Chances are you or someone you know has a penicillin allergy. Penicillin and its derivatives are the most common cause of drug-induced anaphylaxis, accounting for some 500 deaths per year in the United States. However, 10 times as many people think that they have a penicillin allergy. Did you know for every 100 people with a penicillin allergy diagnosis, only 10 people are truly allergic to Penicillin. Let’s dive in! Penicillin allergy is over-reported. Here are some statistics: 10% of the population report having a Penicillin allergy, but many of those are misdiagnosed. Only 1% of the population truly has the allergy. Penicillin allergy is often not for life. 80% of Penicillin allergic people lose their allergy after 10 years. What is Penicillin allergy? Penicillin allergy occurs when your body’s immune system has an abnormal, hypersensitivity reaction to the antibiotic, mistakenly attacking Penicillin as if it were harmful to the body. Symptoms typically occur within 1-2 hours of the first dose of a new antibiotic course and can range from mild to severe, including anaphylactic. Symptoms may include hives and skin itching, skin swelling, wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, throat tightness, feeling faint, fast heart rate. An allergic reaction is a learned response occurring after the body has been exposed to the antibiotic in the past. Therefore, an allergic reaction does not happen the first time a person takes the antibiotic. Often people will be surprised by the allergic reaction because they have had the drug in the past and seemed to tolerate it. Prior exposure to Penicillin may not seem obvious because of exposure from trace amounts in our food or water source, which may have triggered the body’s hypersensitivity. While anyone can have an allergic reaction, risk factors include: Questionable or doubtful penicillin allergy history: Many adults recall that their parents told them they had an allergic reaction as a child. The major of those adults are not allergic. It is easy to determine if an allergy is still present after consultation by an allergist. Also, any antibiotic can cause stomach upset, but that is not an...

June 18-19 our providers attended the 2021 National FAST meeting held in Dallas, TX. FAST stands for Food Allergy Support Team. FAST is a non-profit organization supporting food allergy specialists who specialize in oral immunotherapy (OIT), a breakthrough treatment for people with food allergies. All of the providers at Family Allergy and Asthma CARE are members of FAST. Here’s an excerpt from the FAST website (www.fastoit.org): FAST believes that it takes a combination of expertise, experience, and dedication to solve complex health issues. Treating severe food allergy requires all three, and it shows in the results we are getting. OIT is available for the major food allergens, peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, sesame seed, and others on a case-by-case basis. The initial phase of the treatment program takes 6-12 months, followed by daily consumption of a maintenance ‘dose’ of the food. Tens of thousands of patients across the country have chosen to proceed with OIT because they benefit from the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment. Practices who utilize OIT to treat their patients with food allergies gathered and shared their data and the latest information on the safest and most effective ways to perform OIT. One of the most exciting things we reviewed was the advantages and tolerability of infants and toddlers with food allergies who utilize OIT to manage and improve their quality of life. Dr. Hudelson, Dr. Fitzgerald, and Dr. Mireku are extremely gratified to provide OIT services for our patients. Learn more and get started today! Visit foodallergynorthtexas.org. 

We are proud to serve Denton County! Nominations for Best of Denton County 2021 are open June 9 through July 7. CLICK HERE to Nominate Family Allergy & Asthma Care.  

Earlier this spring, Denton Record-Chronicle readers nominated their favorite businesses. The top 3-5 nominees in each category advanced to the Final Voting round. Family Allergy & Asthma Care is honored to be nominated. Best of Denton 2021 voting begins May 31 and ends June 28. Cast your vote for Family Allergy & Asthma Care today! We are honored to serve Denton. ❤ https://dentonrc.com/bestofdenton/#/gallery/280339748

Fire Ants - Wasp - Bees, OH MY! Spring in Texas brings to our minds beautiful bluebonnets and wildflowers. But spring also brings fire ants, wasp, hornets, and bees, which are not only annoying at picnics but also can be dangerous for venom allergic people. The wingless member of Hymenoptera Order is the Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta. The Winged members are in two families, Apidae (bees) and Vespidae (hornets, wasp, and yellow jacket). Interestingly, only the female's sting. FIRE ANTS Fire Ants accidentally entered the US between 1918-the 1930s carried on a cargo ship from South America to a port in Mobile, Alabama. They have spread across the southeast and are further migrating. Although they prefer warmer climates, they are migrating north following the warmer areas next to highways and roads. Also, they are mating with native ants, which has made them more cold-tolerant. Global warming will likely allow their migration even further north. They build their mounds in the warm moist soil preferring open, sunny areas, such as pastures, parks, lawns, playgrounds, golf courses and be seen in any green space such as at shopping areas or gas stations. Commonly children can inadvertently step on a mound each summer/spring. The fire ant uses its mandible to grasp its victim, then arches its body and drives its stinger into the skin to release venom. It then pivots around its mandibles and inflicts further stings in a circular pattern. Classically a sterile pustule form 24 hours later.     BEES, YELLOW JACKET, WASP, AND HORNETS Flying insects in the order Hymenoptera includes bees, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets.     Honeybee       Yellow Jacket   Hornet     Paper Wasp Honeybees, the Apidae family, live in colonies with up to 65,000 members. They build their nests inside hollow trees or logs. When it stings, it leaves a barbed stinger attached to a venom sac in the victim's skin, resulting in the bee's evisceration and death. Most bee stings occur while people are walking barefoot or handling flowers. Honeybees are docile and only sting when provoked or protecting their...

Dr. Marie Fitzgerald recently discussed with Caroline Vandergriff CBS 11 the potential for spring allergy season to be more severe this year. I would say this April is worse than usual. Originally, you might think well this is going to kill the pollen for the year – wouldn’t that been nice if that had happened – but it actually didn’t because the snow acted like insulation on the plants. All it did is delay, but it did not relieve anything.   Here, what we’re seeing this spring, is people coming in with worsening allergy symptoms that can certainly turn into sinus infections, ear infections, and also asthma. It can be diminished, but they usually don’t lose it. So when someone tells me they’ve lost their sense of smell and taste, then I do think they ought to get a COVID check to rule that out before we just say it was allergies. Read and watch more at CBS11.com. Schedule your appointment to find relief from allergy and asthma symptoms.

                                                                                                                                                      I know there is so much that goes into our minds as parents when managing our children who have food allergies. You are the parent, and ultimately you know what is best for your child. Our job at the Food Allergy Institute (FAI) is to partner with you to help "conquer" your child's food allergies.   What is Oral Immunotherapy? Oral immunotherapy (OIT) gets your body used a food allergen, so it does not cause a reaction upon ingestion. OIT is a procedure performed and supervised by a Board-Certified Allergist in a clinic setting. It involves your child eating small amounts of their allergic food and progressively increasing the amount every two weeks. This process retrains the immune system to tolerate foods that previously would trigger an allergic reaction. Successful immunotherapy is when our patients can eat a significant amount of their allergenic food without a reaction.   How Effective Is Oral Immunotherapy? Oral immunotherapy has been shown to be very effective. When reviewing reports, published desensitization (able to tolerate) rates in OIT studies vary from 30% to more than 90%. We are happy to report at the Food Allergy Institute; our Efficacy rate is 94%   Is Oral Immunotherapy Safe? You can have allergic reactions with oral immunotherapy. The most common reactions include localized symptoms such as itchy mouth, Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and rashes. It is also possible to have an allergic or "anaphylactic" reaction while on Oral Immunotherapy. This is why this therapy is done under the care of your Board-Certified Allergist in a supervised setting. Also, a MINORITY of patients (3-5%) may develop a condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This allergic condition can lead...

WHY SHOULD I RECEIVE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19? Protection! For yourself, your family, your friends, and your co-workers. A COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 or keep you from becoming seriously ill if you get COVID-19. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the pathway towards stopping the pandemic. FOR MOST PEOPLE, THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.   AM I A CANDIDATE TO GET A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19? YES!  A COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone who is 12 years of age and older. The only contraindication is a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components, including sensitivity to PEG (polyethylene glycol).  If you are concerned that you may have an allergy to PEG or the vaccine, please schedule PEG testing and a consultation with your FAAC Provider.   HOW DO I KNOW THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS SAFE? Experience.  To date, almost 5 billion people worldwide have safely received a COVID-19 vaccination. Safety has been demonstrated across a broad range of the population, including different ages, races, ethnicities, and those with different medical conditions.   DOES FAMILY ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE OFFICE? Family Allergy & Asthma Care is a registered site for COVID-19 vaccination administration.  We run a vaccine clinic about every two weeks.  If you would like to receive your COVID-19 vaccination at FAAC, please call the office to schedule. (972-539-0086).    CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 3 VACCINES AVAILABLE IN THE US, WHICH VACCINE SHOULD I TAKE? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (mRNA vaccines) are similar and are equally safe and effective. They both require two vaccinations to be considered fully vaccinated. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is administered 18-23 days after the first vaccination, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is administered 28 days after the first vaccination. The Pfizer vaccination is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for people ages 12 and older.  The Moderna is currently approved for people 18 and older.  The Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is currently administered as a single dose and indicated for...

I often find that the terms "food allergy" and "food intolerance" are used interchangeably. But really….... they are not the same thing. Food Allergies  A true food allergy results when one's immune system overreacts to an ordinarily harmless food. This is caused by an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE).  After production, IgE binds to allergy cells and waits to be activated by this offending food. Once these cells are stimulated, many chemicals and mediators are released (ex. Histamine) This sequence of events leads to an allergic reaction. What causes food intolerance? A food intolerance is an abnormal response to a food that is not an allergic reaction.  In fact, it does not even involve the immune system. It is usually the result of an enzymatic effect defect in the body. An example of this is with milk intolerance in adults in which the body has a defect in the lactase enzyme and therefore cannot break down lactose, which is a sugar. This inability to digest this sugar can lead to uncomfortable GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Examples of Types of Food Intolerances: a) Lactose Intolerance- absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest the food b) Irritable Bowel Syndrome: This chronic condition can cause cramping, constipation and c) Sensitivity to Food Additives: An example can include sulfites in wine which can trigger asthma in some individuals. d) Recurring stress of psychological factors e) Celiac disease -The immune system damages the small intestine when gluten protein found in wheat, rye, or barley is ingested. Life Impact of Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance Food allergies occur in 1-2% of adults and <10% of children. They are far less common than food intolerances. Food intolerance can significantly affect your quality of life, but it is not life-threatening like a food allergy can be. The severity spectrum for food allergies can vary from mild symptoms to a severe anaphylactic episode.  Anaphylactic symptoms may include hives, lip swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, urticaria, angioedema, coughing, wheezing, and even cardiac arrest. This is why it is important for these patients to carry...

Mountain cedar, also known by its Latin name Juniperus ashei, is a drought tolerant native evergreen tree that causes winter/spring allergen in Texas. Although it is common in Mexico, in the USA, it is primarily found in Texas. The name Mountain Cedar originated from its highest density in the Hill Country area.  Its name is somewhat of a misnomer since it is a juniper and not cedar and Central Texas is hardly mountainous.   Most of the country is frozen in the winter without blooming plants, which gives people a break from allergies. Texas is unique in that it has a wintertime allergen, mountain cedar, which explodes in the cold winter months. Juniperus ashei is related to Juniperus virginiana that pollinates in the spring. Therefore, January till March is the peak season. The plant's part that causes allergies is the pollen, which is part of the plant's reproductive cycle. Did you know that trees can be male and female? The male cedar trees become covered with small brown cones that burst open on dry, windy days to release pollen. The pollen is often seen blowing in large clouds in the Central Texas area in January, often mistaken for wildfire due to the large and intense pollen clouds. The winds will carry the pollen for many miles, well into Oklahoma. Mountain Cedar is often referred to as “cedar fever” by the locals.  Although ironic, cedar fever does not produce a fever. Instead, it causes our wintertime misery of sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, itchy watery eyes, asthma, and cough. Sadly, each winter, I hear many people say that they assumed that living in Texas means you suffer from allergies, and little can be done about it.  No one should suffer from allergies with our excellent treatment options.  First, over the counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, and nasal irrigation are an excellent start. Second, prescription antihistamine nasal sprays can be added.  If this treatment fails, immunotherapy by injections or drops is excellent.  Immunotherapy prevents symptoms and is the only treatment option that can be curative in many patients. Dr. James Holman...