Breaking News- New Office in Tribeca!

Good news!
I've opened a 3rd location to better you serve your allergy/immunology needs in NYC.

In November, I started working at a beautiful office with friendly staff in Tribeca on the 1st Thursday of every month.  We hope to expand soon to 2 Thursdays a month.

The office is located at 77 Worth Street between Broadway and Church.  It's close to the 4,5,6 & the J/M/Z  Brooklyn Bridge/Chamber Street stop. 

You can call for an appointment at 212-966-3901 or book an appointment on line via Zoc Docs at http://www.jennifercollinsmd.com/
 
Stop by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood.  We'd love to see you!

Hey Doc- why does my toilet make me cough?

Hey Doc, every time I clean my toliet I start coughing and have to open the window and gets some air?

The holidays are wonderful time of year filled with lots of fun, food, and house guests. The not so fun part means lots & lots of cleaning to get ready for those visitors- and lots and lots of toilet cleaning.

Recently, I’ve had several patients who’ve triggered an asthma attack from the strong cleaning products they were using. They felt they had to use bleach and ammonium based products to get there bathrooms & kitchens really clean.

Many of the products in the stores, while getting rid of the dirt and making your home smell clean, are actually filling your home with indoor irritants that can trigger and exacerbate asthma. This is no fun!

Here are some “home made” cleaning products that you can use to avoid the potent products available in the drugstores. These recipes can be made with simple products like white vinegar, borax, dishwashing soap, and water.  You'll need several labeled spray bottles. 

These easy to make products will keep your home & smelling fresh while eliminating fumes and irritants that might trigger your asthma.

If you do have to use strong products, make sure the area is well ventilated, you use the recommended amount, and you take frequent breaks.

Enjoy & happy cleaning!

Glass and mirrors:

• 3 tablespoons of white vinegar + ¾ cup of water. Mix in a spray bottle

Countertops:

• 2-3 drops of dishwasher soap, 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix with water in spray bottle.

 Disinfectant for Toilets:

• 1/4 baking soda + ½ cup white vinegar + 1 gallon of warm water

Or

• 1 can of coca cola

Mold and Mildew:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda + 2 tablespoons White vinegar + 1 quart of water.  Mix in a spray bottle.

Floors:

• 1 cup white vinegar + 1 gallon hot water mixed in a bucket

Hey Doc- Potatoes Give Me A Rash

Today had an interesting patient....

Every time she peels potatoes she gets a rash.  Her skin blisters and gets very itchy, but she has no problem eating cooked potato. Huh?? How can this be? Interestingly since she was young, she "didn't like" tomatoes and never eats them. But wait there's more...she also gets blisters with latex condoms and gloves.  She never thought to tell anyone that latex products gave her a rash.

How is this related you ask?

Potatoes, tomatoes,and latex share a common allergic protein to PATATIN. 

While anyone can develop latex allergy, it's more common in health care workers and children who've been hospitalized multiple times.

She was able to eat avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwi fruit, & carrot other foods that commonly cross react with latex via a different protein called chitanase. 
 

Now that your curiosity is peaked, I know you'll want to know, why can't she touch raw potato but is able to eat it without a problem?

• The allergic protein in potato (patatin) is changed by the cooking process and renders itself not allergenic.  Pretty cool!

What's the treatment for such a reaction?

• Avoidance, avoidance, avoidance of raw potato and she can eat all the spuds she wants, within reason of course! 
• She'll still continue to have problems with latex products and will have to avoid these in the future.

Stay tuned for more!