Pollen Allergy

Activities like camping can be fun, but they can also expose you to outdoor pollen as well as to stinging insects like bees, yellow jackets and wasps. If you have these allergies, avoid camping during high pollen seasons, take your medications with you and carry injectable epinephrine to treat reactions to stinging insects. If you have a severe insect-allergic reaction, get immediate emergency medical treatment.

Walking, leisure biking and hiking are typically good activities for people with asthma or allergies. If you enjoy the mountains and have asthma, be careful if you are thinking of going above 5,000 feet, as oxygen levels decrease.

Cold weather sports such as cross-country skiing and ice hockey are more likely to make symptoms worse. Also, snorkeling is much safer than scuba diving.

An asthma treatment plan can help you keep your symptoms under control so that you can enjoy exercising or sports activities while traveling.

Bon voyage and safe travels!



Healthy Tips

• If your allergies or asthma are causing problems, have a pre-trip physical.
• Pack all medications, a peak flow meter and a copy of your physician's phone number.
• Consider buying travel medical insurance.

Reference information: www.aaaai.org,  www.allergy.hk/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Tips to Remember: Food Allergy

If you have a food allergy, your immune system overreacts to a food. This is caused by an antibody called IgE (Immunoglobulin E), which is found in people with allergies. Food allergy is more likely to develop in someone who has family members with allergies. Symptoms may occur after you consume even a tiny amount of the food.

Most allergens can cause reactions even after they are cooked or have undergone digestion in the intestines. There are some exceptions. For example, some allergens (usually fruits and vegetables) cause allergic reactions only if eaten in their raw form. Symptoms are usually limited to the mouth and throat.

The most common food allergens are the proteins in cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.

In some food groups, especially tree nuts and seafood, an allergy to one member of a food family may result in the person being allergic to other members of the same group. This is known as cross-reactivity.

Cross-reactivity is not as common with foods from animal groups. For example, people allergic to cow's milk can usually eat beef, and patients allergic to eggs can usually eat chicken.

With shellfish, crustaceans (shrimp, crab and lobster) are most likely to cause an allergic reaction. Molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, abalone, etc.) can cause allergic reactions, but reactions to these shellfish are less common. Occasionally, people are allergic to both types of shellfish.


 

Reference information: http://www.aaaai.org/
The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Enjoy Your Stay with Allergies and Asthma

Hotel rooms often have a lot of dust mites and molds in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture. Fumes from cleaning products may also cause problems. Ask for a "green" room if available. If you are allergic to dust mites, you may want to bring your own dust-proof, zippered covers.

 

 

If you are sensitive to molds, request a sunny, dry room away from areas near indoor pools. Also, if you have allergies to any animals, ask about the hotel's pet policy, and request a room that has been pet-free.
 
Visiting family and friends in their homes can be risky if you have allergies or asthma. For instance, during the holidays, dust mites on ornaments and decorations, molds on Christmas trees, wet leaves and logs for wood-burning stoves and perfumes from scented candles can all trigger allergy or asthma symptoms.

If you have pet allergies, your trip may be more enjoyable if you avoid staying in the homes of family or friends with pets.

People with food allergies should be careful about eating home-cooked foods that may contain hidden food allergens

Reference information: http://www.allergy.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Pollen Allergy

Activities like camping can be fun, but they can also expose you to outdoor pollen as well as to stinging insects like bees, yellow jackets and wasps. If you have these allergies, avoid camping during high pollen seasons, take your medications with you and carry injectable epinephrine to treat reactions to stinging insects. If you have a severe insect-allergic reaction, get immediate emergency medical treatment.

Walking, leisure biking and hiking are typically good activities for people with asthma or allergies. If you enjoy the mountains and have asthma, be careful if you are thinking of going above 5,000 feet, as oxygen levels decrease.

Cold weather sports such as cross-country skiing and ice hockey are more likely to make symptoms worse. Also, snorkeling is much safer than scuba diving.

An asthma treatment plan can help you keep your symptoms under control so that you can enjoy exercising or sports activities while traveling.

Bon voyage and safe travels!



Healthy Tips

• If your allergies or asthma are causing problems, have a pre-trip physical.
• Pack all medications, a peak flow meter and a copy of your physician's phone number.
• Consider buying travel medical insurance.

Reference information: www.aaaai.org,  www.allergy.hk/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Enjoy Your Stay with Allergies and Asthma

Hotel rooms often have a lot of dust mites and molds in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture. Fumes from cleaning products may also cause problems. Ask for a "green" room if available. If you are allergic to dust mites, you may want to bring your own dust-proof, zippered covers.

 

 

If you are sensitive to molds, request a sunny, dry room away from areas near indoor pools. Also, if you have allergies to any animals, ask about the hotel's pet policy, and request a room that has been pet-free.
 
Visiting family and friends in their homes can be risky if you have allergies or asthma. For instance, during the holidays, dust mites on ornaments and decorations, molds on Christmas trees, wet leaves and logs for wood-burning stoves and perfumes from scented candles can all trigger allergy or asthma symptoms.

If you have pet allergies, your trip may be more enjoyable if you avoid staying in the homes of family or friends with pets.

People with food allergies should be careful about eating home-cooked foods that may contain hidden food allergens

Reference information: http://www.allergy.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Pollen Allergy

Activities like camping can be fun, but they can also expose you to outdoor pollen as well as to stinging insects like bees, yellow jackets and wasps. If you have these allergies, avoid camping during high pollen seasons, take your medications with you and carry injectable epinephrine to treat reactions to stinging insects. If you have a severe insect-allergic reaction, get immediate emergency medical treatment.

Walking, leisure biking and hiking are typically good activities for people with asthma or allergies. If you enjoy the mountains and have asthma, be careful if you are thinking of going above 5,000 feet, as oxygen levels decrease.

Cold weather sports such as cross-country skiing and ice hockey are more likely to make symptoms worse. Also, snorkeling is much safer than scuba diving.

An asthma treatment plan can help you keep your symptoms under control so that you can enjoy exercising or sports activities while traveling.

Bon voyage and safe travels!



Healthy Tips

• If your allergies or asthma are causing problems, have a pre-trip physical.
• Pack all medications, a peak flow meter and a copy of your physician's phone number.
• Consider buying travel medical insurance.

Reference information: www.aaaai.org,  www.allergy.hk/, 

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Egg Allergy and the Flu Vaccine (Part 2)

An allergic reaction involves the immune system or defense system. If you have an allergy to eggs, your immune system identifies eggs as an invader or allergen. Your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Studies show that most egg allergic individuals can receive the flu vaccine safely under the care of their allergist.

There are two ways people with confirmed egg allergy can receive the flu vaccine without being skin tested for the vaccine first.

 

1) One way is to receive the vaccine in two parts. You receive 10 percent of the full dose and wait 30 minutes to see if allergic symptoms develop. If symptoms do not develop, the remainder of the dosage is given and another 30 minute observation period is held.

2) Another way is to give the entire vaccine followed by a 30 minute observation period.

Both should be used under the direction of an allergist skilled in administering the vaccine to people with food allergies.

 

Reference information:  www.aaaai.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Egg Allergy and the Flu Vaccine (Part 1)

Flu season is here and so is the need to be protected by getting vaccinated. This vaccine contains a very small amount of egg protein, so before giving it health providers ask if you are allergic to eggs. But do you really know if you are allergic to egg? Could you have egg intolerance?

 

Food allergies affect millions of adults and children. On the flip side, many people think they are allergic and unnecessarily avoid certain products.

 

The big difference between a food intolerance and allergy is an allergy can cause a serious or even life-threatening reaction. This is why it is important to know if you have an allergy or intolerance to egg when you receive a flu vaccination. An allergist / immunologist has specialized training to properly diagnose your reaction to eggs or other foods.

 

Food intolerance happens in the digestive system and occurs when you are unable to properly breakdown food. This could be due to enzyme deficiencies, sensitivity to food additives or reactions to naturally occurring chemicals in foods.

 

 

Reference information:  www.aaaai.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Feel Better. Live Better.

Healthy Tips

• If you have red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen skin, you may have a skin allergy.
• Hives (or urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of the skin that can range in size and appear anywhere on your body. Angioedema is a swelling of the deeper layers of the skin that often occurs with hives.

• When certain substances come into contact with your skin, they may cause a rash called contact dermatitis.
• The red, scaly, itchy rash often affecting the face, elbows and knees is called atopic dermatitis or eczema.
• If you have eczema, avoid scratching or rubbing your rash to prevent an infection.
• An allergist can help figure out which allergic skin condition you have and take steps to treat it.

An allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is a pediatrician or internist with at least two additional years of specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems such as allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases and the evaluation and treatment of patients with recurrent infections, such as immunodeficiency diseases.

The right care can make the difference between suffering with an allergic disease and feeling better. By visiting the office of an allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your disease.

Reference information: www.aaaai.org, www.allergy.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Anaphylaxis

Reference information: www.aaaai.org, www.allergy.hk

Anaphylaxis  is a serious allergic reaction that happens to some people who have allergies to food, insect stings, drugs or latex.

Anaphylaxis happens very quickly and affects your entire body. Signs usually start within 5 to 30 minutes of coming into contact with the thing to which you are allergic. But it may take more than an hour for you to notice anaphylactic symptoms. Warning signs may include:

l   A red rash, with welts, that is usually itchy

l   Swollen throat or swollen areas of the body

l   Wheezing

l   Passing out

l   Chest tightness

l   Trouble breathing

l   A hoarse voice

l   Trouble swallowing

l   Vomiting

l   Diarrhea

l   Stomach cramping

l   A pale or red color to the face and body

Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment. If you think you are having this type of reaction, use your auto injectable epinephrine and call for emergency.

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Allergy blood tests

Diagnosing allergy is a subject that is very commonly misunderstood. One of the commonest misunderstandings concerns the role of blood tests in managing allergies. When considering the use of medical tests, there are several pertinent questions that need to be answered.

• How sensitive is the test ? In other words, what percentage of patients with the disease will the test identify ?
• How specific is the test ? That means, what percentage of patients without the disease will the test exclude ?
• What is the positive predictive value ? That means, what percentage of patients with a positive test result really has the disease ?
• What is the negative predictive value ? That means, what percentage of patients with negative test result really does not have the disease ?

And of course, the most important question: How does the test result affect the management of the patient ?

Appropriate use of allergy blood tests

Specific IgE blood tests are useful when skin testing is impractical, such as when patients have active urticaria (hives) or other skin conditions, or if patients cannot stop antihistamine treatment. Only tests that have been validated, i.e. tests that have received FDA approval or clearance, should be used. Blood test results must be interpreted with care, and positive results should be verified by challenge testing unless there is strong clinical evidence to support the results. The level of specific IgE might be useful in monitoring the progression of food allergies, since a declining trend of food-specific IgE is a good prognostic factor for eventually outgrowing that allergy.

The most commonly used FDA-approved allergy blood tests include RAST, MAST, CAP, UniCAP and chemiluminescence assay.

Can blood tests be used to test for "food intolerance" ?

Many laboratories performing non-validated blood tests claim that these tests can be used to identify food intolerance. Such tests typically test for dozens or even hundreds of foods using crude methods such as ELISA. Food intolerance is not a diagnosis, rather an umbrella term for any condition that produces symptoms due to food ingestion. Food allergy, for example, is a form of food intolerance. Other examples include enzyme deficiencies that can lead to indigestion or malabsorption of certain nutrients, pharmacological effects of food chemicals such as caffeine etc.

Since none of these conditions, with the exception of food allergy, involve food-specific antibodies, antibody blood tests have no role in making diagnosis. Any laboratory that claims that a blood test can be used to diagnose food intolerance is committing healthcare fraud.

Reference information:  www.allergy.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

藥物過敏治療 Allergen Immunotherapy in Hong Kong

Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy), allergic conjunctivitis (ocular allergy) and asthma are chronic diseases.  These diseases are caused by the immune system reacting inappropriately to normally harmless substances such as pollens, dust mites, mold spores and animal dander.  While there are drugs such as steroids and antihistamines that can effectively control the symptoms, the only option for eliminating the root cause of the problem remains allergen immunotherapy (also called desensitization, hyposensitization or allergy shots).

Allergen extracts are prepared according to the sensitivities of the individual.  The extracts are administered at regular intervals to induce a response called immune tolerance.  The tolerance response is achieved by the production of blocking antibodies and regulatory T cells.  When this happens, the patient’s sensitivity to the allergens progressively diminishes, and symptoms also decline.  Studies have shown that after three to five years of treatment, the effectiveness persists long-term even after treatment is discontinued.

Allergic rhinitis in childhood is a risk factor for the development of asthma.  A study shows that children who received allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis have 2.5-fold reduced risk of developing asthma.  This effect is still evident 10 years after treatment.

Recent studies have also shown that for a subset of patients with atopic dermatitis, where environmental allergy is a major factor in their illness, immunotherapy is effective in reducing the severity of their skin disease.

Allergen immunotherapy has traditionally been administered by subcutaneous injections. Newer forms of treatment such as sublingual immunotherapy have been developed that are more convenient, and maybe suitable for selected patients

Reference information: http://www.allergy.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult physician before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

食物過敏 -診斷及治療 (food allergy)

診斷食物過敏

首先，醫生會詳細詢問病人的病歷，特別是病人及其家族的過敏史如病徵、發病時間、發病頻率及食物種類等，而病人亦最好準備他的病症日誌，記下自己進食食物的種類和發病情況， 以便確診。

測試食物過敏

就急性過敏反應，除了進行準確度和靈敏度較高的皮膚點刺測試（Skin Prick Test）外，也可利用過敏血液測試（Blood Test for Allergy），辨認病人的血清是否含有對過敏原的IgE抗體。

然而，不少食物致敏原會在消化過程中被損壞，加上腸胃本身亦可避免吸入致敏原，因此食物經消化後不一定會造成過敏反應。在此情況下，醫生會建議病人進行食物激發測試（Challenge Test），病人先禁食懷疑致敏的食物一段時間（約一至兩星期），然後在醫生的觀察下試食此食物，以作診斷。

食物激發測試方式

開放式	簡單地給病人作漸進式的進食
單盲式	用安慰劑混淆病人，使其無法就作進食的食物作出估計，排除病人的心理障礙。
雙盲安慰劑受控	用安慰劑混淆病人， 排除病人的心理障礙。 觀察者亦事先不知測試物的來源，排除觀察者的偏見。做研究時比較常用。

參考資料: http://www.allergy.hk

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。