What Is ArteFill Dermal Filler?

ArteFill has been in development and under study in patients since the year 1998, finally gaining approval for use by the FDA in October of 2006. During this series of testing, ArteFill proved to be as safe as the temporary filler that was used as the control. ArteFill was created due to a high demand by patients for permanent dermal filler, and it is the first permanent injectable filler that has been approved by the FDA.

ArteFill is an American improvement on the European filler Artecoll, which has been used in over 400,000 procedures this past decade. ArteFill is used on patients to treat a person's unwanted folds near your nose and mouth. It can also be used in off-label treatments for acne scars, lip augmentations, and other types of wrinkles on the face.

ArteFill is composed of a grouping of millions of synthetic micro spheres and suspended in a purified collagen gel. This gel also contains the localized anesthetic lidocaine in an effort to reduce injection discomfort.

How the Filler Works

When a person is to undergo an ArteFill treatment to an area, the ArteFill is injected into the skin located under the wrinkle targeted for correction. The synthetic micro spheres of ArteFill are created to be non-sorbable when in the body, meaning that the body cannot metabolize or absorb them. This gives ArteFill its ability to last as filler in the body, and to last far longer than the other injectable products on the market.

The micro spheres that are injected into the skin serve to stimulate the body's natural production of collagen in an effort to encapsulate the individual micro spheres. This leads to a mixture of naturally produced collagen and artificial micro spheres that amounts to approximately 80/20 collagen/micro sphere to fill the wrinkle. The original collagen of the ArteFill injection will be absorbed into the body and replaced by the newly produced collagen over the next few weeks. It is this gradual replacement of product by naturally replenished molecules that leads to the lasting effects of ArteFill.

Who Can Have the Procedure?

The only people who cannot receive this procedure are those who are deemed allergic to it through routine testing. The ideal patient for an ArteFill procedure will be one who has already exhausted many of the other options on the market and are now ready to receive a permanent effect as opposed to repeated temporary administrations. As for who can't receive the procedure: it cannot be administered to those with a bovine collagen allergy or to a person who has chronic infections of the skin. It is also not recommended for the thinner areas of the face, such as around the eyes or lips. A skin test is required 30 days prior to any treatment to determine if one is allergic to ArteFill (bovine collagen).

Side Effects?

To this day there are very few known side effects of an ArteFill treatment. The effects that are known happen rarely, but can include swelling and/or lumps in the area, pain and/or sensitivity of the injection site, and redness of the flesh. Some patients have reported a feeling of firmness in the area, but this usually resolves over time as the injected collagen is absorbed. Rare cases of granuloma formation have been encountered.

Blood Tests Used to Determining What Triggers an Allergic Reaction

In certain situations where an individual is experiencing an allergic reaction to an unknown substance, they may be referred to an allergy specialist who will perform specific types of tests to determine what is causing their reaction.

The most common type of testing which an allergist performs is a skin test where the surface of the skin is lightly scratched or punctured with a needle containing known allergens which cause swelling or redness around the area if the individual is allergic to that specific allergen.

However, in some cases a blood test may be given instead which is relatively more expensive but may be more beneficial in some cases to determine certain food allergies, or when an individual is taking certain medications. A blood test may also be recommended for some people with certain skin conditions such as extensive eczema.

Blood Tests

Two of the blood tests which may be performed are the 'RAST' or 'radioallergosorbent test' and the 'ELISA' or 'enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay'. Both of these tests are done by adding the suspected allergens to a small sample of blood taken from the individual and then analyzed to determine the level of certain antibodies.

The 'RAST' is the most commonly performed of the two tests and used to determine the levels of 'IgE antibodies'. If the'IgE antibodies' are at high levels, this indicates that the individual is allergic to the particular allergen which was used in the testing.

In the 'ELISA' test the levels of 'IgG antibodies' which are produced when various foods are eaten is measured to try and determine the type of foods the individual is allergic to.

The skin testing which is done to determine certain types of allergies is known to be more effective and less expensive than the blood tests however, in certain situations these may be recommended as an alternative.

Celiac Genetic Tests Are Not All Equal and Some DQ2 Negatives May Not Be Completely Negative

Genetic tests exist for Celiac disease and are highly accurate for determining the risk of the disease. When a complete genetic panel is performed the possibility that someone having or ever getting this autoimmune disease can be determined to an extremely high degree of certainty. Unfortunately, some tests are misleading because they do not include a portion of the genetic pattern that may be present that can predispose to this gluten sensitivity disease though the report may imply absence of increased risk.

Some genetic tests can be done without a doctor's order. Insurance coverage for the Celiac genetics is highly variable. A couple of laboratories can run the tests on samples obtained from a mouth swab that is painless and well accepted by children. Genetic testing can be done at any age while blood tests for Celiac are not recommended before a year of age. Celiac genetic tests are not affected by eating gluten or not.

If you do not have the commonly recognized HLA genetic patterns DQ2 or DQ8 that are associated with Celiac disease you are believed to not be at risk for the full autoimmune disease. You don't need to be periodically retested. However, you still could be intolerant or sensitive to gluten. Knowing your genetics can be very helpful if you have a family member with Celiac disease or they or you have other autoimmune diseases associated with a risk of Celiac.

HLA DQ2 and DQ8 are the simple designations for complex white blood cell patterns or types that are known to be associated with an increase risk of Celiac disease. The HLA term stands for human leukocyte antigen. Leukocytes are white blood cells. Antigens are proteins that serve or elicit an immune response by the body. So, the HLA system is a complex set of proteins on the surface of white blood cells. Everyone has two copies of a DQ protein pattern. You get one copy of DQ from your mom and one from your dad. Having at least one copy of either is necessary and sufficient to develop the disease. Having two copies of either or one of both increases the risk even more.

These protein patterns are inherited just like the red blood cell proteins that constitute what is commonly known your "blood type". I, for example, am A positive blood type. This means I have a pattern of proteins designated A and Rh+ on the surface of my red blood cells. On the other hand I have a white blood cell type pattern DQ2/DQ7 inherited from my parents. My Dad gave me a DQ2 and my Mom the DQ7. You have two DQ patterns on your white blood cells that you received from your parents and you give one of your DQ types to each of your children.

Since only a single copy of either DQ2 or DQ8 can be associated with an increase risk of developing Celiac disease, most laboratories test for the presence of either and simply report their presence or absence. However, knowing if you have one or two copies not only provides additional information about degree of your risk. It also may predict the severity. It also provides information about your parents and your childrens' risk of inheriting an at risk gene. If you have DQ2 and DQ8 we know your complete DQ pattern. We also known one of your parents had at least DQ2 and the other DQ8. All of your children will either get a DQ2 or a DQ8. So, both your parents and all of your children are at risk for Celiac in that situation. If you have only copy of DQ2 or DQ8 then we only know that at least one of your parents had one copy of the risk gene and each of your children will have a 50-50 chance of inheriting such a risk gene from you.

Other non-HLA genetic factors are involved in the risk of celiac disease. These are still being worked out. However, one poorly understood and little known fact to most doctors and almost all patients is that HLA DQ2 and DQ8 testing done by some laboratories does not include the full spectrum of at risk components of these patterns. DQ2 and DQ8 are a summary blood type designations or serotypes for the presence of several protein subunits. There are alpha and beta subunits to these protein patterns. The beta subunit is the most influential and important component. Most laboratories only test for and report the beta subunit. However, the alpha subunit does carry risk on its own, albeit much less than the presence of the beta subunit or the presence of both alpha and beta subunit.

The most commonly used laboratories for celiac disease genetic testing in the U.S. are Kimball Genetics, LabCorp, Quest, Prometheus, and Enterolab. The Laboratory at Bonfils in Denver not only provides testing directly but also does the testing for several hospitals, Quest and Enterolab. Bonfils only does beta subunit testing. They report results of DQ2 and DQ8 negative based on the absence of the beta subunits associated with DQ2 and DQ8. However this is somewhat misleading since someone could have only the alpha subunit and be "partially" DQ2.

Though the risk of being "half" DQ2 positive from only having the alpha subunit is low overall it is still there. Furthermore, there are people who may believe that they are DQ2 or DQ8 negative based on testing from Bonfils, Quest or Enterolab. These people and/or their doctor may exclude the possibility that they have or are at risk for ever getting Celiac disease when in fact this may or may not be true.

The existence of DQ2 and DQ8 negative Celiac disease has been debated. It is probably clouded to some degree by this confusion about the genetics. Most experts assert that the presence of DQ2 or DQ8 is a requirement to develop the disease and their absence excludes the possibility. However, reports of DQ2 and DQ8 negative Celiac disease persist.

I have a couple of patients who have the positive results for the specific blood tests for CD, endomysial or tissue transglutaminase antibody; and classic biopsy features but were reported DQ2 and DQ8 negative by laboratories who only test for the beta subunit. Ideally, they should be re-testing for alpha unit positive "half" DQ2 or DQ8 but this will depend on their insurance coverage. In the meantime, I am remain concerned that many patients and doctors may be lulled into a false sense of security by negative genetic tests incompletely done or that diagnoses of Celiac disease may be or have been withdrawn on some individuals based on incomplete genetic results.

This issue of DQ2 and DQ8 testing is further complicated by reviews on the subject that are incomplete or vague. The best reviews I have found are by Ludvig Sollid and Benedicte Lie of Oslo, Norway "Celiac Genetics: Current Concepts and Practical Applications" Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2005 and Bourgey's 2007 review. In a recent update article by Victorien, there is a general review the genetics of celiac disease including the association of myosin IXB gene (MYO9B). However, it doesn't explain the DQ2 or DQ8 typing well. They conclude that "To date, only HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 typing is clinically relevant..." but fail to point out that HLA DQ2 and DQ8 typing should include both alpha and beta subunits.

It is clear that both HLA and non-HLA genetic factors are important in the risk of Celiac disease. However, the absence of the high-risk genes does not preclude adverse reactions to gluten including leaky gut, skin, digestive and neurological symptoms. When genetic testing is used to try to assess the risk or exclude CD then I recommend that full testing including both alpha and beta subunit typing. Hopefully more research will better define the genetics of both Celiac disease as well as non-celiac gluten sensitivity or the so called "gluten syndrome".

Selected References:

Bourgey, M et al. HLA related genetic risk for Coeliac disease. Gut 2007; 56:1054-1059.

Johnson, TC et al. Relationship of HLA-DQ8 and severity of Celiac disease: Comparison of New York and Parisian cohorts. Clin Gastroenterol Hep 2004; 2:888-894.

Kaukinen K. et al. HLA-DQ typing in the diagnosis of Celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2002; 97(3): 695-699.

Lundin, KE. HLA-DQ8 as an Ir gene in Coeliac disease. Gut 2003; 52:7-8

Mazzarella G. et al. An immunodominant DQ8 restricted gliadin peptide activates small intestine immune response in in vitro cultured mucosa from HLA-DQ8 positive but not HLA-DQ8 negative Coeliac patients. Gut 2003; 52:57-62.

Sollid, LM and Lie, BA. Celiac disease genetics: Current concepts and practical applications. Clin Gastro Hep 2005; 3:843-851.

Wolters,VM and Wijenga C. Genetic background of celiac disease and its clinical applications. Am J Gastroenterol 2008; 103:190-195.

How to Deal With Hives Allergy Symptoms

A hives allergy condition will normally happen when your body is allergic to something you've been exposed to. It could be caused by a medicine you're taking, or perhaps something you've eaten. You'll recognize the hives by their appearance - usually large, swollen red patches on the skin. They tend to come on various sizes and itch like crazy.

Such an outbreak could also be the result of an infection you have as your immune system overreacts and tries to fight it off. If this is the case, you may need the help of your doctor. However, hives caused by an allergic reaction can normally be treated with OTC medicines or natural remedies. Of course, avoiding the allergen will clear up your condition as well.

Any type of medicine containing antihistamine can work to relieve hives allergy symptoms. You should be aware however, that many of these types of pills will cause you to become sleepy. Avoid them if you're driving or in any situation where you must be completely alert. Sometimes a cream remedy will be the best option.

Until you've found adequate relief, do your best to avoid scratching your hives. They will itch and it will be difficult, but scratching only makes the condition worse and you could damage your skin in the process. Many of the creams designed to treat hives will work well for the itching symptoms in particular.

Hives tend to come and go - some outbreaks last longer than others. However, if your hives allergy appears to be chronic, you may want to have your doctor do an evaluation and determine if there may be something else going on. You may even want to undergo allergy testing to see if you can avoid the problem in the future.

Help I Am Allergic To Eggs

If you are allergic to eggs then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies.
The immune system overreacts to the proteins fond in the eggs. The immune system products antibodies that are designed to fight off the harmful egg proteins. The reason the body overacts to certain foods is not clear and more studies are needed.

The proteins fond in the egg whites usually cause allergic to eggs reaction but in rare cases some individuals have been know to be allergic to the yolks of eggs. People with allergies to eggs have a good chance of being allergic to chicken products. As your body becomes sensitized to the eggs allergens, you may react to the ingestion of chicken products as well.

Most food allergy reactions usually happen within a few minutes to a few hours after eating the eggs. Most mild to moderate reactions last less than a day and can involve a rash on the skin, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing and coughing.

Prior to seeing any allergy specialist for testing to on egg allergies you will need to stop taking any anti-allergy medication or over the counter antihistamines 2 to 3 days before the test are to be performed. Talk to the allergy specialist if you are unsure about any medications that need to be stopped and for how long.

The allergic to eggs testing involves putting a liquid extract of the egg protein on your body, usually the back or forearm, and then scratching the skin slightly. If you develop hives, or red bumps, or the skin turns reddish in color and itches then these symptoms could indicate a positive result for allergies to eggs.

Another test that can be performed is called The Food Challenge. You are told to avoid all egg-containing foods for several weeks. Avoidance can be very difficult because egg protein is often hidden in other foods. Read the labels of every food that you bring into your home. Because the manufacturing processes change continuously re-read the labels each time you purchase a product. On January 1, 2006 a new law was passed stating that all labels should be designed in such a way that a 7-year-old child could read and understand the ingredients.

The doctor will then have you eat only eggs under close supervision. If symptoms appear after eating the egg products they you are allergic to eggs and will need to avoid anything that has on the label, contains egg ingredients, made using egg ingredients, or made in a facility that also processes eggs.

A growing awareness about food allergies is becoming well known in the United States. Food manufactures and restaurants are becoming more understanding and willing to accommodate people living with food allergies. Living with any food allergy is no longer a major undertaking; it is now just a minor adjustment to your life-style.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Allergies - Homecare Help For Puffy Eyes & Itchy Skin

Eyes puffy, red and sore. Feel like your sinuses a closing up without the benefit of a headcold to go with it? Look like you've gone ten rounds in the ring with the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion?

If you've been experiencing the above symptoms on and off over the last few months, or years, and you've written off colds as being the culprit, then it could be an allergic reaction to your soaps and cosmetics.

Allergies can come in all shapes and sizes, and with symptoms around the face you shouldn't rule out airborne or plant-based allergens either. Here's a few quick suggestions to help you figure out what might be going on.

Are you itchy anywhere else? Common spots to be effected are your armpits, arms and legs, but you could be itchy anywhere. A rash isn't necessarily present, but if you're presenting with one, get yourself to a doctor or naturopath as soon as you can to have it checked. Is your scalp itchy for no apparent reason ie, you've ruled out skin condition, dry scalp and lice.

These are all prime indications of intolerance to the chemicals and/or fragrances used in cosmetics or soap.

It's easy to check. Switch to chemical-free, fragrance-free products and see what happens. If the symptoms decrease, and barring any other symptoms, then it's likely you've found the source of the problem. Lucky you, it wasn't too bad. If the symptoms persist you may need to be a bit stricter with your product. Look for soaps that are naturally made from olive oil or castille oils and have absolutely no chemicals or fragrances.

Read the labels carefully! These products will probably come in bars or rounds of soap-like substance. They are much softer than soap and need to be kept dry in between uses. The products come in a range suitable for body and hair, and though more expensive than common commercial cosmetics, you do not need extra add-ons like conditioner. The companies that manufacture such natural products usually produce a skin-care range as well and provide helpful tips on their products and the benefits of avoiding chemicals.

If your skin is not sensitive or fragile, then a loofah brush can be a great help as well. It removes dead skin cells, improves circulation, assists with muscle strength & pain through massaging, aids with conditions like tinea, and feels wonderful! When using a loofah brush, be gentle around the decolletage and neck area, and avoid the face completely. If you'd like to try a similar technique on your face, purchase a facial brush.

So, you're doing all you can and the allergic symptoms are still persisting? 1. If at any time your symptoms go beyond the inconvenient and annoying, go to your health professional. 2. Look at other possible allergens your body comes into contact with, such as detergents, air fresheners, cleaning chemicals, plants, air pollution. Make the switch to safer, gentler products wherever you can. 3. If you are fed up with the symptoms or if they are increasing in severity, please, it's time to go to your health professional. You may need to undergo more detailed allergy testing or the symptoms may be indicators of something else.

Do not play around with your health and your life, if in doubt, seek professional help. Easing of even niggling symptoms may save you from worse later on.

The Facts About Food Intolerance

Probably one of the most annoying things in this world is food intolerance. Unlike food allergies, which can be identified with testing, food intolerance is a hit and miss proposition that can drive the sufferer crazy. We're going to give you the facts and the truth about food intolerance and tell you how it can be handled.

The first myth that needs to be dispelled is that people who are intolerant to certain foods are allergic to those foods. Food allergies are not the same as having an intolerance to certain foods. The symptoms may be very similar, which is why food intolerance is so difficult to pin point, but the causes are quite different.

With a food allergy, your body is actually allergic to the food in question and the reaction is that of your immune system itself fighting back, very similar to if you were allergic to pollen. The sneezing is your body fighting back against the pollen in the air. With a food intolerance, the immune system does not come into play. Your body does not believe that it is being invaded by a foreign body. However, your organs, usually your stomach and intestine which is where food is digested and eliminated, will react to certain ingredients in the food in question simply because it is intolerant to that particular food.

Food intolerance usually occurs because your body stops producing certain chemicals or enzymes that aid in the digestion of that particular food. This happens to quite a number of us as we get older. This is why so many people are lactose intolerant, as the enzyme created to properly digest lactose actually decreases in production as of the age of 2. It isn't until we are much older, however, that we start to develop symptoms, which are sometimes quite severe.

The only way to tell if you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods is to take a food allergy test. This can be given by a regular allergist. If the test comes up negative on the foods tested, and they test quite a number of different foods, then what you are suffering from is an intolerance and not an allergy.

If it is determined that you are intolerant, how do you find what foods you are intolerant of? This, unfortunately, is the hard part. The only way to do this, since there are no clinical tests, is to systematically eliminate foods from your diet and see what the effects are. Personally, I found that I was intolerant to anything with high fructose corn syrup. This was easy for me to spot. I started drinking a fruit punch that I had never drank before. I got terrible indigestion from it. I stopped drinking it and the indigestion stopped. I then looked at the ingredients, where I discovered the only thing I didn't normally have in any of my other foods. Since that time, simply eliminating foods with high fructose corn syrup, I have not had any indigestion.

Is it easy to find what foods you are intolerant of? No, it's not. It's especially hard if you eat a lot of different foods. However, most reactions occur after about 30 minutes to an hour after eating. So if you eat breakfast and you're fine but then an hour after lunch you're not feeling so well, it is most likely something you ate at lunch that is the culprit. Simply eat the same lunch the next day, except eliminate one of the items. Eventually you will find what is bothering you. The most common forms of intolerance are lactose and wheat. This should give you something to work with.

Food intolerance is not an easy thing to identify or live with, but with a systematic approach to eliminating foods, you will eventually find what it is that's causing you such distress.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner