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.

Allergy Testing & Holistic and Medicinal Treatment

●       Pediatric allergies and pediatric asthma

●       Immunodeficiency

●       Food Allergies

●       Skin Allergies also known as allergic contact dermatitis (contact eczema)

●       Nasal Allergies also known as Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial)

●       Asthmatic bronchitis

●       Occupational Asthma

●       Insect hypersensitivity

Those who suffer from allergies  know the discomfort and anxiety that such a condition brings. While most allergic attacks can be prevented and easily managed, thousands of Arizona still suffer from allergies on a regular basis. The presence of allergens in our desert environment and foods, plus the lack of sufficient awareness about allergies play a major role in the increasing number of allergic attacks.

Don’t let allergies take over your life or your children's!

Typical Allergy Symptoms Seen in Phoenix:

●       Adverse reactions to insect stings, drugs, and food

●       Eye tearing, itching or red eyes

●       Coughing, wheezing and difficulties with breathing

●       Problems in the immune system that lead to frequent infections

●       Sinus infections

●       Itchy skin or red bumps on the skin, hives

●       Anaphylactic shock

●       Angioedema

With over 20 years of experience, you are sure to receive special medical attention from our top rated Phoenix allergists and asthma specialists who have deep understandings of allergies and asthma, and their underlying causes.

We have 5 clinics valleywide which offer treatment plans for children and adults of all ages that are being affected by symptoms of allergy or asthma.  Please contact us today at 602-242-4592 so that we can help you STOP the persistent allergic reactions and other immunologic problems!

What is Allergy Immunology

Immunology is a very broad branch of biological science. It is commonly defined as the study of the immune system. In medicine, an immunologist is a specialist who uses his knowledge to evaluate, diagnose and manage patients with immunological disorders like asthma, food allergies, sinusitis, and more. In Phoenix, immunologists is commonly referred to as  allergists.

Specially Licensure:

An allergy immunologist such as Dr. Habib-Khazen and Dr Alasaly had to go through years of education and training in order to learn how to treat and manage allergies and asthma.

Our doctors must complete a medical degree, and then, train as a physician in either pediatrics or internal medicine. Once training has been completed, the physician must pass either the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics.

To become an immunologist, a physician must undergo an additional two years of study (fellowship) focusing on immunology, and  pass the American Board of Allergy and Immunology’s certifying exam.

An allergist/immunologist's education and training doesn't stop there. Because immunology is applied to several other scientific disciplines, new discoveries in the field are continually being made. To remain a certified immunologist in Phoenix, continued medical education is  necessary in order to keep up with the latest news and remain competent in the field.

The Role of the Allergy/Immunologist:

Unlike other types of diseases, allergic disease isn’t a condition that can “go away” easily. Some people dismiss allergies and regard them as a mere nuisance. Patients who suffer from allergies know that this condition can  be debilitating and  keep them from their daily routines.

An effective Phoenix immunologist diagnoses the condition and provides a management plan to help the patient manage his allergy or asthma better, reducing the number of times the patient misses school or work because he/she has to stay at home to rest. The immunologist uses different allergy tests to determine what a patient is allergic to and what triggers allergic reactions. These tests include allergy skin testing, pulmonary function testing, penicillin testing, food testing, chemical and food patch testing, and venom and stinging insect testing.

Consult our Allergy Asthma Clinics which are renowned for the quality of care:

When in need of comprehensive treatment options, you can rely on our dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and staff to work with you in helping you better manage your asthmatic allergy or respiratory/sinus concerns. By working with our  certified and experienced team at our Phoenix clinic or another location, you will find out exactly the cause of your condition, what triggers your asthma or allergic reaction, and how you can effectively manage it.

Find out why 1000s of patients have chosen us to be their Phoenix immunologists!  Please call NOW to schedule appointment at 602-242-4592! 

Do I Have Asthma, or am I Just Out of Shape?

Can’t make it to a 10 count without gasping for air? It may not be an exercise routine that’s too difficult for you – it may be asthma, or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) to be precise. How can your Phoenix asthma specialist tell the difference?

Diving into EIB:

One in 10 experience exercise-induced bronchospasm – when airway muscle spasms constrict airflow. This asthma-related coughing or shortness of breath typically occurs 5 to 10 minutes after exercise starts or ends. It is typically accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness, and fatigue, and may be more pronounced in cold, dry environments.

Drop and give me 20:

A  Phoenix asthma specialist can diagnose this condition with the help of breathing tests performed after exercise and while resting. They will also take a thorough medical history to identify other potential triggers, which can worsen this condition, such as air pollution, high pollen counts and respiratory infections.

Reaching your potential:

Luckily, a diagnosis of EIB doesn’t mean the end of exercise goals. A trained allergy and asthma doctor can help you reach new heights with lifestyle changes and proper treatment, including:

• Proper hydration.
• Effective warm-ups and cool-downs that will benefit your condition.
• The prescription of inhaled bronchodilators such as albuterol or formoterol before exercise as bronchospasm prevention or as needed for symptom relief.
• Identifying environmental triggers.
• Advice on new exercise routines or ways to minimize exposure to environmental triggers, such as wearing a scarf during cold weather, exercising in a climate-controlled environment, and more.

Tired of struggling through your exercise routine? Don’t throw in the towel – take it to the next level. Find a Phoenix asthma specialist near you today.

Egg Allergy: Unscrambling the Symptoms

If you or your child aren’t feeling on the sunny side after your morning scramble, it could be egg allergy. The second most common food allergy after milk, egg allergy reactions can vary from person to person, making them difficult to confirm without a food allergy skin test.

An omelet of allergy symptoms:

Reactions to egg in allergic individuals can vary drastically each time they occur, and can include…

• Skin inflammation or hives (the most common reaction).
• Runny nose and sneezing.
• Congestion, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.
• Digestive upset: cramps, nausea, vomiting.
• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency presenting as dizziness, rapid pulse, constriction of airways and swelling of the throat that make it difficult to breathe.

Don’t let egg allergies poach your health:

If these symptoms are experienced shortly after eating eggs or egg-containing foods, an immediate consultation with an allergist including an allergy skin test is warranted, as reactions could worsen rapidly or over time.

Egg allergy skin tests are over-easy:

To confirm the allergy, a drop of liquid egg extract is placed on the skin of the forearm or back, which is then gently punctured by a special device. If the skin reddens, or more importantly, if it swells, the egg allergy is confirmed.

Hard boiled treatment:

Living with an egg allergy mostly involves a little foresight and common sense. Those effected by egg allergy are advised to have quick access to an epinephrine auto-injector in case of anaphylactic reaction. As is apparent, eggs and products containing eggs should be avoided. Be sure to read the labels of all packaged food products, which are required to list use of eggs on the label. Common sources include:

Pasta/macaroni

Baked goods

Mayo

Marshmallows

Nougat

Marzipan

Meringue

Surimi

Lecithin

Albumin

Take charge of your health and start looking on the sunnier side of things. Uncover the truth. Schedule a food allergy skin test at an allergy doctor near you today.

What Allergy Sufferers Should Know Before Moving to the Desert

If you suffer from allergies –particularly if they are severe-, you might think moving out to the desert will help relieve your symptoms. However, what seems like the perfect solution might actually wind up making your allergies worse, or causing you to develop new ones. While you might not have the tree pollen you’re allergic to, deserts often have winds that whip up dust and sand. In addition, many desert communities have added golf courses to attract vacationers and retirees, which means extra grass pollen, dust, and spores are kicked into the air every time the greens are mowed or otherwise manicured. Lastly, while you may have left behind what you were allergic to back home, your immune system may inevitably develop sensitivities to the trees and vegetation in your new desert home, leaving you miserable all over again. 

Why does this happen? Blame the fundamental cause of allergies: your immune system. An allergy develops when your body’s immune system mistakes something harmless –such as ragweed, grass, tree pollen, or dust- for a harmful pathogen and mounts a defense against it. It’s that immune response that causes the classic allergy symptoms that make you so miserable. When you move to a different climate, you might be able to escape your allergies for a few years. But as you grow accustomed to the new climate and environment, your immune system may find new potential allergens to latch onto, which starts the allergy cycle all over again. 

So how can you make your transition to a new location as smooth and symptom free as possible? Check in with your doctor or an allergist at an allergy and asthma clinic. They can discuss your symptoms with you, educate you on potential allergy risks in the area you will be moving to, and recommend a course of treatment that may help mitigate your symptoms.

Quit Wheezing....Enjoy the rest of spring!

Whether it's trees, flowers, and grasses in bloom, or animal dander, this spring is ripe with Arizona pollen and allergens. The contradictions inherent in allergy symptoms can be confusing. Your eyes might be itchy while also being dry or watery; your nose might be stuffy or runny. Instead of hunkering down and staying inside, or avoiding pets as much as you can, an allergist can determine the cause of your symptoms and eventually relieve them.

How do allergies work? Why do allergies have contradictory symptoms?

Allergic responses occur when an irritant disrupts your physiology and your body mounts an immune response to it.

For example, if you inhale some pollen that you're allergic to, a mild irritation can produce a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes. These are signs that your body is trying to flush out the irritant and return to homeostasis.With continued exposure to the irritant, your body's methods of "washing away" the pollen has become ineffective, and the inflammation associated with the immune response can cause swelling of the nasal passages, resulting in an uncomfortable, stuffy nose.

Over-the-counter antihistamines might alleviate mild allergic symptoms, and prescription medications such as steroid nasal sprays and decongestants can help manage more severe symptoms.

Allergies—like many other things—are individual; each person might have an unique profile of allergens that provoke responses.

With a personalized allergy evaluation of your situation, an Scottsdale allergy specialist can propose an appropriate course of action. Available structured immunotherapy treatments include shots and sublingual drops, which is becoming more common. An allergist can properly assess the onset, triggers, severity, and duration of your allergy symptoms so that you can enjoy spring again.

Allergies and Arizona Cats- how to create peace!

What do you do if you've just found out someone in your family is allergic to your beloved cat? Arizona is full of allergens from desert blooms and pollution, so adding a pet can be difficult. The truth is that the best thing to do is to find another home for your pet. However, if that is too emotionally hard to do, here are some steps to try before you make that final decision:

1. Start allergy shots for family members who are allergic.
2. Limit the allergic person's contact with the cat. If they do touch the cat, be sure they wash their hands and change clothes.
3. Keep the cat out of bedrooms and keep the door closed.
4. Get a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for your vacuum and be sure to vacuum your house often.
5. Do a thorough vacuum of the area where the person with allergies sleeps. Then wash all of the fabric in the room, including sheets, pillows, comforters and curtains. Be sure to dust away any surfaces, especially places the cat likes to go.
6. Get allergy covers for pillows and mattresses. That will help protect the person from pet dander that has already seeped in, as well as preventing more pet dander from building up.
7. Get a HEPA allergy air filter for the bedroom and keep the door closed while you use it.
8. Be ready to give more medications to control that person's allergies.

Be sure to consult with your Scottsdale Allergy and Asthma doctor about the steps you have taken and let them help you adjust your home environment and medication. You may be able to keep your pet if you are willing to do the work it takes to keep your family member healthy.

Diagnosing asthma in young children is difficult, but early diagnosis is essential to reducing asthma related flare ups and complications. Doctors have an especially difficult time diagnosing asthma in young kids because many viral illnesses mimic asthma symptoms. A Scottsdale asthma doctor explains the signs parents should watch for in their children.

The most common asthma symptoms in children include coughing, wheezing, troubling breathing, and recurring bronchitis. Children with asthma may experience a tight or uncomfortable feeling in their chest. However this can be much more difficult to spot because younger children have trouble communicating their symptoms. Parents should be particularly mindful if they notice decreased activity in their toddler due to breathlessness. If your child avoids running and playing or becomes tired quickly and begins coughing during physical activity, be sure to mention these symptoms to their physician.  

Further complicating diagnosis is the fact that some children experience few symptoms on a daily basis, but experience severe asthma attacks on other occasions. Other children will experience mild symptoms almost constantly and show an increase in symptoms during physical activities or when exposed to allergens. Smoke and seasonal allergies are well known for triggering asthma activity.

One of the premier asthma doctors in Arizona encourages parents who believe their child is suffering from asthma or asthma related symptoms to consult with their doctor. Parents have the most contact with their children and are in the best position to recognize symptoms of this complicated condition. Early diagnosis is crucial to help children live full and healthy lives.

It’s a NEW YEAR!!! Time to quit suffering from allergies

The army of allergy sufferers in this world know how difficult it is to live with their symptoms throughout the year. Although there are spikes in various allergens within your local environment at different times of the year, leaving allergies untreated means you are often miserable. That's why it is important to trust your health to your Scottsdale Allergist at a local allergy or asthma clinic

Living with Allergies

This is a tall order for anyone who didn't grow up with allergies. At any time, your body can react to allergens. Sometimes, the symptoms get so severe that you don't want to get out of bed. Here are a few: headaches, shortness of breath, a feeling that your chest is swollen, clogged ears, a constant drip in the back of your throat, a scratchy feeling, swollen glands, blurry, itchy, and watery eyes, and constant fatigue.

Allergies have the power to affect your whole body. Oftentimes, it takes mind over body just to get through the day. And, if you have had allergies for any period of time, a daily antihistamine is not worth much more than a sugar pill. It only works on a good day when you believe in it. That's the placebo effect. The rest of the time, the antihistamine is worthless.

Long-term solutions to allergies, whether seasonal or year-round, come with time. Trust your care to a talented allergy and asthma specialist. Our doctors are caring people who want to review all of your medical history and treat you as a whole patient. There will be things that you need to do to adjust your diet and remove allergens from your home. The total effect of medical treatments and small lifestyle changes will be worth it. Without the effects of allergies, you will have more energy and start to enjoy life again.

Ask us how allergy relief begins. Our allergy doctors can help.

Have You Educated School Staff About Your Child's Allergies & Asthma Needs?

If your child has recently undergone allergy testing in Phoenix, you may feel overwhelmed by the burden of keeping their allergies and asthma under control once the school year begins. Is it possible to control symptoms when your child away from home? Will medication be accessible if it’s needed? When it comes to controlling your child’s allergies and asthma, you need to have a lesson plan.

The ABC’s of asthma and allergy education
For successful control of allergy and asthma symptoms, every person in your child’s life must be informed. Having a plan in place at home, at school, and other places of activity is your best defense against failure. Your lesson plan won’t work if it’s not shared with those who can act on it.

Crib notes: Providing a reference for school staff…

• Teachers
  Train teachers about your child’s allergy and asthma triggers. Sniffling, sneezing, and wheezing can be reduced when they are kept under control.
   
• Staff
  Teach staff, including the principal and the nurse, about how to handle your child’s allergy and asthma emergencies, such as the administration of asthma and anaphylaxis medication. All 50 states protect your child’s access to these medications at school. All staff should know how to administer these medications to your child should they be unable to handle it themselves.
   
• Coach
  Help coach, physical education teachers, and playground monitors bone up on how activities can trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). It is possible to enjoy exercise and activities while keeping symptoms under control, but it is imperative school staff knows how to handle an asthma-related event.
   
• Parents
  Other parents should also be informed about your child’s food allergies if your child’s school allows outside treats to be brought in for special occasions. Off-limit items should be made known to your child, other parents, and school staff.

Have you done your homework?
If your child is suffering from allergies or asthma, the care of an allergy specialist is essential. Identifying and avoiding triggers is key to happy, symptom-free life. Treatments such as immunotherapy and allergy shots can reduce and prevent the development of symptoms, keeping your child in school and ensuring a brighter, healthier future.

Unsure what your child is allergic to? Allergy testing in Phoenix can help. Educate yourself and your child for a brighter, more allergy-free future!

6 Simple Tips for Reducing Fall Allergies

Your allergist in Avondale knows fall can be a miserable time for allergy sufferers. Why do fall allergies seem to wreak more havoc than in the spring? Cooler weather and changing foliage leading plants and weeds to release pollens, in addition to the additional punch of outdoor molds proliferating under fallen leaves.

Before ragweed and other fall allergens have you running to your allergist-immunologist, try implementing these simple, common sense tips for foiling fall allergies:

1. Plan ahead.
   Before you plan outdoor activities, check pollen counts, scheduling events for when pollen is at its lowest.
    
2. Take an antihistamine.
   Consult your allergist in Avondale to determine the best over the counter antihistamines to take before heading outdoors.
    
3. Reduce exposure.
   If you can’t skip outdoor activities, consider donning a mask and leaving tasks until the middle of the day when pollen is at its lowest. Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning hours
    
4. Stay clean.
   Your home – and your body. Wash off as soon as possible after spending time outside. When possible, change clothes before entering your home to prevent distributing allergens inside. Store shoes outside, and don’t hang clothes out to dry either.
    

Make sure air conditioning system is clean!
When allergy season is in full bloom, close your windows and let your heating and air system help you keep indoor air clear of allergens. Change your filter regularly, particularly during allergy season. To prevent the distribution of allergens throughout your home.  Also, investing in a HEPA air filter would be worthwhile! Don’t hide out in your home, manager allergies with ease this fall season. With these simple tips and the help of your immunologist, you too can get back to enjoying the great outdoors!