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....

World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday in May. People with asthma and organizations dedicated to asthma control and education join together to increase awareness about asthma and improve the lives of all people with asthma. Click here to learn how you can use the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Asthma Awareness Month Toolkit to take control of and raise awareness about asthma. The first World Asthma Day, in 1998, was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain. Participation has increased with each World Asthma Day held since then, and the day has become one of the world's most important asthma awareness and education events. The CDC reports that asthma affects over 24 million people living in the United States, including more than 6 million children. It causes 3 in 5 people living with asthma to limit their physical activity or miss days at school and work. Asthma is also expensive, costing the nation $56 billion each year.  According to the World Health Organization 235 million people suffer from asthma, and asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Click here to visit their website for resources and tools to bring healthy messages to work, school and home. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the Asthma Awareness Month Toolkit to take control of and raise awareness about asthma. If you and/or someone you love have asthma, you are a teacher or you need facts about Asthma that you can use, click here to check out the toolkit and learn more. The CDC reports that asthma affects over 24 million people living in the United States, including more than 6 million children. It causes 3 in 5 people living with asthma to limit their physical activity or miss days at school and work. Asthma is also expensive, costing the nation $56 billion each year. Show AAFA how you tackle asthma and allergies during their contest. Take a picture showing how you live with asthma or allergies every day and post on their social media or upload to their online community. One winner will be selected each week during Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month from all eligible photo entries. Winners will receive a “healthier home” package of asthma & allergy friendly® Certified products. Click here to visit the website to get started.   Watch the video from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America with Rashad Jennings, running back for the New York Giants.

A voluntary recall of select lots of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors was announced March 31, 2017  by Mylan N.V. for Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company and Mylan's manufacturing partner. This recall is being conducted as a result of the receipt of two previously disclosed reports outside of the U.S. of failure to activate the device due to a potential defect in a supplier component. The potential defect could make the device difficult to activate in an emergency (failure to activate or increased force needed to activate) and have significant health consequences for a patient experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Both reports are related to the single lot that was previously recalled. The incidence of the defect is extremely rare and testing and analysis across the potentially impacted lots has not identified any units with a defect. However, the recall is being expanded to include additional lots as a precautionary measure out of an abundance of caution. Click here to read the Mylan news release. Click here to read the FDA news release.

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. In asthmatic airways certain triggers like viruses, smoke, cold air or allergens trigger the muscle encircling the airway to constrict which is called “bronchospasm”. Following bronchospasm there is inflammation that can further narrow the airways and lead to chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. This inflammatory response leads to production of mucous in the airways and often a chronic cough. Asthma can also occur after exposure to chemical irritants or industrial dusts. The majority of people with asthma have other allergic conditions like nasal allergies (“hay fever”) or eczema and most have a family history of allergic disease or asthma. Asthma and wheezing is more common in boys in early childhood but more boys outgrow asthma than girls. More girls develop asthma during or after puberty and are statistically less likely to outgrow it. Asthma can have a highly variable presentation. A chronic cough usually at night or in the early morning is one of the classic signs of asthma. Wheezing – a squeaking or whistling sound when you breathe – is another. People with asthma often report they are unable to catch their breath, feel short of breath or their chest feels constricted. In children sometimes the only symptom is a chronic cough. Asthma is a clinical diagnosis which means that there is not a true “test” for it. The diagnosis is made by the presence of certain symptoms, findings on physical exam, family history and the results of lung function testing called spirometry. It is standard of care for all patients being diagnosed with asthma to have a lung function test as there are many other...