Parasitic Diseases

Food allergies occur when your body's immune system mistakenly reacts to a specific food as a dangerous foreign substance. Food allergies are common, affecting 32 million Americans. A typical allergic reaction to food and other substances is itching. That's because when the immune system responds to an allergen, it releases a chemical called histamine, which frequently causes itching. Sometimes, just touching particular foods can lead to itching.  This article explains common food allergies that cause itching, how to tell if you have a food allergy, and how to treat it.  Science Photo Library / Getty Images Common Food Allergies That Cause Itching Some foods are more prone to cause an allergic reaction than others. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) identifies eight foods as major food allergens, which account for 90% of food allergies. In the U.S., a food that contains an...

Around 6 months of age, babies get to spark their taste buds by adding foods to their otherwise breast milk- or formula-based diet. Many caregivers look forward to the opportunity to watch their babies respond to a variety of new colors, textures, and flavors. Babies may be spoon-fed infant purees, the typical approach in Western society, or they may feed via the baby-led weaning (BLW) method. BLW is characterized by infants feeding themselves small pieces of soft foods they can pick up independently. Proponents of this method claim that it offers benefits such as improved appetite regulation and motor skills ( 1 ). This article presents the best and worst baby-led weaning foods. Avocados are fruits known for being highly nutritious. They are an ideal food for babies and adults alike. It's no secret that babies grow rapidly in the first year of life and need adequate nutrition to support this. This easily mashable fruit is typically famed for its healthy fat content, but it's a...

Hollis Johnson/Insider People are self-medicating with an anti-parasitic because they think it cures COVID-19. Some have reported pooping "worms" after taking the drug, but an expert said that was unlikely. The FDA has not approved ivermectin for any use related to COVID-19. Get a daily s...

Share on Pinterest The FDA recently approved Rinvoq for some people with atopic dermatitis. Rattankun Thongbun/Getty Images In mid-January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rinvoq to treat people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who do not respond to or cannot take other systemic medications. Half of those with moderate-to-severe AD taking Rinvoq in clinical trials experienced almost clear or clear skin after 16 weeks and significant itch reduction. However, some common side effects observable in clinical trials include infections affecting the nose or throat, acne, herpes infections, low white blood cell count, and nausea. Due to safety data with Xeljanz indicating an increased risk of health issues, the FDA issued a black box warning to inform individuals taking Rinvoq of these potential side effects, as the two drugs work similarly in the body. AD is a common disease in the United States, affecting an estimated 10% of people. Some...

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From Kaiser Health News - Latest Stories: Kaiser Health News Original Stories Pharmacies Are Turning Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th Covid Shot The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly changed its guidance to allow an extra shot in certain cases, but some pharmacy personnel are confused about who is eligible. (Liz Szabo, 1/25) With a Vaccine Mandate Looming, Nursing Homes Face More Staffing Problems Missouri has the worst covid-19 vaccination rate for nursing home health care workers in the nation. There, the federal mandate for workers to get vaccinated — upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court — reveals the problems that operators have hiring staff, keeping them, and providing decent care. (Eric Berger, 1/25) ...