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‘TIS THE RAGWEED SEASON

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:23:21 GMT

As usual the ragweed season has arrived. Ragweed allergy sufferers, be prepared for an especially nasty ragweed season. The hot, dry summer will cause very high ragweed pollen counts. Ragweed and nettle plants are the predominant pollens at this time. Up to 20 percent of Americans suffer from ragweed allergy, which is the number one cause of hay fever, with symptoms of nasal congestion, sneezing, eye irritation and itchy eyes, nose and throat.

Ragweed blooms in mid-August through October is associated with about 15 different species in the sunflower family. According to experts the pollen from the ragweed plant is an extremely potent allergen. Each ragweed plant produces about a billion pollen grains per season, and these tiny grains can travel up to 400 miles due to their light weight! Resources at Achoo Allergy and Air Products document that ragweed allergy causes Americans to miss 3.8 million days of work or school each year. Of the ragweed allergy sufferers who are able to go to work, one-third of them report decreased efficiency.

The ACAAI offers various tips to resist ragweed aggravation:

Begin allergy medication (antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays) early, do not wait.
Check your local weather for daily pollen counts.
Minimize outdoor exposure during peak times.
Keep your windows closed at home and in the car.
Rinse and clean nasal passages after exposure.

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References: www.achooallergy.com/ragweed-season.asp; site visited 9/1/11.

WebMD's editorial staff on the latest news from the world of health, Thursday, August 26, 2010; Achoo! Ragweed Season Is Here; Laura J Martin, MD, MPH Medical Editor, WebMD

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38837127/ns/healthallergies_and_asthma/t/how-survive-years-raging-ragweed-season/; site visited 9/14/11.

Allergy Treatment Options

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:50:00 GMT

Allergy treatment options may include allergy avoidance, medications, and immunotherapy. Avoidance measures help control the environment that we live in. Medications can be over the counter or prescribed and treat allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy is a process of changing your body’s immune system response to the specific allergen.

What is Eczema?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:46:00 GMT

Eczema is known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a red, scaly, itchy rash appears on the face, elbows, and knees. Aeroallergens, foods and emotional stress can be the culprit of this skin allergy. The key is to avoid the flare up. Relief can be found in the use of cold compresses, antihistamines, and in some cases topical corticosteroids. (AAAAI, Allergic Skin Conditions)

R. Mikkelson

What are Hives?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:44:00 GMT

Hives, also known as urticaria, is a treatable skin allergy. A hive is a red, itchy, raised area of the skin and can appear anywhere on your body. These welts may last a few hours to a few days for acute cases. Chronic hives may last months to years for some people. Common triggers include food and medication.

Swelling that affects the deeper skin layers is known as angioedema. Angioedema occurs with hives and can be noticed on the hands, feet, tongue, lips, and eyelids.

If you know your allergy trigger avoid it. Antihistamines may also help relieve your symptoms. Be sure to consult a physician for a treatment plan that works for you. (AAAAI, Allergic Skin Conditions)

R. Mikkelson

What is an Allergy?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:39:00 GMT

An allergy is an immune system response to a usually harmless substance in the environment. Common allergens can be pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander. Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least two of every 10 Americans. (Cited from WebMD)

R. Mikkelson

Dangerous Food Allergy Symptoms

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:18:00 GMT

The only cure for a food allergy is avoidance. Anaphylaxis by definition is a sudden and severe allergic reaction.

If you see or feel any of the following life threatening symptoms seek emergency medical help immediately:

Difficulty breathing
Drop in blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Swollen tongue, throat, or other part of the body
Narrowing of the airways and wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
Fainting
Dizziness

R. Mikkelson

(Coping with Allergies & Asthma, March/April 2009)

Patient Testimonial- Easy Allergy Relief

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:02:00 GMT

Click on the link below to watch an interview with the mother of one of our patients. It's a wonderful story about a boy who has been able to help keep his asthma under control with the help of his allergy drops.

Easy Allergy Relief

J. Garth

Spring Allergies

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:16:00 GMT

Pollen is produced by trees in the spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall. Those who suffer from allergies want to filter the air and keep pollen exposure outside. Tree allergies actually begin before the bud can be visibly seen on trees and flowers. This is the time that you want to start your allergy medications. For the most effective relief be consistent with taking your allergy medications. Knowing what you are allergic to will help your provider treat you properly. Nasal rinses can help relieve nasal allergy symptoms. Monitor the pollen counts in your area.

Tips to decrease pollen exposure:

Take a shower after spending time out doors.
Keep your windows and doors closed. Use air conditioning.
Encourage hand washing after playing out doors.
Avoid hanging laundry outside to dry.
Keep pets out of your bedroom. Bathe your pets regularly.
Use an air purifier.
Use a HEPA filter vacuum.

R. Mikkelson

(Coping with Allergies & Asthma, March/April 2009)

Allergy Avoidance Measures

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:49:00 GMT

Avoidance is a key part of improving your allergy symptoms. Pillow encasements are an affordable allergy avoidance tool. They range from a few dollars on up and have many different varieties and textures. When purchasing a pillow encasement read the package closely. For the full avoidance benefits encase your mattress and box spring as well.

Below is a link to a website that offers allergy control products.
http://www.allergycontrol.com/

R. Mikkelson

Is it Really a Cold?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:51:00 GMT

Do you “catch” a cold at the same time every year? Or, do you have seasonal allergies?

Cold and allergy symptoms may look alike. A cold is caused by any of several contagious viruses and usually lasts three to fourteen days. Cold symptoms may "present" as a cough, sore throat, or congestion with yellow mucus. Less often colds can include aches and fatigue.

Allergies are caused by exposure to an allergen. Allergies can last from days to months depending on your exposure and may "present" any time of the year. Allergy symptoms often include congestion with clear mucus and itchy watery eyes. Non-traditional allergy symptoms can be a cough, sore throat, and fatigue.

By: R. Mikkelson

What is SLIT?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:15:00 GMT

SLIT is an acronym for sublingual immunotherapy. SLIT is also referred to as S.L.I.T. or allergy drops.

SLIT refers to the process of gradually introducing your body to small amounts of the allergens that cause your body to have an allergic reaction. Put simply, small doses of whatever you are allergic to are put under your tongue until you build up an immunity to them.

Get Ready for Fall Allergies

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:48:00 GMT

Summer has officially ended, and so have the allergies that were related to the warmer weather. Why, then, are you still suffering? The answer may be: Fall Allergies.

Although fall allergy triggers may be slightly different, they can produce the same miserable feelings you may be used to from your spring culprits. During the fall season, the biggest allergy trigger is ragweed. This yellow-flowering weed usually starts pollinating in August, but it can hang around well into the fall season. According to an article from WebMD, approximately three-fourths of people who are allergic to spring pollen-producing plants are also allergic to ragweed. Even if ragweed doesn’t grow in your area, it can travel hundreds of miles on the wind, thus causing your allergic symptoms.

Other fall allergies may include both dust mites and mold. Dust mites tend to get stirred up into the air the first time you turn on your furnace, and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose. Mold allergies tend to increase in the fall due to the damp weather. The large piles of leaves that have been evident in your neighborhood can be a breeding ground for mold, as well as damp basements and bathrooms in your home.

Here are a few tips for easing fall allergy symptoms:

Stay indoors when pollen is at its peak (10 am-3 pm) to avoid exposure to your triggers. Keep the doors and windows closed.
Have your heating ducts cleaned prior to turning your furnace on for the first time. This can remove the particles of mold and other allergens that may be trapped in the vents.
Use a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) in your heating system to help remove pollen, mold, and other allergens from the air.
Wear a mask when you rake leaves to avoid inhaling mold spores that may be lurking in those growing piles.

Safe Foods For Halloween

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:42:00 GMT

Halloween is approaching very quickly, and that can mean lots of candy and other food items, which may not be safe for an allergic child. However, there are some companies that have "allergen-free" products.

Remember, that no candy is safe for everyone. Please read the label of all food products before ingesting or giving it to a child. Below is a list of several companies that provide allergen-free products:

Gimbals Fine Candy

Peanut free
Tree-nut free
Dairy free
Egg free
Gluten free
Trans fat free
Gelatin free

Divvies

No nuts
No eggs
No dairy
Just delicious

Spangler Candies

Gluten free
Wheat free
Dairy free
Peanut free
Tree nut free
Egg free

Have a safe Halloween!

Is Mold Lurking in Your Child's Dorm Room?

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:27:00 GMT

College is an exciting time for both parents and students, and the thought of worrying about mold infestation should be the last thing on anyone's mind. However, it is a very real problem, and it should be addressed. Health.com recently discussed this in an article titled 9 Health Hazards Hidden in College Dorms.

An "Allergy Drops" Success Story!

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:57:00 GMT

Allergies can be frustrating! I should know; I get them too. Allergy season is just beginning
for those of us in Wisconsin, but it is in full swing in other parts of the country.

I would like to share the following story with you because it truly shows the power to help manage our health that each of us can have:

I received a phone call the other day from a woman in Florida who was looking for a participating physician in her area who writes allergy drop prescriptions with our pharmacy. The reason she called was because even with her insurance company's co-payments for allergy shots, they were still costing her a lot of money. She decided therefore to look for a different option to treat her allergies. Following our talk, she visited our website and in the "For Patients" section, down-loaded the appropriate forms and gave them her allergist. I got a phone call today from her allergist requesting directions on how to get this patient started on allergy drops. I'm happy to see that her doctor was so responsive to her needs and was willing to take the time to call us for more information.

This woman took a pro-active first step towards fully participating in the management of her health.

Janel Garth

Top Five Worst Cities for Asthma Sufferers

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:04:00 GMT

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Richmond, Virginia is the “most challenging” place to live for Americans that suffer from asthma. It is joined in the Top 25 by many other southern states. The AAFA says this could be caused by the slow adoption of “100% smoke-free” laws.

The five worst-ranked cities for people with asthma are:

Richmond, Virginia
St. Louis, Missouri
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Experts at the AAFA say that every city in the country has various risk factors and that people need to work with their doctors in order to control asthma, regardless of where they live. More than 20 million U.S. residents live with asthma, thus making it one of the most common and costly diseases.

*Article adapted from WebMD Health News

Understanding Pet Allergies

All-AmericanAllergyBlog — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:46:00 GMT

People often think that pet allergies are caused by the hair on their pets. However, it is generally caused by a protein found in the animal’s dander, which is made up of flaky skin cells and dried saliva. All pets produce dander, although some breeds may produce less dander than others. Pet dander is found in the homes of pet owners, but can also find its way into schools, offices and other areas since dander may stick to clothes and other personal belongings.

Before blaming your pet for a family member’s itchy, watery eyes and sneezing, make sure it is truly a pet allergy. One way to tell if an allergy is present is by removing the allergic person from the pet’s environment for a week or two, then see if their allergies improve. Another option is to consult a physician for allergy testing. (There are several options for testing which can be explained by your doctor.)

If a pet allergy is confirmed, the best method of treatment is avoidance. If avoidance is not feasible, below are several tips that may help reduce pet allergen exposure:

Keep the pet out of the allergy sufferer’s bedroom.
Keep pets off of furniture, especially upholstered furniture where animal dander can be transferred.
Change clothing after playing with pets. Keep the clothing out of the bedroom.
Wash your hands, face, and arms after grooming or playing with pets.
Keep litter boxes in an area unconnected to the air supply for the rest of the home.
Use HEPA vacuum cleaners, and vacuum often. This can reduce the amount of allergens pumped back into the air by the vacuum cleaner.

If you have any other tips, please leave a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!