Allergies Overview: Symptoms, Treatments, and More

Popular Aldi Holiday Kringle Recalled In 5 States Over Nut Allergy Concerns

Custom Care Medical Internist Dr. Frank Contacessa joins 'Varney & Co.' to discuss a new report that the U.K. Is beginning to remove certain U.S. Candy from shelves. 

Wisconsin-based Racine Danish Kringles announced it is recalling Raspberry Kringles sold in select Aldi retail stores because the wildly popular danish may contain pecans, though the packaging does not say the nuts are in the product.

Anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans could be at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the Danish.

The company, based in Racine, Wisconsin, shipped the 14oz Raspberry Kringles to stores in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to a recall alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The product is labeled "Raspberry" and is sold on a red tray with plastic overwrap, the FDA noted, and the lot code for the items in question is "2399." The lot number can be found just above the barcode on the back nutritional label.

RECALLED APPLESAUCE MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED INTENTIONALLY, FDA SAYS

Racine Danish Kringles is recalling some Raspberry danishes because they could contain pecans. (Aldi / Fox News)

The FDA added that no illnesses have been reported yet.

NY HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRM LEAD CASE TIED TO APPLESAUCE RECALL

Racine Danish Kringles is recalling some raspberry danishes because they could contain pecans. (FDA)

Racine initiated the recall after a customer found a Raspberry Kringle containing pecans, though it was distributed in a package that did not state the presence of pecans.

Consumers who purchased Racine Danish Kringles Raspberry 14oz Kringles labeled with a lot code of 23299 are urged to take the item back to the retail store where it was purchased to receive a full refund.

An Aldi logo is seen at one of their stores in Athens. Aldi's popular holiday raspberry kringles are being recalled because they may contain pecans. The treats are not properly labeled to indicate they may contain pecans. (Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Those with questions or concerns about the recall are encouraged to call Racine Danish Kringles' Quality Assurance Department or Chris Heyer, the company's president, at 262-633-19819, Monday through Friday, 9 a.M. - 5 p.M., CST.

Here's What May Be Causing Your Allergies This Winter

When you suffer Winter allergies, the things that are triggering your immune system tend to be ... [+] located indoors. (Photo: Getty)

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Imagine experiencing the seasonal allergies that many people get in the Spring, Summer, and Fall—except without all that warmer and nicer weather stuff. Well, that's what having Winter allergies can be all about. It's when you suffer the same types of symptoms that clobber those with tree pollen allergies in the Spring, grass pollen allergies in the Summer and ragweed allergies in the Fall. But this suffering occurs in the middle of Winter when temperatures typically drop through much of the country and push most daily activities indoors. And here's another wonderful difference. While you may be able to avoid all that outdoor plant allergen stuff during the March through November time frame by staying indoors, things may actually be worse indoors for Winter allergy sufferers. Talk about the hazy shade of Winter.

What causes Winter allergies?

Hidden dust balls can be the source of your allergic symptoms. (Photo: Getty)

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That's because the things that may lead to Winter allergies tend to be located inside your home, your office, your club, that place where you get chicken wings or wherever you may spend your time away from the elements. Typically, it isn't outdoor plant stuff that causes Winter allergies unless you are in a location where plants are still blooming November through February. Instead, the Winter allergy culprits are most often stuff like dust, dust mites, dust mite poop, mold, pet dander, pet poop, parasites, cockroaches, cockroach poop, rodents, rodent poop and rodent pee. Yep, lots of things poop. So that even if you don't see it, poop there is. And if you haven't figured it out yet, poop can be bad news.

When you have allergies, your immune system reacts to substances that usually aren't true dangers to your body. Sure, the idea of breathing in some rat poop may not be on the top of your list for a Saturday night. But it's not as if rat poop is going to threaten you or start punching you in the face. That's why immune systems normally don't react to the presence of stuff like rat poop.

What are the symptoms of Winter allergies?

If you have Winter allergies, though, rat poop and other indoor allergens can cause your immune system to clap back, leading to those classic seasonal allergy symptoms such as watery and itchy eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, coughing, dry and itchy skin, rashes or even wheezing and shortness of breath. Seeing such symptoms during the Winter months may make you think of a common cold or some other type of respiratory infection. Indeed, it can be difficult to tell for sure whether you are experiencing Winter allergies rather than something contagious. That's why you shouldn't simply announce to the office that you just have allergies when you are not really sure and then proceed to get everyone infected. Therefore, it is better to maintain infection control precautions even though you may believe your symptoms are due to Winter allergies.

So, how do you tell if your symptoms are due to allergies? Well, the key to this and life in general is timing. While cold symptoms may last a few days to a week, Winter allergy symptoms will keep going and going and going. As long as the allergens—meaning the substances triggering your immune system—are still hanging around and you are trapped indoors with them, you will continue to suffer symptoms.

Now, stuff like dust, dust mites and rat poop are probably around year round. However, reactions to such indoor allergens can be greater during the Winter when more time is spent indoors and indoor ventilation may be less with windows and doors shut. Furthermore, the air inside tends to be drier during the Winter for two reasons: one, there less moisture in the cold Winter air outside and two, many indoor heating systems will recycle this dry air without humidifying it. Drier air can dry out your skin and respiratory tract membranes, which, in turn, can leave them more vulnerable to irritation and damage.

How do you prevent Winter allergy symptoms?

An air purifier can help filter indoor allergens out of the air. (Photo: Getty)

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So what can you do to prevent and reduce Winter allergy symptoms besides stop holding raves for rats inside your house? Here are some steps to take:

Keep you living quarters as clean and dust-free as possible. That means dusting and vacuuming thoroughly and frequently and not just in a hide-everything-so-that-the-guests-can't-see way. Dust can accumulate in hidden places such as under your bed and dresser, behind your curtains and on stuffed toys and various other decorative stuff. It may be good idea to minimize unnecessary dust-collecting stuff such as those One Direction throw pillows.

Minimize your contact with dust mites. Steps you can take include covering your pillow and mattresses with hypoallergenic covers and laundering your bedding regularly. Washing your bedsheets more often can help other parts of your life as well.

Keep your indoor air as clean as possible. Using an air purification system can help. But make sure that it really works, has fresh filters and doesn't simply blow around dirty air.

Take care of your animal housemates. Keep your pets well-bathed and well-groomed. It's not enough to give them coupons to the local spa or hand them a bar of soap and say, "Go for it." You also may want to limit where your pets go so that they don't pick up and carry around allergens and spread their dander everywhere.

Eliminate pests. Don't leave food laying around to attract rodents and insects. Have a low threshold for calling an exterminator.

Beware of mold accumulation. Keep your floors, countertops, sinks, toilets and other surfaces as dry as possible so that mold or mildew don't grow. While humidifying the air can help combat dry skin and dry membranes, keeping your home like a sauna can promote the growth of mold too.

How do you treat Winter allergy symptoms?

Of course, unless you live in the clean room at NASA, it's likely impossible to keep your home completely allergen-free. If your symptoms persist despite all of the above, you may need over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops and nasal sprays to control your symptoms. If these don't work or you are having more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, contact your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe stronger measures such as immunotherapy and better pinpoint what specific allergens are causing you trouble by administering allergy tests. This way instead of staying clear of like everything, you can know more specifically what to avoid.

Winter allergies can make Winter doubly difficult to deal with since few people would begin a sentence with, "The great thing about having Winter allergies is." But if you suffer from such allergies, there are steps that you can take to help weather this Winter storm.

Unwrapping Christmas Tree Syndrome: Allergies And Symptoms

Do you get an uneasy, allergic symptom-filled feeling whenever you get close to a Christmas tree? If ... [+] so, then you may be experiencing "Christmas tree syndrome." (Photo: Getty)

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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, you always make me so sneezy!

Is this what happens to you once the December Holidays roll around? Do you get various allergy-like symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing, a rash or itchiness specifically whenever you go rocking around a Christmas tree? If so, then you may be experiencing what's been dubbed "Christmas tree syndrome."

What is Christmas Tree Syndrome?

"Christmas tree syndrome" is not when you hoard Christmas trees or somehow believe that everything—including your family members—is actually a Christmas tree. Rather, it's when you are allergic to something that's either on or in a Christmas tree. This can be a real or fake Christmas tree. Not surprisingly, this syndrome is most common among those who already have a history of allergies or asthma. But just because you've been allergy-free all your life doesn't mean that one day something about O Tannenbaum won't start needling your immune system.

What Are Possible Causes of Christmas Tree Syndrome?

You see the tree can carry a lot with it. Typically, the tree itself won't cause allergic reactions. But by the time a real Christmas tree has reached your home, it's been around the block so to speak. It's not exactly virginal. A pine tree can be covered by not only pine pollen but also the pollen from lots of different plants around it such as ragweed and grass. And lots of people are allergic to ragweed and grass pollen.

Moreover, a Christmas tree can carry mold, up to 50 different kinds of molds, according to a research letter published in 2011 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Think about that the next time you consider cuddling up in bed with your Christmas tree.

Then there are the P's: pesticides, pollution, poop, pee and pretty much anything that may be in the great outdoors. If you think about it, a Christmas tree is sort of like a gigantic brush. It will pick up lots of stuff while it's being dragged across the ground and different surfaces. And guess what animals might be inclined to do when they see a tree. Here's a hint: it rhymes with tree and starts with a "P."

The scent of pine tree sap can be a problem too. That scent comes from chemicals called terpenes that can take to the air, get into your respiratory tract and cause inflammation. Pine nuts can drive some people's immune systems a bit nuts as well.

A Christmas tree can collect all sorts of allergens while growing or on display. Here Catherine, the ... [+] Duchess of Cambridge, helps children choose a Christmas tree. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

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While a fake tree may not have the natural pine sap scent, pine nuts, pollen or some of the other allergens that a real tree typically has, fake may not necessarily give you a break from allergic reactions. A fake Christmas trees can still have dust, mold, dirt, poop, pee, insects, insect droppings and other things that can throw your immune system into a tizzy. This can be especially likely if you've stored the tree in an unprotected location all year. So, when not "oooing" and "ahhing" your fake Christmas tree and sayin, "It looks so real," it's good to keep your fake tree tucked away in a place that's clean, dry and free of insects and other animals. Also, check on the fake tree periodically throughout the course of the year to make sure it hasn't become covered with mold or turned into a cabana by a pack of racoons.

How Can You Prevent a Christmas Tree Allergy?

There are other things that you can do to keep yourself as free from Christmas Tree Syndrome as possible:

Keep the tree outdoors: This may be a problem if you celebrating Christmas in the Eastern Antarctic Plateau, where temperatures can get down to -94°C. But if you are in warmer climes, the outdoors can provide more natural ventilation to blow away a lot of the allergens.

Clean your tree: This is not a euphemism. If you are going to bring your tree indoors, try washing it down first with a hose, blowing away allergens with a leaf blower or at least shaking the tree first.

Clean yourself: As soon as you've had an encounter with a tree, change your clothes and don't wear them until they are washed. If you were wearing one of those ugly Christmas sweaters, don't put it on again ever. Consider taking a shower too so that you can remove any allergens that may still be attached to you.

Clean everything: The tree may also spread allergens to everything around it such as the carpet, the furniture and the tree ornaments. So, you may want to vacuum and clean frequently around the tree.

Make sure the room is well-ventilated and the air around the tree is well-filtered: Placing an air-purifier right next to the tree can help pull allergens from the air.

Minimize exposure to the tree: You can still admire a tree from afar. Consider putting the tree in a room that you don't frequent such as your neighbor's bathroom. Also, get rid of the tree as soon as the Holiday season is over. The longer you keep the tree, the more mold can grow, the more insects can poop on it and the more exposure to all the allergens you'll have. Plus, things can get awkward when you have to explain to your Valentine's Day date why your Christmas tree is still up.

Try allergy medications: If you do start having symptoms, over-the-counter oral antihistamine medications or nasal steroid sprays may help. Hydrocortisone cream may calm down any skin issues specifically. If you these don't alleviate your symptoms enough, see your doctor.

If all of the above fail, you could consider an alternative to a Christmas tree. Sure, a Christmas lamp post or a Christmas life-sized statue of Shaquille O'Neal statue could leave you pining for a real Christmas tree in the short run. But suffering allergic symptoms throughout every December Holiday season is nothing to sneeze at either.

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