Around this time 2 years ago, I've written about a study showing that probiotics reduced the incidence of eczema and atopic eczema in newborns. Personally, I know of people with eczema who were advised by their doctors to eat more probiotic-containing food products.

Just recently however, a group of scientists reviewed data from not one, but 12 randomized controlled trials comparing probiotics to a placebo in 781 children with eczema. The results? They think probiotics are unlikely to relieve eczema symptoms.

The researchers say the quality of the studies was mixed, and overall the suggestion was that probiotics were not effective as no significant reduction in disease severity or improvements in quality of life were seen.

Though the results varied between different trials, probiotics were not found to be an effective treatment for eczema and the researchers say there is not enough evidence to recommend using probiotics for the treatment of eczema.

Con.fu.sing. I haven't read the manuscript published in the Cochrane Library, but I wonder whether the fact that most probiotic products are milk-based leads to these unconvincing results in favor of probiotics. I know of people whose eczema break-outs are triggered by dairy itself. So perhaps milk sort of cancels out the benefits of the probiotics component?

Just a couple more weeks and it's Halloween once again. Time for trick-or-treating and it ought to be fun! But what if there are kids with food and other allergies in your neighborhood? Surely, you don't want these kids to miss out on the fun and tradition? With a few steps, you can help make Halloween a safe and enjoyable activity for ALL kids on the block, including those with food allergies. Here are a few tips from Enjoy Life Foods and AllergyMoms for a safe and fun-filled Halloween trick-or-treating:

• Be proactive. If you know of children in the neighborhood with food allergies, ask their parents what types of candies are safe. They'll be thrilled to know you care.
• Keep a stash of "safe candy" or fun trinkets. Pick up an assortment of Enjoy Life's new boom CHOCO boom™ bars, the first-ever dairy-, nut- and soy-, and gluten-free chocolatey bars. Also, have fun trinkets on hand such as bubbles, Silly Putty, tattoos, stickers, spider rings and bracelets. Kids with food allergies or intolerances will be grateful to receive something they can actually enjoy.
• Be discreet. If you know a child has food allergies, don't ask "Oh, you're the one with the peanut allergy, right?" Kids want to fit in and don't like to be singled out.
• Everyone loves ingredient labels. Give out candy with clear ingredient labels so parents and children can decide which candies are safe.
• Don't drop candy into kids' bags. Allow each child to select his or her candy. More often than not, they'll know which candies are safe and which aren't.
• Listen to the children. If a child says "No thank you," it may be because they don't see a safe option in what's being offered. Don't make a fuss by insisting they take candy that may not be safe for them.
• Parents know best. Don't assume that peanut allergy is the only allergy. There are many types of food allergies and food intolerances, so it's important to let parents decide what candy is safe for their child.
• Think of your guests. If you're entertaining for Halloween, don't leave candy dishes unattended and be mindful of children "stashing" candy. Young children with food allergies may be easily tempted by "unsafe" candy.

Based on the results of trials, the FDA has approved the use of Nasacort AQ for the treatment of nasal symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis among children aged 2-5 years old. Previously, the cut-off age was 6 years old (as of writing the Nasacort website still says it is indicated for patients 6 years and older).

If you register on their website, you may be eligible for a rebate coupon that could save you up to $240 per year (up to $20 per prescription). Find our if you are eligible (for US residents only).

Arnold Foods Company, Inc., is recalling Brownberry Whole Grains Bread 100% Whole Wheat due to undeclared almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts. The product was sold through retail stores and bakery thrift outlets in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The product is in 1-lb., 8-oz. bags with green twist ties and a code date of "Oct 11."

If you have nut allergies, do not consume this product. You may return them for a full refund or call (800) 984-0989 for more info.

As a segue to my previous post on finding allergy-free substitutes for baking ingredients here's a recipe for a Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake, shared by Kate Speach of Boston. This uses potato flour and corn starch instead of wheat flour, and is thus suitable for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies but not for those with milk and egg allergies.

Here is the list of ingredients:

2/3 cup corn starch
2/3 cup potato starch
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon guar gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon anise extract
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons oil

Click here for the instructions, including a video demo. It looks pretty easy to make. You may choose to top it with icing, embellish with fruits or jam, or use this as a basic recipe to which you could add other ingredients... like chocolate!

You don't have to give up some of your favorite baked treats just because you have or someone in the household has food allergies. The key is finding alternative ingredients to those you are allergic to.

Bethenny Frankel of BethennyBakes offer these allergy free substitutes, for example: brown-rice flour instead of wheat flour, mashed bananas or applesauce instead of eggs, non-flavored oil or a softened vegan shortening instead of butter.

These are not just allergy-free, they're nutritionally better, too!