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May is Food Allergy Awareness Month!

Food Allergy Awareness Month

Every May, communities across the globe recognize Food Allergy Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about the seriousness of food allergies and advocating for those affected. With an estimated 33 million Americans living with food allergies—including 1 in 13 children—raising awareness is very important!

Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a certain food as harmful and reacts by triggering symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. The most common allergens—often referred to as the “Top 9” in the U.S.—include milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts (like almonds, walnuts & cashews), soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, stomach pain, vomiting, swelling, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Despite the prevalence of food allergies, there are still many misconceptions. Some people think allergies are just picky eating or that a small amount of an allergen won’t hurt—but for many, even trace amounts can cause a reaction.

Here are a few simple yet powerful ways to support those with food allergies:

  • Learn and Share: Educate yourself and others about the signs of an allergic reaction and how to respond
  • Read Labels Carefully: Whether you’re cooking for others or bringing snacks to an event, always check for potential allergens.
  • Promote Inclusivity: At schools, sports practices, birthday parties, or team outings, make sure all kids—and adults—can safely participate. Ask ahead about food allergies and consider non-food rewards or treats.
  • Advocate for Safe Spaces: Support allergy-friendly policies at schools, workplaces, restaurants, and public events.

Food Allergy Awareness Month is a reminder that with a little knowledge and compassion, we can create safer, more inclusive environments for everyone. Whether you’re a parent, coach, teacher, friend, or food service worker, your awareness and actions can make a difference!

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a time for fun and creativity, but it can pose challenges for those with allergies. Here are essential tips to help you navigate the spooky season safely.

  1. Understand Your Allergies: Identify your specific allergies, such as seasonal pollen, food allergens (like nuts or gluten), or skin sensitivities to costume materials and face paints. Consult an allergist if needed.
  2. Choose Costumes Carefully: If possible, select costumes made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen to reduce skin irritation. Use hypoallergenic face paints and perform patch tests ahead of time.
  3. Plan Treats Wisely: Stock up on allergy-friendly treats, such as those from brands like Enjoy Life. After trick-or-treating, check all candy for allergens and discard unsafe items.
  4. Medication: As temperatures drop around this time of year, asthma symptoms can be triggered. Pollen counts are also still rising! Be sure to continue your routine, preventative medication as prescribed and contact your allergist if you are having more symptoms.
  5. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if you have severe allergies. Ensure friends and family know how to use it and have an action plan in place.

The 411 on Allergy Testing

There are many ways that allergies can be evaluated, and some people are not familiar with the different types of tests available. The way that allergy testing is performed has changed slightly over the years, allowing the procedure to be relatively painless for most people. Let’s review the different types of testing done in the allergy clinic!

Skin prick testing: Skin testing, also referred to as “scratch” testing is the most common way that we evaluate allergies. Skin testing involves a small amount of allergens being “pricked” onto the surface of your skin, often with a small plastic device that looks like a toothpick. If you are sensitized to an allergen, this will trigger a reaction on your skin and cause a wheal or hive, similar to an insect bite. Skin testing usually takes about 15 minutes. Skin prick testing is performed for evaluation of possible environmental triggers such as pollens, molds, and animal dander. Skin prick testing is also performed for food allergy if there is a history of allergic reactions to a food (called IgE-mediated food allergy). Skin testing to foods can cause false positives and testing alone does not mean you are allergic to a food. Drug allergies such as penicillin are also evaluated via skin testing.

Intradermal testing: Intradermal testing can also be performed for evaluation of environmental triggers, insect allergy, or drug allergy. This involves a small amount of allergen placed just below the surface of the skin with a very small needle.

Blood tests: Blood tests can be performed for environmental allergens, insect venoms, and food allergies. Blood testing measures allergic antibodies in your blood. Like skin testing, blood testing to foods without a history of reaction to food can sometimes give false positives, and a positive test alone does not diagnose food allergy.

Challenge tests: Challenge tests are done in-office and involve the allergen being taken by mouth (such as foods of drug allergies). Challenge tests are among the most accurate tests to diagnose food allergy, and can help differentiate false positives or if someone has outgrown their food allergy.

Patch testing: Chemical patch testing is a way to evaluate for chemicals or metals that could be causing allergic reactions on the skin. Patch testing involves application of a chemical patch onto the back, with delayed readings in office in 2-3 days or longer, depending on the situation.

Caution!!! There are several tests available over the counter or online labeled as “food sensitivity tests”. These tests are not recommended and do not provide accurate results. Other tests such as food IgG testing, mail-in fingerstick allergy testing, kinesiology muscle testing, hair analysis, ALCAT testing, or neutralization testing are not recommended due to lack of scientific evidence that they correlate with any food allergies.

Your allergy provider will work with you to determine what type of testing is necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms and help guide further treatment.

Notice of Data Security Incident

10/1/2015 – 6/15/2020

Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute Provides Notification of Data Security Incident

Peoria, AZ – Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute (“Institute”) announced today a data security incident that may have impacted limited protected health information belonging to Institute patients. The Institute takes the privacy and security of all information very seriously.

The Institute learned that certain data made publicly available under the name of a different organization for a brief period in September 2020, and may have included Institute data. Upon discovery, the Institute immediately began investigating, with the assistance of a third-party forensic security firm, to determine the scope of this incident. Based on this investigation, the Institute confirmed on March 8, 2021, that the available data included limited information related to Institute patients that received services between October 1, 2015 and June 15, 2020. 

The personal information available included individuals’ first and last name in combination with their patient identification number, provider name, health insurance information, and treatment cost information. It is important to note that the Institute has no evidence to suggest that any personal information has been misused. Nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, the Institute is providing notice to those affected individuals. The notices include information about this incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to monitor and help protect their information. The Institute takes the security of all information very seriously and has taken steps to enhance security measures to help prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

The Institute recommends that individuals remain vigilant in regularly reviewing and monitoring their explanation of benefits statements to guard against any unauthorized transactions or activity. The Institute has established a dedicated assistance line to address any questions individuals may have which can be reached at 855-654-0915, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain Time. The Institute may also be contacted by mail at 13965 N 75th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85381. 

 

 

Allergies, Asthma and Back to School

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for many, but it can also be a time of anxiety for children who have asthma or allergies.  Help your child walk confidently into school this year, knowing that they are prepared as possible.

1. Keep on top of medication before the school year starts.

Make sure that your child is on top of their necessary medication before the first week of school arrives. Making a routine of knowing what medication to take when can relieve anxiety surrounding taking medication at school.

2. Get a tour.

Contact the school to get a tour of your child’s classroom and the nurse’s office.  Going into school before the school year starts will calm your child’s nerves, by allowing them to know what to expect when they need to go to the nurse’s office for help or medication.

 3. Have a Signal.

It would also be a great idea to talk to your child’s teacher about a discrete signal that the two of them can use when your child needs to go get medication from the nurse. This way your child can get the help they need, when they need it, without drawing attention to themselves.

4. Know Their Limitations.

It’s important for all children, even those with exercise-induced asthma, to get regular exercise. Talk to your chid’s doctor about what types of physical activity are less likely to trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, and consider encouraging your child to participate in those activities. Make sure that your child uses their inhaler before they exercise and that they have plenty of water to keep hydrated!

 

 

If you or your child is in need of an appointment with one of our allergy or asthma specialists, contact us today for an allergy or asthma appointment!

 

 

 

 

 

Monsoon Season Allergies

The monsoon season is an eerily beautiful time of year that brings with it storms and sweet relief from the scorching summer heat. Unfortunately, with the monsoons also come monsoon season allergies, infection and issues with digestion for many.

Whipping winds with pollen, dirt and dust particles are the perfect recipe to aggravate your allergies. Not only this, but the rain and wet clothes can lead to the spread of infection during the monsoon season. An unanticipated effect of the monsoons are digestion issues.

Here are some tips to keep yourself as healthy as possible and keep control of your monsoon season allergies.

  1. Watch What You Eat.

    If you’re eating food from the garden or if you’re buying food from a food cart on the side of the road, dust and other particles are more likely to be in those foods. Be aware of this and counter it by making sure you’re rinsing food off food as much as possible before consuming it.

  2. Limit your exposure.

    Roll up the windows while you’re in the car, keep windows closed and make sure to shower every night before going to bed, to keep away and rinse off any allergens that may be aggravating your symptoms.

  3. Wash your hands.

    While dust storms do kick up a great deal of dust and allergens, washing hands before every meal can do a great deal for those with allergies from the dust storms.  Washing your hands will keep away many infections and rinse off allergens that may be on your hands and arms from being out in the dust storms.

Are you suffering from monsoon season allergies or asthma? Contact Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute to schedule your allergy or asthma appointment today!