Summary
A study by the University of Texas has shown that cockroaches are a potent allergen for children who suffer from asthma. Almost 70 percent of 937 children tested showed at least some reaction to cockroaches, with varying degrees of severity. Parents with children who suffer from asthma need to be vigilant about preventing cockroach infestations in the home.
Original source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4332151.stm
Details
Cockroaches linked to asthma risk Cockroaches are worse than pets and dust mites for people with asthma, a study says.
Researchers found cockroach allergens played a "very important role" in exacerbating the symptoms of asthma in inner city children in the US.
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center studied 937 children.
It found children missed more school days and visited the doctor more with asthma symptoms brought on by cockroach allergens than others.
Reaction to pet allergens also had an impact but it was found to be borderline, while dust mite exposure did not exacerbate symptoms, the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reported.
Report author Rebecca Gruchalla said the allergic reaction to cockroaches varied from child to child but skin testing showed that 69% were sensitive.
But she added cockroaches played a "very important role in exacerbating asthma symptoms in inner city children who are sensitive and exposed to high levels of that allergen".
"To minimise exposure to cockroach allergens, eat only in the kitchen and dining room, keep shelf food in plastic containers or sealable bags, take the garbage out daily and clear counter tops and floors regularly."
Children aged five to 11 with moderate or severe asthma in inner city areas such as Bronx, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City and Seattle underwent allergen skin testing during the study.
More than 5m people in the UK have asthma with one in five households affected.
But the charity Asthma UK said it was widely accepted that
cockroaches exacerbated asthma symptoms.
She also said cockroaches were not as common in the UK as other areas of the world so it was not such a problem.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he is well known as the creator of popular downloadable preparedness programs on financial collapse, emergency food storage, wilderness survival and home defense skills. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams created TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Email this article to a friend
Share
this article on: 
