Can you be allergic to water? The answer is yes, although it is very rare. The medical term for it is called, aquagenic urticaria. It is a form of chronic hives that is characterized by the occurrence of itchy wheals after skin contact with water, such as bathing or swimming. The signs and symptoms of […]
Does Expired Albuterol work?
Does expired albuterol work? Expiration dates of pharmaceutical products are important to know. They are based on stability studies conducted by manufacturers. Expiration dates imply that the medications no longer retain their potency and should be discarded once its reached, but in facts, the post expiration residual drug strength is usually undetermined. In fact in […]
Odactra vs. Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops
Odactra vs. Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops is an important question for patients with dust mite allergic rhinitis. Therapy can consist of oral antihistamines, nasal antihistamines and nasal steroids to manage the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Although medications are effective, 62% of adults and 29% of children experience partial or poor relief of symptoms through […]
New Eosinophilic Esophagitis Treatments
New Eosinophilic esophagitis treatments are currently being studied. As of today, there are no eosinophilic esophagitis treatments that are FDA approved. On the horizon is Eohilia Budesonide Oral Suspension for Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Plus there are many other ways that EoE can be treated, but there are no official medications yet. Here we will discuss new eosinophilic […]
Gefapixant for Chronic Cough by Merck
Gefapixant is a selective P2X3 receptor antagonist being currently developed by Merck for chronic unexplained cough. Chronic cough is a significant issue for many patients. It is estimated that between 5-10% of the population has it at one time. Many patients with chronic cough have underlying allergies that cause post nasal drip, asthma or acid […]
Should you taken an antihistamine before allergy shots?
An antihistamine before allergy shots may help prevent adverse reactions. Allergy shots is the only potential disease modifying treatment for allergic diseases (oral immunotherapy is also as well). The typical process of allergy immunotherapy involves regular administration of increasing doses of sensitizing allergy to a targeted maintenance dose. Allergy immunotherapy can come in different routes, […]
When can you stop inhaled steroids for asthma?
Inhaled steroids for asthma is the recommended first-line treatment for patients who are uncontrolled. Inhaled steroids have led to fewer hospitalizations and deaths over the past 10-15 years. Recent Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, recommend in mild asthma, intermittent use of an inhaled steroid and long acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) on an as needed basis […]
Nasal Polyps Treatment; Past, Present and Future
Nasal polyps treatment have shown great advances recently, and many more treatments are on the horizon. Nasal polyps are used to describe chronic rhinosinusitis associated with the formation of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps affect 2-4% of adults globally. About 50% of patients have existing allergies. Nasal polyps are semitranslucent, pale grey, grape-like, benign inflammatory lesions […]
Astepro OTC now available without a prescription
Astepro OTC has now been approved by the FDA without a prescription. The generic name for Astepro is Azelastine. Azelastine comes in 2 different strengths, 0.1% and 0.15%. The 0.15% is the one that is going OTC. Astepro OTC is a nasal antihistamine similar to Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl or Zyrtec, but it is in the […]
Capsaicin for Nonallergic Rhinitis
Capsaicin nasal spray may be an effective treatment for patients who have nonallergic rhinitis. A significant proportion (25-30%) of patients suffering from rhinitis have nasal symptoms without an infection or allergies, this is referred to nonallergic rhinitis. Up to 50% of these patients have idiopathic rhinitis after excluding work, elderly, gustatory, hormonal and drug induced […]