergies?

“Mom, my throat feels scratchy…” – when children complain about a sore throat, most parents rightfully assume that their kid is dealing with a common cold. But that’s not always the case: an irritated and scratchy throat doesn’t have to indicate a cold or a flu-like infection – it could also be an allergy. Common … Continued

How To Dust Mite Proof Your Home

When you suffer from a pollen allergy, it’s natural to spend most of your time during peak allergy season indoors to avoid symptoms as best as you can. But what can you do if the enemy is in your house? In your bed, even? The truth is that you can’t fully remove house dust mites … Continued

O Christmas Tree … is it an allergy?

The holiday season is in full swing – time to deck the halls! But beware: If you suddenly find yourself sneezing, fatigued, and with a runny nose during the most wonderful time of the year, it might not be a cold. It could be an allergy, and your Christmas tree might be the culprit.   … Continued

How to spot an allergy

In the US, about 40% of all children and 30% of all adults suffer from some form of allergy. But how to spot an allergy? Allergic reactions can be caused by many substances – the most common allergen sources include pollen (from grasses, trees, and weeds), pet and animal dander (from cats, dogs, etc.), dust … Continued

Fruit allergy or pollen-associated cross-reactivity?

When it comes to diagnosing true fruit allergies, the most important clinical task is identifying the allergenic molecules causing allergy reactions in patients. Molecular allergy testing is an important tool for risk assessment, accurate diagnostics as well as dietary recommendations for patients.   Fruit allergies are a great example for a food allergy that can be pollen … Continued

US pollen season start and regional variability

Pollen allergy is one of the most common forms of allergy in the US. It affects approximately 19.2 million adults as well as 5.2 million children. Typically, symptoms of hay fever include nasal congestion and obstruction, sneezing fits, conjunctivitis, ear infections as well as allergic asthma.    It is a regionally variable disease and heavily … Continued