How Can I Know If My Penicillin Allergy Is Real?
People with a penicillin allergy on their medical record are not given penicillins (or often their relatives, the cephalosporins) when they have infections. Instead, the antibiotics prescribed may be broader-spectrum, less effective, and/or more toxic. One national study from more than 100 US hospitals with almost 11,000 patients demonstrated that if you have a reported […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Bee Sting Allergies Can Occur at Any Stage in Life
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 50 years old and recently had a pretty severe reaction to a bee sting. I remember as a kid that I was stung without any reaction. Is it normal to become allergic later in life? Is there anything I should do to protect myself from now on? ANSWER: Although it’s […]
Gluten related symptoms: Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I seem to be very sensitive to gluten. My doctor tested me for celiac disease and it came back negative. Will you please provide some insight into this paradox? A: It’s not really a paradox. There are many people who experience a variety of symptoms from ingesting […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Rashes from poison ivy, oak and sumac reaching their summer peak
By Sue Hubbard, M.D. www.kidsdr.com Here at the height of summer, with everyone spending more time outside, I’m seeing a rising wave of patients with contact dermatitis (rashes) after coming into contact with poisonous plants. While allergies are slowing down a bit with the hotter weather, hikers, campers and kids just playing in the yard […]
Peanut Consumption in Infancy Could Prevent Peanut Allergies, Study Finds
By Heidi Kiec When it comes to preventing a peanut allergy, it might be best to fight fire with fire. Most young children at high risk of developing a peanut allergy may be able to ward off the allergy by consuming peanut protein starting in infancy, according to the results of a recent study. Peanut […]
