What is The Teal Pumpkin Project?

Halloween and Food Allergy

·        Did you know that one in 13 children under the age of 18 years of age are affected from food allergies? 

·        This number is only on the rise and according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1997-2011, food allergies have increased by 50%. 

·        Sadly, we don’t know why these numbers are increasing. 

·        Children with food allergies often feel left out and isolated as it’s difficult for them to “share” food.  Halloween proposes a particular challenge for parents with food allergies.  The candy filled pumpkin offered up with generosity and fun is a perilous bowl of potential threats for those with food allergies.

·        Candy typically may contain milk, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts and latex, some of the most common causes of food allergies.

What is the Teal Pumpkin Project™?

·        Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season. 

           AMAZINGLY! Last year, households from 50 states and 7 countries participated in the Teal Pumpkin Project™ by putting out a teal painted pumpkin to signify that their treats were “food allergy safe”. This year, you can be part of an even bigger movement by joining 100,000 households pledging to participate in the Teal PumpkinProject™!

Gramercy Allergy and Asthma Took The Pledge Have You?

What Do You Have to Do To Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project™?

·       Place a teal painted pumpkin outside your home or a sign signifying you have non-food related treats available to trick-or-treaters.

·       Take the Pledge!

     Join FARE and 100,000 other households across the USA in providing allergy free treats. 

·       Want to download a sign?  Visit the FARE website http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project/downloads#.VgFbFt9VhBc

What are Some Easy Ideas for Non-Food Treats to use for the Teal Pumpkin Project™?

·        Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces ·        Pencils, pens, crayons or markers ·        Bubbles ·        Halloween erasers or pencil toppers ·        Mini Slinkies ·        Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers ·        Bouncy balls ·        Finger puppets or novelty toys

·        Coins ·        Spider rings ·        Vampire fangs ·        Mini notepads ·        Playing cards ·        Bookmarks ·        Stickers ·        Stencils

How Can You Get More Involved with Food Allergy Awareness? 

Participate in the FARE WALK For Food ALLERGY- and Help us Say Farewell to Food Allergies. 

When? Saturday October 10, 2015

 Where? Westchester NY- Glen Island Park (Weyman Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801

Check In @ 1PM with Walk Ceremony starting 230.

Register at Food Allergy Walk Westchester

Or visit the FARE Website

Need help managing specific food allergies?  Please visit click here to schedule an appointment.

* "The TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT and the Teal Pumpkin Image are trademarks of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)."

Halloween and Food Allergy

What Are the Top 5 Ways that Allergies Can Make You Tired?

As New Yorkers, many of us are running on empty.  Work, social, and family demands are often great and push us to our limits. Many of us blame our lack of energy on "doing to much" and not taking enough downtown, but if you have uncontrolled allergies they actually may be contributing to your lack of energy and feeling of brain fog.

What are the Top 5 Ways that Allergies Can Cause You to be Tired?  

1) Nasal Congestion

Many over the counter and prescription allergy medications cause a side effect of drowsiness and fatigue.  This can happen suddenly, or with increased use over time.

Did you know that our beds are filled with allergic triggers such as dust mites, feathers, and pet dander.  These allergic triggers can cause severe nasal congestion that happens about 20-30 minutes after falling asleep.  A stuffy nose is the number one cause of sleep disturbances in allergy suffers.  Incorrect breathing, via your mouth or even snoring, can mimic sleep apnea, a dangerous condition.  

2) Post Nasal Drip

Many allergy suffers have a chronic post nasal drip.  During the day time it's less noticable then when lying flat because we swallow the mucous.  At night time, post nasal drip can cause throat itching and coughing that can wake you up from sleep.

3) Side Effects of Allergy Medications

Many over the counter allergies medications can have the side effect of fatigue and grogginess.  This can occur on the first dose or after long term use.

4) Production of Inflammatory Mediators From an Allergic Reaction

People who suffer from allergies have allergic inflammation in their bodies.  These inflammatory mediators are similar to those that our bodies produce during a cold or viral infection and can cause symptoms of feeling fatigue, brain fog, and feeling drained.

5) Night Awakenings from Coughing

Did you know that uncontrolled asthma can present just at nighttime with a dry cough or wheezing? This is called nocturnal asthma.  Asthma symptoms that seem worsen in the middle of the night, typically between 2AM and 4AM, are a significant cause of fatigue and poor sleep for those with allergies. Interestingly, nocturnal asthma can affect anyone with any type of asthma.  What might trigger the worsening asthma at night?  Sinus infections, post nasal drip and your body clock can trigger asthma.  

What should you do if you believe your allergies and asthma are triggering fatigue?

See an allergy specialist for full evaluation.  Poor sleep and fatigue is a leading cause of poor concentration at school and work.  By knowing what is triggering your symptom of fatigue and brain fog, you can avoid and treat the problem.

Want my help?  Please click here to make an appointment or visit gramercyallergy.com

My Recent WABC-TV New York View Point Interview - Talking Women Entrepreneurship and Vision for Gramercy Allergy and Asthma

My Recent WABC-TV Interview - Talking Women Entrepreneurship and Vision for Gramercy Allergy and Asthma

A lot of you know me as an Allergist and Immunologist but I’m also a small business owner.

This past Sunday, I joined Julie Weeks, research adviser to American Express OPEN and author of the 2015 State of Women- Owned Businesses Report, in-studio at WABC-TV’s “Viewpoint” program   to discuss women entrepreneurship in the New York metropolitan area and my vision for Gramercy Allergy and Asthma.

The interview with host Ken Rosato  centered around my thoughts on being a successful small business owner in New York City and  included my practice philosophy of spending time with my patients to better understand the impact of their allergies and asthma on their health.  I associated being an allergist with being a detective as the focus is on investigating what's trigging disease, rather than just masking symptoms with medications.  I also spoke to the benefits of being in private practice, such as  having more time to spend with my patients to fully investigate what is making them so sick.  The segment concluded with me addressing the keys to being a successful physician and entrepreneur, such as tapping a trusted network of mentors.  

Want to see the full interview?   WABC's New York View Point- Sunday August 30, 2015