Allergy

NEW YORK — New legislation signed into law Wednesday encourages states to adopt laws allowing schools to maintain a supply of emergency treatments for life-threatening allergy attacks.

Barack Obama signed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, under which schools could maintain a supply of epinephrine, which is the only first-line treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions, also known as anaphylaxis.

The legislation received praise from Mylan, a drug maker that produces EpiPen, a popular epinephrine injector pen.

BALTIMORE — A study being presented this week at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found hay fever is more prevalent in children living in the southeastern and southern states, ACAAI announced Friday.

FAIRFAX, Va. — Cockroaches and rodents are common allergy and asthma triggers in the wintertime, according to a statement released Tuesday by the National Pest Management Association. 

Citing the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, NPMA reported that cockroach allergens are present in 63% of American homes and mouse allergens in 82%. The number of homes containing cockroach allergens increases to as many as 78% to 98%, respectively, in urban areas.

WASHINGTON — Nearly 1-in-50 people in the United States are at risk of severe allergic reactions, according to a new study announced Monday by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

According to the study, severe, life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis are common in the United States, occurring in about 1.6% of the population. The rate, the study said, is probably higher, and closer to 5.1%. The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Chattem recently announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved Nasacort Allergy 24HR nasal spray (triamcinolone intranasal) as an over-the-counter treatment for seasonal and year-round nasal allergies. And that means by spring 2014, there will be another allergy powerhouse alongside Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec. 

The September/October 2013 Digestive Aids Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Tums Chewy Delights, Alka Seltzer Fruit Chews, Maximum Strength Zantac 150 Cool Mint, Maximum Strength Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC (Wildberry Flavor), Prevacid 24 Hour, Zegerid OTC and Gas-X.

Click here for the complete guide.

The March/April 2013 Allergy Relief Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D, Benadryl-D, Advil Allergy and Congestion Relief, UrgentRx Allergy Attack, Hyland's Seasonal Allergy Relief, Similasan's Nasal Allergy Relief and Boiron's Sabadil.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for allergies in children made by Tris Pharma, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Tris announced the approval of Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine maleate) extended-release oral suspension in the 4 mg-per-five milliliter strength. The company said the drug was the first sustained-release histamine receptor blocking agent for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in children 2 and older.