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Cooper
We had the incredible opportunity to ask noted allergist, http://www.aller-ease.com/dr.-bassett a series of questions about allergies. The Questions and Answers are below:Q: I was stung by a
bee at girl scout camp at the age of 10. I had a horrible reaction. My foot
swelled up, my breathing became labored and I spent several days in the
hospital being monitored. Ever since then, I have had a prescription for an
epi-pen in case I get stung by a bee again. It has been 27 years since that bee
sting without incident. Of course I run screaming and flailing like a mad woman
any time a bee even comes near me. My epi-pen expired a few years and I have
not seen a doctor to renew the prescription. Is it possible to have outgrown
this allergy? Should I worry about it? What should I do?
People with insect allergy type reactons are actually on the
rise in the US. The most important
first step is to go and see an experienced allergist for allergy testing and
evaluation of this condition, especially if you are unsure of a future reaction. Treatments are available to reduce the
risk of any future sting reactions.
If you are at risk of stinging insect anaphylaxis (a life threatening
allergic reaction), it is essential to have your doctor prescribe and review
the circumstances when an epinephrine auto injector (i.e. Epi-pen, Twin-Ject) would
be needed in case of a stinging insect allergy reaction. Wearing a medical identification
bracelet indicating this potentially life-threatening allergy is also often
recommended. Remember to check the
label on this device for important instructions as well as the expiration date.
Q: My son has been
having what I call sneezing jags. He will sneeze 8-10 times in a row and has
been doing this several times a day for the past week. While it seems a little
strange, is it really something that I should worry about?
Seasonal and indoor allergies may feature repetitive, even
“machine-gun” type sneezing attacks, especially during a “high-pollen day” (check
out http://www.aaaai.org/nab for a local pollen
count). Sneezing can be helpful in
pushing out airway irritants such as smoke, pollens, etc. There are many over the counter and
prescription allergy medications to reduce sneezing, runny nose and congested
nasal passages. The first step is
to find out if he/she actually has allergies so proper treatment can be given
for this common condition.
Hint: If you and your spouse have allergies the risk of seeing
allergies in your children can go up by 50-75% or more.
Q: Several years ago
I was prescribed some eye drops for allergic rhinitis. I remember the doctor
saying something about using them daily but I don't have allergies daily. They
kind of come and go (in an annoying sort of way). Are the eye drops something
that is more effective with daily use or can I continue on an as-needed basis?
First, eyelid hygiene can be very helpful if you have eye
irritation and/or allergies. Your
eye care professional can prescribe over the counter eyelid cleaning wipes
and/or tear-free shampoo for relief of unwanted symptoms. Prescription allergy eye drops
generally contain antihistamines for symptomatic relief of itchiness, excessive
tearing and watery eyes. It all
depends on whether you have symptoms occasionally or on a more persistent basis
(2 or more days a week) whether you consider daily “as needed” care vs. long term “daily” treatment.
Check with your family ophthalmologist or optometrist for more specific
suggestions.
Q: I think that I
have become allergic to my contacts. I have been wearing them for 10 years
without any problems. Then earlier this year, I cannot put them in my eyes
without itching, burning, excessive eye watering. Seriously, is this possible?
I did not switch contacts, solutions, place of residence, didn't even have a
birthday. How could this happen?
Many contact lens wearers can develop a variety of “wear
issues” with them. This is
particularly common during the allergy season when pollen levels may cause eye
allergy symptoms and make wearing the lenses uncomfortable. Some individuals can also develop irritation to various eye-care
solutions and drugs used in maintaining contact lenses (may occur even if you
have been using the same products and solutions for a while). Speak with your prescribing eye-care
professional about the right strategy for you.
Q: One of the tips
submitted in the Flip for Fall campaign
suggested that allergy sufferers should wash their sinuses with a salt-water
solution to get rid of pollen and whatever else might be bothering them. Does
this practice make a difference?
If in fact you have nasal allegies and/or sinus problems,
many individuals can benefit from gentle nasal saline (salt water) sprays. Consider a visit to an ear-nose-throat
specialist or allergist for a more detailed exam to find the cause of your
symptom. You will then be in a better position to determine if you are a candidate
for sinus irrigation.
Q: When I was having
my air ducts serviced the salesman was trying to sell me a $450 air purifier
for my bedroom to help with our allergies. He also swore that it would stop my
husband from snoring too. Do you think that air purifiers are beneficial or
just a whole lotta hoopla? If you do think so, do you recommend any brand in
particular?
HEPA air filters can be beneficial in the right
setting. In particular many
patients with pet allergies (about 20-25% of the allergic population) may obtain
some relief with the use of a properly sized HEPA filter, for either a room
model or a central ventilation system.
Check out http://www.consumerreports.org/
for further information on air purifiers.
Q: My 6 yr old has
battled eczema since she was tiny, with the bends of her elbows and knees being
the worst spots. We saw an allergist for several months, but besides telling us
she was allergic to eggs, it didn't do much good. Taking eggs out of her diet
makes no difference, and the eczema seems to come and go at will. She is now
seeing a dermatologist and they have her on steroid cream... again. My question
is: Are there things we can do at home to reduce her need for the cream? We do
the normal things like bathing with only approved soaps, doing laundry with
only free & clear detergents, coating her with Vaseline twice a day during
the colder months to keep her moist, etc. Is there any hope for a less
cumbersome routine for her skin, or is this something that we will have to deal
with?
Q: My daughter has
horrible sensitivities to soaps, detergents, lotions and many fabrics. We wash
her clothing and bedding separately and in free/clear laundry soaps. She uses
only organic soaps but no lotions can be put on her skin or she instantly
breaks out. We've tried everything from organic to baby lotions and even some
prescription lotion to no avail. Any suggestions?
These two questions are a lot alike, so I’ll answer them
together. There are many different approaches to the treatment of eczema,
officially, atopic dermatitis. It sounds like you’re taking the right steps
with your six-year old. A
comprehensive skin management program for eczema has at its core the sufficient
use of skin moisturizers. Additionally,
fragrance-free creams, detergents can be helpful for sensitive
individuals. In some cases where
food allergies are present an elimination diet would also be recommended by a
family allergist in order to reduce possible allergic triggers of the eczema. If you or a family member has sensitive
skin as well as an apparent reaction to the specific ingredients in various
personal skin care products, a simple and diagnostic skin allergy patch test
can be performed to learn if you are “sensitive” to a product so an alternative
one can be found. Learn more about
childhood eczema at http://www.allergyandasthmarelief.org/ .
Q: My 8 year old
daughter has asthma and we know she is allergic to mold, dust, and pet dander.
Aside from bothering her asthma at times, she also gets very itchy flare-ups in
the folds of her arms and behind the knees. We've found when it is bad; she
itches these spots until they are completely raw while she sleeps. We've put Aller-Ease
covers on her mattress and pillows. I was wondering if you had any further
suggestions in regards to things like what fabric sheets and blankets are best?
Should she bathe at night or in the morning? How often should she bathe? Is there
a specific brand of lotion you'd suggest?
See an allergist and learn if your child has indoor
allergies that will affect her. Washable
blankets that can be washed in hot water are helpful in reducing the number of
hungry house dust mites living in your bedding. Allergy protective bedding for pillows, mattresses and box
springs are at the heart of an allergen reduction program in the bedroom,
especially if your child has indoor allergies/asthma.
The answers
stated here are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care,
advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers
to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone.
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