Monday, April 30, 2012

Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill 2012


On May 10, 2012 AANMA goes to Capitol Hill for our 15th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) with a message for Congress:
Ensure patients have access to
-Asthma and allergy care that meets national guidelines and
-Current, approved, life-saving technology.
Join AANMA's nationwide virtual march to Capitol Hill on Wed., May 9, 2012! You can help spread our message without going any further than your computer, phone or smartphone. It takes about 5 minutes, tops. Here's how:

1.      Use this link to look up your Congressional representative: www.house.gov/representatives   
2.      Write a quick e-mail or make a call to your rep. See our sample e-mail/phonecall below - for e-mail, just copy and paste then fill in the blanks. 

Contact AANMA at sfwalker@aanma.org or 800-878-4403 ext. 1524 if you have any questions.  AANMA would love to hear how your representative responded and if you'd like us to follow up with anyone from their staff. Thank you for taking the time to speak out on behalf of people and their families who live with allergies and asthma. Together we can make a difference!  
Sample e-mail/phone call:
Hello, I am a constituent and would like to ask my representative to please support Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH), which will be held at the Rayburn Building onThurs., May 10, 2012. The Representative and staff are invited to attend the Congressional Briefing at 9 a.m. in Room 2103, and the Health and Technology Fair at 11:30 a.m. in the Rayburn Foyer.  

Here is a link to a letter from some of the day's supporters in Congress: 
http://www.aanma.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Dear-Colleague-letter-2012.pdf

(I /my child/my patient) have/has asthma and here's how it affects our lives. (Share your story.)

The event is sponsored by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), a national nonprofit organization I support. If you would like to learn more about AADCH, please visit www.aanma.org/aadch or contact Sandra Fusco-Walker, AANMA's director of patient advocacy, at 703-641-9595 ext. 1524

I look forward to hearing back from you and hope that (the Representative) will sign on as a sponsor of Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill 2012.

Sincerely,

(Your name
Address
Phone number/E-mail address)

Friday, April 27, 2012

Unexpected Allergy Source: Bathrooms

We've all seen mildew growing on shower tiles. That's the work of mold spores, which like to settle where it's warm and wet. Black mold often grows in hidden areas as well, contaminating behind walls or below the floor.

The best defense is to keep your bathrooms clean and dry. Fix leaky faucets and other sources of water. Use vent fans when you shower. And clean surfaces regularly with a bleach solution.


For people with allergies, continued exposure to molds in the home can trigger respiratory allergy and asthma symptoms, so it is well worth the effort to remove the sources.  

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Seafood allergic patients, beware!

Seafood allergic patients, beware! You might not be getting what you think when you order fish at restaurants and stores. Read the full article here.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

"Allergies" to perfumes

Many people feel they are "allergic" to perfumes, fragrant lotions, or cleaning products when they develop a stuffy nose, headaches, or runny watery eyes and nose.  This is generally a non-allergic phenomenon, however, and is due to the irritant effect of strong odors or chemicals on the nasal lining.

Avoidance is the best treatment for this -- steer clear of department store greeters wielding perfume samples, and avoid using household cleansers with strong odors.  A HEPA filter may help remove pollutants from the air in your home as well.   There are also safe medications that can help in more severe cases. 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Weather and asthma

Abrupt changes in temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, high ozone levels, or strong winds can aggravate asthma.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Common asthma triggers

Asthma is most commonly triggered by "colds" (viral respiratory infections), or inhaled allergens such as dust mites, pollens, or pet danders.   However, many children and adults with asthma find that intense exertion will also trigger chest tightness or cough due to asthma, especially running for long distances.  Breathing very cold or very hot air, especially if under dry or windy conditions, will also frequently trigger bronchospasm, as will any type of irritant that is inhaled (smoke, paint fumes, perfume scents, etc.); sometimes a frozen drink or ice cream will be the trigger.

Once a trigger is identified, there are ways to avoid it or to at least control the situation.  Your allergist can help identify the triggers that are important to you, and advise on safe options for preventing future asthma attacks. 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Common foods that cause allergic reactions

Any food can cause an allergic reaction, but only 8 types of foods cause 90% of reactions -- cow's milk, soybean, egg, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.  

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tricky childhood symptoms of sinus infection

No, it's not a headache, stuffy nose, or even green mucus -- though these can accompany an infection of the sinuses.  The most common symptoms of a sinus infection in a child are a wet, mucusy cough, often along with vomiting of mucus.  While these can happen with a garden-variety "cold", or viral respiratory infection, symptoms will generally linger much longer when there is a true bacterial sinus infection present.  Be sure to check with your child's doctor if these symptoms continue beyond 7-10 days with no sign of improvement.

If your child has asthma, keep in mind that a sinus infection can trigger an asthma flare-up, and may require earlier diagnosis and treatment. 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Think you have a Penicillin allergy?

Think you have a Penicillin allergy, but not sure?  South Bay Allergy & Asthma can allergy skin test you to Penicillin, with results the same day.  

Many adults with a vague history of developing a rash or other adverse reaction to a penicillin type antibiotic as a child may actually be unnecessarily avoiding penicillins that could be ideal for treatment of a variety of bacterial infections.   While we would not recommend trying penicillin again if there was a history of a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis, this may be an option for patients with a history of milder reactions such as a rash or itchy skin.  For those with more severe allergies to multiple antibiotics, it is possible to desensitize to a particular antibiotic if it becomes critically needed for treatment of a severe infection.  

Monday, April 2, 2012

What Happens in a Nasal Allergy Attack?

Allergy Causes:
Allergy triggers can be anywhere. Pollen, ragweed, grass, pet dander, dust mites, and mold are some of the most common allergens. People who have allergies have an immune system that is sensitive to one or more of these usually harmless substances.


Allergens: The Invader

Normally your immune system targets and protects you against threats like viruses and bacteria. But if you're allergic to pollen, for example, your immune system sees pollen as a threat. So when you're exposed to pollen, your immune system is ready to fight.


What Triggers an Allergy

It’s easy to come in contact with allergens. Chasing after dust bunnies, playing with your pet, or just walking out the door during allergy season can do it. An allergic reaction is set in motion by touching, swallowing, or inhaling an allergen.

Your Immune System Reacts

Pollen (magnified above) can get caught in the lining of your nose and trachea, or windpipe. Once an allergen, such as pollen, enters your body, your immune system reacts and starts making antibodies that help look for and then get rid of the pollen.

Allergic Response: Histamine Release

When antibodies find an allergen, they alert mast cells. These specialized blood cells release chemicals such as histamine, which plays a key role in inflammation and allergy symptoms. A runny nose, swelling in the nasal passages, and congestion can result.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies tend to run in families. Having a parent with allergies or asthma puts you at greater risk. When one parent has allergies, about 25% of the time the child will develop them, too. When both parents are allergic, that risk at least doubles. What you develop an allergy to also depends on your exposure to triggers. Some allergies can take years to develop.

Preventing Allergies

Avoid triggers when possible to prevent allergy attacks. That may mean checking pollen or mold reports before heading outside. If levels are high, consider wearing a mask. During allergy season, showering before going to bed helps you avoid sleeping with pollen trapped in your hair. Also keep windows closed and run the air conditioner. Vacuuming twice a week can help cut down on allergens.

 

Treating Allergies

Over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops, and nasal sprays also may help control symptoms and provide allergy relief. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about which might help you.

When to See an Allergist

If you don't know what's causing your allergies, or if they're severe, an allergy doctor can help. An allergist or immunologist will take your medical history and may perform allergy tests. One type -- a patch test -- is shown here. Tests expose you to possible allergens to see which ones cause a reaction. Depending on your allergies, prescription medications or immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be recommended.

Source: WebMD