Your Health
Pollen prognosis
Allergy sufferers can go online to get an idea of how they're going to feel that day.
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital posts an allergy count by 10 a.m. daily that shows pollen levels for trees, grass, mold and weeds.
Keeping a diary of counts next to your symptoms each day will show what you're most sensitive to.
That can help determine what medication to take that day, or what activities to plan.
The counts are available at gottliebhospital.org, then click on "daily allergen count" in English or Spanish. Or call (866) 476-5536.
Allergist Dr. Joseph Leija, of Oak Brook, gets the counts each morning from a pollen catcher on the hospital rooftop in Melrose Park.
This spring's rain and mild weather have kept pollen down so far. Even though allergen counts have been mild in recent years, Leija says, allergy symptoms are up, which he blames on pollutants in the air.
He urges parents with children who have cold symptoms that last several weeks to see an allergist.
Scout weight limit
Boy Scouts of America is enforcing a new requirement that limits the weight of participants in "high-adventure" activities or any activity that could involve emergency ground transportation lasting more than 30 minutes. Such activities include long hikes, mountain biking, rafting and rock climbing.
The limits have always been in place at the Scouts' high- adventure camps, such as in canoe trips in the boundary waters of Minnesota, the organization says.
The organization says enforcing the limit is "strongly encouraged, but not mandatory."
For someone 5 feet tall, the maximum weight is 166; for a 6-footer, the max is 239.
Other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma can also preclude participation in some events.
The Scouts emphasize that there are no weight limits for becoming a member or participating in other activities.
Autism conference
Actress Jenny McCarthy, activist and mother of an autistic child, will be the keynote speaker at a conference on treatment, recovery and prevention of autism.
The conference runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont. It is sponsored by Autism One, which has advanced the idea that vaccines cause autism, a theory which major medical groups say has no scientific basis.
The program features more than 100 speakers on topics including vaccines, treatments, behavior therapies, alternative medicine, adolescence and adulthood. Call Ed at (714) 680-0792 or visit autismone.org.
Face paint warning
The FDA advises consumers not to use certain face paint it says causes bad skin reactions.
The water-based face paint causes rashes, itchiness, a burning sensation and swelling where applied. The FDA found significant microbial contamination in most samples tested.
Recalled face paint items 85/2077 through 85/2082 were made by Shanghai Color Art Stationary Co. Ltd., distributed by Oriental Trading Co., and recalled by Fun Express Inc.