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Insect Sting Allergies Update

As we enter into Spring, not only should allergy-sensitive individuals be on the lookout for those annoying pollen allergy symptoms, but they should be aware of their surroundings for venomous flying insects. In the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, the most common venomous flying insects are honey bees, wasps, yellow jackets, white-faced hornets, and yellow-faced hornets. The summer months are the peak months that insect stings occur. In the U.S., about 3% of the population experience allergic reactions to the venom of flying insect stings. Approximately a half a million individuals seek emergency room care every year for insect sting reactions in the U.S. Unfortunately, there are roughly 50 deaths reported each year from these insect sting reactions.

Honey bees live in “honeycombs” or colonies that are found in crevices of buildings or in hollow trees. Yellow jackets, on the other hand, generally nest underground and are rarely seen in the cracks in buildings or in trees. Hornets produce brown or grey oval-shaped nests above the ground which are typically located in the branches of trees or in shrubs. Wasps make nests that are made up of a paper-like material which may also be found in shrubs, but are also common under eaves and behind window shutters.

Honey bees, wasps, yellow jackets, white-faced hornets, and yellow-faced hornets all inject their venom into their subjects when they sting their prey. If a sensitive individual has an allergic reaction to a sting, they may develop either a local reaction or they may develop a more serious systemic reaction. A local reaction usually entails redness, itching, and/or swelling at the site of the sting. A systemic reaction, on the other hand, may include generalized itching, hives, swelling, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, throat tightening, abdominal cramping, fainting, and/or a drop in blood pressure. Patients with reactions are prescribed self-injectable epinephrine devices (e.g. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick) so that they can be used immediately. A person who has used a self-injectable epinephrine device should immediately go to the closest emergency room.

After a sting, in some instances, an individual may have toxic (i.e., non-allergic) reaction instead of an allergic reaction, particularly if stung by several insects at once. In a toxic reaction, the body reacts to the venom as if it was a poison. This typically occurs because the individual is exposed to an over-abundance of venom at one time. A toxic reaction may cause symptoms similar to those of an allergic reaction, but in addition, may cause non-allergic symptoms such as nausea, fever, and/or seizures.

It is interesting to note that of all the venomous flying insects mentioned above, only the honey bee leaves the sting in the victim. If you are stung by a honey bee and notice the stinger stuck in your skin, you should not pull it out, as doing so may cause more of the venom to be introduced into your body. The recommended way to remove the stinger is to scrape it off with something like your fingernails, a credit card, or other flat surface. It should also be noted that honey bees will die after stinging their victims because their stingers have barbs. After stinging, as the bees try to withdraw their stingers from their prey, their abdomens rupture causing a large hole which causes the demise of the bees. It is also interesting to be aware that, in general, bumblebees do not sting. They can sting but it is uncommon. They tend to sting only when the feel threatened. Since a bumblebee’s stinger has no barbs and is therefore smooth, it does not die after stinging its prey, since their abdomens are not ruptured after stinging. Another interesting fact is that only female bumblebees can sting, as their stingers are used as a modified egg-laying device which is only present in females.

One other well-known venomous insect to bring up is the fire ant. Fire ants bite their victims. The typical reaction to a fire ant is that of a local burning pain with an accompanying red bump that can turn into a white fluid-filled pustule within a day or two. Occasionally individuals are very sensitive to the venom and will manifest systemic symptoms such as generalized itching, hives, swelling, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, throat tightening, abdominal cramping, fainting, and/or a drop in blood pressure, just like with venomous flying insects. Fire ants of course do not fly. In addition, they do not pose a large threat to residents of the Washington, DC metro area because they live in the warmer climates of the southern U.S., although they have been found in Virginia and Maryland. At least for now, fire ants are not prevalent as far north as Washington, DC, but who knows what will happen in the future, especially if global warming takes more of a stronghold.

The diagnosis of a venomous insect sting allergy is performed by board certified allergy specialist like the ones at Black & Kletz Allergy. The allergy doctor will complete a comprehensive history and physical examination. Depending on the patient’s history, allergy testing to flying insects is usually the next recommended step. Allergy testing is usually performed by allergy skin testing, although blood testing is occasionally done depending on the patient’s history.

The treatment of venomous flying insect sting allergy consists of venom immunotherapy (i.e., allergy desensitization, allergy shots, allergy injections). If the results of the skin testing are positive to any of the stinging insect venoms, it is highly recommended that the patient complete a course of venom allergy immunotherapy as it is extremely effective in preventing further anaphylactic reactions from venomous flying insect stings. Venom allergy immunotherapy involves receiving increasingly greater doses and volumes of insect venom to the patient weekly over a period of 10 weeks, then every 2 weeks for 1 dose, then every 3 weeks for 1 dose, then a maintenance dose every 4 weeks for 1 year, and then the maintenance dose can be reduced to every 6 weeks for several more years. This maintenance dose is roughly equivalent to the amount of venom in an actual sting of a flying insect. In addition to venom immunotherapy, all patients who are allergic to any of the venomous flying insects should carry a self-injectable epinephrine devices (e.g. EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick) as mentioned above. A patient who has used a self-injectable epinephrine device should immediately go to the closest emergency room.

The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy have expertise in diagnosing and treating venomous flying insect allergies. We are board certified to treat both adult and pediatric patients and have been doing so in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area for more than 50 years. Black & Kletz Allergy has offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All 3 of our offices have on-site parking. For further convenience, our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. Our McLean office location offers a complementary shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. For an appointment, please call our office or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. If you suffer from insect sting allergies, Black & Kletz Allergy is dedicated to providing the highest quality allergy care in a comfortable, thoughtful, and professional environment.

Acute Sinusitis Update

Acute sinusitis is another way of saying an acute sinus infection. Acute, in this context, refers to a sinus infection that is less than 4 weeks old. Chronic, on the other hand, refers to a sinus infection that has persisted for more than 12 weeks. There is also a category called subacute. Subacute refers to the vast majority of sinus infections are acute in nature. Most are viral in origin and thus do not need to be treated with antibiotics. The severity of a sinus infection may vary from mild to severe. Often an individual may experience mild cold-like symptoms. In some individuals however, severe symptoms may occur which may cause that person to feel very ill, prompting them to go to an urgent care center or an emergency room for treatment.

There are 4 types of sinuses located in one’s facial bones (i.e., skull). These sinuses serve to lighten the weight of one’s skull, help with voice resonance, and to filter and moisten inhaled air when breathing through one’s nose. The names of the sinuses are as follows:

  1. Frontal sinuses: These sinuses are located in the center of the forehead region.
  2. Ethmoid sinuses: These sinuses are located just above the upper nose between the eyes. They are actually comprised of between 6-12 small air cells as opposed to large sacs like the other sinuses.
  3. Sphenoid sinuses: These sinuses are located behind the eyes but in the deeper recesses of the skull.
  4. Maxillary sinus: These sinuses are located behind the cheekbones. They are the largest sinuses.

The sinuses are vulnerable to becoming infected due to their physical nature, particularly the maxillary sinuses. When someone develops a “cold” or has nasal congestion for other reasons such as allergies (i.e., hay fever or allergic rhinitis), the small holes that drain the sinuses become clogged and/or narrowed. This obstruction of the draining system may cause a “backup” in the draining process. As a result, the fluid that has built up in the sinuses stays in the sinus since it is unable to drain properly. The fluid in the sinuses is more likely to get infected given the stagnant nature of the fluid. Fluid that just “sits” in the sinuses is very susceptible a secondary infection, particularly with a bacteria.

The pathogenesis of an acute sinus infection is more understandable if one compares the sinuses to a pond and river. We all know that algae grow in ponds because the water is stagnant. We also know that algae do not usually grow in a river due to the constant motion of a river. Regarding sinus infections, this analogy can be evident as follows: When there is no obstruction to the drainage of a sinus, the sinus acts like a river which makes it is less likely for bacteria to grow. On the other hand, when there is an obstruction to the drainage of a sinus (i.e., nasal congestion, tumors, nasal polyps), the sinus acts like a pond which makes it more likely for bacteria to grow and thus cause a sinus infection.

The symptoms one may experience when having an acute sinus infection may include any one or more of the following: The symptoms of acute sinusitis typically involve one or more of the following: nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, sinus pressure, sinus headaches, discolored nasal discharge, sore throat, clogged ears (i.e., Eustachian dysfunction), fatigue, bad breath, pain in the teeth and/or ears, cough, fever.

The diagnosis of acute sinusitis usually is made by taking a comprehensive history with an additional physical examination. Most of the time other diagnostic tests are not needed, however other methods are occasionally used in order to diagnose acute sinus infections. Such approaches may include X-rays (i.e., CT scan, MRI), direct visualization (i.e., rhinolaryngoscopy), bacterial and fungal cultures, and allergy testing.

The management of acute sinus infections ironically usually requires no treatment at all because most acute sinus infections are viral in nature. Most of the time these viral sinus infections resolve on their own. Hydration by drinking plenty of water is usually recommended. Antibiotics however may be necessary in some individuals who have a bacterial infection whether primary or secondary. Saline irrigation, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids (e.g., Flonase, Nasacort AQ, Rhinocort Aqua), and/or over-the-counter analgesics (e.g., Tylenol, Advil, Aleve) are often also used in order to help alleviate the symptoms of an acute sinus infection. In addition to treating acute sinus infections, it is also important to try to prevent them. Individuals with allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) are generally more prone to sinus infections since they often have nasal congestion, which predisposes them to sinus infections. It is prudent to evaluate someone for allergies if they are prone to sinus infections. Allergy skin testing can be done either by skin testing or blood testing. There are many types of allergy medications (i.e., antihistamines, decongestants, leukotrienes, nasal medications, eye drops) that are utilized in both the prevention and treatment of acute sinusitis. Allergy shots (i.e., allergy injections, allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) may also be recommended in selected individuals as they are very effective in reducing or preventing allergy symptoms (i.e., nasal congestion, sinus congestion) in 80-85% of individuals on allergy shots.

The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy have expertise in diagnosing and treating acute, subacute and chronic sinusitis as well as other allergic and immunological conditions. Our allergy specialists treat both adult and pediatric patients and have been doing so in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area for more than 50 years. Black & Kletz Allergy has offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All 3 of our offices have on-site parking. For further convenience, our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. Our McLean office location offers a complementary shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. For an appointment, please call our office directly or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. If you suffer any sinus-related symptoms, we are here to help alleviate or hopefully end these undesirable symptoms that have been so bothersome, so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. Black & Kletz Allergy is dedicated to providing the highest quality allergy care in a welcoming and professional setting.

New Treatment for Food Allergies

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that mediates allergic reactions. It interacts with the proteins (i.e., antigens, allergens) during an allergic reaction causing various chemicals and substances to be released into the bloodstream. It is those chemicals and mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, etc. that are responsible for the clinical manifestations of allergic reactions. The allergic reactions range in severity from mild itching to life-threatening anaphylactic emergencies. The offending antigens can be present in a host of different settings ranging from environmental allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, pollen, etc., to food allergies, to insect venoms allergies as well as to other allergic situations.

Xolair (i.e., omalizumab) is an antibody that blocks the actions of the IgE antibody. Xolair is classified as a “biologic” medication. It has an anti-IgE quality where it blocks the action of IgE antibodies, thus reducing the risks of allergic reactions. We have been successfully using Xolair to control allergic asthma for more than 20 years. It has also proved to be very successful in controlling chronic unexplained hives (i.e., chronic urticaria) inadequately responsive to various antihistamines in high doses. It was also approved in 2020 to treat chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.

Millions of Americans have food allergies. Approximately 40% of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). Until recently, the management of a food allergy only included the complete avoidance of the offending food, as well as to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick) for emergency use in case of a severe allergic reaction triggered by an accidental exposure to the offending food. A form of inducing tolerance to the allergic food (i.e., oral immunotherapy) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) only for peanut in children between 4 and 17 years of age.

The results of a landmark clinical trial called OUtMATCH (i.e., Omalizumab as monotherapy and as adjunct therapy to multi-allergen OIT in food allergic children and adults) were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology on February 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The study was also simultaneously published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

The first stage of the phase 3 OUtMATCH trial was designed to see if taking omalizumab increased the threshold for the amount of food that caused allergic reactions, thereby reducing the likelihood of reactions that might occur as a result of accidental exposures. The study team enrolled 177 children and adolescents ages 1 to 17 years and three adults ages 18 to 55 years, all with confirmed allergy to peanut and at least two other common foods among milk, egg, cashew, wheat, hazelnut or walnut.

The study participants who reacted to small amounts of these food allergens during oral food challenges were assigned at random to receive injections of either omalizumab or placebo. After 16 to 20 weeks of treatment, the participants were challenged again in a carefully controlled setting to see if they could tolerate a greater amount of food than they did at the outset.

The study results revealed that a 16-20-week course of the monoclonal antibody omalizumab increased the amount of peanut, tree nuts (cashew, hazelnut and walnut), egg, milk and wheat that multi-food allergic children as young as one-year could consume without a moderate or severe allergic reaction.

Nearly 67% of the participants who completed the treatment could consume a single dose of 600 milligrams (mg) or more of peanut protein, compared to less than 7% of participants who received placebo with 600 mg representing approximately 2.5 peanuts. This was at least 6 times the amount of peanut protein that participants could tolerate at the start of the trial. Treatment with omalizumab also yielded similar outcomes for egg, milk, wheat, cashew, walnut, and hazelnut at a threshold dose of 1,000 mg protein or more.

Based on these results, the FDA recently approved Xolair as a treatment for the reduction of Type I allergic reactions which are IgE-mediated, which includes anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods in adult and pediatric patients age 1 year and older with IgE-mediated food allergy. Xolair is to be used in conjunction with food allergen avoidance. Xolair is not however indicated for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

In reality, the total avoidance of allergic foods is not always successful and many children and their families live in constant fear of a life-threatening reaction caused by an inadvertent exposure to the food(s) they are sensitized to. The condition may cause considerable psychosocial problems and may also negatively impact the nutrition of the patient.

This new treatment is not a license to eat the foods that one is allergic to, but it can be reassuring to families because the treatment substantially reduces the risks of severe reactions after accidental food exposures.

The board certified allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy have 3 convenient office locations in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area and are very experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. Black & Kletz Allergy treat both adults and children and have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. We offer on-site parking at each location and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. There is a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. Please call our office to make an appointment or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. Black & Kletz Allergy has been serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area for more than 5 decades and we pride ourselves in providing outstanding allergy and asthma care in a professional and pleasing environment.

Allergy to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) are a group of medications related to aspirin.  The group includes commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen (i.e., Motrin, Advil), naproxen (i.e., Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (i.e., Voltaren), etodolac, (i.e., Lodine), among others.  These agents are widely used in order to reduce inflammation (e.g., decrease pain and reduce swelling of joints in various forms of arthritis).  They also help reduce fever caused by infections as well as relieve discomfort after injuries.

NSAID’s act by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1).  Cyclooxygenase-1 acts by producing compounds known as prostaglandins.  These prostaglandins are involved in tissue inflammation which results in pain, swelling, and/or fever.  Since NSAID’s block the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1, they also inhibit the production of prostaglandins.  Thus, NSAID’s will decrease tissue inflammation and reduce pain, swelling, and fever.  Aspirin not only blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1, but it also blocks the cyclooxygenase-2 COX-2) enzyme as well.  Thus, aspirin also leads to a decrease in tissue inflammation as well as a reduction in pain, swelling, and fever.  In addition, aspirin decreases the activity of blood components known as platelets.  While platelets are known to promote the clotting of blood, aspirin, on the other hand, helps prevent blood clots due to its antagonistic effect on platelets, which reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Common side effects of aspirin may include bruising and abdominal pain.  Less commonly, a stomach ulcer or stomach bleeding may occur.  Very high doses of aspirin may cause confusion or ringing in the ears (i.e., tinnitus).

Aspirin can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.  These symptoms may include flushing, generalized itching (i.e., pruritus), hives (i.e., urticaria), swelling (i.e., angioedema), nasal congestion, runny nose, and/or asthma usually within an hour of taking a tablet.  These reactions occur in approximately 1% of people receiving aspirin.  It should be pointed out that in patients with hives, nasal polyps and asthma, the risk could be as high as 30%.  The co-existence of asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity is termed Samter’s triad or aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).

The manifestations of aspirin and NSAID sensitivity may include:

  • Itching, usually generalized
  • Hives
  • Swelling of soft tissues such as eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, etc.
  • Chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
  • Dizziness and altered sensorium

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of NSAID allergy is based mostly on the history of adverse effects within a short time after receiving the drug.  There is no reliable blood or skin allergy test for confirming or excluding the sensitivity to aspirin and NSAID’s.  The only way to assess aspirin sensitivity is by a graded open challenge under strict medical supervision.  Challenge testing is not always necessary, but may be advised in some circumstances in order to prove that sensitivity exists, or to prove the safety of an unrelated medication.

Treatment:

The treatment of NSAID allergy is directed at the relief of symptoms with antihistamines, bronchodilators, and epinephrine in cases of anaphylaxis.

Prevention:

Preventing NSAID reactions involves the total avoidance of aspirin and all cross- reacting NSAID’s.  As there are so many brand names of the same medication, and so many types of medications available, accidental exposure to aspirin or NSAID’s may occur.  NSAID’s are common ingredients of many over-the-counter painkillers and cold/flu remedies.

If you have ongoing hives, you should avoid aspirin and NSAID’s unless you know that you can tolerate them without a problem.  If you are already taking regular aspirin (for example, to prevent heart attack or stroke), or a regular arthritis tablet for the treatment of pain, then you should consult with your primary care physician, rheumatologist, or cardiologist about stopping the aspirin.  Your physician may tell you that you do not need to stop taking the aspirin unless your hives clearly get much worse after taking the medicine.  If you have had an allergic reaction to one type of NSAID, a challenge with a different drug can be considered if you need to take aspirin or an anti-inflammatory medication for the treatment of arthritis.

Some NSAID’s such as celecoxib (i.e., Celebrex) and meloxicam (i.e., Mobic) predominantly inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme rather than the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme.  Thus, they can be taken safely by many patients (but not all), who have aspirin and NSAID sensitivity.  Acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) and codeine do not usually cross-react with NSAID’s and can usually be taken safely for the relief of fever and/or pain.

Aspirin desensitization is a procedure that could be helpful in some patients with AERD to improve asthma control, inhibit nasal polyp growth, and to enable aspirin therapy for reducing the risk of blood clots in order to protect the heart and the brain.

The allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy see both adult and pediatric patients and have over 5 decades of experience in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology.  If you have or suspect you have a sensitivity or allergy to aspirin, NSAID, or any other medication, please call our office.  Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations with on-site parking located in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  The Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and we offer a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line.  To schedule an appointment, please call any of our offices or you may click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day.  We have been servicing the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area for over 50 years and we look forward to providing you with the highest state-of-the-art allergy care in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

Allergies in the Spring Update

Well, it is almost Spring again. If you are one of those individuals with Spring allergies, you know that it is time for those miserable allergy symptoms to reappear unless you do something about it. The primary cause of Spring allergies is the tree pollen, although secondary allergens often include molds. The classic symptoms of Spring allergies may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, sinus headaches, fatigue, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and/or redness of the eyes. In addition, some individuals, especially those with asthma, may also develop or experience worsening of chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath.

The pollination of trees in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area usually begins in March and generally lasts until early May. It is interesting to note however that the pollination of trees throughout the country has been beginning earlier and earlier as time goes on, particularly in the last 20 years. Tree pollen is now found in the Washington, DC area in early February and occasionally in January when there are unusually warm days. As a result, sensitive individuals are finding themselves bothered by tree pollen much earlier in the year than in the past. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are being documented every year causing many scientific researchers to believe that climate change is contributing to this trend.  Carbon dioxide is the primary gas needed for the growth and development of trees along with nutrients, water, and sunlight. Changes in the climate may impact the pollen seasons of trees, grasses, and weeds by both increasing the amount of pollen produced as well as by extending the duration of the pollen season.

Tree pollination is for all intents and purposes the reproductive season for the trees. Tree pollen grains are released into the atmosphere in order to fertilize the ovules of other trees.  Tree pollen is produced and dispersed by the wind throughout the day, but their counts are highest in the morning hours. Birch, oak, cedar, elm, ash, cottonwood, hickory, and maple are the predominant tree pollens in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

A common fallacy is that if someone has a particular tree (i.e., oak) or many of those specific trees (i.e., oak) in their yard, they are more likely to have allergy problems from those trees if they are allergic to them. This in fact is not true since pollen is disbursed all over the region and it is not unheard of for the pollen to travel over 200 miles. For this reason, people can suffer from tree pollen allergy (i.e., oak) even if they live fairly far away from that nearest tree (i.e., oak).

Another misconception people have is that they are allergic to flowers that bloom in the Spring. These individuals assume that because they are experiencing allergy symptoms in the Spring when the flowers are blooming that they are allergic to the flowers. In reality, the flowers happen to be blooming the same time that the trees are pollinating and the allergy sufferers equate their worsening allergy symptoms with the flowers that they see. It is the tree pollen that is causing their hay fever (i.e., allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis) symptoms and not the flowers. As a matter of fact, another name for hay fever is “rose fever.” It is called rose fever because roses bloom in the Spring, at the same time tree pollen levels are high. It is interesting that the names hay fever and rose fever are also inaccurate in that there is no allergy to hay or roses and there is also no fever associated with the condition.

The diagnosis of Spring allergies begins with taking a comprehensive history and performing a complete physical examination.  Allergy testing by either skin testing or blood testing is performed in order to identify the offending allergen.  Once the allergen is identified, preventive measures are recommended in order to reduce the exposure to that allergen.

Some measures to diminish exposure to pollen which helps lessen symptoms may include the following:

  • Track the the local pollen counts on our homepage by clicking Today’s Pollen Count and avoid outside activities on days with high pollen counts.
  • Avoid activities in the early morning since the pollen counts are at their highest early in the mornings.
  • Plan to go outdoors after it rains as the pollen count is lower after a rain.
  • Shower before going to bed in order to wash the pollen off.
  • Close your windows in your house and automobiles, as well as run your air conditioning in order to help prevent pollen exposure.
  • Leave your shoes outside so you do not bring the pollen into the home.
  • Change one’s clothes and wash them after being outside.
  • Wash your pet before the animal comes inside.

The treatment of Spring allergies usually includes prevention of the offending allergen(s), therapy with medications, and/or allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization). There are a variety of medications that may be used in order to treat Spring allergies. Oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, oral leukotriene antagonists, nasal corticosteroids, nasal antihistamines, nasal anticholinergics, ocular antihistamines, ocular mast cell stabilizers, inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and inhaled anticholinergics are some of the ammunitions used to prevent and treat allergy and asthma symptoms that may occur in the Spring and other times as well. Allergy immunotherapy, (more commonly referred to as allergy shots), are very effective. They work in approximately 80-85% of the patients who take allergy shots. They take about 4-6 months however to work and the average person is on them for about 3-5 years.

If you are suffering from a prolonged “cold” and/or are not sure if your symptoms may be due to allergies and you would like to be seen by one of our board certified allergists at one of Black & Kletz Allergy’s 3 convenient locations in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), or Manassas, VA, please call us to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will get back to you within 24 hours by the next business day. We offer parking at each office location and we are Metro accessible at our Washington, DC and McLean, VA locations. We also offer a free shuttle that runs between our McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. Black & Kletz Allergy provides a welcoming and thoughtful environment for you to get the state-of-the-art allergy, asthma, and immunology treatment that we have been providing the community for more than 5 decades.

Allergies and Asthma Due to Cockroaches

It is estimated that approximately 33% of people are allergic to cockroaches. Cockroaches are quite allergenic, which may attribute to the high number of individuals who are allergic to these nasty insects. There are over 3,500 species of cockroaches worldwide. Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years. They have adapted to living in all types of climates and are found all over the world. Cockroaches prefer to live in moist and warmer environments, so it quite common for them to live in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. They are nocturnal, so they are rarely seen during the day.

Cockroaches also tend to be more common in the inner cities where between 30-60% of asthmatics living in an urban area are said to be allergic to cockroaches. This is particularly true of children living in inner cities where cockroaches are a major cause of asthma in these children. In fact, the percentage of cockroach sensitivity increases to between 55-80% in inner city children with asthma.

Most urban settings, including Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, have quite a number of cockroaches living amongst them.  It is estimated that more than 75% of homes and apartments in the inner city have cockroaches present.  Even more appalling is that the number of cockroaches living in each home or apartment ranges from between 1,000 to over 300,000 insects.  If you do the math, then for every cockroach you see in the home, there are approximately 800 cockroaches in that home that you don’t see.

When one talks about cockroaches causing allergies, it refers mostly to symptoms of allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies), and asthma. The classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, itchy throat, sinus headaches, and/or fatigue. Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms may include itchy eyes, watery eyes, puffy eyes, and/or redness of the eyes. Asthma symptoms are usually characterized by wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and/or shortness of breath. There is a very strong correlation between chronic asthma and cockroach allergy. Other environmental allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pets can also cause year-round allergy symptoms and must also be evaluated when diagnosing an allergic or asthmatic patient for perennial symptoms.  In addition to causing allergies and asthma, cockroaches can also carry and transmit various diseases such as gastroenteritis, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, salmonella, typhoid fever, leprosy, parasites (i.e., roundworms, Giardia, Toxoplasmosis), polio, etc.

The causative agent of cockroach allergy is the cockroach allergens themselves.  These allergens are found in the feces, saliva, and exoskeleton of the cockroach.  The most common cockroach allergens are Bla g 1, Bla g 2, and Per a 1.  Other cockroach allergens include Bla g 4, Bla g 5, Bla g 6, Bla g 7, Bla g 8, Bla g 9, Per a 2, Per a 3, Per a 4, Per a 5, Per a 6, Per a 7, Per a 8, Per a 9, and Per a 10. The latter are not as important in causing allergy symptoms to cockroach but they may play a role in some individuals.

The diagnosis of cockroach allergy begins with a comprehensive history and physical examination. Allergy skin testing or blood testing is often performed in order to confirm a cockroach allergy. In individuals with asthma, particularly inner city residents, a pulmonary function test is often performed. The management of cockroach allergies begins with preventing exposure to cockroaches. If there are cockroaches at home, getting a pest control company to help eliminate the cockroaches is your best start. In addition, there are some things that should be tried at home which may include:  making sure to close up any holes in the walls or baseboards in order to decrease entry and exit paths for cockroaches; not leaving dirty dishes in the sink or on kitchen countertops; not bringing food into the bedrooms; keeping the garbage and food in closed containers; and/or making sure that there are no leaky pipes or faucets. For the treatment of cockroach allergy, there are a plethora of medications that may be used to help alleviate the unwanted symptoms. Oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, oral leukotriene antagonists, nasal corticosteroids, nasal antihistamines, nasal anticholinergics, ocular mast cell stabilizers and/or ocular antihistamines all can be used to decrease allergy symptoms caused by cockroach allergy. Asthma symptoms may be controlled with oral leukotriene antagonists, inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled long acting beta agonists, and/or inhaled short acting beta agonists. Oral corticosteroids may be needed in recalcitrant cases. Allergy shots (i.e., allergy injections, allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) are a very effective means to treat cockroach allergy and are used in both adult and pediatric patients. They are efficacious in about 80-85% of the cases of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and/or asthma. Most individuals are on allergy injections for approximately 3-5 years.

The board certified allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy have been diagnosing and treating cockroach allergies and asthma for more than 5 decades. We treat both pediatric and adult patients. Black & Kletz Allergy has offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All 3 of our offices have on-site parking. For further convenience, our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. Our McLean office location offers a complementary shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. For an appointment, please call our office or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. If you suffer from allergies and/or asthma symptoms, we are here to help lessen or hopefully end these undesirable symptoms that have been so bothersome, so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. Black & Kletz Allergy is dedicated to providing the highest quality allergy care in a relaxed, thoughtful, and professional environment.

Prevention of Food Allergies

LEAP and EAT Studies

A landmark study published in 2015 called “Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP),” revolutionized our understanding of the development of peanut allergy in children and transformed the guidance that pediatricians and allergists/immunologists give to parents about when to introduce peanut foods to children at high risk for food allergies.

Babies enrolled in the LEAP study were at high risk for developing peanut allergy because they already had severe eczema (i.e., atopic dermatitis), egg allergy, or both. Beginning at age 4-10 months, babies in the LEAP study were split into 2 groups and were followed for 4 years. One group avoided peanut foods, while the other group was given age-appropriate peanut foods several times a week. By age 5, the children who had begun eating peanut as infants were much less likely to be allergic to peanuts. Eating peanut foods early and regularly reduced the risk of peanut allergy by more than 80% compared to the group of children who avoided peanuts.

In a follow-up study called “Persistence of Oral Tolerance to Peanut (LEAP-On),” the results showed that peanut tolerance promoted by early introduction to peanut foods could be long-lasting. Children who ate peanuts from infancy to age 5 and then avoided peanuts from age 5 to age 6 were still 74% less likely to have peanut allergy than children who had consistently avoided peanut foods from infancy to age 6.

Does introducing allergenic foods early in life put a baby at a greater risk for food allergy?

A study published in 2016, called the “Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT)” study randomly assigned 1,300 breastfed infants to 1 of 2 treatment groups at age 3 months. One group was introduced to a sequence of 6 allergenic foods (i.e., milk, peanut, egg, sesame, fish and wheat), while the other group continued breastfeeding exclusively until age 6 months.

The EAT study revealed that rates of allergy to the 6 foods were not significantly different when the early introduction group and the exclusively breastfed group were compared at ages 1 and 3. This showed that early introduction of allergenic foods did not increase a baby’s risk for food allergy.

Does early introduction of egg products reduce the risk of developing egg allergy too?

In 2019, a new analysis of the EAT study data showed that early introduction of allergenic foods did protect against food allergies for some children at high risk. Children were considered at high risk if their blood tests showed specific IgE antibodies to the foods. They were considered sensitized. These specific IgE antibodies mediate allergic reactions.

  • Compared to exclusive breastfeeding, early food introduction reduced the likelihood that a baby would be sensitized to 1 or more of the 6 foods. It also made it less likely for the baby to develop an allergy to 1 or more of the 6 foods.
  • Early introduction of peanuts lowered the risk of developing peanut allergy in babies sensitized to peanuts. This finding is consistent with the LEAP study.
  • Early introduction of egg lowered the risk of developing egg allergy in babies sensitized to egg. Early introduction of foods including egg also provided protection against egg allergy in babies with moderate or severe eczema at age 3 months.
  • For babies who were not sensitized to any of the 6 foods at the beginning of the study, the risk of developing an allergy to 1 or more of the foods was similar in both the early introduction and exclusive breastfeeding groups.

These new findings from the EAT study indicate that early introduction of egg can provide protection against egg allergy for at least some children at high risk for developing egg allergy.

Guidance from American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology:

To prevent peanut and/or egg allergy, both peanut and egg should be introduced around 6 months of life, but not before 4 months. Screening before introduction is not required. Other food allergens should be introduced around this time as well. Upon introducing complementary foods, infants should be fed a diverse diet, because this may help foster the prevention of a food allergy. Maternal exclusion of common allergens during pregnancy and/or lactation as a means to prevent food allergy is not recommended.

The board certified allergy doctors of Black & Kletz Allergy have had over half a century of experience dealing with food allergies in both children and adults. Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 office locations in the greater Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. The allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy diagnose and treat individuals with allergies (e.g., hay fever, food allergies, medication allergies), asthma, hives, swelling episodes, eczema, contact dermatitis, insect bites, bee sting allergies, sinus disease, and immunologic problems. We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA and have on-site parking at each location. The Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and there is a free shuttle that runs between our McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. Please call us to make an appointment or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. Black & Kletz Allergy has been striving to provide high quality allergy and asthma care to the residents of the Washington, DC metro area for more than 50 years. We are committed to continue delivering state-of-the-art allergy and asthma care in the future.

Christmas Tree Syndrome

Christmas tree syndrome is a relatively new term that is used to describe allergies to Christmas trees, whether they are real or artificial. The allergen can be the tree itself or it can be something that is on the surface of the tree.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of Christmas tree allergy are the same symptoms that an individual gets with classic cases of allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) and/or allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies). These symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, itchy throat, itchy eyes, watery eyes, redness of the eyes, sore throat, sinus congestion, sinus headaches, fatigue, and/or snoring. In individuals with asthma, Christmas trees may also exacerbate asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and/or shortness of breath.

Causes:

The causes of Christmas tree syndrome may include the pine pollen of the actual Christmas tree itself. It should be noted that pine pollen is fairly heavy and is not typically a major tree allergen when you compare it with other tree pollens such as maple, oak, elm, hickory, birch, etc. Despite it being less allergenic than other tree pollens, pine pollen can still however cause allergic rhinitis symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Natural Christmas trees are also known to carry more than 50 types of mold. Three-quarters of these molds are known to cause allergic rhinitis symptoms. It is also known that having a natural Christmas tree in one’s house will increase the amount of indoor mold since mold levels are higher in a room with a real Christmas tree as opposed to a room without a Christmas tree. Natural Christmas trees can also contain animal urine, pine tree sap, pesticides, insect droppings, and pollutants on them which may cause allergy-type symptoms in certain individuals. The scent of the terpenes found in pine tree sap can also trigger allergy symptoms, even though it is not technically an allergen, but rather an irritant.

Artificial Christmas trees may also have high levels of molds, but often have high levels of dust associated with them. Artificial Christmas trees also are often stored in dusty areas for prolonged periods of time. The dust that gathers on the surface of the trees may then play havoc with a sensitive person’s allergies. In addition, artificial Christmas trees may harbor insects, insect droppings, rodent urine, and rodent droppings which all may act as allergens that cause miserable allergy symptoms.

In addition to the Christmas tree itself, the decorations (e.g., ornaments, tinsel, garland, strings of lights, ribbon, pine cones, scented candles, poinsettias and other Christmas plants) may also possess allergens that may cause allergy symptoms.

Treatment:

The treatment of Christmas tree syndrome is to first remove the individual from the area in the house where the Christmas tree is located. Unfortunately, this is usually not possible because Christmas is a time to be with family members and most of the time that involves being in the room with the tree. If one is unable or unwilling to avoid exposure to the Christmas tree, one can use a variety of allergy medications to help alleviate the allergy symptoms. Oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, and/or nasal antihistamines are usually the initial treatment modalities in most allergic individuals. If other medications are needed, nasal anticholinergics and/or oral leukotriene antagonists can also be utilized.

Prevention:

Obviously, the prevention of Christmas tree exposure has the best outcome, but in the holiday spirit, the following things can help alleviate allergy symptoms in individuals who plan on putting up a Christmas tree. Some of the recommendations for minimizing allergy symptoms with Christmas trees may include cleaning the tree, keeping the tree outside, increase the ventilation of the room, minimize exposure to the tree, and/or use an alternative instead of a tree such as a Christmas “statue.” Christmas “candy cane,” etc.

The board certified allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy have 3 convenient locations in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area and we have been providing allergy and asthma care to this area for more than 50 years whether it is Christmas or not. Our offices are located in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All of our offices offer on-site parking. For further convenience, our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. In addition, our McLean, VA office location offers a complementary shuttle that runs between this office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. For an appointment, please call one of our offices. Alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it is our mission to help alleviate your undesirable symptoms, so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. Black & Kletz Allergy is dedicated to providing the highest quality allergy and asthma care in an empathetic, relaxed, and professional environment.