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. 

Living a Full Life With an Asthma Diagnosis

There may have been a day and age when a diagnosis of asthma could stop any man, woman, or child in their tracks. Today, however, living a full life with asthma is not an impossible task, especially if you get the help of a trained, knowledgeable allergy/asthma specialist in Glendale, AZ. So take three deep breaths and check out these tips.

First Breath: Have a Professional in Your Corner

Actually, the first step in living life beyond asthma is making scheduled visits to a specialist who is trained to correctly guide you and is familiar with the ins and outs of asthma. Find an allergist in Glendale who knows the causes and facts of the illness and how to help you best manage life so that you will thrive.

Second Breath: Create a Plan for Treatment

When you meet our allergy specialists about your symptoms, listen carefully to their instructions. They may recommend you incorporate the following into your treatment plan: medications (quick-relief and ongoing), immunotherapy injections for allergies, anti-IgE treatments, and vaccines.

A plan should have some action to it, a "what to do in case of an attack". Some circumstances are worsened by differing situations. Having an awareness of what may trigger your asthma will empower you to live the life you want.

Third Breath: Illness Reduction

Many times, asthma can be triggered by respiratory illnesses and/or pollutants in the air. Taking good care of your body and avoiding colds, the flu, and various bronchial infections will add an extra layer of protection to the care of your lungs.

Live the Life You Deserve

Having a plan in place can help you overcome many obstacles presented by asthma. Things that would otherwise be difficult (such as traveling, exercise induced asthma, or pregnancy) can become not just manageable but no problem at all.

If you are ready to discuss ways to live a full life - in spite of asthma - call or schedule an appointment today with a Phoenix area clinic to get testing at the Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates , P.C. Professional allergists, helping the Glendale, AZ area breathe a little easier.

Asthma: Factors That Increase Your Asthma Risk & Decrease Your Health

Asthma is one of the most insidious diseases around. It comes on without warning and is seemingly exacerbated by a host of unrelated issues. In short, it is a real impediment for sufferers who want to live life to the fullest. With those facts in mind, here are a few things that our Arizona asthma doctors want the sufferer to be made aware of  order to minimize their susceptibility to the disease:

Man-made pollutants – Smoke, sulfites and other airborne particulates created by modern technology are a significant trigger of asthma attacks in the Phoenix area. Remaining indoors while at home or keeping the windows up while traveling are simple fixes that can really help during the allergy season.

Natural substances – It is not just man-made irritants that are a problem as everything from pollen and pet dander to dust mites and particles of cockroach waste can trigger an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

Food allergies – While generally not recognized by the general public, anaphylactic shock from food allergies is one of the most potent promoters of asthma in an unsuspecting patient. The body's natural desire to rid itself of the

Phoenix and the surrounding Maricopa County area is just now starting to hit the worst part of the allergy season – September through the end of November. For more information on avoiding the worst of the asthma and asthmatic allergies, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C..

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.

Can Food Allergies Be Treated?

Like any other allergy, a food allergy develops when your body's immune system mistakes an innocuous material for a harmful invader. Your immune system builds antibodies against that material, which leads to the allergy symptoms you may experience. Unlike many allergies, food allergies are one group that has the potential to be dangerous; allergies to foods such as nuts can lead to anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. For most people, living with food allergies means totally avoiding the food that triggers the reaction; peanut allergy sufferers cannot eat any products that contain peanuts, for example. But can food allergies be treated? Like most allergies, it depends on the severity of the allergy and method of treatment. Remember to consult your doctor (or your child's pediatric allergy doctor, if your child is the one with allergies) before attempting to treat any allergy.

For mild allergies, over-the-counter treatments can work. For example, a mild allergy from eating shellfish might cause you to break out in hives. But taking Benadryl or similar antiistamines might alleviate the symptoms and make you more comfortable. If your allergies cause you to break out in an itchy rash, an oral or topical steroid cream may help alleviate the symptoms and speed up healing.

Unfortunately, for severe allergies that risk causing anaphylaxis, your best bet for treatment after exposure is to have an Epi-Pen with you at all times. An Epi-Pen is a device that's filled with Epinephrine (Adrenaline), which can counteract the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis long enough for you to reach a hospital for further care. Once at the hospital, additional drugs will be administered for treatment, such as steroids, anti-histamines, and asthma medications if needed.

As with anything allergy related, speak with your doctor or allergist for allergy treatement recommendations for your specific allergies. Your doctor may also be able to recommend allergy shots, or other ways of potentially desensitizing you to allergens

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.

Scottsdale Allergies & Pets: Can Allergy Sufferers have pets without being miserable?

It's no secret that Scottsdale residents love their pets.  Dogs and cats become beloved members of the family. But sadly, they often also make allergy sufferers in Arizona miserable.

What are the signs of an allergic reaction? If you find yourself or one of your family members wheezing, sneezing, having itchy eyes, or even breaking out into a rash, the culprit could be allergies – and this can happen at any time, even if you haven't had allergies previously.

Fortunately, in most cases, you won't have to give up your furry family member!!!

How to handle pet allergies

Make bedrooms off-limits
Mattresses, comforters, and pillows are magnets to hair and dander. You spend hours every day breathing deeply as you sleep, which can trigger severe reactions. Keeping pets out of bedrooms minimizes the risk of these reactions.

Start allergy shots and medications as directed by your Scottsdale allergist  
Most children will outgrow allergies if you start shots as soon as you know there's a problem, and adults, too, are usually able to continue to live with pets once they're treated.

Use HEPA filters in the house and in your vacuum
HEPA air filters used throughout the house will help keep allergens out of the air. Use a HEPA filter in your vacuum as well so that dander and fur is captured rather than dispersed into the air.

Bathe pets often
While bathing isn't usually a problem with dogs, you might find it next to impossible with cats. In that case, simply wipe your pet down with a damp cloth.

Use protective casings on pillows and mattresses
Even though you're keeping pets out of bedrooms, it's still a good idea to cover pillows and mattresses in special anti-allergenic casings. Dander and fur can still be carried into bedrooms, and the casings will ensure that mattresses and pillows stay clean and fresh.

There IS another treatment for allergies!

If this sounds familiar or do you have tried these solutions and believe you or your child may be suffering from cat allergies Reach out to a top Scottsdale allergy clinic for assistance, and their special allergy testing - and you or your family member can feel well again!