| 8 foods that account for 90% of all allergic reactions?
1. Peanuts
2. Tree Nuts
3. Milk
4. Eggs
5. Wheat
6. Fish
7. Shellfish
8. Soy
However, other foods can cause a reaction.
Did you Know???? One out of every 25 Americans has a food allergy.
It is estimated that between 150 and 200 people die yearly from food allergy reactions or anaphylaxis; including children and young adults. You should take all food allergy reactions seriously.
(the information above was taken from The food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)
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| We will be closed on Fri Feb 22, 2013 and reopening on Mon. Feb 25. Have a great weekend!!!!
Remember there is always a physician on call for after hours. You may also leave a message if you have questions regarding appointments, refill needs or other questions by calling 864-224-8883 and leaving a message on our secure voicemail . |
| Ashtma affects millions of Americans today, listed are some common triggers that can aid in making ones asthma flare up.
Enviromental allergies
Upper respiratory tract infections
Exercise
Cold Air
NSAID ingestion
Sufite sensitivity
Occupational Exposures
Indoor/outdoor pollutants
Humidity
Tobacco smoke
Certainly reducing your exposure to these irritants can help. Other ways to reduce asthma flare ups would be of course to make sure your asthma is well controlled. Ways of controlling your asthma may be; medications, allergy injections, xolair injections as well as being managed by as asthma/allergy specialist.
To find out more out asthma, ways to treat and making sure its controlled please continue your visit on our website regarding "conditions we treat" or give us a call, we'll be happy to assist you.
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| STAY HEALTHY ONE HANDWASH AT A TIME
Did you know that direct contamination of your mucus membranes (eyes, nose or mouth) is how infectious disease, such as the flu, enters your body?
Protect yourself by following the four principles of hand
awareness:
1) Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating;
2) Do not cough into your hands;
3) Do not sneeze into your hands; and
4) Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
--- Happy Hand Washing---
Source: Centers for Disease and Prevention
Other information regarding the flu and flu symptoms maybe found by clicking on the link below.
.http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/general.htm |
| Food Allergy
Reactions to food are common, and can be divided into two categories, those caused by food allergy and all other reactions. Food allergies develop when the body's immune system has an abnormal reaction to one or more proteins in a food. Food allergies can lead to serious or even life-threatening allergic reactions. Food allergies can be further divided into “classic” and “non-classic” types. Other food reactions are not caused by the immune system. These reactions cause unpleasant symptoms and are far more common than food allergies. Examples include lactose intolerance, heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux), bacterial food poisoning, and sensitivity to caffeine.
Although 20-30% of people report food allergies, only 6-8% of children and 3-4% of adults have “classic” food allergy. The most common foods causing allergy are cow’s milk, egg, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
Symptoms
In people with "classic" food allergies symptoms typically occurs quickly, within minutes to two hours after eating. The most common symptoms of food allergy include:
Skin: Itching, flushing, hives (urticaria), or swelling (angioedema)
Eyes: Itching, tearing, redness, or swelling of the skin around the eyes
Nose and mouth: Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, swelling of the tongue, or a metallic taste
Lungs and throat: Difficulty getting air in or out, repeated coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, increased mucus production, throat swelling or itching, hoarseness, change in voice, or a sensation of choking
Heart and circulation: Dizziness, weakness, fainting, rapid, slow, or irregular heart rate, or low blood pressure
Digestive system: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea
Nervous system: Anxiety, confusion, or a sense of impending doom
Some individuals suffer from “non- classic” food allergies. The symptoms of this type of food allergy are usually slower to develop and longer lasting than those of classic food allergies. Symptoms commonly include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and/or blood in the stool. Food protein-induced enterocolitis and proctitis/proctocolitis are common types of non-classic food allergy that are seen often in infancy.
Diagnosis
A complete and detailed medical history is essential for initiating the proper work up for food allergy. Specific skin and blood testing gives providers added information on determining the likelihood of “classic” food allergy. If a person had a reaction after eating peanuts, but has never reacted to wheat or eggs and eats them regularly, it is not necessary to test for allergy to wheat or eggs. The gold standard test for all food allergy is the oral food challenge, where the food is ingested by the patient in a controlled setting (clinic or hospital) to monitor for reaction. It is important to note that neither the size of the skin prick test nor the level on blood tests translate into severity of allergy. These tests only speak to the likelihood of any reaction.
Treatment
Once a food allergy is certain, the best treatment is to avoid the food. Patients must carefully check ingredient labels for all food products. The most important aspect of the treatment plan is to have emergency medications available at all times in case of an allergic reaction. In the case of a severe allergic reaction, timely administration of self-injectable adrenaline is the cornerstone of treatment.
How We Can Help
Your Allergy Partners board-certified provider can assist in determining whether or not a food allergy exists, what type of food allergy it is, and what treatment plan is appropriate. Your allergist will help you understand the potential testing options as well as directing you to helpful resources like special food allergy cookbooks, patient support groups, and registered dieticians.
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| Urticaria, or hives, is a common reason to see an allergist. It can be incredibly distressing to be covered with red welts, and the itching can disrupt sleep, school, and work. Hives appear quickly when special skin cells, called mast cells, are triggered to release chemicals that cause the rash.
Most cases of hives last only a short time and are triggered by allergic reactions, medications, or viral infections. Allergic reactions are possible to foods, bee stings, medications, or airborne substances. Hives can also be part of a severe, whole-body allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
In some people, the skin mast cells can react and cause hives due to pressure, cold, heat, vibration, and exposure to the sun or water. Dermatographism (Latin for “skin writing”) refers to hives that pop up for only minutes after a scratch or irritation to the skin.
It is also possible to have hives lasting for weeks or months. This “chronic urticaria” is usually not due to a particular trigger, but instead it can result from abnormal immune reactions involving the mast cell. The severity of chronic hives can be affected by factors such as stress, medications, temperature, and illnesses.
It is important to identify the cause of hives if possible, and the first step is a careful interview and physical exam with an experienced medical professional. Episodes of hives due to foods, bee stings, medications, or allergens can often be sorted out with allergy testing. A simple cause is not often found for chronic urticaria, but laboratory testing can help sort out any source of inflammation or infection that could lead to long-lasting hives.
Once the cause is determined, it is important to avoid the cause of your hives if possible. Hives usually respond to medications that block histamine -- the major chemical released by the mast cell. These “antihistamines” include the commonly used diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), but mild or ongoing cases of hives can also respond to longer-lasting and less sedating antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), or fexofenadine (Allegra®).
Under the care of an allergist, severe or persistent cases of urticaria can be treated with high dose antihistamines, the addition of other histamine blockers (ranitidine or similar drugs), or the temporary use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone). In severe cases of chronic urticaria, is it sometimes necessary to use other drugs that act on the immune system.
The physicians at Allergy Partners are experts in evaluating and treating the many possible causes of hives and allergic reactions. The evaluation begins with a careful interview and physical examination, followed by any necessary tests. These may include skin testing, which can be done during the initial visit if the patient is not taking antihistamines. For more information on Urticaria and skin testing, please visit our Patient Education page on our website or contact our office.
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| With the warmer weather of summer, we are enjoying more time outside. Along with the summer weather comes a dramatic rise in the number of stings from bees and fire ants. For many people these stings are painful and annoying but not dangerous. However, approximately 1 in 100 people has a potentially life-threatening allergy to insect stings. The insects most often responsible for serious allergic reactions are honey bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. Although intimidating by virtue of their size, bumble bees rarely sting.
An allergic reaction can involve the entire body and advance rapidly after the sting. Common symptoms include itching, hives and swelling distant from the site of the sting. Dizziness, asthma symptoms, nausea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure, shock and unconsciousness may also occur. Severe reactions may be fatal if medical treatment is not obtained immediately.
Once an individual has experienced a severe reaction, they have a 60-70% chance of experiencing a similar or more severe reaction with each future sting. Therefore, anyone who has experienced any of the above symptoms following a sting should carry an EpiPen at all times. However, with insect venom allergy, epinephrine is not enough. Using an EpiPen is critical for treating a severe reaction. However, it cannot prevent future reactions. Anyone with an allergic reaction to a sting should be evaluated by an allergist for testing and consideration of immunotherapy. Allergy shots to stinging insect venom are 98% effective in preventing future stings and are the standard of care treatment for venom allergy.
Stinging insect allergy is potentially fatal. Fortunately, current treatment is very safe and highly effective. Allergy shots to venom can be life-saving. Don’t let the fear of stings keep you indoors this summer. If you have a history of reactions to stings, see us for an evaluation.
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| Summer Camp: Fun for kids, Scary for parents, that is with kids who have food allergies-
Make sure to check with camp directors to see the camper to camp counselor ratio.
If the camp has an open house, make sure to stop by and observe, find out who the medical person in charge is.
Will there be epinephrine and other medications if needed and how accessible?
Go over your childs Food Allergy Action Plan with the camp staff, if your child will stay for meals.
Summer camp can be fun and safe with the right prepartion.. for more info please see the Food & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) website.
Source- FAAN, Kids with Food Allergies and Food Allergy Initiaitve |
| Pets.....you gotta love'em but we dont' have to suffer with allergen they produce.
No pet is 100% free from causing allergens. However, some people with pet allergies do better with short haired pets and those that shed less.
Pet allergies are caused by their dander, salvia, or urine ( Yikes?!!?)
They can collect on upholstered furniture, carpet and on clothing. So keeping pets outdoors don't always eliminate the allergen from getting on you.
It is rare that reptiles can cause a pet allergy. Most common are dog, cat, rodents and other animals with fur.
Pet allegries produce many of the same symptoms as seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes.
So you ask, what can I do...... I love my little dog or cat ?? You can get tested and if you meet criteria then allergy injections (which will build up your immunity to the pet allergen) may be your best course of treatment.
After all, pets, you gotta love'em!!!
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| Allergy Skin Testing
Our skin test is done by prick method, a small individual plastic prick that is lightly pricked across the back. We have several different skin test panels that are used based on the age of the patient. In some cases intradermals are used, a small needle inserted just under the base of the skin on the upper arm (much like that of a TB test)
Patients will know the results at the end of their visit and will discuss with Dr. Liddle what would be the most effective treatment based on their results.
Skin Testing vs. R.A.S.T (RadioAllergoSorbent Test ) ( In other words -blood work)
R.A.S.T only measures the IGe, the allergy antibody, and doesn’t show how severe it can be. R.A.S.T. technically should only be performed on those patients who are on certain medications and cannot come off of them. Also, there are only 3 labs in the U.S. that do the CAP RAST, which is the preferred method if R.A.S.T must be done.
Skin Testing has proven to be more accurate due to the physician seeing the “wheal and flare” ( the reaction that occurs) and going through the clinical symptoms the patient provides.
Since we do prefer the skin test over the RAST its not always necessary for your physician to do the RAST as we will perform the skin test at your visit. This allows the patient to save money and still get accurate results.
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Welcome to our blog site! Stay tuned to get the latest news. We
will share tips and techniques for living with and managing your Allergies &
Asthma. We look forward to sharing useful resources with our patients! |
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