AHA News: A Look at Allergies and Heart Health, With Tips to Endure Pollen Season Amid Coronavirus Fears

WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Spring brings warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and, for millions of Americans, the arrival of allergy season. It also coincides this year with the arrival of COVID-19, which could make allergy sufferers hyperaware of every sneeze and sniffle.

But there are key differences in symptoms. Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and cough. Yet unlike allergies, coronavirus causes a fever, with other symptoms including cough and shortness of breath.

Allergy Med Singulair to Get 'Black Box' Warning Over Psych Side Effects: FDA

WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 -- Asthma and allergy drug montelukast -- sold as a generic and under the brand name Singulair -- will get a "boxed warning" over potential ties to neuropsychiatric effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday.

The drug has long carried a warning that it has been linked with an increased risk of "agitation, depression, sleeping problems, and suicidal thoughts and actions," the FDA said in a statement.

An Allergist Offers His Expert Advice for a Sneeze-Free Spring

SATURDAY, March 7, 2020 -- While many Americans are ready to celebrate the end of winter, those with seasonal allergies are already dreading the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and runny nose that spring brings.

"Spring allergies can be tricky to treat because not everyone is allergic to the same things, even though symptoms may look a lot alike," said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "There are some really effective treatments out there, but unfortunately no magic bullets."

Will a Face Mask Protect You From Coronavirus?

THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 -- The dreaded coronavirus in China has many reaching for face masks across the globe.

But while mandatory in Wuhan, China, where the virus originated, a face mask is of little use, practically speaking, some experts say.

First Drug Approved for Treatment of Peanut Allergy in Children

MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Palforzia (Peanut [Arachis hypogaea] Allergen Powder-dnfp) to alleviate allergic reactions to accidental peanut exposure, the agency announced late Friday.

Palforzia, a powder manufactured from peanuts, is indicated for initiation in individuals aged 4 to 17 years old with a confirmed peanut allergy. Treatment may be continued in individuals aged 4 years and older. "When used in conjunction with peanut avoidance, Palforzia provides an FDA-approved treatment option to help reduce the risk of these allergic reactions in children with peanut allergy," Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in an agency news release.

Crafting With Dry Pasta, Play-Doh Safe for Kids With Gluten Sensitivity: Study

TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 -- Play-Doh and uncooked pasta are classic classroom craft supplies -- but what if the kids in the classroom have celiac disease?

Gluten in these substances is not dangerous, new research finds. As long as kids with celiac disease don't eat what they're playing with, we can strike Play-Doh and raw pasta from the exposure risk list, the researchers said.