Does an Air Purifier help asthma or allergies, is a common question asked among allergy specialists. There is evidence that indoor air pollution is associated with poor asthma outcomes, including hospitalizations and asthma medication use, poorer lung function and asthma-related mortality. So reducing indoor air pollution is likely important for improving outcomes in people with […]
Tezspire vs. Nucala vs. Fasenra vs. Dupixent for Eosinophilic Asthma, a comparison
With the influx of new biological medications for asthma, the question is which one is the best to use in comparing Tezspire, Nucala, Fasenra and Dupixent? In many individuals, asthma remains uncontrolled despite the use of inhaled steroids, the use of new biological injections can improve symptoms greatly. There are no head to head trials […]
Cucumber Allergy can come in many flavors
Cucumber allergy is not commonly reported, but it can cause adverse reactions. Cucumbers are in the Cucurbitaceae family of plants which also includes pumpkins and melons. Hypersensitivity reactions to other fruits are commonly reported as well (see below).Cucumbers are popular long, lean, and green garden vegetables. Technically, they’re fruits from the same family as watermelons and […]
Do Allergy Shots help Eczema?
Do allergy shots help eczema? Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and relapsing skin disease characterized by itching and skin inflammation. It affects 15-20% of children and up to 5% of adults. The cause of eczema if multifactorial, and it is driven by a combination of skin barrier defects, immune dysregulation, and external stimuli like allergens, […]
Is Benadryl Safe to use, or is it Time to Move on?
Is Benadryl a safe medication to use? Benadryl or diphenhydramine has been available since 1946, before drugs were required to pass rigorous testing. Benadryl is commonly used and it is the most commonly recommended antihistamine for children over the past several years by physicians and pharmacists. Benadryl will frequently be chosen because of brand recognition […]
Airsupra for Asthma, a new rescue medication
Airsupra was recently FDA approved for rescue treatment for asthma. Airsupra is a combination product of albuterol and budesonide that is for as needed treatment of bronchoconstriction and to reduce exacerbations for those 18 years and older. Albuterol has been the mainstay for many years in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations. Albuterol is a […]
Cantaloupe Allergy comes in many flavors
Cantaloupe allergy is not commonly reported, but it can cause adverse reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions to other foods are commonly reported, particularly bananas, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, zucchini, banana, honeydew and watermelon. A cantaloupe is an edible member of the gourd family known for its orange, sweet flesh and hard, scaly outer rind. Its scientific name is Cucumis melo cantalupensis […]
Remibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor for Chronic Hives
Remibrutinib is a highly selective oral, novel covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor that might be effective in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Chronic spontaneous urticaria is characterized by the occurrence of itchy wheals and/or swelling lasting 6 weeks or more. Chronic hives affects about 1% of the population. First line treatment is the use of a non-sedating […]
Eczema and Hard Water, is there a link?
Does hard water affect the development of eczema? Children living in areas with hard water seem to have higher rates of eczema, raising the possibility that softening water might be an effective preventive measure. A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of home installation of water softeners in preventing the development of eczema in infants with […]
Nucala, Fasenra or Dupixent for Severe Eosinophilic Asthma?
With the advent of new biological medications for severe eosinophilic asthma, patients have improved significantly. Approximately 10% of individuals with asthma have severe disease, and this accounts for most asthma related morbidity and mortality. Previously the mainstay of treatment was inhaled steroids and beta agonists. In patients with severe asthma who have high eosinophils (greater […]