Category: Allergies

The scary truth about the paralysis tick

It is sometimes difficult to separate the facts about the paralysis tick from the myths and home-grown remedies suggested by well-meaning folks. You may have heard some of the suggestions on how to combat the tiny, toxic parasite that can kill dogs, cats and humans. The home-spun remedies include (for removal) kerosene, a hot needle, a hot match, Vaseline or methylated spirits. No, you need to first kill the tick, by freezing it or using…

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What rhymes with rhinitis

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The proper term for what ails 4.6 million Australians is ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis,’ more commonly known as hay fever. The latter name has stuck, even though scientists have known that grass pollen was the key culprit since the late 1800s. I surely don’t have to tell you this is one of the worst springs on record for seasonal allergies. But I will. If you live in Melbourne and suffer from asthma and seasonal allergies, this…

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