A warm welcome to the June issue of ‘Update’ the monthly newsletter for customers and friends of AllergyBestBuys.

The hayfever season has been a real corker this year, with many new sufferers struggling with the bunged-up sinuses and itchy eyes that this seasonal allergic rhinitis, as it is formally known, produces.
We have a truly comprehensive range of remedies for this miserable condition, from sinus irrigators (my son´s favourite) to pollen capsules and the bestselling AirTamer personal air purifier.
You can see them all here and make your choice. And when you buy something from the BestBuys for Hayfever range, if you type ‘Eyedrops sample’ in the special instructions box at the checkout we´ll send you a free sample of Potters natural allerclear® eye drops to soothe irritated eyes.

HAVE YOUR SAY on the future of allergy services for children and adults in the North West. Come along this Saturday 26^th June 2010 to The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington from 2pm to learn more from NHS allergy experts about the latest developments for people living with allergies in the region. Your views are encouraged to help shape their plans.

NHS organisations in the North West are leading a national pilot scheme, working with healthcare workers both in the communities and hospitals where you live to improve the diagnosis and on-going care of people with allergies. So far, over £1 million has been spent to improve allergy and immunology services for patients across the region.

Eventually, it is hoped to produce a model for allergy and immunology care that can be rolled out to those parts of the country that would benefit from improvement. This means that all eyes are on the North West to do a good job. Some of the plans for the region include:

• Encouraging doctors and nurses from different hospitals across the region to work together - some of them for the first time - to ensure that the vast majority of patients are treated nearer to their homes.
• Providing extra education and training of GPs and support nurses.
• Setting up a ‘virtual allergy centre’ with ‘hubs’ in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston, which would include not only specialist allergists and immunologists, but also specially trained nurses who could work out in the community, sharing their specialist knowledge and skills.

Mandy East from the National Allergy Strategy Group will be chairing the event and looks forward to hearing from you. To book your place, or for more information, call Mandy on 01252 893850 or email mandy@nasg.org.uk

A BIG THANK YOU to all who volunteered to test the QU-CHI Acupressure Bands for children with hayfever. We had a terrific response from parents of children of all ages who suffer the miseries of this debilitating allergy, many of whom struggle with their studies at this important time of year.
We enclosed a questionnaire for you to fill out and return to us so that the manufacturers can fine-tune the size fit of the Bands if necessary.

Kate Baldry didn´t wait for the 4 week trial period to end before sharing the experience of her 10 year old son Alexander with us and I am pleased to reproduce her e-mail in full for you here:

Tuesday, June 08, 2010 9:59 PM
Subject: Qu Chi Band Child

After seeing your request for testers I requested one of these for my son who suffers from hayfever and chronic allergic rhinitis, constant stuffed up nose etc. He sleeps but not fitfully, is a nightmare in the mornings and cannot concentrate for any length of time. It is a critical time for him a the moment as he has gone from being a snotty, bunged up child who has trouble concentrating to a snotty bunged up child who needs to take entrance exams in the autumn so his educational future is very much at stake. We are waiting for some allergy testing to be booked.

When the band arrived I dismissed it to be honest but my son spotted it, asked what it was and put it on. Again, being totally honest I said not to bother because it didn't look to be any use but he blasted through his maths homework with a focus I have never seen before, has done the same tonight with another assignment, delights in showing me how easily he can breathe and came into my room this morning with a very uncharacteristic spring in his step saying he had slept well. I am still a little sceptical and slightly in shock at the changes in my son but if it is down to this little band then long may it continue and I think I may order more so that he can never be without it. If the improvement continues we may be looking at a very happy contented boy who will finally reach his potential at school.

I can´t believe it is true but so far the signs are that this little band is nothing short of a miracle.

Kate Baldry on behalf of Alexander age 10

Thank you Kate!

Will the parents of all testers who haven´t already sent back their questionnaire please do so now. Or you can fill it in online here.
For full details of the Qu-Chi Acupressure Bands for Hayfever for adults and children and to buy, please click here now.

Devotees of this popular barrier repair emollient will know that TriCeram, available only on prescription in the US, is freshly made for us in batches there. A disruption in the supply of the ceramides that go into its manufacture has meant that we have recently been unable to fulfil your orders. We are mightily relieved to let you know that we have taken delivery of a supply of TriCeram this week and that customers on our waiting list should all have received their orders by the end of next week. We continue to offer the stiffer-formula TriCeram as a BOGOF to those who are happy with it and thank you all for your patience.

In our ‘Update’ of May 2009 we highlighted the growing problem of allergic contact dermatitis on the ears and face caused by nickel used in mobile phones. The likelihood of a reaction is increased with prolonged contact, especially in the warmer months when perspiration enhances nickel transfer to the skin and intensifies the rash.

The nickel in mobile phones is mostly found round the menu buttons, logos and the metallic frame around the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. A recent CBS HealthWatch report demonstrated how to test your phone for nickel with Nickel Alert.

If your mobile phone tests positive for nickel there are 3 options to consider:

• Coating the area with Nickel Guard-3 thin coats is very effective on non-moveable parts
• Use the speakerphone or headset
• Use a protective plastic cover

Click here now to buy Nickel Alert and Nickel Guard

Food Allergy Mums was set up by Lara Peperell to help parents share information and support each other. The next meeting of the London group of Food Allergy Mums at the Royal Free Hospital will be on Saturday 3^rd July from 9.30 to 11.30 am. The meeting will take place in "The Atrium". James Gardner, Paediatric Allergy and Asthma Nurse Specialist will lead the meeting and Carol Dungu (Specialist Children´s Allergy Dietitian) is the speaker. Organiser Lara is hoping to have some allergy-free samples/info/products for you to try. If you´re not a member of Food Allergy Mums but would like to join you are most welcome to come along and bring other parents of children with food allergies. If you have any questions, please call Lara on 0780 123 9001 or send her an email here.

SuperWater™Universal Easy-fit Shower Filter. This neat little unit fits any shower in seconds. So you can shower in clean, chlorine free, filtered water and reduce your daily exposure to the harmful effects of chlorine. No need for a plumber - even I managed to install the sample they sent us in record time. More info and to buy, click here now.

Egg Allergy is the most common food allergy affecting young children and continues to increase in prevalence. Allergic reactions to egg vary from mild itchiness, swelling or abdominal discomfort to life-threatening reactions with difficulty breathing and collapse. 60% of new cases in children are diagnosed after tummy symptoms (severe diarrhoea, sickness). Research has indicated that

• Infants who have moderate to severe eczema are at highest risk of developing egg allergy
• 50% of children with egg allergy go on to develop respiratory (asthma, hayfever) allergic disease

The Imutest Home Test for Egg Allergy is a simple, accurate blood prick test you can carry out on your child in a relaxed way in the familiar environment of your own home. It is the same as a hospital test and the results are available in 30 minutes. If the result is positive you can take steps to see your doctor and a nutritionist who will help you to manage this allergy. For more information and to buy, click here now.

More news and offers in July.

‘til then, take care

Janet

ps. My friend Annie has a 9 month old with eczema. She says to let all parents of babies with eczema know that she has recently put little Charlie to sleep in a Dermatherapy pillowcase and that they´ve both had the first decent night´s sleep in weeks!