Could you have allergic asthma?

Asthma is a chronic and serious lung disease. It causes swelling and narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult. Asthma has no cure. But most people with asthma can live active lives with the appropriate asthma treatment plan and an ongoing partnership with their doctor.  Read more about allergic asthma by clicking here.

Allergy-free Tips for the Holidays

Check out these great tips from the ACAAI for how to make sure allergies don't ruin your holidays! http://www.acaai.org/allergist/news/New/Pages/six-tips-for-holidays.aspx

Allergen-free Thanksgiving Stuffing Ideas

Here are some great allergen-free Thanksgiving stuffing ideas from kidswithfoodallergies.org! stuffinghttp://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/top-8-allergy-free-stuffing-recipes-Thanksgiving

The Epi-Pen that talks to you!

Click here to read the article that was in the New York Times about the newest epinephrine device.

Finding Relief for Eye Allergies

Allergies can affect the eyes, causing red, itchy, burning, and watery eyes and swollen eyelids. Many of the same treatments and self-help strategies that help reduce nasal allergy symptoms work for eye allergies, too.Eye allergies, also called "allergic conjunctivitis", affect one in five Americans. While allergies affecting the eyes usually do not threaten eyesight, they can be very uncomfortable and red, puffy eyes may be unbecoming.  But since these symptoms can sometimes be caused also by infections and other conditions that do threaten eyesight, it is a good idea to see your doctor if eye symptoms persist.

Triggers of eye allergies can be pollens, cat or dog danders, dust mites, or other airborne allergens.  On contact, thousands of cells in the surface of the eyes release histamine that leads to itchiness and other annoying allergy symptoms.  Rubbing the eyes makes it worse, while cool compresses and eyedrops that counteract the histamine effect can be very helpful.  Finding the cause and avoiding or immunizing against it (as with "allergy shots" or immunotherapy) can give more permanent relief. 

For more information, visit our website at www.southbayallergy.com.

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

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

Monitor Lung Health By Blowing Into A Smartphone

An app may be on its way to help monitor lung health by blowing into a smartphone.  Read the whole article here.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

Sometimes my mouth tingles when I eat melons - is this a food allergy?

If you also happen to be allergic to ragweed pollen, you may be experiencing a type of allergy called "oral allergy syndrome".  This occurs when eating fruits or vegetables containing proteins that are cousins of pollen proteins, especially during that specific pollen season.  So eating melons during the early fall, when ragweed pollens are high, can result in itching or tingling of the lips or mouth.  People with birch pollen allergy may react in this way when eating apples.  

Are these symptoms dangerous?

Unlike peanut or shellfish proteins, which often cause serious allergic reactions, these fruit proteins are rapidly broken down by enzymes in your mouth or stomach, making it very unlikely that they will make it into your bloodstream to cause a severe reaction.

As with all allergy symptoms, however, it is advisable to have any adverse reactions to a food checked out by an allergist for specific recommendations.

For more information, visit our website at www.southbayallergy.com.

Fall Allergy Tips!

Look out for ragweed and mold! They are 2 of the main culprits that can cause allergy symptoms in the Fall.

Ragweed and other weeds are the biggest allergy triggers in the Fall. They begin pollinating in August and can travel hundreds of miles in the wind.

Mold thrives in damp areas such as in the piles of damp leaves lining yards and streets, bathrooms, and damp basements.
 

Here are some tips to manage your Fall allergies:

• Limit your time outdoors when pollen counts are high and close your windows during windy days to keep pollen from blowing in. (check daily pollen counts in your zip code on our website: www.southbayallergy.com)
• Use your HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which removes at least 99% of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust and other particles.
• Wear a mask when raking leaves to avoid inhaling mold spores.
• Before turning on the heater for the first time, clean the heating ducts and change the filters because mold and dust particles can become trapped in the vents over summer.

If you have symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, or itchy eyes or throat, you should see an allergist to discuss treatment options like prescription medications or allergy shots.

For more information, please visit our website at www.southbayallergy.com

Source: ACAAI

An allergy app for drivers!!

Ford greenlights first health app: Allergy Alert!  Read the full article here.

Is Elm Blooming on Your Street?

Sudden worsening of your nasal or eye allergy symptoms this week?  Elm trees (see photo) are in full bloom along with several weed pollens.  Be sure to wash your hair and change your clothes before sitting on or lying in bed, turn on the air conditioner if you have one and close the windows when it is windy.

Dr. Marks on TV!

Check out our very own Dr. Katie Marks in this speciality clip about Gluten allergies!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWeLIFEhXYM&feature=player_embedded

All About Air Filters

Confused about all the choices out there?  Here are some great tips for choosing the right air filter, http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/do-you-need-an-air-filter?ecd=wnl_aaa_071612.

Visit our website at www.southbayallergy.com for more information.

FREE Internet training program, School-based Anaphylaxis Preparedness: Policies in Practice

Attend the free internet training program, School-based Anaphylaxis Preparedness: Policies in Practice on July 31, 2012 at 9AM.  To register, visit: http://www.cvent.com/d/1cqzln/1Q.

Dr. Marks on TV!

Dr. Katie Marks, our board certified allergist, expert and community resource, will be featured on an upcoming news segment about gluten allergies. Stay tuned for the link! Or visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/southbayallergy

Asthma Action Plan

Having an asthma action plan is the best way to prepare for asthma attacks – and to be able to act quickly when an attack happens.

The breathlessness of an asthma attack is scary to witness, especially when the person having trouble breathing is your child or another loved one. But you have to act quickly and make smart decisions even if you are frightened – and having a solid asthma action plan in place could even save a life.

Your asthma action plan should include knowledge of your loved one’s triggers, symptoms, and prescription medications, and will help you answer questions like these in an emergency:

• What type of asthma treatment should you administer?
• When should you call the doctor?
• When should you call 911?

Asthma Treatment: Who Makes the Asthma Attack Action Plan?

Your Allergist can help develop a plan for treatment of your asthma.  We like to use an asthma action plan to help customize each patients treatment.

Asthma Attack: How to Respond to Asthma Symptoms

Learning which symptoms require which action is an important starting point for any caregiver of someone who has asthma attacks. Symptoms that need a response include:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightening
• Shortness of breath
• Waking up at night with symptoms
• Difficulty completing usual activities (in a child, this may be a lack of interest in playing)

Your loved one's action plan for asthma treatment should detail:

• The daily dose of medication needed for long-term asthma control
• The triggers or allergens that can set off asthma symptoms
• The dosage of the medication you can give and whether it’s appropriate to administer an additional or increased dose when symptoms flare
• The symptoms that warrant a call the doctor or dictate a trip to the emergency room (and it should include contact information for those locations).

Most people who have only occasional asthma symptoms in response to allergens or strenuous exercise can get by with an albuterol rescue inhaler. But the exact medication and dose needed when symptoms intensify depends on such individual factors as age, overall health, and other medical issues.

People with persistent or severe asthma may have one or two medications they take daily to control their asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks, in addition to rescue inhalers to help control immediate symptoms. It’s also important in asthma treatment to try to remove allergens or triggers from your loved one’s environment.

Asthma Action Steps: When to Call the Doctor

If your loved one has an asthma attack and doesn’t experience relief within 10 minutes of administering a short-acting beta-2 inhaler, such as an albuterol inhaler, it’s time to call the doctor. It’s important to note that these inhalers are not intended for daily use in asthma treatment. If the asthmatic uses the inhaler two or more times a week to control asthma symptoms, the asthma is poorly controlled and the doctor should be notified.

Asthma Action Steps: When to Go to the Emergency Room

Go to the ER if:

• You gave the prescribed medications and symptoms were not relieved in the time you expected (usually about an hour)
• Your loved one cannot walk or talk and breathe

Giving additional or stronger doses of medications beyond what has been prescribed can be dangerous (sometimes even leading to death). You will need a professional medical checkup because there may be another underlying illness causing the asthma symptoms.

Bottom line: An asthma action plan will make you and your loved one feel more secure. Talk to your loved one's doctor and get your specific plan of action in place before an asthma attack occurs.

Source: EverydayHealth.com

What are allergy shots?

Allergen immunotherapy ("allergy shots") treats the root cause of allergies such as reactivity to grass, tree, or weed pollens, cats or dogs, or dust mites, by gradually building tolerance -- instead of just temporarily symptoms as medications do.

With a course of immunotherapy, an allergic person can build lifelong tolerance to many of these allergy triggers, avoiding the need for chronic allergy medicines.


For more about what allergy shots can do for you, click here.

Peanuts and Airlines

Which airlines do not serve individual packages or bags of peanuts?

Many airlines post a written peanut allergy policy on their website. After reviewing these policies and corresponding with airline representatives, FAAN has concluded that the following domestic airlines do not serve individual packages of peanuts in coach class:

Air Canada, Air Tran, American, Continental, Frontier, Jet Blue, Midwest, United, US Airways

Please note! This list includes only airlines that do not serve packaged peanuts (i.e., PEANUTS ARE THE ONLY INGREDIENT) in coach class. Some airlines may serve peanuts in first class or business class. Some airlines, such as Frontier, sell snack items (e.g., trail mix, candy bars) in coach class that contain peanuts as an ingredient and/or snack items that include a “may contain” advisory warning on the label.

As long as a passenger with peanut allergy does not eat these products or come into very close contact with them, the risk of reaction from skin contact or inhalation will be minimized.

Again, the most important strategy for avoiding reactions while flying is: DO NOT EAT AIRLINE MEALS OR SNACKS!

What about tree nuts?

Most airlines continue to offer, generally for sale, snack items that contain tree nuts. Other airlines, such as American, serve a warmed tree nut mix in first and/or business class, where the tree nuts are warmed in an oven during the flight prior to being served.

Source: FAAN

Top 10 Tips for Airline Travelers with Food Allergy

1. Do Your Homework: Before booking your flight, read the airline’s allergy policy. Many airlines post their policy on their website – find it by using the search function using the term “allergies” or “peanuts.”
2. Check the Airline’s Snack Offerings: For individuals with peanut/tree nut allergy, try to choose an airline that does not serve complimentary peanut/tree nut snacks with the beverage service. (Some airlines will serve a non-peanut/tree nut snack, such as pretzels, upon advance request.) This will greatly decrease the risk of exposure to peanuts/tree nuts during the flight. Keep in mind that no airline will ever give you a guaranteed peanut- or tree nut-free flight.
3. Notify the Airline of Your Food Allergy: When booking your flight, notify the reservation agent of your food allergy, and ask if your information can be forwarded to other personnel such as the gate agent, catering/food service, and flight crew. Reconfirm your food allergy at every opportunity with the ticket agent, and again with the flight attendants. 
4. Understand Policies for Carrying Medication on Board the Aircraft: For security purposes, keep your epinephrine/adrenaline in its original packaging and have your emergency plan with your medication. It is also recommended that you have your epinephrine prescription, and a travel plan or letter from your doctor confirming your food allergy and indicating you need to carry your medication and food/drinks with you.  Consider wearing medical alert identification indicating your allergies.
5. Inspect Your Seating Area: Ask the gate agent if you may pre-board the plane in order to inspect/clean your seating area. Wipe down the seat to help prevent contact reactions or inadvertent skin contact with food particles or spills. Eating food off a contaminated surface area could lead to accidental ingestion of allergens through cross-contact. Since some airlines are cleaned at the end of each day, consider choosing early morning flights, where the chance of seats containing crumbs or food residue is minimized.
6. Avoid Airline Food: Never eat airline food; pack your own food. However, you may want to check with the airline to see if there are any restrictions as to which types of food you are allowed to bring on board or to your destination.
7. Keep Your Epinephrine With You: Always keep your epinephrine/adrenaline with you; do not store in the overhead bin. Let others you’re traveling with know about your allergies so they know what to do in case of an emergency on the flight and where your auto-injector is.
8. Notifying Other Passengers: Consider informing passengers sitting in your area about your food allergy. Keep in mind, however, that the airline will probably not make an announcement to the other passengers, and that passengers can eat food they have brought onto the aircraft.
9. Respect the Flight Crew: Be courteous and polite with the flight crew. They are there to help you and we need to help educate them about food allergies without making unrealistic or unnecessary demands.
10. Always Be Prepared: Never take a risk with food, especially when in the air away from access to medical help

This list was created by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance.