What is a Pollen Allergy

Call it what you will – pollinosis, a nasal allergy, or just plain “hay fever” – millions of people suffer from the effects of pollen every day. The affliction ranges in form from a small and short sniffling in the morning hours to full-blown sneezing fits throughout the day. The condition is irritating and aggravating but, rest assured, it is not life threatening.

What exactly is pollen?

Pollen grains are part of the male portion of seed plants. It is an integral part of the plant ecosystem around us and by its very nature is commonplace. In fact, without pollen, life on the planet Earth would not even be possible – so get used to the fact that it will be around for some time to come. This last fact does not mean, however, that human healthcare specialists are unable to deal with a pollen allergy in any meaningful way.

What can be done to alleviate an allergy to pollen?

Healthcare professionals have developed a number of effective remedies but it really takes a specialist to recommend the most effective one. In particular, you may be prescribed antihistamines or decongestants to start, nasal corticosteroids if these first two do not prove effective or an ipratropium or a leukotriene modifier. If these medicines do not solve the problem, an allergy specialist may finally resort to immunotherapy administered by injection.

This information is of more than passing concern to any resident of the Phoenix area who is even mildly allergic to pollen. In fact, it is integral to their well-being. Keep it in mind whenever you have an allergic reaction to pollen and if you do need more information on the basics of pollen, why it provokes an allergic reaction and how best to treat it, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates. We can be booked online, or reached directly at 602-242-4592.

Are you Allergic to the Arizonan Olive Tree?

According to Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, stuck her magic spear into the ground and it turned into an olive tree. Throughout history the oil produced from olives has sustained people in arid climates. The olive wood is beautiful and wonderful for sculptures. The olive branch is a well-known symbol of peace…   So, what's not to like in an olive tree?

                                                             Pollen.

Every spring olive trees produce clouds of pollen in the dry Arizona climate. The trees love it here. The desert is the perfect climate for them. They are beautiful, adorning landscapes of homes and businesses throughout the Phoenix area. And every spring people all over Arizona start to cough and sneeze and suffer from clogged sinuses because of allergies to the pollen.

What are the symptoms if you have allergies to olive trees?

• Runny nose with mucus production and irritation of the nasal membranes, causing sneezing.
• Head congestion
• Headaches
• Red, irritated eyes, sometimes with swelling of the lids or even the membranes lining the eye itself
• Coughing and even wheezing
  
  

Olive tree pollen is one of the most potent allergens around in desert areas. Scientists h ave found 20 separate proteins in the pollen that cause allergic reactions. The problem is so severe that many cities, such as Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Amman, Jordan have placed a ban on the planting of new olive trees. But the older trees are still around since these trees can live for more than a century and are ornamental. www.reviewjournal.com/news/sneeze-breeze

Olive tree pollen can also cause the development of asthma as the pollen irritates the lining of the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs (also known as asthmatic allergies). The problem can even become life-threatening.

If you think you have an allergy to olive trees, you need to see a Board Certified Allergist ---someone with the training and knowledge necessary to treat this condition properly. Call our clinic today if you would like to learn more

5 Signs that you are suffering from allergies

Even for the chronic sufferer, an allergic reaction - to pollen, particular allergy causing foods or other irritants - is not always immediately evident. The symptoms can be confused with everything from a bug bite to a common head cold or sinusitis. Still, a preponderance of symptoms should give one a clear idea of what is happening. Here is a quick rundown on what to look for to determine if you are suffering from allergies:

Odd taste in mouth – The human body is highly attuned to its wants and needs. As much as it likes to tell you what and when to eat, it will also quickly inform you if an unwanted substance is introduced. If you encounter an unwanted taste in your mouth, consider the source.

Scratchy throat – This symptom is most pronounced if a food allergen is ingested – with results often within just a few seconds! – but dermal contact with a plant or the inhalation of another allergen can also produce this effect.

Nasal congestion / Watery eyes – Once the allergen is introduced to the body in whatever way, the body's natural defenses try to rid itself of them. Mucus and tears are the first symptoms but nausea and diarrhea can follow within a couple of hours.

Skin rash – More commonly known as “hives,” this skin rash will develop within an hour or two of being exposed to the allergen. Many people think that this condition is only provoked by touching poison ivy or some other irritant. To the contrary, any allergen – whether touched or not – can cause hives.

Obstructed breathing – This symptom manifests itself in a number of ways – most notably with the swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat. Usually the most troubling of allergic reactions, this symptom can even be life threatening.

For further information on recognizing and dealing with an allergic reaction, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates. We can be found online at AllergyArizona.net or reached directly at 602-242-4592.

Few Dangerous insects that cause allergies

With desert flowers, spring rain,it also means that the insects also come out of hibernation.  Tiny as they are, even the smallest insects can provoke a truly outsized reaction in an Arizonan if they sting a susceptible individual. The anaphylactic shock – allergy to you and me – that they cause can range from mildly irritating to downright deadly. For those with this particular disability, it pays to know what you are dealing with. Here is a quick rundown on the four most dangerous insects in this category which cause allergies in Phoenix that we treat often at our Phoenix allergy clinic

Household Pests

While most folks worry the most about insect bites in the “great outdoors,” the majority of insect bites are actually inflicted upon humans inside the home. With their tiny bites, spiders, mites and fleas can trigger inflammations and rashes. In addition, cockroaches and other non-biting insects can leave detritus that will trigger asthma or asthma-like symptoms.

Stinging Insects

There are a whole panoply of insects – bees, yellow-jackets, hornets, stink bugs and fire ants to name just a few – that like to perpetrate their particular brand of nastiness on the human race. Each of their toxins is different but the results are usually the same. A cold compress applied to the puncture wound will fix most of these injuries but it is also good to keep a rescue inhaler on-hand just in case.

Biting Insects

Everyone has been bitten by a mosquito at one time or another. For some, it is a relatively minor inconvenience but for others, it is a far more serious situation. Similarly, the bites of bedbugs, fleas and certain flies are also painful and can potentially provike a life-threatening allergic event. Keep your linens laundered on a regular basis to avoid this problem

For more information on insect allergies and the best way to deal with an anaphylactic reaction to a sting or bite, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates. We can be found online at AllergyArizona.net or reached directly at 602-242-4592.

Top Five Food Allergies

While everyone needs food to live, not everyone can eat every food. This fact is never more evident than when a person inadvertently eats a food that provokes an allergic reaction. Nausea, hives, itchy eyes and shortness of breath can ensue if the allergic reaction is not treated in the proper manner by an specialty allergy doctor.

Known in medical circles as “anaphylactic shock,” allergic reactions to food are not just irritating but can even lead to death in certain circumstances. Here is a quick rundown on the five foods most commonly associated with this disability:

Peanut Allergy – Probably the most commonly known food allergy because of the attention it has drawn from schools and airlines, peanuts are a significant threat to the unaware. Peanuts are included in all sorts of foods as a filler and care should be taken to read food labels.

Shrimp – This allergy is usually ascribed to the iodine that builds up in various shellfish. Whatever the root reason, a shrimp allergy provokes an almost immediate and violent reaction from someone who inadvertently exposes themselves.

Milk – “Got milk?” Is a popular marketing slogan but it is more than an annoyance to those who are better off ignoring this oft praised but sometimes deadly liquid. Humans usually react most violently to cow's milk but others – goat, sheep and buffalo – can have equally dire effects.

Wheat – The gluten in wheat can cause bouts of sneezing, headaches and skin rashes. This allergy is more of a nuisance than a real danger. Still, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Eggs – Most common in infants, an egg allergy usually manifests itself with vomiting. By adolescence, this allergy will usually be dissipated.

For more information on the best way to deal with an allergic reaction to food or any other irritant, or prevent food allergies in children, please contact us at allergyarizona.net, or call us directly at 602-242-4592. 

How To Prevent Skin Allergies?

We all love having a flawless skin, free from conditions and allergies. But, it isn’t really a perfect world. With the presence of so many allergens around us, it doesn’t take much time to get a skin allergy. While there are several causes of having an irritated skin, some of the common causes include weak immune systems, medications, and infections.

Here are a few symptoms that can occur in various skin allergies:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Rashes and/or excessive itching
• Occurrence of bumps or blisters on the skin
• Peeling, cracking or flaking of the skin

They say prevention is better than cure. So, if you want to have a trouble-free skin, then here are a few things that may help you do so.

Strengthen your immune system – As already mentioned, if you are having frequent allergies, then it could be due to the problems in the immune system that lead to frequent infections. So, make sure you strengthen your immune system. Having a nutritious diet and by adding vitamin C to your diet might help in giving your immune system the boost it needs.

Take care of your skin – There are many allergic reactions that can be avoided merely by making simple changes in your lifestyle and by taking good care of your skin. Switch to natural skin care products that are free from harsh chemicals, keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water, and moisturize your skin regularly, to have a healthy skin.

Consult a board-certified allergist – The most important step that you need to take to prevent the occurrence of skin allergies is to consult a reliable and board certified allergist. Tell them about your skin condition in detail and they will help you find the underlying cause of the allergy, with the help of allergy testing. Once you will find out the reasons why you get allergic reactions, you will then be able to treat them better.

3 Tips On Dealing With Allergic Asthma

Just like no two people are same, their bodies’ responses to allergens aren’t same as well. While there are people who may experience sneezes and watery eyes because of certain allergens, there are others who may experience asthma attacks. As a matter of fact, allergic asthma happens to be one of the most common types of asthma in the world. So, what is the way to treat this allergic reaction?

Here are a few tips that may work great in helping you better manage your asthmatic allergy.

Understand the trigger points

As basic as it may sound, it is a great way to control your allergic asthma attacks. When you know what are the things that trigger the attacks, you can very well avoid doing them. For this, different allergy tests can be conducted. Apart from getting the allergy skin testing and food testing done, you should also try to maintain notes on the last allergic asthma attack you had and what could be the possible trigger points, based on the activity that you were doing at that time. This will help a lot in figuring out the reasons that lead to such attacks.

Keep it clean

Another important tip to prevent allergic asthma attacks would be to keep the surrounding cleans and free from dust mites, which are said to be one of the most common indoor allergic asthma allergens, as per studies. You can keep dust mites at bay by regularly washing all of your bedding and getting rid of those carpets from your home that are a haven for dust mites. Also, go for dust proof mattresses and pillows to avoid attracting the nasty little dust mites.

Contact an experienced allergist and asthma specialist

The most important tip to have an allergic asthma free life is to find a reliable and reputable Phoenix clinic, which has a team of experienced allergists for children, and asthma specialists. When you take the help of an expert to treat your respiratory/sinus concerns or allergic conditions, you take a big leap towards living a life free from allergic reactions.

So, stop waiting and start doing. Follow these simple tips and schedule an appointment for testing with a renowned allergist and immunologist nearby!