Interesting facts

15. August 2023

THE CAT AND ITS ALLERGENS

Allergens are proteins which most commonly originate from pollen in the air. But also in dust mites, their excrements or even in animal hair. So far, eight different allergens have been found in cats. Of these, Fel d 1 (Felis domesticus) is the most common and important biomarker – it is the most likely to […]

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9. August 2023

MORE CATS – MORE ALLERGIES?

According to a standardised market research survey, there were over 15 million cats in Germany in 2021. As the number of cats in German households continues to rise, so does sensitisation to them – in both children and adults . Common symptoms are allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis through to asthmatic symptoms or skin irritation, itchy […]

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24. April 2019

Penicillin allergy diagnosis is often false

Significantly fewer people are allergic to penicillin than previously assumed, according to Deutsche Gesellschaft für Infektiologie (German Society of Infectious Diseases – DGI). One in ten adults in Germany believe they are allergic to the antibiotic. But in many cases, the diagnosis does not stand up to testing.

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22. February 2019

Nanoparticles from Food Mask Gut Bacteria

Nanoparticles in food can cover bacteria like a sort of mask. This is what Shirley Knauer from the University of Duisburg-Essen and her team discovered. They observed the nanoparticles within the different environments of the gastrointestinal tract simulated in the laboratory.

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18. December 2018

Allergies during Christmas Time

People with hay fever usually look forward to the colder months as the pollen season comes to an end and allergy symptoms subside. But the winter season brings its own share of allergens. Our Advent and Christmas traditions include many things that can trigger allergies or make them worse.

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12. September 2018

Non-Allergenic Laundry

The all-clear has been given for people with contact allergies: the preservative MIT from laundry detergents is undetectable in laundered textiles. For the first time, researchers investigate whether the substance leaves residues in laundry.

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22. March 2018

Teddy in the Freezer: How Much Cold Can Mites Tolerate?

Soft toys are delicate. Most of them can’t be washed at high temperatures without losing their shape. Parents of children with house dust mite allergies are therefore advised to put soft toys in the freezer on a regular basis. The cold temperature kills the mites and the allergens can then be rinsed out at a low temperature. But how long should soft toys be left in the cold? There was previously no research on how much time it takes for mites to freeze and stop laying eggs.

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4. January 2018

Majority of People Want Allergen Labelling

In Germany, 67 per cent of the population believe it is important to provide information about potential allergy-triggering ingredients on food packaging. This was the conclusion of the 2018 food report issued by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. However, there is no clear legal regulation on the labelling of traces of allergens.

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30. March 2017

Allergy App Review: Allergy Journal

We test allergy apps for you on smartphones and tablets. Allergy Journal is the second application in our review series. Allergy Journal is a food and symptom diary that helps users identify intolerances. Allergy Journal is currently only available in English. Overview of the app The app opens in entry mode, where the user can […]

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28. March 2017

Allergy App Review: The Pollen App

We test allergy apps for you on smartphones and tablets. The Pollen app is the first application in our review series. The Pollen app offers much more than just pollen forecasts. It allows users to log their symptoms. The app could make diagnosis and therapy easier. Overview of the App When the app is opened, […]

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14. November 2016

Book Review: Hannes Hase (Hannes the Rabbit)

Many people feel left in the dark when newly confronted with an allergy. The symptoms come and go. Hay fever can be mistaken for a cold. Or the skin starts to itch and an external trigger is suspected. Hannes the Rabbit and the doctor go looking together for the triggers. His family and friends help him find creative solutions to avoid the allergens.

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