This month marks Family Allergy & Asthma Care's 25 year anniversary! The early days of paper charts and asthma inhalers dosed four times a day are gone - replaced by electronic medical records (EMR) and once daily inhalers and monthly "biologic" injections. Most of the allergy medications that previously required a prescription (such as non-sedating antihistamines and intranasal steroids) can now be purchased over the counter. And, yet high dose immunotherapy administered by allergists remains one of the only treatment options that offers patients a chance for long term care. The primary reason I trained for certification in the specialty of allergy and immunology was the opportunity to care for all ages of patients (from 0-100) and offer therapies that truly have potential to dramatically and positively impact their quality of life. 25 years later, those reasons are still the primary reason I love my job! Health care continues to be commoditized and physician-patient relationships are more transient than ever, yet Family Allergy and Asthma Care and myself are excited for the future and committed to making it easy for established patients and new patients to receive excellent, state-of-the-art allergy and asthma care in Denton County. We are excited! -- Mary Hudleson, M.D. Check out our web pages or call 972-539-0086 today to learn how we can help you!

Pollen Count ALERT: There is a HIGH concentration of RAGWEED. There is a moderate concentration of grass and low concentration of mold and weeds. Visit the website to get the full report. http://bit.ly/2zztVIl Contact our office to find relief today! 972-539-0086

RECALL ALERT: FDA has announced a voluntary recall of Montelukast tablets by Camber Pharmaceuticals. Sealed bottles labeled as montelukast sodium tablets, 10 milligram, 30-count bottle were found to instead contain 90 tablets of Losartan Potassium Tablets, 50 mg. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers and health care professionals about a voluntary recall of one lot of Montelukast Sodium Tablets – lot number MON17384, expiration 12/31/2019 – by Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Piscataway, N.J. Sealed bottles labeled as montelukast sodium tablets, 10 milligram, 30-count bottle from Camber were found to instead contain 90 tablets of Losartan Potassium Tablets, 50 mg. This tablet mix-up may pose a safety risk as taking losartan tablets when not prescribed has the potential to cause renal dysfunction, elevated potassium levels and low blood pressure. This risk is especially high for pregnant women taking the allergy and asthma medication montelukast because losartan, which is indicated to treat high blood pressure, could harm or kill the fetus. The FDA recommends that consumers who have this recalled product should contact their health care provider or pharmacist immediately. This recall is not related to the recent valsartan recalls that were due to an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). “We want to ensure that patients who take montelukast are aware of this recall due to the serious risks associated with taking losartan in its place,” said Donald D. Ashley J.D., director of the office of compliance in the FDA’s center for drug evaluation and research. “Patients who take prescription drugs expect and deserve to have the medication their doctor prescribed.” Read the full press release to learn more. http://bit.ly/2wKHoex

Periodic shortages of epi across the U.S. that have occurred as a result of manufacturing, supply and delivery issues. Due to these shortages, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended expiration dates for specific lots of medication. Due to the intermittent supply interruptions of EpiPen, FDA is alerting health care professionals and patients of updated dates through which some EpiPens and the authorized generic version, manufactured by Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company, may be used beyond the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date. To help ensure patient safety, these products should have been — and should continue to be — stored as labeled. “Many patients rely on self-injectable epinephrine products, such as EpiPen, to reverse life-threatening reactions to bee stings or other allergens for either themselves or for their children. We are doing everything we can to help mitigate shortages of these products, especially ahead of the back-to-school season. We’ve completed the necessary reviews of the data to extend the expiration date by four months for specific lots of EpiPen that are expired or close to expiring. We’re hopeful this action will ensure patients have access to this important medication and provide additional peace-of-mind to parents as the agency works with the manufacturer to increase supply,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA remains committed to using all of the tools available to help prevent and mitigate drug shortages of medically necessary products used to prevent or treat a serious or life-threatening disease or medical condition.” FDA News Brief, August 21. Go to the FDA website for the latest list of extended use dates from Pfizer.  EpiPen refers to the brand name version of an epinephrine auto-injector; it’s an injection that contains epinephrine. The pen is a quick self-injection system that can be used by anyone to deliver medicine to someone in allergic shock.

Allergy & Asthma Network voiced concern today regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal for the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule to replace the Clean Power Plan.  The Clean Power Plan established emission guidelines for states to follow in limiting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from certain fossil fuel-fired power plants. There are people in the United States at a higher risk for asthma who live and/or work within close proximity to major sources of harmful air pollution, causing or worsening their asthma. "Asthma is the leading cause of school absences, with 13.8 million missed school days per year by students in the United States, and it causes 14.2 million missed work days per year by parents and adult patients. It also results in lost productivity and limited physical activity. The federal government needs to protect public health and the environment. Poor air quality can make it difficult to breathe and cause great harm to those who already live with chronic respiratory conditions. Reducing carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases is necessary in our country as ozone and particulate matter can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma flares. This proposed EPA rule threatens the health of millions of Americans with chronic respiratory conditions by significantly increasing the risk of more hazardous air pollutants." Read more at the Allergy & Asthma Network statement.

There are HIGH concentrations of Trees (Elm) and moderate concentrations of Grass and Weeds (Goosefoot, Lamb's Quarters, Pigweed, Amaranth, Saltbush, Russian Thistle, Ragweed). There is a low concentration of mold. Visit the pollen counting station website to learn more. ---------------------------------------------------------------- The NAB pollen and mold spore levels were developed using the chart below. The concentrations in the chart (pollen or spores per cubic meter) were statistics from all certified counting sites. The levels correspond to different ranges for each of the pollen categories and for fungal spores. The concentrations were translated into levels based on the following: Low levels are concentrations that are less than the median or 50th percentile (i.e. half the counts were below the median.) Moderate levels are concentrations that fall between the 50th and 75th percentile High levels fall between the 75th and 99th percentile Very high levels are above the 99th percentile (99% of the counts are below this level) Based on these definitions, we suggest the following ranges for low, moderate, high, and very high. NAB SCALE * MOLD 0 - 6499 Low 6500 - 12999 Moderate 13000 - 49999 High >50000 Very High GRASS 0 - 4 Low 5 - 19 Moderate 20 - 199 High >200 Very High TREE 0 - 14 Low 15 - 89 Moderate 90 - 1499 High >1500 Very High WEED 0 - 9 Low 10 - 49 Moderate 50 - 499 High >500 Very High * These mold levels were determined based on outdoor exposure to natural occurring spores in the environment and should not be applied to indoor exposure which may represent an entirely different spectrum of spore types. These levels and the corresponding ranges are based entirely on ecological measurements, not on health effects. Because the data were from all certified counting stations, the ranges allow comparisons between sites across the country and may be more appropriate than a range based on local numbers. This does mean that, for some stations, some categories will never be high. Because of this, a few stations have determined the ranges for their own locations and do not...

October 7-13 is Latex Allergy Awareness Week. Allergy & Asthma Network announced they will raise awareness about the condition, which affects 1 to 6 percent of the population, and distributes educational resources in print and online. During Latex Allergy Awareness Week, the Network raises awareness about the condition, which affects 1 to 6 percent of the population, and distributes educational resources in print and online. The week is intended to highlight the many issues facing people with latex allergy as well as encourage doctors and patients to stay vigilant in efforts to fully understand the condition and eliminate exposure to latex everywhere. Latex Allergy is a very complex allergy, because everyone’s experience is unique. Some people have severe reactions while others only experience mild reactions. While there is no cure for latex allergy, prevention of symptoms is possible. The three keys are awareness, avoidance and education – and with better understanding of scientific evidence, patients can learn to live a full, active life with latex allergy. On October 11, 2018, the Network will host a latex allergy webinar titled “Latex Allergy Myths & Truths: What the Evidence Reveals,” with board-certified allergist and latex allergy expert Kevin Kelly, MD, professor and vice chair and clinical operations pediatrician in chief at North Carolina Children’s Hospital. The webinar will start at 4:00 p.m. ET. Register here. Visit the Allergy & Asthma Network website to learn more and find resources.

Vote Family Allergy and Asthma Care for the Best of Denton County 2018! The words "family" and "care" are not just the anchors of our name, it's what we do. Our board-certified allergists and staff are honored to serve Denton County and surrounding communities. Voting is open  July 25 – August 22. Make your voice heard! Click here to cast your vote today.

ALLERGY AND ASTHMA ALERT: Very hot temperatures are expected through this weekend. All of North and Central Texas is under an Excessive Heat Warning today through Sunday. Temperatures will rise to well past the century mark each afternoon, with temperatures likely to reach record levels in many locations. Click here for the National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, TX forecast.  Hot, humid air can be an allergy and asthma risk. Also, heat and sunlight may combine with pollutants to create ground-level ozone. TIPS: Limit your time outside or plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening, when ozone and temperatures are lowest. Use air conditioning, if you have it. When you go out, keep your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times. Do not leave your inhaler behind in the car or let it sit in the hot sun. Make sure your asthma action plan is up-to-date Our board-certified allergist and staff are here to answer your questions and concerns. Contact us today at 972.539.0086 or info@faaccares.com.

Do you suffer from coughing, nasal congestion, skin rash, wheezing, or chronic ear or sinus infections? Did you know that cockroaches If you suspect that you have a cockroach allergy, contact our office by phone at  972.539.0086 or email info@faaccares.com to speak with a board-certified allergist. ACAAI offers these tips to treat and prevent cockroach allergies: Keep your house clean, including kitchen floors, sinks, counters and stoves. Keep food containers and garbage cans sealed. Fix any leaks that could unknowingly give cockroaches access to water. Avoid piles — of newspapers, laundry, magazines or dirty dishes. Consult a pest control company or exterminator.