Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center

🍂 Fall Allergy Alert: Ragw**d and Other W**ds 🍂

As the fall season approaches, many of us look forward to cooler weather and beautiful foliage. However, it's also the time when ragw**d and other w**ds release pollen, leading to allergies and asthma flare-ups. Here’s what you need to know to stay healthy and breathe easy this season.

🌿 Ragw**d: The most common fall allergen, ragw**d pollen can travel hundreds of miles, affecting millions of people.

🍃 Other W**ds: W**ds like mugwort, lamb’s quarters, and sagebrush also contribute to seasonal allergies.

Preventive Measures:

1. Limit Outdoor Exposure:
- Stay indoors on high pollen days, especially in the morning when pollen counts are highest.
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning with a clean filter to reduce indoor pollen.

2. Wear a Mask:
- When outdoors, consider wearing a mask to reduce inhalation of pollen.

3. Shower and Change Clothes:
- After spending time outside, take a shower and change your clothes to remove pollen.

4. Asthma Action Plan:
- Ensure your asthma action plan is up-to-date. Keep rescue inhalers and medications readily available.
- Use a peak flow meter to monitor your breathing and take action if your readings drop.

5. HEPA Filters:
- Use HEPA filters in your home to trap pollen and other allergens.

7. Consult with Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center: Let's diagnose your environmental allergy, update your asthma plan and optimize so you breathe easy, and let's discuss short term and long term treatment options. For ragw**d specifically: we offer subcutaneous injections, sublingual drops, and also sublingual tablets.

Did you know certain fruits and vegetables cross react with ragw**d pollen causing eating difficulties? These foods include: artichoke, banana, chamomile tea, cucumber, echinacea, mango, variety of melons, sunflower seeds, and zucchini.

Speak to us about your symptoms to come up with individualize plan.


freepik for picture

We have already been warning our young patients about ecigs and vapes. Here is the first new insight for the long term implications on health. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/electronic-cigarettes-allergies-and-asthma

W**ds have started to pollinate. If you have fall allergies, please start to prepare for your allergy symptoms now with taking appropriate medications.

We can help you develop both short and long term plan. We offer allergy injections and sublingual drops to achieve long term comfort and improve quality of life.

Oral/Intramuscular/IV (systemic) corticosteroids are a powerful medicine that works to reduce inflammation. For people with asthma, it quickly reduces the swelling in your lungs, helping you to breathe more easily.

Systemic corticosteroids are absorbed into your blood to be transported to your lungs, where they are needed. But they also reach other parts of your body, which can result in unpleasant side effects. This is why oral corticosteroids should be prescribed with care.

In contrast, inhaled corticosteroids are breathed in right to the lungs where they are needed. At normal doses recommended for most people with asthma they don’t affect the rest of your body much, if at all.

At Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center, we want to prevent episodes of you needing these harmful systemic steroids. There are new treatment methods to avoid acute exacerbations for moderate to severe asthmatic patients. If you are prescribed systemic steroids twice a year, you are taking too much. Over the course of lifetime, these systemic steroids have harmful effects as described in the picture below.

Wanted to thank American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for an amazing and valuable practice management conference over the weekend in Denver.

Contact Allergen of the Year: Sulfites.

Contact sulfite allergy is a rare allergic reaction to sulfites, which are often used in many products. Symptoms can include skin rashes, itching, and swelling where the sulfites come into contact with the skin. Sometimes reactions can occur away from the point of contact.

If you suspect sulfite allergy, seek allergy physician at Keystone Allergy and Asthma to develop personalize diagnosis and treatment plan.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/sulfites-selected-acds-allergen-year-2024a10004hd
https://www.contactderm.org/UserFiles/Posters%20-%20AM20WEB/Kullberg-Sulfite.pdf
https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_Sulfite_Sensitivity_FAQ_2021.pdf

Brands such as Hershey’s, Friendly’s, Chipwich and Jeni’s - pints of ice cream and sorbet, as well as ice cream cakes, sandwiches, cones and more are potentially tainted. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/26/nx-s1-5020142/ice-cream-recall-listeria-hersheys-friendlys-jenis

Importance of starting peanut in infancy to achieve tolerance and prevent peanut allergy.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an illness found in the esophagus (the tube that links your mouth and stomach). EoE may cause trouble swallowing, heartburn and food getting stuck in the throat. It can be due to food and respiratory allergens.

Infants, children and adults can all have EoE. It is a lifelong health issue.

Here is a nice chart listing progressive symptoms of EOE from infancy to adulthood. Keystone Allergy will work closely with your family doctor and gastroenterologist to appropriately diagnose, help to figure out the reason for EOE, and also come up with individualize treatment plan options.

This past weekend, I had a chance to volunteer with amazing dentists and fellow volunteers who gave their time and skill set to provide free dentistry at the MOM-N-PA's event, this time in Reading. 2000 of Pennsylvania's residents benefited from free dentistry. Some people drove for hours and stood in line overnight to get much needed dental work to improve their smile and health. Please donate your time or contribute to this amazing organization for the next year's event. https://www.mom-n-pa.com/donate/

Managing Grass and W**d Allergies:

If you suffer from grass and w**d allergies, you may experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, throat, or skin. Here are some tips to help manage your allergies:

1. Avoid Exposure:
- Limit outdoor activities during peak pollen times, typically in the early morning and on windy days.
- Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons to prevent pollen from entering your home.
- Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors to remove pollen.

2. Environmental Control:
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters in your home.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier to reduce mold growth, which can exacerbate allergies.

3. Protective Measures:
- Wear sunglasses and a hat to minimize pollen contact with your eyes and hair.
- Avoid mowing the lawn or wear a mask while doing so.

4. Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy:
- Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center can help to identify specific allergens that could be bothersome to you. We have created a comprehensive Northeast allergy panel to test for both indoor and outdoor allergens.
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) or Allergy drops will provide the long term relief and also alleviate your underlying asthma symptoms. We offer both treatment options.

Please contact our office in Exton, PA at 484-897-7143 to schedule your appointment for lasting allergy and asthma relief and improving quality of life.

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You have treatment options when suffering from seasonal allergies. Speak with Dr. Sujal Ghelani at Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center about individualize plan to improve your quality of life.

We now accept Devoted Health Pennsylvania plan. Please text or call us for a prompt appointment.

Few myths about food allergy. Please see our office to speak with our board certified physician about your food allergy and sensitivities. You can text or call us at 484-897-7143

Eczema on skin of color. Black and Hispanic children tend to develop more severe cases of eczema compared to white children. They are also more likely than white children to miss school due to eczema.

Speak with our allergist at Keystone Allergy and Asthma center to thoroughly review what could be driving your triggers and seek relief.

What are common triggers of eczema?
Skin irritants such as soaps, shampoos, detergents or fragrances
Heavy or tight clothing
Chemicals in skin products such as cosmetics
Jewelry that contains nickel
Environmental allergies such as pollen and mold
Food allergens
Furry pet dander, saliva or urine
Dust mites
Hot and humid temperatures
Cold air in winter, which can dry out the skin
Viral and bacterial infections
Antibacterial ointments such as neomycin and bacitracin
To***co smoke
Stress

Update on the local pollen numbers this week. Grasses have started to pollinate. Please see previous post to get tips on how to enjoy the outdoors this summer.

🌍✨ Join us in raising awareness for World Asthma Day! ✨🌍

As allergy and asthma physicians, we understand the impact asthma can have on individuals and families worldwide. Today, on World Asthma Day, let's unite to spread knowledge, support, and hope for everyone affected by this condition.

💙 Did you know that over 300 million people suffer from asthma globally? Yet, with proper management and education, many can lead full and active lives.

📚 Education is key! Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or simply someone who wants to learn more, take the time today to educate yourself about asthma triggers, symptoms, and available treatments. https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/asthma-respiratory/

🤝 Make an appointment with Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center to discuss your symptoms and how we can best approach for management. In the last few years, we have more options to better manage asthma and prevent acute asthma episodes. Majority of times, allergist finding the root cause of your asthma and its triggers will help better manage asthma and will lead to improved quality of life.

🌿 Exciting News! 🌿

We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of our allergy medical office right here in Exton, PA! 🎉

At Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center , we're dedicated to providing top-notch care and relief for all your allergy needs. Whether it's seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, or other allergic conditions, our team is here to help you breathe easier and live healthier.

We can't wait to welcome you to our new office and be a part of the Exton community! See you there! 🌟

🌳🤧 Suffering from Tree Pollen? Here are a few things to keep in mind! 🌳

1. Know Your Triggers: Common culprits include oak, birch, maple, and cedar. Once you know your triggers, you can better plan your outdoor activities. Our office can test you for various common allergens in the Northeast US region.

2. Check Pollen Counts: Keep an eye on pollen forecasts, especially on windy days when pollen is more likely to be airborne. Consider planning outdoor activities for when pollen levels are lower, such as after a rainfall. https://www.pollen.com/forecast/current/pollen/19341

3. Time Your Outdoor Activities: Pollen levels are typically highest in the morning, so if possible, plan outdoor activities accordingly.

4. Protect Yourself: Consider wearing a pollen mask, sunglasses, and/or hat to reduce allergens contact and inhalation.

5. Keep Indoor Air Clean: Close windows and use air conditioning with a clean filter to help reduce the amount of pollen entering your home or car. Consider investing in a HEPA air purifier to further improve indoor air quality.

6. Shower and Change Clothes: After spending time outdoors, shower and change into fresh clothes to remove pollen from your body and prevent it from spreading indoors.

7. Consult an Allergist: If your tree allergies are severe or significantly impacting your quality of life, consider seeing Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center. You can easily make an appointment by texting us at 484-897-7143. We can provide personalized advice and treatment options to help manage your symptoms effectively.

Remember, you don't have to let tree allergies keep you cooped up indoors! By taking proactive steps and staying informed, you can still enjoy the beauty of nature while minimizing discomfort.

Image created using AI

Hey there, Exton and Chester County community!

Are seasonal allergies or asthma symptoms putting a damper on your day? We've got your back! 👋🍃

At Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center, we are your hub for expert care and relief from pesky allergens and asthma triggers. We're here to provide personalized solutions tailored to your unique needs, right here in the heart of Exton.

Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you breathe easier, live healthier, and reclaim your comfort.

Visit our website: keystoneallergy.com or simply use our text service any time at 484-897-7143 to book your appointment.

Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center For your allergy & asthma relief