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Patient Education News
Childhood Asthma
February 14, 2012
Childhood Asthma is a common respiratory illness that results in wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing. Childhood asthma leads to more missed school days and limitations on physical activity than any other childhood disease.
Although childhood asthma cannot be cured, asthma symptoms can be kept under control with the appropriate use of asthma medications, avoidance of asthma triggers, and regular doctor visits. Many children "grow out" of childhood asthma as they go through puberty, and symptoms disappear in adulthood. However, some children will continue to have asthma symptoms as teenagers and adults. It is not known why some children develop asthma and others do not.
Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms
January 27, 2012
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder that causes dry, itching, and inflamed skin. The rash of atopic dermatitis comes and goes. The term eczema is sometimes used to describe atopic dermatitis. The most obvious symptoms of atopic dermatitis are intense itching, along with red, dry skin that is sometimes scaly.
The worsening of atopic dermatitis symptoms is referred to as a "flare". An atopic dermatitis flare can be triggered by a variety of factors. The appearance of atopic dermatitis varies tremendously from person to person. Most people with atopic dermatitis experience a short-term flare for a few weeks (acute), during which the skin looks red, raised, and cracked.
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Long-Term Asthma Treatment
October 20, 2011
Inhaled corticosteroids are medications used to treat people with asthma. They may also be prescribed to treat other respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Asthma symptoms are associated with inflammation inside the airways of the lungs (bronchi and bronchioles). The inflammation narrows the airways and makes it more difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs. Inhaled corticosteroids reduce the inflammation, making it easier to breath.
Your doctor will prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid depending on several factors, including the severity of your respiratory symptoms, use of other asthma medications, and response to previous treatments.
Hay Fever Symptoms
October 7, 2011
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is characterized by itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion that is triggered by allergens. Allergens are the substances that trigger allergic reactions.
Despite its name, hay fever is rarely triggered by hay and it doesn't cause a fever. Symptoms of hay fever usually develop immediately after exposure to an allergen and can include:
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, or throat
- Sinus pressure
- Swollen and darkened skin under the eyes (called "allergic shiners")
Although symptoms of allergic rhinitis may first appear at any age, they most commonly arise during childhood or early adulthood. The severity of symptoms usually changes year to year and most people find that symptoms tend to diminish slowly, often over decades.
Peanut Allergy and Anaphylaxis
September 26, 2011
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. Peanut allergy usually shows up in early childhood. Unlike most other food allergies, it often lasts into adulthood.
The most obvious way to be exposed to peanuts is by eating them. Exposure also can happen through direct skin contact with peanuts, which causes an allergic reaction, such as hives or redness and itching around the mouth; through cross-contact, which occurs when peanuts are unintentionally introduced into another food during processing, such as when food is produced on the same equipment used to process peanut-containing foods; or through inhalation, which occurs by inhaling flour, dust, or sprays that contain peanuts.
There are several symptoms of peanut allergy, but the most serious is anaphylaxis, a sudden, life-threatening type of shock, which is considered a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis can cause constricted airways, dizziness, lightheadedness, a swollen throat, and a fast drop in blood pressure. As a result, the allergic person may have trouble breathing and could lose consciousness.
Allergy Medication Rebates and Refills
The Medication Rebates handout has a variety of medication rebates. Also find information about prescription refills and a pharmacy directory.
Find an Allergist Who Cares About Patient Education
Find a leading allergist who specializes in the treatment of hay fever, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), sinusitis, and anaphylaxis.
Learn more about each doctor to find an allergist who is board-certified by the Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and has been licensed to practice medicine by your state medical board.
