Should Every Airplane Carry Epinephrine? Why an Allergist Says the Answer Is Yes As an allergist practicing in the United States, I regularly counsel patients with food allergies and other conditions that put them at risk for anaphylaxis. One of the most common questions I hear before a trip is: “What happens if I have […]

Supermodel, television personality, and entrepreneur Tyra Banks has been reported to have a significant allergy to cats. Interestingly, a cat allergy was even incorporated into her novel Modelland, whose main character, Tookie, is allergic to cats. Banks has also spoken publicly about struggling with allergies and keeping several allergy medications on hand to control sneezing. […]

Allergies don’t care whether you’re running errands or running for president. Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, hay fever, pet allergies, hives and even potentially serious insect-sting reactions have affected some of the most recognizable political figures in American history. In fact, allergy problems have followed presidents into the White House for generations. Some presidents received allergy […]

Asthma can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Those symptoms might seem incompatible with elite sports, where athletes push their cardiovascular and respiratory systems to extraordinary levels. Yet some of the most recognizable athletes in soccer, basketball, football, and Olympic swimming have competed while living with asthma. David Beckham, Dennis Rodman, Jerome […]

El Niño and Allergies: Why a Wet Winter Can Make Allergy Season Worse in Southern California If your allergies seem worse after a rainy Southern California winter, there may be a reason. El Niño can indirectly influence allergy and asthma symptoms by changing rainfall, plant growth, pollen production, mold exposure, and air quality. A wetter […]

Food allergies can affect anyone—including some of the biggest names in music, movies, television, and professional sports. From Ariana Grande’s unusual tomato allergy to Sabrina Carpenter’s reactions to apples and almonds, several celebrities have publicly discussed living with allergies. Their stories are also a reminder that allergies can develop at different stages of life. Someone […]

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many allergists have heard a similar question from patients: “I never had allergies before COVID. Why am I suddenly reacting to everything?” Patients may describe new nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, wheezing, hives, skin irritation, or sensitivity to environmental triggers after recovering from COVID-19. While researchers are still determining […]

You made it through childhood without allergies. You could eat almost anything, spend time around pets, and enjoy spring without constantly sneezing. Then suddenly, as an adult, things seem different. Maybe certain foods make your mouth itch. You develop hives for no apparent reason. Your nose is constantly congested. A friend’s cat suddenly makes your […]

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition that can be frustrating for patients and clinicians alike. Symptoms are real, often debilitating, and can affect multiple organ systems, yet standard testing is frequently normal. As allergists and immunologists, our role is to carefully separate true mast cell disease from look-alike conditions and arrive at a […]

As an allergy and respiratory specialist practicing in Los Angeles, I’ve seen a sharp uptick in patients suffering from breathing difficulties, sinus inflammation, and chronic respiratory irritation—many of whom live in or near the areas impacted by the recent wildfires in the Palisades and Altadena. The Invisible Threat: Smoke, Ash, and Airborne Particulates Even if […]