Is Your Asthma Getting in the Way of Your New Year's Resolution?

Is Your Asthma Getting in the Way of Your New Year's Resolution?

                                 


                                     
                                          

When walking my dog early morning in January, I'm always struck by the increase in the number of people heading to the gym.  It seems like the streets are almost crowded with yoga and exercise gear. Where were these people a few short weeks ago?   It's no surprise to hear that exercising more is one of the top three resolutions that Americans make according to a YouGov 2017 survey

In January, most hit the ground running (literally!) but for some maintaining that new years resolution isn't just about will power.  What if you have the desire to exercise more, but get really sob cough and get winded easily when doing so.  Could asthma be getting in the way of you goal of exercising more?   

I'm always surprised when I hear patients tell me that they aren't good at exercise.  Exercise can make anyone short of breath, but for many it can trigger an asthma attack. 

Some quick screening questions tell me that they might be suffering from a form of asthma known as exercise induced asthma.  

What is exercise induced asthma? 

• A form of asthma where lungs become tight during asthma
• As many as 90% of people who have asthma have a form of exercise induced asthma
• For teenagers and young adults, exercise induced asthma is the most common cause of asthma symptoms. 

What are symptoms associated with exercise induced asthma?

Do you have cough, chest tightness or SOB associated only with exercise?

• Does going outside on a cold day trigger a cough?
• Are you sensitive to cold temperatures and dry air? 
• Does air pollutants (tobacco smoke car pollution, and air quality issues) trigger symptoms?

                                            

Do you suspect you have exercised induced asthma.  Are asthma symptoms getting in the way of your exercise goals for 2020?  

Please let us help.  

Need help managing your asthma?  Please visit click here to schedule an appointment. We will help you get to your next exercise goal.  Follow us at @gramercyallergy for allergy friendly tips!

Want more help for Asthma and Allergies?  Gramercy Allergy and Asthma is an expert in treating all forms of asthma and allergy.  Schedule an appointment with us.  Dr. Jennifer Collins, MD,a Castle Connolly Top Doctor  We are ready to help you with your asthma.  Gramercy Allergy specializes in treatment of asthma and allergies in New York City  

Five Fast Facts About Food Allergy in New York City

Continuing our celebration of Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, here are Five Fast Facts on Food Allergy in New York City 

NYC Food Allergy Fact # 1

Did you know that food allergies can be deadly? 

•  Someone is sent to the emergency room every 3 minutes from a food allergy reaction
•  The CDC reports more than 300,000 hospital visits from food allergy reactions in children under 18

NYC Food Allergy  Fact #2

Who is likely to have food allergies?

•          Anyone can develop food allergies at any age!
•         But your risk is higher if you have parents who have an allergy disease
•       You’re more likely to have food allergies if you have other allergy conditions such asthma, eczema, or hay fever

NYC Food Allergy Fact #3

Can you prevent food allergies in babies?

• Restricting a mother's diet during pregnancy or while breast-feeding has not been shown to help prevent the development of allergies.
• Solid foods should be introduced gradually between four to six months of age. Egg, dairy, peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish can be gradually introduced after less allergenic foods have been tolerated. In fact, delaying the introduction of these foods may increase your baby’s risk of developing allergies.
• Reducing exposure to some allergens, such as dust mites, may delay or prevent allergy or asthma symptoms.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke before and after birth increases your infant's risk of developing wheezing and asthma.

NYC Food Allergy  Fact #4

What are the top 8 Foods that Cause Food Allergies?

• Amazingly 8 foods cause 90% of reactions.
• Milk egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat fish and shellfish are the top offenders
• But remember, any food can cause an allergic reaction.
  

NYC Food Allergy Fact # 5

What can you do when eating out?

•  Very sensitive people can get an allergic reaction just from walking into a kitchen or restaurant
• Obtain a chef card, available online, that says what your allergy is and what foods to avoid
• Talk to the waiter and chef and stress the need for uncontaminated food preparation
• Traveling abroad this summer with food allergies- learn how to say and write the foods you are allergic to.  Remember, not everyone knows how to read.  
  

 Where to eat out in New York City with Food Allergies?

Are you a New Yorker, foodie and have food alleriges?  Don't let that stop you!

Do you research on restaurants! Many restaurant will try and accommodate dietary restrictions, especially gluten allergies, but many food allergies slip through the cracks. For example, restaurants may add dairy products to a variety of foods or use peanut oil to cook.

Allergy Eats is a Yelp-like website for finding allergy-friendly restaurants:

Here’s a blogger’s list of allergy-safe restaurants in New York City: Allergic Girl Dines Out is an informative blog on where to eat out in NYC with food allergies.

Two more lists for eating out in New York: http://foodallergyny.com/resources/food/local-food-allergy-friendly-restaurants/

https://itchylittleworld.com/2013/08/13/dining-out-in-nyc-with-food-allergies/

Here are some of Gramercy Allergy's favorite food allergy friendly restaurants!  

 Bistango (415 3^rd Ave), Nizza (630 9^th Ave), Dos Caminos, BareBurger,  and Blue Smoke.

Have your favorite finds?  Please let us know so we can share- post on our facebook page or tweet at us @gramercyallergy #NYCFoodAllergyFinds

New York City is best known for its variety and breadth of food options! Don’t let food allergies in New York keep you from experiencing the best of New York City!



What can you do if your food allergies are uncontrolled?  Gramercy Allergy and Asthma is here to help.  We help New Yorkers every day with allergies and asthma.

Pledge to yourself to make May the month you take control over your allergies and asthma in New York.    

• Get Tested!
• Know Your Triggers!
• Have a plan for dealing with symptoms!
• Get Treatment!

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.

Follow us on Twitter@gramercyallergy

Follow us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/gramercyallergy/

Food Allergy Awareness Week- May 8-14

In celebration of Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, this week we bring attention to Food Allergy.  

The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization is celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 8–14. As part of this event, the Empire State Building will be illuminated in teal on Sunday, May 8th, in recognition of the color for the cause of food allergies. Catch the view from sunset on Sunday thru 2 AM on Monday.  Did you see it?  Check out #TealTakeover for pictures!

Food allergies affect some 15 million Americans and is on the rise for unknown reasons. It's a serious epidemic that can be deadly when someone eats a problem food and reacts through anaphylaxis.

What Are Symptoms Of Anaphylaxis? 

• Symptoms occurring within minutes after exposure or ingestion of an allergen
• difficulty breathing
• Hives or itchy red bumps on the skin
• Cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing after ingestion.
• reduced blood pressure leading to paleness, weak pulse, confusion, weakness, or fainting (called anaphylactic shock)
• swollen lips, tongue or throat
• a change in your voice.
• gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, or cramping

What Causes Anaphylaxis?

• Food allergies are the leading cause for anaphylactic shock, with the highest incidences of fatal food-induced anaphylactic shock in teenagers and young adults and those who also have asthma.
• The most common causes are milk, egg, fish, tree nuts, shellfish, and peanuts.
• Other causes include medications, environmental allergens, and insect stings.
• Food allergies affects all races, ethnicities, and ages and can begin at any stage of life! Though some children can outgrow milk and egg allergies, nut and fish allergies tend to be lifelong once they first occur.
• Talk to your allergy doctor to be tested and find out what you're allergic to!

What is the treatment for Anaphylaxis?

• Use Epinephrine early then antihistamines.
• If you are experiencing a food allergy, you should use Epinephrine first.
• Because antihistamines take sometimes up to 15 minutes to start working, early use of epinephrine through injection can stop symptoms fast before they potentially turn deadly

• Seek medical treatment.

Is there a Cure For Food Allergies?

• There is no cure for food allergies, but we are working on it.  Exciting research in food allergy is being conducted in NYC at Mount Sinai.  They are working to desensitize individuals with food allergies.
• Currently the only treatment is strict avoidance.   
• Talk to your allergist in NYC to develop the best plan of you and your family.  Share your plan with your loved ones and your school.  

 What can you do if your food allergies are uncontrolled?  Gramercy Allergy and Asthma is here to help.  We help New Yorkers every day with allergies and asthma.

Pledge to yourself to make May the month you take control over your allergies and asthma in New York.    

• Get Tested!
• Know Your Triggers!
• Have a plan for dealing with symptoms!
• Get Treatment!

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.

Follow us on Twitter@gramercyallergy

Follow us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.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