Allergy Testing

A cold glass of milk, a slice of cheese or a crunchy piece of toast with butter melting on it. These may look enticing to some. For others, they are nothing short of instruments of torture.

According to research, cow's milk is one of the most leading food allergies. It can cause vomiting, nausea, giddiness and diarrhea in many young children. One of the reasons for this widespread allergy could be the fact that milk protein is usually the first protein that is ingested by infants, and those children who are allergic to milk will develop severe allergic reactions easily. Of course, more than 50% of such children outgrow their milk allergy in the course of time.

But, even as adults, many of us experience bloating, heaviness, gas, nausea and even vomiting when we take in milk or milk products. In fact, a good majority of adults are sensitive to milk and milk products. A person who is sensitive to milk is unable to digest milk proteins. This is what causes the symptoms to occur.

Typically, people who suffer adverse reactions from taking in dairy products believe that they are allergic to milk. This is not always true. Milk and milk products can cause two different kinds of reactions in people:

- Lactose intolerance
- Milk allergy

An inability to digest lactose causes lactose intolerance, which though uncomfortable is not life threatening. But milk allergy is caused by the proteins in milk.

Milk contains two important proteins - whey and casein. Whey, as you know, is the watery portion which makes up 87% of milk. Casein is the thick portion that sets into curd when milk is left to curdle and it accounts for 4% of the rest. Some people are allergic to whey, while others cannot take in casein.

Unlike lactose intolerance, casein allergy triggers severe symptoms. It can cause stomach cramps, skin problems and pain in the gut. Ultimately, it can even make the sufferer unable to absorb nourishment from any food, thus leading to dangerous weight loss. Casein allergy can trigger an anaphylactic reaction in the body. This is a severe and rapidly occurring reaction that can have dire consequences.

Casein is found in varying ratios in the milk of every kind of mammal. If you are allergic to casein, you cannot have any product that contains milk or milk components. Remember, even half to one percent of the allergen may be enough to trigger an allergic reaction in you if that level is above your tolerance limit. So, you need to be aware of the smallest percentage of the ingredient in the food you take in. A casein test is done to determine whether a product contains casein or not.

Unfortunately, casein being tenuous (almost like glue when set) is not only found in food products. It is even used in the manufacture of glue and cosmetic products. Even the label on a bottle of beer may contain this glue. If you are allergic to casein, inhaling or touching it may be enough to trigger a reaction.

We often dismiss sinus congestions and discomforts as nothing and leave the problem untreated, thinking that they would go away on their own. Unfortunately, this is what causes the issue to aggravate. Not taking care of ourselves during a sinus attack will only make the problem so much worse, which could eventually lead to a greater issue involving sinus surgery. Therefore, whenever we encounter even the slightest symptoms of sinusitis, we should seek to nip the problem at the bud.

There are several treatments and preventive measures you can do at home in order for you to avoid the bigger financial and physical pain of going into sinus surgery. We enumerate several of them here.

1. Irrigate your nasal passageways. Allergen particles, like bacteria, dust, pollen and others are washed off when a nasal rinse is done because it cleans out our mucus membranes and prevents the formation of more bacteria. The purpose of the mucus on our faces is to fight infections and, thereby, eliminate the incidence of sinusitis. Over the counter medications and nasal irrigation products are available and most have been found to be very effective. To know if a particular nasal irrigation product is fit for you, consult an ear, nose and throat doctor.

2. Breathe in warm, moist air. Humidified air is best to help unclog congested nasal passaeways. You may use a humidifier or a steam vaporizer to do this. If these are not available, you can still declog your nose the cheaper way by inhaling the steam from a basin of hot water, or by taking a hot shower.

3. Taking sinus medications. There are certain medications that work very effectively against nasal problems, but most of them are designed to address the aches and pains that go with it. Such drugs include naproxen, acetaminophen, mefenamic acid, aspiring, paracetamol and ibuprofen, among others. Just make sure that you're not allergic to these drugs before you take them.

4. Use hot and cold compress. Alternating hot and cold compress applied to your sinus area will help relieve sinus pains. Use the hot compress against your face for around three minutes and follow with a cold compress for about thirty seconds, alternating. Repeat as needed and do so at least six times day, depending on your sinus complaints.

5. Try other alternatives. More and more people are turning to alternative medicine, instead of the usual over the counter drugs. In China, for instance, the Magnolia Flower, is being used a cure for nasal congestion and clogging. Chrysanthemum, Angelica and Mint have also been found to be effective against upper respiratory tract problems and pains. These alternatives have no scientific backing, however, but those who have turned to them have already sworn to their effectiveness.

As said earlier, not all the above methods are surefire ways to treat sinus congestions and its permutations, especially if you have left the problem untreated and unattended for a very long time. If this happens and none of the recommendations prove useful, you should then head to your ear, nose and throat specialist to determine the best options.

For grave cases, sinus surgery is often required. Your sinuses will be subjected to a CT scan so the doctors will be able to find out how serious the blockage has escalated into. If no chronic issues were found, then you will be told to proceed to allergy testing and other medication programs.

However, if the sinusitis has bloated to uncontrollable levels, you will be subjected to sinus surgery. This procedure is not exactly painful and may only take a while, but it can take quite a toll on your pocket, especially given the fact the sinusitis often starts at a very minor and curable point.

Is your skin showing some eczema symptoms? If so, you need to get an appointment with a professional likely to be a skin specialist to see what your diagnosis is.

There are some common medical tests to help the skin specialist determine whether you have eczema or some other dermatological condition. In many cases, the skin specialist can simply look at the affected area and make a diagnosis based on what it looks like. "Eczema sensitive areas" are where the skin specialist will look first. These areas include the chest, skin creases, and the face. If these parts of your body are experiencing redness, itchiness, are swollen, or are extremely dry, then your skin specialist may believe that you have eczema symptoms.

There are additional ways that your skin specialist will diagnose for eczema symptoms as well. He will take a detailed history of your life to help him make his diagnosis as well. A detailed family history will also be taken to rule out allergies, asthma, or hay fever.

You will also be asked questions about your diet, allergies, lifestyle, prescription medications that you are taking, and whether or not you work or live around any chemicals or other hazardous materials at home or at work.

You should also tell the skin specialist when the skin condition first appeared, what it looked like and felt like when it began, and whether you have noticed that things like stress, sweating, dry air, etc. make it worse.

Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about your eczema symptoms when you visit your skin specialist. However, keep in mind that he is only asking so that he will get a better idea of your diagnosis and the key to your skin flare-up. It may be helpful to write down all these answers before visiting your skin specialist so that you do not forget anything.

Your skin specialist may suspect that your eczema symptoms are caused by an allergen or irritant that you have come into contact with. If so, he or she will probably ask for a blood test to see if there are any antibodies in the blood and to check the number of a variety of different cells.

If you have eczema symptoms, then your "IgE" (or eosinophilia) will be raised. Your blood may have to undergo a test called a Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST) or a Paper Radioimmunosorbent Test (PRIST). This test is completed by mixing your blood with a variety of allergens separately to try to determine whether you have an allergic reaction to them. The test determines this by the number of antibodies that the blood creates. A high number of antibodies means that you have an allergy to that specific allergen.

Your skin specialist may decide to order a test called a skin patch test. This test is usually ordered when the skin specialist suspects a specific irritant or allergen to your eczema symptoms. For this test, they simple take some of the suspected irritant, press it to your skin, and hold it there with an adhesive patch. Then he places an adhesive patch without an irritant near the same area for him to compare to. These patches are left on from one to two days and then removed at the skin specialist's office. If the skin where the irritant was is inflamed, red, and/or itchy, then you probably have an allergy to it.

A skin lesion biopsy is sometimes ordered. This test consists of removing a small part of the skin and then viewing it under a microscope. This kind of test and the blood tests are not ordered for every suspected case of eczema, but if your eczema symptoms are very severe then they may be ordered.

Millions of Americans, it is estimated up to 50 million, suffer from a range of allergies. The most common: Pollen, Dust, Dander, Food. They of course are broken down into further specific categories ie: Ragweed, Dog, Cat, Peanut etc. Then of course you have your seasonal allergies, with the spring and summer time being the most prolific.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is an overreaction of our immune system to a substance that's harmless to some people. But in someone with that particular allergy, the body's immune system treats the substance (allergen) as an invader and reacts to protecting your body, resulting in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly deadly to the person.

There are even some that you may not know even existed like: Sunshine, Cold, Heat, Vibration and Noise

If you have a constant running nose, watery eyes, sneezing, unexplained hives or swelling, you are a prime candidate for Allergy testing. One the most problematic allergies these days are food allergies. There are panels that specializes in allergy tests from peanuts to cantaloupe to zucchini. Recent changes to food packaging have led to a slight decrease in cases of accidental food allergy reactions, but with so many food processing facilities being used to process foods from every category, cross contamination and therefore inadvertent reactions still occur today in the USA. Whats more concerning, there is a large part of the world that does not conform to this type of packaging and food handling, the consequence for people living in those regions of the world are at a much greater risk. Obviously, not every sever case of allergy attack is food born. One of the most deadly throughout the world is the reaction to a bee or wasp sting. These type of reactions are usually the most painful and potentially deadly.

So even if you are not aware of any known allergies that may be affecting you, it's always a good preventative way to steer clear of potential problems by having an allergy test. It just my explain why every time you visit your friend's home with a dog you end up sneezing and whizzing the entire way home, or when you put on that favorite sweater, your eyes are tearing all day long (yes, people are allergic to certain laundry detergents too!)

SEE below for Best and Worst cities for Allergies in the USA.

Top Ten Best Cities To Live I If You Have Allergies

Portland, Ore.

Seattle, Wash.

San Diego, Calif.

Sacramento, Calif.

Albany, NY

Salt Lake City, Utah

Stockton, Calif.

San Jos矇, Calif.

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Top Ten Worst Cities To Live If You Have Allergies

Knoxville, Tenn

Louisville, Ky

Chattanooga, Tenn

Charlotte, N.C.

Greensboro, N.C.

Jackson, Miss.

Philadelphia, PA

St Louis, MO

Dayton, Ohio

Wichita, Kan.

Bronchitis is an infection/inflammation that can be viral, bacterial, mycoplasmic, rickettsiae, parasitic or allergic in origin. This affects the big, main air transportation tube systems of the lung all the way to the smallest tube at the aveoli.

Pneumonia is the infective, inflammatory or obstructive process of the filling with anything such as fluid, pus, mucus, bacteria, or pollen of the millions of tiny microscopic air baggies (sacs.) The sacs (alveoli) are located at the tips of these and become smaller and smaller until they are small tubes of the respiratory tubal system. These tubes are used to transport air and the sacs are used for the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream. It is the circulation and transfer of carbon dioxide back into the sacs out of the bloodstream and respiration out of the body.

Asthma is an over-sensitive airway disease. Asthma is a response of hyperactivity and hypersensitivity inflammation, swelling, hyper-mucus secretion, muscular constriction of the air carrying bronchial tubes. This stops transfer of gases to the alveolar sacs into the bloodstream. It is the closure of the inside opening of the tube from swelling and constriction bronchial tubes and respiration to the alveoli sacs. It is the closure of the inside opening of the tube from swelling and constriction of the muscle in the tube wall. Excessive, very thick mucus production from the inside lining of the tube causes partial occlusion, wheezing sounds, or total occlusion of the breathing passageway system of the lungs. It is caused by inflammation and constriction of the bronchiole tubes. You must specifically fix the chronic problem instead of treating the acute symptoms for only immediate relief.

You can stay indoors and miss all the sunshine and the tulips. However, in order to enjoy the world, you can take medications that are available to let you comfortably exist in the real world despite pollen and food allergies.

Profiles testing show many various types of allergies when and where they appear. Allergy can be sore throat, headache, fatigue, pneumonia, and many other symptoms. A Mast Cell, Basophile and Eosinophil are the body's natural responses to defend from the stimulus of allergens or infection. These natural bodies produce chemical called histamine. When histamine is released it reacts like an acid to help fight infections and kill or defend the stimulus. Now in the 21st century with recent advantages with medical care you can do more of the things you need to do in your daily life. Enjoy living comfortable and mostly symptom free with ease of breathing, and get your energy and health back.

It is a 365-day serious and significantly increasing health problem. With many flare-ups, there is still more mucus production, constriction, and swelling of the bronchial tubes in the lungs than a normal person. You must learn what triggers your asthma and how to avoid them. Prevention can involve anti-inflammatory medication and specific treatment of the problem and not just the apparent seen or felt symptoms. Eating oranges, fish, crab, shrimp, or exposure to grasses, mold and animal dander can all cause respiratory asthma/bronchitis symptoms.

A bronchodilating inhaler is a temporary medicine that works by relaxing the tubular muscle constriction and opens the air tubes of bronchioles. You get immediate relief. It does not get rid of the mucus in the lungs or the stimulus causing the constriction. It is only for temporary and fast relief. This is a great medication when correctly used. Again, this is a temporary relief medication. This should not be used as a long-term treatment. If you use your bronchodilator more than 10 times a day, it is a true sign of trouble.

One good thing to have around is the Peak Flow Meter- this is your best at home indicator for you and your doctor to measure the air speed and flow from your lips. This tool is designed specifically to measure your respiratory and lung function. The peak flow measures the maximum air velocity at your lips versus your height and age. Weight and other factors will have no effect on this measurement.

A spacer decreases the coordination necessary for medication delivery and effectiveness used for inhalers. It prevents the wasting of money and medicine in the back of your throat. It can avoid unnecessary side effects of sore throat or throat ulcers from the medicine. The cold "Freon effect" often stops people inhaling the medicine. Therefore, most of the medicine goes to the back of the throat. At least eighty percent (80%) of the medication used from a regular inhaler is wasted. A spacer increases the effectiveness and use of the medications and decreases costs by ten times. Asthma is the excessive mucus thickening, mucus plugging, and tightly constricted mucosal airways. The spacer dissipates the medicine into the air to be more easily inhaled. More than fifty percent (50%) of people have poor inhaler technique and fifty percent regress in technique within one month of starting the use of medications.

Corticosteroids that are used for asthma control are not the same as anabolic steroids used by athletes for abuse. Many months of steroids can cause weight gain, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, and the thinning of the bones. Too few steroids can cause hospitalization, death, and mood changes. Corticosteroid inhalers are the best consistent daily prevention therapy. Steroids appropriately used are essential for exacerbations and must be carefully, consistently, and closely monitored by a physician.

Asthma is an excessive inflammation, over-reactive, and over-sensitivity of the lungs to stimulus with the production thick mucus and mucus plugging. Specific anti-inflammatory medications are a treatment. If left untreated, this will lead to permanent lung function loss. If silently you lose 2% of your lung function a year for 10 years, you have lost approximately one-third (1/3rd) of your lung function.

Asthma anti-inflammatory choices are: Inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene blockers, cromolyn, and others. Side effects of these medications must be carefully and consistently balanced with view to permanent lung damage and disability. Routine checkups are essential. All allergy patients should be seen at least every 2-3 months-- and immediately if severe reaction, infection, or more than a minimal problem arises.

There must be careful attention to triggers. Infections such as sinus infections can and often do cause poor control of asthma. Cigarette smoke (even passive and 2nd hand smoke), dust mite feces are all triggers. A typical mattress has more than 200,000 living dust mites. Animal dander is another trigger--keep pets out of the bedroom. Pollen and mold humidifiers can increase mold. Cockroach parts and feces when they dry turn into a powder, causing a possible trigger for asthma. Aspirin and ibuprofen: About 10% of people with asthma are sensitive to aspirin and ibuprofen compounds. Sulfates on food preservatives for fruits, grapes, cherries, wine and beer, as well as cold air and exercise are all triggers. Each year, about 5,000 people die of asthma. The majority of these people did not have severe disease.

Patients are very poor judges of their own wheezing, coughing, allergy, or shortness of breath. A patient who monitors their daily peak flow is essential. The elements of combination therapy, physician monitoring, and understanding are all very important to patient care, lung damage, and the quality of life.

When using inhalers, you exhale all the air in your lungs, use a spacer, inhale the medicine, hold your breath for 10 seconds, breath out, and repeat. The Nebulizer machine delivers therapy for five to ten minutes and is much more powerful as an immediate rescue inhaler. Prevention of flu and pneumococcal vaccines is essential. Allergy testing and/or injections, antibiotics and antivirals, are very important aids in the maintenance of these complex problems, potential complications, and the quality of life.

There are many causes for severe digestive problems, although there are a select few that stand out. In this article I will detail the causes and cures for gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and nausea. Find out exactly what is causing the problems with your digestion and how you can experience the ability to digest your foods with no problems.

The Main Causes of Severe Digestive Problems
Food Allergies: There are a vast amount of food allergies that go undiagnosed properly, it's no good relying on pin prick allergy tests to determine these sensitivities as they will often go unnoticed. Wheat, dairy and soy are some of the most common ones, but those with severe digestive problems can be sensitive to far more foods and even may need to avoid fibrous foods for a time to reduce inflammation of the bowels. To treat this problem, it is critical that you avoid these foods, no ifs ands or buts. Better yet get testing such as electro dermal screening to determine exactly what you're sensitive to. 

Parasites: These invasive creatures are spread much more often than you would think, gyms, bathrooms and drinking water are commonly known to harbor not only germs but parasites as well. These may not be the gigantic tape worms you've seen disgusting pictures of but microscopic pathogens that can cause severe bloating, diarrhea and nausea with vomiting in some cases. It's a commonly misunderstood point that parasites are limited to 3rd world conditions, they are everywhere, and although people living in 3rd world countries may expose themselves more often to them it does not mean that those living in 1st world countries are safe from them. Parasites cleansing is a must for everyone, we de-worm our animals bi-annually, why not ourselves?

Candida: This is a yeast that exists in an estimated 90% of the population and is arguably the most common cause of all chronic severe digestive problems. It disturbs the natural bacteria in your body that assists with digestion in your colon, once this occurs everything begins to get thrown off. The only solution is to eliminate the candida overgrowth to re-balance the digestive functions of your body, once performed you can rest assured that you will fully eliminate all gas, bloating, constipation and any other digestive problems you might have. The key is also to eliminate the cause of the candida overgrowth so that you will not experience a reoccuring infection down the road.

We don't always think about dogs being allergic to anything because so many humans are allergic to dogs! However, it is common for dogs to have allergies to certain substances, and it is important to keep a look out for symptoms. The most common symptoms of allergies in dogs are:

• Scratching the ears

• Licks or chewing his own feet or body

• Reddish discoloration of the hair, paws or between toes

• Rubbing head against things

• Rash, bumps, pimples, open sores on skin

• Red or watery eyes

• Reoccurring ear infections

• Consistent sneezing or runny nose

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Coughing or wheezing

Allergy causes:

Out of all of these symptoms of allergies in dogs, scratching is the most common. Dogs may have airborne, flea, food or contact allergies. If they have airborne allergies, they may be sensitive to tree, grass and weed pollens as well as molds, mildew and house dust mites. Just like in humans, these may occur seasonally or year-round. Flea allergies may cause severe reactions, leading the dog to bite its own skin. The dog becomes sensitive to even just one flea, so it is important to control. Common food allergies in dogs include beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, soy, corn and wheat. They can occur at any age and may cause itching as well as increased bowel movements. Contact allergies are the least common type and are caused by something the dog comes in contact with, such as carpet, bedding, plastic, cleaners, detergents, lawn chemicals, grasses, etc...

Treatment is going to be different for each type of allergy. For all of them, limited or no exposure to the allergen will help.

Airborne allergies:

When it comes to airborne allergies, veterinarians may recommend allergy shots if the specific allergen has been identified.

Flea allergies:

As for flea allergies, treatment includes strict flea control. You must make sure that your dog is not exposed to fleas by using medicine and home treatments.

Food allergies:

Dogs with food allergies should have a diet absent of the food they are allergic to. Seameal supports the immune system and can help prevent chewing at the feet and base of the tail, which are two of the first signs of allergies.

Contact allergies:

If he has a contact allergy, the only treatment is to remove the allergen from the home.

Other treatments for a dog with allergies include shampoo, anti-inflammatory allergy medication and antibiotics. The treatment will vary depending on the type and severity of your dog's allergies.

The diagnosis of allergies in dogs can be difficult. First off, the veterinarian will most likely make a preliminary diagnosis based on the time of the year when your dog has the most symptoms, what locations are the itchiest and response of the itch to medications. However, if the allergies do not subside and become worse, the vet may have to do more specific allergy testing. This may include a blood test or performing intradermal skin testing. Remember not to self-diagnose your pet if they are having the symptoms mentioned above-you should definitely take them to the veterinarian because they could indicate a different condition other than allergies.

Allergy tests are the most definitive ways of getting to the root of all those allergic reactions that you seem to be plagued with. Of course, there are allergy cures out there if you're all set to have a go at various methods of self medication; however that isn't always going to reveal to you exactly what triggered your allergic reactions to start with.

So, if you are a tad anxious about what's required in allergy tests; relax and take a couple of minutes to go through the following paragraphs. Here we're going to have a look at what's involved in taking these kinds of tests.

Just how will they carry out the allergy tests?

There are two key methods for assessing exactly what you're hypersensitive to. The first, and certainly most frequently used approach, is to perform tests on the skin. The alternative and also somewhat pricier approach is to take a small sample of your blood for screening.

The skin test can be carried out in one of three different ways; however each consists of having a tiny amount of the suspected causes - in an allergen solution - either on, or just beneath, your skin to determine which creates a reaction.

The first of the skin test approaches is performed by making a number of scratches to let the allergen get beneath your skin. Each section of scratches is then labelled in some manner and if one of the areas does grow to be inflamed or itches, it's ticked off as providing a positive reaction.

The next of the skin test approaches is the intradermal test where an allergen is injected underneath the skin. The way this differs from the manner in which the skin prick test is performed, is in the depth that they're planning to inject the allergen solution.

The intradermal approach will normally be performed if there's an excellent prospect for your allergy or intolerance problem, but the skin prick test isn't giving off a positive reaction.

The third of the skin allergy tests is the skin patch test. The skin patch test is used if you're suspected of being prone to contact dermatitis. A pad is going to be impregnated with an allergen solution, stuck to your skin, and then left for anywhere between twenty four and seventy two hours.

Last, and in all probability the most dreaded of the allergy tests, for many people anyway, is the blood test. Blood tests - radioallergosorbent testing (aka RAST) - are used in examining the antibodies the blood generates due to the allergens injected into the blood stream. It's most often utilized on people taking prescription medication which prevents the skin tests from working correctly.

So there we have it, a straightforward breakdown of how allergy tests are carried out.

You'll either have one of the three types of skin tests that are on offer, or, if you're not able to have those tests due to the use of some type of medication, you'll have a blood test to evaluate the reaction of your antibodies.

Now you know there's really nothing to it, stop using the guesswork of self prescribed treatments, and get out there and discover the actual answers using the allergy tests.

A Biomedical Autism Intervention Doctor Explains:
 
A sulfite sensitivity does not constitute an automatic allergy to sulfa drugs and vice versa. Many people with asthma who have obvious reactions to sulfites can many times have some in small amounts and suffer no adverse reactions. A sensitivity reaction to sulfites is not a true allergy like a sulfa drug allergy, and so allergy testing for sulfites in unreliable.
 
Sulfates are chemical compounds with sulfur surrounded by oxygen atoms. It is a derivative of sulfuric acid and can complex with various minerals in the body to form stable compounds such as magnesium sulfate found in Epsom Salt (which is used as a laxative or a muscle soothing aid in bathwater). Some people can have sulfate sensitivity, but it is questionable whether this is truly an immune reaction to the sulfate or an immune reaction to chemical compounds attached to sulfate. More commonly, a sulfate sensitivity is a biochemical reaction from other sources, and have nothing to do with an allergy. This leads us in the next discussion - sulfur supplement sensitivity.
 
Sulfur sensitivity can occur when too much homocysteine is pushed through the trans-sulfuration pathway creating an abundance of sulfur compounds. This is particularly a problem if an enzyme called CBS is up-regulated creating an increased production of sulfur byproducts. These byproducts can contribute to the overproduction of ammonia. Ammonia can lead to irritability, hand-flapping, stimming behavior, language problems and other chemical imbalances in individuals on the autism-spectrum. Other chemical systems in the body become stressed leading to a further difficulty in eradicating ammonia. Genetic mutations in the CBS and MTHFR complexes make this problem worst.
 
Finally, an enzyme called SUOX (sulfite oxidase) in a deficiency state will effect sulfate regulation which effects glutathione production, as well as sulfates for other proteins in the body that support protein structure. Glutathione is our bodies' most potent antioxidant and supports cellular detoxification. There is a genetic disorder that leads to severe brain damage and death with the SUOX enzyme deficiency, but it is likely possible that sub-clinical stressors in this enzyme could adversely affect some children on the autism-spectrum, while not causing a disease process.
 
The likely scenario is if children are having difficulty with sulfur containing supplements (i.e. taurine, Epsom salt, MSM, methionine) that a genetic mutation pattern has occurred in the CBS and MTHFR genes, and has nothing to do with a sulfur allergy - which we know is a misnomer.  

Nummular eczema or dermatitis, also called discoid eczema, is skin inflammation characterized by coin shaped, circular lesions on the legs, hands, arms and torso. Tiny spots and blister like sores that weep fluid enlarge and grow together to form the circular patches. The pink, red, or brown well-defined patches range in size from one to four inches in diameter. The patches can itch and burn and be very painful. Blisters may appear and after they break open they can become crusty and then scaly. Sometimes a staph infection may occur which is indicated by a yellowish crust on the patch. This type of infection would require an antibiotic. Nummular eczema is not contagious.

Nummular dermatitis is most commonly found in men between 55 and 65 years of age but is also found in women between the ages of 15 and 25 years. It is not common in children. It occurs most frequently in people that have one or more of the following: severely dry skin, live in a dry environment, take frequent hot baths or showers, have other types of eczema such as atopic or stasis dermatitis, have poor blood circulation or swelling in the legs, have a bacterial skin infection, have a skin injury caused by a bug bite, chemical reaction, or abrasion, take certain medicines, such as isotretinoin and interferon, are sensitive to metals, including nickel and mercury (such as from a dental filling), Formaldehyde, or medicines such as neomycin (topical antibiotic).

Nummular dermatitis is diagnosed by a dermatologist who would do a visual inspection of the skin. If there are sores at the time, the doctor may want to swab the sore to test for a skin infection. If the dermatologist thinks that you may have an allergy, he or she may recommend patch testing, which is a skin test to detect allergies.

Treating this form of dermatitis can be challenging since the sores have a tendency to be stubborn. See your dermatologist and follow these recommendations to avoid a serious case of nummular dermatitis:

Avoid skin injuries.
Keep your skin well hydrated
Take a lukewarm daily shower lasting no longer than 20 minutes and immediately apply a moisturizer such as Vanicream to the damp skin
Follow your dermatologists' orders and take any prescriptions as directed
A corticosteroid ointment may be prescribed which would help reduce inflammation and itch
Antihistamines can be taken at night to reduce itch and help you to sleep

If your condition worsens and spreads you may need to:

Sleep or rest in a cool moist room and use a humidifier if needed
Take an oral antibiotic if a bacterial or staph infection develops
Use medicated wound dressings Phototherapy (treat the wounds using light)
Regular use of corticosteroids by mouth or injection

With proper care and treatment the nummular dermatitis can clear completely although sores on the thighs, legs and feet take longer to heal. Some patients' skin will clear within a year while others may have the patches for several years. Occasionally the patches will reappear in the spot they originated in.