5 FAQS to Know about Allergies and Allergists

Associates of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. While that number is jarring, additional statistics show that approximately one out of six Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis. The following information will describe what allergic rhinitis is, what triggers it and why consulting an allergist as opposed to your primary care physician is the best course of action to take if you believe that you may be living with allergies.

What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergy means "strange activity" in Greek. Rhinitis, also Greek in origin, literally means "condition of the nose." Therefore, allergic rhinitis, which is also referred to as hay fever, can be defined as a condition in which irritants cause "inflammation of the nose or its mucous membrane."

What causes allergies?

Pollen is a powdery fertilizing agent that flowering plants release in order to fertilize other plants. It helps create beautiful gardens, but pollen also makes it difficult for people with seasonal allergies to enjoy them.

Pollen, which is transported through the air, attaches itself to a person's hair, skin and clothing. When people who are sensitive to pollen breathe in pollen-laden air, typical symptoms include "sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat and eyes and wheezing."

Pollen and debris from an animal's coat or feathers are two of the most common irritants that trigger allergic rhinitis symptoms. However, it is worth mentioning that pollen is not just limited to flowers. For example, certain trees, grasses, and desert plants like cacti are also pollen-heavy. Additionally, dust and chemicals from pipe, cigar and cigarette smoke are other windborne irritants, and all the above can be particularly tough on people living with allergies. This is just one reason why attempting to self-medicate with over the counter medicine is not advised.

Why do you need to see an allergist instead of your primary care physician?

Unlike general physicians, allergists are physicians who have completed additional training programs that allow them to effectively diagnose and treat asthma and allergic diseases. The following list describes some of the health issues that an allergist-immunologist treats:

• asthma
• hay fever
• sinusitis
• rashes
• hives  (ACAAI)

 

What should you expect when you visit an allergist?

Anallergist-immunologist will conduct a thorough medical history and physical exam. Skin and blood tests may also be incorporated in order to determine exactly what substances are causing allergic reactions. This is typically done in an in-house testing lab. The new client visit could take up to two hours. Once the irritants have been identified, allergists will create a treatment plan that may include dietary recommendations, inoculations and other medication specifically designed for their clients' needs.

Is there a cure for allergies?

Unfortunately, no. However, immunotherapy and specialty medicines as well as education, can greatly reduce the symptoms that people living with allergies would normally experience by attempting to self-medicate, which can be dangerous. By consulting a top Phoenix allergist, these individuals can avoid wasting time, money and possibly putting their health at risk and focus on enjoying life.

References

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (n.d.). Retrieved from acaai.org/

Allergy | Define Allergy at Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from dictionary.com/browse/allergy

Rhinitis | Define Rhinitis at Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from dictionary.com/browse/rhinitis

American Board of Allergy and Immunology:. (n.d.). Retrieved from abai.org

Allergy Facts | AAFA.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from aafa.org/page/allergy-facts.aspx

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Why Choose an Allergy Doctor over your regular Doctor or Naturopath?

Your relationship with your Phoenix allergy doctors should be a relationship you can trust. You want to know for certain that you or your child will receive the best care available for asthma and allergy symptoms in Arizona. In the realm of allergy and asthma, where difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis are always a possibility, you're putting your life in your doctor's hands.

An Allergy Doctor Versus A General Practitioner

The benefit of seeing an allergy doctor is that a specialist's focus is on allergy symptoms, triggers, and treatments. A general practitioner has a broad overview of many health conditions, but an allergy doctor has unique exposure to and experience with allergies. By having a narrower focus, a specialist is able to give you better insight into the causes and remedies for your condition.

A Variety of Techniques

Your allergy doctor should be familiar with a variety of testing and treatment techniques to meet your unique needs. Our Phoenix area locations all perform allergy scratch testing, food allergy testing, asthma management, and allergy/immunotherapy to help you navigate life with these sometimes-chronic conditions.

Multiple Arizona Locations

Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C. is an allergy treatment practice committed to providing the latest and most comprehensive treatments for both adult and pediatric patients. Our team of Arizona of allergy doctors is eager to work closely with each of our patients to provide the most effective diagnostic methods and treatment.

Choose A Board-Certified Allergy Doctor

Quality care begins with professionally trained doctors who specialize in treating allergy, asthma, and immunology. We are fortunate enough to have two allergy doctors in Phoenix who meet those qualifications. Both Dr. Fadia Habib-Khazen and Dr. Housam Alasaly are medical doctors, certified in allergy and immunology, that specialize in children, families and adults.

If you're looking for an allergy doctor in Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale, Anthem, or Scottsdale, give our offices a call. Our trained professionals are here to help you feel better. Schedule an appointment to consult with  allergists and Immunologists, Dr. Habib-Khazen and Dr. Alasaly  Aside from our main clinic in Phoenix, we have satellite offices in Glendale, Avondale, Anthem, and Scottsdale   Be Free from Allergies! Please call today 

Are You Exposing Yourself to These 10 Common Skin Allergy Triggers?

Is your allergist in Scottsdale constantly helping you battle skin allergies? It may be because you are constantly exposing yourself to common allergy and asthma triggers.

No touching!

Contact dermatitis, skin allergies characterized by rashes or skin irritation resulting from allergens coming in contact with your skin, affect up to 3 percent of adults. Its triggers are often common – and sometimes surprising.

When it comes to skin allergies, are you your own worst enemy?

1. Perfumes.
   Not just Chanel No. 5, we’re talking shampoo, soap, detergents, dryer sheets, air fresheners, and more. Only products labelled “fragrance-free,” not unscented, are immune.
    
2. Nickel.
   Found in items from jewelry, watchbands, and glasses, to the zippers and buttons on your clothes, this common allergen can be worsened by sweat. To avoid sensitivity, items must be coated.
    
3. Latex.
   Gloves, rubber bands, waistbands on pants, and more can contain latex, resulting in reactions from itchy eyes and rashes to difficulty breathing and vomiting.
    
4. Dyes.
   To avoid contact dermatitis, a patch test is required prior to the application of hair dye or henna tattoos containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD).
    
5. Clothing.
   Formaldehyde resins, used in clothing elastics and fabrics for waterproofing, shrinkage, and wrinkle resistance, can cause burning eyes, skin rashes, and chest tightness. Cotton, polyester, nylon, and acrylic are typically more lightly treated.
    
6. Cosmetics.
   Preservatives such as formaldehyde, parabens, and thimerosal used in cosmetics can cause skin irritation at the site of contact.
    
7. Creams and ointments.
   Neomycin, used in antibiotic and anaesthetic (pain relief) creams, ear drops, and eye drops, can irritate the skin. Not sure if that’s you? Try a patch test.
    
8. Sunscreen.
   Common sunscreen ingredients can cause allergic reactions, including PABA (para-amino benzoic acid), oxybenzone, salicylates, benzophenones, and cyclohexanol. Reactions may be on contact for some, or for others only following sun exposure.
    
9. Household products.
   Skin irritation is common after exposure to adhesives (superglue) and organic solvents (charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, furniture stripper, and nail polish remover).
    
10. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
    Urushiol, a sticky substance found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, can cause redness, itchiness, hives, and blisters – but only in susceptible individuals.

Give your allergist in Scottsdale a hand. Put these items on your list of usual suspects. Take them out of commission and reduce your skin allergy risk today!

Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD. Top 10 Skin Allergy Triggers.  Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergy-photos/top-10-skin-allergy-triggers.aspx#01

Worsening Children's Allergies: Is Your Dishwasher to Blame?

Hate handwashing your dishes, relying on your dishwasher to make your daily chore list a little lighter? You could be contributing to your child’s allergy and asthma symptoms, according to a recent study *published in the journal Pediatrics conducted by pediatric allergy doctors.

A dirty discovery:
In the questionnaire-based study, pediatric allergy doctors focused on 1,029 children ages 7-8. The findings: Families who utilized hand dishwashing over automatic dishwashers experienced a reduced risk of allergic symptoms such as asthma, eczema, nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, red eyes, and itching of the nose and eyes. Children who at more fermented or farm-fresh foods were also noted as exhibiting lower rates of allergies, with the lowest risk associate with those children whose dishes were hand washed and food was procured directly from farms.

Too much of a good thing:
According to the hygiene hypothesis, children in developing countries grow up in an overly sanitized world, their lack of exposure to even common microorganisms leading to immune system misfires. The result? Over reaction - allergies and asthma rather than a normally developed, properly functioning immune system.

Don’t scramble to the scrap yard…
Though results were deemed “interesting,” physicians at the University of California-San Francisco explained more research into lifestyle choices is necessary. Until a causal relationship is identified, pediatric allergy doctors urge patients and their families not to ditch the dishwasher yet.


* Published at www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289832.php 'Fewer allergies among children in dishwasher-free homes"

Medical Marijuana in Arizona Regulated by State-Issued Cards

News that Arizona has made medicinal marijuana legal has seen an upsurge in dispensaries, with three new shops opening in March 2013 alone, and a few more on the way. However, to make sure that the treatment is dispensed only to those who are truly in need of it, certain regulations have been put in place. For a patient to avail medicinal marijuana for themselves, they first have to acquire a state-issued medical marijuana card. And for a patient to acquire a medical marijuana card, they must have a referral from a licensed physician. The patient's qualifying condition must be verified, and must also be truly treatable by medicinal marijuana. It would also be good to consult with an allergist in Phoenix, or wherever is more convenient, to see if the patient might have an allergic reaction to this alternative medicine. Allergy experts, such as those from Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, PC can help find solutions to any marijuana allergies, should any be found.

http://allergyarizona.net/industry-news/medical-marijuana-is-legal-in-arizona-but-phoenix-allergist-approval-vital/