Health Briefs TV Relays Cautions for July Fourth

Never use sparklers in the house or home

The upcoming July Fourth holiday in the United States is a time of celebration, family picnics, firework shows, and injuries. Health Briefs TV relays cautions for the Independence holiday.

As Americans being to prep and prepare homes, lawns, and food for the holiday weekend, there are important health and safety reminders to consider:

Lawns and the outdoors

• Carefully trim trees, bushes and shrubs. Be aware of power and cable lines hidden in thick tree branches. Wear sturdy, enclosed shoes and long sleeves to prevent slips from ladders and scratches on arms.
• Be sure swimming pools have secure gates and fences to prevent small children from possibly drowning.
• Clean outdoor furniture with water only.
• Wear swim goggles when enjoying public pools and in oceans, lakes and other bodies of water to prevent eye infections.
• Use plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat when spending a lot of time in the sun. Reapply often and don’t forget to protect the ears, nose and mouth.
• Use sparklers and snappers cautiously. Avoid letting small children use them. Snappers can pop under someone’s legs and cause burns. Sparklers crackle and pop scaring animals and kids. Stand away from other people when using them. Fireworks sold to consumers cause more burns to hands, arms and faces than anywhere else, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Homes and food

• Refrigerate all food well in advance of picnics and barbeques. Use sealed containers to prevent spills and contamination from air.
• Clean up counters and tables when done using them immediately so pets and toddlers don’t ingest food with bones, chocolate or anything which might cause an allergic reaction.
• Keep alcoholic drinks away from surfaces that kids can reach.
• Pack plenty of beach towels, bug spray and sunscreen for everyone.
• Keep everyone hydrated with a supply of cold water and fruit juices. Flavor it naturally with berries, oranges, lemons, limes and mint.

The Health Briefs TV show wishes readers a safe and healthy Fourth of July.

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Health Briefs TV and How to Get Ahead of Spring Allergies

Even though the first day of spring is here, the spring allergy season has already begun. Health Briefs TV offers advice on how to get ahead of spring allergies.

Spring has sprung and so have the allergen counts in the air. People who suffer from allergies can attest to the watery, itchy eyes, skin rashes, stuffed noses and continual sneezing and how bothersome it is. Those who have already been tested for allergies can take over the counter medicine to combat some of the symptoms. March is a good month to renew prescriptions for allergy season. Be sure to notify the pharmacy about when to auto re-fill the prescription.  In the meantime, try a non-drowsy antihistamines to lessen sneezing, runny noses, and watery eyes. Nasal decongestants and eye drops for allergy sufferers are also good OTC choices. A board-certified allergist can give people a test to determine what they are allergic too. Also, the FDA just approved a new drug –a tablet—that acts like an allergy shot. Call your allergist of physician to learn more about that.

Other ways to get ahead of spring allergies: switch to a HEPA filter for air conditioners, take a shower before bed to wash way any pollen stuck the hair and body, and wash pollen-laden clothing as soon as possible. As always, if allergy symptoms become worse, call the doctor. A reminder from the Health Briefs TV show to keep all medicine out of reach of small children and pets.

Health Briefs TV and Why Hand-Washing Dishes Might be a Good Idea

Nearly every kitchen in America has a dishwasher in it. Most families use one to clean and sterilize dishes, glasses and utensils. However, some people prefer to hand-wash dishes. Health Briefs TV explains why this may be better.

Families with children who suffer from allergies may want to consider doing the dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher.  Researchers found that kids were less likely to develop allergies if dishes were done by hand rather than by a dishwasher. Hand-washing usually leaves some microbes on the items which in turn are ingested during the next time used. These built up children’s immune systems which protected them from developing allergies.

The Health Briefs TV show learns that kids who parents hand-washed dishes had lower allergy rates than kids whose parents used a dishwasher. Although these study results seem promising, there is no recommendation to stop using a dishwasher. Seek the advice of a pediatrician or other health care professional if a child is struggling with the sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and stuffed nose that allergies cause. Keep homes clean and free from dust mites, mold and mildew. Get an allergy test early on to determine how to treat them. There are many options for children with allergies. 

Health Briefs TV Reports on a Toothpaste for Allergy Sufferers

Imagine brushing your teeth with a toothpaste that not only cleans the mouth but blocks and stops an allergic reaction. Health Briefs TV shares news on a new prescription toothpaste that is doing all that.

Scientists in New York have formulated a toothpaste called Allerdent which contains the extracts of what some test patients are allergic to. The toothpaste is being tested on 12 people at the moment. The extracts in the toothpaste make contact with the lining of the mouth and can desensitize the allergy suffer to the allergens. It appears to be more effective than a weekly allergy shot or daily allergy drops. The prescription toothpaste is said to taste, feel and work the same as regular toothpaste.  Itching or tingling in the mouth is two side effects which have been reported. Health Briefs TV believes that this special toothpaste is not yet available across the country, but recommends interested readers ask their family doctor or allergist about it. It is available in several states. Imagine simply brushing your teeth every day to finally get rid of the sneezing, wheezing, coughing, eye watering and nose dripping misery that can ruin a day’s worth of activities.

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Health Briefs and What Irritates Seasonal Allergies

Fall is creeping up on us and with it come the allergies of the season. To make matters more watery, there are some odd things that can make them worse, as Health Briefs points out.

Pollen found on some very common fruits can wreak havoc on those who suffer seasonally allergies. The irritants are usually on raw produce like apples, tomatoes, and cantaloupe. People who suffer from this secondary type of allergy have what is called OAS or Oral Allergy Syndrome. Peel or cook the produce before eating it to prevent a severe attack.

Soft contact lenses can trap pollen under them which can cause serious eye problems for allergy sufferers. Allergy-prone people might want to go with disposable soft lenses until the worst of allergy season is over.

Health Briefs TV learns that alcohol, and especially red wine, can cause someone with allergies to suffer from a stuffed up nose more than usual. The sulfites in red wine can be bothersome for some people and more so for those with allergies.

Perfumes, candles and chlorine are also big irritants. Eliminate anything too fragrant from the home and stay away from chlorine, which is a strong irritant to even those without allergies.

To rid allergens even more, wash clothes in hot water after wearing to rid them of allergens. Avoid wool and stick with cotton and blends, which tend to release allergens.

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