Content about Allergen

Mold allergens will be particularly prominent this spring and summer, especially in the West, on account of the significant drought conditions across the central United States. Dry and hot weather helps lift the mold from the soil and into the air, contributing to hay fever along with any prominent tree pollens.

NEW YORK — WebMD Health Corp. on Tuesday launched the WebMD Allergy app for the iPhone, a mobile resource that empowers consumers to take control of their allergies. 

"The WebMD Allergy app provides consumers with accurate and personalized weather-related allergy information to help them proactively manage their allergy conditions," stated Michael Smith, WebMD chief medical editor. "WebMD's trusted allergy information is delivered through an innovative mobile app to help consumers be better prepared to face the day."

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 25 million adults and children across the country were diagnosed with rhinitis, or hay fever, within the last 12 months, which may lead many to believe they’ve caught an early-season cold.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J. — A new line of products from AllerMates is helping parents of children with allergies better protect kids against exposure to unwanted allergens. AllerMates, a line of bright, fun, whimsical character-driven wristbands, dog tags and lunch boxes feature 14 original characters that help alert teachers and caregivers to a child’s allergies.


More pharmacy retailers are offering allergy screenings to their patients at no charge. And while the cost for the testing can be considerable — allergy screenings can run upward of $500 — the service is an additional way pharmacies and clinics can get closer to the communities they serve by offering an important service to parents.

A wet spring last year made for ideal allergen-
creating conditions heading into summer 2011 — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study published in 2011, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%. IMS Health projected a strong spring allergy season, especially across the north and northeast.


A wet spring has made for ideal allergen-creating conditions — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%.


MADISON, N.J. — A recent Quest Diagnostics "Health Trends Report" released Wednesday raised the possibility that men have a higher risk for allergies than women or that men, as a function of their gender, require different reporting standards when evaluated for allergies with increasingly used blood tests.

Prior research had suggested just the opposite — that women experienced allergies more frequently than men.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, is looking to help allergy sufferers this spring.

The brand announced that it has tapped pediatrician and author Laura Jana, as well as Lysol microbiologist Joe Rubino, to help identify allergen triggers and ways to avoid them. The two star in Lysol's "Allergy-Proofing Your Home" video series, which can be viewed here.

BELTSVILLE, Md. — A U.S. Department of Agriculture study published in March in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that ragweed season is almost 16 days longer than it was in 1995 due to changes in the first frost line of the fall in North America. The first frost steadily has been creeping northward and later into the year, lead researcher Lewis Ziska wrote.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Lornamead is bringing new innovation to hair care with its new Finesse Clean + Simple line, the first dermatologist-tested hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner developed for the mass market.

“Up until now, people with sensitive skin or allergies had to settle for expensive specialty or salon products to meet their needs. Now, they have a good, affordable option for the whole family where they usually shop for shampoo,” stated Randy Sloan, president of Lornamead, which acquired the brand from Unilever in 2006.