The What, Where and When of Allergies

The AllerVision Allergy Map will show you the biggest allergen offenders in your area and when they cause the most damage. Click here to see it.

Maybe you’ve had an allergy test and you have a list of allergens that cause your symptoms. (If not, click here and AllerVision can help you find a provider who will give you the answers you deserve!) But unless you’re a botanist, you probably don’t know what most of those allergens looks like. And even if you do, you may not know when you need to watch out for them. Don’t worry, we have you covered! …

Click on the caption under the image at right to visit the AllerVision allergy map. Once there, click on your region of the country to see the trees, weeds and grasses that cause the worst allergy problems in your area. (AllerVision-affiliated providers test you for sensitivity to those pollens when you visit them for an allergy evaluation.) If you hover over the names of the plants, you’ll see pictures and the season(s) in which each allergen does the most damage. Take the seasons listed with a grain of salt, though — global climate change is, well, changing the environment. Many doctors and allergy specialists blame those shifts for the huge increases in pollen — and, consequently, allergy symptoms — produced each year.

That said, if you’re experiencing allergy symptoms or generally not feeling well right about now, there’s a good chance you can blame pollen from grasses including Rye, Bermuda and Red Top, among many others. As summer fades to fall, weeds become the more primary villain, with Ragweed topping the list as public enemy number one. Pollen tends to take a rest in early winter, but come late winter and early spring, Ash, Alder Cypress and other trees begin spewing pollen like there’s no tomorrow — and allergy patients suffer mightily.

Unfortunately, indoor allergens never go away. Dust, pet dander, cockroaches and mold can cause allergy misery all year long. The allergy symptoms they trigger tend to stand out in the winter because people spend so much time indoors but even in mid-summer any one of them can be the cause of your discomfort.

Given that outdoor allergies are cyclical, you may be able to stuff yourself with medication until your worst season is over — but next year you’ll experience the same problem. Or, you can turn to immunotherapy, which teaches your body to ignore allergens so the disease goes into remission for years. Immunotherapy lets you enjoy many, many seasons without symptoms. To learn more, click here so you can stop worrying about allergies wherever you are, whatever the season.

Do You Know What You’re REALLY Allergic To?

Flowering trees do not usually trigger allergies. If you start sneezing when you encounter one, chances are that other trees — or other allergens altogether — are to blame.

Consider this: you walk down the street and see a beautiful tree with blooming purple flowers. As you get closer, you start to sneeze uncontrollably. It’s obvious you’re allergic to the tree, right? Probably not…

First, trees with flowers are usually insect pollinated, not wind pollinated. Pollen carried by insects rarely ever makes it into your system. So if it is pollen that’s causing your reaction, it’s probably not the flowering tree that’s to blame. Then why does it always seem to work that way — you see the flowers, the tree is clearly in bloom, and you start sneezing — if flowering trees are not allergy-inducing? Because they blossom at the same time as wind-pollinated trees. There may be a grove of Juniper trees two miles away and a gust of wind picked up its pollen and delivered it right into your path. Maybe you didn’t even see the Juniper pollen, which makes it an even more likely culprit; the smaller the pollen size, the farther travels and the more easily it sneaks into your nose and lungs. Then again, your allergy trigger could be pollen from recently mown grass or the patch of weeds growing in a nearby field.

Now imagine stepping into the home of a friend. Within minutes, a sinus headache comes on strong. Although there’s no pet present, cat hair covers the couch and a shaft of sunlight reveals dust wafting through the air. Either of those could be a source of your allergy symptoms. In fact, cat protein lives in a home for many months after its furry owner has vacated the scene. Or, cockroaches — completely hidden from view — could be to blame. The roaches may be long gone too, but it’s what they leave behind that gets your histamine flowing.

Last scenario… You take a bite out of an apple and your mouth tingles and your lips feel slightly swollen. Are you allergic to the apple? Hard to believe, since you just had a slice of apple pie and didn’t have any problems. You might be experiencing Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS). Simply put, the apple is related to certain kinds of pollen to which you are sensitized and, in its raw form, the apple triggers allergy symptoms.

So, how do you tell what you’re really allergic to? There’s only one reliable way — an allergy test. First, when you visit an AllerVision-affiliated provider, your doctor will ask questions to get clues to what allergens MIGHT be to blame. Then you’ll most likely receive a pain-free skin test that will reveal your allergy sensitivities in just 15 minutes. Combined with the questions you answered, your doctor should be able to identify your allergy triggers on the spot so you can discuss treatments. That, of course, is the bottom line — we want you to enjoy the great outdoors — or whatever’s really causing your allergies.

To find an AllerVision-affiliated doctor — who’s qualified to offer allergy examinations — please click here.

Does Your Child Have Allergies?… Are You Sure?

Allergies can cause a wide variety of symptoms, many of which you might not expect.

Viruses, bacteria, allergens — there’s any number of small organisms that can make children feel bad. Often the hardest part of treatment is determining the true cause of your child’s illness. For instance, is the latest ear infections the result of a “bug” going around day care or is grass pollen triggering an allergy?

Compounding the situation, allergies manifest themselves in many different ways. Of course, everyone knows that allergies can cause sniffles, watery eyes and sneezing. But here’s a list of other common, though often undiagnosed allergy symptoms in kids:

• Asthma
• Frequent ear infections
• Sinus headaches
• Nasal polyps
• Conjunctivitis (eye irritation)
• Skin rashes and eczema
• Mental problems such as confusion, slow thinking, depression and forgetfulness
• Respiratory effects including endless colds, chronic cough, recurrent bronchitis
• ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder)

That’s right,  allergies can even trigger ADHD. So, what do you do? The first step is a full allergy evaluation by a qualified medical provider. An allergy test alone — even a skin test, the gold standard — is not enough; it can show that your child is sensitive to an allergen but not determine if that is causing symptoms. Your provider should conduct a full health history. The results, in conjunction with your answers to when and where your child exhibits symptoms, can help determine if his or her maladies are allergies or something else.

One key to remember is that if your child’s ailments come and go regularly, or if they stay around constantly, there’s a good chance allergies are to blame. If they’re “one and done,” it may be just the cold going around. When in doubt, ask your provider for a full allergy evaluation. To find an AllerVision-affiliated doctor who is qualified to do this, click here.

Do You Have Allergies? Here’s a Quick Test

Allergies cause a wide range of maladies. Have you had an allergy test?

This time of year, allergies can cause all kinds of problems. More than 25% of Americans suffer from allergies to environmental factors from pollen to dust to mold to pet dander. Allergies are to blame for all kinds of symptoms including headaches, sinus infections, rashes, chronic cough, wheezing, eye problems and MANY more.

So how do you know if you have allergies? Discovery starts with this simple score sheet. For each item below, answer 0 for no symptoms to 5 for severe symptoms. If you score a 2 or higher on any question, we recommend you visit your healthcare provider and ask about an allergy evaluation, including a quick, painless skin test. (If your doctor doesn’t offer the skin test, click here. If you’re a doctor and want to offer the test for your patients, click here.) The test will tell you within just 15 minutes if you have allergies, and will reveal the triggers that cause your symptoms.

Nasal Discharge or sneezing         0 1 2 3 4 5

Watery or itchy eyes         0 1 2 3 4 5

Frequent sinus or ear infection         0 1 2 3 4 5

Frequent colds or sore throats         0 1 2 3 4 5

Wheezing or asthma         0 1 2 3 4 5

Cough         0 1 2 3 4 5

Poor memory or concentration         0 1 2 3 4 5

Hyperactivity         0 1 2 3 4 5

Itching, hives, eczema or skin irritations         0 1 2 3 4 5

Abdominal gas or cramping         0 1 2 3 4 5

Arthritis or muscle aching         0 1 2 3 4 5

Headache         0 1 2 3 4 5

The good news is that if you have allergies, there is an excellent treatment option — immunotherapy — because it doesn’t just cover up symptoms, it teaches your body to ignore the allergy triggers so the symptoms stop occurring. And immunotherapy in the form of allergy drops is appropriate for allergy sufferers of all ages, from children to seniors. So contact your provider or allervision.com today.

When Pollen Strikes!

When the wind blows, the pollen inside these sacks will be released, filling the air for miles.

One of the major causes of allergic disease, such as allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever), is airborne pollen. All plants produce some pollen as part of their reproductive cycle. There are thousands of plant species that grow in the United States but only a small number of those are significant sources of allergenic pollen. Plants that DO produce important allergens have several characteristics in common: First, they are wind pollinated rather than insect pollinated. Next, they produce pollen that is buoyant and is spread readily by the wind. Because wind pollination is relatively inefficient, these types of plants have to produce huge quantities of pollen to keep their species alive.

To be clinically important, allergenic plants must be abundant in an area. Trees such as oak and maple grow over hundreds of acres with pollen traveling up to 200 miles; ragweed can colonize large fields and affect patients for many miles around; and grass allergens can cover hundreds of acres. Despite what your nose and eyes may suggest, brightly colored flowers are rarely allergenic. Often they are insect pollinated, and they typically don’t produce pollen that can be spread by the wind. However, the pollen from allergenically important plants lands all over their beautiful flowers, and THAT pollen is what your body rejects when you stop to smell the roses. Those pollens are also often at least part of the cause of your allergic symptoms when you snuggle up to your favorite pet. Fur is a great landing spot for all kinds of pollen!

Tree pollen allergy affects millions of people. Many allergenic trees are abundant and large, shedding and spreading huge quantities of pollen. Typically, trees shed their pollen in the spring and are the first species each year to affect patients. In warmer climates, like California and Florida, pollen season often begins in February. With the late winter on the east coast this year, pollen season there is just reaching full swing.

Because pollen can travel so far, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your allergies. That’s where an allergy test and evaluation comes in. We encourage you to ask your doctor about an allergy skin test — a painless procedure than can tell you in just 15 minutes specifically what you are allergic to. If your doctor doesn’t offer this test in his or her office, AllerVision can help you find one who does — or can talk to your doctor on your behalf.

If pollen is the cause of your allergies, it’s virtually impossible to avoid. You can take medication to temporarily alleviate symptoms. But with medication you’re only covering the symptoms up, and next time you encounter the pollen you’ll have the same reaction. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, teaches your immune system to ignore the pollen and thereby puts your allergies into remission — usually for years or decades. You can learn more about immunotherapy here.

Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are likely to keep your immune system busy until the fall or winter, and then return again next year. Now that you know what you’re up against, you may want to ask your provider about immunotherapy — so you can enjoy the great outdoors instead of suffering from it.

This blog includes information from ALK-Abelló “Virtual Pollen Guide” DVD, used with permission. The company offers a helpful patient education website at fightthecauseofallergy.org

 

The Top 7 Questions About Allergy Drops

Drops are one of the simplest, most effective allergy treatments. A few drops under the tongue each day teaches your immune system to ignore allergens so symptoms naturally fade away.

If you’ve been following the AllerVision blog and Facebook page, you know we’re enthusiastic about allergy drops (also known as sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT). Why? Lots of reasons, including the facts that they’re very easy to use, extremely effective, and suitable for allergy sufferers of all ages, to name just a few. Many people haven’t heard of allergy drops, though, and here are the top seven questions they ask when their doctor prescribes them.

1) How do they work? Once your doctor performs an allergy test and determines your allergy triggers, s/he prescribes drops based on those allergens that affect you. The drops contain low doses of those allergens (also known as antigens) — essentially, you put drops of pollen, dust, etc. under your tongue. Your immune system gradually begins to recognize that those particles are allies, not enemies, and stops trying to fight them off. As a result, allergy symptoms retreat and disappear.

2) How long does it take to work and how long do they last? Within the first six months of starting treatment — and often much sooner — your allergy symptoms will likely fall away dramatically. You’ll stay on the drops for about four years and probably will enjoy allergy relief for at least 10-15 years after you stop. For some, it will last significantly longer; relief varies from person to person.

3) What allergies do they “fix”? Drops can help resolve your allergies to inhaled allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust and mold. Exciting new studies have shown success with peanut allergy as well, but that treatment is in its infancy and requires close monitoring by an allergy specialist.

4) Are they better than allergy shots? Drops and shots use the same antigens, so in principle they should work equally well. The clinical studies confirm that when used consistently, drops and shots have basically the same results. Drops seem to work better for some people, though. This may be because they’re much more convenient and you don’t have to stop them when you go on vacation, feel under the weather or can’t make it to the doctor’s office; therefore, patients are more likely to complete the full course of treatment. And kids, especially, prefer drops because there are no needles. For drops, you simply squeeze a little liquid under your tongue and hold it for two minutes each morning. For shots, you visit the doctor each week and stay for at least 30 minutes.

5) Why are the drops considered “off label” by the FDA? The FDA has approved individual antigens for use in injections, and a few some sublingual delivery but whenever antigens are combined for individualized treatment, the mix is considered off label. Both shots and drops are formulated off label to make sure they fit your exact needs. Nonetheless, every ingredient is FDA-approved and manufactured under the highest FDA standards. And drops are proven to be safer than injections.

6) What do they taste like? Because the antigens are suspended in glycerine, which is basically a sugar, the drops taste rather sweet. You place them under your tongue where you won’t taste much, but most patients usually enjoy what they do taste.

7) Will they interfere with medications or treatment of other conditions? It’s important to remember that drops are not medicine but are rather just little bits of tree, grass, weeds etc. that you already encounter in your environment, so they don’t interact with meds. For the same reason, they don’t cause side effects — like drowsiness, weight gain and increased blood pressure, common problems of many allergy medications — and have no effect on the treatment of other conditions. Also, drops are suitable for allergy sufferers of all ages, from young children to seniors.

For answers to other questions about drops, click here or ask your healthcare provider. In this world where allergies are only getting worse, drops are the safe, easy, and definitive solution to the allergy problem!

Top 7 Questions (and Answers) About Allergy Skin Testing

After antigens are applied to a patient’s back, her skin reacts with bumps and/or wheals — and, possibly, itchiness. After about 15 minutes, the provider wipes away the antigens are the reaction(s) fade away.

In our last post, we explained why nearly every doctor should offer allergy skin testing. (If you missed it, click here.) Here are patients’ top seven questions about the test.

1) Should I have an allergy skin test? Allergies cause many more symptoms than the average person realizes, including rashes (dermatitis), sinus infections, migraine headaches, dizziness, conjunctivitis, respiratory problems, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and the list goes on. If you get any of these symptoms regularly, you should discuss the possibility of allergies with your doctor, who will likely suggest the test and a review of your health history.

2) Can my child have the test? The test is safe for children as well as seniors. In fact, it is appropriate for virtually everyone, with the exception of pregnant women, patients with unexplained episodes of anaphylaxis, patients with active hives or active severe asthma symptoms, and people with significantly suppressed immune systems.

3) What does it test for? AllerVision-affiliated providers test for a wide variety of airborne antigens common to your region of the country — such as pollen from local trees, grasses and molds — as well as molds, dust, animal dander, cockroaches and certain foods. If you suspect allergies to specific foods, your provider may test you separately for those individual items.

4) What happens during the test?  Your provider presses several plastic applicators coated with antigens onto your back. As your skin reacts to certain antigens, you may feel itchiness. After 15 minutes, the provider measures any bumps (or “wheals”) that develop — indicating positive results — and record them. Then he or she cleans your back to relieve any discomfort.

5) Does it hurt? No. You’ll temporarily feel minor pressure from the tines of the testing devices as they’re applied, but they don’t penetrate your skin and they’re specially-designed to prevent pain. Even young children rarely complain. Itching caused by positive results begins to resolve as soon as the antigens are wiped away.

6) Is there anything I need to do to prepare? The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t take antihistamines for three days before testing because they can prevent the very reactions your provider needs to see. Also, be sure to inform your provider if you’re pregnant, have asthma, are suffering from severe illness, or have experienced a strong allergic reaction.

7) How long does it take to get results? In just 15 minutes, your doctor will have a clear picture of your allergic reactions so you can plan and begin a treatment program immediately.

 

Top 7 Reasons Nearly Every Doctor Should Test for Allergies

The allergy skin test is painless, quick and accurate.

Family practitioners, internists, pediatricians, dermatologists, ENTs, neurologists, pulmonologists, ophthalmologists and nearly all other types of physicians and health care providers come in contact with patients who suffer from allergies virtually every day. That’s because allergies cause symptoms in every organ system. In fact, they cause many more symptoms than the average person realizes, including rashes (dermatitis), sinus infections, migraine headaches, dizziness, conjunctivitis, respiratory problems, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and the list goes on. So here are our top seven reasons your healthcare provider should offer allergy testing — and treatment — in his or her office.

1) Since nearly every type of doctor comes in contact with patients suffering from allergies, it’s important that they are trained and have the tools to properly diagnose those patients’ allergies, suggest appropriate treatment, and know when to refer to an allergy specialist.

2) Allergies affect A LOT of people. The World Allergy Organization estimates that “30-40% of the world’s population is now affected by one or more allergic conditions.” And those numbers are growing; allergies have reached epidemic status.

3) There aren’t enough allergists to go around. Allergists make up a very small percentage of doctors. Even if there were enough, people often don’t know that their illness/ailment/discomfort is caused by allergies. Their primary care doctors should be able to make that diagnosis and offer first line definitive treatment as they do with most other chronic conditions (like hypertension and diabetes).

4) It’s impossible to be sure exactly what’s causing the allergic symptoms without a proper test. Pollens ride on the wind and cause discomfort for people up to hundreds of miles away from their source. Pet hair gets stuck in furniture and carpeting, causing allergic reactions even if the animal has been away for months. Dust mites float through the air and hide in bedsheets. Cockroaches leave hidden “presents” that trigger allergies. Which of these items cause your symptoms? The only way to find out is to test. AllerVision provides doctors with a program that allows them to test for reactions to a wide range of regional allergens and a variety of foods.

5) The allergy skin test is painless, easy to administer in the doctor’s office, and produces results in just 15 minutes. This convenient test, which is the diagnostic gold standard, helps doctors quickly determine the problem and the select the right course of treatment immediately.

6) Allergies can lead to asthma attacks. Asthma is a serious chronic airway disease that causes coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. It often interferes with quality of life, preventing sufferers from participating in sports and outdoor activities. Severe asthma attacks in a patient without adequate disease control can be fatal.

7) Allergies can cause anaphylaxis, an extreme, life-threatening reaction. Anaphylaxis is usually associated with insect stings and food allergies but other allergens can cause it as well. Simply put, knowing what you’re allergic to can save your life.

Healthcare providers who don’t offer allergy testing should consider taking the time to learn and add the service to their practice. For more information, click here.

If you think that you may suffer from allergies, get an allergy test and evaluation. (Hint: if you’re feeling bad and don’t know why, it could be allergies.) AllerVision can help you find a local doctor who performs the test, or we can contact your provider to help him or her launch an allergy testing and treatment program. Click here to learn more.

Allergy Testing, Immunotherapy Boost Medical Practice and its Patients

Allergy immunotherapy has helped the patients and the practice of Dr. Stephen Sisselman, of Sisselman Medical Group in New York.

This post, from guest blogger Dr. Stephen Sisselman, looks at allergy testing and treatment from the general practitioner’s point of view. 

Sara V is a patient I’ve known for a long time. She comes in every few months with assorted respiratory complaints including runny nose, cough, congestion and excessive mucus production. I typically tell her she has rhinitis and that antibiotics are ineffective. Nevertheless, she usually requests an antibiotic. Recently, we began offering allergy testing at my office so I told Sara that I wanted to test her to see if allergies might be the cause for her respiratory complaints.

I started allergy testing as a way to offer more services to my patients and enhance the ancillary testing in my practice. It takes just five minutes to prep a patient and about five more to complete the test. In another 15 minutes the test results are ready to read. About half the patients we test each week show significant allergies to trees, weeds, molds, grasses or other environmental allergens. Patients love the idea of in-office testing where they get immediate results and don’t have to schlep to an allergist.

Getting back to Sara V… I thought that maybe seasonal allergies play a role in her frequent respiratory complaints. I performed an allergy test and we were both surprised by her results; she was positive for trees, weeds, grasses and indoor perennials such as dust mites. After a discussion of appropriate therapy, she decided that allergy shots — subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) —were the best choice for her. Now, three months into the program, she already has fewer symptoms and respiratory complaints. And Sara is just one of many of my patients now experiencing a greater quality of life.

Sara chose allergy shots but those aren’t the only treatment option. I help patients with positive test results choose the treatment that’s right for them. Some prefer oral antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. Others, like Sara, choose immunotherapy because it doesn’t just cover up symptoms, it trains the body to ignore the allergens that trigger the symptoms.

I administer allergy shots in my office. Based on insurance coverage, patients may have just a small copay, or none at all. Some patients prefer the freedom of treating themselves with immunotherapy at home. For them, we offer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), also known as allergy drops. SLIT drops from AllerVision are customized to the patient based on the results of their allergy test. The patients simply place three drops under their tongue and hold them there for three minutes each day. Drops usually cost about $70/month. They’re not covered by insurance but for those who choose them, the convenience easily outweighs the cost. Both shots and drops start working within a few weeks to a few months and treatment is complete in four years.

The allergy program has been a great addition to my practice. I enjoy the increased reimbursements for allergy testing and shots administration while my patients love the convenience of getting needed testing and treatment in my office. My staff also loves the program because it’s easy and we can better diagnose and treat patients with frequent or chronic upper respiratory complaints. It’s a win-win for everybody.

Stephen G. Sisselman, D.O., F.A.C.P.

Dr. Stephen Sisselman is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. His practice, Sisselman Medical Group, in Massapequa NY and Commack, NY cares for patients ages 12 and up.

Allergy Drops Save Childhood for Arizona Boy

Before taking allergy drops, Jackson’s allergies made life outdoors almost unbearable.

In this post, our second in a series on allergies from the patient’s point of view, the mother of a boy with extensive allergies to the the outdoors recounts her son’s difficulties — and relief. 

Our son Jackson began showing the signs of allergies when he was almost three years old. If he would play outside in grass, climb trees or play with a dog or cat, within a few minutes, he would begin to show signs. His eyes would get puffy, his nose would clog and the rest of the day he would be miserable. As he got older, we hoped that his body would grow out of this but, unfortunately, it only got worse. His allergies were so severe, anytime he was exposed to anything outside you could guarantee a long night of Jackson getting up constantly to blow his nose or complain that he felt terrible. It breaks your heart to hear your son say he hates his allergies and doesn’t want to go outside ever again.

We met our allergist through his regular pediatrician, at Desert Sun Pediatrics, and she mentioned the drops as an alternative. He was given an allergy test and showed that he was allergic to most grass, many different types of trees and shrubs and, of course, animal dander. We agreed to try Jackson on the drops.

The results were almost immediate and close to too good to be true. Within a few days of taking the drops, we would take him out to roll and play in the grass. Nothing. No runny nose. No puffy eyes. It was like he’d never had allergies in his life! It was an amazing thing to see a young boy to be able to run outside and play like a normal kid without having to worry about his health.

The drops themselves are very easy to administer and we’ve found something very interesting. On very rare occasions during the last year or so, we would forget to give him his medicine. As soon as he’d be near grass or animals, it was just like it had been in the past. The extent was not as severe, but you could totally see the difference in how his body reacted without taking the drops.

My husband and I were both very skeptical about administering these drops. We did some research before and there wasn’t a lot of positive or negative things on line. Once we committed, it was one of the best things we’ve ever done for our children. I would highly recommend these drops to anyone who has a child that is suffering or even an adult that has had to suffer with allergies. They work!

Stephanie S., Arizona

[Editor’s Note: Most patients begin to experience the benefit of drops within six months, not necessarily as quickly as in this case.]