No. Allergy may develop in people of any age. Even infants some- times exhibit symptoms of allergy, and some people experience their first attacks of allergy in middle age or later. Nevertheless, children are more likely to develop allergies than are people later in life.

molds. Why? Allergy injections should include substances that are not only posi­tive in skin testing but that are present in significant amounts in the outside air. Thus, in the case of mold sensitivity, the molds for which you are receiving injections are by far the most common in the out­side air, whereas those for which you are not receiving injections are relatively unimportant in terms of their concentration in the air.

Because asthma is a chronic illness, it becomes a source of frustra­tion to everyone involved. It is frustrating to patients who would like to deny its existence, as well as to families which must devote con- siderable time and money to treatment. It is frustrating to busy hospi­tal physicians, who must see patients in emergency rooms even when they know patients have already responded to treatment with epi­nephrine. And it is frustrating to private physicians, who receive re­peated calls at night from asthmatic patients in trouble. Eventually, some physicians become convinced that patients’ asthma is imaginary. A chronic illness such as asthma must be treated appropriately through frequent follow-up visits. The physician must listen to the patient for clues to the patient’s condition, then try to determine whether the condition has an organic origin or is merely "in the patient’s head." Patients must also be taught to recognize variations in their symptoms and to seek medical help as early as possible when these symptoms occur. The patient must share much of the respon­sibility for treatment, with the physician serving as a guide.

Specificity is the characteristic of antibodies and white blood cells that enables them to recognize and interact only with the specific antigen they were produced to combat.

(wheat-free, milk-free, egg-free, corn-free)

(For gluten-free diets, use a cereal-free baking powder and, for the barley flour, substitute 1 cup rice flour less 2 tablespoons; for the topping, substitute 1 cup rice flour less 1 1/2 tablespoons.) Beat the egg substitute with the 2 tablespoons of water; then combine with sugar, water, and salad oil. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt. Stir and add to sugar mixture. Blend well. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square pan. Sprinkle top with cranberries. For topping, combine the flour and sugar and cut in the milk-free margarine. Bake at 375° F for 25 to 30 minutes. Delicious when served warm.

Yes. The best way to achieve and maintain good health is with a balanced diet and a well-rounded program of exercise, recreation, and rest. Smoking is extremely harmful and, in the case of the allergy suf­ferer, must be avoided. Although these measures will not cure an al­lergy, they do contribute to better resistance.

Air pollution is the atmospheric accumulation of sub­stances, usually artificial, to such an extent that the accumulation becomes harmful to humans, animals, and plants. The two main types of air pollution are industrial smog and photochemical smog. Industrial smog is the most prevalent form of air pollution in large industrialized areas such as New York City and Chicago and their environs. Industrial smog is the result of the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, especially coal and some fuel oils. Photochemical smog is the result of automobile and other exhaust emissions. It accumulates in areas such as Los Angeles and Denver, which are situated in basins and have a high density of motor vehicles and enough sunlight for a photochemical reaction to take place. Clearly, air pollution aggravates respiratory problems. Because people with asthma are especially susceptible to its effects, they should take special precautions during periods of increased air pollution.

In my experience, about 60 percent of asthma patients have sinus disease that can be detected by x-rays. In many cases, sinus disease goes unrecognized because clinical symptoms may be minor or absent. Sinus infection can spread to the breathing tubes and lungs. It is im­portant to clear a site of any infection that can spread to the lower respiratory tract. Chronic nasal drip is another common problem of asthmatic patients. It is often associated with a drip down the back of the throat. A simple salt solution administered two or three times a day can prevent secretions from accumulating in the lower respiratory tract. This solution can be purchased in a drugstore or prepared by the patient. It is poured into the cupped hand and sniffed or, if pur­chased, administered by following the manufacturer’s directions. Certain postural drainage techniques can be learned and used to drain mucus. These techniques are often used, along with certain liquids and bronchodilator medications, especially when mucus plugs and/or secretions are a problem. Patients with bronchitis have found postural drainage techniques particularly useful. They can even be administered by a spouse, friend, or relative. These techniques involve positioning the patient properly, to promote drainage, and gently clapping on the patient’s chest with cupped hands. Postural drainage positions are designed to increase the drainage of mucus from all areas of the lungs. The idea is to place the affected area of the chest uppermost so that gravity can assist drainage. Occasionally, however, when the bronchospasm is not adequately controlled, a patient’s con­dition worsens with this approach. This treatment should be used only with certain patients and at selected times, often accompanied by an aerosolized bronchodilator and following a physician’s instructions.

Vegetable seeds contain proteins that can cause aller­gic reactions. The more potent allergens are present in cottonseed, castor beans, and flaxseed. A person may be exposed to these seeds by inhalation or ingestion. In the case of the castor bean, exposure by inhalation is usually restricted to workers handling the beans. Cotton linters attach to the seeds after processing and are a primary source of trouble from stuffed toys, mattresses, and furniture. Sources of inhaled flaxseed allergens are animal feed, lotions, and fertilizers.

(wheat-free, milk-free, egg-free, corn-free)

(For gluten-free diets, use a cereal-free baking powder and, for the barley flour, substitute 2 2/3 cups less 1 tablespoon rice flour.) Cream the margarine with the sugar and then add egg substitute, water, and the lemon and orange peel. Mix the barley flour with the salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the orange juice and then the tea. Bake in a greased and floured (with barley flour) 9-cup mold for 35 to 45 minutes in a 350° F oven. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and turn onto a wire rack to continue cooling. (Variation: for tea muffins, pour batter into paper muffin cups and bake for 15 minutes.)
** Recipes marked with double asterisk (**) taken from The Allergy Baker, by Carol Rudoff (Menlo Park, CA: Prologue Publications). Copyright © 1980 by Prologue Publications. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.