Allergen Block

[Zygar]

I've recently been seeing commercials for Allergen Block, which is apparently a new drug-free allergy treatment from the makers of Chloraseptic. It sounds like woo to me. I was wondering if there was any evidence that it works.

Here's a commercial:


That's not the commercial I want to show, but I can't find the "Little Allergies" brand commercial online, and that's the one that really bugs me.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Allergen Block is a clear topical gel containing petrolatum, glycerin and other ingredients.

A patented formulation process creates a positively-charged gel which blocks negatively-charged allergens on contact.

It is useless. A more probable theory is that it is to stop the allergen at the nose by trapping the allergen in the stickiness. Short of stopping breathing, it is not going to stop any allergens from enerting your body. People who are allergic produce a lot of mucus already. The mucus gets swallowed, as will this stuff, and then it is business as usual 10 seconds after the application of this product. Allergens also enter through the eyes and mouth.

There is no evidence that the stuff has a "positive charge", and there is no evidence that everything else is negatively charged. There is no evidence that this stuff attracts allergens, and even if it did, it doesn't prevent them from entering the body. Once it is in your nose, it will get breathed in or swallowed. Nothing can be blocked by this stuff, even if it was lining nostrils.

Chloraseptic™ Allergen Block is drug-free and safe for use on all age groups.

There is nothing in it that will block or stop the allergic reaction.

Allergen Block is effective only against airborne nasal allergens. If you pet an animal and the animal dander gets on your hands, it is possible that you might transfer allergens from your hands directly to your eyes if you rub your eyes.

Anything airborne will get into your eyes, and the reaction will not stop at the eyes.


These guys are full of it, and have no clue about actual allergic reactions or bodily functions. I wouldn't buy distilled water from them.

Invisible shield? As if. They know some people are stupid enough to buy this line of crap they are spewing. Invisible shield, bwa haaaaa!!!

 

[Eos of the Eons]

I'm picturing the improbable image of trapped allergens forming a bubble around the nose, blocking breathing. They do say they TRAP the allergens, and if you look at the picture of their shield, you'll get what I'm saying. Hilarous.

http://www.allergenblock.com/_elements/DIRECTIONS_07.jpg

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Pollen can be negatively or positively "charged" when referring to electrostatic forces.

All species had charged pollen, some were positive others negative.

So, this product would be useless even IF it could form some shield.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18506196

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

I found a review on a blog that looks helpful.

Dr. Neil Kao's Allergy and Asthma Website

I do not know of any process that allows "positively-charged gel" to be kept in a tube and then spread on skin. This is physically impossible. By the way, who says that allergens are negatively charged? Otherwise, it is simply petroleum mixed with glycerin. Frankly, it sounds like a gimmick. As a professional health care advocate, I would like to see objective evidence demonstrating efficacy and safety before I recommend using any product. Therefore, I can not recommend this product.

I also find it clearly suspicious that they are so vague about the ingredients. And how do you block something from entering the nose that is in the nose? Not to mention allergens are inhaled and are extremely small particles. You already have a turbinate system in your nasal airway that traps stuff you inhale. Clearly this product would do nothing to change the allergen contacting the same membranes that the allergic reaction occurs on.

 

[Zygar]

Thanks. Clearly you both agree with me on all the issues I have with this product.