Food and Alcohol Allergies: Roundtable Event at Hudson Allergy

Do you think you are allergic to alcohol or summer time foods?Join the doctors at Hudson Allergy to learn about food and alcohol allergies, how to manage them and still enjoy your summer. 

Join Us on June 5^th at 6:30pm at Hudson Allergy, 49 Murray Street

Dr. Mainardi, Dr. Kuriakose and Dr. Price will hold a roundtable discussion on food and alcohol allergies and cover the following topics:

-       What symptoms to look out for

-       How to prevent a reaction

-       Tips on managing your symptoms

-       Reasons to see an allergist

-       Q & A

Do you have specific questions? Please email us in advance or ask them during the Q & A session. Looking forward to seeing you there.  Click here to register for this free event!

Am I really Allergic to Exercise?

While it sometimes can sound like a bad excuse, some people can really be allergic to working out or exercise in general.

Skin reactions, like hives, and respiratory problems, like asthma, are common complaints among those who work out in the gym or outdoors, and their complaints could sometimes be warranted.

Many of the exercise induced conditions are due to histamine, which is a chemical in the body that usually is released to augment the immune system, and when histamines are released in the body at the wrong time, this can wreak havoc on how you feel.

However, determining whether these problems are due to an allergic disease involves going to see an allergist and getting a complete workup. Below are a few of the more common conditions, and if you have ever experienced any of the following, or other exercise induced illnesses, do your body a favor and schedule an appointment with us before your next workout.

Cholinergic Urticaria (CU)

A very common and frustrating disease, cholinergic urticaria (CU) is a condition where a person breaks out in hives just before (or after) they begin to sweat due to exercise or heat.  The exact cause of this condition is not completely understood, but it tends to occur most commonly in young men, but can also occur in women.  Because sweating is the trigger, it occurs most frequently under the arms and around the chest and neck, but it can happen anywhere on your body.  Classic CU consists of small hives that cover the whole body, and they are extremely itchy, and can even be burning or painful; however, large, plaque-like hives have also been described. The disease is set off by the allergy cells (mast cells) releasing histamine, which causes the hives, and in sufficient quantities, can lead to full blown anaphylaxis with wheeze, abdominal pain, and fainting. What makes this type of urticaria (hives) different from most, is it’s relative lack of response to traditional antihistamines.  However, there are other steps you can take to help mitigate the symptoms, and we can help you feel better.

Exercise induced anaphylaxis (EIA)

Dramatic, sudden and potentially life-threatening, Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis (EIA), is by far the most alarming allergic reaction seen in people exercising. Thankfully, the condition is rare, but it is also almost certainly underreported.  Symptoms include hives, asthma, angioedema (swelling of lips and tongue), a drop in blood pressure, and even death.  Some cases of EIA are triggered by something in the environment including high pollen counts or eating certain types of food (particularly grains and seafood) just prior to working out. Immediate treatment with epinephrine will usually reverse the attack. Luckily, many of these patients have a spontaneous resolution of the symptoms. Anyone with a history of EIA needs a prompt evaluation by an allergist.

Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB)

Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a very common respiratory complaint at the gym, and is usually the mildest.  It is so common that some studies suggest that up to 30% of all high school athletes, and as many as 50% of Olympic winter athletes have some form of EIB.  Basically, if you’ve ever run or worked out strenuously and then developed difficulty breathing and wheezing, you may have EIB.  It happens when the airway gets too cold and dry during exercise (this is why its so prevalent among winter athletes). Once the airway rewarms and moistens up, a signal is sent to the allergy cells to blow up and release their histamine.  This causes the lungs to tighten up, causing that wheeze and shortness of breath. The majority of people with asthma have EIB, but the majority of EIB sufferers do NOT have asthma. Treatment is simple, and usually stops the whole process before it starts.

All of these conditions can be diagnosed and treated by a board certified allergist. If exercise or work out regularly, and feel some of these conditions, any of our board certified allergists could treat you. Before you cancel your gym membership, set up a same day appointment with one of our New York allergists. Your body will feel better, and anyway, you probably can’t get out of that 2 year contract.

Useful Tips for Adults and Children Coping with Atopic Dermatitis AKA Eczema

Most people have heard about atopic dermatitis or eczema, but do you know what it is? Today we are going to share a brief overview of this skin condition, outline whom it affects and  we’ll share some tips on how to minimize symptoms when eczema flares up!

Atopic Dermatitis also commonly known as eczema is a symptomatic skin condition that affects both children and adults. Eczema causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked, and it commonly occurs in areas of the skin that have folds. For example, eczema is known to pop in areas such as behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the side of the neck and around the eyes and ears. But, it can occur in other areas as well!

Eczema is more prevalent in people who already have allergies or asthma or have family with a history of allergies, asthma, or eczema. Eczema tends to improve in many children as they get older, with many cases clearing up by the time they become teenagers. However, for those people who do have eczema that persists into adulthood, it can be very uncomfortable.

Dr. Julie Kuriakose is one of our Allergists at Hudson Allergy and she specializes in helping adults and children manage eczema. Here is some useful advice on how to help your eczema minimize symptoms and discomfort that comes with having eczema:

• Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! - At least twice a day with a hypoallergenic lotion and also after showers and washing hands. Vaseline also works well if applied to dry skin patches throughout the day.
• No Hot Showers - Keep the temperature of showers and baths lukewarm if possible and for no longer than five minutes.
• Change up the soap - Use hypoallergenic body and face wash products that are not soap based.
• Keep Your Sheets Neat – Wash your bedding weekly with hot water (130F) to avoid skin and dust buildup, which can exacerbate other allergies. Use hypoallergenic detergents in the wash and avoid the use of dryer sheets and fabric softeners as they can stimulate episodes.
• Good Nail Hygiene - keeping nails cut short and filed helps avoid skin scratching, which could break the skin open and introduce bacteria in some cases.

If you would like more advice on coping with eczema or other allergies you may have, please contact us to schedule a same-day appointment. Click here to schedule an appointment. 

How Asthma can be exacerbated by being in an urban city: Pollution + Pollen

Author: Dr. Jason Price

Asthma is sadly one of the most debilitating conditions in America. It affects adults and children alike and according to the Center for Disease Control there are some 14 million school days lost each year as a result of asthma. Families are inconvenienced by having to drop everything to look after their child, requiring parents to take time off work, and in the worst cases, becoming one of the approximately two million asthma related emergency-room visits every year.

City dwellers are at even more risk of asthma attacks due to increased environmental factors such as heavy traffic, tightly condensed living quarters and parks with pollen producing trees and grasses. Back in 2002, research showed that up to 30% of childhood asthma is due to environmental factors and that constant exposure to air pollution can be a significant contributing factor to the development of asthma in previously healthy people.

Dr. Jason Price is a pediatric pulmonologist at Hudson Allergy and he knows what to look for when evaluating asthma symptoms in New York City’s children.

“There are four main kinds of air pollutants that city dwellers need to be aware of and monitor”, said Dr. Price.

“Ground Level Ozone is common in many urban centers and cities. It can trigger attacks and make existing asthma worse. It is created when pollution from traffic reacts with oxygen and sunlight and is a particular hazard to children as they usually spend more time outdoors than their parents, while at school and playing.

Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide are two of the other main respiratory irritants that can trigger attacks. They are created and released when coal and oil are burned. Diesel engines that use high-sulfur fuels tend to release this pollutant into the air.

The fourth type of pollutant is called Particulate Matter. This is the term that allergy professionals use when we talk about large pollutant particles like soot, ash, smoke and dust that can accumulate and build up in the lungs, making future attacks more likely.”

There are several things that Dr. Price and the other physicians at Hudson Allergy can recommend or perscribe to prevent asthma attacks in both children and adults.

If you would like to find out more on how to minimize the effects of pollution and pollen on your allergies, come visit us in Tribeca and see how we can help. Click here to book an appointment on line or give us a call at 212-729-1283.

Four Tips To Help You Get Through Allergy Season

Now that tax day is here, we are officially in heart of April and it is really starting to feel like Spring! When you make your way around the city we are sure that you are starting to notice the trees and flowers starting to bloom, and the grass beginning to sprout.  Hello allergies! For more than 30 million Americans, spring kicks off an annual search for ways to avoid spring allergies. Here are a few ideas for relief.

Check you local pollen index

This is a great way to check the pollen levels in your local area, and figure out what types of pollen are prevalent in your zip code.  Weather.com and Pollen.com are two great resources to check the pollen levels. This can be very helpful if you know which types of triggers you are allergic to so that you can change your plans if a particular pollen is running rampant near your particular destination.  

Keep your indoor space allergy free

You can help control you allergies by controlling your environment. If pollen levels are high outside, make sure that you keep your indoor environment allergy free (or as much as possible). One way we recommend minimizing indoor allergens is to get an air purifier, specifically a HEPA Air Purifier. HEPA Air Purifiers have a filter that captures up to 99% of mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust, all of which are common allergens.

Another tip is to keep windows closed and if it’s hot turn on the air conditioning unit.  A/C unites have filter in them that should filter out most allergens.  The filter should be cleaned weekly or if not possible, change the filter prior to the pollen season.

Wash your hands frequently

It sounds so simple, but it’s important that you wash your hands frequently during peak allergy season and washing your hands should be a regular habit, regardless of your destination or time of year.  If you regularly feel the negative affects of allergies, you should also get into the habit of regularly washing your face as well, and when you get home from being out, you should also change your clothes. It is also recommended to shower at night time before you go to bed and thoroughly wash your hair. Remember that pollen sticks to everything and the more you can do to keep it off your body the better.

Talk to an allergist

If your eyes are puffy, your nose won’t stop running, and your throat itches, you may have more severe allergies than you think and you ought to talk to an allergist. There might be some additional measure that an allergist would want you to take to help you get through allergy season.

For example, one of the first things an allergist might recommend is doing a skin test to pinpoint exactly what you are allergic to. This can be very helpful to know, as it will guide you on what to steer clear of or pay special attention to during allergy season.

Here at Hudson Allergy, there have been many times that allergy shots have really helped our patients. Imagine what it’s like to feel “normal” during spring and fall?

If you are looking for more information about allergies or remedies for season allergies, we invite you to come to our website where you can learn more about our practice and the three wonderful doctors who bring it to life. Or, something else to consider is that we do take same day appointments, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’ve had it with your seasonal allergies. We are here to help!