Allergy & Asthma Soluitons
April / May2015 Issue
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Misconceptions Related to Allergic Conditions

 

In this months newsletter I have decided to debunk some common misconceptions related to allergic conditions.  


 

Does Milk really cause mucus or cough?

 

Parents are frequently concerned that their child produces more mucus after drinking milk or eating dairy foods. Some people complain that their throat feels coated, and this makes them cough. Recent research shows that milk coating the throat is due to the texture of the fluid and that the same sensation occurs with other liquids of similar thickness. Milk does not specifically trigger mucus production.

 

Does milk cause ear infections?

 

Although this is not as common a question it still springs up. Middle ear infections (otitis media) are very common in young children. Allergies causing allergic rhinitis (hay fever) can exacerbate middle ear infections, as the swelling and inflammation in the nose reduces the flow of air and mucus from the ears and sinuses. These passages in young children are very narrow and tend to fill up with mucus and secretions easily. Drinking milk doesn't cause or exacerbate this condition which is typically triggered by various outdoor and indoor allergens. Contrary, drinking milk actually provided necessary essentials like Vitamin D, calcium and other mineral which may actually improve nourishment and enhance the child's immune system. Unless there is a true food allergy to cow milk, cutting out this source of vital nutrition in a child will eventually affect their nutrition.

 

Inhaled or nasal steroids should be avoided as it affects the body or is too strong for a child?

 

There are several studies that have conclusively shown that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for asthma and intranasal steroids (INS) are safe, effective and very effective in controlling conditions like Hay Fever or Asthma with very little downside. Infract, these medications have revolutionized how we treat allergic diseases. These are some of the few medications (ICS and INS-not combination meds like Advair, Symbicort or Dulera which should be taken in the recommended doses only where the side effects are from the long acting albuterol) that will rarely if ever cause harm even if taken above the recommended doses. Unnecessary fearfulness and a phobia of these medications due to the word "steroid" can cause life threatening asthma attacks which are easily preventable. Unmanaged asthma results in 3,300 deaths annually.

 

Once my asthma is controlled and I do not have symptoms I can stop my medications?

 

This scenario is not uncommon where parents think that once asthma is controlled, the condition is "cured". As asthma is a complex disease there is yet NO CURE. The only treatment available is inhaled corticosteroids in various forms. Stopping these medications will ultimately result in a flare of asthma, resulting in their reintroduction. DO NOT stop asthma medications without consulting with your allergist or physician.

 

Showers are preferred or alternate day bathing/showers to daily 20-30 minute baths in children with eczema?

 

The problem here is that these children lack barriers that prevent the skin moisture from evaporating, resulting in the skin being dry and scaly. The more the skin is immersed in water there is more absorption of water and the healthier the skin gets. The more severe the eczema the longer the child should be immersed in warm water (20-30 minutes daily) and moisturize as often as possible throughout the day.

 

If you are allergic to tree nut you should also avoid peanuts?


 

Although there is some truth here that there is a 40% chance if you are allergic to tree nuts you can develop an allergy to peanuts (epidemiological data where there was an association but was not causal), current research shows no increased risk as peanuts belong to the legume family and have little in common with the tree nuts  family. Infact, we now encourage people to eat peanuts if they have had no history of reactions but are allergic to tree nuts and vice versa, the idea being that the immune system develops a "tolerance" to these foods making them less harmful


 

Allergy to one type of tree nut should be followed by complete avoidance of tree nuts?

 

This question needs to be answered with certain caveats. In general, the individual who has only reacted to either one of these 3 groups- walnut/pecan, almond/hazelnut, pistachio/cashew nut may continue to eat the other two groups of nuts. There is 33% chance that there would be a reaction

 

 

 


Test Your Knowledge


 

1. Which of the following is correct
 

a .  Only 9% of individuals will outgorw tree nut allergy

b.   Only 20% of individuals will outgrow peanut allergy

c.   Cow milk allergy is the commonest in children and is generally outgrown by age 5 years

d.   All of the above

 

2.  Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction generally occurs within
 

a.  1-10 minutes

b.  after 6-12 hrs

c.  More than 12 hrs 

d.  A day later

 

 

Click Here for answers

News from the Allergy World
 


 

Pregnant women with asthma need to curb urge to ask for antibiotics


 

The study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), followed 298 mother-child pairs through the child's third year of life. The study found that 22 percent of the 103 children born to mothers who took antibiotics during pregnancy were diagnosed with asthma by age 3. In contrast, only 11 percent of the children born to mothers who didn't take antibiotics prenatally were similarly diagnosed. Twice as many children whose mothers took antibiotics during pregnancy developed asthma compared to mothers who did not take antibiotics.


 

Cod Liver Oil and Asthma


 

This was an 8 year study that showed that increased levels of  alpha-tocopherol was associated with a decrease in incidence of developing asthma and asthma activity. Although a preliminary study it is quite encouraging that this valuable supplement may have beneficial effects on our health, including asthma. Mum may have been always right when she said to take your cod liver oil...Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015.


 

E-Cigarettes- Mango or Pineapple? ....On the rise!


 

In this study, more than two-thirds of high school students surveyed in Hawaii considered e- cigarettes to be healthier than cigarettes. Almost 3 out of every 10 adolescents had ever used e-cigarettes, one of the largest prevalence rates hitherto published. There was also a substantial prevalence of dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, raising the alarming question on whether this was a consequence of "renormalization" of smoking. Interestingly, flavors available in Hawaii during the study period included mango and pineapple! Pediatrics. 2015;135:e43-e51.


 

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A Message from Dr. Chinoy 
Dr. Chinoy

  

I trust everyone has enjoyed the transition of winter to spring.  The much needed rain has filled our lakes in North Texas and rinsed the air along with the dusting of pollen found as a yellow tinted substance on cars and outdoor furniture during the spring.  Springtime allergies can be a challenge.  If you experience what you feel are allergy or asthma symptoms, please contact our office and consult with me to help determine how to control your symptoms.  I wish everyone a wonder spring.  I appreciate your patronage!
 

Kind Regards, 

 

Dr. Birjis Chinoy


 


 

Visit our website at www.simplybreathe.com 

 

 

 

AnswersAnswers to the Test Your Knowledge Section: 

 

1.  Ans: d.

 

You guessed it. Tree nuts are the hardest to outgrow and cow milk generally resolves between 5-9 years.

 

 

2.  Ans: a

 

The quicker the reaction generally the more severe the reaction. Epinephrine should be used first when this occurs, despite people using Benadryl which may not work in the severe reactions.