What Are Hives?

What Are Hives?

Hives, or urticaria, are itchy red bumps that often feel like your body is under attack. Approximately 20% of people will have an episode of hives at some point in their life.   There are many causes but all result from the release of a chemical in your skin called histamine.  The presence of free histamine in the skin causes welt like marks (hives) that are intensely itchy.  Sometimes there are specific triggers and other times, hives appear randomly leaving you covered with itchy red marks.  These attacks leave patients feeling helpless, itchy and desperate to find a cause and solution. 

What can you do if you have hives?  The first step is to try to identify the cause and learn what your triggers are.  Gramercy Allergy and Asthma  is here to help! Gramercy Allergy and Asthma  is a referral center for difficult to treat hives in NYC.  We’ve see all types of causes of hives and can help you get them under control.

What Are The Types of Hives?

1) Acute Hives

• Last for less than 6 weeks in duration
  
• Can be caused by allergic reactions like foods, food additives, medications, sunlight, bug bites, medications, infections or other medical problems like thyroid disease
  
• Look like welts, redness and flushing in the skin.  Are often associated with burning, itching and heat.

2) Chronic Hives

•  Are similar to acute hives, but last for more than 6 weeks in duration
  
•  Occur daily to several times per week
  
•  There's often no identifiable trigger of the hive and they occur randomly over the entire body.
  
•  For some, hives are triggered by infection, thyroid disease, inflammation in the body,                exercise, sunlight, auto-immune disease, cold temperatures, vibration and other non-specific triggers like food preservatives and dye.

What should you do if you have hives? 

• See your allergist.  They will help you to identify the cause, and establish treatment for you.
  
• You should expect them to take a detailed history of potential causes, possibly test you for triggers, and check your blood for other potential causes.
  
• There are medications that can help stop hives including antihistamines, leukotriene blockers and for some medications like omalizumab, anti-bodies to the IgE trigger of hives.  

Want Gramercy Allergy's help in treating your hives?  Gramercy Allergy is a referral center for difficult to treat hives and we are here to help.

Want more information on hives?  http://acaai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies/hives-urticaria

Click here to schedule an appointment or visit our website gramercyallergy.com.
@gramercyallergy

What's New In Skin Allergy in NYC?

I just returned from the American Contact Dermatitis Society 27th Annual Meeting  in Washington DC. This entire day was focused on new and emerging trends in skin allergy including hot topics in contact dermatitis. I was surrounded by experts from around the world in contact dermatitis- we shared patient stories and brainstormed about difficult cases.  I learned so much and am excited to bring back this information to you my patients in NYC.

One exciting new development for my patients with contact dermatitis is the introduction of the American Contact Dermatitis Society's new app for CAMP.   It's a free and easy way of using your product list in stores.

If I've created a safe product list for you, put your search codes (found in the upper left hand corner) and you're set to go.  A word of caution, as products formularies are updated, the list won't automatically update.  This app is easy to use and you can create favorite lists of your "safe" products.  I  know you'll find this helpful and a welcome addition to your safe list.


Some of the topics discussed were: 
Emerging sensitizers in contact dermatitis
The role of the skins microbiome in the development of contact dermatitis
Phenylenediamine allergy
Patch testing in pediatric patients
Food patch testing

Announcing the Contact Allergen of 2016!Announcing the Contact Allergen of the Year

There they announced the 2016 contact allergen of the year- Gold Sulfate.   More on this from the blog coming soon.  These contact allergens are important sensitizers in our personal care products. One in four people are sensitized to commonly used products like shampoos, soaps, make ups and lotions.

Past winners have included:

• 2015 - Formaldehyde^[2]
• 2014 - Benzophenones^[3][4]
• 2013 - Methylisothiazolinone^[5] - This chemical is used as a preservative in many cosmetics, lotions, and makeup removers; some of its side effects include flaky or scaly skin, breakouts, redness or itchiness, and moderate to severe swelling in the eye area.
• 2012 - Acrylate^[6][7]
• 2011 - Dimethyl fumarate^[8][9] - Dimethyl fumarate is the chemical associated with 'poisoned chairs' and 'toxic sandals'.
• 2010 - Neomycin (antibiotic)^[10][11]
• 2009 – Mixed dialkyl thiourea^[12][13] - Neoprene rubber is a common source.
• 2008 – Nickel^[14][15]
• 2007 – Fragrance^[16]
• 2006 – p-Phenylenediamine^[17][18] - PPD is the hair dye chemical that is used to augment black henna tattoos. It has been shown to cause severe blistering and scarring, and its topical use is banned in some countries.
• 2005 – Corticosteroids^[19]
• 2004 – Cocamidopropyl betaine ^[20][21]
• 2003 – Bacitracin^[22][23]
• 2002 – Thimerosal^[24]
• 2001 – Gold^[25][26]
• 2000 – Disperse Blue Dyes^[27]

I also learned that VMW hypoallergenics is introducing a Superskin-starts-here Set for people recently diagnosed with contact dermatitis.  This is designed to get you started with sample size products to reduce the possibility of irritation.@VMVinNYC

I'm brought back all of this information back to the practice and am excited to help those with skin allergy.

Schedule an appointment if you need help with your difficult to treat skin with our office.  Schedule an appointment here

Follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gramercyallergy/

@gramercyallergy.com

What's the Best Way to Tackle Springtime Allergies in NYC?

           

Warmer temperatures in New York this weekend has everyone day dreaming about NYC spring! Longer days, more sunlight and being outside with friends and family bring about smiles and spring fever.  We shed winter coats and sweaters in place of smiles, light scarfs and lots of outside activities.  But for one out of seven people, spring pollen hovering in the air trigger asthma  and allergy. 

What can you do this year to put yourself on the attack mode against pollen so you can enjoy NYC spring?

Don't let the pollen get you down! Here are 5 tips to springtime allergies in NYC.

Get Tested

Knowing what you’re allergic to and what triggers your symptoms is the first step to avoiding the offending pollen.  Skin testing is an office procedure where small amounts of various allergens are put on your skin (typically arm/back). Reactions take place typically within 30-45 minutes, but some can have a delayed reaction up to 8-10 hours later.  A local reaction will tell you what is causing your reaction.  There are many non-medical ways of avoiding allergens and your allergist will create a specific plan for you based on your testing results.

                

Follow the Pollen Counts
Check the weather report daily?  Then take a peak at what's happening with the pollen in your are.  Pollen.com and weather.com are some of my favorites for keeping tabs on local levels.  Be advised, tree pollen in NYC is already on the rise!

Start Medications Early

Overwhelmed by the number and variety of over the counter allergy medication in the drug store?  Your not alone!  Your allergist will help you create a plan of when to start medications, and which medications work quickly. They'll help to insure you aren't taking more than you need to control your symptoms and that you are aware of the side effects.  Taking allergy medications early and as directed can prevent you from developing severe symptoms that can interfere with your work, school and life.  
   

Rock Your Shades

Always pack and use sunglasses this spring in NYC.  Glasses help protect your eyes from airborne pollens and dust.  This will help stop itchy watery eyes without the use of medications.
                 
                       

Amp up Your Moisturization Regimen
Your skin is your first line defense against pollen.  Keeping  skin well moisturized can help prevent pollen from triggering an eczema flare. If you have pollen induced eczema, make sure you turn down the water temperatures in your shower and wash your face after spending time outdoors.

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Change Your Routine

Showering at night will help wash away airborne tree pollens off your hair so you aren’t carrying them into your bed at night.  Tree pollens are highest in the morning.  Change your exercise routine from morning to evening to help naturally decrease your exposure to tree pollen.

Visit Gramercy Allergy for more specific advice on how to tackle spring pollen!

Want more specific advice on surviving New York’s Allergy Season?  Visit our website http://www.gramercyallergy.com or click here to schedule an appointment online.
@gramercyallergy