Pins and Needles: The Allergy Skin Prick Test – What To Know!

For those unlucky Arizonans, seasonal allergies are the pits. The pollens that bring sneezing, itchy and swollen eyes, and all around misery can really put a cramp in our desert lifestyle. Many allergy sufferers will at some point wind up at doctors office for a skin prick test (SPT) to determine which pollens and allergens they are allergic to. The results of this test can help you avoid your particular triggers, whether it's staying indoors during prime grass season or taking allergy medicine before you leave the house. The skin prick test itself is straightforward type of allergy testing, but knowing what to expect can help ease anxieties if the idea of getting this test puts you on pins and needles.

                         

Allergy Testing – What to Expect

The first part of your appointment should be familiar. The nurse will take your height, weight and blood pressure. You'll settle into a room and wait for the doctor. The allergist will come in and ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how you are feeling and will look in your eyes, nose and throat. He'll also listen to your heart and lungs. This is the time to discuss how your current allergy medications are working for you and what you hope to gain from the appointment. The visit may lead to new medications or even allergy shots if your symptoms to certain pollens are severe.

After the allergy doctor talks with you, the nurse will give you some privacy so that you can strip down to your waist. You'll put on a gown without a back and lie down on a table. When the nurse comes in, she'll have with her all of the allergens that they will be testing.

"For seasonal allergies, you can expect us to test your body on about 50 to 60 different types of allergens, mostly grasses, weeds, trees and a few molds."

The nurse will quickly mark your back in rows with a sharpie or dry erase marker to create a map of sorts. The allergens are all sterile and are administered using a lancet, which barely breaks the skin. It is done very quickly and is usually over in about a minute. You may experience mild discomfort or even a ticklish sensation during the process. A control, which is always histamine, will also be applied. Everyone has histamine in their body, but it can affect them differently. Certain people don't react to histamine right away, and this means that the test may be difficult to diagnose.

You will be left for about 25 minutes while the allergens do their work and your body reacts. Once the allotted time is past, she will come back in with a chart and will check the results on your back and mark them down. Once finished, she'll create a printout for you to keep that shows your results, and the doctor will come back in to talk to you. Your allergist will discuss your reactions to the various allergens, such as the size of the wheal and flare, which are the bumps and redness that your back will develop. He will also explain what the numbers mean for you and what treatments might be necessary going forward.

Having knowledge of what pollens and desert allergens affect your body will give you the power to ease your symptoms, whether it's through avoidance or treatment. Allergy skin prick testing is complete and straightforward with hardly any discomfort to speak of.

Set up an appointment today for our skin allergy testing to find out what your triggers are so that you can put yourself back in the driver's seat this summer.

This blog content originally posted @ https://allergyarizona.net/pins-and-needles-the-allergy-skin-prick-test-what-to-know/

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.

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

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.

Scottsdale Allergist: Signs and Symptoms of Food Allergies

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.

Things Your Immunologist Wishes You Knew About Allergies

It goes without saying enduring allergy symptoms is a miserable experience. Add to that allergy ignorance, and you’re looking at long-term suffering. Fortunately, that suffering can be alleviated. Unfortunately, your Glendale Asthma & Allergy Clinic may assume you have the necessary information to address the situation when, in fact, you’re seriously in the dark.

Shed some light on stubborn allergy symptoms with these potentially missing links:

If the immunologist at your local allergy and asthma clinic could get in your head, you might discover…

• You may be taking the wrong medication
  Avoiding the doctor with over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamines isn’t helping. Prescription steroid nasal sprays and prescribed antihistamines work significantly better.

• You waited too long
  Starting medication prescribed by your allergy or asthma doctor after allergies set-in makes treatment difficult.

• You need some personal space from your pet
  Keeping them out of your bedroom will make a huge difference – as will a HEPA air purifier.

• Your pet’s NOT hypoallergenic
  He might shed less hair, but you could be allergic to dander or saliva.

• You DO need those expensive bedding covers
  Pillow and mattress encasings between 2-4 microns prevent dust mite migration for those with dust mite related allergies.

• Neti pots work
  Even allergists use them.

• You can’t outrun allergies
  No matter how far away you move, you could develop allergies anywhere at any time. And if you’re allergic to one kind of pollen, it increases your likelihood of developing allergies to other (new) pollens.

• You don’t have to suffer
  Though you might feel like it, you won’t die from allergic rhinitis. But suffering through them without visiting the immunologist won’t win you a medal. Untreated symptoms could end up costing you more in sinus and ear infections – and lost sleep. Stop waiting for spontaneous remission and get help. 

Tired of sneezing your way through the day? Find an allergy and asthma clinic near you today!

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.

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

Food Allergies in Children

On the rise at your local Arizona allergy and asthma clinics food allergies in children, to the tune of an increase around 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. That’s one in every 13 children, over 38 percent of which have a history of severe allergic reactions. Is your child effected by this potentially deadly issue?  

Food allergy suspects: Repeat offenders
The most common food allergens seen in an allergy and asthma clinic are allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. These eight foods account for 90 percent of all reactions. Even trace amounts can cause an allergic response. With over 30 percent of children with food allergies having sensitivities to multiple items, that’s a huge possibility of allergic reaction.

Keep kids safe - learn the signs of food allergies!
Within minutes to up to two hours after eating, food allergy reactions may be mild to severe, including…

• Hives or itchy skin rashes.
• Swelling of the lips and face.
• Swollen, itchy, watery eyes.
• Swelling of the mouth or throat.
• Runny nose.
• Repetitive cough.
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing.
• Stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Handling a severe food allergy reaction in your child
Every 3 minutes, someone is seen in an emergency room for a food allergy. To keep your child from becoming a statistic, it pays to be proactive.

• Identify food allergies with the help of your local allergy and asthma clinic.
• Consider medical identification jewelry.
• Don’t take chances with problem foods. Reactions can worsen, and allergy medications are not foolproof.
• When eating away from home, always read labels and ask questions to ensure food safety.
• If you are at risk of severe food allergy reactions or anaphylaxis, keep doses of epinephrine (adrenaline) on you at all times for administration via auto-injector.
• Make sure prescriptions are up-to-date.
• Ensure your child, family members, and those who see your child on a regular basis (teachers, coaches, etc.) are aware of your child’s food allergy, as well as how and when to administer emergency medication.
• If your child experiences a severe allergic response, don’t wait, treat symptoms immediately!
• ALWAYS call 9-1-1 immediately following an anaphylactic reaction, even if medication appears to have resolved symptoms.

Food allergies don’t have to take over your life. Avoid anaphylaxis and effectively manage food allergies with the help of your local allergy and asthma clinic today!

“Facts and Statistics.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats.
“Allergy Statistics.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx
“Food Allergy Training Guide for Hospital and Food Service Staff.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=149
“About Anaphylaxis.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/anaphylaxis
“FAACT Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team Brochure.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergyawareness.org/media/faactbrochure/FAACT%20Brochure.pdf