Allergy/Pollen Tracker for Your iPhone

I was amazed to find that there are a few programs out there for the iPhone that provides allergy count information as well as forecasts... at last check, there are 4 main ones in the app store on iTunes.

Some are rated highly and others not so high. I'm not going to go too much into the description and ratings as this info can be easily found on the iTunes app store. Links are provided.

The most highly rated application I found is called Zyrtec AllergyCast and is FREE!



Another fairly new but so far highly rated program that looks promising is called Allergies! and is $1.99.



There are 2 other programs that didn't get rated so well and include:

Pollen Journal for $4.99



Allergy Alert for FREE

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New Webpage on Ear Infections

A new webpage has been posted on ear infections. The 3 different types of ear infections (external, middle, and inner) and their treatment are explained. Click here to read more about it.

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Products to try to prevent ear infections

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Neat ENT-Related iPhone Applications (Decibel Meter and Tinnitus Relief)

So I was browsing around the app store on iTunes and encountered a few applications that may be of interest to readers...

The first is related to measuring in decibels the ambient noise level called "Volume Decibel Reader". I like it in that it has a handy chart that shows what can happen to your hearing if you remain in the environment. You simply open the application and hit start and hold up the phone up in the air.



The other application purportedly provides tinnitus relief in a method reminiscent of much more expensive alternatives (ie, Neuromonics which costs $5000+) using scientifically validated principles.



Any comments from readers who have actually tried either of these programs out?

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Fauquier ENT Now Available on Your Phone!

Fauquier ENT has deployed a website optimized for viewing on a cell phone. In essence, it is a stripped down version of the main practice website. The web address for phone users is:

www.FauquierENT.mobi

Check it out here!

This blog you are reading has also been converted to a mobile version which can be found here.

For those curious, the mobile website was created using MobiSiteGalore with some additional tweaks using Dreamweaver.

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Itchy Ears

A common complaint we often see patients for are itchy ears. The don't hurt or drain... They just itch... a lot...

There are a few common causes of such itchy ears including earwax, allergies, and a piece of hair in the ear canal. However, there are a few other etiologies which are not often considered.

Ear Canal Dermatitis

Yes... the skin of your ear canal can become dry and irritated (just like the hands after washing your hands too often). People sometimes complain of very dry flaky earwax with this condition, similar to the dry flaky skin of psoriasis.

Treatment is easy... steroids! Whether it be in cream form (elicon, triamcinolone) or drops (dermotic). For those a bit wary of using steroids, one can try facial lotion.

Fungal Otitis Externa

Also known as thrush of the ears. This often happens when antibiotics are given repeatedly over time for an "ear infection" whether in ear drop or oral pill form. Pain may be present, but even with pain, the adjective itchy is always included.

Treatment is also a snap... anti-fungal cream! We like to use lotrisone for this condition. However, the other key to successful treatment is complete debridement of the ear canal prior to cream insertion. Also, when the cream is used, one needs to completely fill the ear canal from eardrum to ear canal entrance.

Often, one single treatment is all that is required!

Worst comes to worst, antifungal powder can be tried.

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NYT Article: Weight Loss By Manipulating Sense of Smell

There was an interesting NYT article on June 17, 2009 where some niche companies are claiming one can lose weight by saturating your sense of smell... either by enhancing or decreasing.

Read the article here.

Personally, I would think that decreasing your sense of smell would do more to help as this would decrease your sense of taste making food taste more like cardboard and/or sand.

There is a medical condition called "anosmia" where a person has completely lost their sense of smell. These individuals also are unable to really taste food as well. Anecdotally, most people with anosmia I've encountered are not overweight. Probably because nothing they eat tastes good... and so they eat what they must to not be hungry... and eat no more than they have to.

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Zicam Can Cause Permanent Loss of Smell!!!

CNN.com today reported that the FDA has come out with a warning to consumers that three popular Zicam nasal products can cause users to lose their sense of smell permanently, a medical condition called anosmia. Apparently, there has been over 130 reports of anosmia after use of these Zicam products since 1999. Specifically, the products are:

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, kids size

Indeed, the FDA has stated that consumers should stop using the products immediately.

Click here to read more about this.

Here is the FDA letter sent to the company that makes Zicam.

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