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Managing Food Allergies at School

It is back to school season and with that comes big responsibilities getting your student ready for the year ahead. For those with food allergies, preparing for the fall season means going the extra mile to have a safe and healthy school year. To do this, knowing exactly what foods your child is allergic to is a must and having an emergency plan is a necessity. Before the school year starts, it is crucial to have a one-on-one conversation with your child’s teacher (and school nurse if possible) regarding all food allergies and reactions your child may have. Teachers can help prevent a food allergy reaction in the classroom by following these tips:
− Keep food outside of the classroom. If this is not possible, all food should be handled with caution to assure safety.
− Have an allergy-free lunch table so that students with food allergies can feel comfortable while being in the same room with different types of foods.
− Encourage hand washing by all students and staff before and after handling or consuming any type of food.

It is also important for your child’s teacher to understand the symptoms of a food allergy reaction. Reviewing these signs will help the teacher recognize when a reaction occurs and the severity.

Mild to moderate symptoms of a food allergy may include one or more of the following:
− Redness of the skin, particularly around the mouth or eyes
− Hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas around the mouth)
− Itchy mouth or ear canal
− Nausea or vomiting
− Diarrhea
− Stomach pain
− Nasal congestion or a runny nose
− Sneezing
− Dry Cough
− Odd taste in mouth

Severe symptoms may include one or more of the following:
− Swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat that blocks breathing
− Trouble swallowing
− Shortness of breath
− Drop in blood pressure
− Loss of consciousness
− Chest pain
− Turning blue
− Sense of impending doom

Having a Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan on file will help school staff know exactly what steps to take depending on the severity of the reaction. Mild to moderate symptoms are often treated with antihistamines and monitoring that symptom severity is not increasing.
Severe symptoms may be a sign of the life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. This type of reaction requires immediate treatment with an epinephrine injection and urgent medical attention. It is important that your child has a food allergy plan and EpiPen available at school, and that your child’s teacher knows how to use one in the event anaphylaxis occurs.
The only way to know if your child has a food allergy is to visit a board-certified allergist. Proper diagnosis of a food allergy or food intolerance is the first step to managing this condition. Schedule an appointment this summer with one of AllergySA’s experienced medical staff by calling 210-616-0882 and allow us to assist you in detecting any allergies your child may be suffering from.

August 6, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English

5 Ways to Avoid An Insect Sting This Summer

We are officially halfway through summer which means a sting from a bee, hornet, wasp, or fire ant is more likely to occur while enjoying outdoor activities. In this blog, we’ll explore what to look out for if you do get stung and how to treat it. It is important to keep in mind that you can still experience a mild reaction when stung but it doesn’t always mean you are allergic. Knowing the difference, along with the symptoms of an allergic reaction, is imperative to determine what steps to take next.

An allergic reaction to a stinging insect may include:
• Pain and Redness
• Swelling beyond the affected area including the face, throat or tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Stomach Cramps
• Nausea
• Itchiness and hives over large areas of the body

A basic way to treat a sting includes applying a cold compress, to reduce swelling and pain, along with the use of a topical ointment to relieve itching. If symptoms are worse than redness and swelling at the sight of the insect sting, it is important to seek medical attention immediately as you may be experiencing an allergic reaction.

A fire ant sting is a bit different because it usually happens by many ants at once and the risk of infection is higher. Almost everyone stung by fire ants develops an itchy hive or lump at the site of the sting, which usually goes down within 30 minutes to an hour. This is followed by a small blister within eight to 24 hours and can become infected if scratched or opened.

Insect stings can also cause symptoms that are not considered an allergic reaction called a toxic reaction or serum sickness. A toxic reaction takes place when the insect venom acts as a poison in the body and causes symptoms such as nausea, fever, swelling, and more. Serum sickness is an unusual reaction to a foreign substance in the body that can cause similar symptoms hours or days after the sting. Visiting a board-certified allergist is the best way to differentiate an allergy from one of these reactions.

Now that we have covered symptoms, here are five ways that you can prevent stings from happening while enjoying these last weeks of summer.

Avoid wearing sandals or walking barefoot in the grass.
Do not drink from open beverage cans. Stinging insects will crawl inside a can attracted by the sweet beverage.
Avoid brightly colored clothing and perfume when outdoors. Many stinging insects are searching for food and could confuse you with a flower.
Insects are most likely to sting if their homes are disturbed, so have hives and nests around your home destroyed. This activity can be dangerous, you should hire a trained professional.
Don’t swat at a flying insect. Gently brush it aside or patiently wait for it to leave. This action might make them feel threatened.

Insect sting awareness and treatment is necessary for your wellbeing and crucial to prevent further concerns. A board-certified allergist will help you verify your diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be one of the treatment options decided on by you and your allergist as an effective long-term plan. If you think you may be allergic to an insect sting, schedule an appointment with one of AllergySA’s experienced physicians by calling 210-616-0882. If possible, bring in the dead insect to help the doctor determine your exact allergy.

July 23, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health, News

What you need to know about food allergies and your child

No parent wants to see their child suffer. As a parent, one of the worst fears is that one’s child will or has developed a food allergy. Whether inherited or not, food allergies are more common in children, with research showing that about 40% of children with food allergies are usually allergic to multiple foods. If you suspect that your child might have food allergies, then you need to have them tested as soon as possible by scheduling an appointment. The earlier the detection the better in improving your child’s quality of life. The three most common food allergies are milk, egg and peanut, in that order.

Symptoms of food allergies will vary from person to person, and according to which food was consumed. Some common symptoms include vomiting, upset stomach, hives, rashes, itching, and tingling lips. Severe life-threatening symptoms can sometimes occur, and if difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or fainting is experienced, immediate medical attention needs to be sought.

Identifying food allergies can sometimes be complicated, especially if symptoms are relatively mild. Many parents experiment with elimination diets to identify specific food allergies, but this can sometimes be dangerous without a doctor’s guidance. Testing by a board-certified allergist is recommended because the process will be performed in the safety of a doctor’s office. Testing is done by obtaining blood samples or by performing skin testing. If you suspect your child has an allergy, schedule your appointment today. to see an allergist. Start a diary before the appointment and keep track of what symptoms your child experiences and what you think causes them.

Unfortunately, antihistamines like Benadryl won’t treat food allergies. When one or more food allergies have been confirmed, you need to ensure that your child avoids any contact with those particular foods. This will entail reading labels thoroughly, informing your child’s school of these specific restrictions, and teaching your child the importance of avoiding the offending foods.

Reading food labels can sometimes be confusing because food ingredients can be listed in other forms. For instance, “natural flavorings” may contain allergens, even though that particular allergen isn’t listed in the ingredients. However, more and more food manufacturers are placing allergy warnings on their labels that alert consumers that their products contain one or more common allergens. If you’re ever unsure whether or not a food contains one of your child’s allergens, it’s better to be safe and call the manufacturer.

Food allergies occur frequently in children, and if one or more allergies are identified in your child, then he or she can still live a high-quality life. As long as you ensure that the food allergens are strictly avoided at all times, your child should be healthy and happy. To make allergy avoidance even easier, manufacturers are introducing new and improved allergy-free products. This can make snacking and eating on-the-go easy, regardless of what your child might be allergic to. Our board-certified allergists are the best-qualified specialists to determine the sources of your child’s potential allergen. Schedule your appointment today.

-Lukena Karkhanis, MD

Source: FARE Food Allergy Research & Education

April 10, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

The Most Common Ways That Pollen Gets Into Your Home

If you suffer from frequent allergies, keeping pollen out of your home is vitally important. Doing so ensures that you feel yourself when you’re home and can avoid battling allergy symptoms such as a scratchy throat, runny nose and itchy eyes. Here are a few ways that pollen commonly finds its way into a home and how to keep it from happening.

Pollen In Your Hair

Having pollen in your hair will cause you to experience allergies no matter where you are, but this is especially true at home. For example, if you go to bed with pollen in your hair, it is then transferred to your pillow and blankets, where it can continue to bother you for days to come. Get in the habit of washing your hair often, and especially every night before you go to bed, and you’ll soon notice an absence of allergy symptoms as you fall asleep and wake up in the morning.

Coming In On Your Pets

As lovable as they are, pets are the perfect carriers for pollen. As you let them inside and outside, pollen sticks to your pet’s hair, just as it does to yours, and also to their paws. You can easily fix this problem by brushing your pet outdoors before you let them into your home and wiping their paws off each time they approach the door.

Through Open Windows

Unfortunate as it is, especially during the most beautiful times of the year, keeping your windows closed is the best way to keep pollen out of your home. However, be sure to keep an eye on your local pollen forecast for days when pollen levels are low. On these days you can often get away with opening your windows for a while and enjoying the fresh air without the worry of excess pollen getting into your living space.

Negative Air Pressure

When negative air pressure exists, it means that your home is sucking outside air in through the cracks in your doors and windows. This is caused by leaks in the heating and cooling ducts of your home. If you’ve had a long-term problem with pollen getting into your home, have a professional take a look your home’s ducts and check for leaks. Fixing this negative pressure will instantly create a cleaner and pollen-free living environment.

If you think any of these common causes of pollen in the home apply to you, then simply take the measures to fix them and you will be much more comfortable. By keeping your windows closed when pollen is high, washing your hair regularly, fixing negative air pressure and making sure your pets are clean, you’ll have a pollen-free living space that you can fully enjoy.

April 1, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health, Illness

San Antonio Ranked The #5 Most Challenging U.S. City To Live In With Pollen Allergies

San Antonio has been ranked the #5 most challenging U.S. city to live in with pollen allergies, according to the Spring Allergy Capitals Report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

The city jumped from the 22^nd spot in 2016 to the 5^th spot in 2018 because of the report’s findings on the following factors:

Pollen and mold counts
Allergy medication usage
Availability of board-certified allergists

San Antonio is not the only South Texas city to make the top of the list. McAllen, Texas came in at #1 followed by: #2: Louisville, Kentucky, #3: Jackson, Mississippi, and #4: Memphis, Tennessee. See the full 2018 Spring Allergy Capitals report here.

According to Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA, the report, “helps people in these areas be more aware of what may contribute to their allergy symptoms, so they can work with their health care providers to get relief.”

The board-certified allergists and medical professionals of AllergySA are committed to caring for adult and pediatric patients with asthma, allergy and immunology issues in San Antonio and South Texas. With the right treatment plan, seasonal allergies can be managed for better quality of life.

If you have never been tested for seasonal allergies, contact AllergySA at (210) 616-0882 to set up a new patient appointment today.

May 22, 2018/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health, Illness

Cold vs. Allergies

Are you reaching for the tissues with a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing several times a day? Before you go straight for the cold medicine aisle in your local pharmacy, here are some tips to help you determine if your symptoms are being caused by a common cold or seasonal allergies.

A common cold is caused by a virus and will generally last 7 to 10 days. Symptoms include a sore throat, coughing, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose. Fever, fatigue, aches and pains may also be experienced.

Allergy symptoms are immune system responses to allergens (such as pollen) and can last for weeks, or as long as the person is exposed to the allergen. Symptoms include itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose. A cough and sore throat may also be experienced, but never a fever.

It is always best to check with a medical professional to determine the cause of your symptoms. If you are experiencing allergy symptoms, make an appointment with one of our board certified physicians today by calling 210-616-0882.

If allergies are the culprit, the best way to handle your symptoms is to know exactly what is causing them. This can be done through an allergy skin test in our office. For more information on what to expect during an allergy skin test procedure visit: https://allergysa.com/what-expect.

December 29, 2017/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Preparing for Summer Allergies and Asthma

Are you prepared for allergies and asthma this summer? Learn more from Allergy SA’s Medical Director Joseph D. Diaz, M.D. as featured on San Antonio Living.

Book Now at 210-616-0882.

May 30, 2017/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Local Elementary Students Compete with Animal Allergy Alert App

This week, Dr. Diaz was invited to speak with the Robotics Team of Spicewood Elementary. This talented group of students from the Southwest Independent School District are preparing for a competition where they will present their project titled the Animal Allergy Alert App.

As a part of their research, the students wanted to speak with a specialist who could help them better understand the causes, symptoms and treatments of animal allergies. Dr. Diaz was thrilled to speak with the group about common types of animal allergies as well as symptoms ranging from mild local reactions to severe anaphylaxis.

Dr. Diaz and the students discussed how avoidance is the number one treatment for allergies and how their Animal Allergy Alert App plays a role in that treatment. They also discussed other treatment options such as the use of antihistamines and epinephrine.

Allergy SA wishes the Spicewood Elementary Robotics Team the best of luck on their upcoming competition this March.

If you believe you or a family member has an allergy to animals, contact Allergy SA for an appointment today at (210) 616-0882.

February 9, 2017/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Preparing for Mountain Cedar Season

With the change in weather also comes a change in the allergens that fill our air. Mountain cedar season is on its way with December, January and February being its heaviest months. Mountain cedar grows naturally in this region and is considered to be the most allergenic tree in Central Texas.

Common symptoms of “Cedar Fever” include sneezing, nasal blockage, runny nose and itchy and watery eyes. Other symptoms can include fatigue, mild headache, sore throat, partial loss of smell and the sensation of ear plugging.

According to Dr. Karkhanis, one of our board certified physicians, the best way to beat cedar fever is to prepare for it early with these steps:

GET TESTED BY A BOARD-CERTIFIED ALLERGIST: Visiting one of our board-certified providers for an allergy skin test is the best way to get a definitive answer about your allergies. This will lead to better treatment of your exact symptoms instead of wasting time and money treating the incorrect illness.
START YOUR MEDICATIONS EARLY: After your skin test, your allergist will discuss what medications are needed and if you are a candidate for allergy drops or shots. It is recommended that you begin your medication several weeks prior to the start of the season. This will reduce your likelihood of experiencing those irritating cedar fever symptoms instead of trying to treat the symptoms after they have started.

Once the mountain cedar season begins, it is also important to reduce your pollen exposure by taking the following actions:

Reduce pollen from entering your home by changing air filters regularly, keeping windows and doors closed, bathing pets often, and showering and changing clothes after being outdoors.
Reduce pollen exposure when outdoors by keeping car windows closed and decreasing your time spent outside on days when the pollen count is high.

If you believe you suffer from allergies caused by mountain cedar, call Allergy SA at 210-616-0882 to schedule an appointment with one of our board certified allergists. Same day appointments are available.

November 10, 2016/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Tips For An Allergy-Friendly Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and this year we would like to make it safe and enjoyable for all, including those with food allergies. Here are some tips for an allergy-friendly Halloween:

If your child has food allergies:
- Host a Halloween gathering with non-food items such as glow sticks, bracelets, pencils, bubbles, spider rings, vampire fangs and bookmarks.
- Trick-or-treat with your child to monitor what items they are receiving.
- Play it safe and do not allow your child to consume unlabeled food items.
- Be prepared with your EpiPen® Auto-injector in the event of an emergency.
If your child does not have food allergies you can still make Halloween inclusive for all trick-or-treaters by joining the Teal Pumpkin Project® and following these tips:
- Place a teal pumpkin outside of your house to indicate that you are offering non-food items such as bracelets, stickers, glow sticks, and spider rings.
- Give trick-or-treaters the option of a candy or a non-food item for those with food allergies.

If you suspect your child has food allergies, please call AllergySA at (210) 616-0882 to schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist. Same day appointments are available.

October 20, 2016/by allergysa

Managing Food Allergies at School

5 Ways to Avoid An Insect Sting This Summer

What you need to know about food allergies and your child

The Most Common Ways That Pollen Gets Into Your Home

San Antonio Ranked The #5 Most Challenging U.S. City To Live In With Pollen Allergies

Cold vs. Allergies

Preparing for Summer Allergies and Asthma

Local Elementary Students Compete with Animal Allergy Alert App

Preparing for Mountain Cedar Season

Tips For An Allergy-Friendly Halloween

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