Nut allergy link Creams for nappy rash and eczema that contain nut or soya oil can sensitise the skin and later cause a nut allergy.
Dr John Murphy, a paediatrician at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, writes in the Irish Medical Journal that 91 per cent of patients with a peanut allergy had been exposed to topical creams containing peanut oil during early infancy. Peanut oil may appear in ingredients as groundnut oil or, more commonly, arachis oil.
Reducing migraine
Taking magnesium can reduce migraine headaches, according to new research. Migraine sufferers said they had 40 per cent fewer attacks after 12 weeks of taking 600mg of magnesium a day. This compared with a 15 per cent reduction in those taking a placebo. The supplement did, however, cause diarrhoea and, to a lesser extent, irritate their digestion.
Natural healing
Users of herbal creams can add another to their medicine chest. Launched in Ireland earlier this month as the first natural multi-action first-aid cream, Arnileve (€6.95) contains arnica, hypericum, ruta grav and symphytum, herbs reputed to heal bruised tissue and relieve nerve pain. The cream is not suitable for use on broken skin.
Sponsored cycle
Four million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease, of whom one in 20 is under 40. Cyclists Colin McIlrath and Stephen McNally will cycle 400 miles in aid of the Parkinson's Disease Society in Northern Ireland later this week. Leaving from Malin Head, in Co Donegal, on Saturday, they plan to arrive at Mizen Head in Co Cork on July 3rd. You can get more details on Parkinson's disease from 1800-359359.
Getting them early?
Last month we interviewed Prof Stanton Glantz, head of the Smoke Free Films project, who believes that seeing their heroes smoke on screen prompts children to follow suit. New findings in the Lancet back him up. American researchers have found that up to 17 per cent of the 10- to 14-year-olds they studied began smoking after going to the cinema - and that the effect was more noticeable in children whose parents did not smoke.