An allergy
is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

•Pollen
•Dust mites
•Mold spores
•Pet dander
•Food
•Insect stings
•Medicines
How do you get allergies? Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body’s defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm.

Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Symptoms vary.

Allergy News Wire is reporting that Mold allergies are now rampant. Mold allergy typically increase during late summer and fall months.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the, “Number of ambulatory care visits (to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments) with a primary diagnosis of allergic rhinitis: 13.1 million.” With numbers this high, it’s important to take note if you are a mold allergy sufferer.

The problem is mold spores allergy – mold is a trigger for allergic rhinitis and asthma, and as mentioned above, mold’s peak season is late summer and fall.

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found sufficient evidence to make a connection between indoor mold exposure to “upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.”

For those sensitive to mold, or those who already have a mold allergy, the reactions may be more severe. And, for those with immune-compromised illnesses, and chronic lung illnesses, mold exposure may cause serious infections in their lungs.

The IOM study also found suggestive evidence linking healthy people, specifically children, to respiratory illnesses from indoor exposure to mold. While further studies are need to determine the exact cause of mold and adverse health effects, there are some guidelines for limiting your exposure to mold and reducing mold spores allergy symptoms.

•Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%.
•Be sure your home has enough ventilation.
•Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing.
•Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
•Use an air purifier for asthma, and be sure to use an allergy HEPA filter.
•Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
•Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
•Remove carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider removing carpets from areas such as bathrooms and basements.

Allergy Be Gone are the specialists when it comes to allergies & asthma. Not sure what to do in your home or office? . They will educate you on various techniques & products to solve your allergies.

Pottery Barn Kids Recalls to Repair Madeline Bunk Beds Due to Entrapment Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Bunk Beds Units: About 405 Importer/ Distributor: Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., of San Francisco, Calif. Hazard: The end structure of the bunk bed can pose an entrapment hazard to young children, a violation of the Safety Standard for Entrapment Hazards in Bunk Beds, 16 C.F.R. Part 1513. Children can get their necks caught in the opening between the post and the decorative molding. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves Madeline bunk beds. The bed is white and is made of wood and medium-density fiberboard. It has guardrails on either side of the top bunk and a ladder that attaches to the side of the beds. Sold at: Pottery Barn Kids stores, catalog and www.potterybarnkids.com from July 2009 to March 2010 for $1,400 Manufactured in: Vietnam Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the bed and contact Pottery Barn Kids to schedule installation of a free repair kit. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (888) 779-8692 between 7 a.m. and midnight PT seven days a week or visit the company’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com

Baby Matters Recalls Nap Nanny® Recliners Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; One Infant Death Reported

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Baby Matters LLC, of Berwyn, Pa., is announcing the voluntary recall of 30,000 Nap Nanny® portable baby recliners. CPSC is investigating a report of a 4-month-old girl from Royal Oak, Mich. who died in a Nap Nanny® that was being used in a crib. According to preliminary reports, the infant was in her harness and found hanging over the side of the product, caught between the Nap Nanny® and the crib bumper.

CPSC and Baby Matters are aware of one other incident in which an infant became entrapped when the Nap Nanny was used in a crib, contrary to the product instructions. In that incident, the infant fell over the side of the Nap Nanny®, despite being harnessed in, and was caught between the baby recliner and the side of the crib. The infant sustained a cut to the forehead.

CPSC and the firm have received 22 reports of infants, primarily younger than 5-months-old, hanging or falling out over the side of the Nap Nanny® despite most of the infants being placed in the harness. One infant received a bruise as a result of hanging over the side of the product.

Infants can partially fall or hang over the side of the Nap Nanny® even while the harness is in use. This situation can be worse if the Velcro™ straps, located inside the Nap Nanny® cover are not properly attached to the “D”-rings located on the foam, or if consumers are using the first generation model Nap Nanny® that was sold without “D”-rings.

In addition, if the Nap Nanny® is placed inside a crib, play yard or other confined area, which is not a recommended use, the infant can fall or hang over of the side of the Nap Nanny® and become entrapped between the crib side and the Nap Nanny® and suffocate.

Likewise, if the Nap Nanny® is placed on a table, countertop, or other elevated surface and a child falls over the side, it poses a risk of serious head injury. Consumers should always use the Nap Nanny® on the floor away from any other products.

The Nap Nanny® is a portable recliner designed for sleeping, resting and playing. The recliner includes a foam base with an inclined indentation for the infant to sit in and a fitted fabric cover and a three point harness. The first generation model of the Nap Nanny® can be identified by the absence of “D”-rings in the foam base. In second generation models, the harness system has “D”-rings in the foam base and Velcro™ straps inside the fitted fabric cover.

The recalled Nap Nannys® were sold at toy and children’s retail stores nationwide and online, including at www.napnanny.com, from January 2009 through July 2010 for about $130.

The recalled product was manufactured in the United States and China.

Consumers with a first generation Nap Nanny® models, without “D”-rings, should stop using the recalled baby recliners immediately and contact the firm to receive an $80 coupon towards the purchase of a new Nap Nanny® with free shipping. Consumers with a second generation Nap Nanny® model, with “D”-rings, should immediately stop using the product until they are able to visit the firm’s website to obtain new product instructions and warnings. Consumers will also view an important instructional video to help consumers ensure the harness is properly fastened. Consumers who are unable to view the video or new instructions online, should contact the firm to receive free copies by mail. For more information, contact Baby Matters toll-free at (888) 240-4282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.napnanny.com/recall

Short Introduction to Caring for Babies

Learning how to care for babies is not something that you are going to learn out of a book. However, you may be able to get some simple tips and learn some of the basics so that you may be better able to cope with your new life as a parent. This article is going to cover some of the basic things that you should know and keep in mind.

First of all, make sure that you have plenty of disposable diapers on hand. You are going to need them continually as your baby grows. When it is time to change your little ones diaper you are going to want to have everything ready to go. Be sure to have your diapers close by as well as your baby wipes. This is very important because you can not leave your newborn unattended on the changing table while you gather your supplies. Now, take the old diaper off, wipe your baby and put the new diaper on. You should not put any powder on your baby because they can inhale it into their lungs. You can always talk to your doctor about this if you would like.

Now, you are going to want to have all of your baby’s bath supplies on hand when it is time for a bath as well. You are going to take your baby into a warm bathroom and place them into a warm, small amount of water. Be sure to always support your baby’s head. You will then dampen a cloth and put a little bit of soap on it. Then, gently wipe your baby down. Be sure to do this quickly if you are worried that your baby is going to get cold. Once you have wiped your baby down, you will wrap them in a warm towel, dry them off and then get a fresh diaper on them. Now they are ready for their bedtime clothes.

When it is time to feed your baby you are going to want to warm the baby’s bottle just a little bit. You should never place a bottle in the microwave because it can get to hot. You can purchase a bottle warmer in advance and place the bottle in there to warm. Once it is ready you will place the baby in your arms and keep his or her head supported. You will then place the bottle in his or her mouth. They will take hold of the nipple and begin to eat. You should be sure to stop every few ounces so that you can burp your baby. This is going to help reduce gas and upset stomachs for your child. You can always ask your doctor how often they would recommend burping.

So, there you have it, some basics related to caring for babies. It does sound rather easy but it is a different game when you are actually playing. You are going to want to be prepared and always think ahead. The longer you have your baby, the more comfortable you will become. This means that it will also get easier. For now, get ready for some long days and nights.