Here’s something you don’t hear every day: Got allergies? Go outside.

Okay, so maybe the cure to the sniffles isn’t as simple as that. But new research shows that kids who grow up in a rural area are less likely to develop allergies and other ...]]> Kids who grow up in rural areas are less likely to develop asthma or allergic diseases. By Melissa Romero

Kids who grow up in rural areas are less susceptible to developing allergies or asthma later in life. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user jiangkeren.

We are thrilled to reveal the winner of the first ever Allergy and Asthma Care Centers’ “Key Ingredient” Contest!  If necessity is the mother of invention, then this recipe was a necessity for one special mother who faced deadly food allergies with courage and creativity.  Here’s her story and the winning recipe:

When faced with caring for a newborn with extreme food allergies any mom might reach for comfort food to cope.  But for Washington-area allergy mom Devin D. comfort food wasn’t an option.

We are thrilled to reveal the winner of the first ever Allergy and Asthma Care Centers’ “Key Ingredient” Contest!  If necessity is the mother of invention, then this recipe was a necessity for one special mother who faced deadly food allergies with courage and creativity.  Here’s her story and the winning recipe:

When faced with caring for a newborn with extreme food allergies any mom might reach for comfort food to cope.  But for Washington-area allergy mom Devin D. comfort food wasn’t an option.

Just weeks old, Devin’s infant daughter Jordan began to develop a “snake skin” rash and one terrifying night her eyes swelled shut.

“I panicked and called the pediatrician at 2:00 in the morning,” said Devin, “He said ‘that sounds like an allergy.’”  And it was.  In fact, Baby Jordan is allergic to dairy, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, legumes, and coconut.  Too young for solids, Baby Jordan was being exposed to dangerous allergens through her mother’s breast milk and Devin was immediately put on an elimination diet: if Baby Jordan couldn’t consume it, neither could her mother.

“I was living on Rice Crispies and knew this wasn’t going to last long,” said Devin.  Like so many allergy moms who struggle to identify foods their children can safely eat, Devin started the desperate search for appealing foods she could eat without triggering another terrifying allergy attack in Baby Jordan after nursing.  She headed into the kitchen, grabbed a favorite family recipe for Macaroni and Cheese and started making substitutions.  But finding the right ingredients and cooking methods took time, “I’ve always been the kind of person who can never follow the recipe like it is.  So this has been fun for me.  The third time was the charm!”

The recipe was not only a winner with Devin and her family; it is the official winner of the first Allergy and Asthma Care Centers’ “Key Ingredient” Contest:

Dairy-free, Soy-free, Vegan Baked Macaroni and Cheese

with White Cheese Sauce, Veggies, and Sausage

by Devin D. of nomyumfree.com

White Cheese Sauce: (double recipe for a large casserole dish)

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 cup vanilla rice milk

pepper (to taste)

1 tbsp spicy mustard

sea salt – ground fine (to taste)

¼ tsp granulated garlic (or garlic powder)

dairy-free, soy-free cheeses – shredded or cut small (like Rice Vegan)

Casserole:

1 box of cooked noodles (my husband prefers penne, but I also like rotini)

frozen vegetables (optional but recommended)

faux (or turkey for non-vegan) meat (like Field Roast Italian Sausage) (optional)

Casserole Prep:  Preheat oven to 350°.  In a large casserole dish, combine noodles, vegetables, and meats.  Stir to evenly distribute ingredients.  Set aside.

White Cheese Sauce:  Heat oil in a saucepan.  Briskly whisk in flour.  Continue whisking while mixture cooks for about 1 minute, being careful not to burn.  Add milk while whisking.  Stir in pepper, mustard, and garlic.  Cook until thickens (about 5 minutes) – stirring constantly.  Add cheese (amount to your liking), and continue cooking and stirring until cheese has melted almost completely.

Casserole:  Pour cheese sauce over casserole ingredients, and stir to distribute evenly.  Sprinkle shredded (or finely cut) cheese on top of casserole.  Bake for approximately 35 – 40 minutes.  (For creamier macaroni and cheese, bake covered for 15-20 minutes, and then remove cover before cooking for remaining time.)

Note:  This dish can be made ahead.  After adding white cheese sauce, simply refrigerate or freeze.  When ready to prepare, thaw or let come to room temperature before baking.

Compelled to help other allergy moms, Devin has started a blog (hyperlink: http://nomyumfree.com/) to share her allergy friendly recipes and other food allergy information.  She recommends that everyone learn about the dangers and symptoms of food allergies, “It’s important for people whose children don’t have allergies to educate themselves about it.  It’s a very scary thing.  It’s a life or death situation and I think most people don’t realize how serious it is.”

Devin D. is mother to 7-month-old food allergy sufferer Baby Jordan and 3-year-old Aidan.  She lives in suburban Maryland.  For submitting the winning recipe Devin will receive a $25 iTunes gift card. 

For more information about how to modify recipes to allow for a food allergy in your family, contact one of the eight Allergy and Asthma Care Centers in the Washington, DC metro area today!

In the United States alone, an average of one out of every 10 school-aged children have asthma.  It is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood.  In addition, asthma is a leading cause of hospital emergency room visits and school absenteeism.

According to the CDC, the prevalence of asthma in adults in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland, is over 1.2 million, with a daunting 660,055 in VA alone.  Further, prevalence of asthma in children under the age of 18 in these same States is ...]]>  

In the United States alone, an average of one out of every 10 school-aged children have asthma.  It is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood.  In addition, asthma is a leading cause of hospital emergency room visits and school absenteeism.

According to the CDC, the prevalence of asthma in adults in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland, is over 1.2 million, with a daunting 660,055 in VA alone.  Further, prevalence of asthma in children under the age of 18 in these same States is almost 325,000, with the greatest concentration of patients in MD (158,500).

In response to these alarming statistics, and in an effort to raise public awareness of the risks faced everyday by almost 25 million Americans living with asthma, Allergy and Asthma Care Centers is joining the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to participate in Asthma Awareness Month and World Asthma Day.  All across the world, events are being held in May as part of Asthma Awareness Month.

Want to learn more or get involved? We encourage you to check out the EPA’s Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit to see if there is anything your business, clinic, or school can do to raise awareness of this life-threatening, chronic disease that CAN be controlled.

We also recommend you take the time to investigate these great asthma-related organizations, the unique resources they offer and some of the events/activities they are doing to bring attention to World Asthma Day and Asthma Awareness Month:

Allergy and Asthma Network
Mothers of Asthmatics
1-800-878-4403
http://www.aanma.org

• Hosting Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill 2012 on May 9 and 10 where they will have a conversation with Congress about healthcare and the impact on people with asthma.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 
414-272-6071
http://www.aaaai.org

• Involved in several service and stewardship initiatives such as the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Education and Research Trust (ARTrust^TM) which is dedicated to finding treatments and cures for the millions suffering from allergies, asthma and other immunologic diseases by supporting education and research.

American Academy of Pediatrics 
847-434-4000
http://www.aap.org

• Check out their highly-acclaimed book: Allergies and Asthma: What Every Parent Needs to Know.

American Association for Respiratory Care 
972-243-2272
http://www.aarc.org

• Visit their site for more resources to help develop your asthma management skills as World Asthma Day approaches.

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 
847-427-1200
http://www.acaai.org

• Sponsors of the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program, a tool to help you find free asthma and nasal allergy screenings across the country.

American College of CHEST Physicians 
847-498-1400, 1-800-343-2227
http://www.chestnet.org

• Member coalitions on the state level to raise awareness of asthma are going to be active throughout the month.

American Lung Association 
1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
http://www.lungusa.org

• Great resource: Breathe Well, Live Well, the nation’s only adult asthma education program.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 
1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462)
http://www.aafa.org

• AAFA “validated” educational programs for children, adolescents, parents and caregivers (in English and Spanish) are endorsed by the CDC and state health departments.

Asthma Goldfish PSA Campaign 
1-866-NO-ATTACKS (1-866-662-8822)
http://www.noattacks.org, http://www.epapsa.com

• Their asthma “Funbook” offers games that teach your child about asthma and triggers.

Global Initiative for Asthma 
http://www.ginasthma.com

• Activity guides for planning events for World Asthma Day 2012.

Peak Performance USA
http://www.peakperformanceusa.info/

• Invaluable resources for families, school and respiratory therapists including an “Asthma Management Guide” and tools for schools.

Food allergies affect more people than you would think – roughly 3% of adults and 8% of children.  At the Allergy and Asthma Care Centers, not only do we treat seasonal and drug related ...]]> “What’s for dinner?” At the end of a long week, your answer might be, “Let’s eat out tonight!”  But what if eating dinner out is a scary thought?  If you suffer from food allergies, the fear of eating foods prepared outside the safety of your home is an all too familiar feeling.

Food allergies affect more people than you would think – roughly 3% of adults and 8% of children.  At the Allergy and Asthma Care Centers, not only do we treat seasonal and drug related allergies, but our Board Certified Allergists are well versed in diagnosing and treating food allergies.

Symptoms of food allergies can range from minor reactions like hives, runny nose, earaches and headaches to more serious reactions like vomiting, diarrhea and, in extreme cases, anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening allergic reaction affecting the entire body.

If you or a loved one is affected by food allergies, then you are well aware of how difficult it can be to entrust your food preparation to a stranger.  However, with a cautious approach and a little planning, it is possible to enjoy dining out. Below is a list of tools specifically designed for food allergy sufferers.  Please note – Allergy and Asthma Care Centers does not endorse these sites, products or applications.

Food Allergy Support Websites

There are a number of websites that provide online support for safely dining out with food allergies.

• The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN):  Our friends at the FAAN are a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating awareness, providing education and raising funds to support research for those affected by food allergies.  Their multi-faceted website not only guides you through the most common food allergens and where they may appear (did you know hot chocolate may contain peanuts?), but provides tips to help you avoid them while dining out.
• Gluten Free Passport & Allergy Free Passport:  Gluten Free Passport & sister site Allergy Free Passport provide a comprehensive list of restaurants that offer gluten, dairy and other allergen free menus, not only in the U.S., but in Canada, the European Union and other parts of the world.  These sites also offer tips for how to preplan for dining out and how to order safely.

Food Allergy Apps

Prefer to get your information on-the-go? There are also Food Allergy Apps that can assist in making the right decision.

• AllergyEats: Earlier this month, AllergyEats was named the About.com 2012 Reader’s Choice Award winner for best Food Allergy App.  They have a database of over 600,000 restaurants across the United States, based on peer reviews – “rated by people with food allergies, for people with food allergies”.  They even have a guide for navigating allergy-friendly restaurants at Disney World!
• iEatOut: iEatOut is an app offered by Allergy Free Passport which allows you to quickly search restaurant cuisines that meet your allergen needs.  The one limitation is that it only covers the ten most common food allergens: Corn, Dairy, Eggs, Fish, Gluten, Peanuts, Shellfish, Soy, Tree Nuts and Wheat.  However, not only can you search for cuisines that are safe to eat, but the app also provides information about cross contamination concerns and tips on questions to ask your server.

Food Allergy Cards

Sometimes a picture can be worth a thousand words.  Food Allergy Cards can take some of the guesswork out of explaining your food allergy needs and can even help you make safe food choices while traveling out of the country!

• AchooAllergy: The Food Allergy Restaurant Cards (a.k.a. Chef Cards), offered by AchooAllergy.com, not only warn the chef of your food allergy, but also include specific language regarding cross contamination with previously used cookware and what foods the allergen is most commonly found in (i.e. dairy can be found in hot dogs, who knew?).
• SelectWisely: For the jet-setter, SelectWisely offers a wide selection of Food & Travel Translation Cards in a variety of languages.  Each card includes strongly worded language about your food allergy needs (in English and your chosen foreign language) and pictures of the allergen to avoid confusion. If there is a food allergy or language not present on their list, you can special order cards tailor-made to your specific needs.

Please remember, these tools can be a great resource, but they are not always one hundred percent accurate.  Food manufacturers and restaurants can switch ingredients frequently and not all ingredient information may be up-to-date.

As always, we highly recommend you ask your allergist if they have any recommendations for safely dining out.  Armed with the proper knowledge, you can reduce the stress of choosing a safe restaurant and enjoy a night out!

For parents (or really anyone with a dwelling), this turn to warm weather is the equivalent of the “Bat Signal” for the annual ritual thatis known as Spring ...]]> Spring is upon us. Most know this by the flowers blooming and birds chirping. At the Allergy and Asthma Care Centers, we have one additional way to tell (which our own Dr. Yoon paraphrased best in a recent article), which is the number of people that are sitting in the waiting rooms in all of our 8 offices.

For parents (or really anyone with a dwelling), this turn to warm weather is the equivalent of the “Bat Signal” for the annual ritual thatis known as Spring Cleaning. We can hear the collective, “UGHHHHHHs!” out there, but it is an important process to undertake for transitional or spiritual reasons. More so though, for those with (or living with someone that has) allergies and/or asthma, this change in seasons can be especially difficult, making the cleaning process all that more imperative.

It is important to remember that allergies are not limited to the outdoors. Indoor allergens such as dust, dander and mold affect millions of people. If you are prone to allergies or asthma, these allergens can cause your immune system to retaliate by producing antibodies that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Here are some spring cleaning tips that may alleviate your discomfort in the months ahead:

• Start with cleaning products that are allergy and asthma safe. Our friends at AsthmaandAllergyfriendly.com have created a comprehensive list of which ones have been tested and certified. Many cleaning products contain added fragrance, which can be just as bothersome as the dirt and dust you’re trying to remove. 72% of asthmatics state that fragrances aggravate their asthma symptoms. Aerosol sprays can also suspend harmful particles in the air, which commonly cause asthma attacks. Always wear a mask and gloves while cleaning to limit your direct exposure.
• Mold and mildew can exist on counters, cabinets, tile and almost anywhere else. When cleaning out places that may not have seen the light of day in months, be sure to use all-purpose cleaners and disinfectants tailor-made for killing mold and mildew. This includes the tub and shower curtains as well.
• Floors are the most touched surface in the house, and when covered by carpets, this most touched surface collects EVERYTHING. Hopefully, if you have carpet, you are vacuuming frequently even before spring cleaning, but as spring starts, a more intense carpet cleaning may be worth considering. This can include shampooing or vacuuming with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filter, which should help capture more allergens. If possible, someone without allergies should do this (one of the few times having allergies actually has a benefit).
• Dust as many horizontal and vertical surfaces as possible, no matter what height they are.
• Try to keep humidity low as dust mites thrive in humid places; keep the use of humidifiers to a minimum and use the air conditioning when necessary.
• Launder anything that can be laundered, especially if it hasn’t been washed in a while (rugs, curtains, bedding, etc.). This is particularly important if you have pets, as dander can cling to surfaces like clothing, furniture, and walls for several months.
• Some allergens, once airborne, can linger in the air for long periods of time. Be sure to change all the air filters on anything that may contain one- vacuum cleaners, floor and ceiling air vents, air purifiers, and de-humidifiers are common examples.

Spring cleaning is worth the time invested in it, and there are ways to make it fun and rewarding if you have a family or group to do it with. However, the bottom line is that for those with allergies and asthma, the work you put in will be realized in the days, weeks and months following when you think about how comfortable it is to be in your home.

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Allergy & Asthma Care Centers has been providing high-quality, comprehensive allergy and asthma care to the Washington DC area for 15 years. Our practice features state-of-the-art care for allergy and asthma sufferers, and offers a variety of highly specialized procedures that utilize the latest medical technology.

But for some, they have had an extra struggle to overcome: Dealing with their asthma.

Asthma can make competing in sports difficult and dangerous, but if managed properly, it can be done safely. The first step is determining early on if your child has asthma (as opposed to simply experiencing symptoms of over-exertion). Dr. Shaz Siddiqi, board ...]]> The college basketball season is drawing to an end this week, and for many of these athletes, it is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, sacrifice and practice.

But for some, they have had an extra struggle to overcome: Dealing with their asthma.

Asthma can make competing in sports difficult and dangerous, but if managed properly, it can be done safely. The first step is determining early on if your child has asthma (as opposed to simply experiencing symptoms of over-exertion). Dr. Shaz Siddiqi, board certified in adult and pediatric allergy immunology – and one of the newest members of the Allergy and Asthma Care Centers Team – offers the following clues for parents to look out for:

• Timing: It is important to realize that exercise can be the only trigger of asthma in an otherwise healthy child. Normally kids breathe through their nose, which allows warm, humid air to reach their lungs. However, when they exercise they tend to breathe through their mouths and this allows colder, drier air to reach the lungs, which can be irritating to asthmatics. Therefore, keep tabs on your child during and after exercising. Most exercise induced asthma occurs within 15 minutes of the routine, and after resting, will usually resolve itself in an hour.
• Symptoms: These include coughing fits, wheezing or an actual feeling of chest tightness rather than just feeling “tired” or “winded”.
• Types of Exercise: Sports that require prolonged, continued play – such as soccer, basketball and long distance running – are much more likely to trigger an asthma attack. This can be worsened by exposure to seasonal pollen if you happen to be allergic to it and playing in cold weather. Sports which require shorts bursts of activity punctuated with periods of rest such as volleyball, swimming and baseball are less likely to trigger an episode.

If these instances occur, the next step is to have it confirmed by a medical expert through a battery of tests. If that diagnosis is confirmed, all is still not lost. Dr. Siddiqi recommends these simple tips for keeping your child safe while still allowing them to practice and compete in sports:

• Make sure the controller medications are taken on a regular basis.
• Be cognizant of triggers (e.g. aeroallergens during the different pollen seasons, cold air in the fall and winter months, chlorine in the swimming pools, upper respiratory infections, etc.) and make the necessary adjustments based on those triggers.
• Avoid exercising in cold weather and environments that may have excessive amounts of dust and mold.
• Avoid workout routines during an underlying infection, such a cold virus.
• A gradual “warm up” and a similar “cooling down” period before and after an exercise routine can help prevent an attack.
• Ask your physician if you should use an inhaler before anticipated or scheduled exercise. It may make a difference if done safely.
• Be able to differentiate an attack vs. being winded. The sensation of “feeling winded” should abate relatively rapidly with the discontinuation of an exercise, while the symptoms of an asthma attack may persist or worsen.

In conclusion, we wrote this post not because we suggest holding your child back from sports if they prove to be asthmatic. In fact, it is quite the opposite. By learning the warning signs early, steps can be taken to handle the symptoms so they are able to compete safely and effectively. So, don’t be afraid to encourage your child to participate. They can be just like the stellar athletes they see on television.

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Allergy & Asthma Care Centers has been providing high-quality, comprehensive allergy and asthma care to the Washington DC area for 15 years. Our practice features state-of-the-art care for allergy and asthma sufferers, and offers a variety of highly specialized procedures that utilize the latest medical technology.

After her allergies flared around mid-March, a month earlier than usual, Chandra, a freshman government and politics major at the university, decided to take action.

“It was really early this season,” she said. “I’m sneezing, I have watery eyes. … Everything started blooming earlier.”

Chandra and ...]]> COLLEGE PARK – Divya Chandra was seeking relief when she entered the Allergy Clinic at the University of Maryland Monday morning. Her nose running constantly, her eyes pooling with water — she was desperate for anything that would make her feel better.

After her allergies flared around mid-March, a month earlier than usual, Chandra, a freshman government and politics major at the university, decided to take action.

“It was really early this season,” she said. “I’m sneezing, I have watery eyes. … Everything started blooming earlier.”

Chandra and other allergy sufferers throughout the region have fallen victim to an uncharacteristically warm winter that has caused tree pollen to skyrocket earlier than in past years, sending scores into allergy-induced misery, according to Howard County Health Officer Peter Beilenson.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people complaining of allergies,” Beilenson said. “It’s certainly much worse than the typical March.”

But an early start will not mean an early ending for the season, he added.

After an unusually mild winter in which temperatures spiked as high as 80 degrees and routinely rested above the normal temperatures in the 30s and 40s, tree pollen in the D.C. metropolitan area started blooming during the third week of February, with pollen counts soaring to 239, according to Susan Kosisky, microbiologist at the U.S. Army Centralized Allergen Extract Lab in Silver Spring.

Higher-than-average counts persisted throughout February and into March, reaching 331 during the third week of March, more than twice the average of 136, according to Kosisky. She recorded a count of 2,123 Wednesday, the highest (count) so far this year. Oak, maple, cedar, sycamore, ash, mulberry, birch and cottonwood trees are the culprits, she said.

Warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to persist throughout the spring months, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, suggesting these trees will continue yielding significant pollen counts.

“We just had some of the early pollinating trees coming out a lot earlier,” Kosisky said. “Anytime you have high pollen counts, folks who are sensitive to the species that are pollinating will most likely react. … Folks are sneezing and sniffling.”

Cold, damp weather, which stifles pollen from blooming, has been scarce this winter, she added. Rainfall totals for March were two inches below normal, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.

“Let’s say we have a period of rainy, cool weather — that’s going to dampen the spirit of the trees and that’s going to make (counts) a little lower,” Kosisky said.

Patients have been pouring into allergy care centers, such as Allergy and Asthma Care Center in Rockville, seeking relief from allergy-like symptoms.

“Every season we see the same number of people who are miserable, but we’re seeing them a lot earlier now,” said Dr. Jiun Yoon, an allergist at the center. “Typically, we don’t see a big rush of patients probably toward mid-to-end (of) April.”

While Yoon said he thought the season might end a little sooner, grass pollen season, which typically peaks in the summer, will take its place. He suggested sufferers take showers and keep windows closed to eliminate the spread of pollen indoors.

Kosisky said small amounts of grass pollen have emerged prematurely as well.

The frequent and harrowing stories of food allergies have prompted a national outcry for schools to carry epinephrine (an emergency medicine that combats allergic reaction) ...]]> Max Rosland, a 7-year-old elementary school student from Carter Lake, Iowa, was placed on a heart-lung bypass machine last month because of a severe allergic reaction to a peanut he ate at school. He survived. Ammaria Johnson, a first-grader from Richmond, Virginia went into anaphylactic shock and tragically died January 2 after eating a peanut her classmate gave her during recess.

The frequent and harrowing stories of food allergies have prompted a national outcry for schools to carry epinephrine (an emergency medicine that combats allergic reaction) and for parents to have their children tested for food allergies.

“This type of tragedy happens more often than you think,” said Darshana Alle, MD, an immunologist certified with the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and practicing physician with the Allergy and Asthma Care Centers in Arlington, Virginia. “It’s something that parents and schools must be prepared to address.”

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) reports that food allergies alone cause 30,000 anaphylactic shock episodes and 140 deaths each year.

Those are too many Max’s and Ammaria’s.

Dr. Alle strongly recommends equipping homes and schools with epinephrine, and teaching both parents and school faculty the appropriate use of this potentially life-saving medication. She stressed that, “In emergency situations, epinephrine can neutralize anaphylactic shock, and that can mean the difference between life and death.”

Dr. Alle’s opinions are being echoed in federal and state legislatures around the country. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) recently introduced the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (S. 1884) to provide incentives to require schools to maintain and permit school personnel to administer epinephrine.

In Virginia, Delegate Peter Farrell (R-56th) introduced HB 1156 which would allow school officials to administer epinephrine to students believed to be in anaphylactic shock.

“This bill is in direct response to the Chesterfield (county) situation,” Virginia Delegate Riley Ingram (R-62nd) told Capital News Service when referring to Ammaria Johnson’s tragic death.

Six other states have similar legislation underway. But, parents cannot afford to wait for legislation to address the hidden, and sometimes deadly, dangers of food allergy.

Anaphylaxis: The Potentially Deadly Allergic Reaction

The most dreaded manifestation of food allergy is anaphylaxis, a rapid-onset allergic reaction that can cause death. It most commonly presents with skin, respiratory, cardiac or gastrointestinal symptoms, where at least two organ systems are affected. If the cardiovascular system is affected, it can lead to potential shock and death. Anaphylaxis is always a medical emergency.

The primary treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine, which is the hormone adrenaline. Epinephrine is available only through a prescription and is administered through an auto-injector, or spring-loaded needle called an EpiPen.

It is this treatment that legislators want to make available in schools, and physicians want parents and school officials to learn how and when to use it.

Steps Parents Can Take to Avoid Tragedy

1. Be diligent about the signs of food allergy

Dr. Alle recommends parents be diligent about the signs of food allergy, and ask these important questions:

• - Does one kind of food seem to cause problems?
• - Is there an immediate reaction in the hour or so after the food is ingested?
• - What type of reaction does it cause (hives, tongue swelling, wheezing, vomiting, eczema, etc.)?

She further stresses that “Children who have food challenges should be seen by an allergist for a complete diagnostic assessment, and at least once a year, thereafter.”

2. Consult an immunologist / allergist

An immunologist, or allergist, is a physician trained in diagnosing, treating and managing allergies, asthma and immunologic disorders.

“As allergists we often are playing the role of detective to investigate what might be causing the symptoms,” Dr. Alle stated. “Whether the patient is an adult or a child, we need to define the problem through a detailed history, thorough exam, and if indicated, a skin test, blood test or ‘food challenge’. Then, we determine how to best approach and manage the problem.”

3. Be prepared at home and school

If an adult or child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, or is predisposed to food allergies, an allergist may prescribe epinephrine. The allergist or another healthcare provider provides training on how to administer the medicine in an emergency.

“Being prepared and trained on how to use an EpiPen, or other epinephrine auto-injector, is a necessity for parents and school personnel who care for children with food allergies,” Dr. Alle stressed.

About Food Allergy

A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to a certain food that the body reacts to as harmful. A reaction to food that may suggest possible allergy consists of immediate-onset (within one hour) of symptoms such as:

• -Hives
• -Tingling in the mouth
• -Swelling in the tongue and throat
• -Difficulty breathing
• -Abdominal cramps
• -Vomiting or diarrhea
• -Eczema or rash
• -Coughing or wheezing
• -Loss of consciousness
• -Dizziness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the following specific risk factors associated with food allergy:

• -Family history of allergy or asthma
• -Genetic predisposition to allergic disease
• -Being under the age of 3
• -Elevated allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin levels

Foods that are commonly implicated with allergy include:

• -Peanuts and tree nuts
• -Wheat
• -Eggs
• -Milk
• -Soy
• -Shellfish

Even with improved diagnostic tools, treatment and management, the number of children with allergies in general has increased 18% from 1997 to 2007, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

“There’s no cure for food allergies,” summarized Dr. Alle. “Obviously, as physicians, we want to help recognize early which foods are a problem, make sure the patient avoids them, and be vigilant in monitoring the health of the patient regularly with visits to the doctor. Food allergies are just too important to ignore.”

Thankfully, physicians and legislators alike are taking steps to minimize the chance of another tragic food allergy death, like Ammaria Johnson’s.

RESOURCES:

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dait/documents/june30_2003.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.htm

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020800s020lbl.pdf

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s1884/show

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+ful+HB1156

The Manassas, Virginia nurse said that she learned her lesson about the flu shot many years ago when she was working in pediatrics.

“I didn’t get the shot and despite all of my precautions of washing hands and keeping utensils wiped clean, I still became very sick. I’ve had a flu shot every year since,” she said.

Braun is just one medical professional among thousands who ...]]> When a nurse with 30 years experience was asked if she gets a flu shot, Deborah Braun laughed and said, “Every year!”

The Manassas, Virginia nurse said that she learned her lesson about the flu shot many years ago when she was working in pediatrics.

“I didn’t get the shot and despite all of my precautions of washing hands and keeping utensils wiped clean, I still became very sick. I’ve had a flu shot every year since,” she said.

Braun is just one medical professional among thousands who is reassuring patients about the importance of getting a flu shot as the flu season begins in earnest this week.

A study released by the University of Minnesota in late October indicated that the efficacy of flu shot could be improved, but the lead author of the study Michael Osterholm, M.D., told The Wall Street Journal Health Blog that the results are by no means a reason not to get vaccinated.

“Everyone six-months and older should get a flu shot. It is important to note that children, older adults, and pregnant women as well as people with chronic medical conditions like asthma are at greater risk for the flu,” said Arveen Thethi, M.D. of Allergy and Asthma Care Centers, which has 11 offices in Virginia and Maryland.

The flu vaccine for this coming flu season is the same as last year and includes three main flu strains based on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. There are many different flu strains each year, but the vaccine is made up of the three most common.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says because influenza activity in the U.S. is low right now, this is the perfect time to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for your body to develop an immune response.

Dr. Thethi indicated that she and other health care professionals fight one common misconception among patients about the flu shot.

“A lot of people don’t get a flu shot every year because they think the shot itself can cause the flu. It does not. It’s a common misconception, but people continue to believe it,” she added.

Generally the protection from one flu shot will last the entire flu season. Children ages nine or younger who have never had the flu shot before should receive two vaccines, because they are only given half a dose at a time.

Some other facts about the flu that you should know:

• The flu season runs from November to April
• Hundreds of thousands of people get the flu every year
• 90% of the deaths from the flu are in people over 65 years of age
• You get vaccinated every year because the viruses that cause the flu evolve and change every year
• This year’s flu shot also protects you from H1N1, or the Swine Flu

Patients with chronic diseases like asthma are at higher risk for contracting the flu this winter. According to Allergy and Asthma Care Centers’ website, there are 22 million people with asthma in the United States, and six million of those are children. In addition to asthma, chronic kidney and liver disease, sickle cell, HIV/AIDS, cerebral palsy and epilepsy are higher risk factors for getting the flu. Patients with those chronic conditions are strongly urged to get a flu shot.

Nurse Deborah Braun says that she always made sure that her husband and two teenage sons get a flu shot every year. This year her oldest son, who is away at college, didn’t get his shot and sure enough he has already contracted the flu and was sick for several days.

“Now he knows what I learned the hard way many years ago when I didn’t get my flu shot. The flu shot is a great preventive tool that everyone should use,” she said.

No doubt her son will remember that as the next flu season approaches.

http://myallergycare.com/

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/

In addition to being careful with the water and fresh produce, depending on the country you are visiting and the food you are trying, you will also need to be conscious ...]]> Earlier this month, our newest doctor, Dr. Yoon, discussed some of the basics around preparing to travel when having food allergies. We received some tremendous feedback from the post, specifically on the need to be careful when consuming water and produce when traveling abroad. So, we wanted to extrapolate on that issue just a bit.

In addition to being careful with the water and fresh produce, depending on the country you are visiting and the food you are trying, you will also need to be conscious of items in cans and bottles. Now, anyone that has had food allergies for an extended period of time does this on a consistent basis already. However, when traveling to different countries, it is important to understand that not all governments have a strict Food and Drug Administration policy. This means that how foods are labeled, specifically the standards regarding types of ingredients, the quantity of those ingredients, and the way the product is prepared, are not as stringently enforced as they are in the United States. So, while local street markets should put you on high alert, don’t let your guard down just because you are in a normal grocery store.

Some may be reading this and become extremely worried about leaving your home, much less leaving the country. That is the last thing we want to do. Vacationing abroad is something millions of people with allergies and asthma do every year with no ramifications whatsoever. However, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs as medical professionals if we didn’t remind you that just because you go on vacation, that does not mean your allergies and asthma go on vacation also. A visit to a doctor to discuss what you need to keep in mind, and recommendations they have based on your medical history, will make all the difference.

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Allergy & Asthma Care Centers has been providing high-quality, comprehensive allergy and asthma care to the Washington DC area for 15 years. Our practice features state-of-the-art care for allergy and asthma sufferers, and offers a variety of highly specialized procedures that utilize the latest medical technology.