Dallas Allergy

DallasAllergyImmunology has created this page to provide you with a library of information pertinent to the ailments we are dedicated to. Our hope is you will find the information useful in dealing with your health issues.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact your physician.

An estimated 2.3% of Americans – that’s nearly 7 million people – are allergic to seafood, including fish and shellfish. Shrimp, crab, and lobster cause most shellfish allergies. http://www.foodallergy.org/page/shellfish-allergy

CDC Says “Take 3” Actions To Fight The Flu Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu) http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

Asthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airways become blocked or narrowed causing breathing difficulty. This chronic disease affects 20 million Americans. Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic (extrinsic) asthma and non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma. There is still much research that needs to be done to fully understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. But, with proper management, people can live healthy and active lives. http://aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=6

Fall Allergies
Though the flowers are no longer blooming and the air has turned crisp and cool, many allergy sufferers get no reprieve during the fall months. The allergy triggers might be slightly different, but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills the air in the spring and summer. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/fall-allergy-relief?ecd=wnl_aaa_091211

As you may know, to manage your food allergies successfully, your diet and lifestyle must change. While these changes may seem challenging and overwhelming at first, over time things will get easier.  You are not alone. FAAN can help by providing you with information you will need to manage day-to-day challenges, such as shopping, cooking, dining out, and traveling.  More on managing food allergies at www.foodallergy.org/section/managing-food-allergies

More than 50 million people in the United States have allergies. Finding out what you are allergic to is an important first step to effective allergy treatment. Today allergy tests are more convenient and accurate than ever before. When combined with a detailed medical history, allergy testing can identify the specific things that trigger your allergic reactions. http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Treatment/diagnosing-allergies/Pages/allergy-testing.aspx

Summer fun can turn to fall misery for millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, nose and throat, or worsening of asthma symptoms are common in people with undiagnosed or poorly managed hay fever. http://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/Libraries/EL-ragweed-patient.pdf

If you are one of them millions of Americans with asthma, you may know that there is an array of medications that are very effective for keeping your symptoms under control. But did you know that you can also become a partner with your doctor in monitoring your asthma? This article will tell you how www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=17&cont=174

The first day of school is an exciting time for children and parents. It can also be a time of anxiety if your child has asthma or allergies. http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/back-to-school-with-allergies-and-asthma.aspx

 

What Should Parents Do? Allergists provide the following tips for parents of children with asthma: http://www.acaai.org/allergist/asthma/children/Pages/default.aspx

There are several types of allergic skin conditions. They are often itchy and red and may appear scaly, bumpy or swollen. An allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is the most qualified physician to treat allergic diseases. An allergist can determine which condition you have and develop a treatment plan to help you feel better. http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/allergic-skin-conditions.aspx

To successfully prepare food free of a food allergen, you will need to understand how to avoid the allergy-causing food and how to adapt to new ways of cooking. The materials in this section can help. http://www.foodallergy.org/section/eating-at-home

A visit to a hospital emergency room can be intimidating, scary, and stressful. First, it’s critical that you inform the staff when you check in that the reason you are there is because of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. http://www.foodallergy.org/page/trips-to-the-emergency-room

An estimated 50 million Americans have some type of allergy. In most people, allergies first appear during infancy or childhood. Allergic disorders rank first among children’s chronic diseases. http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/children-allergies/Pages/default.aspx

Allergic skin reactions are very common, and it can be difficult to figure out what causes them. There are hundreds of different kinds of rashes that can be caused by many things, such as plants like poison ivy, allergic reactions to a medication or a food, or a response to an illness.  http://www.allergyandasthmarelief.org/allergic_skin_conditions.html

A sure sign of spring (or summer or fall) in many regions of the United States is news media reports of pollen counts. These counts are of interest to some 35 million Americans who get hay fever because they are allergic to pollen. Pollen and mold counts are important in helping many people with allergies plan to their day. To read more www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=264

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever”, affects more than 3.5 million Americans.  If you suffer from it, you may experience sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, eyes or ears.  These allergic reactions are most commonly caused by pollen and mold spores in the air, which start a chain reaction in your immune system.  Click  www.aaaai.org/
patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm to read more.

Knowing fact from fiction can make the difference between misery and relief for millions of spring allergy sufferers http://www.acaai.org/allergist/news/Pages/SpringAllergy
SufferersBeWaryofTreatmentMyths.aspx

 If someone in your home has symptoms of pet allergies, you may wash the dog twice a week, steam clean your carpet or treat your pet with sprays or drops to reduce shedding, but is there any evidence that these measures help? http://editors.acaai.org/allergist/news/New/Pages/managing-pet-allergies.aspx

Allergen Immunotherapy: still working after 100 years
Looking for more information on allergy shots? Find out how they work and about the history.  http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/allergen_immunotherapy.pdf

If you have a green thumb but are bothered by a red, stuffy nose caused by seasonal allergies the following tips can help you maximize time spent  tending plants rather than sniffles. Read full article here: http://www.allergyandasthmarelief.org/whatsnew_gardening_allergies.aspx

Food Allergy or Food Intolerance? If you go to your healthcare provider and say, “I think I have a food allergy,” your provider has to consider other possibilities that may cause symptoms and could be confused with food allergy, such as food intolerance. To find out the difference between food allergy and food intolerance, your provider will go through a list of possible causes for your symptoms. Read more about it.  p://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/understanding/foodIntolerance.htm

 You may wonder what allergies and asthma have in common besides making you miserable. A lot, as it turns out. Allergies and asthma often occur together. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergies-and-asthma/AA00045

Almost 70% of U.S. households have domestic pets, equally divided between cats and dogs – that’s 100 million pets! But almost 10 million pet owners — including kids — are allergic to their animals and must be extra careful around their furry friends. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/just4kids/pet_allergies.asp

Cold weather is a prime time for stuffy noses, sore throats and watery, itchy eyes. But if your symptoms last more than a week, or if they seem to turn off and on based on your surroundings, you may be battling allergies or sinusitis. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2010/12/

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDD) compromise a group of more than 100 diseases which are due to defects in the body’s defenses (immune system). These diseases affect thousands of infants, children, and adults in the United States.  In most cases, PIDD are associated with acute or recurrent infections depending on the portion of immune system affected. Most PIDD are inherited in our genes, so they are present at birth, they often do not become apparent or diagnosed until late in childhood, or even in adult life.  For more on PIDD go to www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/immunodeficiency.asp

Asthma symptoms affect an estimated 21.9 million Americans and are one of the leading causes of work and school absences. The cost in direct medical care and indirect expenses totals more than $16.1 billion each year. Although the exact cause of asthma remains unknown, many treatment options are available to control and reverse this chronic inflammation of the lungs’ airways. http://www.acaai.org/allergist/asthma/symptoms/Pages/default.aspx

Children have unique ways of describing their experiences and perceptions, and allergic reactions are no exception. Precious time is lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a reaction is occurring or don’t understand what a child is telling them. http://www.foodallergy.org/page/how-a-child-might-describe-a-reaction1

Allergies at home and work are similar and affect millions of people each year.  Allergy symptoms, like sneezing, nasal congestion and headache, may make it difficult to concentrate.  Every work environment will have specific allergy problems so talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about how you can prevent allergies at your specific workplace. For more on allergy prevention www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&cont=82

Flu season is here and so is the need to be protected by getting vaccinated. This vaccine contains a very small amount of egg protein, so before giving it health providers ask if you are allergic to eggs. But do you really know if you are allergic to egg? Could you have egg intolerance?http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2010/11/

 

Six out of 10 people in the United States come in contact with cats and dogs. The total pet population is more than 100 million, or about four pets for every 20 people. Allergies to pets with fur or feathers are common, especially among people who have other allergies or asthma. To learn more click: www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=236

 

AAAAI’s The Virtual Allergist™ can give you valuable information about your allergy and asthma symptoms, and a visit to an allergist may bring relief. To get started, click on the area of the body where you are experiencing symptoms, or select from the list at left.
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/virtual_allergist/

What is a food allergy? Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in the symptoms of an allergic reactions. For more FAQ’s visit www.foodallergy.org/page/frequently-asked-questions,.

For the millions of people with food allergies, there is good news regarding food labeling: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires food labels to clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that are from the eight major allergenic foods.  Read more at www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=537

Your help is needed to pass crucial legislation that will protect food-allergic school children throughout the state of Texas!   Write Your Legislators!

You may already know that allergens found around the house can trigger “allergic asthma” attacks for many people, such as dust mites in furniture and bedding, pet dander, mold and other “allergen” triggers.  But researchers are also discovering that even common house dust can cause trouble.  To read more about house dust and asthma  click http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=17&cont=535

Having food allergies doesn’t mean having to skip all Halloween fun. Follow these tips for a safe holiday:
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2010/10/

Allergy is characterized by an overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign protein substance (“allergen”) that is eaten, breathed into the lungs, injected or touched.  This immune overreaction can result in symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat.  In severe cases it can also result in rashes, hives, lower blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and even death. For more on allergies
www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30#over

DallasAllergyImmunology (DAI) has a mission to empower patients through education and research. Because of this mindset DAI offers their adult and pediatric patients the opportunity to participate in clinical research studies. These studies test safety and effectiveness of the latest pharmaceutical agents before and after these new medications reach the general public. To learn more about our clinical research department please go to http://dallasallergy.net/services/clinical-research-studies

 

Dr. Wasserman was  interviewed by NBC5 
and discusses food desensitization. 
Below is a link to that news report.
Controversial Treatment Ends Food Allergies

 

Millions suffer allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens such as dust mite droppings, animal dander, cockroach droppings and molds. While it is impossible to avoid these allergens, there are ways you can minimize exposure to them. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2009/12/1209_elements.pdf

For the 2.2 million school-age children with food allergies and their parents, staying safe at school requires the help of teachers and friends. http://www.foodallergy.org/section/back-to-school-tool-kit

Contact DAI at 972-566-7471 if you’re interested in
learning about our current allergy clinical trial.

For people with asthma, having an “asthma management plan” is the best strategy to prevent symptoms. An asthma management plan is something developed by you and your doctor to help you control your asthma, instead of your asthma controlling you. An effective plan should allow you click below: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=9 

An estimated 50 million Americans can suffer from all types of allergies (1in 5 Americans) including indoor/outdoor, food & drug, latex, insect, skin and eye allergies. Allergy prevalence overall has been increasing since the early 1980′s across all ages, sex and racial groups. For more facts and figures on allergies visit www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) typically causes cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough and congestion. Fevers are common. The infection can progress to the lower respiratory tract to cause more severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) or pneumonia in otherwise healthy infants and young children. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/rsv/understanding/pages/quickfacts.aspx

Contact DAI at 972-566-7471 if you’re interested in
learning about our current asthma clinical trials.

Asthma attacks may include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and trouble breathing. An asthma attack can occur when you are exposed to things in the environment, such as house dust mites and tobacco smoke. These are called asthma triggers. To read more about asthma triggers please click here www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html

Are you taking a proactive role in managing your allergic asthma? Knowing the terminology is the first step to helping you better communicate with your healthcare provider to keep your allergic asthma under control. To learn the most common terms visit the link below.
http://aafa.org/index.cfm

Contact DAI at 972-566-7471 if you’re interested in
learning about our current clinical trials.

Summer vacation.  It conjures up visions of relaxation, sports, sunny days, perhaps sand and water or woodlands.  For individuals and families with asthma and allergies though, it means extra thought and preparation before “the good times roll.” For more on traveling with allergies
www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=274