Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Can peanut allergic people eat peanut oil safely?






For a peanut allergic person, it is not safe to eat cold-pressed, expressed, or extruded peanut oil, which are sometimes represented as "gourmet oils" -- these tend to contain the highly allergenic peanut protein. On the other hand, it has been shown that peanut allergic individuals can safely eat high-temperature, heat-processed, fully refined peanut oil (refined, bleached and deodorized), which means the proteins in the oil are stripped out during the processing.  
Certain restaurants such as Chick Fil-A do offer detailed information regarding their use of only this highly refined peanut oil, which is generally safe for peanut allergic patients.  However, in the absence of such detailed information, we would advise avoidance of peanut oils if you are severely allergic to peanuts.   
A list of foods that may be hidden sources of peanut protein is available at http://www.foodallergy.org/page/peanut-allergy.
For more on testing for peanut and other allergies, go to SouthBayAllergy.com
Source: FAAN
 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Awesome new site for food allergy patients - The Allergy Menu

This is a new searchable database of recipes where food allergic individuals can enter the foods they need to avoid (among the most common food allergens such as milk, egg, wheat, peanut, sesame, tree nuts), click a button and voila! A series of recipes that would be safe and allergen-free for them.  It costs $297 per year for a subscription -- which seems pricey at first, but in fact that is less than a dollar a day to get rid of the hassle of trying to navigate through recipe books and hundreds of labels to figure out what would be safe to eat.  Very nice idea, something we have needed for a long time!

Click here for the link.

Visit our website at: www.southbayallergy.com

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Halloween Haunts Parents of Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies


As ghosts and goblins race through neighborhoods chanting, "Trick or Treat", parents of children with life-threatening food allergies, called anaphylaxis, feel shivers of fright and real terror according to Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), the leading patient education, advocacy and outreach organization. For good reason. They've seen that one bite of the wrong treat can turn a fun-filled evening into a nightmare at the hospital.
 
Even so, AANMA president and founder Nancy Sander says it is possible for parents and their food allergic children to be smart and have fun on the wackiest dress-up night of the year. "It's a great time for parents to remind children what their food allergens look like and not to eat any unapproved candy or treats until they get home—as well as to reinforce the need to keep two epinephrine auto-injectors everywhere, every day even if that means tucking them in your costume or goodie bag (or asking Mom and Dad to carry them)."
Anaphylaxis Community Expert (ACE) Teams nationwide are helping young people develop independent thinking skills necessary to prevent and respond to food allergy accidents. Volunteer teams are formed by local allergists, school nurses, registered nurses, PAs, and parents through a program developed by AANMA and the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. This school year, ACE Teams have trained daycare providers, EMTs, school faculty and staff--as well as at-risk students and patients--how to identify and respond to an anaphylactic emergency.
"Fun begins by eliminating the fear of the unknown. We start with a qualified diagnosis, a written plan, parent and student education to prevent future episodes and training to know when and how to self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors." says Katie Marks, MD. "Our goal is to teach school children the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and when to ask for help."

This Halloween, ACE Teams are helping parents and students learn age-appropriate food allergy anaphylaxis prevention and emergency self-management skills.  At-risk students who complete free one-on-one or small group ACE training programs at schools, community and worship centers receive free Epi Everywhere! Every Day!TM bag tags and stickers.  To learn more, please contact local ACE Team member Anna at anna@southbayallergy.com or 310-371-1388 ext 15.

About ACEs
The Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACEs) program is developed by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), sponsored by Mylan Specialty, LP. The ACEs program goal is to save lives through showing parents, teachers, school nurses, emergency responders, and others how to recognize and respond immediately to anaphylaxis symptoms.

Friday, October 19, 2012

 
Rain can temporarily decrease pollen counts in the air, but only if its a heavy enough downfall, light rain may not change pollen counts by very much. Following the rain, the humidity and warmer weather can actually increase pollen counts. Other aero-allergens like mold can increase and cause more symptoms too. So, it can be good and bad.
And then there are thunderstorms. Certain wind patterns called updrafts can occur and can these can worsen allergies and asthma due to increases in mold spore counts and a decrease in the size of grass pollen particles which can affect the respiratory tract more easily.

If you have allergies or asthma, talk to your allergist about tips you can follow to prevent your allergies or asthma from flaring!

Check out www.southbayallergy.com for allergen avoidance tips!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"Why are my allergy symptoms worse than ever before?"

Many people are experiencing severe allergy symptoms right now and many of them are asking "why are my symptoms more severe than ever before?"

The answer may be due to the "priming effect".

The "priming effect" is an increased sensitivity of the lining of the nose that occurs with repeated exposure to allergens like pollen.

With the hot weather occurring earlier in the year this year and sticking around longer than usual, there has been more pollen in the air (plants produce more pollen in hotter weather).

This has meant a longer allergy season and a therefore a more vigorous "priming effect" that has become stronger and stronger as the different seasons have progressed.
 
So a person doesn't need to be exposed to as much pollen to have symptoms of hay fever (also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis). These symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, scratchy throat, watery/itchy eyes and even fatigue. All of these can greatly affect quality of life and can lead to complications like sinus infections and asthma flares.
 
People who've never had seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms before may experience them for the first time. Others who could control these symptoms with over the counter medications like antihistamines now need additional medication to help symptoms.

We are currently in the fall allergy season where weeds and molds are the main culprits that cause symptoms. Elm tree pollen is also important here in So Cal this time of year. The "priming effect" can also cause patients to be more sensitive to other allergens like dust mites and animal dander.

The most important thing for patients to know is: don't ignore your symptoms! If allergen avoidance and over the counter medications are not enough, go see an allergist to discuss other options and to develop a treatment plan that is right for you!

For more information, please visit: www.southbayallergy.com

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Is There A Natural Cure for Asthma?

With all the new findings on alternative medicine and natural remedies, you may wonder if there’s a natural cure for asthma. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma at this point. In fact, it’s highly advisable to avoid any asthma treatment or product -- natural or otherwise -- that claims to be a "cure" for asthma.


Can Natural Therapies Help to Manage Asthma?

Some natural therapies may help to manage symptoms of asthma. For instance, a negative response to emotional stress can cause an asthma attack. Some natural relaxation remedies like deep abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback can help relieve stress.
Other findings suggest that diet plays a role in alleviating asthma symptoms. For example, it’s thought that omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in high-fat fish such as salmon, mackerel, or cod enable the body to make more products that tend to decrease inflammation. Whether or not this may be of benefit to those with asthma is still unproven.

Pros and Cons of Natural Asthma Remedies

As you consider the different types of natural asthma remedies available, it’s of utmost importance to cautiously balance your desire to breathe easier with the possible dangers of the treatment, which may be unknown. Never use any natural dietary supplement without checking first with your allergist.
If you are uncertain about the claims on a natural dietary supplement product label, see your allergist before taking it so that they can assess the product to let you know what it contains.

Goals of Managing Asthma

Your goal in managing asthma is to:
  • Get an accurate asthma diagnosis.
  • Work with your allergist to develop an asthma action plan.
  • Monitor your peak flow rate daily and take appropriate measures when it drops.
  • Keep an asthma diary so you can track all your symptoms and medication use.
  • Avoid asthma triggers or causes of asthma, including outdoor irritants such as smog.
  • Seek medical advice and treatment for coexisting problems that can worsen asthma symptoms, such as GERD, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.
  • Exercise daily to maximize your aerobic fitness.
  • Prevent exercise-induced asthma by medicating before exercise.
  • Eat nutritous foods to maximize your immune defenses against viral and bacterial infections.
  • Maintain a normal weight.
  • Check in with your allergist regularly for breathing tests to make sure your asthma is managed and your medications are working optimally.
  • You hold the key to living well with asthma. Trust your allergist to give you guidance, and then take daily responsibility for your breathing with proven self-care measures.
For more information, visit our website at www.southbayallergy.com.
Source: WebMD

Monday, October 8, 2012

Who should get a flu shot?



Who Should Get Vaccinated This Season?


Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. It’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:

  • People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes:
    • People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
    • Pregnant women.
    • People 65 years and older
  • People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications. This includes:
    • household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
A detailed list is available at Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza. A complete list of health and age factors that are known to increase a person’s risk of developing serious complications from flu is available at People Who Are at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications.
 Source: CDC

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012

Cold or Allergy?

During the fall, many patients suffer from congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and nasal itching. They might think they have a common cold, but some patients may actually be suffering from nasal allergy symptoms (also called allergic rhinitis or "hay fever").

Take this quiz to learn more!

For more information, please visit us at www.southbayallergy.com

Source: WebMD