Hair chalking is the recent craze among teenagers that involves using a piece of Hairchalkcoloured pastel chalk on strands of hair then locking the colour in with straighteners. It may be the newest teen trend in temporary hair colour, but the American Food and Drugs Agency warns it could have damaging adverse effects. The problem is that many of the products are sold online and are not regulated. They may contain ingredients such as dyes or colorants, chemicals and preservatives that can cause allergies and adverse reaction on the scalp, head, eyes, and skin. Concerns have also been raised that...

Researchers have found an association between cat and dustmite allergies in pre-schoolers and the onset of asthma by age 7. The research, presented on Monday 23rd February at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting in Houston, included almost 500 children from Cincinnati. Tests for four common indoor allergens – cat, dog, cockroach and dustmite – were carried out at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. The children were tested for asthma at age 7. According to the study, children with positive tests for cat and dust mite allergies had an increased risk of having asthma...

You probably saw the headlines over the weekend warning that toxic fumes from the recycled air in aeroplanes pose a health risk for passengers and aircrew. Senior coroner for Dorset Stanhope Payne, inquiring into the death of BA pilot Richaard Westgate , said people regularly exposed to fumes circulating in planes faced “consequential damage to their health”. Many of you have called to ask for our recommendations to combat these aerotoxins and I’ve chosen three good items here that can help protect against the excess oil particles that enter the cabin’s air supply. Please take a moment to check out...

It is perfectly possible to experience allergic reactions to alcoholic drinks and the symptoms may be exactly like those that accompany any other food allergy response. But rather annoyingly the alcohol itself is not typically the reason for these allergic reactions.

I was a bit of a Slack Alice this year. I managed to let Stir-up Sunday on November 23rd sail by without my noticing. So I didn’t make my Christmas Puddings on the Great Mixing Day and felt slightly guilty. Pressure, pressure… Anyway, this weekend I set to and got two beautiful puds mixed and steamed and they look magnificent, all ready with their foil covers and string handles for a second boil on Christmas morning. Allergen-free Christmas Pudding I always use the same recipe, which never fails. It’s really easy and is ideal if you’re avoiding nuts, eggs, wheat,...