Take the Sting Out of Gardening!
I want your gardening experience to be fun and safe from stinging insects such as yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and bees. Gardening means being outside in the fresh air with flowers; that is where stinging insects are found as well. Different sting reactions can predict …
Expired Epinephrine Still Delivers!
With the incredible price increases in some self-injectable epinephrine auto-injectors, I commonly hear patients ask whether they can use them after the expiration date. Scientific studies have addressed this question. A study of 31 unused, expired EpiPens and 9 EpiPen, Jr devices was published by …
Allergy skin testing children-No needles, please!
Allergy skin testing continues to be a most valuable method to identify allergies. Even in children, the skin test may be better tolerated than attempting to obtain a blood sample. In the above photo (circa 1996), a patient is tolerating the skin testing like a …
Don’t Hop to Allergy Conclusions on Easter!
Easter is a blessed holiday frequently spent with family and friends. Easter celebrations bring several potential allergy exposures (food, pollen, latex and pets). How to prepare for an “allergy-safe” Easter: Host: If you are the host, don’t assume your guests do not have allergies—that can …
Does Chocolate Allergy Exist or is it a Myth??
Chocolate allergy? Yes, unfortunately, allergic reactions to chocolate confections can occur; and DO! How much chocolate is eaten each year? According to Euromonitor, Americans are major choco-holics, consuming 18% of the world’s supply of chocolate in 2015 amounting to $18.27 billion. However, the U.S. ranks …
An Eye Witness Account of Anaphylaxis!
She was lying quietly on the bathroom floor. I asked if she was alright and only heard a muffled, unintelligible response. I ran downstairs and told my dad “something is wrong with mom.” We quickly went back upstairs and realized something was very wrong! My …
Decoding Food Allergies: Break the Code
Do you want to know how severe your milk, egg or peanut allergy can be? These tests can help! Allergies to egg, peanut and cow’s milk are among the most common food allergies affecting children. These reactions can range from serious, life threatening reactions (such …
Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?
It’s time to prepare for Valentine’s Day! This holiday is known for romantic dinners (“Feast of St. Valentine”), confectionery (chocolate) and handmade Valentines. Individuals with food allergies need to take special precautions on this day. Romantic Dinners: Common: ingestion of shellfish (especially shrimp, crab and …
Poinsettia Pitfalls for the Allergic Prone!
The poinsettia plant also known as Euphorbia pulcherrima is one species of the diverse Spurge family that is native to Mexico and Central America. The bright red and green leaves make it an especially delightful decoration during the Christmas season. The common name comes from …
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Be my Allergy-Safe Valentine!
So, it’s that special day…celebrating with a nice dinner, flowers and candy. Seems innocent enough, except— what is in that candy? Chocolate candy contains chocolate (not a very common allergy), milk (the most common food allergy in young children), peanuts or nuts (the #1 cause …