Shellfish Allergies - 貝類過敏

An allergy to shellfish may develop at any time during a person's life but tends to be present in adulthood. Learn more about shellfish allergies and how to treat them.

Part 1 of 6: Overview
Although most major food allergies begin in childhood, one allergy in particular stands apart: shellfish. An allergy to shellfish may develop any time during a person's life, but tends to present in adulthood. It can be caused by foods that you’ve eaten before with no issues. 

There are two kinds of shellfish, crustaceans and mollusks. Here are a few examples of crustaceans to watch out for if you’re allergic:
shrimp
crab
prawn
crayfish
lobster

Mollusks include:
clams
mussels
oysters
squid
cuttlefish
octopus
snails
scallops 

Most people who are allergic to one type of shellfish are also allergic to the other type. There’s a chance you may be able to eat some varieties. However, doctors usually recommend that people with shellfish allergies avoid all varieties to be safe.

Along with fish, shellfish allergies are the most common adult-onset food allergies. It’s estimated that more than 6.5 million American adults suffer from allergies to one or both, according to Food Allergy Research & Education.

A shellfish allergy is different from other allergies in other ways as well. For example, allergic reactions to shellfish are unpredictable, sometimes occurring long after a person has consumed the allergen and has shown no other symptoms. Allergic reactions to shellfish also often become more severe with each exposure.

Part 2 of 6: Symptoms
Shellfish allergies are most often the immune system’s response to a protein found in shellfish muscles called tropomyosin. Antibodies trigger the release of chemicals such as histamines to attack the tropomyosin. The histamine release leads to a number of symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms of shellfish allergies tend to lean toward the severe. 

It can take some time for symptoms to present after eating shellfish, but most develop within minutes. Symptoms of a shellfish allergy may include:
tingling in the mouth
abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
congestion, trouble breathing, or wheezing
skin reactions including itching, hives, or eczema
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, ears, fingers, or hands
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting 

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis may occur in the most serious cases. An anaphylactic reaction requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
a swollen throat (or lump in the throat) that makes breathing difficult
rapid pulse
extreme dizziness or loss of consciousness
a severe drop in blood pressure (shock)

Part 3 of 6: Treatment
There’s currently no cure for a shellfish allergy. The best treatment is to avoid foods such as shrimp, lobster, crab, and other crustaceans. Finned fish are not related to shellfish, but cross-contamination is common. You may want to avoid seafood altogether if your shellfish allergy is severe.

Many doctors also recommend that people with shellfish allergies carry epinephrine (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, or Adrenaclick) for self-administration in case you accidentally ingest any. Epinephrine (adrenalin) is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

Deaths from an anaphylactic reaction from eating shellfish are rare, but they’re more common than with other food allergies. Most doctors agree that someone who has both a shellfish allergy and asthma should have an epinephrine pen on hand in case of an emergency.

Part 4 of 6: Iodine
Iodine is an element found throughout the body and is essential to the production of thyroid hormones as well as various amino acids. In short, human beings can’t survive without it. There has been some confusion in recent years regarding the relationship between shellfish allergy and iodine. Many people falsely believe that iodine may trigger an allergic reaction in people with a shellfish allergy. Iodine is often used in medications and in contrast agents used in medical imaging.

The misconception is largely related to a Florida court case about a man who died from a severe allergic reaction. The man had a known shellfish allergy. The allergic reaction occurred a few minutes after he received contrast iodine from a cardiologist. The man’s family was awarded a $4.7 million settlement for successfully arguing that the contrast iodine used in his treatment for acute coronary syndrome had caused the man's death.

A study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine concluded that iodine is not an allergen. According to the researchers, "Allergies to shellfish, in particular, do not increase the risk of reaction to intravenous contrast any more that of other allergies." 

Part 5 of 6: Allergy Test
A simple skin prick test can identify a shellfish allergy. The test involves puncturing the skin of the forearm and introducing a small amount of the allergen into it. If you’re allergic, a small itchy red spot will appear within a few minutes as the mast cells release histamine.

There’s also a blood test available to diagnose a shellfish allergy. The test is called an allergen-specific IgE antibody test or radioallergosorbent (RAST) test. It measures the immune system’s response to shellfish.

Allergy testing is the only sure way to tell if a reaction after eating shellfish is indeed a shellfish allergy.

Part 6 of 6: Prevention
The only way to prevent a shellfish allergy is to avoid all shellfish and all products that contain shellfish.

Here are some tips for avoiding shellfish:

Ask the staff how food is prepared when eating in a restaurant. Asian restaurants often serve dishes that contain fish sauce as a flavoring base. A shellfish-based broth or sauce may trigger an allergic reaction. Make sure to ask that the oil, pan, or utensils used to cook shellfish aren't also used to prepare other foods. Stay away from steam tables or buffets. 

Avoid eating at a seafood restaurant or shopping in a fish market. Some people react even if they inhale steam or vapor from cooking shellfish. Cross-contamination also is possible in establishments that serve seafood.

Read food labels carefully. Companies are required to disclose whether their food product contains shellfish. However, they aren’t required to disclose if the product contains mollusks, like scallops and oysters. Be cautious of foods that contain vague ingredients, like “fish stock” or “seafood flavoring.” Shellfish also may be present in surimi, glucosamine, Bouillabaisse, Worcestershire sauce, Caesar salads, and many other dishes.

Let people know. When flying, contact the airline in advance to find out whether any fish or shellfish dishes will be prepared and served on the flight. Tell your employer or your child’s school or daycare about any allergies. Remind a host or hostess of your allergy when you reply to an invitation to a dinner party. 

You should always carry your epinephrine pen and make sure it hasn’t expired. You or your child should wear a medical bracelet or necklace containing your allergy information.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/shellfish#Overview1

不新鮮或抗生素才是過敏主因，不要再誤會蝦子了！

新鮮甘甜的蝦子讓人垂涎欲滴，但卻有人享受不到蝦子的好滋味，因為小小一尾蝦可能讓他們嘴麻起紅疹，然而宜蘭大學動物科技系講師李意娟表示，許多人其實不是對蝦子本身過敏，而是對養蝦或賣蝦過程投入的不明添加物過敏，「不要再誤會蝦子了！」

不新鮮、不明添加物都是過敏原因

只不過吃了一尾小小的蝦子竟然這裡癢、那裡癢，許多對蝦子過敏的人都有這種痛苦的經驗，宜蘭大學動物科技系講師李意娟指出，有些人確實是對蝦子體內的蛋白質過敏，但部分民眾其實是對養蝦或賣蝦過程投入的不明添加物過敏，「不要再誤會蝦子了！」

蝦子肌肉中的原肌球蛋白(tropomyosin)，已知是造成人們對甲殼類水產品引發不適反應的主要過敏原，「但是如果蝦子夠新鮮，其實民眾並不見得會過敏。」李意娟說，原肌球蛋白是較顯微的蛋白，蝦子死亡後，體內的酵素會把此蛋白分解出來，如果新鮮健康的活蝦直接烹煮，蝦肉入胃後被人體消化酵素隨機分解，自然不一定會有過敏的狀況。

很多時候蝦子都揹了黑鍋，少數業者不當使用動物藥物，才是導致人們不適或過敏的元兇。由於養殖環境惡化，一般白蝦的育成率大概只有兩到三成，早期常施用多種抗生素或抗菌劑以求提高蝦存活率，再加上補撈運輸、販賣過程中，為求好賣相、好賣價，各家業者獨門配方盡出。所以有些人對海鮮過敏，除須篩檢蝦蛋白過敏原，可能得回頭看看買到的蝦子是否被加了不明添加物。


養殖環境惡劣，蝦子吃藥長大

台灣白蝦是目前國內養殖蝦種第一名，平均育成率卻不高，放了十萬尾蝦苗，可能只有兩到三萬尾能活下去，為什麼養殖的白蝦這麼難活呢？李意娟指出，除了白蝦容易感染疾病，最大的問題出在養殖環境。

白蝦易因高密度飼養感染疾病造成全池死亡，養殖業者為了避免血本無歸，現今常採取混合養殖的方式，多和虱目魚一起飼養。「對養殖業者而言，養蝦是多賺的。」李意娟說，一般蝦苗的成本極低，就算育成率低，但相比之下還是有一些利潤。

「這些蝦子多是撿別人吃剩的。」李意娟指出，混養池中的蝦子主要擔任清道夫工作，以撿拾池底殘餌或魚隻排泄物作為食物來源，但蝦子和人類一樣，如果生病食慾就會不好，若養殖業者把飼料丟下去就拍拍屁股走人，也不根據狀況調整飼料量，這些多的飼料會造成水體負擔，加速蝦子死亡。

這裡又浮現出另一個問題：這些病死的蝦子就這樣放在水裡嗎？李意娟說，由於蝦子是底棲型生物，如果看到牠浮上來代表健康出了問題，但如果養殖業者沒有用心觀察，等到在池邊發現幾隻死蝦，池底下早就不計其數了。

傳統土池養殖較無完善的排污設計，死蝦容易汙染池底環境，養殖業者只好投以各項藥物，提高蝦子存活率，一旦環境產生抗藥性，就施更重的藥。國內可被使用的藥物多達上萬種，每個養殖業者都有自己的獨門配方，以抗生素、抗菌劑等最常見。但現行法令只規定哪幾種藥物禁止使用，只要不在禁藥名單內仍無從驗起，就算驗出有藥物殘留也易讓不肖業者有漏洞可鑽，防不勝防。

養蝦要先養環境

深入剖析台灣養蝦的問題，李意娟可不是只有嘴巴說說，他和有四十年養殖經驗的父親開設養蝦場，採用海水養殖，育成率高達九成，證明不用藥也能養出高品質的蝦子。

李意娟的父親是有四十年養殖經驗的老師傅，許多養殖業者都稱他為「李博士」，父女倆結合水產知識和經驗，提出「養蝦要先養水」、「養水即是養藻」的概念。

養殖池裡除了蝦子，還共存了很多微細藻類，有些給蝦子吃，有些專門行光合作用，有些幫忙維持水質，「其實就是營造出生物最原始的環境。」李意娟說，蝦子本來就是生活在海洋中，各種藻類分工合作，才能維持最適合的水質，過於人工化會失去平衡。

他們對水質的堅持不只於此，不同於一般用土搭建的「軟池」，李意娟父女採用水泥蓋「硬池」，建構中央排汙設備，就如我們慣用的「抽水馬桶」；蝦池深度比別人多一倍，普通養殖池大約1.5公尺，他們卻堅持要挖3公尺以上，為的是讓養殖池更貼近真實的海洋環境，例如蝦子不喜歡光線，藻水就必須深，「其實只要給他們一個良好的環境，蝦子根本不需用藥。」

新鮮嚴選，過敏者也能吃一尾好蝦

消費者除了注意養殖環境，挑選蝦子也是一大學問。許多民眾到菜市場最愛買活跳跳的蝦子，以為這樣才是新鮮，但你知道嗎，這些活蹦亂跳的蝦子可能是添加不明藥物的結果。

李意娟說，蝦子是非常神經質的動物，運送過程會因為緊迫而死亡，她指著自家剛撈起十分鐘的蝦子說，「你看才過這麼短的時間，很多蝦子就不跳了。」蝦子一旦離開原生環境，短時間內就容易死亡，傳統市場的攤販只有簡易抽水馬達，為了讓蝦子能活蹦亂跳，部分業者習慣在暫養的水中施用不明添加物，長時間下來，這些添加物容易殘留在蝦子的鰓或殼的縫隙中，有些人食用後就易產生過敏反應。

李意娟提醒民眾，水產生物本身酵素作用強，皮膚、鰓和消化器官容易附著細菌，死亡後的化學變化複雜，速度也比其他農畜產品快，更易腐敗變質。

李意娟建議，可以從蝦子的顏色判斷新不新鮮，如果變黑表示可能已經放了一段時間。購買活蝦並非新鮮安全的唯一標準，最好的方法是能確保養殖過程到餐桌上的每道過程都安全，如此部分過敏的人也能享受蝦子的美味。

資訊來源: http://www.newsmarket.com.tw/blog/20065/

皮膚過敏怎麼辦 7招數給予十足呵護

皮膚過敏怎麼辦是最常見的皮膚問題狀況之一，輕則微微泛紅，重則瘙癢疼痛，影響美觀不說(美白保濕)，更難忍受的是皮膚過敏時那又癢又疼的還不能去抓的痛苦。皮膚過敏怎麼辦？過敏原因分為很多種，只有對症下藥，才能改善和治癒，大家切不可盲目亂擦藥。

皮膚過敏症

　　皮膚過敏是一種非常常見的過敏症狀，超過20%的人都有皮膚過敏的現象。皮膚過敏又被稱為“敏感性”皮膚。從醫學的角度看來，皮膚過敏主要是指當皮膚受到各種刺激時，如使用了不適合自己膚質的化妝品、化學製劑、接觸花粉、使用某些食品、被污染的空氣等，從而導致皮膚出現紅腫、瘙癢、脫皮及過敏性皮炎等症狀。敏感性肌膚可以說是一種不安定的肌膚，是一種隨時處在高度警戒中的皮膚，護理時要非常地留意。

　　皮膚過敏時一定要用溫和無刺激的護膚品，否則皮膚的狀況會愈演愈烈。使用具有鎮靜舒緩功效的護膚品能夠改善肌膚狀況。

皮膚過敏的原因

　　引起皮膚過敏的原因主要包括內在因素和外在因素兩大方面：

　　1、內在因素就是本身具有過敏體質，這在皮膚過敏的發病中起主導作用。及早徹底脫敏是治療皮膚過敏防止復發的關鍵。

　　2、外在因素也很多。包括飲食、吸入物、氣候、接觸過敏物因素等。其中海鮮、蛋白質，辛辣食品、酒、吸入花粉、塵蟎、寒冷天氣、接觸化學物品、肥皂、洗滌劑等是皮膚過敏最常見的誘因。

自我檢測是否敏感體質

　　1、更換一種長時間使用的化妝品品牌時，皮膚會有一時無法適應的現象。

　　2、有過皮膚病的前科，膚質較為脆弱。

　　3、比一般人更容易長青春痘或水皰。

　　4、即使是抖動被褥，窗簾布，都容易引起發癢的現象。

　　5、季節交替時，膚質變化明顯不同於平常。

　　6、皮膚易因使用果酸類等製品，會產生灼熱刺痛感。

　　7、對汗水，眼藥水，游泳池水等也容易過敏。

　　8、對按摩或溫度變化等物理刺激，會產生皮膚泛紅等不良反應。

　　以上的八種情況，如果你的皮膚有一種或數種情形發生，那麼你多半就是敏感性皮膚了。除了這些生活中皮膚自覺的反應之外，敏感性皮膚多表現為如下共同的肌膚特性：角質偏薄，皮膚乾燥，易發生急性刺激反映，對機械性的摩擦抵抗力差等。

一、避免接觸過敏源

　　防止皮膚過敏的最好辦法就是減少接觸，外出時儘量做好防護。易過敏的人應少曬太陽，少到公園等花粉、柳絮較多的地方去。曾經有過日光性皮炎、季節性皮炎的病症的人，要注意儘量避免陽光直射，不要使用鹼性的化妝品和香皂。

二、最需要注意的事

　　1. 不能搔抓，忌用熱水及肥皂洗擦，如實在奇癢難忍時，可用冷毛巾適當冷敷一下。避免粗糙衣領或羊毛化纖織品的摩擦，防止濫用刺激性強的外用藥，禁食辛辣刺激性食物。

　　2.克服煩躁易怒，焦慮不安，失眠等不良精神因素。

　　3.應停用所有的化妝品，讓皮膚有緩衝的時間，如果平時就使用低敏性護膚品便可繼續使用;如果是初次或偶爾發生敏感現象，而平日又不使用低敏感性保養品，那麽就要選擇具有消炎鎮靜作用的皮膚專用保養品。

　　4.謹慎使用清潔類面膜，可以啫喱狀的保濕面膜代替。果酸的美白麵膜會加速死皮剝落，讓偏薄的肌膚更脆弱，不建議在皮膚過敏時使用。

三、補水保濕很重要

　　敏感性肌膚特別脆弱，當皮膚缺乏水分時，特別容易出現乾燥、脫皮甚至皮膚過敏的現象，為了防止過敏發生，一定要加強保濕工作。針對性地做好平時皮膚護理工作，如皮膚經常發紅有灼熱感，要用毛巾冷敷，再用溫和潤膚霜均勻塗抹，皮膚易脫皮者，可適當按摩，配合毛巾熱敷，再塗抹較滋潤的護膚。

四、增加維生素的攝入

　　皮膚過敏的患者要多吃以下富含維生素的水果和蔬菜，禁吃油膩、刺激、辛辣的食物。

　　1.維生素B群，每天服用3次。維生素B群是皮膚健康及血液迴圈正常所需之物，並能幫助細胞再生。

　　2.海帶，每天5錠，海帶是修護組織所必需的礦物質。

　　3.維生素F，可促使皮膚有光澤。

　　4.維生素E，每天400Iu，漸增，可以緩解皮膚搔癢及乾燥。

　　5.鋅每天100毫克(勿超過此量)，可以説明組織復原。

　　6.維生素A乳劑可以使皮膚光滑，預防皮膚乾燥。

　　7.維生素D可説明組織修復。

五、強化肌膚的抵抗能力

　　吃一些能增強肌膚抵抗力和水潤度的食品(飲食均衡)，多吃含豐富維生素和礦物質的蔬菜水果，還有大棗、當歸、豬腳湯這類補血、補膠原蛋白的食品。沒有條件的話直接吃富含這些元素的保健食品也是可以的。這樣是為了整體提升身體和皮膚的抵抗力，降低敏感的發生機率。

六、皮膚的清潔(氧氣保養)

　　敏感性乾燥肌膚有時會出現嚴重敏感，這時連水和泡沫都不能接觸，所以需用擦拭來代替清洗。對於很在意臉上污垢能否清洗乾淨的人，準備一瓶擦拭用的化妝水是很重要的。此類型肌膚因不能用力搓揉，使用化妝水量相對要多些。

七、保持規律的生活(飲食均衡)

　　治療或預防皮膚過敏都需要注意，生活必須有規律，保持充足的睡眠，不要熬夜，最晚也得11點前入睡。另外要積極的參加體育鍛煉，增強身體的抵抗能力，以免誘發疾病。

資訊來源: http://magabuy1.pixnet.net/blog/post/193596512-%E7%9A%AE%E8%86%9A%E9%81%8E%E6%95%8F%E6%80%8E%E9%BA%BC%E8%BE%A6-7%E6%8B%9B%E6%95%B8%E7%B5%A6%E4%BA%88%E5%8D%81%E8%B6%B3%E5%91%B5%E8%AD%B7

忌口、過敏症、胃腸念珠菌

忌口並不能真正治病、改善體質，但有些病者，在未能從整體治療的得到裨益前，施以適當的飲食調節，仍是可行、容易的方法。暫時忌口的較常見兩種情況是：過敏症(allergies)，以及胃腸道念珠菌增生 (candida overgrowth)。

先談過敏症。過敏反應，可粗略分為急性與慢性。前者，病者會有親身經歷而知道，不用醫師提示；但後者，病者或會不察覺。

2000年，佛羅里達大學 R Cade等研究者發表報告，以量度血液中IgG抗體計，87%的自閉症患者對麥麩敏感 ；同時，90%對酪蛋白(牛奶含有) 敏感 。而他們的膳食中戒除麥麩、酪蛋白，81%的自閉症患者於三個月內有顯著進步。

食物的敏感反應，較傳統的免疫抗體測試，是量度IgE。IgE作介體的免疫系統過敏反應，其特點是身體會釋放組織氨(histamine)、反應迅速(通常是進食或吸入致敏原數十分鐘內出現)、可能有過敏性休克( anaphylactic shock)、常採用皮膚刺點測試(skin prick test)，是目前大部份西醫採用的測試所採用。

但近年來，以量度IgG為基礎的過敏測試卻漸普及，此類過敏反應不釋放組織氨，對皮膚刺點測試沒有反應，沒有過敏性休克，反應較延慢 (數小時至數天)，但卻更常見於各類慢性病(濕疹、牛皮癬、自閉症、過度活躍症、精神分烈、抑鬱症等)，測試方法通常是取幾滴血樣本然後送實驗室進行。上述R Cade等研究者的研究，正是以IgG檢測出來的結果。

可惜，過敏測試不算廉宜，故不欲作滴血測試者，我的建議是，嚴重病患者希望可以得較快症狀緩解者，如濕疹、哮喘、嚴重鼻敏感、自閉症、過度活躍症、專注力缺乏症、風濕關節炎，而兼有腸胃氣脹便秘或腹瀉者，我會建議一律忌吃最常見的三大過敏食物：

麥麩 (小麥、大麥、德國裸麥，包括絕大部份麵包、麵條、餅乾)
酪蛋白 (牛奶、芝士、乳酪、忌廉；但純牛油卻可以)
砂糖、代糖、色素等化學添加劑 (白砂糖、黃糖、Aspartame、Equal、NutraSweet、Spoonful、Diet Coke、Coke Zero)

其次常見過敏食物包括：雞蛋、朱古力、黃豆 (豆漿、豆腐花、維他奶等)、花生 (花生油、花生醬、「麻醬」也常混有花生) ，如果病者非常喜歡這些食物，隔天吃或天天吃，而持續地病著，就應特別留意了。病者過敏的，往往是最常接觸、進食的東西。

第二類宜暫時忌口的病者，是念珠菌增生(candida overgrowth)問題的人士。念珠菌本來是健康身體內的微生物之一，但增生卻會誘發很多問題。一般人最常認識的是女士的的陰道炎 (下體痕癢、似豆腐渣的分泌物)、幼兒口腔炎 (鵝口瘡；thrush)。

然而，常被忽略但卻極常見的是胃腸道的念珠菌增生。念珠菌喜歡吃糖，然後釋放一堆擾亂了身體的物質。最常見的症狀是：嗜甜，當吃過甜食、澱水化合物後，容易感到有氣脹、疲累、難以專注、皮膚痕癢等等。而如果你有下列的三種或以上症狀，都很可能是有胃腸道念珠菌增生： 氣脹；胃酸倒流；思緒混沌；容易鼻炎、耳炎；視力間歇性模糊；低血糖症 (飢餓時手震、飯後睏倦、睡眠時出汗而非因炎熱等)；便秘或腹瀉；輕微貧血；濕疹、牛皮癬、各類紅疹脫皮頭屑；灰甲；下體痕癢。

究竟念珠菌從何而來？通常是濫用抗生素、類固醇後的惡果。而研究發現，採用抗念珠菌的飲食及治療後，典型的改善包括： 飯後氣脹減少、便秘腹瀉減少，專注力改善、衝動暴力行為減少、皮膚質素改善、思路清晰。有些人會書寫筆跡變得更端正，讀書障礙、自閉症、抑鬱情緒、精神分裂症也改善了。

抗念珠菌的飲食，主要是避免一切含簡單碳水化合物的東西，包括砂糖、甜水果、果汁、奶類、茹類。任何乳製品、小麥製品也應避免。吃甚麼好？以不太甜的新鮮蔬菜、水果為主，輔以全穀(whole grain)的小米(millet)、蕎麥(buckwheat)、藜麥(quinoa)、糙米(brown rice)。天然海鮮、肉類、蛋類不限。輔助天然藥物方面，可選擇：橄欖葉、葡萄籽、椰子油、檸檬、丁香、肉桂、大蒜、薑、水克菲爾(water kefir)、益生菌(probiotics)等。

資訊來源: http://ardenwong.com/blog/?p=3770

Probiotic May Prevent Acid Reflux, Constipation, and Colic in Infants - 益生菌可以防止嬰兒胃酸倒流，便秘，腹絞痛

Colic caused by digestive problems may be soothed with a simple probiotic, a new study claims.

Researchers at an Italian university reported today that giving infants a probiotic during their first three months of life can help prevent stomach problems like colic from developing. 

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that administering five drops of the probiotic lactobacillus reuteri results in much shorter crying episodes, less spitting up, and less constipation. 

It also saved parents money, said the authors from University of Bari Aldo Moro. “These conditions often cause numerous visits to the pediatrician, changes in feeding patterns, parental anxiety, and loss of parental working days with important socioeconomic consequences,” they wrote.

A probiotic is a dose of live bacteria similar to those found naturally in the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any health benefit claims associated with probiotics.

Probiotics, sometimes called “good bacteria,” can suppress the growth of “bad bacteria” like E. coli, said Dr. Frank Greer, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an expert in infant nutrition.

How Do Probiotics Help? 
Although it's well known that probiotics influence the health of the gut, how they do so remains a mystery, Greer told Healthline, “I would certainly feel better about this study if anyone could explain how probiotics make colic better.” 

Colic, while common and not life-threatening, can send even the most patient parents over the edge. Babies believed to have colic cry for at least three hours per day, at least three days per week.

Try These Ten Tips to Get Your Kids to Sleep »

The exact cause of colic is unknown. Hunger, acid reflux, gas, cow's milk proteins in breast milk, and overfeeding may all contribute to stomach problems associated with an uncomfortable baby.

“To think that colic can be cured by something as simple as a single probiotic is very unlikely,” Greer said. “It may help some babies with colic, but certainly not all.” 

The study reported that infants who received the probiotic cried for about 38 minutes at a time, as opposed to 71 minutes. They spat up three times a day versus almost five times a day compared to infants who received a placebo.

The study involved 554 newborns in nine hospital pediatric units.

Breastfeeding, Crying, and Colic
Dr. Claudia Frye, a pediatrician at UnityPoint Health in Bettendorf, Iowa said babies with colic tend to cry for prolonged periods, often at the same time of day every day. The fact that the study was dependent on parental reporting further calls into question the severity of the crying fits.

“Some parents can have the fussiest baby in the world but tolerate it very well," she said. "Others can get to wits end with their baby.” 

Frye said that the study has merit, but she cautioned that if an infant has asthma, eczema, or an autoimmune disorder, a probiotic should not be used. 

“The natural process of establishing the right balance of lactobacillus and other micro-organisms naturally in the intestine helps your body do what it is supposed to do with what you eat,” she said. “We need to understand how this works in the body.”

Interfering with that process—by not breast-feeding, giving an infant antibiotics, or keeping a baby in an overly sterile environment—may lead to colic. Colic also can be caused by factors not related to stomach problems, such as an under-developed nervous system. 

Explore Top Breastfeeding Tips »

Although some have speculated that lactobacillus reuteri is present in breast milk, Greer and Frye don't believe it. Frye said the bacteria can colonize a mother's skin, so breast-fed babies might get it that way.

“As a grandfather of five grandchildren below the age of six, all exclusively breast-fed, they all had fussy times of days,” Greer said. 

Everyone has varying levels of probiotics in their system, Frye said, so dosing is a challenge. Frye and Greer both noted that the study did not take into account other medications and herbs the children may have been taking.

The study showed that parents who used the probiotic as a preventive measure saved almost $119 per child on health care costs. 

BioGaia, a large manufacturer of probiotics based in Sweden, funded the study and provided the lactobacillus used in the experiment.

Learn More About Symptoms of Colic and Crying »


Source: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-probiotic-may-prevent-colic-in-infants-011314#1

輕視食物不耐症可致命

食物不耐症是指人體缺乏某種消化酵素，身體未能正常消化食物中某些成分，

例如：乳糖、小麥等，導致嘔吐、腹瀉、紅疹等徵狀。較常見的不耐症類型有乳糖不耐症及麩質不耐症。乳糖不耐症患者因為身體缺乏分解乳糖的酵素，當從牛奶等乳製品攝入乳糖，因身體不能消化分解而導致腹痛肚瀉等腸胃不適。食物不耐症與食物過敏症不同，食物過敏是由於身體免疫系統對食物中某種成分，例如牛奶的酪蛋白產生異常反應所造成的不適情況。

20 歲的 Carmen 自一歲半起飲用純牛奶後會感到反胃及嘔吐，被確診患有先天乳 糖 不 耐 症(Lactose Intolerance)。Carmen表示，多年來尚可吃少量乳酪、酸奶、羊奶等低乳糖奶製品，惟最近兩年發現進食酸奶亦會出現腹瀉症狀。她嘆道：「十分無奈，現在出外用餐要更小心選擇菜式，含芝士等乳製品可免則免。」她稱，雖然感覺到病情有惡化跡象，但因「怕麻煩」而沒有再求醫，只以戒口來避免病發。

患者病情難估計

註 冊 營 養 師 關 建 慧表示，後天性乳糖不耐症多是因疾病感染或生活習慣改變，以致乳糖酵素缺乏刺激或使用所引起。她續稱，患者對於乳糖不耐的情況會隨著時間改變，但由於每個人體質不一，病症所持續的時間亦會有所不同，有人甚至一輩子都受乳糖不耐症困擾。她續稱，曾有嚴重病例是患者發病時沒有明顯病症，最終因過量攝入不耐物質導致窒息死亡。而任何人對任何食物都可能有不耐症，但症狀未必會在進食不耐物質後即時出現，有機會延至數天後才病發， 一般人難以察覺問題和找出引致不適的食物，再對症下藥。

亂戒口或營養不良

關建慧表示，食物不耐症治療比較複雜，但因大部份輕微病例均可以通過自我調節飲食習慣而康復，誤以為「戒口」就可一了百了。她指出，「戒口」不適當會影響身體營養吸收，包括蛋白質、鈣質等，可引致營養不良。她建議，患者可經醫生處方乳糖酵素藥物以幫助消化，同時要注意均衡飲食、補充足夠營養，當不確定自己病情時應向醫院或營養師求助。

不耐症≠完全戒奶

若你患有乳糖不耐症，並不代表必須完全戒食全部奶製品，尤其牛奶是吸收蛋白質及鈣質的重要來源之一。無論是否不耐症的患者，應避免空腹飲用牛奶，當體內只有乳糖可被吸收時，反為增加腸道負擔。另外，不要一次喝大量牛奶。乳糖不耐症的患者，一般每次可接受分量約為半杯，惟仍需按個人接受程度而調整，如果飲用後出現腹瀉應減少分量。選擇乳酪代替牛奶亦是一種選擇，乳酪在製造過程中部分乳糖會被分解，身體吸收的乳糖自然少些。

資訊來源:
http://jmc.hksyu.edu/ourvoice/?tag=%E9%A3%9F%E7%89%A9%E4%B8%8D%E8%80%90%E7%97%87

蟎蟲？過敏？涼席點使用先健康？

喜愛睡涼席的朋友不在少數，現在涼席的種類也日益繁多，除了常見的草席、竹席之外，亞麻席、牛皮席、竹纖維席等比較高檔的涼席也姍姍走入了尋常百姓之家。可也有一些人卻不無遺憾地抱怨說，自己睡不了“涼席”，“一睡涼席就過敏，感覺好癢，抓也不敢抓，一抓就會有一個包”。

是什麼造成這種涼席過敏?

皮膚科的專家認為，這種因睡涼席而引發的“皮炎”有以下兩種主要情況構成：

一、因涼席材質而導致某些體質的人發生過敏症狀

一般來說，草席、葦席更容易使人過敏，相對來說竹席、藤席等會稍好些。有些小夥伴確實是過敏性的體質，在過敏源篩查的過程中，就可以針對性的看看是否對藺草等過敏。

二、因涼席上的蟎蟲叮咬而導致的皮膚炎症

臨床上看，大部分的“涼席皮炎”屬於這種，而且這種皮炎比較容易進行自我判斷，因為你會發現皮疹上有針頭大小的咬痕或者淤點，而且一般這種皮疹不會因為抓撓而擴散，只會在蟎蟲叮咬的位置出現皰疹。有很大一部分得了“涼席皮炎”的小夥伴在解決了涼席的清潔問題後，瘙癢的皮膚炎症症狀就會改善。

涼席怎樣清潔才算徹底除蟎?

首次使用要高溫消毒

席子剛買來，你是怎麼清潔的?放了一個冬天的席子再拿出來用，你又是怎麼處理的?有的小夥伴說，用熱毛巾擦一下，然後晾乾就好啦!還有小夥伴可能會說，丟到大太陽底下曬曬就好啦!然而，單純的擦洗和曝曬從清潔上說都是不夠徹底的!

皮膚科醫生的建議是：無論是新買的涼席還是往年買的涼席，當年第一次使用前都要用煮沸的開水燙十分鐘左右，再放到太陽底下曝曬，雙管齊下，以起到將蟎蟲及其蟲卵徹底殺死的效果，特別是隔年的涼席，相比新買的涼席，更需要這樣徹底的清潔。

日常每天擦洗，半個月曝曬一次

有的小夥伴第一次使用涼席時確實會徹底清潔，但隨後的一整個夏天就不再管它了，所以就會變成“咦，我之前睡涼席都好好的，從來不過敏，怎麼現在會那麼癢?”

夏季出汗較多，我們的汗液黏在涼席上，如果不經常換洗，很容易滋生蟎蟲細菌，引起皮膚瘙癢。所以，平時使用過程中最好每天都拿熱水擦洗，沒半個月拿到太陽下曝曬一次。

如何科學健康地使用涼席

即便是夏夜，睡涼席的時候最好蓋條毯子，尤其是要保證肩膀、脊椎和腹部等部位不受涼。因為無論是何種類型的涼席，使用時室溫都不宜過低，尤其是不要長時間開空調，否則，“涼上加涼”，對身體是沒有好處的，對體弱的人來說更是如此。特別是患過脊椎病、肩周炎等的小夥伴很有可能因為低溫下睡涼席而導致“一夜病發”。

資訊來源: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/-072947343.html

Foods That Help Your Body Heal - 有助於身體癒合的食物

Get a Boost from Power Foods
Whether you’re fighting fatigue, searching for ways to boost your immune system, or recovering from an illness, doctors often recommend healthy lifestyle changes. Prevention and management of symptoms can often significantly be helped through the foods you eat.

Kelp—Increases Your Iodine Intake
Low thyroid levels can cause sluggishness, weight gain, and moodiness. Iodine is essential to the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. 

Kelp is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and—most important for low thyroid levels—iodine. Be aware that overconsumption of iodine can create problems too. The key is a moderate amount to raise energy levels and brain functioning.

Other power greens include kale, bok choy, spinach, parsley, green beans, and alfalfa.

Ginger—Reduces Nausea
You may recognize ginger as a cooking spice, but its centuries-old uses range from aiding digestion and calming upset stomach to treating arthritis. Ginger is now widely recognized for its ability to reduce nausea, particularly for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Sources of ginger include ginger root (prepared as tea), foods and drink, and in an herbal form in extracts, capsules, and oils.



Mushrooms—Power Food
Mushrooms are hailed for their health-promoting properties. Common types of mushrooms include white button, shiitake, portabella, and crimini.


Studies continue to examine how shiitake mushrooms may fight cancer by boosting the immune system through the compound lentinan, believed to slow tumor growth. According to the American Cancer Society, “at least one randomized clinical trial of lentinan has shown it to prolong life of patients with advanced and recurrent stomach and colorectal cancer.”


Fats: Good vs. Bad

Calorie-counting often leads to the drastic reduction of fat from the diet. However, fat is essential for your brain to function properly. Cutting fat entirely may lead to depression.


Healthy fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated—may reduce your risk of heart disease. Healthy sources include fatty fish, avocado, olive oil, and certain nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans.




Beets—Energize You
Carbohydrates give you energy. However, in today’s fast-paced world, many of us often turn to processed carbs that don’t provide other nutrients. Beets are a natural energy supply packed with carbs, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.
Beets are equipped to satisfy a mid-afternoon sugar craving without the guilt. Plus, studies published in the journal Nahrung reveal that beets may help fight cancer and protect against heart disease.

Probiotics—Fight Disease
Probiotics are live microorganisms ("friendly bacteria”) that your body needs to protect against disease. They can be found in foods like yogurt, kefir, and soy beverages. Probiotics can also be obtained in supplement form.


Ongoing studies continue to explore the potential of probiotics to treat diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, skin infections, and certain cancers. A report from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine supports the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea and prevent infections of the urinary tract.


Calcium—Heals Broken Bones

Eating calcium-rich foods (versus calcium pills) is a recommended step toward healing broken bones. The next step is incorporating vitamin D, which helps your body absorb the calcium.


Calcium sources include dairy products (such as yogurt and milk), green vegetables (such as kale), nuts, and beans. Vitamin D sources include eggs, dairy, and fatty fish (such as sardines and salmon).



Swiss Chard—Bountiful in Benefits
A relative of the beet, Swiss chard provides an excellent source of vitamins C, E, and K, as well as fiber, zinc, and calcium. A wide green leaf with stalks that range in color from white to red to yellow, Swiss chard combines bitter and salty.

This nutrition-packed vegetable supports bone health, fights stress-related disease, and holds anti-inflammatory properties. Sautee it, toss it in a salad, or replace it for spinach in any dish.




More Resources—Prevention and Management

Healing and healthy living require balance. Avoid or limit empty calories and foods that rob you of energy and harm your health. Opting for nutritious foods to fuel your day will help prevent illness and improve recovery should an injury occur. 


Learn more about healthy eating and nutrition.






Source: http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/foods-that-help-you-heal

What Is Lactobacillus Acidophilus? - 什麼是嗜酸乳桿菌?

Not all types of bacteria are bad for you. In fact, your body needs a certain amount of bacteria to function properly. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a form of bacteria that’s found naturally in the body, usually in the intestines, mouth, or female genitals. It’s considered beneficial to human health because the bacteria doesn’t cause disease. It produces vitamin K as well as lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (the sugars in milk products).

This “helpful” bacteria is also a popular probiotic. Probiotics provide living bacteria that help the body absorb nutrients and keep a healthy balance of good bacteria. They help treat conditions like diarrhea, lactose intolerance, eczema, asthma, vaginal infections, and irritable bowel syndrome.

You can find probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus in Greek yogurt. Learn eight ways Greek yogurt can benefit your health.

Where to Get It
Lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics are found in some fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, soy products, and pickles. You can also buy probiotic supplements in liquid, tablet, or powder form.

Eating yogurt is often recommended for people who are lactose intolerant. This is because yogurt has less lactose than milk and other dairy products. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the probiotics in yogurt that’s responsible for “pre-digesting” the lactose, which makes it easier to digest.

To find out if a yogurt brand has Lactobacillus acidophilus, look for the bacteria name in the ingredient list. Yogurts that contain probiotics will have the National Yogurt Association's "Live and Active Cultures" seal.

Try a Probiotic Breakfast!

An easy way to get more probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus into your body is through a delicious morning treat. Tomorrow morning, try this delicious smoothie recipe, which is also low in calories:

¾ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
½ banana, chilled
6 ounces plain or nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed




What You Should Know First
Research on the effects of probiotics is still very limited, but there is some evidence that probiotics can treat short-term diarrhea and atopic eczema.

Probiotics are generally considered safe, and the most common side effect is extra gas. However, Lactobacillus acidophilus may be dangerous for people who have damaged intestines or a weakened immune system. Probiotics can also interact with certain medications, so speak to your doctor first.

Supplement forms of probiotics aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is a risk that harmful bacteria can contaminate good bacteria, or that the bacteria will die on the shelf before the product is sold.

Supplement companies may make false health claims or misrepresent a product to boost sales. Make sure you’re buying from a reliable source by checking the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) websites for reports against the manufacturer.

Additionally, the supplement label should list the type or types of bacteria used. Look for the names and ask your doctor whether this strain might be helpful for your condition.

Although more research is needed, probiotics are often recommended by doctors for lactose intolerance and other various digestive issues. Talk with your doctor to see how Lactobacillus acidophilus or other probiotics can be a part of your treatment plan. 


Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-lactobacillus-probiotic#4

What Is Allergic Eczema? - 什麼是過敏性濕疹?

Part 1 of 6: Overview
When your body comes in contact with something that could make you ill, your immune system promotes chemical changes to help your body ward off disease. You are exposed to thousands of substances each day, and most will not cause your immune system to react. However, you may come into contact with substances that are not typically harmful to the body but cause your immune system to overreact nonetheless. These substances are known as allergens, and this overreaction is known as an allergy.

Have a board certified dermatologist examine your skin problem »

An allergic reaction can take a number of forms. For some people, breathing becomes difficult, they cough, and they experience burning eyes and a runny nose. Other allergic reactions cause changes in the skin. Allergic eczema is an itchy skin rash that develops when you come into contact with an allergen. The condition often occurs hours after you have been exposed to the substance that causes the allergic reaction.

Allergic eczema is also known as:
allergic dermatitis
contact dermatitis
allergic contact dermatitis
contact eczema


Part 2 of 6: Causes
What Causes Allergic Eczema?
Allergic eczema occurs when you come into direct contact with an allergen. This type of allergic reaction is known as delayed allergy because it can take several exposures to the allergen to cause a reaction. Also, the symptoms of allergic eczema may not develop for 24 to 48 hours after you have come in contact with the allergen.

Although allergic eczema can develop because of an immune response to any substance, some common triggers include:

nickel, which can be found in earrings, jewelry, belt buckles, and metal buttons on jeans
perfumes found in cosmetics
certain clothing dyes
hairdressing chemicals and hair dye
latex
adhesives
antibiotic creams or ointments used on the skin such as neomycin
Allergic eczema may also result when the skin is exposed to chemicals in the presence of sunlight. One example is an allergic reaction that occurs after using sunscreen and spending time in the sun.


Part 3 of 6: Symptoms
Recognizing the Signs of Allergic Eczema
The symptoms of allergic eczema will be different for each person. They may also change over time. Symptoms typically develop on the skin where contact with the allergen has occurred. In rare cases, symptoms may spread to other areas of the skin.

Common symptoms include:

itching of the skin
a burning sensation or pain on the skin
red bumps on the skin that may ooze (weep), drain, or crust
warm, tender skin
skin that becomes scaly, raw, or thickened
skin that becomes dry, red, or rough
inflammation of the skin
cuts (fissures) in the skin
skin rash


Part 4 of 6: Diagnosis
How Is Allergic Eczema Diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of this disorder, your doctor will examine your skin. Although your doctor may be able to diagnose an allergic reaction, he or she may need to do further testing to determine exactly what you are allergic to. Typically an epicutaneous (on surface of the skin) or patch test will be required.

Patch Test
During this test, patches that contain common allergens are placed on your back. These patches remain in place for 48 hours. When your doctor removes the patches, he or she will check for signs of an allergic reaction. Your doctor will check your skin again in two more days to see if there is a delayed allergic reaction.

Biopsy
If your doctor is not able to make a diagnosis based on the patch test, other tests may be needed. Your doctor may perform a skin lesion biopsy (taking a sample of your skin for laboratory testing) to make sure that your skin condition is not due to another health problem.


Part 5 of 6: Treatment
How Is Allergic Eczema Treated?
Treatment for allergic eczema depends on the severity of your symptoms. In all cases, it is important to wash the affected skin with plenty of water to remove traces of the allergen.

If your symptoms are mild and do not bother you, no further treatment may be needed. You may wish to use a moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated and to repair damage. Over-the-counter corticosteroid creams can help with itching and inflammation.

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength ointments or creams. Corticosteroid pills or a shot can also be prescribed if needed.


Part 6 of 6: Long-Term Outlook
What Is the Long-Term Outlook for Allergic Eczema?
With treatment, you can expect allergic eczema to clear up within two to three weeks. However, the condition may return if you are exposed to the allergen again. Identifying the allergen that caused your eczema and taking steps to avoid it are critical to preventing future reactions.


Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/skin/eczema#Causes2