December 13, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Most of the medications used for treating diseases are chemically synthesized in a laboratory. Some newer medications, however, are derived from a variety of natural sources such as humans, animals, or microorganisms. These newer medications, often referred to as “biologicals,” are typically produced by using biotechnology and/or other cutting-edge methodologies. Biologicals represent a breakthrough advance […]
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December 2, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Now that it is turning cold in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, some allergic individuals are happy because they have a respite from their pollen (e.g., trees, grasses, weeds) allergies which tend to bother them in the Spring, Summer, and/or Fall. Others however, are not as happy, as they either continue […]
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November 22, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Egg allergy is second only to milk allergy in prevalence among infants and young children. It affects about 1 to 2 % of young children overall. It is also the most common food allergy in children with eczema. Proteins found in egg whites are generally responsible for causing allergic reactions in egg-allergic individuals. Although the […]
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November 8, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Natural rubber latex is the milky white sap that comes from the Brazilian rubber tree. The Brazilian rubber tree is scientifically referred to as Hevea brasiliensis. The tree is mainly found in Southeast Asia and Africa. The sap is collected from rubber trees much in the same manner that maple syrup is extracted from maple trees. […]
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October 11, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Influenza Immunization: A routine annual influenza (i.e., flu) vaccination is recommended for all individuals equal to and greater than months of age. The recommendations below should always be discussed and approved by an individual’s primary care provider before vaccination occurs. Children: Children from 6 months through 8 years of age who have previously received 2 […]
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October 6, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
To the average parent, there is generally no association between Halloween and allergies. For some parents however, Halloween can be a “scary” time, but not because of ghosts and goblins. These “frightened” parents are parents that have a child who has food allergies. To the parent of a food-allergic child, the association between Halloween and […]
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September 14, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Meat allergy is an increasing problem over the last decade. It is generally not that people have developed a typical food allergy to meat in the classic sense, but this increase has rather occurred because of an entity called alpha-gal syndrome. It is often referred to as mammalian meat allergy, red meat allergy, and tick […]
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September 14, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Though there are still some unresolved controversies, the preponderance of evidence indicates that our climate is steadily changing over the past several decades and is likely to continue into near future. This climate change also has the potential to alter the incidence and severity of allergic and respiratory diseases in humans. Although each individual is […]
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August 9, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
The swimming season is in full swing and most public and private swimming pools are attracting swimmers of all ages and of all skill levels. For most individuals, swimming is one of the most pleasurable recreational avenues offered in the summer. For others, swimming offers an effective workout option without putting undue pressure on one’s […]
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August 5, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
We love our pets. Pets are very important to humans. They fulfill all types of psychological and social needs that people desire including happiness, self-worth, and companionship. Unfortunately, some individuals cannot experience the joy of owning a pet because they have allergy or asthma symptoms when they are exposed to the pet. Any pet can […]
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July 20, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) is a time-tested efficacious treatment option for disorders caused by the sensitization to environmental allergens such as dust mites, molds, pollens, pets, and/or cockroaches. It is 80-85% effective in reducing symptoms from allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), asthma, and/or allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye […]
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July 20, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Is it possible to be allergic to exercise? Well, not really, however, exercise can cause the body to exhibit the signs and symptoms of allergies! We are also not talking about an excuse not to exercise! The mechanism by which exercise causes “allergy” symptoms is not completely understood but it seems to be related to […]
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June 8, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
The esophagus is a tubal structure that propels food from the throat into the stomach through rhythmic contractions of the smooth muscles in its walls. A thin mucus membrane lines the insides of its lumen. Eosinophils are type of white blood cells that have some role in combating certain parasitic infections. Eosinophils can also cause […]
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June 3, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Generalized pruritus (i.e., generalized itching) is not an uncommon condition and can be quite maddening to the individual suffering from it. It may be associated with hives (i.e., urticaria) and/or angioedema (swelling). The itching is usually described as either intermittent or chronic itching in various parts of the body or it can be intermittent or […]
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May 16, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
There are disease states where medications taken by mouth do not offer enough benefit in either relieving symptoms, stopping the progression of a condition, or preventing complications of a disease. In these instances, medications may need to be administered by means of the parenteral route, such as using a needle or catheter to infuse the […]
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May 9, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis. The classic symptoms of hay fever or allergic rhinitis may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, sinus pressure, sinus headaches, itchy throat, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and/or redness of the eyes. In some individuals, respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, […]
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April 14, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Environmental allergies affect about 50 million Americans in varying degrees of severity. For a majority of these individuals, the symptoms are aggravated seasonally and triggered by exposure to outdoor allergens. Most of these allergens are pollens, which are tiny microscopic grains that help in the fertilization of plants. These pollens are produced by trees, grasses, […]
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April 6, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Now that Spring has sprung, one is more likely to be stung by a flying insect, although the summer months are when insect stings occur the most. In the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, the most common flying insects that cause stings include the honey bee, wasp, yellow jacket, white faced hornet, […]
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March 8, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Unpleasant symptoms occurring after ingestion of a food could be due to a food allergy or food intolerance. What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? Is it necessary or important to distinguish between the two terms? How is the food allergy or intolerance diagnosis established? Are these conditions managed differently? […]
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March 4, 2022 | Black & Kletz Allergy
It is March again, and this marks the start of Spring. In the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, trees are pollinating in the month of March. The pollination of trees is a major trigger for many allergy sufferers as it may cause either allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) symptoms, allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., […]
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