In 2020, the FDA approved the first treatment for peanut allergy in children.  AllergySA was the first clinic in San Antonio to introduce Palforzia. We were the second clinic in the nation to have a patient reach the maintenance phase in the program. Learn more about Palforzia:

 

What is Palforzia? 

Palforzia is an oral treatment for children ages 4-17 with peanut allergies. Palforzia can reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts. It is a defatted peanut protein powder that is carefully measured in capsules or a sachet, depending on the dosage.

PALFORZIA is not a cure for peanut allergy and is used in conjunction with a peanut avoidance diet. However, when taken according to instructions, it can reduce the likelihood of a severe reaction upon accidental exposure to peanuts.

PALFORZIA cannot be used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, and those who take it should continue to carry their injectable epinephrine devices.

 

How does Palforzia work? 

There are three (3) phases of the PALFORZIA process: the initial dose escalation phase, up-dosing phase, and the maintenance phase. PALFORZIA is intended to gradually decrease your child’s sensitivity to small amounts of peanuts that may be hidden in foods.

 

How is Palforzia taken? 

Palforzia is a powder product that is mixed in soft, room-temperature food such as pudding, applesauce, or yogurt. You open the capsule or sachet according to the schedule and put in your chosen food. Always wash your hands after handling PALFORZIA.

 

How effective is Palforzia? 

Recent studies have shown that children with long-term daily dosing treatments have had the greatest strides in reaching maintenance in desensitization to their peanut allergy. After two years of taking Palforzia, more than 80% of children demonstrated desensitization to 2000 mg of peanut protein (which is equivalent to 6 peanut kernels).

 

What are the side effects?

Most side effects are mild and resolve within 40 minutes of taking Palforzia. The most commonly reported side effects are stomach pain/cramping and itching of the mouth or throat. These symptoms are usually mild and typically do not require intervention. More severe reactions include the risk of anaphylaxis and developing Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). Speak with your ASA allergist about these risks.

Side effects may include:

• Stomach pain 
• Vomiting 
• Feeling sick 
• Itching or burning in the mouth 
• Throat irritation 
• Cough
• Runny rose 
• Sneezing 
• Itchy skin
• Hives 

 

How do I start my child on Palforzia?

All children must first be enrolled in the Palforzia Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program (REMS). This is a safety program that manages the risk of anaphylaxis associated with Palforzia and is required by the FDA to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

If Palforzia is prescribed by your allergist for your child, they will send the prescription to a specialty pharmacy. If insurance eligible, the pharmacy will reach out to you to confirm the shipment details.

Patients with no insurance or with commercial insurance who have been denied coverage can be put in the Palforzia Pathway Patient Assistance Program and are eligible to receive Palforzia at no cost.

 

If you want to learn more about Palforzia and whether it is appropriate for your child, schedule an appointment with one of our food allergy experts at 210 616-0882.

With the new year come new opportunities for health goals and resolutions. For allergy and asthma sufferers, it’s the perfect time to get the wheezing and sneezing under control and commit to better breathing in the coming year!

There are many benefits to seeing an allergist early in the year. Here are just a few allergy and asthma tips to help you enjoy a year with fewer symptoms and better health!  

Tips for Allergy Sufferers:

•       Identify what is triggering your symptoms. Knowing what triggers your allergy symptoms is the only way to control them effectively. A board-certified allergist will take a complete history and perform testing that will definitively identify your specific allergies.
•       Make changes around your home to combat your seasonal allergies this winter. If you are perpetually stuffy, have itchy eyes, and have pressure in your head this time of the year, you might suffer from what is often called winter or indoor allergies. Because you are indoors more during the colder months (often with little ventilation), you are exposed to indoor allergens like mold, dust mites, and animal dander. A visit to an allergy expert will include a discussion on environmental control measures to help reduce your allergic reactions when inside. 
•       Plan ahead for the spring pollen season. In Central Texas, we go from mountain cedar pollen season to the spring pollen season, where trees such as oak, elm, and ash release their pollen. If you are allergic to any of these pollens, you may experience symptoms from December through May, and that’s a long time to be miserable! Your allergist will advise you on what medications and when to start them to reduce the runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion that plague so many. For those with year-round or particularly bothersome seasonal allergies, your allergist might prescribe immunotherapy which can permanently modify your allergies, and in some cases, prevent allergy development. 

Tips for Asthma Sufferers:

•       Identify your asthma triggers. Just like with allergies, knowing what triggers your symptoms is the first step in controlling your asthma. Be aware of the allergy/asthma connection. Approximately 80% of children and over 50% of adults have allergies that trigger their asthma symptoms. If you treat your allergies, you will help control your asthma. 
•       Avoid smoke! Giving up cigarettes should top your list for overall health, and especially for healthier lungs. But beware of secondhand smoke as an asthma trigger. A recent study showed that children with asthma who are exposed to secondhand smoke had nearly double the risk of being hospitalized than children who aren’t exposed. Additionally, a fire in the hearth is wonderful this time of year – but that smoke can also cause an asthma exacerbation.       
•       Beware of cold temperatures, especially during exercise. Try not to exercise in a cold room or outdoors during the winter season. Use your inhaler before exercise and during, if needed. Simply breathing cold, dry air will affect asthmatics. Keeping the humidity level in your home between 30 and 50 percent will help minimize asthma symptoms.
•       Take care of yourself. Viruses are more prevalent during winter and can trigger asthma symptoms. Wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and avoid crowded/stuffy places when possible. Also, make sure you are current on vaccinations. Get your annual flu shot and COVID booster.
•       Manage stress. Emotional anxiety and stress can increase asthma symptoms and cause an attack.

Can an Allergist Help Me with Better Breathing?

Allergists are physicians specially trained to treat asthma. Studies have shown that compared to care by a general practitioner, asthma sufferers getting care from a board-certified allergist have fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, higher ratings for the quality of care, fewer restrictions in activities, and improved physical function. 

Scheduling an Appointment with our San Antonio Allergists 

As the largest allergy and asthma practice in San Antonio, our board-certified doctors and medical staff are experts at treating ailments in children and adults. Our team of medical professionals are committed to caring for patients with asthma, allergies, and immunology issues. We seek to improve the quality of life for our patients and their families by providing them with comprehensive medical services in a timely and caring manner.

Our allergy and asthma clinics in San Antonio provide an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plans to help you breathe better and live better! We see patients at three area locations, Stone Oak, Medical Center, and Southside. Schedule an appointment today by calling 210-616-0882. 

Researchers are continually learning more about the underlying causes and triggers of eczema. Even today, the root cause remains a bit of a mystery. Allergy experts believe that it’s related to one’s genetics (up to 70% of people with eczema report a family history of the condition), an immune system that is sensitive to irritants and allergens, and a defective skin barrier. The result is different in each patient but generally presents with patches of itchy, inflamed, or irritated skin. Eczema is a chronic disease that can last throughout your life with periods of ‘flares’ where symptoms are at their worst, but also long periods with no symptoms at all.

According to the National Eczema Association, 1 in 10 people will experience eczema at some point in their lives. Although often thought of as childhood disease, over 16 million adults in the U.S have atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Eczema:

• Dry or scaly skin
• Exaggerated redness
• Flaking and cracking skin
• Hyperpigmentation
• Intense itching

Beyond the physical manifestations of eczema, this skin condition also impacts one’s lifestyle. According to The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, people with atopic dermatitis report lifestyle and activity limits, and avoidance of social interaction because of appearance. Sleep disturbance is also a commonly reported side effect of this condition.

The First Indicator May Come During Infancy

Particularly common in infants, symptoms of this often hereditary, non-contagious condition are frequently detected before a baby is one year old. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that 10-20% of children may have eczema with 60 percent of those experiencing symptoms by age 1, and another 30 percent will experience symptoms by age 5.

The condition can be more severe for Black or Hispanic individuals and appears differently than in Caucasian skin. In general, children with a family history of allergic diseases such as asthma or other allergies (including hay fever) are most often at an increased risk for developing eczema.

Marching Forward with Other Allergic Conditions

Many children with eczema will see improvement in their skin by the time they are five or six years old. However, youngsters diagnosed with this condition are more likely to develop other allergic conditions later on. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology explains this correlation further. Eczema is part of the ‘Allergic March’, also called the ‘Atopic March’.  This begins with the diagnosis of eczema during infancy, later followed by food allergy, allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) and asthma, typically in that order. Studies show up to 80 percent of children with eczema develop asthma and/or allergic rhinitis later in childhood.

Diagnosing and Treating Eczema

If your skin condition is the result of an allergy, your allergist can diagnose and treat your condition, greatly improving your quality of life.

It is first important to identify the triggers and then control the symptoms. Triggers that can make eczema worse range from rough clothing to exposure to allergens such as foods, pollens, dust mites, and pet dander. Sweat, irritating products and even getting emotionally upset can also aggravate the symptoms. Your doctor will discuss ways to avoid your triggers and determine the best plan of treatment.

Treatment may include antihistamines and moisturizing ointments to relieve the itch and irritation. In recent years allergists have added several new tools for treating skin allergies including an ointment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and a biologic for moderate to severe AD. Your allergist will advise as to the best plan for you or your child.

Parents of infants diagnosed with eczema may need to be prepared for other allergies that will develop over their child’s lifetime. “Though teens and even adults can develop eczema,” says AllergySA allergist, Raul Villareal, M.D., “we can generally advise that if your baby is diagnosed with eczema, it’s a good idea to connect with an allergist to help monitor for other allergic developments later.”

If you’re noticing early signs of eczema and want to know more about its relationship to other allergies that may develop in the future, our allergy experts are here to help. Call (210) 616-0882 to schedule an evaluation.