The allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis occurs in 0.5% to 5% of the U.S. population as a result of insect stings. At least 40 deaths per year result from insect sting anaphylaxis. The majority of the insect stings in the United States come from wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and bees. The red or black imported fire ant now infects more than 260 million acres in the southern United States, where it has become a significant health hazard and may be the number one agent of insect stings. What is a normal reaction to an insect sting and how is it treated? The severity of an insect sting reaction varies from person to person. A normal reaction will result in pain, swelling and redness confined to the sting site. Simply disinfect the area (washing with soap and water will do) and apply ice to reduce swelling. A large local reaction will result in swelling that extends beyond the sting site. For example, a sting on the forearm could result in the entire arm swelling twice its normal size. Although alarming in appearance, this condition is often treated the same as a normal reaction. However, because this condition may persist 2 to 3 days, antihistamines and corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed to lessen the discomfort. Fire ants, yellow jackets, hornets and wasps can sting repeatedly. Honeybees have barbed stingers, which are left behind in their victim’s skin. These stingers are best removed by a scraping action, rather than a pulling motion, which may actually squeeze more venom into the skin. Almost all people stung by fire ants develop an itchy, localized hive or lump at the sting site, which usually subsides within 30 to 60 minutes. This is followed by a small blister within 4 hours. This usually appears to become filled with pus by 8 to 24 hours. However, the material seen is really dead tissue and the blister has little chance of being infected unless it is opened. When healed, these lesions may leave scars. Treatment for fire ant stings is aimed at preventing secondary bacterial infection, which may occur...

“Grass pollen will start to pollinate in April and May, and that is what is coming out right now,” said Dr. Marie Fitzgerald with Family Allergy and Asthma Care. She said that DFW is right on the border between the geographical locations of West Texas and East Texas. Watch the video below: Click here to read the full article by By Aparna Zalani, CBS11 Special Project's Producer

How To Avoid Stinging Insects Stinging insects do not seek sustenance from humans, as do the biting insects, such as mosquitoes, flies and fleas. The sting of these insects is only used against people for self-defense or defense of the nest. Honeybees These bees travel in a straight line from flower to hive, and stings usually occur when someone interrupts a bee in flight, or strikes a flower in which a bee is working. Honeybees are attracted by flower fragrances, bright colors and smooth water surfaces. Fragrant perfumes, colognes and powders also act as attractants. The fragrance of some house paints has been known to act as an excitant to honeybees and cause them to behave aggressively. For safety, clothing should be light in color. Hair should be short or tied up during the warm months to avoid entanglements that cause stings. If a person is stung and cannot identify the insect, see if the stinger is embedded in the sting site. If it is, chances are the sting was from a honeybee. Wasps, Yellow Jackets and Hornets Wasps feed on the larvae of other insects, which they kill with repeated stings. The stinger is not embedded in the sting site. The adult wasp lives on juices, sap and nectar; it is attracted by odors such as spoiling foods, soft drinks, fruit juices, leather, perspiration, bright colors and a water supply. Yellow jackets make their nests in the ground, and the paper hornets’ nests may be close to the ground or high above it. Both of these stinging insects are, therefore, particularly hazardous to bare feet and ankles. General rules for avoidance and removal The first rule when a stinging insect approaches is to STAY STILL. Remember, people who keep bees professionally wear protective clothing AND ALWAYS MOVE SLOWLY. Never slap or brush off an insect of this kind. It will not sting unless frightened or antagonized. Be careful when you shake out clothing that has been left on the ground. Wasps or other stinging insects could be in the folds of the clothing. Avoid orchards in bloom, clover...

Rain washes pollen away, but pollen counts can soar after rainfall.  "Rain often washes pollen out of the environment, but first, it bursts pollen particles, spreading allergens farther."  Warner Carr, MD, an allergist and fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "During a rainstorm, the pollen in your environment gets saturated and fractures, releasing small particles into the air at a much higher concentration," he explained. "When patients inhale them it causes a syndrome called 'thunderclap asthma. Then, there's an allergic reaction in the lungs, causing asthma symptoms, or for those without asthma, allergy symptoms in the upper airways. Ninety-five percent of people with asthma also have allergies. Rainstorms can produce serious respiratory symptoms for them, so patients should anticipate this, and be prepared with the proper asthma and/or allergy medication." At Family Allergy and Asthma Care, we are a AAAAI certified counting station and provide daily pollen and spore levels for North Texas. To be prepared after a rainfall, click here for the latest counts.  

Pets May Cause Havoc for Allergic and Asthmatic Patients Keeping domestic animals as household pets is a universal activity. Pets provide companionship, security and a sense of comfort. Children often learn responsibility and lessons about life and death from pets. However, people with allergies should be cautious in deciding what type of animal can safely be brought into their home. Pets can cause problems to allergic patients in several ways. Their dander (skin flakes) can cause an allergic reaction, as well as their saliva and urine. The animal hair itself is not considered to be a very significant allergen. However, the hair or fur can collect pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens. The best types of pets for an allergic patient are tropical fish, snakes, lizards, turtles, salamanders, ants and certain types of insects, frogs, spiders and tortoises. All of these pets do not shed dander, have hair or fur, nor does their excrements create allergic problems. However, patients should keep in mind that large aquariums can add to the amount of water vapor in a room, thus increasing mold and house dust mite concentrations in their home. Most Common Pets The most common household pets are dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs. Larger animals such as horses, goats, cows, chickens, ducks and geese, even though kept outdoors, can also cause problems if kept as pets. It is estimated that 25% of children are exposed to horses either by riding them or by being in their barns or pens. The number of pets in the United States is estimated at more than 100,000,000. This large number also increased the likelihood of accidental exposure to animals by the allergic patient when visiting homes, farms, etc. Both feathers and the droppings from birds, another common pet, can increase the allergen exposure. The allergic patient should not sue feather pillows or down comforters. If a feather pillow is used, it should be placed in a plastic encasing. An encasing with a zipper is recommended, so none of the feathers can escape. Bird Droppings Bird droppings can be a...

Oral Immunotherapy or Oral Induction of Tolerance (OIT) is a form of desensitization which involves gradually consuming increasing amounts of the food allergen over weeks and months resulting in desensitizing allergic individuals to these foods. Studies have shown that the OIT process can be done safely and effectively. The number one goal of OIT is safety: to avoid anaphylaxis if the allergic food is accidently ingested. By reducing the risk of anaphylaxis, patients and their families experience less fear and anxiety over accidental exposures and gain overall improvement in quality of life (eating at restaurants, enjoying birthday parties, traveling, etc). We offer the Food Allergy Institute of North Texas as a state of the art food allergy institute focused on innovative testing, treatment and education. Our clinic is staffed by dedicated nurses and board certified allergists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. Starting at very low doses and slowly increasing up to a target dose can be a very effective method of treatment.  Do you have questions? Click here to contact our office and learn more!

Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 14-20 and you are invited to join us at Market Street in Flower Mound, Texas on May 17 for a special event. Our registered dietitian and team will offer food demonstrations along with sample allergy-friendly meals and snacks. There will be Q & A sessions and more! Don't miss it. Get directions and join us! http://bit.ly/2rrfEr9

Do you have trouble breathing or does your chest feel tight when you exercise? Do you wake up during the night coughing? Is it difficult to take a deep breath? If you answered yes to any of these questions you might be suffering from asthma What Exactly Is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that results in narrowed and inflamed airways. In infants and toddlers it is often called reactive airway disease (RAD). It typically appears in childhood and may persist lifelong, although a large percentage of children outgrow asthma. Asthma cannot be cured but for those who do not outgrow it, proper asthma care from specialists like the staff at Family Allergy and Asthma Care can help you manage your asthma and lead a normal life. Summertime asthma triggers can be particularly problematic and should not spoil your summer fun. Consider the following ACAAI tips: Changes in the weather. Be it stifling humidity or a refreshing cool breeze, sudden changes in the weather can trigger an asthma attack. Wind can spread pollen and stir up mold, affecting those who suffer from grass or tree pollen and mold allergies. Allergists are experts in diagnosing and treating allergic and asthmatic diseases, and can develop asthma action plans to ensure diseases are kept in check no matter the season or the temperature. Campfire smoke. Toasting marshmallows or sitting out at a bonfire is a lot less fun if it results in an asthma attack. Smoke is a common asthma trigger. Sit upwind of the smoke and avoid getting too close to help prevent an asthma flair-up. Stinging insects. As if the pain isn t bad enough, it is possible to develop a life-threatening allergic reaction to the sting of yellow jackets, honey bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants. Coverup when gardening or working outdoors, avoid brightly colored clothing, forget the perfume and take caution when eating or drinking anything sweet, all of which attract stinging insects. Be especially careful with open soft drink cans. An allergist might advise carrying epinephrine for emergency relief in the event of being stung. See an...

Biologics offers hope for those who may continue to suffer from asthma symptoms after treatment.  The goal of biologics is to treat asthma at the cellular level.  Biologics are made from a variety of natural sources. “Biologics is definitely something that has piqued the interest of physicians, including allergists, throughout medicine,” said Kevin Murphy, MD, ACAAI. “Traditional asthma treatments don’t work for some people, and their asthma is uncontrolled. Biologics is at the cutting edge of treatment because it has the potential to be personalized – to be formulated to treat those cells which are the mechanism, or pathway, that leads to allergic inflammation and makes it so hard for some people to breathe.” Consult with one of our board-certified allergists to learn more about biologics and the future of asthma treatment. Click here to contact us.

For some people, physical activity is the only trigger necessary to cause an asthma episode. Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) occurs when the airways in your chest become narrow and constricted within a few minutes after beginning exercise. The episode usually reaches its peak of severity about 5 to 10 minutes after starting exercise, and may continue for another 20 to 30 minutes. If left untreated, EIB can prevent you from participating in the activities you enjoy. While an episode may last only a few minutes, it is still a frightening experience and may cause you to put unnecessary limits on your activities. Recognizing asthma symptoms In an asthma episode, the airways in your lungs become swollen and inflamed, and the muscles surrounding them tighten, reducing the flow of air. Excess mucus is also produced, which can make breathing even more difficult. The signs of asthma include rapid and labored breathing, plus a whistling or wheezing sound with each breath. You may also experience a cough and a tight feeling in your chest. Take action – and stay active By working closely with your doctor and following your treatment plan, you can control your asthma and enjoy exercise and other activities without fear. Steps for effective control The goal of treatment for EIB is simple: to allow you to participate in physical activities with out experiencing symptoms. Together, you and your doctor can develop a plan to manage your condition and make this goal a reality. Many people find that these strategies are part of a successful program: Activity diary  Keep a record of all your regular activities and make a note of when you experience asthma symptoms. Also keep track of the steps you normally take for symptom relief. Review this diary with your doctor; it’s a very helpful way to track the effectiveness of your treatment program. Medication  In asthma management, when you take your medicine can be as important as what medicines you take. Certain drugs are most effective at certain times, so ask your doctor about the best time to take your medication in relation to your exercise schedule....