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Mammalian Meat Allergy

Posted on January 12, 2015
Mammalian Meat Allergy is a delayed allergic reaction triggered by eating the meat of some mammals.   The condition was discovered by researchers at the University of Virginia only a few years ago.  Their findings of this new allergy were published in 2009.  The allergy initially was confined to the southeastern part of the U.S. with a majority of the cases in Virginia.  Subsequently, the condition has become more widespread. Mammalian Meat Allergy is initiated by
The onset of winter in the Washington DC metro area has brought two cold-related health problems to the forefront. The first one concerns many people with respiratory disorders like asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).  Cold dry air is a known irritant to the respiratory passages and can trigger an increase in the frequency and severity of respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In addition, respiratory infections, especially caused by viruses, are more prevalent during the winter

Asthma in the Winter

Posted on November 20, 2014
With the onset of cold weather, some children and adults with a history of asthma are experiencing flare-up of their symptoms.  Breathing in cold, dry air can irritate and inflame the lungs, causing acute exacerbations of one’s asthma.  The other common triggers of asthma symptoms are viral infections, which are usually more common in winter months. The viral infections usually begin as “cold-like” symptoms with sneezing, followed by copious amounts of clear mucus in one’s nasal secretions and usually are
As Winter approaches, people with dust, mold, and pet allergies tend to suffer more than those with pollen allergies.  Pollen levels in the mid-Atlantic region (Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, etc.) become immeasurable once the first frost occurs.  The first frost usually occurs by November in our region of the country.  Therefore, when people experience the typical allergy symptoms during the late Fall and Winter months, dust mites and/or molds are generally the culprits.  Keep in mind that there are

Pet Allergy: What You Should Know

Posted on October 9, 2014
The two most common pet allergies in the United States are cats (20% of the population) and dogs (10% of the population).  Dogs, however, are the most common pet, followed by cats.  There has been an upward trend in the U.S. in the number of household pets with almost 70% of households having at least one pet.  Of course, besides dogs and cats, other common pets include birds, rodents (i.e., hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chinchillas, mice,

Mold Allergies

Posted on October 6, 2014
As the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are starting to “fall”, the ragweed and other weed pollen counts are also gradually decreasing, but the mold spores will be a significant trigger of asthma and allergy symptoms in the coming few months for sensitized individuals. Mold is a fungus which can cause bothersome symptoms in a few different ways: Allergic Reaction:  Though all of us are exposed to molds, only some of us develop “sensitivity” to
As summer draws to a close and schools reopen across our region, most of us look forward to cooler days and fall colors. But if you are one of several million Americans who suffer from “Hay Fever” (“seasonal allergic rhinitis,” as it is more accurately named) to ragweed, the rising levels of pollen from ragweed are sure to increase your misery due to your allergic reaction to these pollen grains. Though many weeds like Pigweed, Mugwort/Sagebrush, Cocklebur,
Many people are convinced that they have food allergies.  For some, this is a correct assumption.  For others, they may actually have a food sensitivity or food intolerance, but not a true food allergy.  Still others, may have an episode of food poisoning.  In order for it to be a true food allergy, there must be a specific immune response to a particular food protein involving the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody (also known as the “allergy” antibody).  This type of
A very common question that has been raised by many patients and especially parents of children with environmental and food allergies is:  Why are we experiencing more and more allergies and asthma in the DC area now compared to a generation ago? While it is possible that we are now able to detect and recognize allergic disorders more effectively than before, there is data to support the view that the actual incidence (the number of newly diagnosed cases)
As the tree and grass pollen season is winding down in the Washington DC area, “summer colds” are playing a bigger role in symptoms that include stuffy nose, runny nose, eye irritation, sore throat, and cough in many people. Also read: Sinus Infection vs. Cold: Symptoms & Treatment Options The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract passages.  Different strains of viruses are responsible for these infections in different seasons.

Hay Fever in the Washington, DC Area

Posted on June 4, 2014
Hay Fever in the DC area is manifested by tree and grass pollens in the Spring and ragweed pollen in the Fall.  More specifically, the tree pollen usually begins to pollinate towards the end of February each year and continue pollinating into May or even early June.  Grass pollen usually begins to pollinate in May and the peak of it is usually over by early July, but it still is present into August.  Ragweed pollinates usually beginning in
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases afflicting both adults and children. Over 20 million Americans suffer from this condition and more than 6 million of them are children. There are three main features of asthma.  Chronic inflammation of the airways in the lung causes swelling of the tissues around these airways and is the most important abnormality in asthma.  In addition to this chronic inflammation, the muscles around the walls of the

Insect Sting Reactions

Posted on May 2, 2014
As we enter into warmer months, insect sting reactions are one of the major concerns in our greater Washington, DC metro area. Most people who are stung by insects experience swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the sting. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days. However, some of us are “allergic” to the insect venoms and the stings can lead to severe life-threatening reactions. In fact, about one-half a million people seek
When we have frequent nasal congestion, runny noses, sneezing fits, and itchy, red, watery eyes, the common dilemma arises:   Is it a sinus infection vs. a cold?  How do I treat either? Sinus Infection vs. Cold:  Differences The “common cold” refers to an infection caused by germs like viruses affecting the upper respiratory passages.  It causes inflammation of the tissues inside the nose and surrounding areas (Infectious Rhinitis).  It usually begins with nasal congestion, runny
What is hay fever?  It’s a common term in vogue to refer to the symptoms of sneezing, runny noses, stuffy noses, and itchy red, watery eyes, triggered by exposure to pollen.  However, these are not usually caused by hay and not associated with fever!  “Allergic Rhinitis” is a more accurate term as it describes the true cause of hay fever, which is inflammation of the lining and other tissues inside the nose. Also read: Hay Fever

Asthma Treatment Warrenton, VA

Posted on March 30, 2014
Black & Kletz Allergy offers physician services specializing in asthma treatment Warrenton, VA residents trust. There are 2 board certified physicians specializing in allergy and immunology that provide state-of-the-art allergy, immunology, and asthma treatment Warrenton, VA inhabitants rely on. Our allergy doctors begin with performing a comprehensive history followed by a detailed and focused physical examination. This will be followed by targeted tests to evaluate the possible triggers and/or aggravating factors for the patient’s symptoms.

McLean, VA Location

1420 SPRINGHILL ROAD, SUITE 350

MCLEAN, VA 22102

PHONE: (703) 790-9722

FAX: (703) 893-8666

Washington, D.C. Location

2021 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 524

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006

PHONE: (202) 466-4100

FAX: (202) 296-6622

Manassas, VA Location

7818 DONEGAN DRIVE

MANASSAS, VA 20109

PHONE: (703) 361-6424

FAX: (703) 361-2472


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