Category: All Other Allergies

Any allergic diseases other than drug allergies

FDA Warns of Severe Rebound Itching After Stopping Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or Levocetirizine (Xyzal): What You Need to Know

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🛑 New FDA Safety Alert: Antihistamine Withdrawal Can Trigger Severe Itching In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new safety warning about rebound itching after stopping cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal)—two of the most commonly used antihistamines. This severe itching reaction, often mistaken for allergy relapse, may occur especially in people who have taken the drug daily for several months. 🔎 Key Findings from the FDA Investigation Between April 2017 and July 2023, the FDA identified 209 confirmed cases globally—197 in the U.S.—involving moderate to…

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Sebetralstat: The First Oral Treatment for HAE Approved by FDA

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sebetralstat

Oral HAE treatment is now FDA-approved. On July 7, 2025, Sebetralstat (Ekterly®) became the first oral on-demand therapy for acute attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE), marking a major shift in how this rare condition is managed. Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder that causes unpredictable, recurrent episodes of swelling, often affecting the face, throat, gastrointestinal tract, and extremities. If untreated, these attacks can be life-threatening. Until recently, on-demand treatment for HAE required injections only. While berotralstat (Orladeyo®) became the first oral medication approved for prophylaxis in 2020, acute…

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The Basophil Activation Test (BAT): A Game-Changing Tool for Food Allergy Diagnosis

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Basophil Activation Test (BAT) in Food Allergy

Diagnosing food allergies accurately remains one of the biggest challenges in allergy medicine. Traditional approaches like skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE blood tests can tell us if someone is sensitized to a food, but they don’t always predict whether that person will actually have an allergic reaction. Meanwhile, oral food challenges (OFCs)—the gold standard—are time-consuming, expensive, and carry real risks of severe reactions. Enter the Basophil Activation Test (BAT): a revolutionary diagnostic tool that’s changing how we approach food allergy diagnosis. 🧪 What Makes BAT Different? BAT is…

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Seafood Allergy: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Prevention

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Seafood allergies are a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting millions worldwide. Whether you’re allergic to fish, shellfish, or both, understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies is crucial for managing your allergy safely. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about seafood allergies, including diagnosis, myths, and emergency preparedness. What Causes Seafood Allergies? Seafood allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in fish or shellfish as harmful, triggering an allergic reaction. The primary allergens are: Fish vs. Shellfish Allergies: What’s the Difference? Symptoms…

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Mastering Angioedema Diagnosis: Recognizing Mimics and Uncommon Causes

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Spotting Angioedema: Unmasking the Unusual Culprits!

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Understanding Angioedema: What You Need to Know

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tongue angioedema

What is Angioedema? Angioedema is a medical condition characterized by the rapid swelling of the deeper layers of the skin and mucous membranes. This swelling occurs due to the accumulation of fluid, leading to significant tissue expansion. The condition most commonly affects regions of the body such as the face, especially around the eyes and lips, the throat, hands, and feet. Unlike typical allergic reactions that often manifest with hives and intense itching, angioedema is distinguished by its deeper swelling and the absence of pruritus, or itchiness. This distinction can…

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Chronic Rhinitis Misconceptions: What You Need to Know

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Do you constantly reach for tissues, battle a stuffy nose, or wake up with unexplained headaches? You might be dealing with chronic rhinitis—but how much do you really know about this condition? Unfortunately, many chronic rhinitis misconceptions can lead to ineffective treatments and prolonged discomfort. Let’s set the record straight and uncover the truth about this common but often misunderstood condition. Misconception: Chronic Rhinitis Is Just a Runny Nose Many people think chronic rhinitis is no more than a minor annoyance, but the reality is far more complex. Chronic rhinitis…

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The Hidden Connection: Chronic Urticaria, Autoimmune Disorders & Hormonal Imbalance

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Introduction to Chronic Urticaria Chronic urticaria, often referred to as hives, is a condition marked by the recurrent appearance of itchy welts on the skin. These welts, or hives, can vary in size and may appear anywhere on the body. The condition becomes chronic when these symptoms persist for six weeks or longer, distinguishing it from acute urticaria, which typically resolves within a shorter period. While the exact cause of chronic urticaria remains elusive in many cases, it is generally understood to be a complex interplay of factors. Symptoms of…

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