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Seasonal Allergies vs. Colds: How to Tell the Difference

Blog Allergy vs Cold

It can be hard to tell if you or your child has a cold or seasonal allergies because they share some symptoms. Both can cause sneezing, runny nose, and congestion, but there are key differences.

Colds are caused by viruses and usually last 7-10 days. They may come with a fever, body aches, or a sore throat. Mucus from a cold often starts clear but turns yellow or green. Contrary to popular belief, the color of mucus does not indicate bacterial infection.

Seasonal allergies, on the other hand, are caused by pollen and other allergens. They last as long as you’re exposed to the trigger. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose with clear mucus. Allergies don’t cause fever or body aches.

If symptoms come and go with the seasons or get worse outdoors, allergies are likely the cause. Seeing an allergist can help confirm the diagnosis and find the best treatment to relieve symptoms.

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How to Manage Asthma When at Risk During a Wildfire

The wildfires in Los Angeles are a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating effects these natural disasters can have on our communities. The smoke and pollutants from these fires are not only a threat to the environment but also a serious concern for individuals with asthma, making it more difficult to breathe and increasing the risk of attacks. We feel deeply for those impacted by the wildfires and understand the added challenges for those managing chronic respiratory conditions.

Similar to air pollution, wildfire smoke contains fine particles, carbon monoxide, and other harmful substances that can irritate the airways, causing inflammation and breathing difficulties. This is especially dangerous for those with asthma, whose lungs are more sensitive to these pollutants. Here are some tips on how you can manage your asthma in these situations:

1.     Stay Indoors: When wildfire smoke is present, it’s important to stay indoors as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed to keep smoke out. Consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor pollution.

2.     Monitor Symptoms: Stay alert for any changes in your asthma symptoms, like increased coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. Follow your asthma action plan and use your rescue inhaler if necessary.

3.     Check Air Quality: Air quality can deteriorate quickly during a wildfire. Use apps like AirNow to monitor pollution levels. If the air quality is hazardous, stay indoors and limit physical activity.

4.     Keep Medications Nearby: Ensure your inhaler and other prescribed medications are easily accessible, especially if you need to evacuate. Keep a backup supply on hand.

5.     Consult Your Allergist or other asthma specialist: If you’re struggling to manage asthma symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your provider. They may offer additional treatments or adjustments to your medication to help you through this difficult time.

Eczema and Food: Understanding the Connection

Eczema is a skin condition that causes dryness, redness, and itchiness. It affects millions of people, both kids and adults. Sometimes, people wonder if certain foods are to blame for eczema. The truth is, even though eczema is associated with food allergy, it is rarely caused by food.

 

Eczema is mainly caused by a mix of genetics and the environment. If you have eczema, your skin barrier might not work as well as it should. This means your skin has trouble holding in moisture and keeping out irritants, which can lead to dryness and inflammation. Eczema is also linked to the immune system. For people with eczema, the immune system sometimes overreacts to harmless things like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. These triggers can make eczema flare up, but they don’t cause it.

 

Some people with eczema also have food allergies. If they eat something they’re allergic to, it can cause a reaction like hives, swelling, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing. People with eczema are generally more at risk of developing a food allergy, especially infants. But thankfully, most of the time, eczema is not due to a food. Elimination diets are usually not helpful, and can be stressful and expensive to follow.

 

If you or your child have experienced symptoms such as hives, swelling, throat tightness, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms right after eating a food, then your allergist will gather a thorough history to determine if food testing is necessary and testing can help solidify a diagnosis. If you do have a food allergy, avoiding that food usually won’t cure eczema so it’s important to also address proper care of eczema with your allergist or other provider.

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.

What is FPIES?

FPIES stands for Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. It is a type of food allergy that affects the stomach and intestines. Unlike other food allergies that can cause hives or breathing problems, FPIES causes vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes low energy. These symptoms usually show up a few hours after eating a certain food, and they can make you feel very sick.

What causes FPIES?
FPIES happens when your body has a bad reaction to certain foods, but the foods that trigger it can be different for each person. Common foods that can cause FPIES in children are cow’s milk, soy, rice, and oats; In adults, the most common trigger is shellfish. Even though FPIES doesn’t cause an immediate reaction, it can still make you feel very ill after a few hours. Doctors aren’t sure why some people get FPIES, but they know it involves your immune system not working correctly with certain foods. While most kids outgrow FPIES by the age of 3 to 5 years, some people can still have FPIES as adults or even develop it later in life.

How is FPIES treated?
The best way to manage FPIES is to avoid the foods that trigger it. Sometimes, doctors will run tests or have you try small amounts of food in a safe place to figure out which foods cause problems. If you accidentally eat a food that triggers FPIES and start feeling sick, you might need to go to the hospital to get treated with fluids to help you recover. Most kids outgrow FPIES, but for adults who have it, it’s important to keep track of your triggers and work closely with your doctor to stay healthy.

What Are the Most Common Chemicals That Cause Contact Dermatitis?

Have you ever had an itchy, red rash after touching something? That’s called contact dermatitis, and it happens when your skin reacts to certain chemicals or substances. Let’s talk about some of the most common chemicals that can cause this kind of rash.

 

  1. Nickel: Nickel is a metal found in many everyday items like jewelry, zippers, and even some coins. It’s one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis. If you’re allergic to nickel, touching it can make your skin red, itchy, and bumpy. Sometimes, the rash can even blister.

 

  1. Fragrances: Many soaps, perfumes, lotions, and shampoos contain fragrances to make them smell nice. But for some people, these fragrances can be irritating. If you’re sensitive to these chemicals, you might notice a rash where you applied a scented product.

 

  1. Preservatives: Preservatives are chemicals that help keep products from spoiling. They’re often found in things like makeup, lotions, and shampoos. Some common preservatives that cause contact dermatitis include methylisothiazolinone and parabens. If your skin reacts to these, it could get dry, red, and itchy.

 

  1. Latex: Latex is a type of rubber used in things like gloves, balloons, and some medical supplies. People who are allergic to latex can develop contact dermatitis when they touch it. The rash can be itchy, red, and even painful.

 

  1. Poison Ivy (and Other Plants): Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a strong allergic reaction in many people. When you touch these plants, your skin may develop a red, itchy rash, sometimes with blisters. This happens because of a chemical in the plants called urushiol.

 

  1. Cleaning Products: Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. These chemicals can irritate your skin, especially if you use them often without wearing gloves. The rash from these products can be dry, red, and sometimes cracked.

 

How to Protect Your Skin:

If you know you’re sensitive to any of these chemicals, it’s important to avoid them as much as possible. Here are a few tips:

 

– Wear gloves when using cleaning products or working with plants like poison ivy.

– Choose fragrance-free soaps and lotions if you’re sensitive to fragrances.

– Look for nickel-free jewelry if you have a nickel allergy.

– Read labels on products to check for preservatives or other chemicals you might be allergic to.

 

If you do get a rash suspected to be from chemicals, it’s a good idea to see an allergist. They can help you figure out what caused it and how to treat it!

The Risks of Frequent Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics are medicines that help fight infections caused by bacteria. They are very important because they can save lives. However, using antibiotics too often can cause problems. One problem with using antibiotics too much is antibiotic resistance. This means that bacteria get used to the medicine and the medicine stops working. When this happens, it becomes harder to treat infections.  Also, our bodies also have good bacteria that help us stay healthy, but antibiotics kill both bad and good bacteria. When the good bacteria are gone, it can cause problems like stomach aches and infections. Taking antibiotics can also cause side effects. These are unwanted changes in your body that can make you feel sick. Some common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions.

 

To keep antibiotics working, doctors only prescribe them when necessary. This is why antibiotics are not prescribed for things like severe allergy symptoms or viral illnesses. Using antibiotics only when necessary helps prevent antibiotic resistance and keeps good bacteria healthy. It’s important to take the medicine exactly as the doctor says and not share it with others. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the infection might come back and be harder to treat.

 

Some people have underlying conditions that make them more at risk for needing antibiotics frequently. If you receive antibiotics more than a few times per year, there may be an underlying issue such as chronic allergies, chronic sinus disease, asthma, or immune deficiency causing the problem. Identifying the underlying issue can help get proper treatment to prevent infections from occurring. If you suffer from recurrent infections and need antibiotics often (more than 3-4 times per year) then you should discuss this with a board-certified allergist/immunologist who can help determine the underlying cause and recommend the best therapy for you!

Difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck? Why it’s important to check for eosinophilic esophagitis:

Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, is when it feels hard or painful to swallow food, drinks, or medication. This can happen for many reasons, but one important cause is a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis (also called EoE).

 

EoE is a condition where the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, gets inflamed. This inflammation is caused by a type of white blood cell called eosinophils. Because EoE is also related to the immune system, people with allergic conditions like allergies, asthma and eczema are more likely to get EoE.

 

Signs of EoE vary depending on age, but in older children, teens and adults, the most common symptoms are difficulty swallowing, food feeling “stuck”, chest pain, and heartburn. When untreated or undiagnosed, EoE can lead to narrowing of the esophagus and food impaction (food getting stuck in the esophagus) which is a medical emergency.

 

EoE is diagnosed with the help of gastroenterologists by doing a simple procedure called upper endoscopy and taking biopsies of the esophagus. Once diagnosed, EoE can be managed by your allergy or GI team. There are numerous treatment options for EoE, including dietary changes, and different types of oral or injectable medication. Often, EoE requires a repeat biopsy to make sure the treatment is working. Getting evaluated by a doctor is important to find the right treatment and prevent serious complications. If you have allergies, asthma, or eczema and find it hard to swallow, don’t ignore it—talk to your allergist!

How are allergies and asthma connected?

Allergies and asthma are closely linked conditions that often coexist, affecting millions worldwide. The connection usually comes from the nasal passages and the lungs sharing a shared inflammatory pathway and immune responses in the body. Allergic reactions in the nose, also called allergic rhinitis, are triggered by allergens such as pollens, dust mites, molds, or pet dander. Uncontrolled allergic rhinitis can worsen asthma symptoms. Those affected by allergic-induced asthma also have excessive allergic inflammation affecting not just the nasal passages, but the lungs too! This is why it is very important to treat both upper airway (nasal) and lower airway (lung) symptoms. Because of this, nasal sprays are often part of the treatment plan for those with allergic asthma, even if the nasal symptoms are milder. By treating both the upper and lower airways, asthma control can be maximized which can reduce flare ups and the need for extra medications, but also improve quality of life!

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Important allergen avoidance tips!

Airborne allergens pose a significant challenge for allergy sufferers, triggering symptoms ranging from sneezing and congestion to more severe respiratory issues like asthma. However, with strategic allergen avoidance measures, you can take proactive steps to minimize exposure and alleviate symptoms. Allergen avoidance and environmental control measures have been shown to reduce symptoms in some patients (as much as 25% reduction in symptoms on average), which leads can lead to less medication use to control symptoms.

 

Identifying specific airborne allergens is the first step towards effective avoidance. A skin prick test with an allergist is the best, most thorough way to determine your specific allergy triggers. Common culprits include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and pet dander. Allergy testing can help pinpoint these triggers, guiding personalized avoidance strategies.

 

Indoor environments can harbor airborne allergens, especially during peak seasons. Keeping windows closed and using air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can effectively reduce pollen and mold spore levels indoors. Regular cleaning, including vacuuming carpets and upholstery with HEPA-filtered vacuums, and washing bedding in hot water, helps control dust mites.

 

In homes with pets, creating designated pet-free zones and grooming animals frequently can minimize dander in the air. Additionally, implementing measures to reduce indoor humidity levels can inhibit mold growth.

 

When venturing outdoors, wearing sunglasses and hats can help shield the eyes and face from pollen exposure, while showering and changing clothes upon returning indoors can prevent pollen from lingering.

 

By incorporating these airborne allergen avoidance strategies into daily life, allergy sufferers can breathe easier and enjoy improved quality of life, with fewer bothersome symptoms.