September 15, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Viruses cause a variety of illnesses in humans ranging from mild upper respiratory infections (URI’s) to life-threatening pulmonary and extra-pulmonary diseases. Rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses, and influenza are the most common viruses infecting the respiratory tract. Among these rhinoviruses, RSV and influenza viruses are common causes of wheezing in children. Recurrent infections […]
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September 7, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted which results in an individual to not get enough deep sleep that is required to rejuvenate the body. Excessive daytime sleepiness or falling asleep at inappropriate times are the classic symptoms of this disorder. It can be very serious and is a potentially fatal […]
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August 16, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the lungs. Inflammatory swelling of the tissues in the walls of the bronchial tubes and excessive mucus secretion within the lumen of the bronchial tubes cause blockage to the free flow of air in and out of the lungs during normal respiration. In some instances, asthma […]
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August 8, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
It is mid-August in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, so that means that ragweed is beginning to pollinate. For those who are bothered by ragweed allergies, this means that it is time to stock up on tissues and over-the-counter medications. Ragweed allergy is common as approximately 10% of the U.S. population […]
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July 7, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
DRESS syndrome [also known as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)] is a rare but serious allergic reaction to medications. Though the true incidence of this condition is unknown, it is estimated to occur in 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 drug exposures. In addition to affecting the skin, it may damage the function of many […]
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July 4, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
We have all heard about Spring and Fall allergies. The severity of the pollen seasons is always predicted as we enter Spring and Fall and there are numerous news articles and television pieces on the subject. You may seem like an expert on these seasonal allergies, but do you know that Summer brings its own […]
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June 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
There are at least 4 major groups of allergic manifestations which are as follows: Atopic dermatitis (i.e., eczema) Food allergy Asthma Allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) The relationship between these 4 conditions has actually been very well studied in a model known as the “allergic march” or “atopic march.” The allergic march describes how children […]
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June 7, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Allergies to molds are very common in the U.S. and around the world. Mold allergies are responsible for a great deal of allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma that affects so many individuals. Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular strands called hyphae. Fungi that propagate in a single […]
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May 17, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Pollen is comprised of a powdery substance whose individual grains contain the male part (i.e., anthers) of seed-bearing plants. The pollen causes the female part of the same type of flower to produce seeds. Pollen is carried to other plants via the wind or by insects. It is when the pollen is dispersed by the […]
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May 10, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Rhinitis is a term that means inflammation of the mucus membranes of inside the nose. It is a very common condition. Rhinitis can either be acute or chronic. Acute rhinitis is inflammation of the mucus membranes of the inner nose that lasts up to 4 weeks in duration. It is not uncommon for acute rhinitis […]
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April 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, is the most common skin disease of pregnancy. This polymorphic (i.e., different shapes and forms) skin eruption occurs in approximately 0.5% or 1 in 200 pregnancies. The cause of this condition is generally unknown. Individuals with this condition exhibit a very itchy (i.e., pruritus) rash that […]
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April 11, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Asthma is a fairly common disease in the U.S. Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (i.e., breathing tubes) resulting is symptoms that may include chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or coughing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25 million people in the U.S. […]
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March 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Hives (i.e., urticaria) are a fairly common occurrence which is usually very annoying to the individual who suffers from them. They are often called “welts” by the general public and “wheals” by allergists. Hives are itchy, red blotches on the skin that are usually raised. Some affected individuals may experience a burning sensation while others […]
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February 19, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Why do we cough? Coughing is a natural defense mechanism to expel excessive mucus, microbes, and irritant substances from our airways which acts to protect our lungs from the potential damage caused by them. Coughing, however, can also be a bothersome symptom and is one of the most common reasons why patients consult their doctors. […]
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February 19, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Historically, March is the month that many trees begin pollinating in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This year, trees have begun to pollinate in February, as the temperatures in the metro area have been higher than normal for a typical Winter. We will begin to see tree pollen marked by a yellowish coating on our […]
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January 23, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Most everyone is aware of the classic and common allergies that many individuals suffer from routinely. Allergies to dust mites, molds, pollens, pets, and/or cockroaches usually manifest themselves as symptoms of allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies), and/or asthma. Food allergies are not uncommon and it commonly known that the most […]
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January 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Keratoconjunctivitis is term used to describe inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. Keratitis specifically is the inflammation of the cornea (i.e., the transparent dome that covers the pupil and the iris of the eye). Conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is the inflammation of the conjunctiva [i.e., the thin membrane covering the sclera (i.e., the white […]
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December 9, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
What are some of the causes? As we enter into the season of colder days and nights in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we are exposed to colder and drier air. The cold and dry air in conjunction with lower humidity levels predispose individuals to flare-ups of eczematous skin conditions. Layers of clothing during outdoor […]
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December 6, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Twenty percent of the U.S population have cat allergies and 10% of the population have dog allergies. In the U.S., the most common pet are dogs, which are followed by cats as the second most common pet. Approximately 70% of homes having at least one pet. This is a higher percentage of homes with pets […]
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November 30, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
As we are in the Fall season and approaching Winter, many individuals may experience a clear runny nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, headache, coughing, and/or fatigue. The question to many becomes, “Do I have a common cold or do I have Fall/Winter allergies? It is a common question to an […]
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