Rhinitis

Immunotherapy
Allergen specificity of IgG(4)-expressing B cells in patients with grass pollen allergy undergoing immunotherapy. James LK, Bowen H, Calvert RA, Dodev TS, Shamji MH, Beavil AJ, McDonnell JM, Durham SR, Gould HJ J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 May 12. [Epub ahead of print]




Milk and Mucus / Phlegm Production

Cow Milk vs Soy Milk re: Mucus production:  No Difference

Do dairy products induce bronchoconstriction in adults with asthma?:  No

Can Fam Phys: Brief discussion, no new data: Conclusion: not enough evidence to say that milk causes increased mucus production.

Association of consumption of products containing milk fat with reduced asthma risk in pre-school children: the PIAMA birth cohort study.: Does not directly answer the question about milk and mucus, but interestingly children consuming more milk fat had decreased risk for asthma

Does milk increase mucus production?: Maybe, for a certain subset of the population - this is only a hypothesis though - no data

1.  beta-casomorphin-7 (beta-CM-7), an exorphin derived from the breakdown of A1 milk, stimulates mucus production in the human colon MUC5AC glands

2. Respiratory tract MUC5AC glands also have mucus overproduction in many respiratory diseases

Hypothesis:

beta-CM-7 in the blood stream from A1 milk after ingestion could cause mucus overproduction in the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms

New York Times 2010 article discusses the issue: Conclusion - no evidence to support that milk causes mucus, or phlegm.




Mold Allergy

Efficacy and safety of immunotherapy for allergies to Alternaria alternata in children. Kuna P, Kaczmarek J, Kupczyk M. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Feb;127(2):502-508.e1-6.